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Chapter 33 - Chapter 33 - Black Lace and Pearls

Genie sipped a glass of red wine as she walked around Legate's suite on the ship. She had turned up the lights and was amazed at how similar it was to his suite in the future. The same furniture with a guitar propped against the sofa. A surfing magazine and Batman comic both lay on the table, next to a box full of odd bits and bobs made of metal that appeared to be pieces of a space craft, or something. She crossed her arms and looked over into the box. She knew better than to ever touch anything like that sort of thing that she would ever find in Legate's possession.

She had taken off her shoes and walked barefoot. The floor felt warm against her feet. She remembered her Dad explaining to her how the heat system worked on that ship when she was a little girl. They had pulled back a panel in the floor and he had shown her the heat system within the floor pieces of the ship.

Her blue dress hung to her knees. She rubbed the goose bumps that appeared on her arms in an effort to warm them up.

The sound of the door hissing open caused her to look up. Legate grinned at her and closed the door. "Red wine sounds perfect."

She giggled and pointed at the table next to the sofa. "I've already ask for you one. It's just there."

Legate picked it up and sipped it. "Where it always is. Cheers, Genie."

She covered her mouth and smiled, "Legate. This is so…..strange."

"What's strange?" He asked as he sat on the sofa and watched her walk around. The large window that ran down the room, showed the blackness of space with the bright Earth spinning above them.

"This is, exactly, like your suite at home." She smiled. "I didn't realize you were such a creature of habit."

He finished his wine and nodded. "It helps me keep ….organized."

She picked up the Batman comic and showed it to him, "But this?"

He laughed, "I've not seen that in years."

"Batman?" She laughed and walked over to the sofa to join him.

He turned to face her, laying his arm on the back of the sofa. She handed him the comic.

"Yeah, Batman." He grinned, "Logan gave me all of his comics about him. Fascinating person."

She sipped her wine. "What about him is so interesting to you?"

He sat the comic on the table and relaxed, "Well, he grew up on his own. Sortof. Without his Mum. Dad."

"You had Poltious-"

"Yeah, but it was usually Lewis or Lance. Poltious was always gone. Taking care of someone. Something. And I don't mean that to sound like I'm…" He struggled to find the words.

"I know." She nodded as she watched him.

"That's the reason Lenox and I made that promise to one another."

"That you would leave the Guard once you made the Promise."

"As soon as you agree to it, I'm done. Just so we're clear. I'll go right to Lewis and tell him."

"But, not Dad."

Legate groaned and pat the back of the sofa as he thought, "Damn it. He's Primus for the Prime Guard during this time. I forgot about that."

She drank her wine and shook her head. "Oh, Legate."

He jumped up and grabbed his wine glass. "New plan! I'm going to get you drunk, and that way you'll agree!"

She laughed, "Good luck with that."

He danced as he waited on the food replicator to give him another two glasses of wine. "Luck has nothing to do with it. You know I'm right."

She giggled at him. "You're going to have to speak to Dad."

Legate held up one of his fingers, "John and Rose have always said that you would be allowed to choose. They weren't going to promise you to anyone, or give you to someone. So, this is your choice."

Genie sighed. "That's true. But, Legate-"

"And I believe you'll agree with me about this. I've not given up hope."

"I'm too sober to discuss this with you." Genie rolled her eyes and picked back up the comic book, "Why didn't you ever read me Batman comics?"

Legate grinned, "There's a thing, within Quauthin training, where you are told not to share things like that with your Primary."

"Why not?"

He sat down next to her and put the extra glass of wine on the table in front of them. "Well, it's not a rule as much as it is a suggestion. If I was to tell you I liked something like that, and you liked it, we might find we have common interest…and thus…"

"Start dating."

"Exactly."

"Well, look. Your plan worked great." She teased.

"Appears that way." He agreed as he looked around the suite. Spotting the guitar, he became excited. "Oh, brilliant! I loved this guitar."

"I've never seen that one."

"I lost it in a card game." He told her as he ran his fingers across the strings. "Oh, this one always had the best sound."

