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Chapter 30 - Starting Over

Legate walked along the path that afternoon to the Doctor's island home. He had a spring in his step after being able to steal away a few minutes with Genie. He could still taste her in his mouth. His skin still sung from her touch. He couldn't wait until the next time they could be together. The school being constructed meant they would be able to be back together, as they normally were, without the fear of being found out.

As he reached the backdoor of the Doctor's home, he stopped and took a deep breath. Jackie and Pete's deaths had affected him more than he had let anyone know, and he was certain he was bound to run into one of them. Jackie had always insisted that all of the Quauhtin were to be treated as extended family, and she had always led that rule by example.

He fought the lump that formed in his throat as he grinned at the memory of the last time that he had seen Jackie Tyler. They were in the kitchen of the island home. Genie and Arles was helping her cook a Sunday roast. They had been listening to music and dancing as they prepared the various dishes. Jackie singing along to, 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell had left a permanent impression.

She had grabbed Legate's hand and danced around the kitchen with him, causing Genie and Arles' to laugh.

"Are you ever going to cut this hair, Legate?" She fussed at him.

He sang as they danced, "Their ain't no scissors sharp enough."

She playfully slapped him on the chest and laughed. "Indeed."

Then Arles took over and danced with his Grand. She laughed as he kissed her cheek and spun her around the kitchen floor.

Genie covered her mouth and laughed, "Arles! Really!"

Jackie laughed and told Arles, "You are a wonderful dancer. How have you not found a girl, yet?"

Arles groaned, "Oh, Grand-"

Jackie had laughed at his embarrassment.

Legate remembered the song and took a deep breath. He mumbled, "There's no mountain high enough, Mrs. Jackie. I won't let this happen to you."

Legate reached out to open the door, and stopped as he saw the white bandage on his wrist. It had been Genie's suggestion to do that to keep the younger version of herself from seeing his tattoo. The other Legate was due back tomorrow, but little Genie was becoming more upset at each passing minute without him. He smelled of his bandage and smiled. It smelled like his Genie. She had wrapped it on his wrist for him and kissed it only moments ago. He had managed to snog her before he had been called into the house. She had insisted that he spray himself with cologne to help hide her smell from Lewis and the rest of the Quauhtin. The memory of that kiss seemed to push all sadness out of his heart. He took a deep breath, and opened the door.

It was the afternoon, and the windows were opened to allow the breeze coming from the ocean, into the home.

Lewis stood with Adriano in the kitchen. He was giving him some last minute instructions while he sipped a cup of tea. They both looked up at Legate and greeted him as he walked into the kitchen.

Legate made himself a cup of tea and sat at the bar. Adriano popped away.

Lewis turned to Legate, "You look like you could use some sleep."

Legate chuckled, "I just got up."

Lewis nodded his head. "Well, I'm seriously thinking about issuing an order for the entire Guard regarding that."

"What? An order to sleep?" He asked as he sipped his tea.

"If everyone takes at least a few hours to sleep, mediate, read, just do something quiet, I think it would help the entire Guard overall. Help us stay more focused. They've done that in the Legion Guard."

"That's true." Legate shrugged his shoulders. "Huh. Well, I'm for it."

"How much sleep are you getting?"

Legate rubbed his face. "John doesn't think it's enough."

Lewis nodded his head. "Hmmm….yes. What do you feel would be good for everyone? Per day?"

"That's up to you, Primus-"

"And I'm asking for your input. Praetor. How in the hell did you get to Praetor so damn fast? You're only 18 years older, right?"

Legate grinned and nodded his head. "Yes. Lenox helped me a bit. He told me to just focus on that. Like he did on Primus. You'd be amazed at how much six months of a focus can completely change your life."

"Really?"

"Yes. I left here, briefly. Well, it was intended to be briefly. I've only recently returned."

"How long were you gone?"

They both heard Jackie Tyler's voice as she walked towards the kitchen. "Has that John already left?"

Lewis looked at Legate and asked him quietly, "Ready for this?"

Legate took a deep breath. "As much as I can be."

Lewis sat his empty cup in the sink. "Yes, ma'am. What do you need?"

She sighed as she got closer to him. "Oh, nothing. I just wanted to ask him something. It can wait."

"I can ask him for you-" Lewis offered.

She shook her head. "Nah. Thank you, Lewis."

Lewis turned around to the food replicator. "Tea?"

