Chapter 18

Arrangements

The Doctor was seated on the balcony reading one of a vast number of books he had discovered in his suite. He had noticed the selections were not confined to any specific subject and were in several different languages, all of which he was fluent in. It was obvious Jason had had a hand in the preparations of each room and the Time Lord made a mental note to compliment him on his thoroughness.

Tegan and Turlough were lounging in the sun a few metres away, blissfully taking in the view. After making plans for a swim later on and remarked on how nice it was to finally be in a place where they were welcomed with open arms. It made such a pleasant change from running for their lives.

The Doctor threw the pair a dark look over the top of his half-frame eyeglasses. He was spared further baitings when Jason came exuberantly up the exterior stairway. "Are you all ready for your official audience?" he asked. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Tegan and Turlough stiffen slightly.

The Doctor looked up, putting his book aside and pocketing his glasses. "I'm looking forward to it," he said cheerily as he rose to his feet, oblivious to the uneasiness of his companions.

"I'm glad someone is," Tegan muttered darkly.

"Don't tell me you're afraid after what we've just been through?" the Prince laughed. Tegan responded with a weak smile.

"Brave heart, Tegan," the Doctor said, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You've nothing to fear from Aaron. Has she, Jason?"

"Good Lord, no!" Jason replied. "To tell you the truth, I think he'd much rather be in private practice again."

"And you wouldn't, I take it?" the Doctor grinned.

Jason caught his eye and grinned back, choosing not to respond directly. "Come on, we'd best not keep him waiting." He turned to lead the way only to stop short and spin around. "Oh! Doctor, do you remember my mentioning Shadra to you?"

The Time Lord heaved a theatrical sigh and rolled his eyes heavenward. "I seem to recall a few hundred instances, yes. Why?"

"Because she's here. At the Palace. And you've just got to meet her. All of you!"

As Jason was collecting his guests, King Aaron went to his private drawing room. It was large and airy with a veranda just outside a set of French doors that were currently standing open to let in the ocean breeze. The King took a seat in a large armchair near the center of the room, preferring it to the ornate throne-like affair standing against the far wall. He glanced over at it and winced. Like so many of the Royal trappings, it was so ridiculously pretentious. If only he'd been able to stay in private practice.

Aaron thought back fondly on the years he and Jason had practiced medicine together. It wasn't until his son left with the Doctor that he realized how gifted the boy truly was, or how much he had come to rely on him.

Jason had only grudgingly parted company with the eccentric Time Lord after his father pleaded with him to return for what seemed the hundredth time. He wasn't getting any younger, you know? But they weren't in practice any longer, and as King, Aaron was surrounded by dozens of people all too willing to care for his every need. Relieved of this burden, would Jason feel there was nothing to stop him from resuming his travels with the Doctor?

The Doctor. Just the thought of him caused Aaron to sigh heavily. He was another matter entirely. They had never gotten on well. The Time Lord's gift at turning an argument to his own advantage had always irritated the one time Healer. Now he was back, and probably ready to defend whatever position he had taken on this matter. Could he possibly be persuaded to leave Jason with his peo ple without creating an incident? Then again, could Jason?

"Oh, Jason," Aaron moaned. "Why must you always be so contrary? So difficult? So…so… like your mother." His mother. How he longed to have her by his side. With a wistful smile, he said, "Oh, Lee, if you could see our boy now. You'd be so proud."

Jason came bursting into the room at that moment breaking into his father's melancholy thoughts. He had his arms outstretched and an enormous smile on his face. "Father! This is the best surprise you've ever pulled off!" Embracing his father warmly, he went on excitedly, "I was sure we'd materialize in the main throne room. I couldn't believe it when I saw the ocean."

Receiving a glowing smile in return, Jason turned to make his official introductions. Using his most regal of tones, he said, "May it please your Royal Majesty, it is my pleasure and my honor to present to you Miss Tegan Jovanka." Tegan gave her best curtsy. "Turlough." Turlough bowed a little uncomfortably. "And, of course, you remember the Doctor."

The Doctor bowed in grand style before coming forward. "Does this mean I shall have to call you your Majesty?" he asked with a smile. "Or do you still prefer Aaron?"

The King looked from his son to the Doctor and back again. The Doctor? This insolent young …person? "Is this some kind of joke?" he snapped angrily, causing the Time Lord to stop short and wonder if his question had been out of line.

"No, Father," Jason replied, mystified by his father's sudden ill temper.

Looking from father to son, the Doctor suddenly realized the cause of the King's confusion. "Jason, did you, by any chance, forget to inform you father that I've regenerated since our last meeting?" The stunned expression on the Prince's face was confirmation enough that he had not.

The extremely awkward situation was abruptly defused by the arrival of Lady Tostine. Jason put on a smile that would have shamed the Cheshire cat when she entered. "I must apologize for my late arrival, your Majesty," Shadra cooed as she gracefully approached the King. "I was unavoidably detained."

"That's quite all right, my child," the monarch replied, greatly relieved by her timely arrival. Introductions were made and then Aaron led his guests out onto the veranda where lunch was already waiting.

In the receiving area of the Palace, another disaster was in the process of being rectified. The transmat had shorted out for no apparent reason.

"This is all I need my first week in charge," groaned the officer on duty.

"Don't worry, Baylore, she's all fixed now," replied the technician extracting himself from beneath the main con trol desk. "What I don't understand is, why she went wrong. There aren't any old units being put back into operation are there?"

"None that I'm aware of. Hang on a minute and I'll check the log." Baylore brought up the screen on the computer, running down that week's entries. "No, nothing here, either. Why?"

"Well, the last time this happened, it was caused by dust contamination when an old unit wasn't cleaned properly before being reactivated." Closing the panel from which he had emerged, the technician stood up. "Well, whatever it was, she's all fixed up and ready to go."

"Thanks, Rhys, you're a lifesaver," Baylore said gratefully as the systems came back on line.

"No, I leave the lifesaving to you guys in uniform," Rhys chuckled as he collected his toolbox. With a quick glance over the instruments, he left the room, heading for his next repair.

Baylore watched him go, shaking his head and turning back to the control desk. "What in the world made you short out?"

In a short period of time, everyone on the veranda was relaxed and enjoying themselves. The Doctor had been relating some of the adventures he and his companions had shared, paying Jason back a little for his indiscretions by revealing some of their own history, not all of which was favorable to the blushing Alterran Prince.

When the gathering started winding down, Aaron took on a secretive tone and glanced around as if to make certain they would not be overheard. "Since we're all friends here, I believe it wouldn't be improper of me to let you all in on a little secret." He smiled over at Jason who, in turn, exchanged a knowing glance with Shadra.

"Do I sense a conspiracy?" the Doctor asked amusedly.

The King went on, "You're probably not aware of the fact that it's traditional for the marriage of the heir to the throne of Tel-Shye to be arranged by his, or her, own family."

Once again Jason blushed. Recalling his outburst in the TARDIS, he covered his face with his hands as all eyes turned his way.

"This, however, will not be possible," Aaron said sadly, "as it seems my dear son has already made his own arrangements in the form of an oath that was sworn many years ago. And, as you know, Jason's word is his bond."

The Doctor was completely baffled. "Meaning…?"

"Meaning, in a short time, the official announcement will be released proclaiming the engagement of Crown Prince Jason to Shadra, the Baroness Tostine."