XxxxxxXxxxxxx
Two chapters in one day?! I've honestly been dying to share this one with you. One of my favorites. Thank you for all of the kind reviews. It's amazing so many of you have stuck with me through this entire thing. I truly appreciate it.
XxxxxXxxxxxxXxxxx
Chapter 4 – Lance's Promotion
Genie and Tony were in the zero gravity room with Legate and Lance. Timon walked into the Top Observation Deck with Tony, Pepper and Velt. Pepper was awestruck at the view of the Earth spinning slowly above them.
"This is amazing." She said.
She wore a simple pair of jeans and a blouse that fit her form beautifully. She looked around and the room.
Tony, wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a hoodie that zipped up seemed to fit right in with the casual atmosphere. The Quauhtin all seemed to be in jeans and oxfords, or t-shirts as well.
Tony clapped his hands together. "Alright Sparky. The children are in the zero gravity room, just over there. You can join them if you like."
"It would be alright?"
"Yep. Have fun. You're a kid. We'll be right here if you need us."
Velt smiled, "Wow. Thank you, Tony."
Pepper and Tony watched him run to join the other children. Pepper mumbled, "I see what you mean. What has he been through?"
"I don't know. I did get him to eat something though."
She smiled at him, "Small victories."
Lewis walked over and pat Tony on the back. "And he's here."
Tony smiled and shook Lewis' hand, "Hello Lewis. Where is ….ummm… Little Lewis?"
"Arles is his name. He's with the Nanny." He smiled and kissed Pepper's cheek. "It's lovely to see you again, Pepper."
She smiled, "And you, Lewis."
Lewis smiled, "We decided to play up here. Gives the bigger children something to do. John is on his way."
Poltious called for Lewis. Lewis nodded his head, "Excuse me."
Pepper watched him walk away. "He looks a lot better than I expected."
"He is getting around better than he has all week. Who is this Nanny?"
Pepper smiled and looked up at the Earth again. "This is beautiful. Why didn't you bring me to this room when I came up here that time?"
Tony took her hand. "So, we're going to talk now?"
She sighed, "Alright. Go ahead. You won't get loud if you are up here with your friends."
He shook his head and pointed at himself. "Loud? Me? That's what you are concerned with?"
"Tony, I don't deal with….shouting….well. That's all I ask. Don't shout." She pat his chest.
"Pepper." He thought and then looked back at her. "Pepper. Think back all of these years that you have known me. Have you ever heard me scream at you?"
She thought, "No. Not at me-"
"Then, why do you think I would start now? I wouldn't do that."
She nodded her head and held his hand. "I've never really thought about it."
"I'd like to go back to this being such a secret-"
"Let me stop you there." She told him. "I don't know why I haven't said anything. I've thought about it since you asked this afternoon."
"Have you said anything to anyone?"
"Like who?"
He rolled his eyes, "That means no."
"Tony. It's not like no one knows. I'm sure you've been talking to John-"
"He's helpful. And the guys here."
She put her hands on her hips and looked at him, "Happy. You said something to him about kissing me, didn't you?"
"To be fair, he didn't believe me."
She threw her hands out, "I can't believe you!"
"Now, you are shouting at me. Do you want to step into the hallway? "
She covered her mouth and looked back at the Quauhtin. They didn't seem to notice her raised voice. "No. Ugh. But, why?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize it wasn't something I shouldn't have said. I don't want him thinking it's acceptable to call you up for a drink and then make-out. That's all you two did, right?"
She closed her eyes and shook her head in anger. "Tony." She said as she took a deep breath to steady herself. When she opened her eyes, she saw him standing in front of her looking confused.
"What? Explain this to me. I told you that I'm going to need on the job training!" he insisted.
She grabbed the front of his hoodie in her fist and marched him to the doorway, away from everyone. Once they were there, she let him go and put her hands on her hips.
"Okay. What did you say to him?"
Tony put his hands in his pockets and looked at her, "I ask him what was going on with you two. He said you he thought you were available and I told him you weren't. That you were with me. He didn't believe me."
"He didn't?"
He shook his head. "He didn't. Why wouldn't he?"
"Because, it's you!"
