Quauhtin Series Book 7: Vigor

by bendermom

Soler is found and becomes part of the Stark family. The Story of Lartius, and Mageer shows up during the Battle of the Quauthin homeworld.

13. Chapter 13

XxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxxx

Chapter 13 - Poltious Departs

Timon was in Tony's workshop, down in the hanger. Tony sat at his desk, and put together a bracelet with a click. "Thanks copying my tools up here, man."

Timon teased, "It's just what the room needed. Really, brings it together."

Tony chuckled, "I agree. What else is on our list?"

Timon shook his head. "All of the suits are ready for space flight. This black one, Poltious has asked to take."

Tony looked back at the suit. "That's alright. It opens in the front, so he can get in easier. Run a full diagnostic on it."

The Doctor walked into the room. "And here you are."

Tony didn't look up. "And here I am."

Timon chuckled, "I'm out of this."

Tony smiled as he looked back up at the Doctor. "Get off my ass about this. I'll sleep later. I need to finish up some stuff."

The Doctor rolled his eyes and tossed his hand up, "Seriously, the worst patient I've ever had."

Tony smiled proudly. "I've been called worse. Way worse."

Legate walked into the room with Soler and Pepper. She was wearing pajamas with a dressing gown.

Legate pointed, "And there Tony is."

Tony walked over to meet them. "Hey. Why aren't you two asleep?" He took Pepper's hand and kissed her.

Pepper explained, "He was looking for you."

He knelt in front of the little boy. "What's wrong?"

"I woke up and it was quiet. I didn't mean to wake up your Princess, Tony. I'm really sorry."

Legate pointed to the hanger. "I'll be with Poltious…."

"I've got them. It's cool." Tony smiled, picked up Soler and sat him on the table where he had been working. "It's alright. My Princess wakes up rather easily. They call that a light sleeper."

The Doctor groaned, "Ugh. Rose is insisting I come back to the suite."

Legate looked confused, "Why?"

"She's still wound up about this….that happened earlier. I'm sure I'm alright."

Tony laughed and pointed at him, "Maybe, you're the worst patient on this ship."

The Doctor groaned, "Finish whatever and sleep. Pepper. See what you can do with him."

"You don't ask for much." Pepper told him.

The Doctor chuckled and ran his hand through his hair. "Right. Sorry." He walked over to Soler and bopped him on the end of the nose with his finger. Soler jumped. The Doctor smiled warmly at him. "And you, good night."

Soler relaxed and smiled at him, "Good night, Primus John."

The Doctor smiled at him. "Ah, call me John. Like the rest of my friends do."

Soler beamed, "Alright."

The Doctor smiled and looked around, "Good night, everyone."

They all wished him good night as he walked out of the room.

Pepper smiled, "I told him I wasn't angry, but he insisted that he wanted to see you and apologize."

Tony looked back at the little boy. "Are you worried I'll be angry?"

Soler nodded.

Tony shook his head. "Well, I'm not. You'll have to do a lot worse than wake my Princess for me to get angry with you."

Soler seemed to relax. Tony walked back to the other side of the table to pick up something. "I'm glad you're here. I have something for you both."

Tony came back to the front of the table with two bracelets. He showed a silver one to Soler. "This is what I was telling you about tonight."

Soler looked surprised, "You made it already?"

Tony nodded. "Yes. This will keep you from shooting any electricity. It's technical, but…you now have a dead fuse. You understand?"

Soler looked at the bracelet that fastened itself to his wrist. "No."

Tony smiled, "Think of it as a light switch. You are now turned off. You won't be able to gather, or fire, electricity. I'll help you learn to control that, just like we talked about."

"So, I won't hurt anyone."

Tony pointed at the little boy's chest. "So you won't hurt anyone. Especially, yourself. John probably won't allow us to practice on the ship, but when we get back to New York, we'll get to work."

Soler looked at the bracelet, "And transporting?"

"No one can take you. You are safe. The only ship that can transport you is this one. Alright?"

Soler smiled, "Wow. I'm safe."

Tony returned his smile. "You're safe." He rubbed his lip with his finger and turned to pick up another bracelet. He turned and put it on Pepper's wrist.

"This has the same thing in it that mine does. It's nearly completely the same. I don't want you to worry about, midgets amp'ing out."

She watched as Tony spoke a few things and the bracelet adjusted to her wrist. It was a lot thinner than Tony's and plainly silver. It fit tightly on her wrist. "Amp'ing out, huh?"

Tony smiled, "Yeah. Is silver alright? I know that's what sort of jewelry you seem to prefer."

She looked impressed. "I'm sorry. Who are you?"

He laughed under his breath. "You'll be fine, Pepper. Just don't try to catch any lightning bolts. Alright?"

