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Chapter 46 – Legate's Message

Lance held Jane's hand as they walked into the Tyler Mansion. She couldn't believe she was there. Pete Tyler seemed nicer than she had ever imagined. She watched Legate and Pete walked in front of them. Pete called out as soon as they closed the door. "Jack's. We're back."

Tony Tyler ran down the grand staircase with Zeus, and threw a football at them. Legate quickly extended his hand in front of Pete's face and caught it. Shaken, Pete pat Legate on the back. "Cheers, mate."

Pete pointed at Tony. "Damn it, no football in the house! Haven't we talked about that?"

Tony crossed his arms. "John doesn't have that rule."

"This isn't John's house!" Pete told his son.

Zeus was so happy to see everyone. He got a quick scratch on the head from each member of the group.

Zeus seemed to really like Jane. He sat in front of her and smiled. She knelt down and scratched his face, "Who does the dog belong to?"

Lance smiled, "That's Zeus. He's a trained killer."

Zeus rolled over on his back and showed Jane his belly. Jane laughed at him and rubbed his stomach. Zeus jumped up and playfully ran into the kitchen. "Killer, huh?"

"Vicious." Lance teased.

Tony Tyler groaned. "When is John coming back, Daddy?"

Pete rolled his eyes. "Soon. Where's your Mum?"

"In the kitchen with Arles. Are we babysitting?"

Pete thought for a moment. "Yes. Come and help."

Tony jumped down the last few steps and ran towards the kitchen.

Jane looked around. Jane was in awe that she was walking inside of the famous Tyler Mansion. Lance took her hand as they entered the kitchen. He must have sensed her nervousness. He smiled and told her quietly, "Jackie is nice and I promise I'll be with you the entire time. Everything will be okay. I'll take you back to your flat in just a bit."

She smiled at Lance and whispered, "Thank you."

Then, she heard the unmistakable voice of one, Jacqueline Tyler.

"And you're back!" She stated.

Jane watched Pete kiss his wife quickly. "We're back, my dear."

She laughed and smiled warmly at all of them. She held Arles in her arms. Legate leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Hello, Jackie. I'm going to take Tony outside to play football."

Jackie pat him on the shoulder. "Thank you, Legate. I'll have your tea just waiting for you."

Legate smiled at her. "Thank you, Jackie."

Legate bounced the football off of the back of Tony's small head as they walked out of the back door into the gardens.

"Hey!" Tony exclaimed.

"Be aware of your surroundings." Legate fussed at him.

Lance laughed at them, walked over to Jackie, and kissed her cheek in greetings. "Jackie. I would like to introduce, Jane."

Jackie smiled, "Jane who? Does she have a last name?"

Jane offered her hand, "Vasquez. And you know, I don't know your last name, Lance. What is it?"

Lance thought, "Ummm…."

Pete came to his rescue. "Smith. Lewis Smith is his brother. They are Smiths."

Jackie looked suspicious. "Smith, huh?"

Lance nodded, "Yes. Smith. Lance Smith."

Jackie looked at Jane and nodded her head. "Jane. You are the photographer what Rose has taking pictures of the children. Right?"

Jane looked at Lance, who was taking Arles out of Jackie's arms. "I am."

Jackie took Jane's arm in her own and sat down with her at the table. "I've seen those photos. They are brilliant."

Jane smiled and relaxed, "Well, thank you Mrs. Tyler."

Lance held Arles in his arm as he made cups of tea just on the other side of the bar with Pete. Pete brought over himself and Jackie a cuppa. Lance, with only one hand free, brought Jane her tea and then went back into the kitchen to get his own. He managed to toss Zeus a biscuit.

Jackie seemed to be in a great mood. Pete sat and listened to her speak to Jane as he sipped his tea.

"What's got you in such a good mood, Jack's?" He finally asked.

"I spoke to Rose just a bit ago. They will be home tomorrow."

"But, that's not all. What is going on with them?"

"Sam is saying Da Da."

Lance sat down next to Jane and laughed, "Finally. John was sure he was going say his name last."

Jackie asked, "Has he said yours?"

Lance sipped his tea. "I don't know what he will call me. Probably….Lance."

Pete thought out loud. "Well, Lewis is One. That's why he is 'Papa'."

"No. Lewis is Papa because he wants to raise the boys as if they are brothers. It was an agreement between him and John."

