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Chapter 36 - Escape Pod Pick Up

Chiron pointed out of the round window of the escape pod. "And there it is!"

Pete looked out of the window. "I don't see anything."

Chiron turned back to look at them. "Sorry. They already looped around us."

The lights in the pod turned to a yellow color.

Rose jumped. "What is this?"

Soli laughed, "They are pulling us closer to them. They've taken over controls."

Just as he said that, there was a bump as something large seemed to attach itself to the pod. Chiron walked over to the other side of the pod and took out a long, metal pole. He handed it to Pete Tyler. "Mr. Tyler-"

"Pete. Please call me Pete."

"Pete. Could you please tap that door overhead?"

Pete took the metal pole and stood up to tap the round hatch that he hadn't noticed until Chiron had pointed it out.

Chiron held his hand out. "Okay, Pete. Tap twice."

Pete tapped twice.

Then, a few seconds later, two taps were heard from the other side.

Soli smiled, "That means that we're equal."

Pete looked confused. "What?"

Chiron smiled. "The air pressure is matched. Okay, tap once more Pete."

Pete tapped once more and sat down the pole. "Hmmm. We can reach the hatch, but-"

The hatch opened and Sam's head appeared through the opening. "Sam and Arles' to the rescue!"

Rose laughed at her son. "Hello, Samuel!"

Pete looked up at the opening and put his hands on his hips. "Is that really Sam?"

Sam's eyes focused on the light in the pod. His stunned face spread into a smile when he realized who had said that. "Is that really Grandfather? Stuck in a pod?"

Pete laughed. "Son, you couldn't have come at a better time. Tell me you have whiskey on that ship you're flying."

Sam hung through the opening in the ceiling and winked at his Grandfather. "Sorry, Grandfather. Arles drank every drop."

Pete grinned at Sam's teasing. "Explains what took you so damn long."

Sam laughed. "Is anyone hurt?"

Rose looked up at the ceiling at Sam. "No. We're all fine."

"Brilliant." Sam called back. "Arles. Roll us, 90 degrees."

"Right." Arles' voice was heard.

The pod rolled over and suddenly Sam was hanging through a hatchway on the side of the pod. Pete turned to Rose and insisted. "Ladies, first."

Rose climbed through the hatchway where Samuel had been, and into a small ship. Sam took her hands and looked her over. "You're sure you're alright, Mum?"

She embraced him and felt the instant calm come over her. She had been so cross.

Pete climbed through the hatchway next. Samuel let go of Rose and stood, looking at Pete. "This. Is rather odd."

Pete laughed at his grandson. "For me, too. Come here!" Pete embraced Samuel tightly and kissed his cheek. "Goodness, you look like your Mum."

Sam laughed, "Only you and Grand say that."

Pete let go of Sam and looked back through the hatchway. "Soli. Are you coming out?"

Chiron floated by the hatchway's opening. "I've turned off the gravity in here. I think he's happy to remain."

Soli laughed as he turned flips inside of the pod.

Sam clicked a few buttons on the wall next to where they stood. "Alright. Arles, take us back to the Asclepius."

The ship was larger than most of the smaller ships that Pete had seen before. He couldn't help but think it also looked rather luxurious. The silver metal walls seemed to be made of brushed aluminum with red carpet on the floor. The rectangular room they all were in was large enough to hold thirty people, easily. The cushioned seats lined the walls. Bucket seats also sat two by two in rows. The crest of the Andromedaen people was painted on the wall.

Rose sat down and sighed in relief as she rubbed her face. "Oh, boy. What a day."

From two steps down, Pete could see the control room and the large window that was rounded in nearly nine sections.

"Where did you get this ship, Samuel?" Pete asked.

Sam smiled, "Queen Ashena said it was the fastest one she had. We launched as soon as Timon told Papa that you were being followed. Can you hear Dad?"

She nodded. "Yes. Why?"

Sam sighed in relief. "Good. Because he's disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Pete asked in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Just that, Grandfather. He's off the radar."

Chiron came through the hatchway. "Sorry. Everyone can relax. Legate has Tony and John. They are on their way to Plentitude, and will meet with you there."

"What happened? Why did the ship disappear?" Sam asked.

"Because it was destroyed!" Chiron told them with his squeaky voice as he threw his hands up.

Samuel groaned, "Well, I'm not going to be the one to tell Uncle Tony that."

Pete laughed under his breath. "I don't blame you, son." He pointed at Chiron. "My Tony is alright?"

"Yes, Pete. Everyone is fine. In fact, Primus John is currently-"

"Sleeping." Rose told them. "He was chatting my ear off, and then…just nothing. I can feel he's fine though. He's asleep."

Sam nodded, "Well, the stars are still shining very bright. So, I know he's okay."

Pete shook his head. "What's with that? I've heard him say that, too."

