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Chapter 28 – Two of a Kind
Legate had returned to the island flat, taken a shower, and put on a pair of football shorts. He was running his hand through his wet hair as he walked into the kitchen where he found Genie watching news on the telly.
"Anything interesting?" He asked.
She turned and looked at him. "And that's bruising rather badly."
He picked up the toaster and looked at his eye. It was indeed beginning to swell shut.
"Ah, Genie. It's not that bad-"
"Not that bad?" She exclaimed.
"Yeah. I think my neck is worse. Will you look at it?"
Genie walked over and stood in front of him. She stretched her neck out to try to see where he was pointing.
"Where?"
He pointed at his neck. "I can't see it, just in here someplace."
She groaned. "Legate. You're too tall. I can't really see it."
He leaned down and she continued to look for an injury. He watched her eyes as she searched.
After a few seconds, Genie had grown impatient. "Legate. I don't see any-"
He caught her lips with his own and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him. He grabbed her bum in both of his hands and pressed her to him.
She smiled. "You aren't hurt-"
He rubbed his neck. "It does hurt!"
She rolled her eyes. "I thought you were not being completely honest before. Now, I know you aren't."
He laughed.
She ran her hands across his beautifully chiseled chest. "Any of this sore?"
"Why? Have plans for me?" He grinned.
She smiled. "And you can probably guess what it is."
He grabbed her bum and met her lips again. "Oh, go on and show me."
She giggled as he kissed her lips again. "You are-"
"Yes, I am." He laughed. "You always make me that way."
Someone knocked at the door. Legate looked up and groaned. "Really quick. Umm. Not to alarm you, but…"
She held him around his neck. "What?"
He glanced up at the door. "There are two of me."
"I know this." She smiled.
He kissed her and whispered, "Please make sure it's me, before….."
She looked at him in confusion just as someone knocked on the door again. "Legate?"
He kissed her. "I'll get a shirt. You answer the door. It's John."
She groaned as he walked away. "Legate? What are you on about?"
He pointed towards the hallway. "Need anything from back here?"
"Legate!" She exclaimed.
He winked as he disappeared back down the hallway to get a shirt.
She groaned and walked into the sitting room to answer the door. Her Dad stood there with his hands held out. He quickly told her. "Please don't slam the door in my face, Genie. I can explain."
Genie crossed her arms and sighed. "Come in then."
He put his hands in his pockets and became grateful that he had enjoyed a few drinks with Pete before he had popped over. He really didn't know where to begin. "Umm."
Legate had put on a grey t-shirt and joined them in the sitting room. He was still elated from the fight. "John! Come in and sit down."
The Doctor grinned. "Thank you. But, only if it's alright with Genie."
Genie rubbed her face and seemed at a loss for words. "Of course, it's alright Daddy."
He sat down in the chair, and Legate and Genie sat on the sofa next to one another. The Doctor realized that was the closest he had ever seen them. He leaned forward and rubbed his hands together. "Right. Well, I really don't know where to begin."
Genie was ready for this. "Then, I'll start. What took you so long to come see us about this?"
"I had to go to Plentitude and meet with Ashena."
"You know what I mean, Daddy. You could have come here that night!"
He shook his head. "Not while it was being discussed."
"And Papa still hasn't came!"
"I've asked him not to."
Genie was taken aback. "Really?"
He nodded, "I have. Look, I won't try to tell you anything that isn't true-"
Genie nodded, "Thank you for that-"
"But, this wasn't completely his idea. I know everyone is saying it is, but I don't want the blame to rest completely on his shoulders."
Genie looked confused. "Daddy, that's not true."
He sighed and dropped his head. "Genie. Please, believe me-"
"But, it's simply not true!"
He groaned, "Alright. Fine! It's not."
"You tell me you're going to be honest and the first thing you do is lie?"
"Genie-"
"Daddy. Just be honest with me."
He glanced back at Legate.
'What?' The Doctor asked Legate telepathically.
'I haven't told her the complete reason.'
'So, you don't want me to-'
'Hell no!'
Genie looked at Legate. "I would like to be part of this conversation-"
"What conversation?" Legate insisted.
Genie groaned and stood up. "I need a drink. I swear."
She threw her hands up as she walked into the kitchen.
Legate sighed. "Well, this is going well."