She kissed his lips quickly. "I promise."

Soler suddenly became extremely frightened, "Tony!"

Tony looked back at him and knew immediately what was wrong. He had seen the suits.

Tony held up his hand. "That's not a Cyberman. It's not. It won't hurt you."

Soler jumped off the table and backed out of the door. "That's what they look like-"

"No, it's not. Listen, would I be in there with a Cyberman? It's safe. Come here."

Soler couldn't move from the fear. Pepper came over to him and wrapped her arms around him. "It's not a Cyberman. I know it looks like that. Tony promised he would keep you safe."

Tony groaned. "Damn. I knew I should have showed him these. Look. Jarvis open all of the suits."

Jarvis spoke from the suits. "Yes, sir."

All of the suits opened from the front. An extremely complex network of screens and read-outs could be seen in each one. Tony put his hands in his pockets. "See? Not a Cyberman. They aren't that smart."

Soler held Pepper's hand and approached slowly to look at the suits. They stood in front of one and looked inside.

Soler relaxed, "That isn't a Cyberman. That's….something else."

Tony couldn't help himself. He walked up behind Pepper, grabbed her hips and made an electric buzz sound. She jumped. "Damn it, Tony."

Sensing danger, Timon rubbed his face. "Tony. If you are going to need Quauhtin protection from your Princess-"

"Run. Run like hell. Have you not noticed the red hair?" Tony teased.

Timon laughed and went back to whatever he was working on.

Pepper shook her head. "Keep that in mind, Tony."

He laughed at her. "I was joking. I still have several things to do down here."

"Tony, you need to sleep." She insisted.

He nodded, "I will. I just need to get this finished up first."

"So, you talked to John."

He nodded. "Hang on a bit." He called to Legate, who was back in the hanger. "Legate. Tell your Dad he can take the black suit. Timon has to do one thing, and it's ready for him."

Legate nodded. "I'll put it aboard. Thanks."

Soler continued to look at one of the suits. "Tony. What goes in here?"

Tony pointed at himself. "I do. In fact, I have to put one on and go outside for a bit."

"But, we're traveling."

"No, John stopped the ship. We're parked inside the nebula. See, just out there?" He pointed out of the door. The hanger door was opened as they sat in the nebula. Clouds of pink, blues and purples swirled outside.

Pepper smiled, "You're right. It does look like cotton candy."

"Yeah, makes me want some." He smiled. "Watch this Spark."

Pepper watched with Soler as Tony walked over and stepped into one of the red and gold suits. It closed and the little boy jumped back into Pepper. Pepper held him, "It's alright."

The suit turned on, and Tony took a couple of steps away from the wall.

Pepper held Soler and fussed at Tony, "Yeah, that's not frightening at all."

She was sure she heard Tony's laugh as the suit rose up and he flew out of the room, through the hanger and out of the ship.

Soler's fear turned to excitement. He turned and looked at Pepper. "Wow! And he can go into space with that?"

Timon looked at a tablet he held. "Yeah. How's that then?"

Pepper was confused, "How did he just fly out of the door. Isn't there a force field, Timon?"

Timon looked up from his tablet. "Yes. But the suits are encoded, so they pass through them. Just like the ships."

Soler looked up at Pepper. "Yes. It's like our bracelets. Everything is encoded to this ship. It's what keeps the bad people out, and we can get in."

Pepper smiled at him. "You know, this is all new to me. I'm going to need your help with this."

He smiled proudly. "You can count on me, Princess! I'm happy to help you!"

XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxx

It was late at night. Pepper had gone to bed, alone in their suite. She lay and watched the cotton candy clouds swirl in the large window of their bedroom. Still surprised to find herself on a spaceship, in the middle of some unknown place, millions of miles from home, she started to get overwhelmed. She closed her eyes tightly and rolled over on her back, purposely not looking at the window. She thought she heard the sound of the door open to their suite.

Tony quietly walked into the bedroom, "You're not asleep?" He asked her quietly as he sat down on the edge of the bed and rubbed her back.

"Is it crazy? I suddenly became very…..well, nevermind."

"No, what?"

"Frightened."

He looked surprised. "Why? You're alright."

She sat up, "I don't know. Tony, we're on a space ship. With aliens!" She said quietly.

He laughed under his breath. "I know. Isn't it great?"

She covered her mouth, "I've….just not been able to sleep since, you've been gone. That guy getting into the penthouse."

Tony lie down with her and put his forehead to hers. He continued to rub her back. "Pepper, you are safe here. You're safe in New York. I wouldn't let you be someplace if I knew you wasn't."

"Tony. Why did you bring the suits?"

"I had to put some stuff on them. Finish them."

