Story to date: Reasonably canon to the end of the musical. (See Timeline, which covers 1883-1889.) Will petitions to have Alan and Eric reincarnated to continue their work, because London is critically understaffed with a reputation of being a terrible employer. His request is granted on the condition that Will remains forever in his current position of Director of the London Branch. Alan and Eric work hard and keep their heads down for several years. (See Forgiveness, 1899.) As the City of London grows, Will decides to promote Alan into management (A Small Kindness, 1902). That year Eric and Alan begin teaching at the Academy and developing new skills. Their story continues in Interim, which covers 1904 - 1914. Eric foresees a coming disaster in the Human Realm. He and Alan do their best to prepare for it.

Prologue: Matthias

February 1914

Tonight London was choked with a dense, yellowish fog. Street lamps were barely visible through the pea-souper. The visitor nevertheless went unerringly to the right house, third along this street. As the visitor passed the gate, a bell rang softly upstairs. No door or window opened, yet the visitor entered without hindrance. He shivered and took a chair near the banked fire in the kitchen. Putting his feet on the hearth, he waited.

The stairs creaked. The householder was aware of the intrusion as soon as the threshold was crossed, of course. The visitor gradually became visible as his host entered the room.

"What business have you here, Reaper?" There was no fear in the voice. This man had been an Angel, and in another twenty-four years would be an Angel again. He was confident in his strength and in the protections laid upon this house and its occupants.

Sixteen years before, Matthias had made Humphries an offer he had no ability to honor. It was done in panic. Matthias had fathered a child on a human woman. Like all Nephilim, the child was large. The mother was too small to deliver it safely. She was dying, and the child with her. Spears had stepped in, as had Matthias' superiors. They had directed Humphries to grant time and healing to the mother and child. Matthias was sentenced to forty years as a human, caring for his family. It appeared to have matured him.

"Greetings, Matthias. I come in peace. One assumes that all is well with your family. Three children, is it now?"

"Indeed. And is all well with you, Mr. Humphries? Has Mr. Spears discovered that you have disobeyed his orders to avoid us?"

"He assumes that I will disobey any order he gives, if circumstances require. He's stopped asking me about it. My explanations are always perfectly logical and make his head ache."

Matthias chuckled and drew up another chair. A large brown earthenware teapot and two mugs appeared on the table, quickly joined by a sugar bowl, milk pitcher, lemon and a plate of biscuits. Not all Angelic abilities were denied him. The table lamp's wick ignited, illuminating a room which radiated comfort and welcome. The teapot chuffed a plume of fragrant steam. The fire kindled and glowed, warming Alan's wet feet.

"Then perhaps I may enquire as to the purpose of your visits? I can always tell if you've been about. I even worry if you miss dropping in for too long."

"Merely a feeling of responsibility. I wished to be reassured that Heaven was keeping its promises of protection. The existence of your twins could only be due to Divine intervention for their birthing. But I worried that further protection might slack off over the years."

"I believe my superiors have plans for my offspring. I am on good terms with Heaven these days, having been most careful of my behavior and my duties. And yourself, Mr. Humphries? Are we on good terms as well?"

"I hope so. I certainly have no issues with you. But as you say, I was forbidden to stay in touch. I hope you will agree that I am not here, should anyone ask."

"Of course. I cannot lie, you understand, but I can prevaricate, deflect, misunderstand or become terribly stupid."

"Marvelous thing, stupidity, very handy in certain circumstances."

"How do you take your tea?" Matthias poured and handed a mug to Alan. They sat in a comfortable quiet for a moment.

"This tea is delicious, thank you. I do not recognize it; is it an Indian import?"

"You are most welcome. It comes from my original home."

"And you share this with a Reaper?"

"Why would I not share this with a respected visitor? The question remains; why are you here?"

"That feeling of responsibility I mentioned. Only to give a warning. This is probably my last visit. I may not be able to come again. I have new duties. I am more closely watched. Eventually I may be stationed elsewhere. Matthias, a war is coming."

"That's no secret. Supposed to be won before winter. Some of the newspapers are calling it a 'two-week war.' They'll be signing up masses of volunteers, promising adventure and glory and a jolly holiday. It's going to be an amateur army, at best. Biscuit?"

"Thanks. This war is not going to be over for years. The death toll will be enormous. Volunteers will not be enough to replace the casualties. After devastating losses, the army will begin conscripting all able-bodied single males between the ages of eighteen and forty-one. Soon they'll extend that to married men, and raise the upper age to fifty-one before the end. Your oldest is sixteen now, is he not?"

"Yes."

"Then this is what I am not telling you, from this chair I am not occupying; you and your oldest son will be swept into the army in 1916. Possibly your second son eventually— I'm not sure how old he is now. Your wife and daughter will remain and suffer privation as most of the available food is sent to the Army; about 1918 a disease will sweep through this country and kill thousands."

"I see. I have arrangements to make."

Alan sipped from his mug. The fire flickered. The bell upstairs rang again faintly.

"I would help if I could."

"You have given all the help you can, and all the help I need. Thank you, Reaper. I believe my family and myself will be summoned into the Divine Realm in the course of the coming events. I was wondering if that would occur."

"You expected this?"

"It was always a possibility. There are whispers that there are not enough angels. My sons are strong, my daughter wise, my wife compassionate. None of us will survive in this realm much longer."

"Matthias, I swear to you, if I am called to Reap any of you, I shall see you safely and gently into the Light."

"That feeling of responsibility again? Try not to let it get you in trouble. My thanks, Reaper, for your warning."

Alan rose and set his mug on the table. "Thank you again for the tea. I must go. I'll be missed."

Matthias chuckled. "Too late. Your partner is waiting outside. Good luck to you both in the coming days."