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.

27. Chapter 27

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Chapter 27 - A Little Holiday

Lance and Jane popped into the bar inside of the Stark Tower in New York City. It was afternoon, and the bar only had a handful of tables occupied.

A waitress took them to a table near the bar and seated them. "It's so nice to see you again, Lance."

He smiled at her. "And you. Thank you."

Lance held the chair out for Jane, and she sat down, "Come here a lot?"

He nodded, "Yes. Forgive me, but it's really the only place I go."

He looked back at the waitress. "We need a bit."

She smiled, "Sure, Lance." She walked away.

Jane smiled as he sat down across from her. He sat back and found himself unable to breathe for a moment. She was so beautiful.

"Where are we?"

Lance looked around. "We're in New York. It's…nearly four in the afternoon."

She looked around. "Really?"

"Yes. This is a restaurant inside of the Stark Tower. They have trivia here a few times a week. We sometimes come and play."

"How do you do?"

He chuckled, "Terrible. I never know any of the questions."

She giggled, "You need to study. It's simple stuff, really."

"You should play. We usually play against John and Tony. Although we don't let John play."

"Why not?"

"He knows everything. It's rather, unfair."

She rolled her eyes. "No one knows everything, Lance."

He chuckled, "You would be surprised."

She laughed. "Excuse me. I'm going to go to the ladies' room. Could you order me a water?"

He smiled, "Sure."

She left the table and he watched her walk away.

Just as he had begun to undress her with his eyes, someone sat down next to him.

"So! Exton told me you were down here. I've got something you need to look at."

Lance groaned, "Tony. Really?"

Tony handed him his phone. "What? You're just eating. Anyway. I can't stay but a bit-"

He looked beside of him, "Where is Soli?"

"He's playing basketball with Exton. Stop worrying."

Lance took the phone and watched a short video.

The waitress walked back over to the table. "Evening, Mr. Stark."

Tony smiled and sat back. "Evening! This is my friend, Lance. Anything he ever wants is on me."

She smiled. "Of course, sir."

Lance continued to watch the video. "Tony, I'm really good."

"Hell yes, you are. But, your money is no good here." Tony insisted. He pointed at the waitress. "We'll take Scotch. Two….apiece, please."

Lance shook his head. "No. One each. And I need three waters, too."

Tony nodded, "Right, good man."

She smiled, "Of course." And walked away.

Lance looked back at him and sat the phone down, "One Scotch. What else have you had today?"

Tony shook his head. "Nothing. But, thanks for that. One. It's an old habit."

Lance nodded, "I'm honored you have asked me to help with that."

"And thank you for that. And for keeping it to yourself. Breaking a cycle is not as easy as one would think. I don't need John up my ass about something else. Or Pepper."

"Nothing is easy that is worth it."

"I'm going to have some wine tonight with Pepper, and that's it."

Lance didn't look up from the phone. "Just one glass."

Tony groaned, "She's going to notice if I just have one."

"No…..just drink it slowly. She won't notice." Lance told him and looked back at the video. "What is this?"

"What does it look like?"

"Someone wearing a red suit, swinging between buildings in some city-"

"New York. That's here. I recognize the buildings. He's all over YouTube."

"Does John know about this?"

"No. I'm bringing it to you because I know you are about to start the Trials. Isn't there something in that about training someone?"

"Mentoring….is a closer word to it."

"Like…Logan with John and Lewis."

He nodded, "Exactly. But what does that have to do with this?"

"I did some digging and guess who is uploading everyone one these videos?"

"I have no idea."

"A kid. A 14 year old, kid. He's tried to encode his location, but I know right where he is."

Lance handed the phone back to Tony. "Camera tricks. Kids can be clever."

"Do you want to look at that video again? I had Jarvis analyze it. It's not tricks. What sort of alien can do that?"

Lance shook his head. "Nothing I know that can survive in this much oxygen. What do you think?"

"I think it's someone like Banner. Who is in way over his damn head. Someone is going to see him doing this shit, and he's going to be in a world of trouble. Especially, in this climate. He's going to get his ass killed."

"He's a kid-"

"Humans are stupid. Panicky, and have no problem shooting first and getting answers later. You know that better than most."

Lance nodded, "That's true."

"Anyway, think about this with me and we'll figure out what we should do. But, it needs to be something soon before someone else finds him. I'm running a program now that will erase all of this shit, so it won't get out any further. But, who knows who has seen it."

Lance nodded. "Good idea. Run it through the scrubbers on the ship, too. Actually, hang on…..okay. Forward that to Legate. He'll scrub it. It's right there. He won't say anything to John or Lewis. Or should we?"

