Chapter Sixteen
Althea heard the three sonic booms and even though she was a nervous wreck due to the raging storm outside, that sound brought her instant comfort. "Leave it to Emmett to know when there's a storm so the noise wouldn't alert anyone," she mumbled to herself. Anyone else would have just assumed it was loud claps of thunder, accompanied by severe lightning.
She looked out the window and saw the DeLorean land in the backyard, covered in a layer of ice and then drive onto the trap door behind the lab, only to slowly disappear out of sight.
She could hardly wait to see him, and House, to find out how the procedure on his leg turned out. She had just finished changing clothes when the front door opened and the two men came in, whispering to each other.
"Why are we whispering?" House whispered. "There's no way Althea is asleep through this storm," he pointed out.
"Good point. And there she is," Emmett smiled when he saw Althea standing at the top of the stairs. "Are you alright?"
"I am now." She ran down the stairs into Emmett's arms as he hugged her close. House felt the need to look away, as it felt like he was intruding on a very private moment.
"Clearly, the honeymoon phase isn't over," he muttered to himself.
"Not even close," Althea grinned. "And how are you? Did the procedure go okay? Are you pain free?"
"Not entirely but my pain level went from nine to three almost overnight."
"Wow, that's great news. I'm happy for you. I also noticed you don't have your cane."
House shook his head. "Nope. Don't need it. I will eventually be pain free once the nerves are fully regenerated. Maybe another few weeks. Just gotta take it easy."
"House is going to stay in the guest house tonight and fly home tomorrow," Emmett told her.
Althea nodded. "Everything is ready for you. If you come over here in the morning I'l make you breakfast."
House grinned. "I've been craving your french toast, as a matter of fact."
Althea laughed. "Then french toast you shall have."
Once House was settled in the guest house, Emmett returned and found Althea sitting up in bed, waiting for him.
"The storm seems to be letting up," he said as he undressed for bed.
"Yes, thankfully. It was bad. How was the trip there and back?"
"Fine. We should have no problem going back to see your father and returning. My question for you is how difficult do you think it might be?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, everyone probably assumed you died, since, if we go back to 1690, it would have been approximately twenty-three years. I don't think it's going to be as simple as walking through the front door like you never left. A disguise might be necessary."
Althea thought about it. "True. The guards aren't just going to let anyone in to speak to my father. Perhaps, when they realize it's me..."
"But there will be a lot of questions to answer," Emmett pointed out. "What are you going to say?"
"I'll tell him the truth. That I'm okay, I'm happy, and that I married you."
Emmett was quiet for a few minutes. "We might need a plan B."
"Plan B?"
"In case things don't go the way you expect. We might need to make a quick escape."
"I hope not, but like you say, it's good to be prepared for anything."
"There's something else I've been thinking about."
"What's that?"
"You should probably get a driver's license."
Her eyes lit up. "Really?"
"I did promise to teach you to drive. That kind of fell by the wayside, but I haven't forgotten. In case something happens and I can't drive, you need to be able to."
Althea could barely contain her excitement. "Are you going to teach me to fly the DeLorean too?"
Emmett laughed. "Well, yes, at some point. But let's teach you how to drive, first. Flying the DeLorean is easier than driving, and you should know how it works in the event of an emergency. Think you can handle that?"
"I'm sure I can."
"Good. Tomorrow we'll go to the DMV and get your learner's permit guide book which you need to study, and then the real fun begins."
Her face fell. "I have to take a test?"
"They'll give you the booklet to read and study, and then when you're ready to apply for the permit, you have to pass a vision test and then the knowledge test and you'll get your learner's permit which means you can't drive unless I'm with you. Understood?"
She gave him a sexy grin as she ran her hand over his chest and curled up against him. "Yes, Dr. Brown."
He looked amused. "Feeling a little feisty are we?"
"Perhaps," she smiled as she continued to stroke his chest. Emmett chuckled as he reached over and turned out the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.
"Little minx."
XXX
A few months later, Althea took and passed her driving test with flying colors. Once Emmett was satisfied that she could fly the DeLorean well enough, they began to plan their trip back to medieval England. With the help of Emmett's friend, who got them some proper attire from the theater department at the college where he worked, they packed a couple of bags.
Althea came into the bedroom and Emmett stared at her, as she wore nothing but a corset above the waist. "Well?" she asked, doing a little twirl for his benefit.
He cleared his throat and nodded. "Still fits."
"Yeah. But I need you to tie me up."
"Excuse me?"
She giggled when he blushed. "I mean I need you to tighten my corset."
He shook his head as if to clear it and helped tie it at the back, which very nicely lifted her breasts so they were almost spilling out of the top of the bodice.
Althea was amused and delighted by Emmett's reaction and she turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I can't wait to get back to my Father's castle. I've been thinking about it a lot. About us."
"Us?"
"Well yes."
"And what were you thinking?" Emmett asked as he wrapped his arms around her and held her against him, nuzzling her hair.
"Well, I thought we could visit some of our old haunts…"
"Old haunts?"
She grinned coyly up at him. "At night, I often hoped you'd come to me, into my bed…"
Emmett let out a small groan and she stifled a giggle. "And that kiss we shared in the stable…and your lab. You could have taken me…both times…"
He was kissing a trail along her neck as she spoke and when his lips found hers, she was taken back to that first kiss and she held him close.
