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Chapter 27 - Chapter 27 - Lartius' Plan

Karen, wearing a pair of jeans and one of Samuel's sweatshirts, sat next to the bed he lay on inside of the med bay. Samuel seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

She held his hand and told him softly. "Samuel, rest. That's how you're going to get well."

He mumbled, "Rest."

Arles walked in next to the Doctor. "Dad has worked this out, Karen."

She grinned. "So, you're keeping him asleep."

He sighed. "Yeah. Just for a little bit. I think it will help. He's trying to do too much, too quick."

"And that's not going to delay his progress?" Rose asked as she walked in, wearing a dressing gown over her pajamas, and holding baby Samuel in her arms.

The Doctor reached out and took baby Samuel from her. "Why are you awake?"

She smiled at the baby who was wide awake. "Oh, geez. I wonder."

The Doctor kissed the baby as he took him in his arms. "Why are you waking up your Mum?"

Baby Samuel clapped his hands together, "Mum Mum!"

Rose walked over and took Samuel's other hand. "What happened?"

Arles held his hand out, "He was sick. He made it to the toilet at least. Small favors."

Karen looked at Rose, "And then he passed out."

"Passed out?" Rose asked.

"Rose, it's all normal."

"This doesn't sound normal!" Rose insisted.

"It is!"

Baby Samuel gapped a handful of his Dad's hair and pulled it. "Awe! Samuel. Gentle."

Arles laughed and held his hands out to the baby. "Want to come see me?"

Samuel looked at the adult Arles and turned his head away. "Da! Da! Da!"

The Doctor rubbed his head as baby Samuel grabbed his ear and pulled it. "Awe! Rose, everything is alright. He's just trying to do too much. I knew he shouldn't have gone to his suite."

"Then you need to be Dad and stop him."

He groaned just as baby Samuel went to pull his other ear. "Awe! Samuel. That hurts. Don't do that."

Baby Samuel looked at his Dad, stuck his lip out, and began to cry.

Rose shook her head. "And it begins."

Karen let go of Samuel's hand and walked over to hold her hands out to baby Samuel. "Hi there. Would you like to sit with me?"

The baby stopped crying and held his hands out to her. She took him back over and sat down in the chair. He stared at her as she spoke to him. "You shouldn't pull people's hair, or their ears. It hurts."

Baby Samuel threw his hands up and babbled at top speed.

Karen laughed. "Your Dad could pull your ears. Think how that would feel?"

The baby continued to babble at her.

The Doctor laughed, "Oh, he's arguing with you. Have fun with that."

The baby continued to babble until the Doctor interrupted him, "Ah! Samuel, that's a lady. Language."

Arles rubbed his face and laughed.

Rose stood up and walked over to hug the Doctor. "I'm sorry I was grumpy."

He kissed her forehead as he held her. "These boys of ours-"

"Oy! I'm the good one!" Arles insisted.

Karen laughed at the baby. "It's not true. Don't believe it."

Baby Samuel laughed and clapped his hands together. Arles laughed, and then the adult Samuel laughed in his sleep.

"See!" The Doctor pointed. "That's strange. Why do you do that?"

Arles rose his eyebrow. "Do what, Dad?"

Rose continued to hold the Doctor and shook him. "One problem at a time."

Baby Samuel leaned forward and put his mouth on Karen's chin to "kiss her."

She laughed. "Samuel."

The Doctor smiled at her. "He thinks he's kissing you."

She laughed and baby Samuel looked at her. "Okay, that's not kissing. Look, at my lips. Pucker them like this."

She puckered her lips as baby Samuel watched her with great interest. "And then you kiss someone, like this."

She kissed baby Samuel playfully all over his face, causing him to squeal laughing. Arles and Samuel both laughed, too.

The Doctor held his hand out. "See, Rose? They all laugh at the same time. What is with that?"

"Maybe they are happy?"

Karen giggled at the baby. "Alright. Now, you try. Kiss me."

Baby Samuel leaned up and kissed Karen's cheek properly.

