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Chapter 30 – Coffee and Tea

Pete and the Doctor sat the bar of island casino. Jack mixed them both a drink.

"Yep. Jake had to run off, but he said he liked it." Jack told them.

Pete slapped the bar. "Good! I love it." He looked around at the Quauhtin, mixed with the new recruits that had been sent by King Lartius. "This is a great place for these guys to unwind. Relax. Just….."

The Doctor smiled at his father in law. "How many have you had, Pete?"

Pete shook his head. "Hell, I have no idea."

Jack grinned and put the bottle back behind the bar.

The atmosphere was very friendly. All of the old Quauhtin had welcomed the three new men who had arrived. Young Quauhtins fresh from the Academy. None of them over 25 years old.

There was Aaron, a young, blond curly haired, strong man who Legate immediately took notice of. "He'll be a great footballer. Look at him!" He sat the card table with Lance, Legate and Bassanio. Surprisingly, he had won every game he had played. Lance rubbed his face and couldn't figure out how.

Then there was Arcite. A very serious, young man with very short hair. He walked around with his hands behind his back, taking everything in. He had only drank water while he was there, stating that a Quauthin was never off duty.

And then there was Chiron. He was shorter than any Quauhtin that he had ever seen before and the Doctor suspected he was from the planet, Arov. All of their residents were only about a meter high due to the heavy atmosphere and gravity there. He stood on a chair at the craps table with the remainder of the Quauthin, Ress and Logan. His hands were over his head, cheering joyfully at Adriano who was throwing the dice.

Pete turned to the Doctor and pointed, "A midget? Lartius sent a midget?"

Jack whistled warningly. "That guy, could nail your ass into the ground. He's a….."

"Arov." The Doctor told them. "I think he is. That's what it looks like. They are really, fucking strong. I've never heard of one being a Quauhtin, but it makes sense."

Chiron yelled with the rest of the men. His high pitched voice could be heard over everyone in the room.

Pete, the Doctor and Jack laughed.

Pete shook his head. "I need to stop drinking this whiskey, or I'm going to laugh in that guy's face."

Jack opened Pete a beer, and handed it to him.

The Doctor laughed, "Yes. And then he's going to pull every bone out of your body."

Jack wiggled animatedly behind the bar, "Boned by a midget. Yeah, then you will be all like….a boneless chicken, walking about."

Pete threw a bar towel at Jack and laughed. "Oh, shut up."

The three men's laughter stopped as soon as they saw Jackie Tyler walk into the island casino. The Doctor cleared his throat.

Pete mumbled, "Oh, shit."

Jackie walked over to them and put her hands on her hips. "Peter Tyler?"

"Yes, my dear!" He answered a bit too quickly.

"How many have you had?"

He pointed at the beer he was drinking. "That's my first one."

She looked at Jack. "First one?"

He nodded, "Yes, ma'am. First one."

The Doctor shook his head. "We've just been out here….talking about….business and….stuff."

She nodded, "Right. How many is that for you, then?"

The Doctor shook his head, "Oh, I've lost count. I'm completely pissed."

She nodded, "So, you are down here drinking, while Rose is taking care of the children?"

"She's asleep. The children are asleep. She told me to come down here and get piss drunk. Go wake her up and ask her."

Jackie shook her head. "Why would I want to do that? Anyway. Well, I had something I wanted to say."

Pete looked back at her, "Uh-oh."

She turned around and whistled loudly to get everyone's attention in the casino. All eyes turned to look at her. Lance asked in a surprised voice, "Jackie?"

She nodded her head and smiled. "I'm sorry to interrupt you lot having such a great time, but I had something I wanted to say. In particular to the new boys that have arrived here. For those who don't know, I'm Jackie, the family's matriarch. I really am very pleased that you are here, and could not ever express in any way, how much I appreciate your service to our family. You are all to consider yourselves as extended family of the Tylers. Always, not for just the present moment. Always. Alright? So, that's it. I don't want to make a proper speech, and take you away from your fun, just know that I wanted to say that. I don't feel like it ever gets said enough, and it should be said everyday to you lot. Thank you."

Lance looked around the room at the stunned faces and started to clap. The rest of the room joined him and then the men cheered.

Pete leaned over and asked Jackie, "How many have you had?"

She laughed and smacked him playfully in the chest. "Jack. I'll have a Sidecar, please."

"Coming up, Jackie!" Jack jumped to it.

The Doctor carefully moved into the other bar stool to give Jackie his. The room rejoined in all of their loud fun. Jack sat the drink in front of Jackie just as she spotted Chiron at the craps table. He was standing in a chair and throwing dice. The men around the table cheered.

She sipped her drink and pointed at him, "Is that a bloody midget?"

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Tony had taken all of his medicine before him and Pepper had gone to sleep. His palladium level still tested at 5%, which was annoying him. Pepper told him that maybe a few good night sleeps would help.