Genie smiled as he started to play it. She finished her wine and started on the other glass he had brought her. "You should tell yourself that you shouldn't bet it, that way you won't lose it."

"Ah. It was involved." He told her as he sat it back down and took his glass of wine back in his hand.

"I was thinking." Genie said, "You should try to telepathically connect with me."

"Now?"

"The younger me."

"Oh, no way." Legate insisted and she could tell he had immediately become uncomfortable. "That's a rather, intimate thing to do. I would never do it to a child that wasn't mine. I won't even do it with Lenox's children."

"Really?"

"I really should watch out anything you suggest." He teased. "A girl who is dating her brother."

She playfully slapped him on the shoulder. "I cannot believe he thinks that."

"Oh, I'm grateful he does!"

She giggled and sat her wine back on the table. Her head was already beginning to swim. He watched her, longingly, as she propped her head back up on the back of the sofa.

"Genie." He said softly and put his wine back on the table.

She looked back at him and smiled. "Legate?"

He laid his arm on the back of the sofa so he could caress her cheek. "You can be honest with me."

She smiled, "I am only honest. You know that."

He chuckled as his eyes met hers. "Do you love me?"

"Legate, you know I do."

"And you know that I love you."

"Of course."

"Then, why won't you say 'yes'?"

She sighed and rubbed his thigh, "It's because I love you so much. My life is so short compared to yours-"

"That doesn't matter. I'll take every day I can. Every second."

"You deserve so much better."

"Then, what are we doing? Should we….stop this entire thing?"

"Are you trying to force me into saying-"

He shook his head. "No. I'm sorry. Forget I said any of that."

She looked into his eyes, "I don't want to stop."

He continued to caress her cheek, "New question. Do you see me with you….us. Together. Years from now?"

She smiled, "Of course. My entire life."

He couldn't help himself. He had resisted as long as he could. He pulled her face to his and kissed her lips. She climbed onto his lap, straddling him. He ran his hands up her dress and grabbed her bum.

She continued to run her hands through his hair and kiss him. Her eyes met his. He looked longingly at her. "Genie. You can feel I'm only telling you what I really feel. I completely, with everything that is me, love you. I can't live without you."

She smiled as his hands gripped her bum tightly. They began to snog one another again. He lay her down on the sofa and pulled off her knickers so he could begin to tease between her legs. She was already extremely wet from just the thought of him.

Just as she was beginning to moan, the door alerted them that someone was there.

They stopped and looked at one another.

"Damn it." Legate told her as he sat up and ran both of his hands through his hair. "It's Lewis. Umm…"

He looked around for her knickers that he had tossed behind them. She stood up and pushed her dress back in place. "Oh goodness. Where are they?"

He laughed as he continued to look around frantically. "I have no idea!"

She shook her head as the door chimed again. "Just, answer it. I'll keep looking."

He stood upright and took a second to compose himself. He whispered, "Everything….is fine."

He pressed the button and saw Lewis standing in the hallway with Samuel.

Legate smiled, "Hey, guys. Something wrong?"

Sam shook his head. "Sorry, I'm late for dinner. Papa needed to speak to you, so I offered for him to join us."

Lewis and Sam walked into the suite. Genie still hadn't found her knickers.

"Sam? Papa?" Genie asked as they walked in. "What are you doing here-"

"Oh! I'm sure I'm so late that you had given up on me coming. I apologize! So, I see you lot already started with the wine. I don't drink wine, personally, Papa. But, can I get you something?"

Lewis nodded his head. "Sure. What are we having for dinner?"

Legate ran his hand through his hair and tried to play along. Lewis was the strategic master and would notice if something was off.

Legate held out his hand. "Well, Genie and I had honestly not gotten past the wine yet. I just got here. I think she suggested, Italian?"

Sam snapped his fingers. "Yes! My favorite! Arles is missing out!"

Legate shook his head. "Why isn't Arles coming?"

Sam replied, "Oh, he's completely into building that school. He wants it perfect. You know how he is. Project driven. He said he'd have something later."

Legate put his hands in his pockets. "Oh, well. Tell him we missed him then. Lewis? Would you like to have a seat?"