He groaned and nodded his head, "Me. I'm damaged goods? Is that it?"
"No! That is not what I mean. I mean…. how you have always been with girls."
He took her hands in his. "I've not been that way in a very long time. You know that. Pepper, I want to make this work."
She relaxed a bit and nodded at him. "I'm sorry-"
"This isn't you. This is me. Bottom line, I asked him to back off because I'm interested in you. Man to man. He's agreed to that."
She looked at him in surprise.
"So. Nothing is confirmed, and he wouldn't believe me any damn way. But, can we agree… that we're exclusive? At least for now. Let's figure all of this out, but I just want to focus on that. Alright?"
Her face slowly broke into a smile. "Yes. That is fine. Just you and me."
He grinned and rocked on his feet as he continued to hold her hands. "Alright. See. Progress. This is a good talk. Who have you spoken to?"
She sighed, "Rose. A little bit. Not much."
"A little bit. So, no girlie chit chat?"
"Tony. You know how you are. Or, how you were." She lowered her voice to a whisper, "Tony, I don't know where this is going, and I don't want to become part of a joke in a bar. A relationship with you isn't as simple as that."
"Why not?"
"Well….."
"Just say it. Why not?"
She closed her eyes, "You're not just a regular guy. I mean it's you!"
He looked confused, "I have no idea what that means. I am just a regular guy."
"You know what I mean-"
He chuckled, "I really don't."
"Normal."
He shrugged his shoulders, "Define….exactly….normal."
She groaned.
He held her hand and laughed. "But, what if it were-"
"It's not-"
"Just…. Humor me. If it was. I was just a normal guy."
"Is this really a problem? Keeping is secret for just a bit? Tony, be reasonable. I really care a lot about you. But, you are also my boss. You have a history of being a playboy. Everyone knows about it. I want this to work, but I also want to take care of my reputation. If this doesn't work out, work is going to hell. Especially, if everyone knows."
He nodded his head and smiled, "You care about me. Yeah?"
"Did you happen to hear the rest of what I said?"
He nodded, "Work. Hell. Reputation. Care about me. Yes."
"Can you understand my position about this?"
He couldn't help smiling, "Yes. Umm… yes." He cleared his throat. "So, we're just-"
She spoke to him quietly, "We can talk about this more later, but Tony. I really just want to see where this goes. Keep it between us. Maybe a few close friends that won't tease me if it goes badly. It's going to be hard enough to deal with you."
He took her hand and led her over to the children's play system, away from the Quauhtin were walking behind them.
He nodded and took both of her hands in his, "See, you're already planning for this to go south. But, have you thought about the alternative?"
"What? God, I hate job hunting." She groaned. "I really don't know what I was thinking with this entire thing-"
"No. What if it goes well? Maybe, we need to just…slow down. How's that?"
She nodded, "That's probably best. Yes. Just slow down."
"So, you can give me some more training in this ….entire….thing."
She giggled, "You are doing pretty good so far. I have to say. You have surprised me a bit."
He smiled, "Just a bit? I need to work harder."
She shook her head and mumbled as she laughed under her breath, "Oh, God. I want to take back a lot of what I just said."
He kissed her hand. "If that's how you want to do this, that's fine. Let's keep it to ourselves. No one needs to know."
She looked surprised, "You're really alright with that?"
He relaxed. "Pepper, you've always taken such good care of me. I never saw it until recently because I'm an idiot."
"You are not an idiot, Tony-"
"About this I am. If this is what you need for me to take care of you, that's alright."
She smiled, "Thank you. I feel like there is more we need to probably talk about-"
"Maybe you are thinking about this too much."
She rolled her eyes at him. "Tony-"
"And I love that I'm on your mind."
She laughed quietly. "I won't deny that you stay there."
He pointed up at the Earth. "Pepper, do you see that?"
"What, the Earth?"
"There is no one there that I care about more than you. I leave with John, but you're the only reason I return. If keeping this quiet is what makes you comfortable, I'm okay with that."
She whispered, "Thank you, Tony."
"Now, I've kissed you under the stars. May I kiss you under the Earth?"
She smiled, "Yes."
