Murdoch stood in silent contemplation watching the British flag limply waving in the slight breeze but not really seeing it. There was the hotel, The Queen's Hotel, not twenty feet in front of him. Was he really going to do this? How would he be perceived afterwards? Would he lose the respect of his colleagues, of George and the inspector? Or would they be happy for him? Did he really care anymore what they thought?

Once upon a time, Murdoch had thought of himself as a prim and proper gentleman, as someone to hold on to his dignity and virtue at all costs. But now, now he wasn't sure what he was. He had already on several occasions kissed a married woman, had coveted that which wasn't his, had sinned in the eyes of the Lord. Did he even have the right to call himself a Catholic anymore? Or had he strayed too far already to ever get back to his religious roots? And again, did he really care?

All he knew was that he was tired of standing idly by, waiting for this abhorrent divorce to finally reach a conclusion. He couldn't wait another six months, not now, not after seeing...no, it was best not to think about such things. They did him no good.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her approaching in the window and soon after called his name. He turned to face her, heart quickening at the sight of her, of what he knew lay just beneath those thin layers of fabric.

Get a hold of yourself William!

"I'm sorry I'm late." Looking away but still smiling she said, "I trust you've forgiven me for earlier."

He was barely paying attention to her apologies for his mind had begun to race.

Gulping he said quickly before losing his nerve, "Julia, I've reserved a room for us at The Queen's Hotel."

Her eyes widened in shock and her jaw dropped. "William!" she gasped quietly, glancing at the passersby.

Murdoch charged on ahead. "Under both our names, we'll both sign the ledger."

Hesitatingly she responded. "William, I...I can't ask you to be involved in such a sordid task."

"Julia, I am involved. There's no question. We both are." He gestured with his hand, "In this and in everything."

Still incredulous she said, "The Queen's Hotel. Everyone will see us."

Despite himself and the situation he was enjoying her disbelief. For once he was doing something outrageous, almost spontaneous, and he liked the effect it had on her. The only other times he could recall were when he jumped into the hot air balloon and more recently when he kissed her on New Years Eve in front of everyone.

Smirking ever so slightly, "Witnesses, a signed ledger, that should be all the evidence you need."

Seriously, "Are you quite sure you want to do this? You know there will be no going back."

Blinking a few times in his nervousness, "I'm sure."

After taking a deep, steadying breath she replied, "So you're prepared to spend the night together?"

There was a glint in her eye that scared and thrilled him so he nodded eagerly a few times, not quite trusting himself to speak yet. Eventually he smiled and holding up his big black bag, said, "I've brought dominoes."

Again she looked at him incredulously and then released a wheezy chuckle, he smiled wider and she laughed softly as she took his arm and they slowly ambled to their destination. As they passed through the green doors, arm in arm, he immediately became very aware of all the attention this was causing in such a place, at such an hour. For a second he doubted himself but then he glanced sideways at his love and all second guessing was erased from his mind. If this is what it took to be with her, to claim her as his own for all time, so be it.

They approached the front desk, Murdoch placed his bag on the ground and the clerk asked how he could help them.

"I've reserved room 314 under the names Julia Ogden and William Murdoch."

The stout man narrowed his eyes slightly, as if in disapproval. "I see." The next instant he was all jovial and accommodating. "Let me just check my records, sir!" He dragged his finger down the ledger page and said, "Ah, yes. You're right here!" Then he turned the book around so that it was facing them and held out a pen. "If you'll be so kind as to sign now."

Hand slightly shaking, he accepted the writing instrument and the clerk swivelled around to locate the desired room key. Murdoch lowered his hand to the paper but found he couldn't write, his hand was far too wobbly. Julia touched it lightly and he looked up into her eyes. They were filled with such compassion that his nerves immediately relaxed and he hurriedly signed. She followed suit and just as they finished, the clerk returned with their key.

Holding it out to him he said, "Room 314!" Murdoch let him drop it into his hand and he clasped it tightly, afraid he might somehow lose it if he did not. "That will be one dollar, sir!"

He fumbled for his wallet in his suit pocket and dropped it on the ground. Slightly embarrassed by his ineptitude, he picked it up and found a crisp dollar bill within, one he had purposely placed there for this special occasion.

The clerk snatched it out of his hand and said, "Thank you, sir! Have a wonderful evening! If you need anything, anything at all, just let us know and we'll be more than happy to help! Take care now!"

They thanked him and made their way over to the elevator. The seconds ticked by and he started tapping his foot in agitation. Julia glanced sideways at him and he stopped. Shortly after the doors opened and they came face to face with none other than Ruby! She was also arm in arm with a younger man, though Murdoch didn't recognize him. It was hard to say who was more surprised by this chance encounter; both sides were dumbfounded.

Julia released her hold on Murdoch and exclaimed, "Ruby?! What are you doing here?"

Getting over her shock quickly, Ruby smirked and eyed Murdoch mischievously, "I could ask you the same thing, Jules."

Still flustered, she blushed faintly, looking at him and said, "Oh, this is-"

"Exactly what it looks like Ruby," finished Murdoch, surprised by his own gumption. Then he took her arm again.

Julia was startled by his response and Ruby laughed then, quite tickled by his boldness and the entire situation.

"My, my, detective, you've certainly come a long way since last I saw you." She shared a look between the two of them and said, "I'm glad you finally came to your senses, the both of you. Life is too short to worry about society's perception of oneself." Smirking again while looking at her male companion, "I'm living proof of that."

"And who may I ask are you, sir?" said Murdoch, remembering his manners.

Holding out his hand, "King, Mackenzie King."

They shook briefly and then Ruby said, "This is detective Murdoch and my sister Julia."

"Pleasure I'm sure," he said in a way that made it seem like he could have cared less.

"Mackenzie here is thinking of getting into politics." She nudged him, making him smile. "I think he'd make quite the statesman. Wouldn't you agree, Jules?"

"I...I'll have to take your word for it."

There was an awkward pause and then, "Well, we really must be going. We have tickets to the Paris Revue and we don't want to be late!"

They left them standing there in awe and it was then that they heard a whiny sort of man calling to them from the elevator.

"Are you going up or not?"

Stepping in, the elevator operator closed the two doors and they rode up the three levels. No one got off with them. So it was that they were completely alone as they made their way down the hallway to their room. The silence was eerie and caused him to focus on his fears.

My God, he thought. We will be sharing a room for the entire night! What was I thinking? This is insanity!

Before he could psyche himself out too much, they arrived at the dreaded door and he retrieved the key from his pocket. Julia turned on the light and they saw that the room was small but cozy looking. A little too cozy. There was only one bed!

Confound it! I explicitly asked for two!

"I'll get this sorted out right away," he grumbled, plopping his bag of dominoes on the floor.

He turned slightly, intending to head back down but Julia wouldn't release his arm.

"Julia..." he said hesitatingly.

"We're already here, William, what difference does it make?" She smiled, "Don't worry, I'll keep to my side of the bed, if that's what you're worried about." Smirking, "Besides, with such an enticement before us as dominoes, we are sure to be up all night!"

Reluctantly he returned the smile and closed the door. Then he glanced at his pocket watch and saw it was only a quarter to nine.

This is going to be a very long night, a very long night indeed.