"There were some you left behind-"

"In the floor." He agreed.

She smiled, "Yes, in the floor. Tony, I'm not stupid-"

"I would never say you are." He pointed at her.

She kissed him and whispered, "Are you going to tell me?"

She felt his hand move to her hip. "We might be running into trouble. I wanted to be ready in case we needed them."

"Trouble, what trouble?"

"John's done some stuff, and it's really complex. He's an alien troublemaker. You know, anal probes and shit." He teased.

She smiled at his teasing. "Humor me. Are we safe?"

"Pepper, you are safe. Don't you trust me?"

"Of course. It's just….out here-"

"Oh, I get it. Yes. But, we're hidden in cotton candy. I just finished putting something on the ship that makes it disappear, and well….trust me. No one will know we are here."

She turned her head to look at the nebula through the windows again. "I've seen nebulas in magazines and books. But, this. It is beautiful."

He continued to look at her. "You are beautiful."

She smiled back at him and said quietly, "Thank you."

"I mean it. I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you that. But, you are stunning. Even more so that you are lying here in our bed."

She smiled, "Stunning huh? You probably will start speaking French again-"

"If you like." They smiled at one another. He leaned down and kissed her. She felt his hand grip her bum as he held her close. She could feel the stubble that had began to grow back on his face with her fingertips. He moaned and gently tapped his forehead to hers.

"You're not staying."

He stood up and walked to the closet. "I came up here to get a jacket. I've got a few things to do, then I'll go to Andromeda. Summus is sending Lewis and me on one of his ships."

"Not one of John's?"

He pulled on his jacket. "Nah. Makes sense. I can install the sensor on it while we're in flight there. But, I need to put it on Summus' ship first. He's on his way." He sat back down on the side of the bed and ran his hand through her hair. "Try to sleep."

"You need to sleep."

"I'll sleep when I'm finished. I promise. There's just too much that I need to do."

Pepper rolled her eyes at him. "That's what you always say-"

"It's always true." He smiled.

She smiled at him as she closed her eyes. "Did you talk to John?"

He nodded and started to rub her back. "I did. He has given me some more damn medicine and shit."

"Sweetheart, it's not forever." She told him without opening her eyes.

He smiled back at her. "Sweetheart? Yeah?"

"Tony, don't make it weird-"

"No! It's not weird. It's nice." He smiled and mouthed, "Sweetheart. Hell yeah." He continued to rub her back. "I'll be back in the morning, probably after you have woken up."

She didn't open her eyes. "Then, you are going to sleep."

"Yes. I'll go to sleep." He continued to rub her back.

"Tony." She whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Play the piano to wake me. That song I like."

He smiled at her. He was sure she was talking in her sleep. She thought they were back in New York.

"Of course. Anything you want." He leaned down and kissed the side of her sleeping head.

XxxxxXxxxxxx

Summus walked down the hallways with Timon, Lewis and the Doctor. "How did you break this ship? She's new?"

Timon rolled his eyes. "It was an overheating issue. I should have spotted it. I'm glad it was Legate at the controls when the warning came in. Hell, I would have just clicked it off."

The Doctor put his hands on his hips. "I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that does that to these little alarms."

Timon shook his head, "All of these new ships are so…."

"Testy." Lewis added.

The Doctor laughed, "You've been hanging out with Jackie Tyler too much. That sounds like her."

Lewis rolled his eyes. "Don't swear at me."

Summus laughed and pat Lewis on the back. "Stark should have everything put on the Hamlet and the smaller ships in the hanger soon. The way he explained it to me, it's not very complex at all. I'm grateful for his help. I love the cloak on this one! When did you do that, John?"

The Doctor smiled, "It's only been on for eighteen minutes. You're the first to see her, or rather, not to see her."

Summus chuckled, "Made docking difficult, but the way it just came out of the cloud. Woo. Impressive. Bold."

Lewis asked, "Where is Tony?"

The Doctor smiled, "Copying what he needs. Timon, I want you to watch him closely. He's not slept in a-"

"Copy that. Don't worry. In fact, I'll pop down there now."

Timon turned around and ran off from the party.

Lewis nodded, "Good man. He's working with some stuff that doesn't need to blow up in his face."

They continued to walk down the hall. The Doctor put his hands in his pockets. "What do you think of our idea that they are probably cloaked in orbit around the planet right now?"

Summus nodded his head. "It makes complete sense. I'm anxious to get a ship out to look around with Stark's addition. In fact, I'd like him do a few test runs with me."

They walked into the Doctor's office and all sat down. "You, mate?"

"Hell, I'm not picky. I just want to make sure everything is working before you leave to return to Terra."

