Alexandria sat in her small room, feeling the ever-present feeling of loneliness. She brought out a wrinkled picture of some people she met a couple months ago, Robert and Sophie Langdon. They had worked together on a case when she had been attacked in Paris.

But Robert and Sophie left for America, saying a quick goodbye. Alex bit her lip, missing them terribly. She looked around the room of hers in the orphanage, wishing she could be anywhere but here.

I wonder what Robert and Sophie are doing now. She wondered what they were doing now. All of the sudden, a knock sounded on the door. Alexandria quickly pushed her photo into her jean pocket and stood up. "Yes?"

The tired-looking receptionist—Connie-opened the door. "Alex? Someone's here to see you."

For one glimmering second of hope, Alex thought Robert and Sophie had come to visit her. But her hopes crashed as a different figure entered her view.

He was older, and the first thing Alex noticed was he had braces on his legs and used canes to maneuver around.

"Hello, my name is Sir Leigh Teabing," the man said in a British accent. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he shook her hand.

Alex glanced at the Connie, wondering if this was a joke. Who didn't know who Leigh Teabing was? He was a Royal Historian, who wrote many books. Numerous times has Alex walked by the local bookstore and seen books authored by Sir Leigh.

Leigh Teabing sat down. "So…you are Alexandria right?"

"Yeah," Alex grinned.

"Well, I've always wanted children. But my wife died before we could have any. So I do want to adopt."

"Why me, though?"

He shifted in his seat. "I've been watching you for a while, Alex."

She stared at him.

"No, no!" he laughed weakly. "I mean, I visited the orphanage many times, and people told me about you. And you seem just perfect." He said hurriedly.

Alex smiled, surprised that someone would actually think of adopting her…even after all this time…after all, she was fourteen, and people often just want the little ones.

Leigh Teabing began to talk a little bit about him. After he was done, Teabing asked, "So tell me a little about yourself."

She swallowed hard. "Well, my parents left me when I was young…"

"Yes, I know." Teabing said.

Once again, Alex looked at him strangely.

"I mean—I mean…I see…go on…"

Alex continued a little bit about her life, excluding the part when she, Robert, and Sophie had ran away from an enemy of theirs. She didn't want to explain.

Sir Leigh smiled, and his eyes held a glimmer of humor in them. "Alex, I don't want to seem too forward…but I would love it if you came to live with me…and if I could become your legal guardian?"

Alex couldn't believe her ears. She wasn't sure whether to accept…because it seemed so soon.

When she got quiet, Leigh began. "How about this? You stay at my place with a month, and if you like it, maybe you'll want to be part of my family. If not, well, then, we can remain friends. Is that okay?"

Alexandria became a little suspicious at his hurriedness, and still wondered why Leigh would have come to her.

Connie stepped in. "She'd love to!" she practically shouted. Alex gave her a dirty look.

But Teabing didn't notice. "Splendid! Send your things to this address," he pulled out a slip of paper. "And I'll expect you there tomorrow."

He gave a slight bow, a grin, and hobbled out of the room.

Alex's eyes flashed angrily as she looked at Connie. "Why?" she asked. "Why did you talk? I wasn't sure if I was going to accept!"

Connie sighed, exasperated. "C'mon Alexandria, you're fourteen. In four years, you'll be on your own. Let's face reality now. You have a slim chance of being adopted. What's so wrong about this guy?"

Alex shrugged. "I don't know, I just have a suspicious feeling about him, like I should be afraid of this guy.

Connie rolled her eyes and began to leave for the door. "You better pack you things for tomorrow."