She nodded her head, "Go on then, cheers."

Legate's eyes became huge at seeing her. He cleared his throat and smiled at her. "Mrs. Jackie!"

Jackie smiled at him. "Well, hello there Legate. Want some biscuits to go with your tea?"

He shook his head. "I'm alright. Thank you."

"You look tired. Are you getting enough sleep?" Jackie asked.

Legate smiled. "Lewis and I were just discussing that. I've had a busy day already."

She pointed at him. "So, how's the leg?"

Legate looked confused, "Leg?"

Lewis handed her the tea. "Oh, they are both doing much better, Jackie. He was even out playing football this morning with us."

Jackie took the tea, "That's wonderful, Legate! Genie was so upset that you weren't around yesterday. I told her your leg was probably bothering you and you had to stay off of it."

He smiled at her. "Thank you."

Little Genie skipped into the room, singing some tune. She stopped as soon as she saw Legate, "There you are!"

Legate turned to her and smiled. "Well, hello there!"

She climbed into the bar stool next to him and spotted his wrist immediately. She took it in her little hands, "What is this?"

He grinned. "That, is called a bandage."

"Cheeky, Legate. Why are you wearing it?"

Legate knew she would know if he told her something untrue. "Well, I have tiny little holes there in my skin."

She looked surprised, "You do?"

Lewis smiled. He knew he was wearing it to cover the tattoo he had.

Legate nodded his head. "Yes. Tiny little holes. But, believe me Genie. It's completely fine. It doesn't hurt."

She pointed her little finger at him. "Well, I thought it might be from surfing."

"Surfing?" He asked as he sat down his tea.

"Yes, Legate. Surfing. I spoke to Daddy about it and he said that I can talk to you about it. Because, I'm your friend."

He nodded, "Alright. Go on then."

"Well, I don't like it."

"Well, I'm not asking you to surf-"

"I don't like you surfing. Legate. I'm worried that you will get hurt."

Legate sighed. "But, I enjoy it so much."

"But, it's so scary! How have you not killed yourself?"

Jackie smiled at her granddaughter.

"Yeah, Legate!" Lewis insisted, playfully.

Legate smiled and rolled his eyes at Lewis. "You're not helping."

"I'm on her side." Lewis said as he pointed at Genie.

"Because he's seen you surfing, too! Legate, you should really call it 'drowning' in your case."

He shook his head, "Okay, that's a bit dramatic. Don't you think?"

She looked pitiful at him, "Legate."

"Uh oh! The puppy face!" Lewis teased.

Legate shook his head, "I've never told you that you can't do something!"

"And you know that's not true-"

"Name five things."

Genie held out her hand, "No ice cream before bedtime. No jumping on the bed. No jumping out of the nets. No-"

"Okay, okay, okay. I get it. But, that's John's rules. Not mine-"

"Well then, make the surfing thing one of Daddy's rules!"

Legate looked back at Lewis and Jackie.

Jackie grinned proudly, "Good luck with that."

Legate rubbed his lip. "How about this? We'll compromise."

"What does that mean?" She crossed her arms.

"It means that we'll make a deal about this, that both of us can live with."

She nodded her head. "I'm listening."

"I'll get lessons, so I won't frighten you so much….and in turn, you'll take lessons, too."

She pointed at herself. "I don't want to do that."

"You would love it."

She shook her head. "No, thank you."

Jackie smiled, "How about if Legate takes lessons from….ummm-"

"Logan." Lewis suggested. "Although I'm not sure how much longer him and Ashena will be here."

Legate nodded, "Yes! Logan! He's really good at it. And…. Your part of the deal, you won't get so frightened when I do it. How's that?"

She thought, tapping her finger to her lips. Legate smiled. He had forgotten she used to do that. Seeing her as the little girl that he had known, made his heart swell with even more love for the adult Genie that he thought possible.

"Okay. But, you also have to take me out to get ice cream." She insisted.

"Ummm….well…..ummm…." Legate looked back at Lewis.

Lewis smiled, "Ice cream to seal the deal! Brilliant idea! Bring me some!"

Genie clapped her hands in excitement and danced in the chair.

Jackie laughed at her.

Legate nodded, "Ice cream. Okay."

"What's wrong, Legate?" Jackie asked.

Genie stood on the side of the chair and kissed Legate's cheek. "Are your legs hurting you, again?"

He smiled back at her little face, "My legs are fine. Go get your trainers."