Pepper lay, spooned with him behind her. His arms wrapped around her loosely as he slept. She wore a t-shirt and her pajama pants as she normally did. Tony wore his boxers. He hadn't moved since he had fallen asleep. She bought his sleeping hand to her mouth and kissed it. He didn't move and continued to breathe steadily.

He hated to take the medicine that John had given him, but Pepper was grateful something finally had made him start to sleep. It was quickly becoming what she looked forward to every evening. That quiet, tender moment, when her body lay with his after a long day. She had missed him so much when he had been at Lenox's…and then at the castle. Did he really want them to marry at a castle? She smiled and wondered if Tony had ever done anything small in his life. That sounded like him.

She lay looking at the engagement ring he had put on her finger earlier that day. She slipped it off and put it on her left hand. She looked at it and smiled.

Suddenly, Jarvis spoke. "Tony! Someone has gotten into the penthouse!"

Pepper sprang straight up, "Exton!"

Jarvis continued, "I have alerted Exton and Mortimer."

Tony didn't move and continued to sleep.

Pepper jumped out of bed and Soler met her at the bedroom door. His hair stuck up oddly on one side of his head.

Mortimer ran up the steps, "It's alright. John is here, sorting it out."

Jarvis continued to speak. "Mortimer, Miss Potts has to be moved to safety, immediately."

Soler stood in front of Pepper. "Who is here? A ghost?"

She took his hand, "Come on, let's go see what's going on."

The three of them walked down the steps. The Doctor rubbed his head, "Pepper, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking and sent three Quauhtin over to meet Exton and Mortimer. Jarvis didn't know who two of them were, so the alarm triggered."

Pepper relaxed. "Thank God it was just that."

He walked over to her, "Where's Tony?"

"Sleeping. That medicine you gave him knocks him completely out. What is this? Are you?"

"Oh, hell I'm drunk off my ass. I won't lie about it. We had a…eventful afternoon. Then, returned home to have a welcome party for the new guys."

Pepper laughed, "I'm sorry we missed it."

"It won't be the last. Jack has even more plans. It….it's madness." He laughed. He motioned and three young men walked over to him. He pointed at them in turn. "Pepper. Soler. These are some guys that are going to be helping you out. You know, Adriano. And this is Aaron and Arcite."

The men bowed their heads and smiled at her. Arcite spoke, "Princess. I'm very sorry we have woken you. We only wanted to come meet the other two Quauhtin that are here."

She shook her head. "Call me Pepper. It's fine."

The Doctor sighed, "Alright. Well, sorry for the fright. I'm going to go back home. Boys, keep it quiet so they can get some sleep. Honorem Quauhtin Soli. Good job protecting the Princess, again."

Soler smiled proudly as he walked back to the stairs with Pepper.

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It was morning. Tony was warm and comfortable. He rose his hand and rubbed his head. He took a deep breath and straightened his arm out to feel if Pepper was still in the bed with him. He didn't feel her, but instead felt the short hair of a little boy lying on her pillow.

He opened his eyes and saw Soler lying in front of him, watching him.

"Yeah, that's not creepy at all." He mumbled. He suddenly was very grateful he had slipped back on his boxers before he had fallen asleep.

Soler put his hand on top of Tony's that still lay on his cheek. "Tony? Are you awake?"

Tony moaned, "No." Then he laughed.

"You sound awake."

Tony rolled over on his back and rubbed his face. "Where is Pepper?"

"She's downstairs. Tony. Are you sick?"

Tony looked back at the boy. "Why do you think that?"

"You look sick, when you were asleep."

Tony rubbed his face and groaned, "No, not really. I'm getting better."

"The ghost, Jarvis, alerted us to someone getting in last night-"

"Someone, what?" He jumped out of bed and picked up the jeans that were lying on the floor in front of the sofa. He pulled them on quickly and rubbed his face again. He was having a hard time waking up from the drugs that made him sleep. He rushed out of the room and Soler followed him down the stairs. "Pepper!" He called.

She sat down her coffee, "Please be careful on those stairs." She was already dressed in a black skirt suit and wore her hair down. He continued to walk towards her as he pointed back to Soler, "Spark said someone got in last night?"

She smiled and held up her hand. "Relax. It was a misunderstanding."

Tony scratched his bare chest shook his head. "A misunderstanding?"

Pepper held up her finger, and then pointed at Soler, "Exton will take you to the Nanny in a bit. Do you need to get anything?"

Soli thought and then ran back up the stairs to his room.

Tony looked at him, "Walk, up the stairs! They hurt when you fall down them." He turned back to Pepper and held his hands out. "A misunderstanding? What happened?"

She took his hand in hers. "John sent some new Quauhtin in last night. Jarvis didn't know them so he told us there were intruders."