"Yeah?" He put his hands on her face and kissed her. They both forgot where they were and became lost in one another. He pulled her close to him and she held onto him tightly as he tried to put just how much he did care about her behind it.
The Doctor walked by, smacked Tony on the shoulder and said, "Damn. Get a room, man."
Tony stopped kissing Pepper and looked at her. "I'm going to pay for that later, huh?"
She smiled at him, "No. It's alright."
He looked at her seriously. "When you are ready to leave tonight, tell me."
She looked confused at him. "What?"
"We always go when I'm ready. Let's leave when you are ready. Just tell me. Okay? It's not always about me. You're not working. I want you to be my girlfriend, not my assistant."
She smiled, "This is going to strip gears in your brain."
"Oh, it already does, Miss Potts." He insisted as he kissed her hand and led her back over to the Quauhtin were all standing in a circle together. He slipped his sunglasses on as he walked, holding Pepper's hand in his own. He leaned over and whispered, "Oh. This might be a bit….frightening. I promise, you are safe. I'm not going to do anything, stupid. Alright?"
She teased, "Famous last words."
He laughed as he walked with her over to where everyone else had gathered.
The Doctor smiled at him, "And good of you to join us. Is everyone here?"
Rose stood beside of him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Mum and Dad aren't here."
Just as she said that, Jackie and Pete walked into the Top Observation Deck.
The Doctor pointed, "Just in time, Pete."
Tony smiled at Pete, "Time is very slow for those who wait…."
Pepper rolled her eyes, "Do you see this, John? He quotes Shakespeare all the time now because of you."
The Doctor smiled like a loon and looked at Rose. "Shakespeare. Did you hear that?"
She laughed and kissed his lips quickly. "That's brilliant."
They looked back at everyone staring at them. He ran his hand through his hair. "Right then. Anyway-"
Jackie put her hands on her hips, "You two are just ridiculous. Do you think you can keep your hands off one another long enough to even play cards?"
Tony laughed, "We have a bet on that!"
Jackie looked back at him and nodded her head, "I'd like in on it."
Tony narrowed his eyes, "Really? The bet or putting hands on John? I'm not clear?"
She playfully smacked Tony in the chest as he laughed at her.
The Doctor pointed at everyone standing around him in the large circle. "Okay, we probably need a bigger table. Let me see. Me, Rose, Pete, Jackie, Tony, Pepper, Lewis, Lance, Poltious, Legate, Timon, Exton, Talbot, Adriano, Gobbo, Varro. That's nearly everyone. We're only missing three."
Lewis added, "Yes. Mortimer is on a special team. Bassanio is with the Shepherds, and…."
"Aemilius is with Banner." Legate pointed out.
The Doctor nodded, "Right then. Well, we're going to play cards….but-"
Jackie shook her head, "Hell, I'm not playing cards. I just came to watch you idiots."
Pepper laughed at her. "I don't know the game they are playing. Rose?"
Rose looked smug. "I'm going to try."
The Doctor looked surprised, "Yeah?"
She nodded, "Yeah."
He rose his eyebrows in surprise. "Okay. Well, before we get started, Tony had something he needed to show us all."
Tony let go of Pepper's hand and rubbed his together in excitement. He walked in the center of the group and held his hands out. "Alright. I've not presented anything in….a few days, so…hold all questions to the end. I have something," He turned to the Doctor held his hand out, "John has been working with me on. Is that fair to say?"
The Doctor smiled, "It's fair. Yes. Lewis had a bit of input as well."
Lewis crossed his arms and smiled. "Oh, brilliant. You have it. Let's see it then."
Tony held up his hand. "Okay. Don't get ahead of me. In the recent weeks, months, whatever…we have seen that an arc reactor will not only create a clean power source, but also. In John's words…."
The Doctor smiled, "A brilliant explosion."
Tony nodded his head and popped his lips to mimic an explosion. "Oh yes. Now. People would say that the best weapon is one you never have to use. I respectfully disagree. The best weapon is the one you only have to use….once."
Lance looked to be the only one concerned. "You have one of these. Here?"
Tony took out a small, round, flat container that fit in the palm of his hand. "Yes. This is it. Now. The reactor is inside. It's similar to a…ummm…. do they know what a hand grenade is, John?"