She jumped off of the chair and ran out of the room.

Legate turned around and looked at Lewis, "I don't even care what kind you bring me Legate. Let her pick."

He nodded his head, "Alright. Mrs. Jackie?"

Jackie grinned, "I'm watching my figure. I want to be able to fit into my wedding dress."

Lewis looked surprised at her. "You've bought it already?"

"Nah." Jackie insisted. "Surprise me, Legate. Let Genie pick mine, too. Not mint."

Genie ran back into the room. "I'm ready!"

"Alright! Let's go then!" Legate clapped his hands together. Genie jumped in his arms and they popped away.

Jackie looked back at Lewis. "Are you sure his legs are alright? He didn't seem like he wanted to go."

Lewis shrugged his shoulders. "He says they are alright. I have to believe him."

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Tony was standing behind the bar in his penthouse flat. He leaned on the bar top and exhaled slowly. He had drank too much during the "lunch" with Happy Hogan.

Lance had popped away to go get his next meeting. He had taken Jane with him. Tony laughed remembering Jane punching Happy Hogan in the nose. He whispered to himself, "Damn. What a woman. Perfect for a bodyguard."

He looked down at his phone. Pepper had sent him a text that read: 'I'm in a meeting with the DOD chairperson again and Captain Rogers'

Tony groaned, 'Better you than me.'

'He's asking about somethings I'll need you to review.'

He text her back. 'Sure, bring it home later. I'll look it over.'

'Thank you for my drink. Does this mean you were drinking, too?'

'It turned into a Liquid Lunch.'

'How trashed are you?'

'I'm still standing upright.'

'That's too bad.'

'Why?'

'I keep picturing you lying down. With me on top of you.'

He grinned. 'Clothes aren't involved, are they?'

'You are trashed.'

He groaned, 'I'm just toasty. I keep picturing my tongue and you.'

'That's more like it.'

He laughed under his breath as he heard Lance pop back into the room. "And we're back, Tony."

Tony held up a finger. "Hang on. Pepper is….needing some….help."

Lance rolled his eyes and pointed at the bar stool. The skinny, young man that was with him sat down. He was mesmerized by his surroundings. He looked around, trying to take it all in.

Tony chuckled as he looked at his phone. "Want me to say hi from you, Lance?"

Lance opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. "Don't mention me in that."

Tony laughed and put the phone in his pocket. He looked up, "Where is Jane?"

Lance struggled to open the water bottle with one hand. "She needed a nap. Her head was….tired."

Tony took the water bottle from him and opened it. He laughed as he handed it back to Lance. "One too many, huh?"

Lance grinned and drank the water. "I think about three too many."

Tony laughed and turned to the young visitor. "And Parker."

Peter Parker wiped his sweaty hands on his jeans. "Mr. Stark! It's….a surprise to be here-"

"Are you supposed to be in school right now?" Tony asked him.

Peter nodded his head, nervously. "Mr. Lance came and told me that you needed to speak with me-"

"What class are you supposed to be in?"

Peter was so nervous, he couldn't remember. "I'm not sure, Mr. Stark-"

"Well, I think it's because you clearly have a hearing problem."

The young man looked back at Lance and watched as he took something from his shoulder, pressed a button and sat it on the bar in front of him. "Tony. Could you pop this apart for me?"

Tony walked over and using a knife, popped the pain blocker open. He laid it on the bar top and Lance sipped his water as he looked at it closer.

Peter Parker's eyes were huge. "Hearing? Hearing problems? I don't have any problems with my hearing, Mr. Stark-"

Tony nodded his head as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He ran his finger across the screen and flicked his wrist to display the video between himself and Peter. The video showed a young, skinny teenager swinging between the buildings and shooting what appeared to be a web out of his wrists. "This is new. Posted last night-"

Peter Parker shook his head. "I don't know who did that-"

"Someone at your IP address-"

"Nah. I have it blocked. You couldn't tell that." Peter said, completely certain of himself.

Tony bit his lip and nodded. "Blocked, huh?"

Lance leaned on the bar and looked closer at the pain blocker. "John says he needs to see you. Can he transport in here?"

Tony waved his hand. "Sure." He looked back at Peter. "Look Parker, you just don't get how dangerous this is-"

He pointed at himself. "It's not me!"

Tony was frustrated. He slapped the bar. "Am I talking to myself? Someone is going to see you and think you are an alien! And they will kill you! Don't you get that? Just for one second-"

Peter shook his head. "It's not me."

