Chapter Forty-Seven

Congratulations

"So, Constance is technically a condemned criminal," Turlough said, trying to get the complicated story straight in his mind. He was in the console room of the TARDIS and had gotten the details of the extraordinary events that had brought Constance and Tolan together in the first place. Not to his great surprise, they were just as bizarre as what had just occurred "And any…er, fraternization with the Imperial Guards is grounds for a court-martial.".

"You have it in one," the Time Lord replied, manipulating the controls on the console as he spoke

"But, why did Constance have to hide everything too? What difference does it make if she has a child?"

The Doctor gave him a dark look through his eyelashes. "Aegis is no where near the Alterran Empire. And Constance is Alterran. For her to conceive a child, it would have to be with another Alterran, meaning…"

"The odds on favorite would be whoever had the most contact with her," his companion completed.

"Which would be our friend Commander Tolan," the Doctor concluded.

Turlough nodded. "And that's when Jason rode in on his white horse."

"Yes." Shaking his head, the Doctor observed, "He's still an incurable romantic with a nasty streak of idealism. No wonder the Mythryn were so interested in him."

Two large manila envelopes were perched atop the time rotor and Turlough nodded in their direction. "And that's going to clear up the past thirty years of cover-ups?"

"According to Emperor Quinton," the Time Lord replied happily.

Glancing at the navigational controls, Turlough said, "We are really going straight back to the Foundation, aren't we? No detours."

"I hope not. I'd hate for Kamelion to think we'd abandoned him." The TARDIS materialized at that moment and the Doctor smiled. "We've arrived," he announced, taking the envelopes from their perch and tucking them under his arm.

Stepping from the TARDIS, the time travelers found themselves on the back patio of the Sorenson Mansion, which had changed considerably since their departure. Long banquet tables were laid out for what appeared to be a formal dinner, balloons and streamers hanging from the walls and canopy. The air was thick with the scent of flowers that were literally everywhere.

The Doctor gave his companion a stunned look. "Did you happen to notice the date?" he asked slowly, receiving a shake of the head in reply. "Neither did I."

They entered the house to find even more preparations in progress. As they made their way toward the main staircase, a servant stopped them, thinking them to be members of the staff. "Where do you think you're going?" he demanded. "We've got work to do, y'know?"

The Doctor smiled broadly. "Splendid. We shan't get in your way, then. Could you tell us where we might find Miss Sorenson?"

"Now?"

"Of course now."

"You can't see her now. She's getting ready," the servant informed frostily. "All guests are being asked to wait in the Ballroom. I'll have someone—"

"No, that's quite alright. We know the way." The Doctor pulled his companion by the elbow and quickly made for the stairs. "I think we've taken too long a jump forward," he said quietly.

"What was your first clue?" Turlough asked dryly as they ascended the stairs.

What neither of them realized was Constance had already seen them from one of the second story windows. Ignoring the questioning looks from those they passed, the time travelers made straight for the Royal suite, finding a guard at the door. "Is Prince Jason in residence, by any chance?" the Doctor asked hesitantly.

"His Royal Highness is not receiving visitors at this time," the guard informed stiffly. "Please return to the Ballroom."

"We can't. We haven't been there yet," the Time Lord said mildly. "Now, please be so good as to announce the Doctor and Turlough."

"Look, I've just told you—"

The guard broke off when the door opened. "What the devil's all the—?" The person speaking was Commander Tolan, who stared in astonishment before breaking into a delighted smile, much to the amazement of his friends at the door. "Doctor!" he cried delightedly. "Where have you been?"

"Trying to get in," the Time Lord replied frostily.

Tolan gave the door guard a fierce look before ushering them inside. "We were afraid you'd miss everything," the Alterran officer said as he closed the door.

From across the room the Doctor heard a familiar laugh and turned to see a considerably healthier Prince Jason sitting in an easy chair. "He has no idea what you're talking about, Tolan," he informed. "I've seen that look before."

"Indeed?" the Doctor replied, the edge to his voice sharpening. "And what look might that be?"

Jason grinned all the more. "You don't have a clue what's going on, so you're absorbing everything we say so you can put together a time reference to see how far off the mark you are."

Turlough's mouth dropped open in amazement, causing the prince to give a squeal of delight.

"Oh, Jason, do stop showing off," Shadra scolded as she came in from the next room. "It's embarrassing." She was dressed in a formal evening gown; her long brown hair swept back and decorated with jewels and ribbons. She gave the Doctor an enchanting smile, greeting him as though it had been only hours since they last spoke. He soon learned the TARDIS had taken him nearly nine months into the future.

Looking the princess up and down, the Time Lord turned sharply back to Jason, who was dressed in Royal finery. The Commander was in full dress uniform, as was the visibly healed Lieutenant Fane, who came out of the next room.

