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Chapter 41 – The Story of Lartius

Rose had taken Pepper to the Top Observation Deck so they could see the planets as they left the solar system. The Doctor piloted the ship slowly enough that they were able to get a good look at all of them until they reached Charon, then they disappeared in a flash of light and the stars began to streak in long lines against the windows.

Pepper laughed and held her chest. "That's amazing!"

Rose and Pepper walked together to return to their suites. It was late and the children had all been transported up to the ship while they slept.

"John says this should be a quick trip out and back." Rose told her.

"I hope Tony can get some sleep. He says he always sleeps better up here."

Rose smiled. "Natural sleep would probably be the best for him-"

"Yeah, but he won't sleep without something. Well, I don't think he would. He looks so tired. Have you noticed the circles under his eyes?"

Rose shook her head. "I don't know him as well as you do."

Pepper sighed. "He's exhausted. I can tell."

They stopped walking and Rose pointed at the door. "This is you. John told me to have you pick a flat pattern and he'll copy it up here for you. It doesn't seem like Tony is interested."

She smiled, "He's interested, just …..not something that's high on his list at the moment."

Rose giggled, "Which is why I'm telling you. I'll see you in the morning. Come over for coffee. Samuel will have us up early, I'm sure."

Pepper smiled, "Thanks, Rose."

She opened the door to their suite and walked inside. The room was dim and quiet. She walked around the sofa and spotted Tony sitting upright. He was sound asleep.

His lap, table and floor around him were littered with the contents of the boxes that they had taken from the safe deposit boxes. He sat with his head propped up on his fist. He looked like he had fallen asleep making a note about something. The pen was still in his hand.

Pepper slipped the pen out of his grip, took the files from his lap, and sat them on the table in front of him. She looked around and found a pillow and laid it on the end of the sofa. He still hadn't moved. She whispered to him. "Tony?"

He hummed, "Huh?"

"It's me."

He didn't wake up.

"You're safe. We're on the ship."

He took a deep breath. "Go back to sleep, Pepper."

She smiled at him and directed him to lie down on the sofa. She covered him in a blanket, and walked out of the room, quietly.

"Friday. Turn the lights down to 5%."

The lights dimmed.

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Lance couldn't believe his eyes. He was lying in front of Jane, sleeping in his bed. The duvet came up to her waist and she slept on her stomach. He continued to run his fingertips up and down her back as she slept. Her dark hair covered the pillow.

He lay, watching her sleep. She was so beautiful that he just wanted to memorize each piece of her. Her lips that had just been kissing him only hours ago. That mouth that had made his toes curl as she had sucked his staff until he had asked her to stop. Arles was sleeping in the same room and he didn't want to wake him up with his moans of pleasure. He wasn't sure how the baby had slept through hers.

He smiled at the memory of her, with her head hanging off the end of the bed, panting and begging him to go deeper. For the first time since he could remember, he had fallen asleep for a brief moment. Completely covered in sweat, and exhausted from the dream that had become reality for him. She was such a beautiful creature. He would have come to Earth decades ago if he had known such a person could exist.

He continued to watch her sleep. Overcome with her beauty, he leaned over and kissed her bare back. He heard her giggle as he reached her bum.

She said quietly, "Do you want more?"

He continued to kiss her. "I. Just. Can't help but to put my lips on you." He rose up and saw her dark eyes looking at him. "You are so beautiful."

She smiled at him. "Lance, you have to be exhausted-"

He caught her lips with his again and snogged her. She rolled over, and he was able to look at her bare chest again. He gently ran his hand across it. He whispered something in that odd language he spoke.

She rubbed her face, "What time is it?"

He tapped his bracelet. "5:58."

She closed her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her chest. "I should let you sleep."

She giggled, "This is not helping me sleep. I'm going to start kissing you back."

He leaned up and looking in her dark eyes asked, "Promise?"

She pulled his head down to her lips and snogged him.

Arles started to cry in the cot.

Lance looked at her and smiled. "Go back to sleep."

She watched him sit on the side of the bed and pull on some football shorts. He walked over to the cot and picked up the tiny baby. "And I have you, sweet boy."