The Doctor nodded. "Tony can pick up his ship while he's there. I know it's ready."

Lewis sat up, "Wow. What did he get?"

"He wouldn't tell me what he wanted, so I had Legate pick out something. I think he'll like it. I hope he will."

Summus nodded and smiled, "I've seen it. I nearly brought it out, but my hanger is full on the Hamlet. It's perfect for his needs."

The Doctor smiled, "Poltious wants to have a go against him in the lane."

Lewis smiled, "He'll have to return to do that."

Summus crossed his arms, "I don't approve. But, I also have my money on Poltious."

The Doctor laughed. "Give him time. Legate can give him some pointers."

Lewis held out his hands, "What did he get?"

The Doctor smiled, "Trarvis 871. From Ziuria. Fast as hell."

Lewis and Timon nodded approvingly.

Lewis pointed, "That's perfect for him."

Summus nodded, "Like an Aston Martin that he's always on about. Perfect."

"And its small enough he can dock it in the hanger. Because he won't be taking it to New York. No." The Doctor insisted.

Lewis chuckled, "Better inform Pepper. Seems like she's in charge of him."

Summus nodded. "It's important that someone is in charge in a relationship." He pointed at the Doctor. "Ashena knows you are here and she's not happy about it. I've assured her that you lot will stay here in the nebula. Don't make a liar out of me. Keep this ship parked here. No matter what happens, you have to remain unseen."

The Doctor rolled his eyes and groaned.

XxxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxxxx

The Doctor walked into Tony Tyler's bedroom. The clock blinked 7:19 am in the morning. He sat on the side of the bed and rubbed his back. "Tony. Hey, Comrade. Wake up a minute."

Tony groaned and rolled over. "What is it John?"

"I need you to wake up and come with me for a few minutes."

Tony yawned and sat up. He wrapped his arms around the Doctor's neck and allowed him to carry him out of the suite and down the hallways to the hanger. Once they got there, Tony saw a crowd had gathered around Poltious and Timon.

Poltious held his arms out for him. "And Tony Tyler."

Tony went to him, "How long will you be gone, Poltious?"

He shook his head. "I have no idea. But, I promise I'll contact you. I also will watch every football game when you do."

Gobbo walked out of the ship and put both of his hands on Timon's shoulders. "She's warm."

Poltious looked back at Gobbo and nodded, "I have to drop of Gobbo and then I'll begin my journey. Don't worry. This is the fastest ship in the galaxy. Remember those stories I told you? Everyone of them was true."

"Who's going to keep me safe while you are gone?"

Poltious lay his forehead to little Tony's. "Lance has agreed to do that for me. He's my Primus partner, so you have you make sure he trains, everyday. I'm putting you in charge of him. Alright?"

Tony nodded his head. "You'll be safe in your ship?"

He smiled, "Of course I will. That ship has saved my life so many times. She's the best."

Tony looked up at the ship. "Keep my Poltious safe, Corvus."

Rose covered her mouth and a tear rolled down her cheek. The Doctor put his arm around her and kissed her forehead. Lance walked over took Tony Tyler from Poltious and held him.

Poltious nodded to Lance. "And I'm relieved. Keep both eyes on him. He's like his sister."

Lance smiled, "He's like Legate. I remember those days."

Poltious chuckled. "Yes, he is. It keeps us young." He pat Tony's back.

Legate walked up to his father and handed him a small box. "Stark finished this just before he went to the Hamlet with Lewis. It's a recording with a message for Mageer."

Poltious took it in his hand and nodded to Pepper. She stood next to Lance, holding Soler's hand.

Poltious smiled and pointed to Soler. "Anything I need to know?"

Soler nodded his head. "Tell my father that I am safe, and that I am helping protect Tony's Princess."

Poltious gave him the thumbs up. "Indeed you are. We'll make a Quauhtin out of you, young man. Just you see. Stay with Tony and the Quauthin, and you'll remain safe."

Pepper smiled at him, "Tony will be sorry he missed you. "

"I'll be in touch with him. Not to worry." Poltious looked back at Legate and put the box in his pocket. "And Legate."

Legate smiled and walked up to his father. "Be careful. Thank you for re-registering my ship-"

He pointed at his chest. "Try to keep that one on it until I return. Let's try not to get your grandfather involved in anything."

Legate laughed and bounced on his feet. "I make no promises."

Poltious laughed proudly. "There are worse things." He became serious, "Contact Lenox. Tell him what has happened here and to be on alert. Keep your ear to the ground for him. If he needs help-"

"Yes, sir. I'll be there. And for grandfather. I'm aware of my responsibilities. I know what's at stake."