The Doctor groaned. "This day has been shit. Thursday afternoons in Pete's World. Ugh."
Legate rubbed his hands together and grinned. "Oh, I don't know about that. It was a good fight."
The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Quauhtin."
Legate laughed under his breath just as Genie walked back into the room. Both the Doctor and Legate stood up.
The Doctor began again. "Okay. Genie, this is-"
"Let me just stop you there, Daddy. There are two Legates. And there are also two Genies. I'm not the little girl that you are still telling your mad stories and tucking in at night. I'm an adult."
He nodded, "Yes, Genie. I know that-"
"I don't think you do! I think you see us as the same person. The same way you see Legate as the same person. The way that all of you have started to see him and the other Legate as one person. There are two! My Legate, and Prince Legate-"
Legate groaned, "Oh, he hates that-"
"And I understand why Papa has came up with such a declaration of us not being able to wed."
"You do?" They ask together.
"Of course! And you think it's such a great idea that you want me to believe it was actually your idea, too!"
"Well, Genie, I-"
"No, Daddy! You told me a long time ago that it was my choice. Don't think I don't see what is actually happening here."
Legate rose his eyebrows. "What's that, Genie?"
Genie held out her hand. "I'm not thick! We can't marry because if something happens to Prince Legate, my Legate will have to be the heir."
The Doctor and Legate looked back at one another in complete surprise.
"Ummm." Was all they could muster.
Genie put her hands on her hips and glared at them. "Tell me I'm wrong."
Legate cleared his throat. "You're not wrong-"
"Why didn't you just tell me this?"
Legate held out his hand. "Genie. It's not something that's likely to happen-"
"With all of these attacks going on? With Lartius thinking about recalling everyone to the homeworld?"
The Doctor crossed his arms and looked back at Legate. "How does she know about all of this?"
Legate shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea."
Genie waved it off, "He talks in his sleep."
The Doctor rose his eyebrows, "He what? Sorry?"
Legate cleared his throat and ran his hand through his hair.
The Doctor looked back at him.
Legate held out his hands and backed away. "I think I'll get some ice for my eye."
The Doctor glared at him. "Really good idea. Step away."
Legate walked next to Genie and put his hand on her arm. "Do you want any-"
The Doctor groaned, "Oh! Will you just stop touching her!?"
Legate threw his hands up and walked into the other room.
The Doctor looked back at Genie and groaned. "And I'm sober."
Genie crossed her arms and glared at him.
A familiar pop was heard and then Rose said, "Okay. I'm here. What has you so upset?"
The Doctor held his hand out to Genie. "Your daughter, Rose Tyler!" He collapsed in the chair and mumbled. "Oh, I'm too old for this."
Rose walked over to Genie and took her hand. "Stop glaring at your father and sit down with me."
Genie and Rose sat down on the sofa together just as Legate walked back into the sitting room with the ice pack on his eye.
"Oh, that's better-"
Rose rounded on the Doctor. "You hit him?!"
The Doctor shook his head. "Why do you jump straight to that? I can control my temper."
Rose shook her head, "Phhh."
The Doctor mumbled. "Thought about it."
Legate sat down on a chair next to the sofa. "John didn't hit me. He came here to apologize-"
The Doctor complained, "Which she won't let me do-"
Genie yelled back at him, "You haven't even tried!"
"I have!" He shouted.
"You've been too busy explaining-" Genie stood up.
"An explanation which was leading up to an apology-" The Doctor stood up.
"Which I already knew about-" Genie pointed at him.
"Which I find surprising-" The Doctor exclaimed.
"Because I'm not a child!"
Legate had already jumped between them. "Alright! Calm down. Both of you."
Rose quickly grabbed the Doctor's arm and pulled him back. "You. Sit down. Now."
He groaned and collapsed in the chair. "Rose-"
She held her hand out. "Stop. Both of you. That's quite enough."
"Mum-" Genie began.
Rose pointed at her, "Shut it. We're all going to count to ten."
Legate took Genie's hand and pulled her over to sit in the chair he had just stood up from.
The Doctor noticed and pointed, "He's touching her-"
"He's going to do that!" Rose shouted.
Legate put his hands on his hips as he stood next to Genie. "Alright, shouting isn't going to solve anything."
Genie crossed her arms. "Makes me feel better."