Tony threw his hand in the air and groaned loudly. "Damn it, kid."

Peter crossed his arms and decided to look as serious as he could.

Tony took a deep breath. "Alright. New plan. Kid, I get that you want to keep this a secret. What would people say if they found out-"

"There's nothing to find out-"

"This is you!"

"It's not!"

Tony looked back at Lance.

Lance chuckled. "Interesting approach."

"He's all yours if you think you can do better!" Tony insisted.

Lance shook his head. "Nope. You're on the right track."

Tony groaned and leaned on the bar. "Kid. You can't keep doing this-"

"I'm not doing this-"

Tony held up his hand. "Time out. He doesn't need to hear this."

Peter was taken aback. "What?"

Tony leaned on the cabinet and told him quietly, "You're not the only one with a secret."

Peter looked confused as Tony clapped his hands together and looked past him. "And it's you!"

Soli ran to Tony and jumped into his arms. Tony held him tightly and sat him down on the bar. "And I didn't know you were coming with John."

Soli laughed.

Peter looked shocked and pointed at the little boy Tony had just hugged. "Who is this?"

Tony smiled, "This is Soler. My little boy. Soli, this is Peter."

Soli turned and smiled at Peter. "Hello."

Peter smiled at the little boy. "Hello, Soler?"

Tony shrugged his shoulders, "We call him 'Soli'."

The Doctor walked over and sat down beside of Peter Parker. Peter jumped and looked shocked to be in his presence. "Doctor Smith!" His voice cracked.

The Doctor smiled and pat Peter's back. "Mr. Parker. Nice to see you."

Tony kissed Soli's head. "What are you and John doing? I thought you would have been gone by now."

Soli shook his head and smiled.

The Doctor leaned on the bar and sighed. "Yeah, we're delayed. There's a storm between us. Still want me to take him?"

Tony looked back at Soli, "Do you want to go with John?"

Soli smiled, "Sure. He might need my help. But, will you be alright?"

Tony nodded his head. "I have Lance. I'll be fine."

Soli looked back at Lance. "But, he's hurt."

Lance smiled back at the little boy. "Don't worry about me, small Quauthin. I still have one good arm."

Tony grinned, "And we always have Jane."

Lance laughed, "Yes, we do."

The Doctor asked, "Pain medicine working?"

Lance looked up at him, "Yes. But, this pain blocker isn't."

The Doctor grinned as he watched Lance look at the small device. "Making Lovell proud, huh?"

Lance laughed under his breath. "Making my shoulder feel better."

Tony looked back at the Doctor, "You'll see Lartius?"

The Doctor nodded, "Yes. We're docking inside of his ship so I can use his transporter."

Tony took something out of his pocket and handed it to Soli. "You'll see Lartius. Could you give this to him?"

Soli looked at the thumb drive Tony handed him and then put it in his pocket.

The Doctor grinned, "We have a surprise."

Tony looked confused back at the Doctor. "A surprise?"

Soli nodded his head and smiled. "Yes! For you!"

Tony smiled proudly, "For me!? What is it?"

The Doctor laughed at the little boy's excitement, "JARVIS. Turn off the universal translator in here."

"Of course, Doctor Smith." JARVIS replied.

The Doctor pointed at Soli. "Alright. Try it now."

Soli laughed, "Hello, Tony!"

Tony looked shocked. Soli's voice was completely different without the aid of the universal translator. "Hang on, this is you?"

Soli covered his mouth and laughed.

The Doctor smiled. "Logan helped us out. We put English into Soli's head. He asked to be able to speak your language. I knew you wouldn't mind."

Tony grinned and looked back Soli. "You can speak English?"

Soli smiled, "And I can…." He looked back at the Doctor.

The Doctor smiled proudly at the little boy. "It's there. Just trust yourself."

Soli took both of Tony's hands in his. "I can understand."

Tony laughed and kissed the little boy's forehead. "Oh, this is great! You sound so different!"

The Doctor smiled, "You've only heard him through the translators. This is really his voice." The Doctor looked back at Peter Parker. "I hate translators. They give me a headache."

Peter nodded, not really sure what he was talking about, "Yes, Doctor Smith. Right."

Tony leaned onto the bar on both of his hands on either side of the tiny boy. "So, let me get this straight. This is the first thing you are actually hearing me say?"