Poltious sighed, "I worry you carry more on your shoulders than you-"

Legate shook his head. "No, sir. Nothing has changed." He then said something in Quauthin.

Poltious smiled at his son, "You amaze me. No father could be prouder."

Rose watched as Poltious and Legate held one another's heads and pressed their foreheads together. They closed their eyes.

Poltious said, "Legate. When it rains."

Legate replied, "Look for rainbows."

"And when it is dark?"

"Look for stars. Yes, sir."

Poltious stood up and said something in Quauhtin to Legate, which Legate nodded and wiped tears from his eyes. "Yes, sir."

Poltious turned to Gobbo and Timon, "And we're off. John. We'll be in touch. Hopefully, he won't be as hard to find as we think."

The Doctor shook Poltious' hand. "Take your time and be careful. If I'm needed-"

"Of course. Until then!" He shouted and walked up the gang plank. They all walked away from the ship as the gang plank lifted and the engines turned on. They all watched as Poltious piloted the ship out of the hanger and into the nebula. Shortly after clearing the hanger, he disappeared in a flash of light.

Lance smiled, "That guy never changes. I bet he's at 90% already."

The Doctor chuckled, "92%. Yes. I just asked him. Mad man."

Lance asked Tony Tyler. "And do you want breakfast? Or do you want to go back to sleep?"

Tony didn't say anything. He held Lance's neck and hid his face. Rose pat her little brother's back. "Ice cream for breakfast. The Doctor says that always makes things a little better. Come on, children."

XxxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxxxxx

The Doctor walked into the Top Observation Deck with Legate. "Summus is sending Mardian from the Andromedean Royal Guard. Three for one. We'll make it work. I've put in a request with Luce for more men."

Legate sighed, "There's just not a lot of Quauhtin. It's a problem. Maybe if we agreed to train some."

The Doctor pointed at Legate, "That's not a bad idea. I'll speak to Luce about some from the Academy."

Legate nodded as they joined Rose, Pepper and Genie at the table. Four glass bowls of various ice cream flavors sat on the table with empty bowls from the ladies and the children. "And good morning, ladies. Any ice cream left?"

Pepper smiled, "Plenty. Although, I've had way too much."

Legate sat down and made himself a bowl of chocolate. "Ice cream! Probably my favorite part of serving on Terra."

Rose smiled, "Is ice cream only there?"

Legate nodded his head, "Yeah. Well, there's something similar in other places, but nothing like this."

Pepper smiled, "I didn't think about that. What else is only on Earth?"

Legate ate some ice cream, sat back and thought. "There's a lot, actually. Strawberries-"

Pepper raised her hand, "That makes me feel a lot better."

Legate looked confused. "What? Why?"

"That's the only thing I know I'm allergic too."

"Oh. Interesting."

"What else, Legate?" Rose asked.

Legate continued to eat his ice cream. "Ummm…surfing. Sortof. I mean, people do that on Rhada."

The Doctor nodded, "Well, there's not much else to do. Lie on the beach and get a tan, maybe."

Pepper smiled, "Some of us don't tan."

The Doctor smiled, "I'm with you on that. This body doesn't tan, either."

Pepper smiled with Rose.

Legate thought of another thing, "Parades. I still find that odd. Just a long line of people of importance in the street. Seems really dangerous. I'd never allow it. Ummm….what else John?"

The Doctor smiled, "I always think of food. Steaks, hamburgers, pizza. Oh, I could go for a hamburger about now."

Legate laughed. "And chips. Oh, they have the best!"

Rose smiled, "Men and their stomachs."

"Apparently, it's the same, no matter where they are from." Pepper agreed.

They laughed together.

Genie laughed, "And I know another thing, Legate!"

Legate smiled at her, "What's that?"

"Batman!"

They all laughed.

Legate nodded his head. "I love that story."

The Doctor put his hands on the back of the chair that Genie sat in. She looked up at him and smiled, "Hello, Daddy."

"How much ice cream have you had, my Sara Gene?"

She raised her fingers, "Two really large bowls."

He nodded, "Good. Want another one?"

She shook her head. "No, thanks. I'm going to play with Tony and Soler." She ran off to the Zero Gravity room.

Rose looked at the Doctor, who sat down next to Legate and made himself a bowl of ice cream. "Relax, Rose. I know how she is. I'm surprised she ate that much."

Rose sat back and crossed her arms. "I actually am, too. Maybe she's growing."

Ress walked into the Top Observation Deck carrying Samuel in her arms. She wore long, blue robes and a friendly smile. The Doctor turned to her and smiled. "Ress. I'm sorry. We're this close to Andromedea. I didn't think to ask if you wanted to go back and see anyone."

She smiled, "I'm really alright. Thank you."

Rose smiled, "Sit down and have some ice cream with us."

