Title: Thoughts of the Past

Rating: Teen for suggestive matters

Notes: So, this is what happens when FallenBelle and RuthieGreen decide it would be fun to write a Round Robin story wherein we take turns responding to the chapter before. FallenBelle will primarily be writing the chapters featuring Julia's POV, and RuthieGreen will be primarily writing William's POV. We've agreed to a basic plot, the main objective of each chapter, and the who did it. All other details and possible plot twists will be handled and responded to as it is written.

Disclaimer: We don't own Murdoch Mysteries. We promise not to break the characters, and we'll put them back when we're done.


The teacart delivered and the dinner taken away, Julia had just settled down with a new novel that promised to be intriguing. "The Late Mattia Pascal" was about an unhappy man given a new opportunity at life when he is erroneously declared dead, and seizes the chance to begin anew free of previous mistakes and entanglements.

William, on the other hand was at his workbench soldering pieces together for his latest idea, an automatic tea maker, wherein the device would brew a pot of tea at a specific time set on the alarm clock. Julia didn't see where it was that much trouble to brew a pot oneself, but since William was keen to automate as many things as possible, she let him be.

Besides, she rather enjoyed the sight of his backside as he hunched forward for the intricate task. She also liked watching him work, and just then, she noted that he was talking himself through a problem, another detail she found endearing. Normally very observant, William was anything but when he was in inventor mode.

Sighing, she glanced back at her novel and shifted in her chair, debating if whether or not she was in the proper mindset for a book right now, or if it would be better she indulge in the gossip columns and try to guess which poor soul the writer might be talking about this time. Also, she was just happy that she didn't feature in the columns as much as she used to or that William didn't get dragged in there very often either as it was far more embarrassing for him than it was for her. Putting the book aside, she had decided to reach for the newspaper when a knock disturbed their cozy evening.

Groaning, she walked towards the door to open it. An unscheduled visitor at this hour could only mean the Constabulary, though she hoped she were wrong. Opening the door, she was greeted by Constable Eldridge, who waited patiently with his helmet tucked under his arm. William was still distracted by whatever gadget that he was working on, and hadn't even noticed that anyone was at the door.

"Good Evening Doctor, I hate to disturb you, but there's been a murder, and you and the Detective are both needed," he apologetically said, mindful that he was disturbing their evening.

"William? Did you catch any of this?" she asked, turning to her husband behind her.

She saw his shoulders sag as he set down his tool. "We'll be right down, Constable," he replied.


Neither had asked where the crime scene was, but just stepped into the carriage. Soon Julia recognized "The Ward" as it was known, and hoped that they weren't about to find that their victim was a child, as child mortality was all too high down here. They rode in companionable silence, neither saying much, but William held Julia's hand on the way, caressing the back of her hand with his thumb. Soon thereafter, they pulled up outside a large house just off Dundas St.

"A brothel," William murmured. He would know, he's certainly worked cases down here often enough, she thought to herself. Relieved that it wasn't a child, she immediately sought to bring a bit of levity to the situation. "Do you think some of the madam's clients dueled it out over the affections of a favorite lady," she teased.

"A nice open and shut case would be nice," William responded with a smile.

Helping her outside of the carriage, William wasted no time getting to business.

"What have you George?"

"According to his friend and companion, the victim's name is Joseph Walters, a physician from Ottawa, sir," George informed them as they walked towards the corpse.

Almost immediately, Julia's senses were set on edge. Lots of men by that name…neither name is terribly uncommon, she reminded herself as she looked at the face and felt her heart drop into her stomach as she recoiled in horror at recognizing the victim. Oh my God…it is him!

"Julia?" William asked in concern. "Are you all right?"

Temporarily speechless, Julia struggled to find her voice while nodding. She wasn't all right at this very second, but she would be.

"I know this man, William," she whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear.

"Who is he? Shall I call another coroner?" William asked, worry etched in his brow.

Taking a deep breath, she shook her head. "No, just a shock is all. I just wasn't expecting it," she replied, tucking her skirt behind her as she knelt down to begin her tasks. Just follow procedure, Julia. No need to look at his face, or think about anything else, she reminded herself.

"Are you sure, Julia? I don't mind…" he began

"No, William. I'm perfectly capable of doing my job," she curtly replied as she continued her tasks.

"Very well, then, Doctor," he pronounced as left her side to begin his own task of interviewing witnesses.

Taking a moment to look at his face, she noted the lines around his eyes that hadn't been there previously and the tanned skin that had been exposed to the elements countless times. He always did love the outdoors, she thought to herself as she noted that his black hair was now touched with the slightest streaks of gray and how his laughing brown eyes would never twinkle again.

Getting a hold of herself, she pushed all thoughts of nostalgia out of her mind and carried on performing her duty.


In the carriage on the way home, William filled her in on some of the specifics of the case, at least those given by his friend, John Smithers, thankfully a man Julia did not know.

"According to Mr. Smithers, Joseph Walters was a prominent Ottawa physician, and along with his family, was on his way to Niagara Falls for a brief, late summer vacation with his family. They had stopped in Toronto for a few days to visit the Smithers Family and for Dr. Walters to handle some important business affairs here in Toronto," he commented after he had helped her into the cab.

"Clearly those important business affairs included visiting a brothel," Julia bitterly scoffed.

Looking at her strangely, William nodded, choosing to say nothing for now. "Yes, well Mr. Smithers and I will have to disagree what constitutes important business. I've sent Constable Richmond to accompany Mr. Smithers home and help inform the widow. Mr. Smithers has agreed to bring Mrs. Walters into the station tomorrow morning for an interview," William offered.

"Did anyone see anything?" Julia asked.

"Not specifically. A slight figure in a black cloak approached the two men as they were leaving the brothel and shot at Dr. Walters. It seems that Mr. Smithers was far too shocked, too inebriated, and worried about his friend to catch a good glimpse of the shooter, who quickly disappeared down an alleyway," William added.

But noting her quiet countenance, William pulled Julia closer and put his arm around her. She laid her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes.

"How are you doing, Julia? You said you knew him…are you all right?"

"I knew him long ago, William…back in my youth. I'll be fine, I'm just shocked is all," she explained, squeezing his knee and hoping that he would leave it at that.

Thankfully, he did just that, instead choosing to kiss the top of her head. Once home and back in their suite, Julia quickly disrobed, leaving a trail of clothes behind her as she walked through the suite. Unfortunately, it was far too late and she was too tired to make love, but instead of dressing for bed, she opted for nothing at all, wanting to feel the cool linen against her skin and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

Not saying anything, William stood there and wordlessly watched her. He quickly followed suit as he disrobed and as he reached for his pajamas, Julia slightly shook her head. Laughing softly, he tossed them aside and slipped beneath the covers to join her in her natural state and she quickly laid her head on his chest. Sleep came quickly for William, but despite her fatigue, her mind raced with memories and various thoughts. Yet William's presence and scent reassured her and kept her relatively calm as she laid her head on his bare chest.