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Chapter 12 - Chapter 12 - Poltious on his Back

It was morning on the island. The sun shone in the windows of Lance and Jane's flat. It promised to be a beautiful day.

Little Genie had gotten up with Lance and baby Arles. After a quick breakfast, she was sitting on the sofa holding baby Arles in her arms. Lance sat next to them both and smiled down at his nephew.

"And someone is very happy." Lance smiled at Arles.

Arles held his arms up to Genie.

She smiled as she held him. "He's so cute."

Arles put his hands in his mouth to suck his fingers.

Lance propped his arm up on the back of the sofa. "And he likes you."

Genie looked up at Lance. "He likes me because I gave him the bottle."

"Well, perhaps. But, he also sees what a nice person you are. How much you care about others."

Arles coo'ed and kicked his legs.

Genie smiled at him. "Sam isn't this small."

"Ah. It won't be long and Arles will be as big as Sam thinks he is. Trying to run all over the place to keep up with you other children."

Genie looked up at Lance. "Are you sad?"

"Yes. I am sad. Worried."

"Why?" She asked.

Lance sighed and looked back at her.

Jane walked down the steps wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top. As she got to the bottom of the steps, she smiled at them. "And good morning."

Lance looked back at her. Her long hair hung around her beautiful face. She took his breath away as she walked through a ray of light coming from the window. "You are lovely."

She leaned down and kissed his lips. "You look like you are in a daze, Lance. Did you sleep?"

She sat on the other side of Genie and baby Arles. Baby Arles held his hands out for her.

Genie smiled, "Do you see Jane?"

Jane smiled at Arles and took him in her arms. "And good morning to you. Did you sleep?"

Arles laughed and laid his head on her shoulder.

Lance grinned, "He did sleep. Genie did too. I'm surprised her snoring didn't wake you."

Genie laughed as he looked back at Lance. "I don't snore!"

He smiled at her. "Sure about that?"

Genie smiled at Jane. "We made a tent! Here! And Lance opened the windows so the breeze could come through the windows. It was like we were outside! He told us stories all night!"

Jane looked impressed at Lance. "Really? All night?"

Genie shrugged her shoulders. "Seemed like it."

Lance chuckled at her. "How did you sleep Jane?"

"Not really well. I kept having….dreams."

Genie looked concerned. "Bad dreams? Nightmares?"

"No. Just….odd things." She told them. "Well, odd for me."

Genie held out her hand, "Odd, is odd. No matter who dreams it."

Lance laughed under his breath. "That's right, Genie." He looked up at Jane. "More…restaurant visits?"

She knew he was asking about the Bad Wolf visiting her. Jane shook her head, "No. Nothing like that."

Genie laughed, "Dreaming of eating in a restaurant? That's not odd. I've done that. With Mummy!"

Lance looked surprised at her. "Really? When did you dream that?"

Genie jumped off the sofa and pointed at them. "Last night. And it was brilliant!"

Jane smiled at her excitement. "What happened?"

Little Genie danced, "We had ice cream! It was as big as…..Lance!"

Lance and Jane looked back at one another and laughed.

Genie continued to explain. "She told me that Sammy is safe."

Lance moved to the edge of the sofa and took her hand. "Hang on, Genie. She said that Sammy is safe?"

Genie shrugged her shoulders. "Well, of course he is. That's what she told me."

"Sam the baby? Or….." Lance asked.

Genie tapped her lips. "Who else would she be talking about? Doctor Sam? Why wouldn't he be safe?"

Lance put his hand on her shoulder and pointed at her chest. "Just because Doctor Sam might not be safe, doesn't mean you're not."

"But, Sam is safe. Mummy told me he was. He's with the family." She smiled. "And, I know I'm safe. I'm at home. And you're here."

Lance smiled at her. "That's right. She told you he's with the family?"

"Well, of course." Genie smiled. "He's with Mum and Dad. Just there in the house."

"What else do you remember from your dream?"

She danced playfully. "The ice cream was brilliant! Chocolate and chocolate syrup! Lots of sprinkles like stars in the sky!"

Jane giggled. "Sprinkles? With the different colors?"

"These were silver. And they glowed!" Genie told them.

Lance smiled at Genie. "Glowing sprinkles?"

Genie smiled. "Yes. And they were so good. I wish you could have some, Lance. You would love it. If you tapped them, they shot off out of the bowl and popped!"

Lance grinned and glanced back at Jane. "Is that the maddest thing you've ever heard?"

"I believe every word." Jane smiled. "Chocolate ice cream does sound good."

Genie put her hands on her hips. "Yes, it does."

Lance scooped Genie up in his arms. "Indeed! Lance knows what these ladies like!" He turned to look at Jane. "I'll be just a second."

She smiled down at Arles as Lance carried Genie to the kitchen. He playfully tossed her over his shoulder causing her to laugh. "Lance!"

Jane giggled at them and told Arles, "They are mad."

Jane looked back over to the kitchen and was able to see Lance get something for Genie from the food replicator. Genie became extremely excited and clapped her hands. "That's it! Lance! That's amazing!"

He pointed to the table and she sat down immediately and rubbed her hands together. He sat the bowl of ice cream in front of her, and walked back into the sitting room with another bowl. He sat beside of Jane and took Arles in his arms as she took the bowl of ice cream. It was chocolate with silver sprinkles just like Genie had told them about.

"Do these sprinkles pop?" Jane teased.