Ress handed Samuel to the Doctor who kissed his face playfully. "And you need some ice cream, don't you?"

Samuel clapped his hands together and laughed.

Ress sat between Rose and Pepper. "And it's nice to see you again."

Pepper smiled. "And you."

Rose fussed at the Doctor who was feeding Samuel ice cream. "And that's just making a mess."

He rolled his eyes, "Rose, this is a baby. He's just going to be a mess. I'll give him a bath. Won't I, Samuel?"

Sam clapped his hands and opened his mouth again. He spit out half of the ice cream his Daddy put in his mouth.

"Oh that's just….brilliant, son. Why did you do that?" The Doctor fussed at the baby.

Pepper smiled at them. "Where did Tony go?"

The Doctor continued to feed his son, "Summus needed him to go to the planet….well…..the space station there. Space dock. Space….hang on…." Pepper watched as the Doctor shivered and held his head with one hand. He swore in an odd language. Sam shivered and covered his face, pushing the ice cream into his blond hair.

Rose laughed, "What the hell was that?"

He closed his eyes and seemed to be trying to catch his breath. "Too much ice cream for Samuel. Oh wow."

Pepper laughed, "Brain freeze. That's what we call it."

Ress laughed. "That was adorable."

The Doctor shook his head. "I think you're right, Sam. No more of that for a minute. Wow."

Rose looked confused, "Why didn't I feel that? How strange."

"I felt it coming and shielded you from it."

Rose laughed, "That was so funny."

The Doctor pushed the bowl of ice cream away from him and Sam. "Anyway. Tony went to put that thermal imaging sensor on some ships there. He also had to check on some suits he has given the Guard. He shouldn't be long. He's already finished with the ones on Summus' ship. He had a hanger full of them."

Ress asked. "Tony? Is that who you said?"

The Doctor nodded, "Yes. Pepper is….umm…."

Pepper smiled, "Tony's girlfriend. It's alright. He's promised to keep it a secret at home, but everyone here knows."

The Doctor smiled and looked back at Rose.

Ress nodded her head. "Oh! That Pepper. I've heard about you. Yes."

The Doctor, looked back at Rose. "Err…. Yeah! That Pepper."

Rose heard him speak in her head, 'Can we stop this conversation?'

'Why?'

'That's the woman Tony…..you know….'

Rose laughed and covered her face. 'Oh my God.'

Pepper smiled, "Who did you hear about me from?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "From Tony, of course. We met at the Feast of the Fallen-"

The Doctor started to have a terrible coughing fit. The ladies all looked at him in surprise.

Pepper asked, "John? Are you alright?"

"Hmmm… Yes. Sorry. Just…ice cream in my throat."

Rose rolled her eyes.

The Doctor tried to derail the conversation. "You know, Tony is picking up his ship. Has he told you about that? It's a Trarvis 871. From Ziuria. Oh, it's nice."

Pepper pointed at the Doctor with her spoon. "John. I have no idea about stuff like that. Well, hang on. Is he flying it back?"

"No. Not to Earth. Its small enough he can put it in the hanger here. It could make the trip, but it would take a while. The engines are a lot smaller than these."

Rose rolled her eyes. "And enter the 'mine is bigger than his' speech."

The Doctor pulled the ice cream back to him and Samuel. "It's just a fact. A large ship like this can go a lot faster than the little ones. Well, except for Legate's. But, he's an exception."

Pepper pushed her bowl away from her and looked at Legate, "A lot of stuff about you seems to be an exception."

Legate didn't look up his eating his ice cream. "I don't know what you mean, Miss Pepper."

"It's just Pepper. Tony is convinced you are a pirate." She smiled.

Legate looked back at the Doctor and laughed, "Yeah, he's asked me about that before."

Rose nodded, "You do have a lot of strange stuff on your ship."

Legate shook his head. "Nah. I really don't. It's all normal…."

Ress covered her mouth and smiled. "Poltious' ship is legendary. I imagine if yours is like his, Legate…it's anything but normal."

Pepper nodded, "Tony finds it fascinating."

Legate smiled, "Well, that's just Tony. He wants to know as much as he can about everything. He reminds me a lot of myself when I was younger."

Pepper shook her head. "I'm sorry, it's hard to even imagine you are…what was it? 70….?"

Legate smiled, "87. Yes, ma'am."

Pepper looked back at Rose. "He looks maybe 24. That's just wild."

Rose rubbed her hip and looked at him. "And this grandfather of yours?"

Legate didn't look up from his ice cream bowl. "What about him?"

"I've heard him mentioned several times in the past few days. Have I met him?"

Legate shook his head. "No. I'm certain of it."