"Not at the moment. Lewis will get all….Torchwood about it." Tony tapped his phone in his hand. "So, these damn toothbrushes are …as John says, 'Brilliant'."

Lance rolled his eyes. "They are just toothbrushes, man."

"See, that's where you are wrong. Pepper is allergic to strawberries and I need to know if I can let her use them."

"Oh. John would be better to ask about that-"

"He's busy with a family dinner. I'm not an idiot and I asked Friday. He came up with this list of things she needs to avoid. Just look it over and tell me if it's in the toothbrushes."

Lance nodded and took the phone, "Oh. Simple enough."

Jane returned from the restroom and sat down across from them. Tony looked confused, "Umm…."

She smiled at him, "Jane. We met this morning."

He looked back at Lance. "Good Lord! You're on a date?"

Lance nodded and pointed at the list on the phone. "Okay. This. It might in the toothbrushes. Don't let her use the….umm….hang on….they are the fruit flavored ones."

"They are all different colors. Which color, man?"

Lance looked around wildly. "Hang on, I'm not sure of the right word." Then he clapped his hands together loudly and smiled, "This color."

Tony looked at his palms. "Pink. That's pink."

"Pink! Yes! That's right." Lance nodded. "Genie likes those best though, so just save them for her."

Tony pat his back and nodded. "Thanks, Lance. Well, what is pink in your language?"

He smiled, "Le-cha."

Tony nodded his head. "See, Jane. He does know his colors, he just speaks English as a what….fourteenth language?"

Lance rolled his eyes. "Weren't you leaving?"

Jane giggled, "What language is that? I've never heard anything like it."

Lance thought for a moment, "It's just the language we grew up speaking."

Tony groaned and sat back. "Lewis tell you to say that? That sounds like him."

Jane laughed, "That's exactly what Lewis said when I asked him."

Tony picked up his phone and typed in a message to Lance. "I also need you to look at this a bit." He showed his phone to Lance. The message said: "She doesn't know?"

Lance shook his head, "No."

Tony laughed and put the phone back in his pocket. "Oh geez."

The waitress walked over with their drinks. Tony was completely distracted by Jane, sitting across from them, sipping her water.

"Ummm…" Tony told the waitress. "Wine. Here. That….ummm…damn. The kind that Pepper always orders."

"A glass?"

"The bottle. Here, for them. Oh, and peaches. Sliced peaches." Tony insisted.

She smiled, "Of course."

He looked back at Jane. "I apologize for interrupting your dinner. I just knew he was down here and needed to ask him something. I haven't seen him today."

She smiled warmly, "It's fine, Mr. Stark-"

"Oh, God no. Tony. I'm Tony. Any friend of Lance's….I'm Tony."

She smiled. "Tony."

"I can leave you guys-"

Jane smiled, "And not finish your drink? I don't mind. It's alright…..Tony."

He smiled and sat back down. "Alright. Just until I finish."

Jane smiled.

Tony propped himself on the table and sipped his Scotch. "You couldn't think of any other place to take a date? Lance you need to get out more."

Jane laughed, "That's what Lewis said about him. He never goes out."

Tony chuckled. "He doesn't. I think I've spent more time with him lately than anyone. "

"It's was a long trip home, Tony." He looked at Jane. "Nevermind him."

"Trapped in a Zeppelin, huh?"

Tony nodded. "Yes. Something like that. Where are you from?"

Jane sat down her water. "Venezuela. And when I told Lewis that, he had no idea where it was."

Tony nodded, "Well, Lewis was in a bad accident. He might not be…completely…" He stopped talking as he looked back at Lance.

"Do you know where it is?" Lance asked.

"Of course. Do you?"

Lance rolled his eyes. "I'm always working. I don't know a lot of places."

Tony sat back and thought. "Ummm… I have some ideas. For, you know. Maybe a second date. There is Maldives. That's…beautiful."

Jane shook her head. "I've never heard of that."

Tony sipped his Scotch, "Or Necker. Well, that's a lot like where you live already. Although, Richard isn't a bad host. He will insist you go kite surfing, and drink a lot. So, be warned."

Lance looked confused, "What? What is that?"

Jane giggled.

Tony smiled at her. "Have you ever done that?"

"No. But, I think you're right. It's probably a lot like the island they already live on."

Tony nodded, "Yeah. I prefer John's place. Has he ever named it?"

Lance shook his head. "I don't know."

Tony rubbed his chin. "New Germany? That bar?"

Lance shook his head. "I can't go back there. You know…"

"Oh. Right. Yes."

The waitress returned with the wine and the peaches. She sat it on the table with three glasses. Tony picked up one and handed it back to her. "Nah, I've got a game to get to. Thanks."

She smiled, "Yes, sir." And walked away.