Pete nodded. "Oh. See I wasn't clear on that."

Jackie looked at Jane. "Makes them sound like a couple of gay men if you ask me."

Jane giggled and shook her head. "You have mentioned that with Legate, Lance. You are his Second?"

Lance nodded. "Yes. Lewis' Second. Not Legate's. He hasn't gathered his Ten."

"And Legate is Lewis' Seventh?"

Lance sipped his tea and nodded. "Yes."

She looked back at him. "I have no idea what that means."

Lance smiled. "I should explain. When Lewis married his wife, he had to pick Ten men to come to her aid, or their children's, should the need arise. It's a tradition among us."

"Among bodyguards."

Pete nodded, "The sort of bodyguards they are. Who are the Ten?"

Jackie looked surprised, "You're not one of Lewis' Ten, Pete?"

Pete shook his head. "I think I was recovering from….something then. That or Howie was knee deep in trouble with me."

Jackie chuckled, "Knee deep in a bottle, no doubt."

Lance chuckled and counted on his hands, "In order, Lewis' Ten are: John, myself, Licis, Luce, Poltious, Gobbo, Legate, Jack, Tony and Logan."

Jackie looked surprised, "Tony? My Tony?"

Lance smiled and shook his head. "No. Although he could have been named. Certainly."

Jackie sipped her tea. "So, that Stark would have to come and babysit this child if Lewis needed him to?"

Pete laughed, "Oh, that would be fun."

Lance smiled. "Tony is good with Samuel. He doesn't like Arles, yet. He says he's too much like a….umm…"

"Jelly baby." Pete teased. "I've heard him say that. He feels he's going to break him. He's only held him once that I'm aware of."

Jackie nodded, "Well, he is a small baby."

Lance kissed Arles' face. "But, he is strong. We all start small."

Jane watched Lance with Arles and smiled.

Jackie sat down her tea glass. "So. Lance. Jail?"

Lance groaned. "It was a misunderstanding."

Pete nodded and sipped his tea. "It's been sorted, Jacks."

Jackie waved her hand at Pete. "Oh hush. Jane will tell me what happened."

Jane looked surprised. "What? Me?"

"Yes. You were there. Tell me."

Jane looked back at Lance, "Umm…."

Lance shook his head. "Maybe I should explain-"

Jane sat down her tea. "I'll explain. It's alright."

Jane gave them a quick explanation of what had happened. "And then the police walked the man in front of me. I just….lost my temper and kicked him."

Jackie looked surprised. "You did? Where?"

Pete sipped his tea. "He's in the hospital. Severe testicular trauma. I've already talked to Harriet about it. She said it sounds like he deserved it."

Jackie chuckled, "It does. Oh, Lance. I really like her."

Pete looked surprised, "Because she scrambled the man's eggs? Jackie Tyler, you frighten me."

"As I should."

Pete sipped his tea and shook his head. "What have I gotten myself into?"

Jackie spoke to Jane, "Don't worry about it, love. Pete knows a few people who can-"

Pete smiled back at her. "It's already done. All sorted. It won't be a problem."

Jane smiled at him, "Thank you, Mr. Tyler-"

"Pete. Please call me Pete. Lance is a member of our family. Does John know about this?"

Lance sighed, "Yes. He's the one I contacted first. I asked him not to tell Lewis. He will be proper cross. I was supposed to be watching Arles."

Pete chuckled, "Oh good grief. You can take a break from Uncle Duties and-"

They all jumped as the football hit the side of the wall outside.

Jackie shook her head and groaned. "Next time. Tony is going with John. He's been in a right state."

Pete swore and shook his head. "Luckily it wasn't a window."

Legate opened the door and looked inside. "Lance. May I have a word?"

Lance looked back at Jane. "How are you at football?"

"Not terrible. You know, that was started in Brazil."

Lance nodded. "Was it?"

She sighed, "And you've never heard of Brazil."

He chuckled, "That one does sound familiar."

She was already standing up, "Oh please. I'm getting you an atlas." She took her empty cup and sat it in the sink. Lance walked behind her and handed Arles to Pete's outreached hands.

"You come and see your Grandfather, young man." Pete kissed Arles' tiny head.

Lance shut the door behind himself, Jane and Zeus. He still held his tea in his hand. Tony stood there, with his foot on the football. Legate looked anxious. As soon as Zeus saw Tony, he ran up to him. Tony laughed and ran away into the gardens with the German Shepherd.