Rose pointed at the Doctor, "Have you met him?"

The Doctor continued to feed Samuel the ice cream. He seemed to be doing a better job getting it in his mouth this time. "No. Not in this dimension. Well, we're talking about your Mum's father, right?"

Legate nodded, "I imagine so. Poltious' father died years ago."

The Doctor nodded, "Don't worry about it, Rose. It's hardly worth mentioning. Right, Legate?"

Legate nodded, "Yes. Not worth mentioning. What were we talking about? Tony's ship? He got a what? A Trarvis?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "Yes. I can't wait to see it. It's just a newer version of the Corvus, right?"

Legate continued to eat his ice cream. "That model is fast with lots of room. Onboard navigation assistance. Long range sensors. Deep space pressure sensors. Space funnel detections. Perfect for his first one. It's the one I would get if I was in the market. Not to mention, it's not bad to look at."

The Doctor smiled, "That's very true. It's a sexy machine."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Gear heads here. And I have no idea what they are talking about."

Pepper laughed, "Just like at home. Oh, I need to talk to you later about that project we're working on."

Rose smiled, "Sure."

The Doctor continued to feed Sam as Legate spoke. "They've made a lot of improvements to it in the Trarvis that we had to put on Poltious' ship."

Rose crossed her arms, "I wouldn't be surprised if Tony wants some of that stuff on his ship."

Legate continued to eat his ice cream, "Well then. Lucky, he knows me."

The Doctor smiled back at him. "Indeed."

Rose pointed at them, "What is this? You two are on about something."

The Doctor and Legate both shook their heads.

"No, Rose. We're not on about anything."

Legate finished his ice cream. "I think the children need me. Excuse me."

Pepper looked at Rose, "What is that about?"

Rose shook her head. "I'm not sure. Do you know, Ress?"

Ress smiled, "It's not something I should speak about. There are rumors that I shouldn't….entertain."

The Doctor pointed his spoon at her, "Quite right. I know the rumors."

Ress looked impressed, "Are they true?"

The Doctor took a bite of the ice cream and sighed, "Well. I'll say this. How feasible is it, really? I wouldn't believe everything you hear, Ress."

Rose sat back and crossed her arms, "There is so much more to this that we're talking about later."

He smiled back at her. She heard his voice in her head, 'Sorry, planning on taking off my clothes before you can get that information out of me.'

Pepper sat back and looked at Ress, "So, you've met Tony?"

The Doctor rubbed his face, and managed to rub ice cream all over himself. Rose laughed at his mistake. He grabbed a napkin and tried to clean him and Samuel up as much as he could.

Ress smiled, "Tony is extremely brave. He had just helped rescue Primus John's little brother from those Jeclaonides. Have you ever seen one of those?"

Pepper looked interested, "No."

"They are terrifying. I don't think I would be able to keep my composure."

Rose looked back at the Doctor and raised her eyebrows. 'I think this is actually working in his favor.'

He shook his head and mumbled. "Women are strange creatures."

Ress smiled, "Well, I understand you have this young boy you are taking care of until his family is found."

Pepper nodded, "Yes. That's right."

"I'm the Nanny if you need me. Feel free to send him to me. I'd be happy to keep up with him. It's my understanding that him and Tony Tyler get on rather well together."

Pepper smiled. "Thank you. I will probably do that. This is very strange to have him around. It's the last thing I would have ever expected Tony would ever do."

"I completely agree, Pepper." Rose giggled as she looked back at the Doctor and saw the familiar look on his face. She could feel he was immediately concerned and worried.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

He held up a finger, "Just a bit…." He continued to listen. He stood up and handed Rose the baby and then pointed at Pepper. "You come with me. Rose, I'll be careful." He kissed the top of her head clumsily and ran out the door.

When he got to the hallway, he stopped and looked at Pepper. "He's alright. But, he's in trouble. I've got to go out and get him. I need you to come with me."

"Then let's go." She insisted.

They ran together to the hanger. He opened the side of one of the smaller ships and they climbed inside. He quickly sat down and powered it up. He held down the button, "Lance. Can you get the door for me?"

Lance's voice was heard over the speaker. "Got it." The door of the hanger opened. "I'm sending their coordinates to you."

"What's the oxygen at currently?"

"It's dropped to 9% in the cabin."

Pepper looked frightened. "What does he need?"

The Doctor pressed several buttons overhead and Pepper felt them rise up off of the ground. "Humans need 21%. Lewis needs less than that. But, something is leaking in the cabin."

The ship left the hanger and went into the nebula. The screen showed the pink, blue and purples of the clouds in front of them. It reminded Pepper of a thick fog. "Can you see where you are going?"

He shook his head. "No. But, the ship is taking us to them."