Tony pointed at the bottle. "Pepper loves this wine. If you take a peach, and rub it on the rim of the glass, it really brings out the flavor." He sipped his Scotch again.

Jane smiled, "Wine is poetry in a bottle."

Tony smiled, "Yes. Exactly. Maybe wine tasting for a date."

Lance shook his head. "You have a game to get to? Where are you going?"

"Back upstairs, man. Relax. I'm playing basketball with Soli. Anyway. I need you to look at something."

Lance sipped his Scotch and groaned. "Another something?"

"I'm going to make an engineer out of you one day. You have a natural ability for this. Just…embrace it." He looked at Jane, "He's usually not irritable. I just do this to people. It's a gift of mine."

Jane giggled.

Lance smiled, "I'm not irritable."

Tony showed him some technical plans on this phone. "Okay this. I've worked out the problem already, but…I wonder if you can spot it."

Lance looked at the phone and rubbed his head. "This is so ….wait? I thought we worked this out already?"

"A different problem has arisen." He said and winked at Jane.

She laughed under her breath and sipped her drink.

Lance continued to look at the plans on the phone closely.

Tony smiled back at Jane. "So, Jane. First time to New York?"

She smiled, "Yes. That…odd pop that Lance can do. It's just…cool."

"Yes. That's one of John's. I put it in the bracelet though."

"He's told me it's classified, so I won't say anything."

Tony grinned and nodded his head.

"Your cams are backwards." Lance told him as he continued to look at the phone.

Tony smiled, "Well spotted. But, that's not the biggest problem. You have already spent more time on this than I did."

Lance moved the image around. "The box. It's preventing your exhaust. Move it down three inches."

Tony smiled, "Why are you a bodyguard? Seriously? Everyone talks about Timon and Legate, but you can run circles around those guys."

Lance handed him back his phone. "Install an autotransfusier on the compensator, too. That should sort it out."

Tony smiled proudly and put the phone back in his pocket. "Praetor Lance. I'm going to convince you one day-"

"It's not today."

Tony stood up and drank the rest of his Scotch. "Jane. Thank you for letting me intrude."

"It was nice to see you." She smiled back at him.

He pointed at Lance. "He-nya poss teala."

Lance smiled, "That was perfect. I will."

Tony walked away, sitting his empty glass down on the bar. He waved to the bartender as he walked away.

Jane giggled, "I can't believe you know him."

"I'm sorry about that. I didn't call him down here."

"You and him were stuck on a ship together?"

He nodded as he poured them both a glass of wine, "We've been out of town together for about a week. It was unexpected, but we made the best of it. I'm glad he came down. It's been odd not seeing him today, after spending all of that time with him."

"But, you are a bodyguard for Rose and her family."

"Rose, John, Pete, Jackie. They are all Primaries. But, so are Tony and Pepper. Howard Shepherd and his family. And a few others."

She sipped the wine. "Important people."

"Mad people." He laughed, "But, I have enjoyed this assignment more than any I've ever had."

The waitress returned, "Mr. Stark put in an order for an appetizer."

Lance shook his head and groaned, "That guy."

Jane looked impressed, "That was thoughtful."

The waitress smiled, "It will be right out."

Lance covered his face and laughed. "Gosh. I'll have to remember to thank him."

Jane smiled at him. "You know, I never thought I would meet him. Or Rose Tyler for that matter. But, neither are anything that what I would expect."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. But, that just proves my point I was making with Jack today. They can't help that everyone knows who they are. They just have these, very public lives. I can't imagine the fear they would have in an environment like this." She pointed at the television behind him. The news showed protesters carrying signs. One of the signs said, "Rose Tyler. Go back home with E.T."

He turned back to see her groan, "Idiots. It's frankly embarrassing."

Lance stood up and turned off the television just as the appetizer arrived. It was a huge plate of hot wings, small burritos, chips and salsa and cheese dip, cheese sticks and shrimp.

Jane laughed under her breath. "Okay, this could just be a meal. Wow."

Lance nodded, "Well, this is one way to try everything."

Jane looked up and noticed him pick up the cheese stick and smell it. "Lance. Do you know what that is?"

He looked at her and shook his head. "A fish stick?" He broke it in half and the cheese was very stringy. "I don't know if this is cooked properly."

Jane laughed and took one side from him. "It's a cheese stick. Look, you can pull it."

They pulled the two sides far apart before the cheese broke apart, causing them to laugh. He ate it and rubbed his hands together. "That's nice."

She giggled and looked confused at him. "Can I ask you something?"

He held his hands out, "Ask me anything."

"Are you nervous?"

He leaned on the table and looked seriously back at her, then smiled and shook his head. "No. I'm fine. You?"