"Mmm Emmett, yes," she murmured against his lips. She was melting in his arms, as she usually did when he kissed her and he held her tighter against him. When she felt his arousal, she slid her hands down his chest. He looked pretty good in his white shirt, dark pants and boots. A lot more refined than how he usually looked when he worked as the Blacksmith in the stables.
He backed up a few steps but hit the edge of the bed and fell back, taking her with him.
"I thought we were going," Althea giggled as she lay on top of him.
"We were…we are…" he said, clearly flustered, but not making any attempt to get up.
"We could just…go later," she whispered as she placed kisses across his throat after unbuttoning the top collar button of his shirt. "We have a time machine, after all, and it's not dark yet."
"Oh Althea," he sighed as he began untying her corset. "Twist my rubber arm."
XXX
"Ready?" Emmett asked her for what felt like the third time as they drove out of town toward the ocean.
"How many times are you going to ask me that?" Althea laughed, but rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, and I'm excited to see my Father. I think it will be good. I'm not worried."
"I wish I could share your optimism. But that's why we have a plan B."
"I really don't think we're going to need it. We'll stick to the plan. I'll go by myself and see my father, tell him that I'm married. And with any luck he'll invite you back to court and we'll be free to do as we wish. My father adored you. I really don't think you have anything to worry about."
"I dunno. It is the dark ages. I don't want to be burned at the stake as a heretic or something."
Althea laughed. "Oh Emmett. Don't be silly."
"I'm being realistic. They've burned people for a lot less."
"My father isn't going to have you burned, Emmett. I promise."
"Hanged then. Or worse," Emmett cringed. "Drawn and quartered."
"Just stop, Emmett. It will be fine. So what year are we going back to?"
"I initially thought a few weeks before his death, but decided on earlier, to give you more time with him, so we're going back to Christmas, 1689."
"Oh, Emmett! That's perfect! I love Christmas! My father always threw the best parties. The whole village was one big event."
"I remember," Emmett nodded as he entered the date into the time circuits and turned them on. The flux capacitor began to glow and fluctuate.
"Do you?" she teased. "I'm surprised you can remember much at all from all the drinking you did on New Year's Eve."
He merely grinned. "That was New Year's, not Christmas."
Althea merely giggled and looked out the window at the water below.
"Prepare for temporal displacement," he told her.
XXX
December 19, 1689, England
The three sonic booms and flashes of light never failed to amaze her as the DeLorean arrived over the ocean and they were in total darkness. When she saw the coastline, she was instantly excited. Emmett laughed at her excitement as he approached the shore and found the abandoned shack in which to park the time machine.
From there they walked into the village and the castle looked just as it did when she left.
It didn't take long before they were approached by the royal guards. "Stop! Announce yourselves."
Althea stood a little straighter and removed the hood that partially covered her face. "It is I, Princess Althea."
One of the other guards poked Emmett in the chest with the top of his spear. "And who, pray tell, is this?"
"This is Dr. Emmett Von Braun. An old friend of my father, King Richard. You will kindly let us pass."
Emmett was both amused and surprised at how she was holding her own and decided to keep quiet.
"The Princess Althea disappeared many years ago. Why should we believe you?"
"Because you will be very sorry if you don't. You will take us to see my father. Now."
"We will allow only you to see His Majesty. But we do not know this man and until we get permission, he will remain with us."
Althea looked visibly annoyed. "He is my husband. He will accompany me."
The men, amused by that fact, both laughed. "This man is your husband? Surely you jest. He is old enough to be your grandfather."
"How dare you insult him!" Althea shouted at them. "Take us to my father at once!"
"You are in no position to give us orders, madam. You will now come with us. Your "friend" can wait here until he is summoned."
"Very well. But you will look like fools."
The guards rolled their eyes but took her inside to see her father. When he saw her, he immediately got up from his chair.
"Saints preserve us," King Richard said as he walked toward her. "I heard rumors that you were seen in the village but I dared not hope it was true, should I be disappointed once again."
He immediately embraced her and the guards looked stunned. "So it is true, your Majesty? She is indeed your daughter?"
He glared at them. "Do you believe I would embrace a complete stranger this way!? Leave us."
"Wait," Althea told him. "I didn't come alone, Father."
He looked confused. "You brought someone with you? And who, may I ask, did you bring? It had better not be that scoundrel, Gregory House. Because if so, his head is as good as gone!"
"No, I didn't bring Greg."
"Well that is a relief. What happened? Was he unfaithful to you?"
"No, no, nothing like that. He took good care of me, I assure you."
"I can see, you look very well. So whom, then, did you bring with you?"
"I brought my husband, Emmett."
Richard cocked his head to one side in confusion. "Emmett…your…husband?" He thought about it for another minute and then it came to him. "You can't possibly mean…Von Braun?"
"He is no husband, Your Majesty," one of the guards spoke and the other one smirked. "He is not but an old man."
"One more word out of you, my good sir, and your head will be as good as gone!" Richard shouted at him. Then he looked back down at Althea, gently stroking her cheek. "I always knew there was something between the two of you, but…given his age, I never dreamed it was anything but a close friendship." He glanced at the guards. "You will bring him here this instant. He is welcomed at court."
"Yes, Your Majesty," they said in unison and quickly left the room.
Richard chuckled. "Emmett Von Braun…really?"
Althea grinned sheepishly. "I understand he wouldn't be your first choice for a husband but…"
Richard silenced her. "Does he make you happy, Althea?"
"Yes. Very much."
"Then that is all I need to know. I will welcome him."
"Thank you, Father," she said as she hugged him again.