The Doctor nodded his head and said something in Quauhtin.
Poltious became nervous. "That is one of those things? You have it here? On this ship?"
Tony was distracted looking at it. "Yes. It's perfectly safe, Poltious." He leaned over and pointed at Lance. "See, touch it just there, Lance. Right there on that thumb print key."
Lance held his thumb out and touched where Tony pointed to on the device. "It didn't do anything."
Tony rolled his eyes. "What the hell do you expect, man? Are you trying to blow my ass up, Lance?"
Legate crossed his arms, "It doesn't sound safe. What are your intentions with this?"
Tony nodded his head. "Well, I've made several of them. Each one of you can have one to keep on your person, to use in the event it is needed."
Lewis held his mouth and laughed silently. Lance looked back at him in shock. "You are okay with this? Are you nuts?"
Lewis cleared his throat, "Stark. Remind me, we are supposed to carry these in our pocket, right?"
He nodded, "Yes. They are perfectly harmless unless they hit something suddenly."
Jackie crossed her arms, "Sounds like a good way to kill yourself, if you ask me."
Poltious shook his head. "So, dropping it on the floor…?"
Tony nodded, "Yes. That would trigger it. You have to be careful, but-"
Just as he said that, he fumbled it in his hands and it fell towards the floor. Jackie covered her mouth and screamed. Pepper held her hands out and gasp. "Oh God!"
Lance dove to floor to catch it in his hands, inches before it hit the floor. As it touched his hands, it recognized his fingerprint. The top of it opened and fireworks shot out of the top of it and into the ceiling with a loud bang. Lance lay in the floor looking up at it as Tony, the Doctor and Lewis howled in laughter with the rest of the Quauhtin.
The children ran out of the Zero Gravity Room and watched the fireworks.
Tony held his hand out to help Lance back to his feet. "Congratulations, Lance."
Lance was still in shock. "What?"
Lewis laughed proudly and pointed to the Doctor. "John, tell him."
Lance looked at the Doctor. "What?"
The Doctor smiled and waved his hands, "Let it be known that Lance has now achieved the rank of Praetor. With all the rights and privileges therein." He then laughed and said something in Quauhtin to the room, which all of the Quauhtin cheered. Lance, completely relived, turned and embraced Lewis.
Tony laughed, "Lewis almost fucked it all up. Everyone else did great." He clapped his hands. "Good job, team."
Lewis laughed as he let go of his brother and pat him on the shoulders.
Lance looked as if he was about to fall down from the stress, "This is probably the only time I've ever needed a change of pants over a promotion!"
Tony laughed, "And my work here is done."
The Doctor turned to Rose, who was laughing at him. "I'm so glad you warned me. My heart is still racing and I knew it was all an act."
Jackie turned and smacked Pete in the chest. "You shit. You knew didn't you?"
He laughed with his hands in his pockets. "John doesn't use weapons. I don't think any of the Quauhtin do. I knew it was shit as soon as Tony started talking."
Tony pointed at Pete and laughed, "We might be spending too much time together Pete."
Pete nodded his head. "Maybe. But, that was brilliant. He'll never forget this."
Lewis clapped his hands together. "And we need a table to sit….how many, John?"
Rose smiled, "Sixteen."
Lewis nodded, "Friday. We need a copy of the conference room table down here for sixteen. Whiskey needs to be transported from the cargo hold, and cards…?"
Legate smiled and handed a deck to Lewis. "Just picked them up. Special edition just for tonight. Michelle had the job rushed."
Lewis looked at the cards that had printed on the back of each one, "Congratulations, Lance." Lewis smiled, "I'm glad I'm not eligible for promotion with you at the helm now, John."
The Doctor laughed as a table appeared behind them. "That makes two of us, my friend. I'd hate to know what Lance would cook up to get even with me."
Lance shook out his hands and exhaled slowly. "Okay. Give me a bit. Then I'll come back and kick everyone's ass at cards." He ran out of the room.
Tony laughed, "How about that? I thought he was kidding about having to change his shorts."
Genie ran over to Pete. "Are there no more fireworks, then?"