Sam shrugged his shoulders. "I don't really know. But, he's always told me that if the stars ever go out, he's really in deep trouble. The brighter they shine, the happier he is. Mum probably knows."

Pete looked back at Rose.

She shook her head. "Oh, it's complicated, Dad."

Chiron nodded his head. "I can take over piloting."

Chiron walked down the steps to the Control Room. Then, Pete saw someone he had sworn was Lance, walk up the two steps and smile at him.

"Gosh! Arles!?" Pete asked.

Arles extended his hand to shake Pete's, but Pete pulled him into an embrace instead and pat his back. He laughed. "Wow. Both of my boys! This is remarkable."

Rose smiled proudly.

Pete held Arles at arms' reach and looked at him. "You, son. Look like your uncle!"

Arles laughed. "There are worse people."

"Yeah, like Luce. Your other uncle." Sam teased.

Rose laughed.

Pete continued to smile at Arles. "Amazing. You are about….as big as my hand presently."

Sam sat beside of Rose and took her hand. "And he's as big as a tank now, huh, Grandfather?"

Pete rolled his eyes at Sam. "Not as big as Summus."

Rose smiled. "I thought he was Lance when I first saw him. And that's embarrassing to admit, but…"

Arles laughed, "It's alright, Mum. I get confused for him a lot."

Pete put his hands on his hips and looked at Arles, then back at Sam. "My goodness. My boys. Damn. These are two fine, young men. Have you seen your Grand?"

Arles pointed at Samuel. "Sammy has. She brought little Genie to the ship last night."

"Why?" Rose asked.

"She's sick. Just a cold." Sam reassured his Mum.

"Genie doesn't get sick. That's the reason I feel like this. Ugh. Your Dad went to Plentitude, huh?"

Samuel nodded his head. "Yes, ma'am. That's what Chiron is saying."

"And we still can't talk to him." Pete asked. "Because of who might be listening?"

"It's necessary to complete the illusion that Soli has been killed and Dad destroyed." Arles told them.

Rose sighed. "Can either of you speak to the Guard?"

They both shook their heads.

"Only Chiron." Arles pointed back towards the control room.

"Then, please go tell Chiron to inform Tony that Soli is safe. We're underway. And inform Lewis that we will be headed back to Earth as soon as we're aboard. My daughter is ill, and I need to be there with her."

Arles looked back at Sam in surprise. "Umm…what about Dad?"

"Your father can find his own way home."

Sam looked back at Rose. "Mum, she's fine. Grand is with her."

"Grand, isn't Mum. Arles."

Arles turned around to walk down the steps. "Yes, ma'am."

"Leaving the man to find his own way home? Rose?" Pete asked in surprise.

Samuel stood up, and pat his grandfather on the shoulder. "The rule is: Don't get involved in Mum and Dad's…..disagreements."

She rose her eyebrows at her son. "I like that rule. A lot."

"Are you serious?" Pete asked. "This is a rule?"

Sam tapped his lips. "And I've already said too much!" He turned quickly to join Soli in the pod.

Pete laughed at his grandson.

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Genie lay on Legate's chest in the bed. Still nude, they relaxed under the warm duvet. He ran his fingertips up and down her spine as she slept in his arms. The bio-tracker lay forgotten on the floor. Genie hadn't wanted to have to explain her heart rate and temperature increase to her Dad. She had complained loudly about Sam putting it on her before Legate just insisted that he would take it off.

"I'll tell him that it was irritating your skin." Legate had told her.

Legate lay against the pile of pillows and became consumed in his own thoughts. Being with the younger Genie had made him curious to know what Genie's children would look like. He had never thought about having children of his own, but as he lay holding her in his arms, the thought brought a smile to his face. He kissed the top of her head and inhaled her scent.

He looked overhead at the window that showed the darkness of space. The stars appeared in long streaks overhead showed they were still traveling at the speed of light to meet with the escape pod.

Suddenly, Genie jumped straight up as she woke with a start. She was breathing heavily and held her chest.

"Genie!" Legate sat up and rubbed her back.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm alright-"

"You're not. You nearly jumped out your skin."

She looked back at Legate. Her beautiful eyes were full of fear. "What if I'm getting sick again?"

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "It will be alright. I'm here this time."

They lay back down together. Legate held her in his arms.

Genie sighed. "Dad will keep me in the med bay again. I won't be able to see you."

"That's what you're worried about?" Legate grinned.

She sat up and looked at him. "Of course it is. Legate, I just want…"

He asked quietly, "What?"

She ran her hand across his muscular, bare chest. As her eyes followed his form up to his concerned face.

"Genie. You're going to be alright. Sam is on his way back now. I'll take you down to the med bay as soon as-"

She shook her head. "I'm alright."

"You're not. He said nightmares were a sign you were getting sick."

She groaned and shook her head. "Legate."

He took her hand in his. "Genie. Talk to me."

