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Chapter 36 – The Funeral

It was a beautiful summer day in Florida. The entire graveyard seemed full of sailors, and civilians, who had come to pay their respects to the Lieutenant. Several had gotten up to speak at the funeral who had told of what a great man John Bennett had been. Samuel hadn't heard any of them. His mind full of what he could possibility do to make Karen feel better. She sat and sobbed quietly with his arm around her.

He remembered how they had gotten ready that morning. Everything Karen put on seemed to magnify the bump of the growing baby she carried. Not wanting anyone to notice it, she began to cry. Samuel was clueless as to what to do, and immediately rang his sister to help. Genie had been amazing, as was usual for her. Not only did she put together something lovely that hid the bump, but also made Karen feel beautiful in the process. Several people had commented on how lovely she was today. She was very quick to tell them that Genie had assisted her.

Legate had taken Samuel downstairs and given him a strong drink afterwards. It had helped and he wished he had another one right about now.

Torchwood agents and Quauhtin were everywhere. He hadn't spoken to anyone in the Guard in the last few days. His complete focus had been on Karen.

Anne had introduced him to several people there, but he couldn't remember any of their names now. Other officers' wives, officers, leaders who helped when people were deployed, people of the community, and more. He did notice that he had not been introduced to anyone with the rank of Commander. Maybe he had been one of the twelve who had been in the house. He wasn't sure, but decided to speak to his Dad about it later.

One person he didn't see there, was Pete Tyler. That had surprised him. Where was his Grandfather? No one had mentioned his absence, but he was certain he would have been here.

Holding Karen's hand, and feeling how upset she was, had drained him of nearly all of his energy. After so many hours of comforting her, he was no longer able to block it. Samuel knew he always had the ability to make anyone he touched feel better. He was glad that it seemed to help Karen.

Karen sat between Samuel and her mother next to the flag, draped casket. Samuel couldn't help but feel guilty. Had he really done everything he could have to prevent this? He had seen it happen. Well, he had seen a military funeral in the future. But, looking around, he realized it wasn't this one. His vision of a military funeral had shown rain and a storm. This graveyard was different, and he wasn't as upset as he remembered being in his vision.

Genie sat to the other side of Samuel, with Rose and then the Doctor and Lewis. Arles and Legate sat directly behind them, and Samuel felt one of them sit up and put their hand on his shoulder more than once during the ceremony.

Karen gripped his hand tighter as the trumpet began to play Taps. The sailors in front of them, surrounding the casket, lifted the flag and ceremoniously folded it. Tears rolled down Samuel's face and he looked down at his lap. He felt Legate and Arles' hand on both of his shoulders. Rose had reached over and put his hand on his lap, along with Genie's.

As the flag was finished being folded, Samuel heard a gasp from Karen. He looked over at her to see her eyes opened wide in surprise. He turned his head to see what had surprised her so, and saw President Howard Shepherd being handed the flag by the officer. The sailor saluted him, which he returned the salute.

Howie then walked over and knelt in front of Anne and Karen and presented Anne the folded flag. His rough voice was quieter and more gentle than Samuel had ever heard before as he spoke softly to them. He took off his trademark, cowboy hat and said, "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Navy, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service."

Howie stood up and turned to the casket. Holding his cowboy hat across his heart, he pat the casket.

Genie reached over and put her hand on top of Samuel and Karen's as Karen began to cry again.

Howie put back on his cowboy hat, turned, and nodded to several Secret Service members who escorted him back to the awaiting car.

Everyone stood up and started to depart. Anne was distracted by many people who had came to express their condolences. Karen was simply overwhelmed. Lewis joined Samuel just as he wrapped his arms around her and asked her quietly. "Do you want to go?"

She nodded into this chest.

Samuel looked back at his Papa. "We need to leave."

Lewis escorted them to a car.

Arles stood next to Legate and Genie with his hands in his suit's pockets. "Samuel took it harder than I thought."

Genie wiped her eyes. "He's going to be exhausted after this."

The agents and Quauhtin had formed a perimeter around the family, and the well wishers. Lance walked over with a young woman on his arm. "Arles."

Arles turned and looked at her in surprise. "Kelly!"

Kelly held up her hand, "I don't want to bother you-"

He took her hand and smiled. "You're not. Umm. Why didn't I think you would be here? I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking."