She smiled, "Yes. I'll admit it fully."

He looked surprised, "Why? I'm a bodyguard. Nothing will harm you. Except, maybe this food."

"Worse than Jackie Tyler's cooking?"

He laughed, "Her cooking isn't really that bad at all. John just likes to complain and….wind her up. It's just what they do. So, tell me. Nervous?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I've not been on a date in a long time."

He smiled and sat back. "I bet I can beat it! How long has it been for you?"

She smiled and tapped her lips as she thought. He imagined himself kissing them. How long did he have to wait to do that? What was the custom here? His thoughts were interrupted by her, "19 months. Yes. I think that's right. So, round it and say, two years."

He shook his head. "There's no way that's right."

She sipped her wine. "I think I would know."

"There's no way. You are far too lovely to have been sitting at home for two years."

Her face broke into a smile. "Thank you, Lance. I've been working."

"No one has asked you out?"

"Now, I didn't say that. I said I haven't been out."

He laughed, "Alright. We're clear then. Why didn't you go out?"

She rolled her eyes, "Not really interested in them. Or dating."

"But, you came to ask me out."

She smiled, "You are different."

He rose his eyebrows, "Because of….why?"

"Believe it or not, it's not because of Rose or John. I want to make that clear, right up front. You make me laugh, Lance. You were so funny that day you came with Rose to the photo shoot. This big, tough good looking guy. You were so worked up about that."

He smiled and bashfully rubbed his forehead. "You have no idea how angry John would have been. What he could have done to me."

"He's your…"

"Boss. Primary. Primus. Oh, he could have really made my life hell."

She looked confused, "Primus?"

He closed his eyes and nodded, "Yes. Basically, he's in charge of all of us. Well, him and Lewis. It's a ranking. A level. I think I'm using the right word."

"Tony called you something similar to that."

"I'm a Praetor. It's one level below Primus. I just achieved it."

"These are strangest words I've ever heard. It must be something unique to the sort of bodyguard you are."

He smiled proudly, "It is."

"Lewis mentioned something I was curious about."

"Don't believe anything he tells you." Lance insisted and sipped his wine.

"There are four?"

He closed his eyes tightly. "Luce and Licis. He told you about them. Wow. He must be on some good pain medication."

"You were all born at the same time?"

He nodded, "Yes. John says it's called, 'Quads'?"

"I've never known anyone who was a twin or a twin-twin." She laughed. "I'm sorry, but that's just…fascinating."

"It's not a common thing." Lance agreed.

"Do they look like you?"

He took out his phone and found a picture of the four brothers. Lewis was sitting in a chair, holding Arles. Lance, Licis and Luce surrounded them. He turned it around and showed her.

"There we all are. Luce and I usually are mistaken for the other one. And Licis and Lewis look similar. Pete Tyler can't tell them apart at all. Licis used to work with us, but he's on a different assignment now."

She held the phone and took a closer look. "Similar? Which one are you?"

He smiled and pointed at himself. "Just here. Arles was…just a few days old there."

She looked at the picture again. "You are all good looking men. Especially the baby, Arles?"

He smiled proudly, "Yes. That's his name."

"Lewis looks so hurt here."

He bit his lip, "Yeah. He's gotten better. But, he was injured really badly."

She handed him back his phone, "So. Luce and you look alike. Is there anything I should know?"

"Like what?"

"So I can tell you apart?"

He laughed, "You'll never mistaken us. He works on another assignment and is rarely around. Plus, he can't speak English. He only speaks Quauthin."

"Qua-what?"

"Anyway, yes. You should come play trivia with us. We always play for money. Granted, we always lose."

She sat back and narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you changing the subject?"

"Yes." He sipped his wine and laughed.

She smiled, "Why?"

He grit his teeth. "I really….ummm….."

She watched him struggle to find words. She smiled warmly at him, "New plan. Ask me a question."

He breathed out in relief. "Alright. Umm…. A question for you. If I was to tell you, that I haven't dated anyone in so long that I'm not really sure of the customs anymore. Would that be believable to you?"

She smiled, "If you tell me, then I believe it. Lance, it's just that simple."

"Really? Why? You don't really know me."

"And you don't know me. But, if you start off not believing what the other person tells you, what sort of friendship…or…..relationship would that be?"

He grinned and nodded his head. "That's true."

"So, what do you want to know?"

He crossed his arms and rubbed his face. "Ummm…. okay. Well. I'll admit I'm nervous now."

She laughed, "Getting wound up. Lance you make me smile."

"Why?"

"Well, you! Here you are this, huge, tough bodyguard that could probably kill everyone in a mile radius and not break a sweat. And here you are…all tongue tied. How long has it been since you've been out?"