She covered her mouth. "I just want to be normal. That's all I've ever wanted."

"What is that, though?"

"Before, it was being like everyone else. Now, it's being well."

He sat up and ran his hand through her hair. "You are unlike anyone else. In the entire universe. Even if you were….'normal'."

"I love you, too."

He kissed her lips quickly. "So. Nightmare. Want to talk about it?"

"No. I really don't." She pulled the duvet up to cover her breasts.

Legate noticed. "Let me get you a shirt."

She grabbed his hand tighter. "I'm alright. Just….stay here with me."

He moved closer to her and laid his forehead to hers. "Genie. I'm right here with you. Nothing will harm you. Even in your dreams."

She smiled at him and relaxed.

He rubbed his nose against hers and began to kiss her. He rubbed her shoulders and her back, feeling her cool, wet skin in his hands.

"Waking up in a cool sweat. Genie, you're safe."

He felt her cup his face with her hands as her lips met his and she began to snog him. He held her tighter as they both became lost in kissing one another. He lay back against the pillows and she went with him.

"Again?" He asked in surprise.

"I've lost count. But, we better not." She smiled.

He bit his lip and looked in her eyes. "How would I explain not being able to walk to everyone?"

She giggled.

"Although, I could blame it on my legs being sore again."

"See, I had forgotten about that. What had happened that both of them were so bad at once?" Genie asked.

"You would bring me ice and put it around my legs."

She smiled and sat up to look at him. "What had you done? I remember asking when I was a little girl, but I never remember getting an answer."

"There were so many things I couldn't tell you. Things I probably shouldn't now."

"I think we're past that." She teased.

He began to kiss her neck.

"Legate." She smiled as he continued. "I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you."

His muffled voice continued to kiss her. "And I'm trying to avoid it."

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and met his lips with her own. "Fine. Have your secrets."

He smiled, "It only makes me more interesting to you."

They began to kiss again.

He took her hand and put it on the side of his head. "Try."

She looked back at him. "I doubt it's back-"

He kissed her wrist as he continued to hold her hand to the side of his head. "Try. If I couldn't hear you speak, what would be something you would want me to know?"

She held her hand on the spot where he had left it on his head. Then, he put his own hand on the side of her head.

"Now, I'm going to try. Tell me if you hear anything." He said.

She watched as he closed his eyes. She decided to close hers, too. After a few moments of nothing, she thought, 'Oh, this is useless.'

"It's not useless, Genie. Just try."

Genie opened her eyes in shock. "You heard that?"

"Well, yeah-"

"I didn't say it! I just-"

His face slowly spread into a smile. "Try again."

He kept his eyes on her as she closed her eyes again and touched the side of his head. He didn't hear anything. She opened her eyes and grabbed his hand. She put it on the spot on the side of her head and smiled. "Nutter. Maybe this makes a difference."

He laughed. "Maybe it does."

She closed her eyes again and concentrated. 'Legate?'

He smiled, "I hear you."

She opened her eyes and laughed. "I can't believe it!"

He kissed her lips. "I'm so happy for you!"

"But, I can't hear you."

"Let me try again." He suggested.

They put their hands back on the side of one another's heads. Legate closed his eyes and concentrated. Genie heard him say something odd in Quauthin inside of her head.

She covered her mouth in shock and laughed. "What was that?"

He relaxed and smiled, "Something we always said as kids. It always worked."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He rubbed his nose to hers and couldn't help the smile on his face. "Genie."

The duvet fell to expose her nude breasts. She pressed them to his chest as they continued to snog. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her down against the pillows.

She smiled up at him. "Thank you, Legate."

He bit his lip and looked back at her. "Thank you."

"For what?"

He smiled. "I'll tell you a bit later."

She looked confused and noticed the stars above them had stopped appearing in long streaks. "We've stopped."

He sat up and held his finger as he listened. "Oh, shit." Legate sprang out of bed and started to put on his trousers.

Genie watched him. "What is it?"

He pointed at her. "Get dressed. Rose is coming aboard and she's heard you are ill."

"I don't have anything to wear!"

He quickly ran over to the closet and pulled out a t-shirt and a pair of jogging pants of his. He handed them to her. "That should work. Is that odd? You wearing my clothes?"

She pulled on the t-shirt. "No. I don't think so."

"Chiron says they are bringing Soli to Tony and Pepper. I might have time. Should I shower?"

"If you can do it really fast."

He took back off his clothes as he rushed to the bathroom. Getting one of his feet tangled in his trousers, he fell into the floor. "Right. Lewis will probably be with her."

"Are you alright?"

He rubbed his knee and jumped back up to rush to the shower. "I'm fine. Get dressed. Oh, this could be bad."

Genie sat back on the bed and laughed at him.

From the shower, she heard Legate's voice. "And you're still going to the med bay!"

She rolled her eyes and dramatically fell into the mattress.

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