Soli smiled, "You sound different, too."

Tony took both of Soli's hands in his own and kissed them. "Listen, and tell me if you don't understand what I say. Okay?"

Soli nodded his head.

Tony looked into the little boy's eyes, "I love you, so very much. You are the little boy that I have waited my entire life for, and I'm so glad we found one another. I'll always be proud of you, no matter what."

Soli smiled.

"You understand?"

Soli nodded his head and stretched his arms out. Tony took him in his arms and held him tightly.

Soli leaned back and smiled at Tony. "Where is Pepper?"

"She's in meetings. I won't tell her so you can surprise her, too."

"Okay."

Tony smiled, "Okay. Ummm…we need to celebrate!"

"But, I'm going with John." Soli told him.

"That's okay, isn't it?"

Soli smiled, "I need to take Lartius that thing you gave me. I'll do it for you, Tony."

He sat Soli back on the bar top. "I need to order you some more clothes. You're growing out of everything." Tony told him as he playfully tickled the little boy.

Soli laughed.

"What do you want? Anything?"

"The blocks. With the books that tell you how to put it together."

Tony looked confused. "Blocks?"

The Doctor grinned and whispered. "Legos."

"Legos!" Tony realized. "Yes. A big Lego set. We'll build it together. What's a good one?"

Soli shrugged his shoulders.

Tony pointed at Peter, "What's a good one? You probably know."

Peter looked shocked. He rubbed his sweaty hands on his jeans. "Ummm…. the Death Star? My friend just got it. It's really big."

Tony nodded his head and smiled back at Soli. "Okay. The Death Star. I'll get it for you."

"What is that?" Soli asked.

Tony held both of Soli's hands and continued to smile. "And I'll get Star Wars, too. We'll watch it while we put it together. How's that?"

"Okay." Soli turned around and looked at Peter. "Can we get Peter one?"

Peter waved his hand and smiled warmly. "That's very thoughtful, Soli. But, he doesn't have to do that. Thank you."

"We'll get him one if he wants. I have to talk to him about something else though."

The Doctor looked back at Peter. "Has he spoken to you about the school?"

Peter looked shocked. "Umm, no. No, Doctor Smith."

Tony shook his head, "We hadn't gotten that far."

The Doctor nodded. "Got it. Alright." The Doctor rolled his eyes as if he was listening to something. "And we are clear. Soli, ready to go?"

Tony helped Soli down, "I just need a jumper!" He said as he ran off.

Tony rolled his eyes. "A jumper. You turn my little boy into an English Gentleman?"

The Doctor chuckled. "Just another service I offer."

"Ugh. Well, I'll have tea and crumpets waiting for him. English! Pepper is going to love this. He sounds completely different. He's not getting sick, right?"

The Doctor grinned, "No, that's really his voice."

"Wow. Thanks, John. When will you be back?"

"Probably tomorrow morning."

Tony nodded.

Lance looked up from the pain blocker. "Older kids?"

"Legate has them. Lewis is in charge of everything else."

Lance nodded. "Good."

Tony asked, "How's Rose?"

"Still sleeping. So, I can only imagine she's still cross."

Tony grinned.

Lance was looking at the pain blocker again. "Always operate under the impression that the woman is cross. It helps for when she's not."

Tony chuckled, "That's actually good advice. Take notes, Parker. Especially for your woman, Lance."

Lance smiled proudly. "Yes, it is."

The Doctor looked confused.

Tony crossed his arms. "Jane punched Happy Hogan this morning. Right in the nose."

The Doctor looked at Lance in surprise. "Are you sure you are safe with this woman?"

Lance laughed without looking up from the pain blocker. "Years of training have prepared me."

The Doctor laughed. "Damn. Well, shields up, mate."

Lance laughed.

Soli ran back down the steps.

Tony and Lance shouted at the same time. "Careful on the steps!"

Soler stood and held his hands out. "And I'm ready!"

The Doctor pat Peter on the back as he got up and took Soli's hand. "I'll be in touch, Parker."

Peter shook his head. "What? Why?"

The Doctor held the transport remote in his hand. "Alright. See you in the morning, Tony. Lance, use caution with that creature."

They faded away. Soli waving with a large smile on his face.

Lance laughed under his breath. "Extreme caution."

Peter turned around in time to see Tony put his hands back in his pocket. His smile turned back into a serious expression. "So. A secret for a secret. Want to tell me now?"

