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Chapter 38 - Mad Brother Language

The Doctor looked at a screen on the wall of the med bay. "Pepper, all of this looks great."

Pepper sat on the table top, fully clothed. "Thank goodness."

He grinned, "And you didn't have to take any of your clothing off."

She giggled, "Always my main concern. I mean, I know you're a Doctor….but-"

"Oh, I get it. It's alright." He looked back at her. "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?"

She sighed, "John. I didn't want to go into it. Tony found out about it last night…well…"

"You've never told him?"

"I told him….some of it. When we first began our relationship, I told him that I couldn't have children. I felt that would be important to him."

The Doctor sat on a stool and faced her, "I see. I don't think it is."

"Well, you know he can't either."

"Right. He can't."

She sighed. "I just….I don't know why I didn't explain it to him. I guess…I truly didn't understand it."

"Well. It makes sense. You were so young when everything happened. It appears that your appendix ruptured and caused a lot of problems. There are a lot of things they removed. This would have taken a long time to recover from."

She sighed. "It did. And anytime after that when I got sick, everyone panicked and rushed me to the doctor."

"You're worried that Tony will do that?"

"Tony is scared to death that something is wrong. Just seeing the fear in his face this morning….oh, John. It was terrible."

"Tony isn't used to not being able to understand something-"

"Or control it." Pepper added.

The Doctor turned and looked at the screen. "This….is an ovary that you still have. That was left."

Pepper sighed, "You want to remove it."

"No." He smiled. "Having a child, or several, is not completely out of the question for you."

She looked at him in confusion. "What?"

"Women are born with all of the eggs inside of their ovaries that they will ever have in their lifetime. Nearly two million."

"Two million?!"

"Yep." He popped. "But, a lot of them die around puberty and over the years-"

"Wait. I can't carry a baby. I can't do that!"

"You're limiting yourself to what is available here on Earth. There are doctors who have grown children in incubators on Plentitude. Well, it's similar."

"But, Tony can't have children."

"For him, he could give a DNA sample. Simple skin prick or blood. Mix the two together and see what happens."

She looked shocked. "We could have a baby?"

He nodded, "Yeah. It's still difficult, but not impossible."

She covered her mouth in shock. "I can't believe it."

"Talk to Tony and see if it's something you want to explore."

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Arles sat in Legate's room watching a monitor as Legate slept. He sighed and propped his feet up on the side of the bed as he mumbled. "Damn it, Legate. You and that head of yours."

He reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone. He had missed a text from Kelly.

'And how is your day going?' It read.

He smiled at the screen. After a quick glance over at Legate, he pressed the button to ring her. Within seconds, her image filled the screen.

She smiled, "And there you are."

He relaxed and returned her smile. "And there you are. Are you still studying?"

She groaned. "Oh, Arles. What have I gotten myself into?"

"You can do this, Kelly-"

"Ugh. It's just….I feel a bit overwhelmed. And then Dad called and wants me to have dinner with him tonight."

"Dinner? Will your step-Mum be there?"

She signed and nodded that she would be. "I didn't realize that when I agreed to go. Now, I just… I can't even concentrate knowing I have to see her tonight."

"Don't let her do this to you. Can you cancel?"

"Dad went into surgery and can't answer my call. I'm rather stuck."

"Damn."

She took a deep breath. "So, that's my problem. What are you doing? You look like you are in a hospital."

He looked around, "I am. I'm babysitting."

"Babysitting? Who?"

He pointed next to him where she couldn't see, "Oh, Legate. He's in the bed."

"Is he alright?"

"He's fine. Well, he'll be fine once he wakes up."

She relaxed. "Legate. I've heard you talk about him. Who is he?"

He rubbed the side of his own head and smiled, "He's like a brother to me. Well, I suppose-"

Legate groaned, "I actually am your brother."

Arles laughed, "Well, that's true. He married Genie, my sis. And he's awake."

Legate didn't open his eyes, "Not awake. Just….here."

Arles laughed in relief.

Kelly smiled, "Sounds like your baby woke up."

Legate groaned and said something in Quauhtin.

Arles laughed and replied in Quauhtin to him.

Kelly looked confused. "What language is that?"

Arles shook his head. "Nevermind. Our, mad…brother language."

Legate didn't open his eyes, "Hi Kelly. Is he bothering you?"

Arles moved the phone so Kelly could see Legate. "He's not. Are we bothering you?"

Legate smiled and said dreamily, "No."

Arles became serious, "Legate, do you need water? Pain medicine? Anything?"

Legate said slowly, "Press the button."

Arles stood up and pressed a button on the screen behind the bed that gave Legate another dose of pain medication.

Legate relaxed.

"Do I need to fetch Dad?" Arles asked.

"No. But, Genie."

"I'll go get her. Kelly, what time is dinner?"

She sighed, "Ugh. 6:00. And I really just need to forget it and study."

"Yes, you do. I'll see you at 6:00. Send me the address."

Her eyes became large. "Arles! You can't drop everything and -"

"Yes, I can. I told you that I wouldn't let you see that woman alone. I'll be there."

Kelly sighed. "Arles. You don't have to do that-"

Arles pointed at her. "I do. I'll see you tonight. Go study."

He ended the call.

Legate didn't open his eyes. "Are you planning on popping to this girl?"

Arles stood up and slipped the phone in his pocket. "Maybe."

"That's against Lewis' rules."

"Papa isn't here. He's busy."

Legate opened his eyes and glared at Arles. "If you make me have to get out of this bed to come get your ass out of trouble…."

Arles laughed.

"….I will have to kill you."

Arles grinned, "And put the entire Kingdom at risk? I'm heir. You can't kill me."

Legate pointed at him, "You would be surprised what you can live through."

Arles looked shocked, "Threatening the heir of the Kingdom-"

Legate groaned, "Oh, you suck. Go get Genie. Tell her that I'm fine."

Arles pat his leg as he walked out of the room.

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