He laughed under his breath, "A while."

"Yes, that you have told me. How long is that?"

He became lost in her beauty again. He felt as if his heart had skipped a few beats. He looked at her dark hair and large dark eyes and wondered what her skin felt like. What if would feel like against his own.

"Lance?" She said softly.

"Decades." He told her.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh please. You are just being dramatic."

He smiled, "Right. Too much time with John."

She leaned on the table and looked at him, "You were going to ask me something. What was it?"

"Ummm…. I forgot…"

"No, you chickened out."

"What does that mean?"

"You decided not to ask me because you are frightened. If you want to know, ask me."

He rubbed his face and cleared his throat. "It's to do with customs here."

"Customs? Like for traveling?"

"I have no idea what you mean."

"You really don't get out much. Wow."

"Ummm…You know. Hang on. I'll just…" He stood up and walked to her side of the table. He pulled his chair next to her and sat down. He leaned close to her.

"If this is not permitted at this time, please forgive me and I apologize."

She looked at him curiously, "What are you doing, Lance?"

He took her hand in his. Her skin was so soft. He rose her hand to his mouth and kissed it. Her face spread into a wide smile.

"It's appropriate?"

She giggled, "Lance. You overthink everything." She wrapped her arms around his neck and met his lips with her own. His shock was equal to his joy to find himself kissing her. He held her gently as she continued to snog him. His mind raced as he tasted the wine in her mouth and on her lips. She was so small. So petite. So fragile. He wanted to hold her tightly and show her how excited he was, but held back to keep from hurting her. Instead, he returned her enthusiastic kiss with his own.

Her perfume filled his nostrils. She smelled like the flowers at Lenox's home. All thoughts of her being human left his mind. All he knew in that moment is she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. And the best kisser he had ever snogged. She had managed to catch his tongue in her mouth and suck it. He felt himself getting harder with each second that passed. He was grateful he had worn the jeans that seemed to hide that better than most.

She smiled at him and bit her bottom lip. "I really hope that's what you were trying to ask."

He found himself speechless. He nodded, "Ummm….yes. Exactly."

They both laughed.

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The Doctor stood at the sink of his island home. He was washing up a few dishes.

Jackie, drinking a cuppa, walked behind him, "I could do that-"

"I've got it. Don't worry about it." He insisted.

She pat his shoulder and immediately began to fuss at Tony Tyler. "Young man, you stop climbing on that sofa before you fall and break your neck!"

Tony Tyler stopped and sat on the back of the sofa. "Oh, Mum. I've done it before! Genie and I are playing a game!"

She walked over and fussed at him. "Well, this game can include you lot cleaning up this mess you have made in here. Go on."

Tony and Genie groaned and busied themselves cleaning up blocks that were all over the floor.

Pete, holding Arles, walked in with Lewis. "Lewis. That is amazing. Son, have you seen their new flat?"

The Doctor smiled, "Yeah. Have you taken him to see your old flat?"

Lewis smiled, "Not yet. We're headed there next."

Samuel, sitting in the floor of the living room, spotted Lewis. "Papa!" He shouted.

Everyone stopped and looked back at him.

Lewis pointed at himself. "Samuel, are you saying, 'Papa'?"

Samuel clapped his hands together and danced. "Papa! Papa! Papa!"

Lewis laughed proudly, "That's my boy! Well done!" He walked over, picked Samuel up and kissed his face. "Papa Lewis is proud of you!"

The Doctor sighed, "I believe he's going to say everyone's name before mine."

Pete laughed, "Really?"

"He's saying, 'Nee.' Which I'm not sure if that's Tony or Genie. Maybe both."

Pete chuckled, "Probably shouldn't tell you, but he called me, 'Feet', earlier today."

The Doctor continued to wash dishes and laughed, "Feet. That's pretty damn funny."

"Grandfather 'Feet'. And I never thought that would be something I would approve of. But, I'll be Grandfather 'Feet' if that's what he wants to call me."

Genie laughed back at them, "I love you, Grandfather Feet."

The Doctor laughed with Pete as he told Genie. "I love you too, Nee."

Jackie sat on the sofa, and sipped her tea. "I don't understand fully why Lewis is Papa? Did anyone explain that?"

Lewis pointed at the Doctor. "John is my One, which makes him part of my family. But, I also want Arles and Samuel to grow up….as brothers. He's Daddy John, and I'm Papa Lewis. It's also what is expected within Quauhtin customs."

Jackie rolled her eyes, "You sound like a gay couple of you ask me."

The Doctor closed his eyes and shook his head.

Jackie continued, "Well, he's not tried my name yet. Sam. Can you say, 'Grand'?"

Lewis sat in the floor in front of Samuel. Samuel started to babble.