Lance sipped his tea. "What's wrong?"

Legate held his hand out to Jane. "Ummm…"

Lance shook his head. "Just….say it man."

Legate closed his eyes. "Ummm….Are you…ummm….where you can chat with Lartius?"

"No."

"Why the hell not?"

"I just never have. Are you?"

"How do you think I stay out of trouble?"

Lance chuckled, "I have always thought that."

Jane crossed her arms and smiled at them. "Do you guys need a minute? I'll-"

Legate nodded, "Ummm….yes. Would that be alright? I'm sorry."

Jane laughed, "If it helps you stay out of trouble, Lance. You might want to listen to what he has to say. Take notes."

Lance rolled his eyes. "Not a bad idea."

She walked over to the gardens. Legate seemed to be about to bounce out of his skin. "Ring Tony. Or John. I need to talk to both of them."

"Now?"

Legate nodded with his eyes wide as saucers. "Right the hell now."

Lance took out his phone and pressed a few buttons.

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The Doctor walked down the hallways of his ship to Tony's suite. He pressed the button on the side of the door.

There was no answer.

"Tony."

Still, there was no answer.

The Doctor pressed another button that opened the door. He walked into the dark suite. Tony sat on the sofa with his arm laid across the back. He stared out of the window and seemed to be rubbing his beard with his fingertips, absentmindedly. He didn't look back at the Doctor. "So, we're just barging in now-"

"You never knock at my flat."

Tony sighed, "Yeah, I don't."

The Doctor sat next to him. Tony didn't look back at him and continued to stare out of the window at the long streaks of stars.

"Poltious and Timon make it out?"

The Doctor nodded, "They are onboard. Timon is flying us there."

"Where are we going? Home?"

"No. Lenox's."

Tony nodded, "Oh, that's right. He asked you to look over those children."

The Doctor nodded. "Yes. Where is Soli?"

"He went down to the med bay." He shook his head. "He said the children would be frightened and he could explain to them that we are here to help."

"I must have just missed him. He's an amazing kid. That's thoughtful."

"I don't know where he gets his strength." Tony told him quietly.

"We aren't sure that was them."

Tony shook his head. "It wasn't them."

"But….we're not sure."

"What does Jack say? He knows what happens."

"The timeline has changed. We never were at that battle before because my ship was damaged in that solar storm. We were at a space port getting repairs. You, well….you were on a planet where your ship had crashed."

"Crashed?"

"We didn't hear from you guys for weeks. But, he managed to keep that from happening here."

"But, this happened instead. It wasn't them. It couldn't have been. It would feel different. That entire thing would have been…..different. Actually, you would know." He turned to look at the Doctor.

The Doctor rose his eyebrow at him. "What?"

"Did this happen in the other Dimension? The one you came from?"

"I didn't know you. I just knew…of you. We weren't mates. And you never flew out in space. You stayed on Earth. Well…..except that one time….and you never counted that."

He pointed at him. "I'm not going to ask about that. Today. But, tell me. Pepper and me?"

"Things were different there. The Cyber Invasion never happened. You went public with everyone knowing you were the Iron Man-"

"Iron Man? What the hell is that?"

The Doctor smiled, "That's right. You've never called yourself that here."

"No. Huh. That's rather cool. I like that. It's not accurate though. It's not iron. It's made of about two million tiny pieces of titanium alloy. I'd love to get my hands on some chemically altered steel. Vibranium. Adamantium. Make a suit out of it. I'm sure the instructions are in Dad's notes, I just don't want to look for them. That's what that damn shield of perfect Captain Rogers is made of." He gritted his teeth.

"You two were friends in the other Dimension."

Tony laughed, "I can't even imagine that. I grew up hearing how amazing he was nearly every day of my life. It takes everything in me not to punch him in his….perfect teeth….whenever I have to deal with him now."

The Doctor nodded. "Well, you began to feel that way there, too. You were both part of a team. Humans that had ….. enhanced abilities. Gods from other worlds."

Tony looked surprised, "Really? Where are these people here?"

"Hidden. Or they never arrived. Or maybe they don't exist. Or maybe, they were killed in the Cyber Invasion. I'm not really certain."

Tony sighed and nodded his head. "And Pepper?"

