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Chapter 47 - Breakfast Party

The Doctor walked back into his suite. Genie was upset and ran to him. He picked her up and held her tightly. "Everything is alright. You are safe, sweetheart."

She held his neck tightly as she cried. Rose walked over and rubbed her back. "She saw the explosion."

He kissed her cheek. "It's all over, sweetheart. Daddy will hold you until you tell him you are alright. Okay?"

She nodded her head as she cried in his shoulder.

He looked at Licis, "Thank you."

He nodded his head.

Ashena walked to him, "Thank you, again."

"Try to get some rest. We'll be back to the Andromedaen homeworld in ten hours."

She nodded her head. "I will go call my mother. She should hear this from me."

"Do you need me to-"

She shook her head. "Logan has offered to stay with me. Thank you."

He looked up at Logan and shook his hand, "Good man, Logan."

Logan nodded his head. "I've lost a father. I have a hand she can hold."

She smiled painfully at Logan. Then she looked back at Rose and the Doctor. "Good evening."

They walked out with Licis behind them.

Genie continued to hold his neck tightly. Rose inquired, "Can you breathe?"

"She's alright. It's very late. Let's get them both to bed."

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Rose woke up as a bright light shown in her eyes. The Doctor lay on his back with Rose on his chest and Genie on his shoulder. He didn't open his eyes as he put his hands over Genie and Rose's eyes. "Friday. Shade the window."

"Of course, Doctor Seuss." Friday replied.

He grumbled, "Damn that Stark. I'll figure out how he's doing that one day." He rested his hands on both of the girls' foreheads as the window became shaded.

Rose looked over at the clock. They had been asleep for just an hour and a half. She laid her head back down on his chest and sighed.

"What's wrong?" he whispered to her.

"Nothing. I'm just breathing."

"You're sighing." He corrected her as he rubbed her back.

"What was that light?" she asked him quietly.

"A star. Feels like…. Beta Canum Venaticorum. It's a G class star, so it's a bit brighter than the one for Earth."

She ran her fingertips across the t-shirt he wore. "What other names does it have?"

He didn't open his eyes, "Chara. Which also means 'joy' in Greek. 'The Southern Dog' by some, probably Howie. And in Chinese, Cháng Chén, which means the Imperial Guard." He exhaled slowly as he kissed Genie's head.

She continued to run her fingertips across his chest. "Baby. Are you alright?"

"I'm always alright." He told her without opening his eyes.

She rose up and looked at him, "Are are you even awake?"

He took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm trying not to be."

"I'm sorry-"

"No, it's alright. What's on your mind?" he asked as he turned his head towards her without opening his eyes.

"I should let you sleep-"

"I'm asleep. Don't worry about that." He chuckled.

"Clagl's last thoughts were that he was loved. He was prouder of that than of anything."

He kissed Genie's head again. "Yeah."

"He was a King. He had done unbelievable things most likely."

"If the Dimensions are the same with Clagl, he rose to power when he was barely older than his daughter is now. He led his people through the aftermath of a war, rebuilt an army, reestablished trade between many worlds and rebuilt the peaceful homeworld where we are going. Not bad for a reign that lasted….. 31 years."

"After all he accomplished, he was proudest that he was loved. Isn't that remarkable?"

"It's like I've explained to you. Love is something from a story. People who marry for love are extremely rare. We're something….unique because of that."

"Because of more than that." She said as she rubbed his chest.

He smiled, "That's very true."

"Are you talking in your sleep again?"

He smiled, "Ask me again in a few hours."

She lay down on his chest and whispered, "Baby?"

He grunted, "Huh?"

"Did you really tell that demon to piss off?"

He smiled. "Nah. That doesn't even sound like me."

She put her hand on his cheek as she kissed his lips. She whispered, "Get your rest."

"I would but some beautiful woman keeps kissing me." He told her.

She lay back down on his chest and returned to sleep.

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A few hours later, Genie sat at the dining table in their suite. The Doctor put a bowl of porridge in front of her. Rose was sitting at the table with her, giving Sam a feed from a bottle.

The Doctor pointed at Rose. "Okay, I know you want tea."

"Tea for sure. That one is easy."

He nodded his head as he walked back to the food replicator. The door beeped, "Come in." He called.

The door opened and Tony walked in. "And good morning to everyone. What's for breakfast?"

Genie smiled, "Porridge!"

"Gross. Where's the three bears?" he asked.

The Doctor sat a cup of tea in front of Rose with a plate of soft, scrambled eggs and a salad. She looked at it and laughed, "What is this?"

He held his hands out, "Breakfast."

"A salad? Who eats this for breakfast?"