Pete and the Doctor watched him, smiling. He was still explaining something to them when Rose walked in. "Mum Mum hears someone really telling us something down here."

Genie stood up. "Yeah, Samuel is on about something."

Tony tagged Genie's shoulder, "You're it! To the playroom!"

They both ran out of the room as fast as they could.

Rose yelled to them, "Easy. That floor is very unforgiving when you fall on it."

Samuel held his hands over his head and began to babble again at top speed. Lewis took his hands and laughed at him, "Tell Papa."

The Doctor smiled, "He said he wants you to lay down on the blanket there with him, Papa."

Lewis looked at the blanket laying on the floor and lay down on his side, facing Samuel. "Like this?"

Samuel crawled over to Lewis, lay down in front of him and put his fingers in his own mouth. Lewis smiled at him and ran his fingers through his hair. "You look like your Mum. Was Rose's hair this white?"

Jackie smiled, "It was. Until she was about ten."

Pete walked over to Jackie and sat down on the sofa with her. "I've been able to see pictures now of Rose. I think he's a good mix of John and her. Although, I see a bit of Jackie's temper-"

Jackie playfully slapped Pete. "You're about to see some of Jackie's temper."

He laughed and handed her Arles.

Rose smiled at her parents. "Mum said she had framed several of them."

Pete put his arm around Jackie as they spoke to Rose.

Jackie nodded, "I have. I have tried to find that one picture. Do you remember it, Rose? It was in the frame in the living room at our old place. You were a tiny baby."

Rose smiled, "Yes."

Jackie looked back at Pete. "Pete took her to get that picture taken and surprised me with it. It's the only one I really wished I had. But, I'm thrilled with what I do have. John, I can't thank you enough that all of those photos."

He continued to wash the dishes, "It's no problem, Jackie. I'm glad you enjoy them."

Lewis lay on the blanket in front of them with Samuel. They spoke about the upcoming wedding, the Expo and other things. The Doctor listened to them as he slowly continued to wash up.

Lance walked in, "Want me to do that, John?"

The Doctor shook his head, "Nah. It's rather therapeutic."

Lance chuckled and said in the Doctor's head, 'And keeps you away from the mother-in-law. Clever.'

The Doctor laughed, "That, too. How was your date?"

Lance rolled his eyes. "It was just dinner. Not a date."

The Doctor chuckled, "Right, Lance."

Lance rolled his eyes, "And I'm looking for my brother."

Pete kicked Lewis' foot that lay near him. "Lewis. Lance needs you."

Lewis lay quiet on the floor.

Rose knelt down and looked at him and Samuel. Both of them were sound asleep. She covered her mouth and laughed, "Well, we've thought for a while that he could make someone go to sleep."

The Doctor smiled, "Answers that question. He's knocked Papa Lewis out."

Jackie pat Arles on the back, "He must get that from John. John, you can put people to sleep, can't you?"

He nodded, "Yep. It's a telepathic…..thing….."

Lance put his hands on his hips and laughed. "Lewis needs to sleep. I'm glad."

Pete looked up at Lance. "Trying to do too much? "

"Too quickly. Yes. Just a couple of hours a day for a while would be perfect for him. But, you can't convince him of that."

The Doctor nodded and chuckled, "Yes. Sounds like him."

Lance turned around, crossed his arms, and leaned on the cabinet. "Ummm."

"What is it Lance?"

"Umm…you know. Nevermind. I'm tired, I think I'll go read. Do you need me to take Arles, or anything?"

The Doctor looked up and saw Jackie kissing Arles' face.

"Nah. Let his Grand spoil him some more. Take some time for yourself, Lance. What are you reading?"

"Oh, I don't know. Umm…"

"Sounds like you need a recommendation."

"Nah. I'm good. I'll go…meditate or something. Let me know if you need me."

Lance walked out of the room rather quickly, with a spring in his step. The Doctor stopped washing up and looked at him leave. "He's not reading. What the hell is he up to?" He mumbled to himself.

The Doctor continued to wash up the dishes. He picked up a glass dish and it slipped out of his hands. Before he could catch it, it hit another dish in the water and shattered into tiny pieces. He lifted his hands out of the water, slowly and blood appeared all over the palms of his hands.

Rose and Lance were laughing with Pete and Jackie. The Doctor looked at his palms closer and saw tiny pieces of glass sticking in random places all over his palms.

He cleared his throat. "Hmm. Rose?"

She laughed at Lance, "Yes, Baby."

He tried to keep his voice as calm and steady as he could. "Could you come here? Just a bit."

She laughed and walked over to him. "Yes, what is-" She saw his hands and covered her mouth. "Oh, God."