"You two had a very rocky relationship. She was hurt badly. You blamed yourself, and she did, too."

Tony nodded, "I lost her there."

"You two were able to work it out at some point, and even married. I remember seeing the announcements. No one could believe it."

"Really? Why?"

"You were just so…." The Doctor struggled to find the words.

Tony rose his eyebrows, "What?"

"But, you were part of a team. They had become your family, and you treated them as such. Even Captain Rogers."

"God! I can't even believe that shit, man." Tony groaned.

The Doctor looked back at his friend. "Is it really so hard to believe? I mean, here. You have found yourself part of a team. Even with Rhodey gone-"

"Rhodey didn't die there?"

"Not the way he did here. He became part of these….enhanced people. You gave him a suit like yours. He ended up getting hurt in it, broke his back or something. I'm not completely sure. But, he was unable to walk. You made him a suit to help him, but he never fully recovered."

Tony rubbed his face and sighed, "He would have hated that. God, I would have hated that. The suit I made him, had hurt him like that."

"No. He was in a battle. The suit you made, saved him."

"Yeah, but….well….." Tony groaned.

"You've ask her to marry you. If you do a Quauthin ceremony, you'll have to gather your Ten. Your team. Your family. That Ten will also be there for you, not just her. But, you realize you already have that, don't you? Even if that doesn't happen."

Tony nodded his head. "Yeah."

The Doctor sighed. "I've got the ship scanning everything I can for them."

Tony shook his head. "I don't understand why I left her. I shouldn't have done that. I should have brought her back with me. She would be right here. Probably complaining about….something….wine. Work. Assistants. Something."

The Doctor noticed Tony hold his chest. "Chest alright?"

"It felt better after the damn bomb went off. This is….terrible."

The Doctor nodded. He knew Tony's heart was broken. He seemed barely able to keep it together.

"Do you want a drink?"

Tony shook his head. "Don't offer me a drink. I can't do that."

"Why not?"

Tony dropped his hand and looked back at him, "Because if I start drinking now, I'm not going to stop. I know I won't. Soli doesn't need to see me like that."

The Doctor nodded. "I understand."

Tony rubbed his chest again and sighed. "That doesn't make any sense. Why would you expose your leader in a fight? Brass is the first thing you shoot at."

The Doctor shook his head. "Everyone is different. It could have been misfired. They could have had bad information where the battle was. There are a million reasons."

Tony returned to looking out of the window and rubbing his beard with his fingertips. "That's not what happened." Tony looked back at him. "Why are you here?"

"I didn't want you to be alone. Believe it or not. I know how you are feeling."

"With your freaky….mutant powers?"

"No. Because I've been where you are. After I had been here, for only a few weeks…..Rose and I were on a date. Completely exposed on a playground, there in London. This was before I knew how dangerous everything had become for her. They shot us both with this….tranquillizer dart."

Tony nodded, "Bee venom. Yes. I've heard of that."

The Doctor pointed at him. "That's what Pete called it. Yes."

Tony shook his head. "Not mine. Too…..I don't know. I just don't like it."

"Someone at Torchwood cooked it up. Anyway, I woke up and they had taken her. All of Torchwood showed up, but it just was taking too long to find her. I didn't know what they were doing to her. It was the worst feeling in the world."

"But, you found her."

He nodded. "She had been shot in the exchange of gunfire. Just there, in her chest. I found her lying on the floor, still mostly tied up. They had hurt her badly. I didn't know what to do. I could only kneel beside of her and hold what was left of her heart together."

Tony looked shocked. "Jesus."

"My memory of the events after that, are just, fuzzy. You probably experience that too."

Tony nodded.

"She was in surgery and somehow I ended up in a shower. Her blood was all over me. I remember watching it wash into the drain where I stood and I just became enraged. I had always been in control. Had always had a clear understanding of what was going on. In that moment, I had no idea if she was going to live or not."

"What did you do?"

"I seem to remember punching a tile wall. Which I do not recommend. I broke several bones in my hand as soon as I did it. Then, fell out of the bed a few nights later. I landed on my wrist and broke it worse. Then Summus jumped on my back during an attack. He managed to break it even worse. I've never experienced such pain. Except for that moment, from when I was holding her heart and watching the color drain from her body until I was able to bring her home. Until she told me, that she was okay."