He relaxed, "Oh. Well, there's nothing we can do to keep that from happening. John sent them in the middle of the night?"

"He apologized. He was drunk and had lost track of time."

"And I slept through this?"

"Yes. Tony, you were out cold. The wine, the medicine, the sex."

He grinned, "I like your plan about wearing myself out."

"It seems to work." She smiled.

He sighed, "Pepper, I don't need to sleep through something like that. Something could have really been wrong."

"We have bodyguards for that. You need to sleep to wash this stuff out of your blood stream. I'm sure it's not a good thing for your heart."

He groaned.

"What is it this morning?"

"I don't know. I haven't checked."

She held him, "Everything is alright. What time is your meeting?"

"10:30." He told her.

"Do you want me there?"

"I want you anywhere I am."

She smiled, "I love you, too. Tony, that was amazing last night."

He smiled at her. "You were amazing. Pepper, I've never enjoyed this so much."

She grinned, "Neither have I."

He cleared his throat and stepped back from her. He ran his hand through his hair. "I….I'm sorry. I've not brushed my teeth. I-"

She smiled, "It's alright. You can kiss me later."

He smiled, "Alright."

Exton walked into the room. "I'm here. He is ready to go?"

Pepper called, "Soli. Exton is ready."

Exton smiled, "Mortimer is downstairs already with Arcite. Whenever you are ready."

"Thank you." Pepper kissed Tony's cheek and then whispered in his ear. "Go get cleaned up. I left you a surprise someplace you have to find."

He chuckled, "What? You did what?"

She giggled as walked away from him, "You heard me. You have to find it."

He crossed his arms. "Do I get a hint?"

She walked to the lift. "No. I'll see you at 10:30."

He laughed under his breath as the doors closed.

Tony headed back up the stairs as Soler was walking down them.

"Bye, Tony! I'll see you this afternoon. Are we going to practice some more?"

"Sure. I'll be there to get you as soon as I'm finished here. Alright?"

He smiled, "Alright."

"Did you eat breakfast?"

Soli smiled, "Yes. I had something called, bacon. I really like it."

Tony laughed, "Run on then, I'll see you this afternoon."

Tony continued up the stairs and went into his bathroom. He turned on the shower and looked in the mirror at his chest. "What is she talking about?"

He brushed his teeth and then had the sudden thought. He unfastened his jeans and looked down in his boxers. He stood looking at himself with the toothbrush hanging out of his mouth. He saw several love bites below his waistline. He pulled down his jeans and underwear and saw writing on the inside of his leg.

"I know remember everything you read, so remember this. I said 'yes'. You don't have to pretend to be something you aren't around me. I love you. And later, I'll show you how much involving something here in this area. I plan to suck it until I can't anymore. So, prepare yourself."

He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Oh my God. Why did I wait so damn long for this?"

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Rose woke up in the silk sheets at the island home. The sun had been up for a while. She rolled over and saw the Doctor lying beside of her on his back with his eyes closed. Samuel was sleeping on his chest. He ran his fingertips across the baby's back.

Rose smiled at him, "Hey."

He opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Morning."

"Did you sleep?"

"I don't think so. I'm not really sure."

She smiled, "Must have taken my advice."

"I am not completely sober yet. I've been lying here with him for the last hour and fourteen minutes." He told her quietly and then kissed the top of Samuel's head.

She giggled and rolled over on her side to face him. He closed his eyes again. "How are you this morning? With everything?"

"I'm okay. I can't believe that even happened."

He kissed Samuel's head again. "That's a small thing. If you ever believe that you aren't capable of something, think of this little boy. Rose, he should have never survived that blast. He should have never been born, let alone….conceived."

"So, you finally believe you are responsible for some of this? Some of…him."

He smiled, "Well, we've certainly had enough opportunities where that could have happened."

"Even with all of the problems and impossibilities."

He opened his eyes and looked back at her. "Rose, you have created life, where there wasn't one. There isn't a Samuel in the other Dimension. Imagine. A Time Lord and whatever you decide to call yourself, mixed together. Imagine what he could do."

"He will do what he was meant to. There was a reason. He has his own purpose."

The Doctor turned his head back and closed his eyes. "You're right. Sam is his own man."

She laid her hand on his hip. "Baby. Are you alright? You were so cross-"

"I'm fine. I've got to hit him. A bit less than I had hoped, but I have had my chance now."

She rolled her eyes.

He turned his head back to face her. "Forget me, are you alright?"

She smiled, "You just ask me that. How drunk are you?"

"Doctor alright?"

She giggled, "No. Rose alright. I thought about what you said. This is my new normal now. Anything I want?"

He smiled, "Anything you want, Sweetheart."

"And you would be alright with it?"

He kissed Samuel's head. "Of course. Anything. Well, unless you want to turn me blue or something. I'd prefer you didn't."

"I want to give you…what your heart longs for so much."