Pepper sat in fear as she watched him click a few buttons and then get out of the chair. "It's on auto pilot. It's alright." He got up and walked to the back of the ship. He opened a panel on the side and pulled out two masks.

"I knew I should have sent them in one of my ships. Summus' ships are old. Damn it." He grumbled under his breath.

"John. How bad is this?"

He bit his lip. "It could be very bad, but I think we can get to them in time."

He brought back the masks and sat down in the chair next to her.

"What's that?"

"They are both going to need this. Tony is already unconscious. I can hear Lewis in my head, but he's talking like a madman."

Suddenly, Lewis' voice was heard over the speakers. "And it's nice to see you out here, mate!"

The Doctor grinned and clicked several buttons in the cockpit. "How loopy are you, man?"

"It's pretty bad." He coughed. "This piece of shit ship just….well…I hope you have a big ass gun on that ship to we can blow it up."

The Doctor grinned at Pepper and shook his head. "How's Tony?"

"He's unconscious. He's not been out long. There wasn't a reserve tank in here for him. Tell me you have one, or we really have a problem-"

"I've got it."

"Good."

"How many Tony's do you see, Lewis?" The Doctor asked as he made some adjustments to the mask in his hands.

"It's between 3-5." Lewis said, "Man, could you imagine? I'd have to break his damn neck for sure."

The Doctor grinned, "Careful what you complain about, mate. I have his girlfriend with me in here."

"Hell, she would agree with me." Lewis insisted.

Pepper laughed quietly as the Doctor handed her a mask. "Lewis, I do agree with you."

The Doctor smiled, "Did you hear that, mate? You have her support."

Lewis laughed and then coughed, "Good to know. How close are you?"

"We'll be there in less than nine minutes." The Doctor told him as he adjusted the other mask.

"That's going to be a long ass nine minutes for Tony. I'm switching to straight oxygen in the cabin, in hopes that more will come out."

"That's not a good idea. Just leave it alone. Do you have any masks?"

"They will only last for five minutes."

"Get one and put it on him. That will buy us some more time to get to you."

Lewis coughed, "Doing it now."

Pepper asked, "What about Lewis?"

"He's able to survive without breathing for several minutes. He'll be alright." He handed her the mask and pointed at it. "That's Tony's mask."

She nodded.

Pepper continued to hear the Doctor speak to Lewis while they were on their way to them. It was the longest ride she could remember taking. Finally, she heard the Doctor say, "And I've got you. 45 cm. Port side."

Pepper looked and saw silver to the right of where she sat.

The Doctor looked at Pepper. "Okay. This is going to be strange. But, I promise he will be alright. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Lewis. I've magnetized the hull. Brace yourself."

Pepper felt their ship bump into another one.

The Doctor got out of his chair and motioned for Pepper to join him. "Turn on Tony's phase on his bracelet and walk through the port wall on your side."

Lewis spoke. "Got it."

As if he was a ghost, Lewis walked through the ship's wall with Tony over his shoulder. He coughed and lay him down on the floor of the ship. Pepper put a mask on Tony's face and handed Lewis the other one.

Lewis put it on his mouth and took a few deep breaths. Pepper sat down at Tony's head and propped it in her lap. She held the mask on his face as he continued to sleep. She could see his chest rising up and down. The Doctor knelt beside of him and scanned him with his screwdriver. "He's alright. Oh, he's going to have a bad headache."

Lewis nodded, "Both of us. I'll take us back. Can I shoot that piece of shit, first?"

The Doctor chuckled, "You are really out of it, Lewis. I don't have a gun on this ship."

Lewis groaned and sat the mask he had used on the seat next to him. "Damn it. Well, I'm not taking it back. He can come out here and get the damn thing." He sat down and piloted the ship. The Doctor sat down next to Tony and looked at Pepper.

"Is it just me? Or does Tony seem to be rather accident prone lately?" Pepper asked the Doctor.

He chuckled, "I really have no room to talk. I seem to remember three people had to give me CPR yesterday."

Pepper laughed, "I'm just thankful he has a Doctor for friend."

"The Doctor. I'm the original one." He told her as he looked back at Tony. "He has been a very unlucky guy lately."

Lewis nodded, "We all go through that. But, to hear him talk, he's never been happier."

The Doctor turned off the phase on Tony's bracelet, sat back and leaned against the wall. "Yeah?"

Lewis nodded. "Oh yes."

Pepper looked back at the Doctor. He stood up and grinned at her. "I know why."

Pepper smiled and blushed. She held Tony and whispered to him, "You are alright. Just sleep."

The Doctor sat down next to Lewis and they flew back into the ship's hanger.

XxxxxxXxxxxxx