Chapter 1: Introductions.

Author's Note: Please note that while some of the historic details included later in this story are accurate, others are completely fictional. I would also greatly appreciate reviews, as I'm not sure where this story will go. Helsbels90

Olivia sighed discreetly as another young academic took to the lectern at the front of the large room. She was just over half way through the second of a three day conference, and this was the one hour and a half long session she had absolutely no interest in. Normally Olivia enjoyed these events, watching postgraduate students present and display their usually outstanding work, and this was no different (except for this sitting), although there was the odd ridiculous theory, outlandish proposal or downright boring speaker; that was just part of the course. Having no interest in the economic history of Russia, Olivia found it difficult to concentrate on the topic being presented, she was a Tudor and Stuart historian and she wanted to get her teeth in to something resembling early modern history. She was staring out of the window at the rain that was falling heavily, when the door opened and someone quietly slipped into the room. Olivia bit her lip to prevent a smile spreading across her face, and found all her attention focused on the newly arrived male who stood discreetly at the side of the room, listening intently to the last part of the current paper. She knew exactly who he was, having immediately recognised him from the small pictures on the inside cover of the many books Olivia owned that he had authored. It was Professor Robert Langdon himself. One of the most famous and praised symbologists and Church historians ever to have walked the earth, and he was stood a few feet away from her. There was no way she would be able to concentrate now.

Finally the paper reached its conclusion and a twenty minute coffee break was announced, Olivia rose and headed to the table in the foyer to retrieve a caffeine fix. Moving away slightly from the refreshments, she grimaced as she took a sip of the lukewarm liquid that claimed to be coffee.

"Awful isn't it?" A soft American voice chuckled. Olivia looked up, nodding in agreement, to find herself face to face with Robert Langdon.

"Dreadful" She grinned in reply, noticing he was reading her slanted name badge.

"Are you the Olivia Masters who wrote the article on Shakespeare and symbology last year?" Langdon questioned.

"Yes I am." Olivia stuttered, amazed that he had heard of her work, she began to blush and then realised he might be a critic and not a fan.

"It was an amazing piece, and very well written. I'm Robert Langdon, I'm very pleased to finally meet you Dr Masters – I was hoping to try and pay a visit while on my trip, but it looks like fate has put us in the same room." He held out his hand for her to shake in greeting, which she did beaming from ear to ear.

"It's Olivia, please, or Livvie." She was about to continue to explain what an honour it was to meet him and how much respect and awe she had for his work, but they were interrupted.

"Robert! Robert, we are so thrilled you could stand in at such short notice; I cannot tell you how grateful we are to have your input. Now come and meet the other members of the organising committee." Claudia screeched as she approached from the other side of the room. Olivia resisted the powerful urge to roll her eyes at the insufferable woman. Everything about her irritated Olivia: her horrendously bad make-up, overpowering perfume, screechy voice, poor manners and her lack of decent academic work – although that didn't seem to prevent her from having her fingers in an awful lot of pies. She also hated the way that Claudia Somerson insisted on flirting outrageously with every male she came into contact with. Robert looked at Olivia with a mixture of fear and regret before, smiling an apology as Claudia attached herself to his arm and tugged.

"If you'll excuse me I need to find one of my students, he's presenting in the next session – I should give him some reassurance for the first paper nerves" Olivia smiled, excusing herself and lessening Robert's guilt.

For the next session Olivia had managed to get a seat on the front row to show her doctoral student extra support; she was surprised when Robert took the seat next to her. During the paper, he used her distraction to discreetly analyse the woman in the next seat. She was tall, not overly so, but graceful with it, and slender; although she seemed to have curves and shape in all of the right places. Instinctively his eyes flew to her left hand, there was no wedding or engagement band on her ring finger – he was surprised, in his experience women of her description were always taken; maybe there was some long term partner he mused. His eyes moved up to her face, it was very pretty and framed with her shoulder length dark blonde hair, what Robert found the most pleasing was the fact that she seemed to be unaware of her attractiveness. Feeling ridiculous, he gave his head a small shake, he hadn't even had a complete conversation with this woman, reading her publications did not count as a courtship, what was he thinking?

As the speakers changed over, quiet conversation erupted across the room, Olivia turned to him.

"So how come you are here? Your name isn't in the programme anywhere." She inquired, curiosity getting the better of her.

"I was heading over here for a research trip, then a couple of days ago I got a desperate plea from an old colleague to say that the key note speaker had had to drop out, would I consider travelling a few days earlier and stepping in. And so here I am. Finding out that you were here as well when I arrived was a bonus, as I said earlier I was hoping to meet you."

"You were being serious earlier then?" Olivia probed "I thought you were just being polite", Robert laughed.

"I'm sure we've both been to enough of these events to know when someone is being genuine or merely polite. I take it you are going to the dinner this evening?"

"I am yes, and very much looking forward to hearing the stand in speaker now!" Olivia grinned.

"Can I ask you a favour then? Please save me from Claudia, I can't imagine having to sit next to her the entire evening, and if I did I'm not sure that I would survive." Robert explained only half jesting.

"I suppose Andy and I could act as your bodyguards – my student, he's speaking next, we could flank you and fend her off!"

"I would be forever in your debt!" Robert smiled a genuine smile, and Olivia understood why women were attracted to the self proclaimed bachelor, before turning her attention to the session.

Robert had thoroughly enjoyed his evening, he decided as he lounged in an armchair in a corner of the bar area, listening to Olivia tell a horror story of an experience she had had at an archive as a student. He had managed to avoid Claudia for the most part, his speech had gone well, the food had been excellent and he had been able to spend most of the time with Livvie. They had discussed everything imaginable, from their work, to their student days, to their family – they had a remarkable amount in common. He leant forward to empty the last of the wine into their glasses.

"Can I tell you something?" Livvie began; he inclined his head to show she should continue "you are not at all how I expected you to be. I thought...well I thought you'd be really up yourself and superior."

"And you find that I'm not?" Robert grinned, showing his straight teeth, knowing she would probably not be revealing this had they not been finishing the third bottle of red wine.

"No you're not! You're really down to earth and approachable" She explained. Langdon knew that his students and colleagues and Harvard had labelled him as easy going, and true to form he was fine with that.

"I should probably confess that you weren't exactly what I was expecting either. I'd imagined – and don't ask me why – but I'd pictured this stuffy, middle aged woman with short hair and a frumpy trouser suit and flat shoes. I should know better than to create that kind of stereotype." Livvie looked down at her legs that were showcased by her knee length black dress and her stiletto heels and burst out laughing. Andy wandered back in from the smoking area, decided he had missed the joke completely and so excused himself to go to his room. Finishing the wine, the academics decided that it would be a good idea to retire for the evening.

As they walked towards their rooms, they were still talking animatedly, Livvie carrying the shoes she had removed in the lift.

"So what exactly are you planning on investigating during this research trip of yours?"

"To be honest I don't know – but I have become really obsessed with some conspiracy theories recently. Maybe we could discuss it more tomorrow. This is me" He said motioning to a door. "Would you like me to walk you to your room?" He offered, but Livvie declined graciously.

"No thank you, but I'll be fine, it's only down the corridor. Good night and thank you for a lovely evening."