DT2 - Revelations?

[Constantine McGraw]

Con had parked in one of the many back streets surrounding Covent Garden then headed off on foot in the general direction of Charing Cross road.

Reaching a small arcade running off the main road, he ducked down it and into one of the small shops that could be found there, one that almost anyone else would have passed by without a second glance.

Inside, it appeared to be a typical second hand bookstore, although perhaps a little bigger than outward appearances might suggest. There was an balding middle aged man seated behind the counter, light reflecting off spectacles as he looked up to greet his latest customer.

The half formed smile vanished from his face when he saw Con, replaced with a look of shock and alarm. This was just as quickly smothered, a patently false smile appearing on his face.

"What can I do for you young man?" he asked, hands coming up above the counter and guesturing at Con.

Con raised a hand, almost contemptuously and the shopkeeper staggered back, the shocked look back on his face, this time redoubled.

"Don't try that again." Con said quietly. "You might make me do something you'd regret.

"What do you want?" the shopkeeper asked, his face now devoid of color.

"Not going to ask how I found you?" Con queried, but not stopping for an answer. "Or maybe that's something I should be asking you."

Con smiled, not especially pleasantly, before continuing.

"Neither are terribly important now I suppose. I need something, I think you have it. If you don't, you're going to have to be very convincing....."

Twenty minutes later, Con was back on the main road, making hurriedly for the first of the many major bookstores that lay along it. He headed hurriedly for the magazines and news section, pulling out the first newspaper that came to hand, and looking at the header.

November. What the fuck?

More newspapers followed, Con's expression getting darker with each one.

November.

November.

November.

Dammit. What the fuck is going on?

[Rachel O'Brien]

Rachel was, by coincidence, in one corner of the bookstore. She knew that the space trip was going to be exciting and busy, but she always bought a new book to take with her on a trip, and superstitiously didn't want to change her habit.

[Constantine McGraw]

Con meanwhile, one hand clasped protectively over a rather incongruous looking battered leather satchel, had accosted the first store assistant to cross his path.

From where she was, Rachel would hear his voice, instantly recognizable despite an unaccustomed hardness.

"The date. What date is it?" he demanded of the startled assistant. "What's the DAMN MONTH?"

"November...." came the startled, slightly frightened reply.

[Rachel O'Brien]

Fuck Rachel thought to herself as she heard Con's voice And he's using again. she thought as she heard the words. Lovely.

[Constantine McGraw]

Con's hand's clenched reflexively, his hair whipping around his hair and neck. The shop assistant took a step back, looking like she was about to call for security before Con visibly relaxed.

"Sorry." he said, half apologetic, half rueful. "Mythology's upstairs right?" he continued before giving a final "Thanks." in response to the half-nod given by the assistant.

Placing the newspapers back where he'd found them, he headed for the stairs.

[Rachel O'Brien]

The spot where Rachel was looking for books would be visible from the stairs, although if Con wasn't paying attention to the store, he might not notice her.

[Constantine McGraw]

Con passed by without apparently having noticed Rachel, starting up the stairs. A moment later however, his footsteps paused and he leaned out over the rail.

"Rachel?"

[Rachel O'Brien]

Shit. Rachel thought as he called her name "Hi Con." she said, keeping her tone level "I thought you were gone for good."

[Constantine McGraw]

"Hoped I was too, perhaps. Just answer one question for me...

How long have I been gone?

[Rachel O'Brien]

"A month, more or less." Rachel replied.

[Constantine McGraw]

"Thanks. Maybe I'll see you around sometime." Con replied, before straightening up and disappearing from Rachel's view.

[Rachel O'Brien]

"Yeah, maybe." Rachel said as he walked away.