Genie watched Sam rush over to the food replicator and ask for lasagna and spaghetti for them. He put everything on the table as it appeared. He was just working on the salads when Genie walked over to him and asked him quietly, "What are you doing?"

He whispered back to her. "It's called, 'saving your asses.' You can thank me later. And are those knickers behind the sofa, yours?"

She snapped her head around and sure enough, the missing knickers lay right behind the sofa. How had they missed that? She walked over as fast as she could and kicked them under the sofa.

Meanwhile, Legate and Lewis sat down at the table together. Lewis slipped his wine that Sam had given to him. "This is nice. Do you guys usually eat together?"

Genie sat down next to Lewis. "Not always, Papa. But, with it being our first night on the ship-"

Sam sat down next to Legate with a glass of water. "It was sortof a celebration. And I have something else to celebrate. Guess who I just saw? Grand."

Legate smiled. "She figured it out?"

"Oh yes." Sam grinned and did a little dance.

Genie became excited. "So, she knows we're all here?"

Sam sipped his water and started to eat his spaghetti. "Well, yes. Although, I told her that you were resting, which you should be."

Genie groaned, "I feel fine."

Sam had a mouthful of spaghetti and could only point at Genie with his fork.

Lewis sipped his wine and looked back at Genie. "Why are you in here with Legate, if you are supposed to be resting?"

Legate rubbed his hands together. "Sam and Arles….are rather loud. So, Genie usually sleeps in the spare room I have in here."

Lewis nodded his head in understanding. "Oh. You don't have your own room on the ship, Genie?"

Genie started to say something, but Sam interrupted, "I had asked Legate to keep an eye on her in case she became ill. She was just in the med bay because she said she felt a bit 'off'. I ran some tests, but the computers aren't finished with them yet."

"Why aren't you watching her then, Sam?" Lewis asked.

Sam pointed at himself. "I need her to rest. Not be woken up every ten minutes because of my loud voice."

"You are so much like your Dad. John can be loud, too." Lewis ate his salad, "Well, damn. That keeps Legate from doing something I needed him to do tonight."

"What's that?" Legate asked.

"Ah, nevermind. Sam has you here with Genie. That's more important. Especially, with John gone. Keep two eyes on her, Legate."

Legate looked back at Genie and grinned as his eyes met hers. "Yes, sir. Both eyes."

She smiled and sipped her wine.

Lewis asked Legate, "So, you were telling me, that you left?"

Legate sat his wine down, "Umm…yes. Briefly. And I didn't mean to be gone as long as I was."

Sam sipped his water and nodded, "They needed him back on Kaitos. Lartius asked him to sort that lot out."

Legate shook his head. "That makes it sound like a riot-"

"Close enough." Sam teased.

Lewis wiped his mouth and sat back. "Kaitos. The planet where you took the survivors of the Cyber Invasion?"

"And Lance! Why does that always get forgotten in that story?" Legate insisted.

Genie rose her eyebrows, "You know why."

Legate groaned. "Yes. Lartius tells it that way."

"He still holding on hope that you will agree to take over the role of King?" Lewis asked.

"What's worst is Lenox wants me to do it now." Legate told him as he rubbed his hands together.

"Really?" Lewis asked.

Legate nodded and closed his eyes tightly. "It's….ugh. A source of great stress."

Genie took over the conversation. "Lartius and Lenox met together to discuss the role of the heir. Lenox has been wavering on it for the past few years."

"Why the change?" Lewis asked.

Legate explained, "He feels that he is better suited where he is. His small colony has single-handedly restored the Quauthin. Families flock there now, with the expressed purpose of having children and them growing up in such a lovely place."

Lewis smiled, "Well, that's wonderful news!"

Sam pointed at Genie. "Genie's school has started sending people to the Academy to be trained as Quauthin, too. I can see that really doing well over the next few years."

"You'll need a Quauthin there to do primary training." Lewis suggested as he ate his salad. "Well, that's probably you, isn't it, Legate?"

Legate grinned, "Most of the time. There is some amazing talent there."

The door chimed again. Legate held his hands out in surprise. "I'm never this popular."

Genie sipped her wine and laughed. Legate called for Friday to open the door.