Arles glanced up at Lance and nodded that it was alright. Lance turned and seemed to disappear back into the crowd.

Kelly shook her head. "It's so sad. I always thought the Lieutenant would live forever. He was like, Superman. That's what Kelly used to call him when we were small."

Arles nodded sadly.

Genie asked, "Who is this, Arles?"

Arles pointed at Kelly. "Umm. This is Kelly."

"Oh!" Genie said.

Legate laughed.

Arles rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't say it like that."

Kelly giggled. "Sounds like he's been talking about me."

Genie smiled, "He has. Good things."

Arles shook his head. "No, don't do that."

Genie smiled and looked back at Kelly. "I'm Genie. Arles is my brother."

"Your brother?" Kelly asked.

Genie nodded, "Yes. And this is Legate. My…ummm…."

Legate held his hand out to shake Kelly's, "Husband, actually."

Genie nodded. "Yes. It's new. Forgive me."

Legate smiled at her and whispered, "It's alright, Genie."

The Doctor appeared through the crowd and put his hand on Arles' shoulder. "Umm. Samuel is probably going to be worn out."

Arles nodded. "Yes. Genie just said the same thing."

Genie looked at him. "We're headed back now. I'll look in on him. Make sure he's alright."

The Doctor shook his head. "Nah, I'll do it. I need to chat with him about something."

Rose walked over and took the Doctor's arm. "We probably need to go back with Anne."

The Doctor shook his head. "Lewis has her. We can return. I need to check on Sam."

Rose nodded and noticed the young lady standing there next to Arles, holding his hand and looking stunned that Rose Tyler was standing in front of her. Rose smiled. "Arles, who is this?"

The Doctor grinned. "Kelly, I bet."

Rose held out her hand and smiled. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Rose."

Kelly couldn't speak from the shock. "Ummm. Right. Yes."

Genie giggled at Kelly's reaction.

Arles closed his eyes and shook his head in complete embarrassment.

Rose turned to kiss Genie's cheek goodbye. "I want to speak to you later."

Genie nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Rose put her hand on Arles' shoulder and he leaned down to kiss her cheek goodbye. "And you-"

Arles smiled and said something in French to her.

The Doctor laughed and took Rose by the hand to lead her away.

Arles rubbed his face. "Ummm. Well-"

Just as Arles started to speak, Pepper walked over to them. "Arles. There you are."

Kelly covered her mouth in complete surprise.

Genie and Legate noticed. Genie laughed under her breath.

Legate leaned over and whispered to Genie, "Do you think Arles has properly been embarrassed yet?"

Pepper didn't notice. "Did Karen and Sam leave already?"

Arles put his hands back in his pockets, "Yes, ma'am. They did. Karen was upset."

Pepper nodded. "Tony has a hard time with this sort of thing, too. Reminds him of Rhodey."

Arles blew air out of his mouth slowly. "Yeah."

Genie had her mouth covered as she continued to laugh silently.

Pepper realized that Kelly was standing there with them. "I'm sorry. We've not met. I'm Pepper Potts-"

"Pepper Stark." Tony corrected her as he walked up behind her and took off his sunglasses.

Kelly could have passed out from shock. Arles could have died. Genie bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud at the entire situation. Legate had already turned around to keep his amusement from being seen.

Pepper smiled. "Yes. Sorry. Pepper Stark."

Tony kissed the side of her head.

Pepper turned to Tony, "Pepper Stark. That sounds strange. Don't you think?"

Tony teased, "Say it really fast, and it sounds like a Chinese dish."

Pepper closed her eyes and groaned. "Tony-"

Tony teased, "Pepper Potts-Stark sounds like a brand of drug."

"Oh, shut up." Pepper groaned.

Tony held his hand out. "Am I right, Arles?"

Arles grinned. "Try it with the accent."

Pepper pointed forcefully at him. She knew he was speaking about her Irish accent that managed to reappear at the most inconvenient times. "You."

Tony laughed and put his sunglasses back on. "Oh shit."

Arles cleared his throat and shrugged his shoulders. "Pepper Stark is fine."

Pepper rose her eyebrows and looked back at Kelly. "Anyway, and you are?"

Arles squeezed Kelly's hand. It possibility made her start breathing again. "Kelly. This is Kelly."