He turned his head and smiled, "Baby, what's that?"

"A daughter, who is like you."

"I have Genie. She's more than I could ever ask for."

"She is human, and you know what I'm talking about."

He looked surprised back at her. "You know about that-"

"I'm so sorry. Baby, it wasn't your fault-"

"It was my fault-"

"Rassilion told you to do it-"

"Doesn't matter. I knew I shouldn't have."

He held his head to Samuel's.

"Baby, I'm so sorry."

"So, you want another daughter. That's what you are saying?"

She smiled, "I thought about it. Another son would be alright, too. But, not until Samuel is a bit older. I want us to just enjoy him for a while. We couldn't lie here with two small children."

He smiled, "They rarely sleep at once. You saw that, too."

She smiled, "They were beautiful. Gosh, just…breathtaking."

"They were their mother, almost…completely. She had….these….odd eyes."

She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "I love you."

He smiled back up at her. "So, not until Samuel is older, then?"

"Yes. Let him and Arles, get older. Babies are a lot of work."

"Well, it's always a good idea to…stay in practice. The art of making children."

She giggled. "I have no idea how Samuel happened. Do you?"

"You wanted him. That's the only explanation I have. So, if you want another one, you just have to focus your attention on that."

She grinned at him, "That's all, then?"

"Well, sex probably plays some role in that."

She smiled, "You think?"

"Keeping the mum-to-be, happy. Satisfied. Sexual well being is important."

She sat up and shook her head. "Oh, this is mad. I can't even believe I'm talking about this-"

"Now, what is this? Baby, you know this isn't madness. This is how this works. Yesterday, you sent us back to the Prime Dimension. Rose, I have to think that's because your Mum had mentioned that photo."

"I've not given it to her. I don't know how to explain to her that I have it."

"Let me ask you something. What's wrong with telling her the truth?"

She rose her eyebrows at him. "You know how she is! Are you serious?"

"Rose. I only think you are keeping her …..sheltered."

"Sheltered?"

"Yeah. If this was something Genie was going through, wouldn't you want her to talk to you about it?"

"That's not fair-"

"It is fair."

She sighed, "Okay, maybe it is. But, no. I don't want to tell her. I'll think of something."

"We're of course, forgetting about the old Japanese proverb."

She grinned, "Yeah, what's that?"

"If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty."

She grinned again at him. "Yeah?"

"So, let's start small. I know how you are, Rose Tyler-"

"Smith." She corrected him.

"Smith. Right. Sorry. You need a lovely cuppa in the morning. I could use one myself."

"How drunk are you?"

"It's not as bad as it was. Come on. Imagine tea for me and you, just on your table there. Beside of the bed."

She lay back. "A cup of tea does sound lovely right now."

He closed his eyes and sighed, "Yes, it does. That or a cup of coffee. Five sugars, just a bit of cream."

"God, how do you drink anything that sweet?"

He didn't open his eyes. "It's what my heart longs for. Help a man out, Rose."

She smiled, "Right."

She thought about how much she would love a cup of tea. She closed her eyes and looked back the table. "Well, it didn't work."

He didn't open his eyes. "Because you don't believe you can do it. Rose, this is no different. How did you get us home yesterday?"

"I imagined we were here."

"Then imagine what it would be like to have a cup of tea on the table. What it was smell like. What it would feel like when you pick it up and taste it. It's already there, you just have to….put it there."

She nodded and closed her eyes. She thought about the lovely cup of tea that would be sitting on the table when she opened her eyes. How it would sit in a bright red mug and the steam would rise from it. She thought of the color of the liquid and how it would taste. Then she thought of a bright blue mug that would sit next to it with coffee in it. She remembered the color of the liquid and how the steam rose off of it, too. She imagined five cubes of sugar, dissolving in the bottom of the mug and a spoon sitting inside of it, ready to stir the warm drink that her beloved had asked her for.

She opened her eyes and looked on the table and saw the red and blue mugs. She smiled, "Oh, that's amazing! I did it!"

He smiled and slid Samuel off of his chest, and onto the mattress between them. He rubbed Samuel's back as he continued to sleep. Rose handed him his coffee and took her cuppa for herself. She laughed, "Baby, I could get used to this."

He smiled at her, "I could, too. Rose, you are amazing."

She held her cup and watched him sip his coffee.

"Oh, that's good." He moaned as he lay next to her and savored the beverage.

He could feel her begin to worry. "Rose. I'll never see you as anyone else but my Rose. No matter what. Embrace this."

"Even the bad?" She asked.

He didn't open his eyes. "Everything is a pile of good and bad. The good things don't always soften the bad things, but the bad things don't always spoil the good or make them unimportant."

"Deep thoughts from a man who's only had a sip of coffee."

"Drunken rambling, I assure you." He chuckled and continued to sip his coffee.

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