Chapter One

Earth, America, California

Lilith Ebony Kate Walker was on her way to work as always, when she felt an odd gust of wind out of nowhere. The wind whipped around her, nearly throwing her right on her butt. She grabbed a street light to hold herself steady, hearing a strange whooshing sound. A wheezing groaning that had her looking around for the source. Finally the wind died down, and she adjusted her skirt. She was relieved to not have to rush home to change clothes before work.

Lilith decided it wasn't important and headed to the little mom and pop diners just a little ways further down the street. This was her only means of cash since the boyfriend had just driven off with half her bank accounts. She had gone from a girl of means to working a nine to five shift for ungrateful customers that loved slapping her butt when she had her hands full of dishes. This sort of work was why she invested in stocks in the first place. So she would never be stuck like this.

Lilith reached the diner with only minutes to spare before her shift started. "Hey, I'm here." The cook shouted from the kitchen, "It's about time! We've got a huge rush." So Lilith rushed along, putting on her apron and grabbing a plate full of food for one table. Thus began her day waitressing.

It seemed like a typical day. Until she saw a group of men walking in toward the end of her shift, so oddly dressed it was ridiculous. Those huge hoods were insane! One was saying, "Relax, They won't care. That's the beauty of humans, they just ignore the unusual." True that, thought Lilith. A couple people had eyed them at first but then without batting an eye returned to their plates.

The group sat down at Lilith's section as one said, "Lord Curator why are we even trying to fix a type 40 Tardis when it's just going on display in your museum?" Another man shrugged, clearly this curator guy. "I like to have the old models in running condition. And it makes for a happier museum. They are happier to have their systems operational when tours come through. They take pride in their appearances." The others eyed this man like he was odd. But then one said, "Well there is a clear fault in the Helmic Regulator. We were supposed to just go down the block from the museum and it ended up all the way on Earth. And I'm telling you that the Chameleon Circuit is about to break. After all… the Police Boxes are from a much earlier period of time. Strange that it popped up under that specific guise."

Lilith reached the table. "Hello everyone, can I get anything to drink while you look at the menus?" She was a little flustered when she spotted the man called Curator. He was a dashing man with a British accent. He turned and gave her a charming smile, deep brown eyes gazing up into her big sky blues.

"Yes I'd like a uh… root beer?" She wrote that down, looking to the others. But they all ordered the same thing in shy murmurs. Lilith then said, "Alright three root beers. And go ahead with the menus I will be right back." As she turned she could feel the Curator man looking at her. She didn't feel the usual disgust that came to mind when she was aware of that. She returned with the drinks, smiling to them as she set down the glasses. Once again his eyes were on her.

"So uh… Lilit?"

"Lilith. They messed up my nametag."

"Right Lilith, do you live nearby?"

Lilith was blushing a little, realizing she was being hit on. "I live about four blocks from here. So are you boys going to a convention? I'm not sure of the reference." The man smiled, "Uh yeah we just came from one actually. It's sort of… far away. We are passing through here." Lilith smiled to him, taking their orders. These men were odd, almost like they didn't know how to order. But the curator was very at ease about the whole thing. She looked to his clothes then heard him speaking again.

"You have lovely eyes Lilith."

Lilith was flustered by this man. He was a bit older, in his forties probably by the looks of him. But he had a sort of rugged good look to him she couldn't quite put her finger on. "Uh thanks... honestly you're not what I'd expect from a curator. I expect them to look all bookish and bespectacled…" The curator leaned toward her and said in a deep lumber of a voice, "You'll find there are many things about me that aren't like a normal curator."

Lilith had to leave the table to put in the order. She was gone a while getting other orders. But she listened intently as one man said to the curator, "Are you sure that's a good idea sir?" The curator smirked, "What I do in my time is none of your concern. Just eat your cow."

It also gave Lilith time to think. This Curator was a handsome man with those dark eyes and black hair. Never mind the weird clothes they kind of worked for him as a whole. She was almost appalled at what came to mind but… she hadn't had anything since her boyfriend left her. Perhaps just this once she could break her own rules…

Lilith returned to the table with their food. She then leaned forward, whispering in the Curator's ear. "I get off in half an hour…" The Curator watched her with interest. He then spoke in a low voice, "Would you like me to walk you home?" Lilith smiled to him, heading away.

The last half an hour of her shift went by with heated looks from this man. When her shift was over she went to the bathroom to check herself in the mirror. Lilith let down her blonde hair, using a brush from her purse to get it into a tame mane. She checked her make-up. Lilith was a relatively attractive girl she thought at least. With a body that was strong and slender but not speed freak thin. At 5'7 she could look a man in the eyes, but still enjoy a kiss with head turned up slightly. She looked down at her work clothes, sighing with frustration. Lilith always dressed for comfort with her purple shirt, shorts, and crocs. They were a size too big but soooooo comfortable. Oh well, it couldn't be helped.

Lilith walked out, tips in her purse as she spotted the curator up and waiting. He had finished his food and was ready to walk her home while the others ate.

The walk was a bit quiet. Neither of them seemed to talk much. Four blocks was easy, so she took her time. He seemed just as happy to take an easy walk. Finally as they approached her place she decided to speak, "Well here we are. Speaking of which… I don't even know your name." She turned, unlocking the door.

"Just Curator will do."

"I get it. So this is a, you'll never see me again after type huh?" She turned, gasping when she realized he was literally right behind her. They stood toe to toe, looking into each other's eyes as if trying to unlock a mystery there. Then he said, "Names have little meaning. It is how we view ourselves that's important. Lilith, what does your name say about you?"

Lilith couldn't breathe. He was so close she could feel his warm breath. "I… my name… my name doesn't mean…"

But he ended her rambling with a deep kiss. Their lips touched and she was on fire. How a man could fire her up with only a touch and a kiss was beyond her. But she didn't want him to stop. His hands roamed her body as he kissed, tongues wrestling for control inside their mouths. She reached behind her, turning the knob to let them into the house as his hand reached under her shirt. She started pulling off clothes, and he was doing the same, shedding that strange hood as well as the long flowing robes.

"I don't normally do this," she said in a breathy voice.

"Neither do I," He replied.

They fell onto the couch together of her apartment. Most of the furniture sold to pay her rent that first month she uncovered her ex's treachery. But it didn't matter. All that mattered was that this man did not stop touching her.

In a whirlwind of mad passion she was thankful for the birth control she took every day. When it was all said and done they'd managed to make it to her bed. She lay next to him in the bed, sleeping. At least until she felt him leave the bed. Lilith listened, waiting to hear him enter the bathroom. But instead she heard the creak of her bedroom door. Lilith was always paranoid. What if he went and stole something else that her ex had not gotten? She sat up, moving to her door to grab a robe.

By the time Lilith made it out to the living room the Curator had left out the front door. Right… things to do. Still, he had left her feeling incredible. It was sad to see a man with such mad skills leave for good. She went to the window, watching him walk to a big blue box. She frowned, watching as he opened the door to the box and climbed inside. Seriously? He was going to god in there? It was no bigger than an outhouse.

Then the wind picked up. She moved to her door which he'd carelessly left open. As she reached out to grab the door, she watched in utter shock as something beyond her imagining happened right in front of her eyes.

The whooshing sound she had heard that morning filled the air. And Lilith watched as the strange box began to flicker like a ghost would in and out of existence until it finally with an odd electronic sound disappeared.