The Doctor cross his arms and grumbled. "She listens when I shout-"
"Do you?!" Genie shouted.
Legate moved between them and held his ice pack in his hand. "Ah! We can have this conversation, without all of this."
Genie looked up at him and propped her face on her hand.
He turned and looked at her. "Genie?"
She closed her eyes, "One. Two. Three."
Legate rolled his eyes.
Rose continued to stand between them. "What is wrong with you?"
The Doctor pointed at himself. "Me? Not her?"
Genie growled, "Me?!"
Rose pointed at her to make her stop talking. "Doctor. You knew they were engaged, you were alright with it."
"I've had a chance to really think about it-"
Genie held her hands out, "What is there to think about?! Did you agree to this entire thing for that reason?!"
The Doctor sat on the edge of the chair and pointed at his daughter, "Genevieve! At some point in your life, you might want to listen to something I say!"
Genie shouted. "I promise I will, when you're not completely mental!"
Rose jumped between them again. "Alright! Stop! Both of you!
Genie and the Doctor both sat back in their chairs. The Doctor was so angry that he didn't even stop to think how badly he needed to get his temper under control.
Rose never realized the Bad Wolf was taking over. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to try to push calm throughout her body. The Doctor was so wound up that her very soul felt as though it was vibrating inside of her body.
Legate encouraged Genie, "Start over. Count to ten. One. Two. Three."
Genie crossed her arms and groaned.
Rose grinned and no one noticed the yellow flash in her eyes. The Bad Wolf was now with them and no one realized it was her. "My gosh, you two are so much alike!"
The Doctor grumbled. "You're saying I'm completely mental?"
Genie fired back. "She's saying your stubborn, Daddy."
Legate sat down on the arm of the chair Genie sat in. "Clearly, we need a mediator."
The Doctor rubbed his face. "Or a referee-"
Genie crossed her arms, "Or a psychologist-"
The Bad Wolf pointed at her. "You, can stop being cheeky at anytime."
Genie groaned. "You're right, Mum. I'm sorry."
The Bad Wolf nodded. "Okay. Progress. Genie. Your father came here to apologize-"
"And I've not heard-"
The Doctor pointed at her. "Do not interrupt your Mum."
Genie held up her hands. "You are right. Mum. I apologize."
The Bad Wolf nodded. "Thank you." She turned to the Doctor. "And you?"
He looked up at her, "I didn't interrupt you-"
The Bad Wolf sighed and mumbled. "You were apologizing to your daughter."
He took a deep breath. "Genie. I'm sorry. I really am."
Genie crossed her arms. "Daddy-"
He pointed at her. "I REALLY AM!"
"You're not! I can feel that!"
The Bad Wolf turned her head to keep them from seeing her smile. Her eyes flashed yellow again and she stood between them with her hands on her hips.
Genie continued to shout, "You love this idea of Papa's! And how we are now unable to wed because of this duplicate! You hate the idea of me and Legate together! You have since the beginning!"
The Doctor stood up again and begin to shout. "You're right! I do! I can't see how something like this could have ever happened-"
Genie was back on her feet shouting, too. "You just go straight to that! Forget about who makes me happy-"
"He's older than you!"
"You're older than Mum!"
"That's what I just don't understand! Genie, this guy has looked after you since you were a little girl. How could he possibility think of you in that way-"
"How could a man who had taken care of me as a child see me as a woman when you clearly can't?"
The Doctor looked shocked.
The Bad Wolf looked back at the Doctor in surprise.
The Doctor collapsed in the chair, again. "Rose. I need to go home."
The Bad Wolf looked back at him. "You are going to stay here until this is sorted."
He groaned and rubbed his face. He was so cross it was taking everything in him to sit back down in the chair.
The Bad Wolf crossed her arms. "Genie. It may help your father to hear how this with you and Legate started?"
The Doctor grumbled. "Doubt it."
Legate put the ice pack back on his eye. "I'd rather not talk about, either."
The Doctor glared at Legate. "Oh, that tells me everything I need to know-"
Genie threw her hands up, "Daddy! Just because we would like to keep something about us private-"
He shouted. "Means there's something to hide!"
"It does not!" Genie insisted.
He took a deep breath. "Genie. It's just….so outlandish. I'm faced with a six year old version of you who keeps asking when she's going to see Legate."