Jason settled further back into his chair and watched his friend in amusement. He had a front row seat for the spectacle to come.

"You're certainly in a jovial mood," the Doctor observed as he crossed the room. "What's the occasion?"

Before his friend could respond the door opened and the reason became obvious as Constance entered wearing a wedding gown. She was also dragging the protesting Amanda along with her. "The devil take bad luck," she said as she closed the door. Turning to the Time Lord, Constance said in relief, "Thank goodness, Doctor, I didn't think you'd get here in time."

The Doctor was prevented from replying by Jason, who burst out laughing. Shadra gave him a quelling look and a stern reprimand telepathically, which did little good.

Despite this jocularity at his own expense, the Doctor found himself glad to hear his Alterran friend laughing once again. "I wouldn't've missed it for the world," he replied. He held out one of the envelopes to Tolan. "This is from the Emperor. I'm to tell you—it's for your son."

Amanda let out an involuntary squeak. "He's jumping the gun a bit, isn't he? They're not even married yet."

Tolan took the envelope, checked its contents and nodded approvingly. "Amanda, I'd like to introduce you to my son." With that, he handed the envelope to the appalled Lieutenant Fane. "This is your birthright. Legally, now."

"No, Commander, you can't. I know the ramifications," Fane gasped. "I can't take it."

"Yes, you can," Jason injected mildly.

"Uncle Jay, I can't."

"You can and you will, young man!" Jason snapped, sounding more like a parent than ever. He got to his feet and crossed to Fane. "After today, it won't make a difference anyway. That simply clears up the past. A lot of work went into making everything free and clear legally for you and your father."

A ghost of a smile passed across Fane's face. "My father," he repeated, taking the package. "That still sounds so strange."

The Doctor grinned and then turned to Amanda. "And this is for you." He handed her the second envelope that turned out to contain a complete set of identity papers, all in the name of Dr. Amanda Spencer.

The stunned physician paged through the documents, finding everything from citizenship papers to Alexandria Foundation security clearances. "Doctor, I can't possibly accept this," she said once she had found her voice. "It's…it's not real."

"Does nobody want presents anymore?" Jason moaned. "Andy, those are all completely legal. The paper in your hand is proof of your membership in one of the most respected Houses in the Alterran Empire." He paused a beat before saying, "My House. All the other papers devolve from that. And, as you can see, they're all countersigned by Emperor Quinton."

"Jason, I'm not Alterran. I'm human. What do you call us? The outside. Won't someone get suspicious?"

"Outsiders," the prince corrected, his amusement coming through in his voice. "And, no. No one will get suspicious. You have alien status."

With a small laugh, Tolan observed, "Even if they did get suspicious, you do realize I'm the one they'd report to, don't you?"

"There's more," Constance grinned. "The identity papers were the Doctor's idea. Jason and Tolan made the arrangements and then the Doctor went to Alterrous to make sure everything was in order—which, no doubt is why he was late."

Fane went into the next room and returned with two packages.

"That's from me," Miss Sorenson informed as Fane handed over one of the packages. Inside was a desk plate reading, "Dr. Amanda Spencer, Robotics Department, Alexandria Foundation Medical Center." A key accompanied it.

"That's to your new living quarters," Constance informed. "As head of the Robotics Department, you can't possibly stay in that cramped apartment of yours. You need an office."

"Head of Robotics!" Dr. Spencer gasped. She turned the key over, seeing it to be from the main residence block. "Oh, Constance…"

"Wait, we haven't finished yet," Shadra grinned. "If you're going to be in charge, you'll need this." She handed her the second package, containing a new, more powerful (and considerably more expensive) medical scanner, her name and new title engraved upon it.

"We took the liberty of downloading all your customized programs while Tolan was working on your old one," Jason informed.

Amanda looked from one to the other, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't know what to say," she said at last. "Thank you. All of you. I don't deserve any of this."

"Yes, you do," Shadra said mildly. "More, in fact."

"No."

"Andy, for pity sake, stop the false modesty," Jason said sarcastically. "We're trying to give you a group apology."

"Of course. I should've realized. Thank you for so gently pointing that out to me," she said in an equally sarcastic tone.

"Now, don't you two start that again," the Doctor admonished, turning back to Amanda. "We accused you of some rather nasty things. Myself included. You've every right to be bitter—"

"Bitter!" Amanda exclaimed. "All I wanted was a chance to prove myself." She gave the prince a knowing smile, remembering having said this very thing to him the day he saw her clearly for the first time. He had come at her in rage and distrust, and was now showering her with praise and affection. With a laugh, she said, "Would you look at me. I'm not the one getting married and here I am with all the presents."

Turlough watched as Jason leaned over and whispered something to the Doctor, who smiled broadly. If they only knew what's coming, he thought darkly. Then he wondered what had happened to the others after he and "his" Doctor were dropped straight into Jason's past.