Tea With Moriarty
Part 1
Aileas looked around her as she got her bearings from using her vortex manipulator in yet another search for her Jack. It looked like she was in London sometime in the 21st century. With the click of a few buttons, she used her vortex manipulator cuff to search for Jack's DNA in the city. Nothing! Damn, she thought. Either John had given her the wrong information again or her stupid manipulator was on the fritz like it was when she got stuck in the late 1800's. Either way she was tired of the endless search with dead ends every time. She noticed a coffee shop across the street and decided a good cup of chai would clear her head and help her figure out what to do next. Although, she told herself, if John Hart had ANYTHING to do with this latest dead end, he was going to suffer her wrath!
She ordered her tea and had zoned out while waiting when the barista got her attention.
"Miss…"
"OH! Sorry, was there something you needed?" asked Aileas, slightly embarrassed that she hadn't been paying attention.
"There is a gentleman in a grey suit sitting at the back corner table who would like you to join him."
Aileas turned and saw an attractive, dark haired man consulting his phone. He looked up and smiled, like he sensed her watching him. He mouthed "join me, please." Aileas asked the barista to bring over their teas when they were ready and headed over to the table.
He stood as she approached and pulled out a chair for her.
"James, James Moriarty," he said and he pushed in her chair before sitting down across from her.
"Aileas Logan. Very pleased to meet you, Mr. Moriarty."
"Oh, please, call me James. Aileas is a lovely name, Scottish isn't it?
"Yes, it is an old, family name. But my family hasn't lived in Scotland for centuries."
"Centuries?! Sounds like there is a story there." He leaned in closely. "Tell me your story. I want to know all about you, Aileas Logan."
Aileas let out a heavy sigh. "I don't think you would believe me if I told you."
James took her hand in his and looked her deeply in the eyes. "Try me. I like to think I have an open mind and I have found that the truth is many times stranger than fiction."
"I'm a Time Agent from the 51st century. Correction, I was a time agent until the agency stole two years of my life, two years that I have no memory of, and told my partner and lover that I was dead. I've spent the last 10 years hopping around all of time and space trying to find him and tell him the truth. "
She had been looking at their entwined hands while she spoke. She looked up, afraid of his reaction to her crazy story. However, she only saw understanding in his dark eyes.
"I could help you find him. It's what I do. I take on the things that people need someone of my intellect to take care of. I'm what you might call a consulting criminal. Some might even call me an evil mastermind, a genius if you will. I never get my hands dirty, I have minions for that, but I make things happen. I don't think you're crazy."
She started to speak and he silenced her with a gentle finger pressed to her lips.
"Shhhh. If no one else ever believes your story, know that I do. I want to help you and I want to get to know you better. Let you get to know me. Come to dinner with. I know a lovely place not far from here that I think you will enjoy. It is small, intimate and quiet. The perfect place for us to talk. I won't take no for an answer and I always get what I want," James said with a smirk.
"As long as it isn't someplace fancy. This is all I have to wear."
She looked down at the jeans, red blouse, black sweater coat and ankle boots compared to his finely tailors Westwood suit. While it was great for something casual and comfortable for time jumps, it wasn't exactly something she would normally wear out for a nice dinner.
"My dear, you look beautiful just the way you are, but I think we can do a little something to make you feel a bit more comfortable where I plan to take you. I know a small boutique on the way to the restaurant. I'll have my driver take us there first. I think emerald green. It will compliment your auburn hair and bring out the sparkle of your beautiful green eyes. The owner of the boutique is in my debt, she will take good care of you," he said with a wicked grin.
"Well, since you always get what you want and you don't take no for an answer, who am I to try to refuse your generous offer."
He stood and came to pull out her chair. Taking her by the hand, he led her from the coffee shop and to his car where his driver, Sebastian was waiting for them with the door open. As James helped Aileas into the car he leaned in close and with a gentle nibble to her ear whispered, "my dear, Aileas, I think this is the start of something fascinating."