Legate sighed and dropped his head. "Yeah. She's not happy about that."
"And I have to decide whether it's the best for her to."
Legate nodded. "I understand your position. And whatever you decide-"
"Well, I don't need your permission." He grumbled.
The Bad Wolf rolled her eyes. "Doctor. Really?"
He looked up at her. "Well, I don't! You forget who is actually in charge here, Rose Tyler!"
The Bad Wolf sat back. "Okay. Keep thinking that."
He mumbled under his breath.
The Bad Wolf stood up and rubbed her hands together. "So. You two may not be able to wed, but…"
Legate and Genie looked at one another.
The Doctor noticed the look they exchanged. "What is that?"
Genie bit her lip. "We actually are wed."
The Bad Wolf closed her eyes and bit her lip to keep from laughing. The flash of yellow across her eyes, unseen behind her eye lids.
The Doctor was certain he had misunderstood. "What?"
Genie held Legate's hand and smiled. "Samuel evoked the Right of the Patriarch and we have made the Life Promise to one another."
The Doctor laughed in disbelief. "Oh bloody hell. This shit keeps getting better!"
The Bad Wolf laughed under her breath and mumbled. "Oh, this is better than I remember."
The Doctor groaned and shook his head. "This is what Lewis already knows, isn't it?"
Genie nodded. "Yes. He figured it out and has threatened Sammy-"
The Doctor pointed at her. "Oh, you wait until I see Sammy!"
The Bad Wolf covered her mouth to hide her amusement. No one had suspected she was anyone else.
The Doctor stood up and threw his hands in the air. "This is just…."
Legate stood up and pointed at him. "John. I'll remind you that you-"
"Oh, kiss my ass, Legate. I don't give a shit what damn kingdom you come from or what authority you think you have. This is my daughter, and no one has a higher authority than me!"
Genie stood up and put her hands on her hips. "Now look here-"
"No, you look here young lady! There is an entire kingdom at stake here. This guy and you can have your fling, and then you just let him move on to his next one."
Legate grew angry. "Excuse me?"
The Doctor got into Legate's face. "You think I've forgotten about that damn tattoo? That woman you married over in Venniz-Beal-"
Legate pointed at the Doctor's chest. "That was ages ago-"
"That was a few months ago!" He shouted.
Genie asked, "Legate. What is he on about?"
The Doctor shouted. "Oh, no big surprise he hasn't told you about her! Do you even remember her name?"
Legate shook his head. "That has nothing to do with anything-"
"It has everything to do with this!" The Doctor growled. "So, that's all I'll say on the matter. There is no marriage! I don't give a shit what you two have promised to one another, I do not consent to this and furthermore, it is directly against what you have been told to do by your Primus, and your King! If you won't honor the duty of your responsibility of that, how can I ever think you will honor your role as a husband to my daughter?"
Legate closed his eyes and groaned as the Doctor continued to shout.
Rose typed something on her wrist and popped away.
The Doctor looked back to where she had been sitting and groaned. "And you've upset your mother!"
Genie began to cry. "I can't believe you!"
"Believe it!" He shouted.
He typed something on his wrist and popped away.
Legate turned to Genie. "I can explain."
She wiped her eyes. "You're married?"
"No. I was drunk. I woke up and we had been tattoo'ed. That's all. Genie, it was…. 19 years ago. I didn't even remember it until he….threw it in my face."
She continued to cry silently.
He took her hand, "Genie. There is only you. You know I'm telling you the truth. Since that night at the lighthouse. There has only been you."
Genie smiled and Legate wiped her tears. She could feel he was telling her the truth.
He smiled at her. "Genie. He's so angry, he would say anything-"
"I know." She said and took a deep breath. "Gosh. He's….I've never seen him like this."
Legate grinned, "I've never seen you like this. Wow. Shouting at your Dad like that-"
"Oh, that's not Daddy. That's…some mad man."
Legate shook his head. "Genie. That's how you feel now, but you'll change your mind."
Genie wiped her eyes. "Please don't make me talk about this. Not now."
He kissed her forehead. "I'm the same Legate you've always known."
She wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. "Just tell me everything will be alright."
He kissed her head. "You know it will be."
She smiled as she felt that he was telling her the truth. "I love you."