"Hell, I will." He shook his head at her and put the plate in front of the chair that sat next to her. "You're weird, Rose. Tony, what do you want?"

Tony sat in front of Genie and laughed, "Oh, surprise me. Looks like you might be on a roll."

Genie shook her head at him, "Are you certain about that? Daddy knows some mad stuff."

Tony laughed, "Coffee. For sure."

He went back to the food replicator.

Rose looked at him, "Did you sleep last night?"

"I did. For a few hours at least. I sleep better on the ship than I do at home. I don't know why." Tony told her.

"Have you spoken to Pepper?"

He propped his head on his fist, "A couple of days ago. She was asking questions I couldn't answer. Like, 'Where are you?', 'When are you coming home?', 'What did you do with the remote to the television?' Hell, I don't even watch the television at home. That's the reason I come to your place."

Rose giggled at him.

The Doctor walked back over to the table, handed Tony a cup of coffee and sat down a plate in front of Rose. It had several slices of French bread with green paste and an egg lying on the top. Rose pointed at it. "What is this?"

He rolled his eyes. "It's toast with avocado, chile de arbol, and fried egg."

She laughed, "I'm not eating that! Are you mad?"

He looked surprised at Tony. "Can you believe this woman?"

Tony reached over and took her plate. "Hell, that looks good to me. I'll take it. Think simple John."

The Doctor rubbed his chin and walked back over to the food replicator. He made himself a cup of coffee, stood and drank it as he thought. "Don't tell me Rose. I'm going to figure this out."

Rose rolled her eyes. "This shouldn't be this big of a deal, baby. Let me just tell you what it was."

He sipped his coffee as he thought. "No, I'm clever. I'll figure this out."

Tony looked back at Rose. "What is going on?"

"We have a bet. I told him I didn't think he would remember what we had for breakfast on this date we went on. Back before we were married."

"I remember everything. I'll figure it out!" he called from the food replicator.

The door beeped. "Come in!" The Doctor yelled.

Legate walked in with Summus.

Summus smiled, "Oh, in time for breakfast."

Tony laughed, "Yeah, they are doing something weird."

Legate sat down next to Genie. "Porridge, huh?"

She smiled at him as she nodded her head.

The Doctor snapped his fingers. "Got it!"

He asked for something from the food replicator and proudly took the plate to the table. He sat it in front of Rose and smiled. "Perfect! Toad in a hole!"

Genie's eyes lit up. "Oh! I want that!"

Rose laughed, "Let Genie have it. She's been asking for that for days. And no. That wasn't it."

Legate looked at it as it was pasted to Genie. "Hey. That looks good. I'll have one of those."

The Doctor groaned as he returned and made Legate a plate, "Rose. Are you certain you remember?"

She smiled at him. "Of course I do."

He threw his hand up as he walked back to the food replicator. "I'll get this."

Summus laughed at them. "We came by to have a chat with you."

The Doctor stood in front of the food replicator sipping his coffee. "I'll be available for that shortly. This has my full attention at the moment." He asked for something else. He brought the plate over to the table and sat it in front of Rose. "This. This has to be it. An English woman's favorite breakfast."

Rose looked down at the plate in front of her. It was a Full English. She laughed and shook her head. "No. But, I'll eat that-"

He slid the plate to Summus. "There. For you, Summus. I'm determined."

Summus laughed as he looked at Rose. "What are you doing?"

"It's a bet. It's…..involved…" she blushed.

"Private bet, boys. And I've figured it out. Yes. This has to be it." he mumbled to himself as he requested something from the food replicator.

He brought it over to her and sat the plate down in front of her. It was a bowl of small rolls, deli meats and tomatoes. Another small bowl held butter. She smiled back up at him, "That was it."

He smiled like a loon. "Yes! I knew I would remember! Yes! The Brigadier's favorite breakfast. Yes!" He sat down next to her and started to eat his salad.

Legate looked puzzled at him. "You eat salad for breakfast, John?"

He looked back at Rose, who laughed at him. "I told you that was strange. Even Legate thinks so, and have you seen the stuff he eats?"

Genie nodded her head, "Yeah. It's incredible."

Legate laughed as he ate.

Genie got up and put her bowl back on the food replicator. She stood next to the Doctor and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for breakfast, Daddy."

He smiled back at her. "You're welcome, princess. Go change your clothes and I'll do your hair."

She ran off to her bedroom.

"Alright. What do you need to talk to me about?" He asked as he continued to eat his eggs and salad.

Summus got up and made some tea. "Ashena has asked me to join the Royal Guard on Andromeda."

"You were planning on returning. To train Quauhtin."