Peter sighed and put his elbows on the bar. "Mr. Stark….."

Lance suggested, "Maybe tell him about the school-"

"What school?" Peter asked.

"John and I have opened a school."

"What sort of school?"

"A school for people, like yourself, who need to be able to learn how to use these abilities that they have found they have."

Pete grinned, "Like X-Men? And you're Professior X?"

Tony pointed at himself. "I'm not shaving my head."

Lance laughed, "Neither will John. He's strange about his hair."

Tony laughed.

"What sort of stuff could you learn at this school?"

Tony rolled his shoulders and crossed his arms. "Well, the usual stuff. Science, math, you know. That sort of thing. "

"I go to a magnet school now. My aunt had to pull a lot of strings to get me in there."

"What's your favorite subject?"

"Chemistry."

Tony snapped his fingers. "Chemistry! That's how you're making those webs."

Peter groaned. "It's not me-"

Tony spoke, "JARVIS. Have you had a chance to run a body scan on Parker?"

Peter looked shocked. "What?!"

"Yes, sir. He's quiet skinny." JARVIS replied.

"Yeah, as bad as my Soli." Tony groaned.

"Hang on! You can't just scan me without my permission!" Peter insisted.

Tony wasn't listening. "And tell me JARVIS. Is he the guy in the videos online?"

"Based on his height, weight, body structure and flexibility, that would be affirmative."

Tony grinned, "Come on downstairs to the shop. Lance, bring that pain blocker. Worked it out yet?"

Lance nodded. "Yep. Rather simple."

Peter Parker sighed as he stood up off of the bar stool and walked with the other two men towards wherever Tony was calling his shop.

The three of them walked down the steps. Tony typed in a code next to the glass door and they walked inside. Tony immediately spoke again, "JARVIS, Parker is a guest."

"Of course, sir. Welcome Mr. Parker." JARVIS said.

Tony pointed to his desk. "Over there, Lance. Probably everything you need."

Lance thanked him and walked over to the desk. He sat down and went to work.

Tony motioned for Peter Parker to join him. They walked slowly together to the other side of the shop. "Alright. Well, so you know my secret. And it needs to remain that way. The press always had a camera in my face from the time I was born. I don't want that for him."

"Yes, Mr. Stark. I won't say anything about that."

Tony nodded his head and looked at Parker. He put his hands in his pockets. "So, this school. It will be ready in a few weeks. I can get people to handle everything to transfer you there."

Peter held his hand out. "Mr. Stark. Thank you, but I'm happy where I am."

"What's keeping you here?"

"What makes me want to leave?"

"Good point. JARVIS, turn on the tube."

"Yes, sir." JARVIS spoke.

A glass enclosure lit up behind where Tony stood. Inside was a suit, red with black webbing with blue boots. Peter's mouth dropped open. "Wow."

"That, is yours. Man, you are in terrible need of an upgrade, but at the same time, I will only let you have that if you train. Someplace where you will be safe. Away from people who might mistaken you as something else, and shoot you."

Peter hadn't taken his eyes off of the suit. "That's for me?"

"Conditionally." Tony told him. "I also have some pull with MIT. If, that helps to sweeten the deal."

"Why would you do this?"

"I look at you, and I see myself. I also see my Soli. If, I let you down and you get hurt, it's like I've let him down. Parker, I've made weapons for years. Weapons that killed a lot of people."

"Bad guys-"

"Not all of them were." Tony shook his head and bit his lip.

Peter looked back at Tony. "I'll take down the videos."

Tony pointed at him, "And you won't make anymore!"

Peter grinned, "I won't make anymore."

"I have a guy on you. I'll know-"

Peter laughed. "No sir. No more. I promise."

Tony nodded. "Great. Lance. Anyone here?"

Lance looked up. "Arcite."

"Send him down to take Parker back to school."

"Right."

Tony looked back at Peter. "Alright. I'll get the ball rolling. Keep it to yourself we've had this talk."

Arcite popped into the room. He stood with his hands behind his back. "And you requested me, Mr. Stark?"

Tony pointed at Peter. "I need you to see that this young man gets back to class."

"Yes, sir. I'm happy to escort him." Arcite nodded.

Tony shook Peter's hand as the young man laughed at his unbelievable luck. "Thank, thank you Mr. Stark!"

Arcite put his hand on Peter's shoulder and they popped away.