Arles walked in, holding a notebook. "So, you lot eat without me? Savages."

Sam grinned, "We just got started, mate. I'll get you a plate. Wine?"

"No, thanks. I need to get back. Genie, I need to see you for just a bit." Arles smiled.

Genie stood up and walked with Arles into the spare room. Arles closed the door behind them.

Lewis rose his eyebrow at the pair's disappearance together. "I wonder what that's about?"

Legate leaned back in his chair and looked at the door. "Huh. So, do I."

Meanwhile, Arles took his finger off of the panel of the doorway and looked back at Genie. She crossed her arms and looked back at him. "And what's this about?"

He chuckled and smiled warmly back at her. "Nothing, really. Well, something. Sammy said you went to see him."

She shook her head and took his hand in her own. "I'm fine. He just ran some tests."

"What did they say?"

"We don't know yet."

"You….let him…..draw blood?"

"Well, I've got to get over that. Everyone is not the idiots at that hospital on Nimiset-"

"Where they stabbed your arm and-"

She immediately covered her face. "Arles!"

He stopped speaking. "Right. I'm sorry."

She uncovered her face. "I still can't believe you hit them."

"I'd do it again! Break everyone of their damn arms! Some idiot hurting my sister!" He insisted. "Dad owns nearly every hospital in the damn galaxy and we end up with the one, moron-"

She shook her head and pat his chest. "Okay. Calm down, Arles. There's no reason to get upset about this again."

He sighed. "Ugh. Alright. Well, I think I have this school sorted, but I wanted you to look it over before I did anything."

He clicked on a monitor on the wall and showed her what he had changed. Genie was extremely pleased. "This is wonderful, Arles!"

Sam walked into the room and closed the door behind himself. "Everything alright?"

Arles turned off the monitor and smiled. "Just showing Genie the school-"

"I want to see-"

"No." Arles told him flatly.

Genie giggled.

"Well, why not?"

"You'll try to improve it. Genie says it is fine, so….I'm going with it."

Sam put his hands in his pockets and shook his head. "I wouldn't try to improve it."

Genie and Arles both laughed.

Sam rose his eyebrow. "Am I that bad?"

"Oh, yes." Arles insisted.

Genie smiled at him. "We love you anyway, Sammy."

Arles pointed at Genie. "She said she had some tests ran?"

"Yes. The computer is still chewing on it." Sam told him.

"Do you think-"

"I think she's fine. She's just being cautious. Which she should be." Sam winked at her.

Arles crossed his arms and looked at Sam and then Genie suspiciously.

Genie noticed, "What?"

"You…smell like…." Arles started.

"Legate." Genie rolled her eyes. "Yes. He held me when Sam took the blood."

Arles wasn't convinced. He looked back at Sam.

Sam smiled, "What's on your mind, Arles?"

Arles bit his lip, "You really want to know?"

Genie shook her head, "I don't."

Sam laughed, "Oh, I do. Go! Do the thing. I love it when you do the thing!"

Genie covered her face and groaned. "You guys."

Arles rocked on his feet and nodded, "Okay. Well, Legate was laying in Genie's lap today when I got back from playing football-"

Genie closed her eyes tightly, "Damn it."

"And he's always at the school-"

Genie looked at Sam. "Help!" She mouthed.

Sam laughed, "Keep going big guy."

Arles didn't pay them any attention as he continued to think. "He insisted on coming back here to be with us….or maybe it was actually to be with Genie….."

Genie groaned.

"And now my sister smells like him….and….."

Genie shook her head. "Don't say it-"

"Say it!" Sam laughed.

"Pheromones." He decided. He looked back at Genie and his eyes grew huge. "Holy shit! You and Legate-"

"Shhhhhhh!" Genie insisted. "Papa is just in there with him-"

Arles covered his mouth in shock. "I can't believe this! And you knew?" He asked Sam.

Sam grinned. "Yes. I wondered how long it would take you to figure it out. Especially, now that people are beginning to be sloppy."

Genie smacked Sam in the chest. "You are the one that brought Papa in here! What the hell were you thinking?"

"He asked where Legate was! He told him he was training. Is that what you are calling it?"