'Shhh….don't shout. It's not that bad.' He told her in her head.

She grabbed a dishtowel and put it over both of his hands.

'Just, stay calm. I don't want to upset Jackie or anyone.'

She nodded, "What shall I do?"

He bit his lip. "I need to go to the ship and get this sorted. The transport trigger is in my pocket."

She stood behind him and ran her hands into his jeans pockets. She didn't feel anything. It was as if her hand was in a void of nothing that went on forever.

He closed his eyes and spoke quietly to her. "Rose, you can do this. Imagine the trigger and it will come to you. Okay? Just say calm and do this."

She laid her head on his back and thought about the trigger. How it looked and felt when she held it.

He whispered, "Rose, you can do this. Come on. Just imagine it. It's there. Just like you do with the socks. Come on, Baby."

Pete looked back, "Everything alright-"

The Doctor answered quickly, "Rose is looking for my phone to send Jack a message. It's alright."

Pete nodded and went back to his conversation.

Rose took her hand out of his pocket. "Okay, I've got it." She pressed the button and they transported to the med bay of the ship. The lights came on as soon as they arrived.

They both stood in the main room. Rose pointed at a chair, "Sit down."

He sat down and watched her take out the gun he had used to deaden his hand when he had removed the broken bone out of it, months ago. She sat down in front of him and shot both of his wrists, where he directed her to. She then removed the towel, and looked at the palms of his hands. "How did you even do this?"

"I dropped the dish and it just….shattered. Legate is cleaning it up for me now."

She shook her head as she looked over his hands, "This is a mess. Mum and Dad don't-"

"They don't know." He sighed.

She sat back, "Friday. Scan John's hands and identify all foreign material."

Friday spoke, "There is a sizeable amount of foreign material present in both hands."

They both looked at the screen on the desk. It appeared that both of his hands where full of the glass.

Rose sighed and stood up to get some tools, "Well, might as well get busy taking this out."

"Wait…wait…" He insisted.

"What?"

"Can you scratch my nose? I'm dying here."

She smiled and scratched his nose, gently. Then kissed him. "Better?"

He returned her smile. "Better. Thank you."

She sat down with some tools in her hands. "I'm really glad I know how to use most of this. Just tell me what do, though."

He laid his hands on the desk top and she began to pull out pieces of the glass, and place the pieces in a glass to the side.

After the fourth piece, he sighed, "Rose, this is going to take all night. It's already healing over some of the places because it's so small."

She sat down the tools, "Well…what should we do?"

He looked up at her. "Rose. You can do this. It's only us here. I want you to try."

"Baby-"

"No, really. Listen Rose. I've thought a lot about this since we came home. It wasn't fair for you for me to put you to sleep. You need to learn to control this. Rose, you are extremely powerful-"

"That's quite enough of that-"

"It's not-"

She shook her head. "No-"

"I know you don't want to talk about this-"

"And you're right."

He groaned, "Rose. You need to stop fighting this-"

"I'm not thinking about this-"

"Rose. This is part of you-"

"I refuse-"

"I insist."

She became frustrated and covered her face in both of her hands. "Damn it." She mumbled.

He spoke quietly to her. "Rose. The telepathy. Moving things with your mind. Crumbling that guy who hurt you so badly-"

She uncovered her face, "I really don't want to talk about this-"

"I would have done so much worse to him." He told her.

She could feel his anger rise in him. It surprised her.

"Baby, you can't get angry, either."

"Oh, I can't think about that without getting furious. Can you?"

She took a deep breath. "I can't get angry like that-"

"Rose, you can-"

"We're on the ship-"

"This power is what brought me to you. What saved me and brought me back to you. The reason I'm a Time Lord, and not a human. Rose. This is something we can't continue to ignore-"

"It's not something I can control. Please. I can feel it growing inside."

"You brought Jack back to us. Not to mention made him immortal-"

"Just shut up-"

"Rose. I'm only asking you to try."

She covered her face again and shook from the anger of everything he had said.

He sighed.

She uncovered her face and kept her eyes closed. Waving her hands over his, all of the glass floated out and went into a container Rose had used before. His hands healed together immediately and the feeling returned.

He rubbed his hands together and smiled. "Rose, that's amazing. Thank you."

She opened her eyes, which glowed yellow. "I don't think she's ready to talk about that yet."

He smiled, "And you're here. Brilliant. I need to talk to you about so much."

Her eyes faded and returned to their normal, hazel color. She propped her head up on her fist and smiled, "You have used your regeneration energy. What on?"

He looked confused, "How can you tell that?"

"I know. Everything. It's just that simple."

"Then, you should know what I used it on."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You are trying to make her cross, aren't you? I can feel that. Oh, that's a dangerous game."