Both Rose and the Doctor said together, "What?"

"I've only shown him how to do that a million times!" The Doctor insisted.

Arles laughed, "And Karen has been kissing another man. Oh, you wait until he wakes up and I tell him."

"Phhh." Karen shook her head.

The Doctor threw his hands up and walked out of the room.

Rose laughed. "Oh, Karen. You fit into this mad family, perfectly."

Karen handed Rose the baby back. "Thank you, Rose."

Rose smiled at the baby Samuel. "And are you ready for some breakfast?"

Baby Samuel clapped his hands together and then kissed his Mum.

Rose laughed and left the room, "Oh, I love this."

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Hours later and back on Earth….

Lance popped back into his island home. He took off the jacket of the suit he wore, and threw it angrily on the sofa. "Ugh!"

Jane, unseen by him in the kitchen, looked surprised. She wore a pair of jeans with a lovely, red blouse. Her dark hair seemed to sparkle and her red blouse matched her lips, wet as she sipped a glass of wine.

He stood with his back turned towards her with his hands on his hips. He nodded. She realized he must be speaking to one of the other Quauthin in his head.

She didn't say anything and after a bit, he turned around. As soon as he saw her he jumped. "Geez. Jane."

"Bad day?" She asked.

"Sorry." He said immediately.

She shook her head. "Don't be. Everyone has them. Even tough body guards. Come on, I'll make you a glass of wine."

He joined her in the kitchen. She handed him a glass of red wine. He smiled, leaned down, and kissed her lips quickly. "Thank you."

"Want to talk about it?" She asked.

He sipped the wine. "Just. Lewis and John being gone. It seems like all of these guys left here have gone mental."

"What happened?"

"Well, Adriano and Bassanio. Arrested. I just had to sort them out. And then the security at the Tyler Estate. Oh, that's just a damn mess. Do you have any idea how much of that mansion is just…unreachable? There's no way to see most of it. Huge, security holes. Ugh!"

Jane grinned. "What did Adriano and Bassanio do?"

"Bar fight." He told her. "And I'm not completely certain more of the Guard wasn't involved in that. They are keeping a very tight lid on it."

She giggled. "They have been working so hard. It sounds like they are having a bit of a revolt. That's normal."

He sighed, "Not for a Quauhtin. They are on duty. Always."

She shook her head, "See, that just doesn't work, Tough Guy."

He sat down his wine and looked back at her. "What do you mean?"

"No one. No matter if they love their job, wants to be on duty all of the time."

"Well, that's the deal! That's what they agreed to do-"

She held up her finger. "All I'm saying, is that they need some time off."

"I can't do that! We're already spread so thin!"

She picked up his wine and handed back to him. "Drink. Drink, Tough Guy. You'll see that I'm right."

He drank the entire glass in two swallows.

She rose her eyebrow at him. "Damn. Really bad day, huh?"

He grit his teeth. "Jane. Lewis is going to be away for a while. Legate is gone. The other Legate is….mad in love."

She laughed. "Worthless, huh?"

"Totally." He grumbled and shook his head.

"And what about you?" She smiled.

He looked back at her. "What about me?"

She held up her finger. "Just a bit. You need more wine."

He leaned against the bar and crossed his arms. She got him another glass of wine. "Jane. I just don't know about this Guard. They are so….undisciplined. Arrested? Bar fights?"

"Lance. Everyone has been so worried about Samuel and Tony."

"And Poltious." He pointed out. "He's been quiet in all of our heads for weeks."

"Yes. Everyone has been working so hard to find them while keeping everyone else safe. I think this is to be expected."

"Blowing off that tension?"

"Yes. Exactly. And let's face it, you are the last person that should be cross because someone was arrested."

He put his hands on his hips and glared at her.

She rose her eyebrows. "Too far? Yeah, I'm sorry-"

"Nah, you're right. I've started a few damn bar fights myself."

She grinned. "Why did you do it?"

"Because I was….stupid. Anyway."

"Does Lewis know about them being arrested?"