Arles continued to cry. Lance walked out of the bedroom and she saw him turn on the light in the kitchen. She couldn't make out what he was saying, but she could hear him talking to the baby.

She got out of bed and looked around for her clothes. She found Lance's blue oxford shirt lying on a chair with a pile of clothing. She slipped it on. Looking around the room and shook her head. "Does this man ever do laundry?"

She quickly went to the loo and walked into the sitting room. Lance was sitting on the sofa holding Arles and giving him a feed from a small bottle. Lance smiled proudly down at him. "You were just hungry. You needed something to eat, huh?"

She walked into the room and whispered, "Can I get you something?"

He looked up at her and shook his head. "Nah. We're alright. Would you like me to take you home?"

She smiled and shook her head. "You're busy. I'm fine. I believe next time I come over, I'll bring some more clothes to add to your collection in there."

He chuckled, "Yeah, it's been a busy week. It's a good thing Lewis hasn't seen it. He would be cross."

She giggled and noticed a mark on the side of his chest that was lighter than the rest of his tan skin. She sat beside of him and ran her fingertips across it. "Is this a scar?"

"Yeah. It hasn't had time to fade. John says it will probably be gone in a few more weeks. I just haven't been putting that cream on it he gave me."

"Did you get that from…"

"Being a bodyguard? No. I got that from being a brother."

She smiled, "Lewis stab you, did he?"

He chuckled, "No. Lewis and his wife, where in a car accident about a month ago. She died, and we nearly lost Lewis. His body was crushed in the car. John did everything he could for him, including giving him part of my lung to help him regrow his. He should have gotten a new heart, and some other stuff, but…he managed to get well before we could gather the other brothers."

She felt of his scar. "I don't know anything about medicine, but….does that work?"

He smiled, "It does for us. As long as you are….a sibling. Your DNA has to be very close."

"What do you mean, 'It does for us?' Lance, I don't think that would work. Even if you are a twin, or a umm…"

"Quad."

"Yes. You are all different. Complete individuals."

His face broke into a smile bigger than she had ever seen on his face.

"What?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I usually don't tell anyone about the brothers. I feel like they see me as a quarter of something. Incomplete."

"I don't think of you that way. Not at all."

He smiled proudly. "Thank you, Jane. That means a lot."

Arles slurped his bottle, causing them to laugh at him. Lance put him on his shoulder and pat his tiny back. "Oh this guy. He has no idea how much he is loved."

"He is so cute. That hair."

Lance kissed his cheek. "So much hair. Handsome. Like the rest of us."

She rolled her eyes. "And modest. I'll only agree to that after I've met the rest of your brothers."

He nodded, "Fair enough. We've got this sorted. You can go back to sleep. Or…"

She rose her eyebrows. "Or?"

"The sun will be up soon. Would you like to watch the sun rise together? We'll be able to see it from just here."

She smiled at him, "You are a romantic. I didn't know that about you."

Arles finally burped. They both smiled at him. Jane stood up and pulled a blanket off of the other sofa, and draped it across her. She leaned against Lance, who put his arm around her and held Arles in his other arm.

Arles coo'ed and kicked his legs.

"And this guy is wide awake."

Jane smiled at him. "He probably wants to hear a story."

"A story. Hmm… Well, I'll tell you the best one I know. The story of Lartius."

She snuggled into him and listened.

"Once, upon a time. There were two brothers. One named Lovell and the other one was named Legate. Lovell was the King of a proud race of people called the Quauhtin. A race of people who trained their entire lives to guard royalty and influential people all across the galaxies. Even though he was King, Lovell loved more than anything, to build things. He is what your Uncle Tony calls an engineer. He would have gotten along well with him. He built huge, galaxy star cruisers that went off to explore places you can only dream of. He could see these things in his mind, and build them quickly. It was a natural ability for him."

"And then there was Legate. He was very clever. Very….strong. Very…handsome. Cunning. Sounds quite a bit like a Legate you know, right?"

Arles coo'ed. Jane laughed under her breath.