Tony nodded, "Kelly. The one you play softball with? I don't remember seeing you at that game."

Kelly couldn't hide her shock. "You've been to a game?"

Arles cleared his throat. "She's the catcher, Tony. She wears a mask on her face. Isn't that what it's called?"

Kelly seemed to recover. "Yes, Arles. Catcher."

Tony nodded his head. "And Arles' plays short stop? Is that right, man?"

Arles nodded. "Yes, Tony."

Tony looked at Kelly and then at Arles. He then spoke to Arles in French.

Arles cleared his throat, "No, Tony. We're just friends."

Tony seemed to chew his lip and replied in French.

Pepper looked back at Tony. "You are being rude."

Tony rose his eyebrows and said something to her in French.

Arles laughed.

Pepper groaned, "We need to get back-"

Tony nodded behind his sunglasses. "Too much of Florida for one day. Right, Mrs. Pepper Steak?"

Pepper ignored Tony, smiled, and shook Kelly's hand, "It was nice to meet you, Kelly."

Kelly was still in shock.

Tony snapped his fingers and stood between Arles and Genie. "You guys, need to get caught up on events."

Genie shook her head. "What does that mean?"

Tony tapped the end of Genie's nose with his fingertip. "There's a reason Pete isn't here, and Tony is back. You need to get yourselves upstairs and see your Grandmother."

Genie looked back at Legate. "Really?"

Legate nodded, "I know what he's on about."

Arles looked shocked. "Really?! When did this happen?"

Tony pat Arles' shoulder. "She's fine. Awake and complaining about stuff. Perfect time for you guys to go see her."

Genie sighed. "Legate, let's go."

Genie rose up and kissed Arles' cheek. Arles looked a bit stunned, but kissed his sister back. "Yes. Legate, update me and please let her know I'll be there later."

Legate nodded. "Sure. Kelly. It was nice to finally meet you."

Kelly smiled, "And all of you."

Genie turned and left with Legate and Pepper. Tony stood back and put his hands in his pockets. "And I need a quick minute with Arles."

Arles looked back at Kelly. "Would you excuse me and Tony?"

She shook her head in shock. "Of course."

Arles walked a few steps away with Tony. "What is it?"

"Tony had my ship-"

"And you have it now-"

"Yes. I have it. I was looking through the navigation and I can't see where he's been."

Arles considered. "He cleared the history?"

"He can do that?"

Arles nodded. "It's like internet browser history. Yes."

"Damn it." Tony groaned. "I'm curious where he's been with my shit. I had three suits on there, and only one and a half made it back."

Arles crossed his arms and thought. "Legate might be able to help."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I'd ask him about it."

Tony nodded. "Should have thought about that damn pirate. I thought I'd start with you. It seems like a simple thing."

"Oh, it is. Some ships are programmed to dump the history of their travels. It's a safety precaution."

"Thanks." Tony glanced back up at Kelly, who was talking to some other people. She was wearing a skirt that flowed to her knees. Tony turned his head sideways and pulled his glasses down to get a better look. "Kelly, huh?"

"We're just friends-"

"Have you noticed those legs?"

Arles put his hands in his pockets. "Yes, Tony-"

"And that…is a thong. Yes."

Arles rose his eyebrow at him, "You are married-"

"I'm a man." Tony pointed at Arles' chest. "And if you haven't hit that, I question if you are!"

"Oh bloody hell, Tony."

Tony pushed his sunglasses back on and mumbled, "Pepper wears thongs. I love it. Floss with them. Grrr-"

"Mental scarring here, Tony."

Tony laughed. "Just friends, huh?"

Arles insisted. "Yes. That's it-"

Tony grinned. "Bullshit, man. Total bullshit-"

"Tony."

Tony walked away and laughed. "See ya, kid."

Arles groaned. "Damn it."

Kelly walked back up behind him. "Everything alright?"

Arles looked back where Tony had disappeared and then back to her. "Umm….yeah. Just… Tony. Ugh."

She smiled. "I can't believe he was here. And Rose Tyler? Wow. And you know them?"

Arles nodded, "Yeah. Hmmm. What are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like….next. Going home? Or…want something to eat?"

Her face spread into a smile. "I could use something to drink."

Arles grinned. "I could too."

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