IDChapter31

Koschei and Isana sat in their small apartment that the Shadow Proclamation had given them to live in during their stay there for her treatment. She was feeling much better now, she had to admit. Going undercover apparently had been so taxing to her that she had come to believe she was part of this "Underground Railroad", in fact, she'd come to lead it. As amazing as that was to her, she had also abandoned her dear, sweet Koschei for some renegade named Captain Jack Harkness, and was actually going to join up with a mysterious pair of "Time Lords" claiming to be from another universe. She began to feel a familiar ache in her head. Thank the Gods Koschei had managed to kill that dispicable Captain, and he'd done it right in front of her so that she's know that he would never be able to hurt her ever again. Rubbibg her eyes, she knew she'd best be getting to bed, if Koschei knew she was getting another headache, he's arrange another therapy session with the Shadow Mentalist, and she'd had enough of those.

"Master," she said tentatively. Koschei put down the data pad he'd been studying and looked askance at her. "I'm tired, I'd like to go to bed, please, if there's nothing else I can get you."

Koschei smiled at her. At long last, she was becoming the devoted, obedient woman he deserved. He had arranged a marraige ceremony to be performed the next day, as a surprise for her, and he supposed she should get her beauty sleep.

"You may, as soon as you've cleaned up the kitchen."

Isana smiled brilliantly. There was little to do, just gather the small plate he's had his snack on, wash, dry, and put it away, and she could sleep. "Thank you, Master." She obediently picked up the plate, as well as his drink, which she would refresh while she was at it. She was such a lucky woman. She hoped the bad dreams would stay away tonight, the misleading dreams that were so disturbing. The ones where she and Jack, that criminal, were in love. She didn't want another session with The Mentalist.

Koschei smiled as Isana did her work, then returned with a fresh drink, and kneeled at his feet, looking down expectantly. He lifted her chin in one hand, planting a tender kiss on her lips. The bruises were almost completely gone, he noted with satisfaction. A little makeup would cover them sufficiently for the ceremony and the official portrait. He briefly considered having her pleasure him again before she went to bed, but decided against it, there would be plenty of time for that the following evening after the ceremony.

"Good night, Isana. Dream about me."

"Always, Master."

As she padded away in her bare feet, his attention returned to the data pad he had been studying. It contained everything the Mentalist had been able to dig out of her mind before reshaping her memories. He focused in particular on the Time Lords. The things that Jon had told her were too fantastic to be true, but if even some of them were true... he was fascinated with the possibilities. To be able to do things that only the Shadows and a few other races were capable of - telepathy, for one - would mean that the balance of power in the universe would shift at least somewhat. Koschei had no loyalty to the Shadows, but he had been more or less obedient to their laws, with their power he would have been crazy not to. Then there was regeneration, which apparently was true, Rose was evidence of that. As for the Krillitane oil... he had no relationship with the Krillitanes, but he knew they were one of the few races with the resources to resist the Shadows, although to date they had grudgingly gone along with them in nearly everything. Perhaps it was time to visit the Krillitane Homeworld.

Meanwhile, Jon and Jack were aboard their "gift" from the Krillitane Esteemed Father.

"Did that seem too easy to you?" Jon asked Jack. "After all, you know him better than I."

"He's still a Krillitane, despite all outward appearances. What do you think?" Jack shot back at him, arching an eyebrow.

"Thought as much. Still, I was hoping maybe things were a bit different here in this universe. So, the security contingent - keepers, rather than protectors?"

"That's my opinion." Jack agreed. "Fortunately they don't know about our little friend." His eyes indicated the vortex manipulator on his wrist.

"I suggest we use our 'little friend' to let Rose and the others know what's going on. But you should probably go alone, just in case our keepers check on us. I can always say you're in the loo." Jon winked.

"Good idea." Jack agreed, and got up and walked across the room. "See you in a flash," he grinned.

Jack materialized near Voyager and walked to the caves. Outside he spotted Rose sending some of the refuges out with a couple of them as armed guards.

"Where's Jon?" She asked as soon as he got close.

"He's on his way here aboard a present from the Esteemed Father." Jack said with a disarming smile.

Rose frowned. "Are you sure he's safe there?"

"Nope, but he's probably as safe there as he is anywhere. I'll be going back to join him, since they expect both of us to be on board. So," he continued, looking after the party that had just left, "what are they up to?"

"A couple of the ladies have some knowledge of roots and berries and stuff, so they're going out on a gathering mission, figured some fresh food might be nice for a change."

"Hmmm... might have to stick around for awhile then."

Just then Arianna and Alia came up to Rose. "Mummy, can I show Alia the coral?" Arianna asked.

"Shhh... sweetie, no one is supposed to know about that!"

"But she won't tell anyone, will you Alia?" Alia shook her head earnestly. "Besides, we're terribly bored here, there's really nothing else to do."

Rose looked about, everyone was busy doing something.

"Alright then, but you can only go in with me, Daddy, or Uncle Jack, is that understood? And you are forbidden to tell anyone about it!"

"OK." They both promised solemnly.

The two adults and the children quietly walked into the back of the cave, being sure no one else was there, and crept in the crevice. When they came out the other side, Alia gasped in wonder at all the beautiful colors. The two children scampered off to investigate the minerals, while the two adults took stock of the growing mound. It was now taller than they were, as wide as it was high, and its roots extended well beyond itself, showing above the cavern floor. It still had a faint, coppery glow to it.

"I wonder how big it will get?" Jack said aloud.

"Well, look how big our old TARDIS was inside. There's no telling, although I guess it can only grow as large as the cavern?" Rose speculated.

"That's pretty darn big, even at the rate it's presently growing at."

"Of course, it probably depends on how quickly it develops its trans-dimensional capability. The size of the cavern might not actually be all that important." Rose regarded the mound wistfully. "I sure am looking forward to having a home instead of a cot."

"Me, too."

Rose was starting to get flushed. "Is it hot in here?" She asked Jack.

"Not climate-wise, but you look pretty hot," he teased.

"Stop it!" She blushed as she felt herself getting very aroused.

Jack laughed as he hugged her. "Just can't resist those 51st century pheromones, can you?"

Rose was overcome by his touch, and it took everything she had to tear herself away from him. "Jack," she begged, "I've got to get out of here. Please watch the kids for me!" With that she turned and fled.

Jack watched her leave with consternation. "Well," he said aloud as he shrugged, "I knew I was good, but I didn't know I was that good!"