"And I love you. Genie. This will be alright. At some point."
She laughed through her tears. "At least you're not walking away with a concussion this time."
He tossed the ice pack on the table. "See, a positive already. Headed in the right direction, Genie. What else good came from this?"
She wiped her eyes. "Oh, I don't know."
"They know! See! No more worrying about what happens when they find out!"
She groaned, "It is possible you are grasping here."
"Yeah. That's always possible." He danced in the same silly way that Sammy often did.
She giggled as he took her hand. She rubbed his tattoo of the lighthouse on his forearm. "I still can't believe you got this."
He smiled. "Something amazing happened to me there."
She looked back up in his eyes. "Me, too."
"We climbed the lighthouse that night, and it stormed. Remember?"
"Could you show me?"
He sat down on the chair. He pulled her into his lap and kissed her as he wiped her tears. She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes.
"Are you sure this is alright?" He asked as he put his hand on the side of her head.
She smiled. "Why must you always ask? Legate you know it is."
"I'll always ask." He told her as he kissed her once again.
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Genie stood at the top of the lighthouse on the island. It was night and a storm was approaching. The wind blew strongly and thunder could be heard in the distance. She heard laughter as she turned to see her and Legate step out of the door.
"Oh, be careful." Legate told her as he grabbed her arm. "It's windy."
Genie smiled, "And what part of the light house is this?"
Legate was completely lost in looking at her.
Genie giggled. "Legate. You're doing it again."
"You're so beautiful, Genie. When did you grow up like this?"
She took both of his hands and asked quietly, "What part of the light house is this?"
He looked around. "This is called the galley deck."
She smiled, "And that's called the lantern room. Where the light is."
He was lost looking at her again. "I just don't know how anything could ever outshine your beauty. Genie, please tell me we can't do this."
She wrapped her arms around his neck. Legate put his hands on her hips. "Why can't we, Legate?"
He rubbed his nose to hers. "Genie, I'm just unable to lie to myself anymore."
She whispered. "Why are you lying to yourself?"
"Because, I don't want to admit this."
She looked in his eyes and smiled. "Legate. You can be honest with me."
He laughed, "Am I anything else?"
She giggled. "Sometimes. But, I can always tell."
He nodded and continued to look at her. "I want to kiss you."
She smiled, "Then kiss me."
"I want to tell you something. Admit something to you."
She continued to smile as they looked into one another's eyes. She whispered, "Legate. Please tell me."
He looked at her beautiful face, "I shouldn't."
She teased him. "Against the rules? Rather your style, huh?"
He took a deep breath. "If I tell you this, it will change everything."
She rubbed her nose to his and whispered. "Promise?"
He cupped her face and looked into her eyes. "Genie."
She smiled. "Legate."
"I've fallen, completely in love with you."
She smiled, "I love you, too."
He smiled in relief. "You do? Really?"
She giggled. "I really do. Legate, I'm so glad you feel the same way."
He met her lips with his own and Genie watched as she and Legate kissed one another.
The thunder rumbled and Legate and Genie grabbed one another's hands. Legate rushed her into the lantern room of the lighthouse, closing the door behind them.
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Genie opened her eyes and saw Legate's handsome face inches from her own.
"I remember it stormed. Lighting struck the top of the lighthouse." Genie smiled.
"I remember we made love that night. There in the lantern room as it stormed."
"There's nothing I wanted more. My first time. You as my first. There's no one I've ever trusted more in my life."
Legate ran his hand across her breast and looked back in her eyes. "Do you still feel that way?"
"Legate, I'll always feel that way. I've trusted you with my life forever, how would I not trust you with my heart?"
He grinned as his hand slid from her chest, to her bum. He gripped in his hand.
She giggled, "Always with the bum."
"I love your bum. I love every part of you." He told her breathlessly. "I want you so much."
She leaned back and smiled. "Let's go to the bedroom. Do this proper."
He smiled. "I'll take you on that table. On the floor. In this chair."
Genie pointed down the hall. "In that bed! The last thing we need is someone popping in on us after this fight."
"You're right! New plan!"
"What is the new plan?"
He kissed the end of her nose, "On the ship."
She giggled. "Yes! On the ship. Where you can lock the door!"
He took the remote to the transporter out of his pocket. He kissed her as they faded away.
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