Lance chuckled, "Lovell, was absolutely brilliant, but accidently killed himself. He was, flying too close to a star when it supernova'ed. The wave crushed his ship, and the Quauhtin who was with him. Right as that happened, war broke out in the home world. The new King, Lavatch, was very young and he heard the call of the stars. He didn't want to stay and rule, so he spoke to his Uncle Legate and asked him to rule in his place. He said that he would prefer to protect royalty, than to be royalty. See, when you do a job like this, you see how it's not what people would think it is. No one would want that job if some else was willing to do it. Legate, being older and wiser, made a brilliant King. Lavatch became his Quauhtin along with another brave man, Poltious."

Arles kicked his legs and continued to listen to his story.

Jane giggled, "These are the craziest names."

"Now, Poltious….was well, Poltious. He loved speed and had a ship unlike any other. He traded it for something else, which he managed to crash. Nearly killed himself with that. But, King Legate, gave Poltious a beautiful ship. Poltious had spent so much time with Lovell, the engineer, that he knew how to make that ship do anything. Using that ship, and his smarts, he became the hero of many battles in the war, and a legend of stories that will be continued to be told for ages."

"After the war, King Legate feared someone would come and attack his only heir to the throne. So, because Poltious was such a war hero, he was asked to become the Primary guardian to Lartius. The Prince of the Quauhtin people, and son of the King. The adventures they had together….well…. kept everyone on their toes. The things they did together. Let's just say, I probably won't be telling you a lot of those stories. I don't want to put the idea in your head."

Jane laughed, "Oh, they sound fun."

Lance chuckled, "They were fearless. Nothing could stop them. Not even the King. One of their adventures well….one….involved a dragon. No one knows where they got it, although it is said that Lartius purchased him from a traveler. They had plans to train and ride him into battle. But, that's the thing of stories, and he quickly got loose and destroyed nearly half of the grand castle. It was amazing that no one was killed. Lartius and Poltious trapped him in the great room and unbelievably, it was Lartius who jumped onto the large serpent and drove the sword into him. They found it to be great fun and the thought of one of them being killed never entered their minds."

Jane rolled her eyes. "There's always a dragon in a story."

He smiled at her and continued with this story. "Meanwhile, years had passed. Lartius and Poltious had one adventure after another. The King Legate, feared that his son Lartius, was just too…..reckless and wild to ever rule. Poltious had had only made it worse. So, King Legate did something no King has ever done. He went back to the nephew who had given up his right to be King."

Jane sat back. "Okay, they can't do that."

"Well, why not?"

"No one would do that. Most people would kill one another to rule."

Lance smiled, "Not this family. But, yes. You are correct. It was odd. So, King Legate went to Lavatch to ask if he wanted to be made the heir. Lavatch had fallen in love with a woman and had four heirs of his own. It is said that he looked at the young boys, playing at his feet, he couldn't bring them to a life of service as royalty. He instead vowed that he would train them to be warriors. That way, they would be able to protect themselves, and others. As he said, 'If one warrior is lost to prevent a war, he actually has laid down his life to save millions.' It's a very honorable thing. To rule is very honorable, too. Of course. But, to have four sons, that he could train to help others was remarkable."

Jane lay back against him and curled up in the blanket. "Lance. You have the wildest imagination I've ever heard."

He chuckled, "Lavatch told King Legate, not to worry. That young men are often wild in their youth. Poltious, even though he was the oldest among everyone, would settle down and so would the Prince Lartius."

"And then time when on. Lartius met a woman. A beautiful Princess from hmm….. Jalikapo. Yes, a Rixalarian."

Jane shook her head and laughed. "These names."

He turned his head to look at her. "The people of Jalikapo are supposed to be the most beautiful of the galaxy. Maybe you are from there?"

She shook her head. "You get points for trying, Lance. But, that's a terrible line."

He laughed and looked back at Arles. He was looking up at his uncle, sucking his fingers, and seemed to be hanging on his every word.

"So, Lartius and Martiea were wed. Just as the world was invaded by yet another would be conquer. Lavatch and King Legate were both lost in battle. Lavatch trying disparately to save his King. His uncle. His friend."

"Gosh, this is sad."