"Working him that good, huh?" Arles teased.

"Her knickers were lying behind the sofa just now." Sam informed him.

"And he seems rather, exhausted." Arles pointed out.

"You guys." Genie groaned.

Sam made a rude motion to irritate Genie some more. "Yeah, get that heart rate up."

Genie pointed at Sam. "Okay, never. Ever. Do that again."

"We might need to review the definition of resting." Sam teased.

Arles grinned, "Yeah! Let him do some of the work woman. Insist on slow hands. Slow movements."

"Well, he is rather older than she is." Sam mentioned.

Arles nodded, "Yeah, he might break a hip, or something if he was to really do it fast."

Genie shook her head. "I am not enjoying this conversation at all."

Arles laughed with Sam, "How long has this been going on?"

Genie rubbed her face. "Several months."

"Since before he left? Is that why he left?"

Genie sighed. "Yes. Ugh. He said he knew it wasn't appropriate and he needed some time to clear his head. But, then he returned and we both felt… well….."

Arles grinned, "Well, I'm thrilled. Legate? I couldn't have picked a better guy. What does Mum say?"

Sam laughed and bounced on his feet. "She doesn't know."

Arles was shocked. "Mum doesn't know? How is that even possible? Mum knows everything!"

"No one does." Sam grinned. "Just us chickens in here-"

"And Legate." Arles added.

"He might have a small clue." Sam agreed.

Genie groaned. "Damn it. You and that 'Lewis thing' you can do."

Arles smiled, "You love the 'Lewis thing', sis."

"Not when it involves me!" She insisted.

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Arles and Sam told her.

"So, how serious is this?" Arles asked.

Sam grinned, "He's asked her to make The Promise."

"Sam!"

"What?"

"He has!?" Arles yelled.

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Sam and Genie hushed him.

Arles covered his mouth and jumped up and down. "Oh my God! Are you serious!? Please tell me you said yes!"

Genie rolled her eyes. "I have two sisters. Really."

Sam pointed at Genie, "And tell Arles."

Genie groaned, "I told him no."

Arles was deflated. "You did….what? Why?"

"That's involved. But-"

"And your knickers are still lying on the floor someplace? Genie, what the-"

Genie shook her head, "Don't even start with me, Arles!"

"Shhhhhhhhhhhh!" both of the boys insisted.

"I haven't ever gotten involved in your love life-" Genie started.

"I think he has to have one first." Sam teased.

Arles pointed at her. "That's shit, and you know it."

"Hold on! Sam isn't following this line of conversation-" Sam shook his head.

"Arles! You know-" Genie started.

Arles put his finger over Genie's lips. "I'm your brother. I just don't want you to get hurt."

Sam crossed his arms, "Umm…. That's sweet. Let's go back and talk about Arles' love life for a bit."

"Shut up, Sam." Genie insisted. "Arles, I'm fine. I know what I'm doing."

"If I can figure this out, so can Papa." Arles insisted. "And then Legate is going to be in deep shit. Not to mention what Dad will say. How does Dad not know about this? Dad knows everything!"

Sam held up his hand. "Hang on. I just had a terrible thought."

"What?" Arles asked.

"We're in here. But Papa and Legate are both together in there. And if Legate smells like Genie-"

"Shit!" Genie and Arles said at the same time.

The three of them rushed out of the room together.

Legate looked at the three of them, nearly falling over themselves to get out of the room. He laughed at them. "I don't want to know."

Lewis smiled and turned towards them. "Sort everything out?"

Arles cleared his throat. "Yes, Papa."

Sam had already gathered himself. "Ummm... Papa could probably help you with that, Arles."

Arles snapped his fingers. "He probably could! Papa, do you mind giving me a hand with something?"

Lewis nodded his head. "I don't mind at all, son. I'm finished eating." He stood up and took his glass and plate back to the food replicator.

Arles smiled back at Genie, "And I'll get this sorted for you. You. Rest. Remember, how we define-"

Genie groaned, "Stop."

Arles leaned down and kissed her cheek just as Lewis joined them.