"No way." Lance insisted. "I don't want to be known at the guy that was left in charge when it all fell apart. Damn these guys."

Jane handed him the glass of wine. "Drink. It will help."

He looked in the glass. "A magical formula to making people do what they are supposed to."

She giggled and sat on top of the cabinet.

Lance drank the wine in three swallows, closed his eyes and shook his head. "Oh! That's….ah!"

She sat her wine down and smiled. "Come here."

He didn't argue and joined her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and laid his head into her chest. She kissed his head and wrapped her legs around him.

She heard his muffled voice tell her, "I'm so glad you are here."

She smiled and rubbed his back.

He lifted his head to look at her. "How was your day back in the studio? Mortimer working out?"

She smiled, "Mortimer is great. So, polite and patient with me. I had these clients, with the worst babies ever. I managed to get them, not crying, but….wow. They just really made me miss Arles. He's such a good baby. And they were such….wow."

He grinned at her. "I'm sure you got something, amazing."

He stood up straight and took both of her hands back in his own. "You have such small hands."

She smiled and watched as he threaded his fingers with hers. "Well, how would I look with big, tough guy hands like yours?"

He grinned, "Beautiful. Just like you are now."

She smiled. "Can I make a suggestion?"

He rubbed her thighs through her jeans. "Always."

"Everyone is gone-"

He pointed out, "Not the Shepherds."

"Okay. Then, bring them here. Or give their Marines the job of looking after them."

He laughed under his breath. "And give everyone time off."

"Everyone is gone. It's never this quiet here on the island. Give everyone the night off, and then work with Jake to move some agents back into place, slowly. That way, when they return, everyone will have a rotation. Everyone will get some down time. I'm telling you, Lance. This has to happen."

He nodded. "You're right."

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, "And who knows. You might be able to stay home a bit more."

"I'll quit the Guard in a second. You know I will."

She pointed at him. "I did not mean that."

He groaned. "I really don't think I want to do it anymore."

"You could be promoted soon-"

"I don't really care to be." He told her and shrugged his shoulders.

"Then, tell me what you want."

"I don't know. That's the problem."

She giggled. "Well, you. You have no business being cross with someone because they got arrested."

"I can be cross that they started a bar fight." He reasoned.

"That you can." She agreed. "But, you're really cross that they left you out of it. I know you."

He rose his eyebrow at her. "Agreed."

She smiled. "And you can't be cross with Legate because he's in love."

"Yes, I can." He threw his hand out in annoyance. "He's…."

She rose her eyebrows at him. "What?"

"He's more than this. He should know better!"

"Explain that."

"Ah, I don't want to." He began to rub her thighs again.

"Lance?" She asked quietly.

His eyes met hers and he smiled, "You've got to stop doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Making me want to kiss you."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. "I'll never stop doing that."

He was beaming at her. "Good. Because that's all I have planned for the rest of the night. I've told the Guard that you have insisted they take the rest of the night off. They are to remain here, on the island. Adriano says there's going to be an epic party in the bar."

She smiled. "Want to go?"

"Nah." He smiled. "I would rather stay here with you."

She cupped his face with her hands and kissed him. The simple peck turned into a snogging. Lance picked her up off of the cabinet. He carried her out of the kitchen and lay her down on the sofa in the living room.

She pressed him down and lay on top of him. "So, head spinning?"

"How much have you had to drink?"

She giggled. "Not that much."

"If I was to tell you something, would you be able to remember it in the morning?"

She lay on his chest and smiled. "Depends on what you tell me-"

He laughed, "We've played this game before. You didn't remember."

"I did!" She insisted.

He laughed, "No, you didn't."

"I did, too!" She sat up.

He grinned. "Right. Then tell me what I said."

She held up her hand. "Hang on. Do you really want to leave the Guard?"

"You are drunker than you thought-"

"Seriously. Lance. Think about this. I realize I'm not letting you leave-"

"No, I'd leave. It's just…." He rolled his eyes around in his head, listening to something. "I'm sorry, Lewis is talking to me."