Pete knelt down and smiled at her. "I hope not. Go on and play. I'll let you know if anything interesting happens."
She smiled at him. "Alright."
Tony held a chair out for Pepper. She smiled and sat down at the table. He sat down next to her. "Why aren't John and Lewis eligible for promotion?"
Tony looked back at them and then looked at her. "They are as high as they can go. Primus. That's right, isn't it?"
The Doctor sat down next to Rose. "Yes. Primus is the highest rank you can achieve."
Lewis sat down next to him and exhaled slowly. He seemed to be out of breath again.
Rose leaned up and looked at Lewis. "Are you alright, Lewis?"
He nodded his head. "I'm alright. It's been a long day."
Legate sat down next to him and smiled, "Old man is missing his nap."
Lewis laughed, "I'm only what? John, do the maths for me."
The Doctor rubbed his head. "Umm… Lewis is 218, and Legate is…. 85."
Legate rolled his eyes. "87, John."
The Doctor continued to rub his head, "That's right, 87."
Tony pointed at Pepper.
She smiled, "131. That's not right."
Lewis looked up at her. "What's not right? Sounds right to me."
"You are 200 years old?" She asked him.
He nodded his head. "218 this year. Lance is too. We have the same birthday. Poltious is older than us."
She looked at Poltious.
He smiled, "432."
The Doctor nodded his head. "Yeah, Summus is 500?"
Lewis nodded, "Yes. 501 this year."
Poltious sat down next to Legate. Legate leaned back and smiled at his father. "So, what do you think? You could be Primus partners with Lance now. Go for Primus."
Poltious shook his head. "That's the problem with the old ways. My racing is frowned on. John, I need to make some time to go get my ship. I've decided, I'd like to get her and try her out in the lane."
The Doctor smiled, "Whenever you want to go, that's fine with me. Do you remember where she is?"
He rubbed his head, "Not really. Summus would know. I was too busy just trying to hide her to remember where she was."
The Doctor smiled at him, "Really? You know. I've heard the story. Pepper. Jackie. Have you heard this story?"
They both shook their heads that they hadn't. Legate smiled proudly, "My father. This man." He pointed at Poltious.
Pepper looked surprised and covered her mouth.
"He is an amazing pilot. He was running from some aliens…. what were they?"
Poltious shrugged his shoulders. "I don't remember. That's the sad thing about it. This story has been told a million times. I have no idea."
Legate smiled, "They disabled his ship, called the Corvus. To escape, he threw out some junk and shot it. It made it look like it exploded. Summus, was sitting nearby on his ship, transported my father out thinking he had blown up the ship by crashing into the side of an asteroid."
Exton poured everyone a shot of whiskey.
Jackie looked confused, "Why would Summus think you would have off'ed yourself?"
Poltious shook his head. "I was in a dark place. Our world had been invaded and I didn't know that Legate had been saved. I thought I had lost him. Lenox was….leaving the Guard. I had many reasons. I see why he thought that."
Legate continued with his story. "But, let me tell you how amazing this was. When we went to Andromeda this week, we stopped and picked up Summus and Logan. They accompanied us to the system where Summus remembered this happening."
Poltious sat back and looked surprised.
"When we found her, it took me…what?"
The Doctor smiled, "Nearly twelve minutes. See, I'm rounding."
Tony nodded at him, "Good job."
Legate nodded, "Yes. Nearly twelve minutes with a clearance of only 27 centimeters to get her out of where he had hidden her."
Poltious held up his hand. "Hang on a damn minute. What are you saying?"
Legate looked back at him. "You can play cards if you want. But, yeah. She's sitting down in the hanger."
"Complete?"
Legate laughed, "I have no idea how you did that. I'd like you to show me."
Poltious sat back and laughed proudly. He pointed at Legate. "My son. Wow. Hell, let's go see her!"
Rose smiled, "So, no cards then?"
Poltious shook his head. "Hell no. Lance has enough of my money. Granted, I'm sure there are bets on this. Who bet I wouldn't stay?"
A few hands reached in the air. Exton laughed, "I knew you wouldn't. Go on. We'll be down later."
Timon smiled, "I'll give you a hand. I'd like to see her."