"So, Lartius and Martiea became the King and Queen. Lavatch's children went to the Academy to be trained as the honorable Quauthin Warriors and…..then…..Lartius had a child. A daughter."

Jane smiled, "A princess."

"That she was. Maria. Absolutely beautiful. There was no question that she was of Rixarlarian decent. So many men asked for her hand, and begged Lartius for her. He grew fearful that someone might take her. So he asked the only man he trusted more than himself to guard her. Poltious."

Jane smiled, "His old friend."

"Old indeed." Lance laughed. "At least 400 years older than she was by then. I think, I might be wrong about that. But, yes. Poltious' Primary charge became Maria. They were always together. He taught her to fly at the same time he taught the sons of Lavatch to. She took to it immediately and became a brilliant pilot. Better than some of the sons."

"And I suppose it was bound to happen. They fell in love. Completely. Maria said she only felt safe when he was with her, and Poltious swore he would always keep her safe. And he did. He saved her numerous times from would be kidnappers and assassins. He was so fearful when he went to Lartius to ask her hand in marriage. But, true to their friendship, Lartius embraced him and welcomed him fully into the royal family."

Jane kissed his cheek. "Lance. You have such an imagination."

He smiled back at her. "What if it was true?"

She rolled her eyes. "If that's true, there's way more to that story than you're telling."

He nodded, "You're right."

"I mean, really. Who gives up the right to rule?"

"I don't know. But, it brings a smile to my face whenever I think about it."

"And letting your best friend marry your daughter who he's been guarding for years?"

He nodded, "Huh. Well, yeah."

"And the names are mad. It's hard to follow for that reason."

He nodded, "Alright. Next time I'll change the names. There were two brothers, Bob and Frank."

She laughed and sat back to look at him. "You make me laugh. I'll get him a book of fairy tales. And you, an atlas."

He smiled at her and pointed at the window. "And there is the sun. It's about to pop out of the ocean."

She leaned back onto his shoulder and they watched the sun rise together. The birds flew over the beach as the sunlight spread all over the island. The wind blew the palm trees in front of the windows. In the distance, three men could be seen running on the beach. Out for their morning training.

Lance chuckled, "That's…Adriano, Aemilus and Exton there. Huh. I thought Exton would have gone with Tony." He pulled head to his lips and kissed the side of it.

Jane looked back and giggled. "And Arles is asleep."

He looked at his nephew. "He sleeps more than any child I've ever met."

She stood up and smiled at him. "Your story exhausted him."

He nodded, "Right. Now, we're all exhausted in this flat."

She giggled and ran her fingers through her hair as she walked down the hallway. Lance watched her walk away. He cursed his oxford was too long for him to catch a glimpse at her bum as she rose her hands over her head.

He sighed and mumbled to Arles. "I think she did that on purpose."

Arles yawned and continued to sleep. Lance stood up and laid him in his cot. He ran his hand through his hair and went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea for him and Jane. After a few moments, he stood, watching the ocean and sipping his cuppa.

'Primus John. Do you have a second?' He reached out in his head.

'Sure. We're less than an hour away. How are things?'

'I just did the morning check-in. Everything is fine. Jackie is on about something with Pete, so he's running for cover.'

The Doctor laughed, 'Trouble in paradise. I'll have Rose give her a ring. It might help smooth things over.'

'Exton stayed?'

'Yeah. Tony and Pepper were walking on the beach when we left. It's only a quick meeting so I didn't feel the need to insist they came.'

He sipped his tea. 'Makes sense. Right.'

'How's Jane?'

He rose his eyebrows and considered. 'Well, she's…..'

'You'll know when it's the right time. But, don't wait too long.'

He sighed, 'Maybe I should talk to Rose about this.'

'What? Am I not good enough?'

'Not really, Primus. This requires…a woman's touch.'

'Well, I can't deny that. Give her a ring later. Is Jane still there?'

'She's in the shower.'

The Doctor didn't say anything.

'Shut up, John.'

'I didn't say anything.'

Lance felt her arms wrap around his waist. He smiled and turned around to look at her. "I made you some tea. I have no idea how you take it though."

She looked concerned. "Are you alright?"

He smiled, "I'm fine. Why?"