After a bit, he groaned. "Oh, this is going to be involved."

She smiled and kissed his lips. "Then, talk to him. I'll keep myself busy."

He rose his eyebrow and watched as she unzipped his trousers and stroked his staff, encouraging it to become hard. She licked it and looked back up at him.

"Whatever you have been drinking, we're getting more of it." He told her flatly.

She giggled and took him in her mouth.

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Tony Stark walked into the med bay. He glanced in Samuel's room and saw Karen sleeping next to him in the bed. She was snuggled beside of him, with her arm draped across his chest. The room's lights were dimmed so they could rest.

He continued to walk down the hall and found the Doctor with the bearded Tony Tyler and Lartius in another room. Tony sat on an examination table.

"There. That should feel better." The Doctor said as he walked away from Tony.

Tony rolled his shoulders. "That does. Oh, hello Mr. Stark."

He grinned and walked into the room. "Hey. You alright?"

"Tissue damage." Tony told him. "Not as bad as Sammy, though."

"Bad enough you should have already told me about it." The Doctor insisted as he sprayed something to the side of Tony Tyler's neck.

Lartius sat on a stool next to them, "He should have been a proper Quauhtin. Why didn't you become one, Tony?"

Tony Tyler groaned. "I became a doctor. That's what I wanted."

The Doctor looked surprised. "Really?"

"No, John." He smiled. "Not a medical doctor. I have a doctorate in engineering."

Tony Stark smiled proudly. "Sounds like someone else I know."

Lartius pointed at him, "You?"

"I have three doctorates. But, I don't talk about it. See, I'm modest." He grinned as he sat on the table next to Tony Tyler. "How bad is it?"

He shook his head. "A lot better now that I came to see John."

"Why didn't you tell me about this before?"

Tony Tyler shook his head, "I really thought it would just, go away on it's on. I've not really felt good since I came home. That first time."

The Doctor looked at a read out on a screen. "Yeah. There are injuries still from that first time you were taken. Tony, you really need to slow down and recover. That's the only way you'll get better."

Tony Tyler sighed. "Or, you'll do what? Knock me out like you have Sammy?"

The Doctor shook his head and grinned. "No, I'll do better. I'll tell Jackie."

"Oh, shit. We don't have to get her involved." Tony Tyler grumbled.

The Doctor chuckled. "Then, rest. Go to Caihiri if you don't want to return to Earth."

Tony Tyler sighed. "Nah, I'm returning to Earth. At least for a bit. Mum has….requested it."

Lartius nodded his head. "I think it's a good idea. Queen Ashena said she is planning a trip back soon."

Tony Stark sighed. "Well, I'm going to Cromia."

The Doctor looked up in shock. "What?!"

"I need to go have a talk with this….woman."

"No, you don't." The Doctor told him.

"Oh, yes I do. I'm not asking anyone to do that for me. This is my son. It's my responsibility."

The Doctor shook his head and leaned against the cabinet. "You are blinded by your emotions about this. There is a better way."

"A better way?"

"Yes! A better way. I could go-"

"You need to be with Sam! Not to mention Mr. Tyler here, now."

"Don't put my name on this." Tony Tyler insisted. "I'd go in a minute. I hate these damn things-"

"Tony. That might be -"

"Don't give me that shit, John. They have taken me twice now. I hate them. They are monsters, worse than what I even thought any alien could ever be. They have no regard to life or decency. They say they want Soli, and maybe it's for why you think. I don't completely believe that. Once they are done with him, they will pull him apart like a science experiment. And they will kill you and Mr. Stark, as soon as they find out who you are. You do not understand hatred as I understand it, John. Only hate for these things has been what has kept me alive. Why else should I endure this pain? As soon as I've recovered I plan to find as many of them as I can. Nothing like what has happened to me, or my family, will ever happen again."

The Doctor stood in shock as he heard the same words come from the mouth of his brother, as he had heard years before come from the mouth of the Master.