They left the room together, Poltious patting Legate on the back and laughing.
Tony smiled and looked at the table. "So, I had $500 on Timon going, too. Pay up."
Money was tossed all over the table. Jackie crossed her arms and laughed. "You Quauhtin would bet on the weather."
Pete laughed. "It's contagious. Tony, how's your nose?"
He smiled at him, "Sore."
Pete looked at Jackie, "Your son popped Stark in the nose yesterday."
Jackie laughed and sat back. "My son? What did you do to cause that?"
Tony shook his head, "It wasn't like that. We were sparring. He's not bad."
Jackie laughed, "That's brilliant."
Tony held his hands out, "Really, Jackie? We were sparring. This happens."
Jackie stood up and continued to laugh. She walked behind Stark and pat him on the head. "Popped you one. Oh yes!"
Tony cut his eyes back at Pepper. "Do you see this?"
Pepper laughed. "You're loved."
He groaned and shook his head. "And I have the sore nose to prove it."
Pepper laughed at him, "Oh, Pete and Jackie. Thank you again for letting me and Tony go stay at your place in Greece. It's really beautiful."
Pete shook his head, "No, thank you. Tony has given me the full report. Jacks, I think we got a great deal."
Jackie smiled. "I can't wait for you to take some time off and be home long enough that we can go enjoy it.
Pete smiled at her. "In the next few days, Jacks."
Jackie sat back. "I'm going to see the baby boys. Where are they?"
Rose smiled, "They are with the Nanny. In the room, next to the ….. you know. I'll take you."
Jackie nodded, "Quite right. I'll end up in some odd place up here and never be seen again."
The Doctor rose his eyebrows as if to say something. Rose smacked him playfully on the shoulder.
"I didn't say anyth-"
"You did." She teased as she left with her mum.
Lance returned and sat down. "Right then. Everyone ready?"
The Doctor smiled, "Tony has to take his optics out."
Tony took his sunglasses off and glared at his friend. "Do you think I wore those to a card game?"
He smiled at him, "I know you did. I can see them. Out."
Several of the Quauhtin laughed.
Tony groaned as he took out a case and put it on the table. Pepper watched as he took out what looked like contacts and put them in a clear solution in the case. He blinked and shook his head. "Damn. That's going to take some getting used to."
He looked back at Pepper as he put the case back in his pocket. She looked at his eyes, "How often do you wear those?"
"All the time. That's why I wear sunglasses, so I can read the print-outs."
Lance was busy dealing the cards.
Pete smiled, "Yeah. John has them, too. Are yours in?"
The Doctor shook his head. "I don't wear them that often. They give me a headache."
Tony reached in his pocket. "Oh, Lewis. Here. Fixed it up today." He slid a bracelet across the table and Lewis caught it. "It has everything your other one did….but also…the phasing thing. You know. Just in case."
Lewis looked at the bracelet. "Where is the other one?"
The Doctor looked at him. "You had taken it off that day. I don't know why."
"But you have it."
He nodded. "Yeah."
Lewis put it on. "So, it has the phasing thing on it. Like you and Timon have?"
Tony showed him how to use it. "Yeah. John says it's terrible for you, so you're going to have to submit a sperm donation to him monthly if you use it."
Lewis chuckled at the comment. "Hopefully. It will come back. I'm not completely well."
Tony nodded his head. He knew this was hard for Lewis to talk about. "If it does, that's great. If not, you still have it."
Lewis looked at the bracelet as it adjusted to his wrist. "Thank you, Tony."
The Doctor groaned, "Damn it. Legate has managed set the self destruct off again in the hanger. Excuse me while I go sort this out." He stood up and walked quickly out of the Observation Deck.
They played the first hand. Lance won.
Pete groaned. "Well, everyone agrees that we took it easy on Lance because this is his party."
Lance laughed. "Okay."
Genie walked over and stood next to Tony. "Uncle Tony?"
He sat back, "Niece Gene."
"Where is Mum?"
He pointed at the door. "She's off someplace with Grand."
"Where's Daddy?"
"He had to go sort out something in the hanger."
"Where's Legate?"
He sighed, "Really, Gene? What's the matter?"