"You just seem to be….daydreaming in here."

He shook his head. "Just…lost in my thoughts."

She nodded and walked over to put sugar and cream in her tea. The sun from the beach shone through the kitchen. She sipped her tea and closed her eyes. "Now, I know why you are lost in your thoughts. Lance, that's really good."

He smiled.

She looked back at him. "So, I'm going to see if I can find my clothes and pop in the shower. Is that alright?"

He nodded, "Sure. If, you find you need something of mine-"

"It's all over the chair in there. I'll be fine." She teased. She looked him up and down.

He looked at himself, only wearing his football shorts. "What?"

She covered her mouth and smiled. "The way the light is hitting you. I just wish I had my camera. The way your chest, abs and everything…."

He rose his eyebrows at her.

She shook her head. "Excuse me. I need to take a shower."

He laughed. He was making her as crazy as she was making him. "Brilliant." He mumbled to himself.

He sat down his tea and walked into his bedroom. She had gathered her clothes and held them on her arm.

"Did you find everything?" He opened a drawer and pulled on a grey t-shirt.

She pointed at him. "Lance. I remember you getting up to change a nappy."

He looked at her and nodded. "Yeah. Arles was up several times. He'll probably be awake in about ten minutes. He doesn't sleep long in the morning."

"And then you kissed my back…"

He continued to look at her.

"Lance? Did you get any sleep last night?"

He shook his head, "I don't sleep much."

"I could have helped with that."

He shook his head. "No. You needed your sleep. I'm fine."

"Well, alright. Did Lewis get to wherever they were going?"

"They are still on their way there. John says the will be there within the hour."

She looked confused, "Did you speak to him before you came in here?"

He grit his teeth and ran his hand through his short hair. "Umm…not really."

"Then, how do you-"

Arles cried from the sitting room. Lance started back out of the room. "Excuse me."

He walked back into the sitting room and picked up Arles. He kissed his head, "Hello there. Your Papa will see you in a few days. Uncle Lance is with you. You and I are the Praetors in charge here until then. How about that?"

Arles coo'ed at him and tried to reach his face with his tiny hand. Lance caught his tiny fist in his mouth and playfully kissed it.

Lance walked back into the kitchen holding Arles. Jane walked in holding a pink toothbrush in a plastic wrapper.

"Is this the toothbrush you were talking about with Tony?"

Lance looked up and nodded. "Yes. That one is the fruit flavored one. You'll welcome to it if you want."

She nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

Arles cried out.

Lance swayed on his feet. "He just needs another bottle. Then he'll need a nappy. This is every morning with him."

Jane smiled, "You look like a giant holding him."

He grinned at her and walked over to the food replicator, "Arles' bottle."

It magically appeared. Jane's mouth fell open in shock. "How did you do that?"

Lance put the bottle in Arles' mouth. "What?"

"That? Where did that bottle come from?"

"I asked for it."

She looked curiously at him.

"Go get dressed, and I'll take you back-"

"No. I don't have any one until after lunch today. Lance. Tell me what's going on."

He leaned on the cabinet, feeding Arles. "I'm feeding a baby?"

She pointed at him, "Don't. Lance…."

"What?"

"You have to admit, this is strange."

"What is…exactly….strange?"

She put her hands on her hips. "Oh really? This is normal for you?"

He nodded, "Of course. He has to eat something."

She groaned and walked away. "I'm going to take a shower. Lance….just…ugh."

Lance looked back down at Arles. "I need some help here, man. I'm about to really screw this up."

Arles continued to drink his bottle.

Lance heard the shower turn on and went back into his bedroom. He burped Arles, changed his nappy, and put him in a blue sleeper. Arles was very playful and lay on the bed kicking and coo'ing. Lance lay next to him, tickled his stomach, and kissed him.

He heard the shower turn off. He picked up Arles and put him in his cot. He pointed at him, "Give Uncle a minute. I'll give you anything you ever want, man."

Arles kicked his legs and coo'ed at him.

He knocked on the door and walked in. Jane stood there with a towel wrapped around her and had just taken her long, dark hair down.

He held his hands up. "I'm sorry."