Tony rubbed his hands together, "And that's finally done!"

Lance didn't look up from his pain blocker he was working on. "Do you think he'll stop?"

"Not at all." Tony sighed as he sat down next to Lance. "What are you doing here?"

Lance groaned. "All of this is too small. I can't take it out, but I know what I need to do."

Tony nodded. "Alright. Tell me and I'll do it. You just need another hand."

Lance chuckled. "That's exactly it." Lance told Tony what to do to improve the pain blocker. Tony took out his tools and went to work.

Lance groaned and rubbed his shoulder.

Tony didn't look up. "And how's the shoulder?"

"Hurts. Just a ….consent throb."

Tony nodded. "Pain medicine work?"

"A little. The pain blocker will work much better after we're finished."

Tony continued to work. "So, Poltious breaking people's legs. That was you that they took, wasn't it?"

Lance looked surprised at Tony. "How did you work that out?"

"You've been a bodyguard a long time. I imagine it's happened to you."

"Several times. That time was the worse."

"How long did they have you?"

"I really don't know. I've never asked. A long time."

Tony nodded.

"How long did they have you?"

Tony didn't look up from the pain blocker. "Several months."

Lance nodded.

Tony continued to work. "I wore a sling, just like that, when I returned. I had….stitches from my chest, to my back. And the center of my chest was just a mess. It had been completely….butchered. I didn't think it would ever look normal again."

"I've seen it. It looks fine."

"Thanks to John, it does."

Lance watched Tony work.

"That sling. It sucked. But, what sucked the worse is those few days after I had it off. I managed to hit that spot on everything. I remember I fell down the steps, there in Malibu. That reopened everything back up. The pain medication I was on after that knocked me out so much, I just….slept. In the oddest places."

Lance chuckled. "Oddest place?"

"The floor. There in my shop there. I think I fell out of the chair or some shit."

They laughed together.

Lance nodded his head. "Yeah. I get that. I came back from….that happening to me. My Primary was a Royal Prince. I managed to save him, but they got me. Some damn….Vesuos. Like now."

"Vesuos, huh?"

"Yeah. Licis combed the entire ummm….sector where I had been taken. They told them that I had died. Even sent pictures of what was supposed to be my body. But, Lewis refused to believe it. He went to Lartius, and requested a special detail. The Prince I had saved insisted on helping, too. He was a great guy. They found me, drug me out, and I was in a coma for three weeks. That part of the story, I do remember. Waking up and the recovery after that. The brothers used to tease me about it whenever I would do something….outlandish."

Tony grinned. "What brothers do."

Lance smiled, "Yes. The thing is, I don't really remember too much before that. Head injuries are….strange. Pete and I have talked a lot about it. We have experienced the same things. Still do."

"Did they hit your head?" Tony asked.

Lance rubbed his shoulder. "I don't know. I imagine they probably did. The thing this lot were known for is that no one ever got away from them. But, being Lance of the Quauhtin, they wanted to …..keep me a while?"

Tony nodded his head. "Yeah. I get that."

"So, they broke my legs to ensure I wouldn't run away if I had the chance. Many times. I don't even remember it. Everything is better now. But, it's just one of those things I don't think about. It was a long time ago. Seems like a different life. Something that happened to someone else."

Tony snapped the case back together and handed it to Lance. "I'll be glad when it gets that way for me."

Lance put it back on his shoulder. "Give it time. The idea of what happened as to heal as much as anything. That's what I worry about now with these children. Especially, Tony Tyler."

Tony nodded his head. "He already has a bad history with some aliens."

Lance took a deep breath as he turned it back on. "Oh. Wow. That's so much better."

Tony smiled. "Finally blocking it?"

Lance closed his eyes and relaxed. "Oh wow. This is the first time it hasn't hurt all day."

Tony grinned at his friend. "So, the Prince? Was…."

Lance smiled, "Oh no. He still lives today. He's now King. Ruler of his own world and has prevented many wars. Battles. He's a great man."

"Why aren't you still with him?"

Lance shook his head. "I returned to work with him, when I was well. But, it became too hard through my recovery. Seeing him. Not being able to remember so much of things, people treated me differently. I spoke to Lewis about how it had become for me, and he suggested that I take some time to recover, and serve someone else. So, that's what I did."

Tony nodded. "Interesting. Pepper would call that, 'Starting Over'."

"That's what Lewis called it. Sometimes, it's necessary."

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