She started to cry.
Pepper smacked his shoulder. "You made her cry."
"I didn't do anything."
Pete smiled, "Genie. Come over here-"
"I want Mummy." She cried.
Tony rolled his eyes and pulled her into his lap. "Alright. You aren't hurt, or your Dad would run in here like his hair was on fire. What's the matter?"
She covered her face and continued to cry. "I want Daddy."
Tony put his finger across her lips. "Shhhh… calm down. I can help, but only if I can understand what you are saying."
She sniffed her nose and calmed down. Tony rubbed her back. "Do you want Grandfather?"
Pete sat next to them and held his hands out to her. "Come here, Genie."
"No. I want Daddy." She insisted.
"Well, he isn't here at the moment. You're stuck with me. Are you tired?"
"No." She crossed her arms.
"You sound tired."
She shook her head and rubbed her eyes.
He rose up and took off his hoodie that he wore. Then he wrapped it around her. "Ten minutes, Gene. Sit here in my sweater for ten minutes. See if that will make you feel better. Alright?"
She leaned against his chest and continued to sniff.
He kissed her head as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly, "Shhhh….ten minutes starts now. Close your eyes. No crying. I don't want your Lizard snot all over me."
She stopped crying as he leaned back and held her. Lance dealt another hand.
Holding Genie made it a bit more difficult for Tony to hold his cards. Pepper offered to take her, but he shook his head as he looked at the cards. "She's alright." He held Genie's held to his chest tightly. Pepper noticed she had closed her eyes when she snuggled into Tony's chest.
Tony held his lips to Genie's head as the hand was played. When everyone reveled their hands, Tony triumphantly tossed his on the table. "And the Lizard is my good luck charm! I finally beat Lance! Hell yeah!" He hugged Genie tightly and kissed her head again. "Sleep, Lizard. You aren't going anywhere."
Pepper laughed at him. Pete smiled proudly at him and rubbed Genie's back.
They played several more hands, Tony winning all but one that Lance won.
The Doctor walked back into the Observation Deck. "And another crisis averted. Geez." He collapsed into the chair.
Pete tapped his cards on the table. "You were gone for a while."
He rubbed his face. "I …..had to take a transmission from Ashena."
Lewis asked, "More attacks?"
He nodded his head. "If we're not careful, we're going to be in the middle of a war." He pointed at Tony, "Your suits came in handy tonight though. Saved hundreds of soldiers there."
Tony looked back at Pepper. "I always like to hear that. Do we need to go help?"
"Nah. She wants us to stay put. No one knows where we are. I've managed to become a major player in this….problem."
Pepper asked, "They can't see this huge ship sitting here?"
Tony smiled at her. "It's hidden by the magnetic pole of the Earth."
The Doctor smiled, "That's Antarctica, just above us. It messes up radars of this time. Brilliant way to hide. Nothing on Earth can see us. Nothing off Earth can see us."
Pepper nodded.
He pointed at Tony. "Genie?"
Tony nodded.
Pete nodded, "She came out here crying. She was exhausted. Tony made her sit still and she was out."
The Doctor took his cards and tapped them on the table. "I felt her sleeping, I didn't realize she was still in here. Jackie is back in our suite, if you want to me to take her in there."
Tony shook his head. "I can take her. She's my good luck charm at the moment."
Lance finished dealing the cards. "He's won four hands already."
The Doctor looked impressed. "Four? Against Lance?"
Tony took his cards and smiled, "The Lizard is mine. I'm taking her to Vegas."
Pepper rolled her eyes at him. "You are not."
The Doctor chuckled, "I'm with Pepper on that one. No, you're not."
Tony chuckled and kissed Genie's head again.
Velt ran out with Tony Tyler and stood next to Pete. Tony spoke. "Daddy. Where is Genie?"
He pointed at the lump in Tony's lap. "Sleeping boys. She's exhausted."
Tony groaned, "Well that won't do. We needed three for the game we were playing."
The Doctor sat his head on his fist. "What game is that?"
Tony shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. We were making it up as we went."
Pete laughed, "Tony. We're sleeping up here tonight. Is that alright?"