"Yes. But, Licis and I have spoken and it appears there is much work to be done there. It might be a better fit for me." Summus told him as he returned to the table and handed Legate a cup of tea. He sat down next to him and continued to eat his breakfast.

The Doctor shrugged his shoulders. "Well, that's your decision, Summus. But, I agree. It would be a good idea. Plus, I have my own selfish reasons I would prefer you to remain there."

Summus pointed at Legate. "Legate has to ask you about something that will be your decision."

Legate nodded his head and wiped his mouth with his napkin. He looked to ensure Genie was still in her room. "Logan has decided to remain, at least for the time being, with Ashena. I would like to request that I stay with him for a few weeks. He's not traveled in space, or been to other worlds as much as I have, and I feel I could show him some of their customs and keep him out of trouble."

"Just a few weeks? Are you sure you don't want a transfer completely?"

"No. I love working on Terra. I want to remain at my post as Genie's primary. She's lost so much that for me to up and leave her now would be devastating. A few weeks will be hard enough for her."

The Doctor sat back and nodded his head. "Thank you for considering that. You're right. She wouldn't do well with it at all."

Legate nodded his head. "I have my own ship, and can use it to return once Logan feels comfortable enough to stay. Or, I can bring him back home."

"Has Logan spoken to his Mum about all of this?"

Legate nodded his head. "First thing this morning. She told him to do what he felt was right."

"Does Michelle know he's talking about being on another planet?" Rose asked.

Legate shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure of the specifics."

The Doctor looked back at Rose and smiled. "Michelle has always treated those children as if they were their own individuals. That's why they all have a good head on their shoulders."

"Logan wanted to ask if he could be released from his agreement with you, and plans to speak to you later today. You can still tell him no, and he will return. And I will come as well."

The Doctor shook his head. "I won't tell him no. He's his own man and seems to have made his decision already."

Tony pointed at the Doctor. "Well, does this mean he's not going to-"

The Doctor sipped his coffee. "Oh, no. He's defiantly getting that copied into his head. It's more important now than it has ever been. Who are we copying it from?"

Tony pointed at Rose. "Her. She's the baddest ass on this entire ship."

He looked shocked, "Rose? What?"

"He asked me days ago. I thought he had spoken to you about it already."

Tony smiled proudly. "It's in the hanger, and just needs some adjustment from a good Doctor. Know anybody?"

The Doctor threw his napkin at him. "Piss off."

Tony laughed. "Better than being pissed on. This seems to be your 'go to insult' at the moment. Do you need a dictionary? Coaching? Sleep? Sex? Rose, help a man out here."

Rose rolled her eyes and sipped her tea. "Piss off, Tony."

Tony laughed at them. "So much love in this room."

Summus looked at them curiously, "What is this? What are you on about?"

Legate smiled, "They are copying the thing in Rose's head into Logan's that will allow him to know how to fight."

Tony pointed at Legate, "Logan told you, huh?"

"He asked if you lot were completely mad. I told him I wasn't sure. But, if it works, I'd be interested in some logic. I've never been good at that."

Summus pointed at him, "I could help with that."

Legate nodded.

The Doctor waved his hand. "Wait a minute! We're not going to go mad, copying everyone's heads in here."

Tony blew his coffee. "Well, why not?"

He looked at all of them in surprise, then looked back at Rose. "Rose will explain." He got up and took her and his plates to the food replicator.

Rose smiled and said quietly. "I'll talk to him."

Summus blew his tea as he leaned back in the chair and spoke to the Doctor. "I do have a question for you, Doctor."

"Oh boy! Calling me Doctor. This is something serious."

"Tony was out in space around the plague ship last night. How is he alright?"

Tony crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at Summus. "I put a bio-shield on the suit when Legate and I put the personal shield on it. Plus, there's one in my bracelet, just like the one you have. And some other things. How do you think I could travel in space without it icing up? Or freezing to death?"

Rose pointed at him, "So you had shields."

"More than even this ship had. Legate and I have been busy the past few days. She's got a ton of upgrades. I learned a lot from the missile hitting me."

Legate laughed, "Yes. Have more than one shield."

"Have more than two." Tony pointed out and laughed. "Oh, it's awesome. I put a cloaking device back on it, myself. I finally get how that works. Sick technology. I fucking love it."

The Doctor sipped his coffee and smiled at his friend's excitement.

Friday spoke, "There is a call for Tony from Miss Potts."

Tony dropped his head and groaned. "Damn it." He looked at Rose. "Can I take it in here?"

Rose stood up with Sam. "Sure. I need to change a nappy."

"Friday, put it through here." Tony said as he got up and put his plate back on the food replicator.

Pepper appeared on the screen. "Well, good morning. I'm sorry, I didn't know everyone would be in your room. Are you having a party?"