He sighed, "Genie. Last night. She was ill."

She smiled, "Rose would be pissed about that."

"Oh, I know. Tell me, getting her angry seems to summon you. Are we right in thinking that?"

"We are the same. I'm always there."

"But, if she gets angry-"

"Then she didn't stop to think. That's when I show up. She doesn't have to think to use any of this. She just needs to practice. Hasn't everything come so easy to her so far?"

The Doctor grinned. "It has."

She giggled and pointed at him. "Oh, she's already doing that to you. I can tell. That goofy look on your face."

He chuckled, "And I love it."

"Oh, you just wait. She finds other things to do to you."

"I look forward to it."

She giggled and picked up the jar of glass fragments. She smiled, "I remember this."

"Yes. Jackie's cooking has nearly killed me."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You can be so dramatic."

"So, her getting angry-"

"Trying to keep her calm all of the time, is only going to make it worse. She needs to face this. Needs to….ummm…"

"Embrace it?"

"Be extremely cautious. Just her thoughts can case the smallest thing to happen."

"Like everyone evaporating. She did that-"

"No, I did that. Everytime, I come to see you, they have done something." She sat back and crossed her arms.

He rose his eyebrows. "So, we're right in thinking that the threat is gone?"

"Well, that threat is now. I remember this time, it was….terrible. We couldn't do anything because of the fear. I worried all of the time about the children. Samuel told me that I worried too much. He still says that. He's so much like you."

He nodded, "We have Quauhtin."

She smiled, "Even Tony is a Primary now. Lartius just sent the new Quauthin. They should be here very soon. Gosh. I miss Tony and Pepper. They were so….I can't even put a word on it."

"That's funny. I don't think you really like Tony in this moment."

She smiled, "He's….an acquired taste. Like wine. Perfect for Pepper."

He sighed, "Wine huh? I don't understand."

"But you will. And it will really surprise you." She laughed, "What else do you need to ask me?"

"Gosh, there was so much…OH! Soli."

She smiled, "Soler of Chaomlean. My God. He's just a boy now."

"An injured boy. What happened to him?"

"He will remember. But, not until he's ready."

"But you won't tell me-"

"I don't need to. Tony will have to work with him on that. Not you. You have done what you were supposed to. You noticed him."

"His symptoms were so much like Rose's. That's why."

"And that's why Rose had that. So, you would notice this boy. It's the same, so you would notice."

"When he pulls energy from the room, his eyes glow like yours."

"Well, duh. It's energy. He just pulls his from a different place."

"So, Rose's sickness?"

"It was only to get your attention. She's fine. You can relax about that. Gosh, tell Jackie to relax, too. I still can hear her voice." She sighed, "I miss hearing her voice."

"Jane?"

She thought. "Jane. Remind me."

"Lance is dating her."

"Oh! Yes. Don't play cards with her. Or…do. Woo."

He chuckled. "Of course, Lance would find a woman who is good at cards."

"I'm not too bad, myself. You've never won against me."

He dropped his head. "Just for that, I'm going to try harder."

She grinned, "Good. Because you are a shit card player."

He pointed at her, "Hey!"

She stood up. "I know what needs to happen. This will help. The other Quauhtin will be here soon. You and Rose can take a little holiday until they arrive."

He immediately protested. "No! No! Don't even think about it. No."

"Relax. John." She rubbed his chest. "You've wanted to go back for a while. Here's your chance."

"What?" He asked.

"And don't worry about anyone here. Alright?"

"Well, hang on a damn-"

A flash of bright white light blinded him and he fell several meters straight down. He felt himself hit a metal grate, hard. He groaned and rolled over to his back. Then he rubbed his eyes, "Rose?" He called and moved his hand to see if he could feel her nearby.

She didn't answer him. He could feel she was close-by.

He reached out to her in his head, 'Rose?'

His eyes adjusted and he looked at the grate he lay on. "What is this? This looks like the…." Then he realized that he felt a familiar hum of his TARDIS in his head. A telepathic connection he hadn't felt in almost a year.

He looked around, and it was indeed, the TARDIS. He smiled, in spite of himself. He spotted Rose lying on the ground near him. A man with a large chin, an old fashioned suit, and eyes that couldn't look more shocked, knelt down next to Rose.

"Rose?" He asked.

The Doctor's anger towards his future self nearly consumed him. There he was. Looking at Rose. How dare he even look at her!

The other Doctor reached out his hand, and helped Rose to her feet. Rose wore a look of confusion on her face. Just as she was about to say something, he got to his feet. He tapped on the other Doctor's shoulder.

The other Doctor turned around, and Rose's Doctor delivered a perfect roundhouse punch to that huge chin.

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