"For what, exactly?"

"Hmm…being an idiot. Yes. That's what I would like to apologize for."

"Are you under the impression I'm cross with you?"

"Yeah, a bit-"

She laughed, "No. Lance. I just…I find you…"

He looked at her and rose his eyebrows, "What?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Nevermind."

He ran his hand through his hair. "Ugh. Jane. I…ummm…"

She took his hand. "Lance. Whatever this is, you can tell me."

He closed his eyes and dropped his head. "I'm worried it will….frighten you."

She nodded, "Lance-"

He groaned as someone ran the doorbell to the flat, "I'm so sorry. Excuse me." He walked out of the bathroom, then returned. "I'm….sorry."

She laughed and shook her head. "You're mad." She mouthed.

Lance picked up Arles and walked to answer the door. Legate was there. He bounced into the flat. "And football! Yes! Lewis said he left you in charge, Praetor! We're thinking of playing on the lawn. Will you join us?"

Lance groaned, "I might have to, catch you guys at another time."

"Oh, Lance. Really? What are you so busy doing?"

Jane walked out of the bedroom, wearing the blue jeans and tank top she had worn the night before. Legate stopped in his tracks. "Oh! Jane's here. Right."

Jane smiled, "Hello..umm…"

"Legate." He helped.

She smiled, "Yes. Legate. The one that Lance is like a fifth father."

Lance slapped Legate in the chest as he walked in front of him, "I was third at Poltious' wedding." He turned to Legate. "Third, son. Lewis is fifth."

Legate laughed. "Sorry. I've never been so good with numbers. So. Ummm. Right. Awkward."

Jane held her finger up at Lance. "Did you say, Poltious?"

Lance nodded, "Yes. Poltious."

She turned and looked at Legate.

Legate smiled. "And I'm Legate. Yes, ma'am. That's your next question, right?"

She looked confused. "Forgive me. I need more caffeine. He was telling Arles a story this morning and I think he recycled some names."

Legate nodded. "Story huh? Did it involve a dragon? That's the one he always told me."

She smiled, "It did. And Kings and Queens. It was mad."

Legate rocked on his feet. "Most of Lance's stories are."

Lance pointed at him. "Third, son. Don't forget it."

Legate laughed. "So, Jane. I'm sorry to intrude. I didn't know you were here."

Jane smiled. "I'm here to help with Arles."

Legate nodded, "Yes. Umm. Anyway. We're going to play football, if you lot would like to join us."

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

Legate smiled, "Alright. Umm… I'm the seventh for Lewis, and next in line here. Well, actually, out of Lewis' Ten….it's just me, you and Jack. Huh. And Jack's with Jake. So, if you need me."

Lance pointed at him, "Jack's with John. Jake's at Torchwood with Mortimer. Thanks, but we're fine."

Legate held up seven fingers. "Seventh!"

Lance rolled his eyes. "And I'm his Second."

Jane laughed at their playful argument.

Lance looked back at her. "Actually, Seven. That's a swell idea!"

Legate rubbed his hands together. "Football? YES!"

"I'm going to take Jane out for breakfast. You can keep up with Arles until I return. Seven"

Legate was deflated. "Really?"

Lance handed Arles to him. "And it's morning, and he's just had his second bottle. He's all yours. Nappies are just there."

Legate looked down at Arles, who looked to be concentrating very hard. "Oh, man. Really?"

Lance had taken Jane's hand and slipped back off to the bedroom with her, leaving Legate to deal with what promised to be an epic poo.

Lance laughed and closed the bedroom door. "And everyone thinks Lewis is the best at strategic planning. Ha! Oh, I love that kid. Yes."

Jane shook her head. "That was so mean. You should be ashamed."

Lance walked over to the chair with the laundry tossed all over it. He pulled on a pair of jeans and nodded. "Oh, I should be."

Through the living room, they heard Legate exclaim, "Really? Really, Arles!? Why, man!?"

Lance chuckled and grabbed a pair of socks and his trainers. "And oddly enough, I'm not. I dealt with enough of Legate's nappies. It's his turn. We'll pop back to your place. Where would you like to have breakfast?"

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