Tony looked at him in surprise. "Man, I had no idea. I knew she had been taken, but…."

"No one does. Neither of us talk about it. It's….just too hard."

"Oh, I get that." Tony nodded. "What did you do when you realized she was alright?"

The Doctor grinned at the memory. "I told her how I felt. I decided I would do anything to keep her safe. My purpose completely changed in that moment. No longer was I who I had been before. I was now hers. I was to protect her, and our family. Help her as she began to realize who she was now."

Tony nodded, "With her freaky, mutant powers."

The Doctor grinned and chuckled, "Yes."

The Doctor's phone rang in his pocket. He took it out and looked down at it. "That's odd. Why didn't Friday tell me about the call?"

Tony groaned and rubbed his eyes, "The room is on Do Not Disturb."

The Doctor accepted the phone call. Legate and Lance's faces filled the screen. Legate clapped in excitement. "Good! You're both there."

"Out of jail, then?" The Doctor teased Lance.

Tony looked surprised, "Jail? What?"

Lance shook his head. "I promise I'll fill you in later. You want to hear what Legate is about to bubble apart for."

Legate smiled. "Lartius says to tell you that all is well."

Tony grabbed the phone, "Pepper is alright?"

Legate smiled, "She's fine. She's with Lartius, Lewis and Licis. They are on their way to the palace on Jalikapo. Licis has a head injury, and has been unconscious since they departed."

The Doctor smiled in relief. "That's why I can't hear him."

Legate smiled. "Yes. They will be there within the hour. Lartius said they sent up the decoy to cover their tracks and aid in the battle."

Tony laughed in disbelief. "It was a decoy. I knew that didn't make sense. Damn that man."

Legate smiled, "He says he knew it would have frightened all of you to have seen it explode. He's not able to contact anyone on the ship they are on. It's lined with an electromagnetic shield to prevent anyone picking it up on radar."

"Or us to be able to see the location reading on Lewis and Pepper's bracelets." The Doctor realized.

Legate smiled, "Right. It would expose their location and bio-readings as to who is in there. But, he has asked me to get in touch with you to explain."

Tony asked, "You are speaking with him now?"

Legate nodded, "Yep. What would you like to say to Pepper?"

Tony covered his face and sat back dramatically. "I don't even know." He laughed in disbelief and relief.

The Doctor held the phone. "Jalikapo, right?"

Legate nodded. "Yes."

The Doctor smiled. "Tell Lartius that Tony is on his way to Jalikapo. He'll be there in a matter of hours. We're just outside of Photoria now. He'll depart before we arrive."

Legate nodded and seemed to daydream for a moment.

Lance smiled, "Fell for the decoy, huh? Lartius is a shit. He's done that to me. Twice."

Legate nodded, "Alright. Pepper is asking that you please bring a blue bag. She says you will know what it is."

Tony smiled. "I know the one. Yes. Tell her she scared the hell out of me, but I'll see her soon."

Legate nodded. "I have. She asks you to be careful. Lartius asks me to remind you that she is in his care, and you shouldn't worry. Her safety is of his upmost importance."

Tony pointed at the screen. "Kid. Be proud of that family of yours."

Legate smiled and looked back at Lance. "Oh, I am. Have a safe trip."

The Doctor ended the call and smiled back at Tony's relieved face.

Tony laughed, "I don't think I've ever been happier in my life."

The Doctor pat his shoulder and stood up. "Poltious is warming up your ship. Do me a favor?"

Tony nodded, "Name it."

"Poltious and Lartius. They need a moment when they can, sort some stuff out."

Tony nodded. "Fight?"

"No. Poltious can't bear to look at his King's face. His father in law, and best friend. It is too painful for him. Maria has been gone for over 80 years."

Tony nodded. "Got it. I'll see what I can do."

The Doctor started to walk out of the door.

Tony stood up, "Hey, John."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. I didn't realize it. But I did need the company."

The Doctor smiled. "Sure."

"Where are you going?"

"Med bay. I need to help Jack."

Tony nodded. "I'll be down in a second to talk to Soli."

"If he wants to stay…"

Tony nodded. "Thanks. I'll let him decide."

The Doctor grinned. "She's alright."

Tony repeated and smiled, "She's alright."

The Doctor pat the side of the door and left. The door hissed shut behind him. Tony put his hands on his hips and laughed. "She's alright. What a day."

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