Tony laughed, "John and Rose are. It's a breakfast party. This is their room."

Summus and Legate got up, put their plates back on the food replicator and left the room quietly.

Pepper leaned on the desk in front of her.

Tony asked, "Where are you? It doesn't look familiar."

She laughed, "Your office. You know. Where you work, but never come into?"

"Oh. Makes sense then." He said as he rubbed his head and sat down on the sofa in front of the television.

"I have about ten million things I need to discuss with you, do you have a minute?"

"Yeah, go ahead. You caught me at a good time."

Genie ran out of her bedroom with a hair brush and handed it to her Daddy. He picked her up and stood her in a chair behind the sofa where Tony sat. He brushed her hair and began to braid it for her.

Pepper continued, "Well, first. When do you plan to come home? Are the watches still not working? Where are you even at?"

Tony groaned.

The Doctor smiled, "We'll have him home for you in a few days, Pepper. We're on a Zeppelin, headed to Andromeda. Tony has offered to help a rather prestigious family over the next few days. It could be really good for business. I'm sure we'll run into several other important people, too. Very good business trip for him."

Pepper looked confused. "Andromeda? Is that what you said?"

"Yes. And it's a slow journey." The Doctor told her.

"John, what are you doing?" Pepper asked.

Genie smiled, "He's braiding my hair."

Pepper smiled. "I didn't know you could do that."

"Yep!" He said as he finished up Genie's hair. "There you are. Go show, Pepper."

Genie jumped down from the chair and sat down next to Tony on the sofa. She turned her head around and showed Pepper her elegant braid that she wore.

Pepper smiled, "That is beautiful."

Genie smiled, "Daddy is the best at doing my hair."

Tony tore a piece of paper from the corner of the stack of paperwork on the coffee table and started to twist it around in his fingers. "It needs something, Gene. Let me fix it. What else did you need, Pepper?"

"Well, the Armed Senate Committee Meeting is tomorrow. I don't know if you can reschedule that or not."

He laid his head back, "John!"

"What?" the Doctor called from the back of the room.

"Can you call Howie for me later today?"

"Yep. Remind me."

Tony nodded his head, "Okay, that's handled. I don't want to go anyway." He showed Genie what he had made from the paper. It was a tiny flower. He put it in her braid. "Now, that's perfect."

Pepper smiled at him. "The Stark Expo revenue report is ready-"

"And I'm sure it's awesome. It's been great."

"It is. And Disney called and wanted to know if you would like to sponsor some coaster?"

"Only if I can ride it whenever I want! What do you think, Gene? You with me on that?"

Genie nodded her head, "Absolutely. Count us in."

Tony laughed at her.

Genie picked up a device off of the coffee table in front of her and handed it to Tony. He held her tiny hand in his as he started to draw on her fingernails.

Pepper continued to work down the notes she had made. "The New Year's Party-"

"There's a New Year's Party?" he complained.

She rolled her eyes as she looked back at him. "Nevermind. I don't think you'll be in New York by then. What are you doing to her?"

He looked up, "What?"

"That? Are you drawing on her?"

"I'm painting her fingernails."

Genie turned her hand around and showed her. They were bright red with gold lines drew in them.

Pepper covered her mouth and smiled. "Alright. That's adorable."

Tony looked confused at her. "What? I'm just drawing on her fingernails."

Genie smiled at her. "Tony can draw really well. He did bubbles on my nails a few days ago."

Tony was busy at work and didn't look up. "Pepper, do you have one of these?"

Genie shook her head. "Probably not. Daddy brought that home from some place."

"Oh. Well, Pepper. I'm going to get you one of these. They are wonderful and don't smell." He told her as he took Genie's other hand and continued to work.

Pepper smiled proudly at him. "John."

The Doctor, who had been busy picking up toys and paperwork throughout the room, looked up at the screen. "Yes, Pepper?"

"Keep Tony as long as you like. I'll handle everything here. He seems like a completely different person around you guys. It's good for him."

The Doctor laughed, "We'll take good care of him, Pepper."

Genie added, "And make sure he doesn't swear."

Pepper nodded her head. "See, that's important. Thank you, Genie."

She ended the call. Tony didn't look up from Genie's fingernails. "So, we're telling her where we are going. How does that work, John?"

Rose walked back into the room. "Yes. I wondered that, too. Andromeda? What are you thinking?"

He groaned, "Given that there are 19 places on the planet Earth named Armenia, which sounds similar to Andromeda, I think we'll be fine. You can blame so much on your accent. Carry on!"

Tony shook his head and looked at Genie. "Your Daddy is a very smart man. That will keep Pepper busy until we get back."

She smiled proudly.

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