"And thank you for allowing me to join you for dinner. Legate and I had an interesting chat in your absence."

The three of them looked back at Legate in surprise.

Legate held his hands out. "What are you lot on about? I just caught him up on Kaitos and such."

The three of them all said together, "Ohh."

Lewis laughed at them. "You guys are great. Genie, get some rest. Legate, keep both eyes on my little girl."

Legate nodded, "Yes, sir."

Sam and Arles exchanged a look and started to laugh hysterically. They left the suite together, howling.

Lewis laughed at the pair, "Was it something I said?"

Genie shook her head. "They are mad, Papa."

He kissed her cheek. Smiled proudly at her, and left the room.

Genie sighed in relief as the door hissed shut.

Legate wiped his mouth and laughed, "So, Arles knows."

"How did you work that out?"

He stood up and took the plates from the table to the food replicator. "Oh, I can tell. I knew you would tell him-"

"I'm sorry…I should-"

He shook his head. "No, it's completely fine. I'm glad they both know."

"Why?" She smiled.

He joined her and took her hands in his. "They will both be on my side. I know those guys. They will try to convince you, too."

"You're right about that."

He chuckled. "But, enough about that. I promise not to mention again."

"Like, ever?" She looked surprised.

He kissed her wrist, "Never will mention it again."

She looked curiously at him.

"You know how I feel. You know what I want. My feelings will not change. But, I refuse to spend the time we have together annoying you about it."

"You're not annoying me-"

"You say as you make that face." He grinned and wrapped his arms around her.

She hugged his neck and kissed his lips quickly. "I could use some more wine."

He smiled at her. "Of course. I'll bring you some. Now, tell me….where shall I keep both of my eyes on you at?"

"All night-"

He smiled, "All night. I'm so excited about this."

She stepped away from him, and walked into his bedroom. She stopped as she got to the doorway. "Legate?"

"Yes, Genie."

"Bring a bottle of wine, please."

He rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Oh, yes. I'll bring two."

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Lewis walked with Arles and Sam, down the hallway of the Doctor's ship.

"That was a lovely dinner. We should do that more often." Lewis told them with his hands in his pockets.

Arles nodded, "Indeed. I love Italian food."

"Well, you didn't eat anything." Lewis pointed out.

"I'm just so focused on this, Papa. I'll relax when it's done. Inside of the new school." Arles insisted.

Lewis laughed, "You sound like me. Make certain you put food replicators in it."

"Very good point, Papa!" Arles told him as he made a note.

"Lewis!" Timon called as he ran up to join them.

Lewis turned around with the boys. "Yes, Timon?"

Timon waved him over to a screen that sat in the wall of the hallway. "Friday, transfer Timon Program 32." The screen showed a map with several blimps of light on it. Timon pointed. "This is John's ship that he's currently in. And this one, just behind him, I feel could be following them."

Lewis shrugged his shoulders. "There's a lot of traffic in that lane."

"Yes, sir. But, they changed course to avoid a solar storm. This ship did to."

"To avoid the storm, as well?" Lewis suggested.

"Yes, sir. But, I asked Tony Tyler to change their course 4 degrees and then back to 7 degrees." As he said that, they watched the lights on the screen show that the other ship had also changed his course to match theirs.

"Damn it. Well done there, Timon." Lewis nodded.

Timon turned off the screen. "We are four hours from them. I've told Tony to raise their shields and not to change anything."

Lewis nodded. "John doesn't know?"

Timon shook his head. "No, sir. Tony suspects, but I didn't want to alarm them."

Lewis pat his back. "Good man. Bring up Tony and Pepper, and get us to them. Let's hope we're all seeing something that simply isn't there."

Timon jogged away. "Yes, sir."

Lewis turned back to Arles and held up a finger to tell him to wait a moment. "Alright. Lance is going to take you tonight. Younger you."

Arles smiled, "I know what you meant, Papa. How can we help?"

"Do we have any more ships onboard?"

Arles shook his head. "Nothing fast."

Sam pointed out, "Ashena probably has something. They are just parked next to us."

Lewis didn't have to say anything else. "Go."

The pair ran off to the transporter room.