Lartius rubbed his hands together, "Well, if anyone cares to know what I've been working on."

The Doctor had nearly forgotten he was in the room. "What are you on about?"

Lartius grinned. "I have sent a delegation, representing me on behalf of my friend, Tony Stark and Soler, to Queen Kazimir of Cromia. They will be in touch with us. This is how we handle things within royalty. Tony. Your father must have died before he explained this to you."

Tony Stark leaned on his hands. "He did."

"Then, I'll explain to you how it is done, Prince Stark of Earth. One day, you will be ready to be King. Your actions are one of a young Prince. John is right. You are blinded by your emotion for this child."

"Because he's my child!"

"And if you want to serve him, you have to remain alive to do so."

"Well, who is in this delegation? Expendable morons-"

Lartius laughed, "I assure you my dear friend. I would never send a delegation of anyone that is expendable, or a moron."

The Doctor's eyes lit up, "You've sent Summus."

Lartius nodded, "Indeed, I have. Ashena has also formed a delegation of her own. Queen Kazimir's actions have prompted an act of war against the homeworld, and she has clearly been misinformed of how many in the galaxy have sworn to come to our aid when it is needed. Just like you said earlier, Tony Tyler, Rome became strong because of the army that protected them."

Tony Stark shook his head. "Hang on a minute. You're talking about going to war?"

"I'm talking about sending a very clear message that this will not be tolerated. Don't forget, these people are responsible for taking young Tony Tyler when he visited Queen Ashena during the Feast of the Fallen."

The Doctor shook his head. "No, that was another species."

Tony Stark nodded, "Yeah, those demon looking things."

Lartius grinned, "And who were they taking Tony to?"

The Doctor glanced back to Tony Stark.

"Are you sure?" The Doctor asked.

"Queen Kazimir has been behind much more than we realized. Luce is only beginning to put it all together. The intelligence we have gathered is overwhelming. I can't believe we didn't see it. Forgive me, but I have also asked Lewis to depart within the hour to go over this information with his brother. He's the best strategic planner I have."

The Doctor nodded, "That's fine with me. Who has baby Arles?"

"Your beloved." Lartius told him. "She's been instructed to take him to Lance."

The Doctor looked impressed. "Lance. He was chatting away in my head for a while, and then….just went quiet. He must be busy."

Tony Stark nodded. "Alright. Well, so I just sit tight?"

"You, be with your family. Make sure that they know they are safe. Also, continue to help Soler find a way to control the gift he has. That is your responsibility. It's never been more important. He has to be able to defend himself, and others."

"And remain on our side. I hear you." Tony nodded. It was clear he wasn't happy with the arrangement. "Alright."

Lartius stood up and pointed at Tony Tyler. "And you. Rest. Once John deems that you are well, travel to the homeworld to see me. That's not a request. It is a Royal Decree. Do you have any questions about that?"

Tony Tyler shook his head. "No, Lartius."

Lartius clapped his hands together, "Wonderful! I will be thrilled on that day when I see you walk into the castle. And I must return to my ship. Martiea has decided we will go visit Lenox and the children, before we return home."

The Doctor shook his hand. "I can't thank you enough-"

"No thanks is needed. I'm always at your service." Lartius nodded. "Besides, I stay in too much trouble not to have a few people owe me a favor."

The Doctor laughed. "Well, there's that."

Lartius smiled and embraced Tony Stark. "My dear friend, now that your happy secret is out, you should return to Jalikapo. You will be able to stay in the same room with your lady."

Tony bit his lip and grinned, "Never been one to follow the rules."

Lartius laughed and pat his shoulder. "Neither have I. That's why we are friends. Keep your Soler safe. If you need to send him to me, Lenox, or Legate, know he will be well looked after."

"I'm not sending him away. I honestly feel that would kill me."

"Keep in mind what is best for him, and not yourself."

Tony sighed, "That's true. You know, you have a pretty good head on your shoulders when you haven't been drinking."

"That's why I'm King! I have my moments. Until the next time!" He bowed and left the room.

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