Lance chuckled and took the spoon. He tapped the sprinkle and it flew out of the bowl a few inches and popped.

Genie laughed with chocolate ice cream on her face. "This is brilliant, Lance! Thank you!"

Jane looked back at Lance in surprise. "This is safe to eat?"

"Of course." He grinned. "We loved that when we were children. I've not thought of it in a while."

She giggled. "This is madness."

Lance kissed Arles' cheek as he sat him on his shoulder. "I told John about Genie's dream."

"What did he say?"

"He says it's what he's been looking for. Hopefully, we'll hear something soon."

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Tony Tyler walked with Licis down the hallways of the Quauhtin ship.

"Med bay is just up here." Licis told Tony.

Tony was completely filthy from his time in captivity. He had managed to grow the beginning of a ginger beard, which he rubbed as they walked down the hallway. Blood from the fight with the Vesuos was all over his shirt.

As soon as they had landed in the hanger, three doctors had rushed aboard and took over taking care of Samuel. He was still unconscious and had grown pale. One of the doctors had recommended transporting Samuel directly to the med bay to keep from moving him more than they needed to.

Licis told Tony, "We can get you something else to wear after the doctors make sure you are well-"

"Ah, I'm fine." Tony insisted.

As he said that, the relief of finally being someplace safe made him realize that he ached in nearly every joint. His neck seemed to grow stiff. They stopped walking.

Licis looked at him. "Okay?"

Tony nodded. "Yeah. Just…it's been a hell of a few days."

They started walking together again. "Yes, it has. We're about five hours from being able to send any transmission from our location. You're lucky we were out here."

"Yeah." Tony agreed. "Can you telepathy speak to John?"

"No. We're too far out."

"How in the hell did you get this far out here?" Tony asked.

Licis chuckled and ran his hand through his hair. "Not really sure. I think we found a black hole."

Tony laughed under his breath.

Glass doors slid open to welcome them to the med bay.

A doctor met them as soon as they came inside. "We have Samuel in the second room. They are looking him over. We'll know something in a bit."

Licis nodded. "Good. Poltious?"

"He's the same." The doctor nodded. "And we need to look Mr. Tyler over."

Tony rubbed his face. "Right. You probably want me to shower first."

The doctor smiled. "It's completely up to you."

Licis pat him on the back. "I'll get you in a room. Come on. Shower and then we'll have the doctor look you over."

Licis led Tony into a room and pointed to a tiny small bathroom with a stand up shower. "The replicator there should be able to give you anything you need. I'm going to check in on Poltious. He's next door. When you're finished, come in there, and we'll get a doctor."

Tony thanked him and closed the door. He looked around the room and sighed. After a quick, hot shower, he trimmed his ginger beard and looked at himself in the mirror. He nodded and decided he liked his new look.

He put on the clothing that the replicator provided. He looked very "Quauhtin." Brown trousers, a white, long sleeved white shirt without a collar, and a brown jacket with tall boots. He left the room and went next door.

As he walked in, he heard Licis and Poltious speaking to one another. Licis looked back and smiled. "Hey! You're finished. I'll go fetch a doctor."

Licis walked out of the room. Poltious lay on the bed and smiled at Tony. "Hey man."

Tony grinned and walked over to take Poltious' hand. "How bad is it my dear friend?"

"Shit." Poltious grumbled. "They are giving me something that's keeping me flat on my back."

Tony nodded. "So, they didn't get you."

"Oh, they got me. But, I got three of them, first." He smiled. "I hear you got four."

"I had a blaster. It made things a bit easier." Tony told him as he continued to hold his hand.

"That always makes it easier. I've decided to start carrying one again. I'm getting too old for this."

Tony smiled.

Poltious lay flat on the bed. He had wires running from his chest and an IV in his arm. The thin sheet covered him, with two brown blankets to keep him warm.

Tony continued to hold his hand. "Why are they keeping you on your back?"

"They want me to stay still until we get someplace. They think it's broken. I'm sure my legs are. I heard them pop."

"Damn." Tony shook his head.

"I'm not in pain. I'm on some good medicine. Weightless mattress. How is Samuel?"

Tony shook his head and looked at the floor. Tears started to form in his eyes. "I had to give him CPR on the way out here."

Poltious sighed. "And we can't speak to John. I can't hear anyone. Not even Licis."

"That's because you're hurt. Licis says we'll be in range in five hours."

Poltious gripped Tony's hand. "This is not your fault-"

"Yes, it is. I've really done it this time. I don't even think the Right of Yubroarus can even be used."

He grinned, "The Right of Yubroarus, can always be used. Unless you are Lartius. He's not allowed."

Tony chuckled through his tears. "No. I've really screwed this up-"

"You. Did what you, what we, both believed to be right. John will see that."

Tony shook his head and looked down at the floor again. "I don't think he will. How can you forgive a man for this? I mean, Sam is in bad shape. He was with me."

Poltious pat his hand. "Tony. Samuel is hurt. And you didn't do that-"

"And you are hurt! All of this is my fault."

Poltious grimaced and held Tony's hand tighter. "John will understand."

Licis appeared back in the doorway. "Tony. Got you a doctor. Come on. Poltious. Sleep. I'll be back later."

Poltious squeezed Tony's hand. "I expect you to be here when I wake up."

Tony grinned. "I'm not going anyplace."

"Good man." Poltious told him and closed his eyes.

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