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Tony Stark was lying underneath a vintage, red Porsche on a board with wheels. He was in his New York Penthouse's workshop. Music blasted the AC DC song, "Thunderstruck."

He tapped his foot as the music played. He never heard Pepper walk into the shop. She had taken off her heels upstairs and walked in her stockings over to where she saw his legs hanging out from under the car.

She smiled down at the scene she had walked into. She knelt down and rubbed his upper thighs.

"You better be a red head." Tony fussed.

Pepper laughed as he pushed himself out from under the car and looked up at her. "And welcome home."

"How did you get a car in here?"

He rolled his head over to look up her skirt. "Carried it down the stairs. Oh yes. Black, lace panties."

She rolled her eyes. "I got a text from Happy. So, that's who you told?"

He stood up and wiped his hands on a towel. "Yes. He took it rather well."

"He mentioned the nose-"

He quickly pointed at himself. "Which I am not responsible for!"

She grinned and crossed her arms. "He said Jane hit him. She was there?"

He nodded, "Yes."

"With Lance?"

"Yes."

"So, they know, too?" She asked.

He thought, "Yes."

She shook her head and groaned, "See, and what I want to know, is how 'one' is actually 'three'?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I have a problem with numbers?"

"Try again."

"Well, I wanted to tell Happy. So, he'd stop sending you those texts and pissing you off."

She nodded. "Okay."

"And Lance has to be there because he's my bodyguard. But, he's also Four. I wanted one of them to know. Well, besides Lartius."

"And Jane?"

"Apparently, she's Lance's bodyguard."

"So, that's one?"

He nodded, "Yes. See. One!"

She shook her head and laughed. "Wow."

He walked over to the sink to wash his hands. "So, you don't seem pissed off."

"Well, I know you. I knew it wouldn't be one. You take a mile, if I give you an inch!"

He laughed. "Yep. That's me." He turned off the sink and looked back at her as he dried his hands. She was still wearing her white skirt suit. He noticed the pearl necklace and ear rings. "Pearls."

She smiled, "From your present this morning. I thought they would look nice with this."

"I wonder how they look with nothing."

"Maybe we'll see later. Although, I think pearls and black lace needs to be explored, first."

"You are the boss. Yes."

She turned and pointed at the car. "What is a car doing in here?"

He walked to the passenger door and held it open for her. She looked at him, curiously and decided to sit down in the car. He closed the door and ran around to the drivers' side. He sat down behind the wheel and looked back at her. "Ready for this?"

"Maybe?" She replied.

He laughed as he turned on the engine. He flipped a few buttons and Pepper felt the car rise into the air. She held the door and the edge of her seat tightly in her fists. "Oh my God!"

Tony laughed, "Dad's old flying car. How about that?"

She relaxed and looked back at his smiling face. "This is nuts. Your Dad made this?"

"Yep. This is the prototype he showed at the 1943 World Exposition of Tomorrow. He made a lot of them through Stark Industries and sent them into some, secret program the government was doing. I only imagine they killed the project because I've never heard of it anymore."

He pressed a few more buttons and they landed, gently, on the ground. He turned off the engine. "See? Ole Doc Brown wasn't the only one with a flying car."

She laughed as she opened the door. "Ugh. I never know what I'm going to come home to."

He walked around to meet her. "So, I had a thought. Soli won't be home until morning…."

She smiled, "And you are curious about black lace and pearls."

"It's all I can think about."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and whispered something in his ear that caused his mouth to drop open. She leaned back and looked at his face. "What do you think?"

"Umm. Yes. If, that's….umm…." He stammered. He cleared his throat and tried to collect his thoughts. "Yes. I meant, hell yes."

She smiled, "I thought that's what you meant."

They held one another and began to kiss. She could feel him pull her close to his body.

They heard someone clear their throat. They both looked over at the doorway to see Exton standing there.

"Sorry. Lewis needs you two to join him on the ship, immediately."

They looked back at one another. Tony could feel the insistence. "What's happened? Is Soli alright?"

"I don't know. He just said to have you both transport, immediately."

Tony held Pepper's hand, took the transport remote trigger out of his pocket, and they transported away.

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