He nodded his head. "Yeah. But, I'm with Legate. He's going to have a camp-out in the nets again."
Velt stood next to Tony Tyler. "What should I do, Tony?"
Tony bit his lip and thought. "Well-"
Tony Tyler smiled at him. "You should stay here. You can sleep up there in the nets. Legate and the Quauhtin will be here with us and we can look at the planet all night." He smiled and whispered something in Velt's ear. Velt smiled, "Tony. May I remain here?"
"Sure, man. Have one of the guys bring you to me if you need anything."
Tony Tyler put his hand on Velt's shoulder. "Don't worry, Mr. Stark. We're sorted."
"Thank you, Mr. Tyler."
The boys ran back off together.
Pepper asked, "Nets?"
Tony pointed up, "There are nets above us. John got drunk off his ass and fell out of one."
The Doctor held up one finger. "That happened, once-"
Lewis looked at his cards, "That he admits."
Several people around the table laughed.
The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Weren't we playing cards?"
Tony looked back at Pepper. "Want to sleep up here tonight?"
She smiled, "On the ship? Or in the nets?"
"On the ship."
Lewis tapped his cards on the table, "Actually, if you want to go back to New York, someone will have to go with you. Have you ever slept on the ship, Pepper?"
Pepper shook her head. "No."
The Doctor looked confused, "I thought you had? That day we all jumped off the cliff."
Tony shook his head. "No. We stayed on the yacht. Different ship. Maybe you should spend some time naming this stuff, John."
The Doctor rolled his eyes. "This ship has a name-"
Lewis added, "But, nothing else does."
The Doctor pointed at him, "The smaller ships in the hanger do now. They are Harry, Ron and Herimone."
Pete looked surprised at him, "Really? Taking this Harry Potter thing a bit too far?"
The Doctor smiled. "Maybe. J.K. says they want to do a movie already."
Pete shook his head and looked back at his cards. "Completely barking mad. That and the Chess game. I still maintain that it will never catch on."
Pepper looked at Tony. "Chess? That's the game you wanted me to get everyone at work, right?"
The Doctor looked surprised.
Pete looked back at Tony. "Did you really? How many is that?"
Tony shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. A few."
Pete pointed at Pepper and insisted. "Tell me Pepper, how many."
Pepper bit her lip. "At least 1.8 million-"
"Shit!" Pete threw his cards on the table. "You two just suck. Do you know that?"
Tony laughed under his breath. "Gentlemen's bet. You didn't say I couldn't buy them. Just that John couldn't."
Pepper held out her hands, "I had no idea about this bet."
The Doctor laughed and looked back at Lewis. "A bit of good news for you then, mate."
Lewis smiled, "Oh yes. Nice doing business with you Pete."
Pete shook his head. "Damn you guys. I'll have to be more careful around the lot of you."
"Well, I'm not going to break up this party." Pepper insisted. "We can stay up here tonight."
Tony smiled at her.
They all reveled their cards. Exton had won the hand. He was so excited that he jumped out of his chair and bit his hand. "I've never won against, Lance! Brilliant!"
Lewis laughed at his reaction. "I think Lance is still shaken over his promotion."
Lance nodded, "You are right. Ugh. I'm out for a bit so I can regroup. Then, I'm coming after you lot."
Tony looked back at Pepper. "I don't think that sounds good. We probably should take the Lucky Lizard to bed. Want to go with me? I can show you that room you asked to see."
The Doctor smiled, "Yeah, the room with the pitch is my favorite, too."
He turned to his friend, "Not that room. Freak." He turned to Pepper, "John has a soccer field on the ship. All of these guys have a soccer obsession."
Lewis added, "That we haven't given up on getting Tony to play a game with us."
Pepper laughed, "That, I would love to see."
Tony stood up and Genie held him around his neck. "I don't play well with others."
Pepper smiled, "Now, that….I did know."
Lewis chuckled.
Tony looked back at the Doctor, "Right. John. You said Jackie is in your suite?"
He groaned and threw his cards on the table. "Yeah. Rose is on her way out here. Want me to take her-"
"Nah. Jackie Tyler doesn't scare me."
Pete laughed, "Scares the hell out of me."
Xxxxxxxx