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A Leap in Time Chapter 3

So Alex listened. The enthusiasm between Osmet and Bobby was infectious, and Alex found herself becoming interested, curious, and despite herself, somewhat excited.

"Look, Alex, if we try this…this…moving through time, and nothing happens, what have we lost?" Bobby asked.

Your sanity Alex thought, but didn't say it. "Nothing, I guess," she conceded.

The smile on Bobby's face made it all worthwhile.

"First," Bobby said, "we have to arrange for some vacation time—"

"At the same time?" Alex asked. "I don't know, Bobby. I can hear the rumors flying now…"

Bobby grinned. "Well, we'll just have to convince them otherwise."

"One last thing," Professor Osmet cautioned, "London, 1888—the 'Victorian' age—and specifically Whitechapel, where you'll be going, is not the romantic place it seems. What goes on there can be…is…well, not what you'd expect. It's a lot more different than you've been lead to believe."

Bobby pretty much knew this, having casually read about Jack the Ripper in his youth. Alex, on the other hand, was a little disappointed. The allure of the romanticism of the Victorian age was the main thing that attracted her to this case. But disappointed as she was about this aspect, it didn't deter her from wanting to make the "trip."

One Police Plaza

"So," Deakins said, raising his eyebrows, "you want vacation together?" The department frowned on partners fraternizing or dating. It was safer that way all around, and he wasn't sure this was such a good idea.

"Not together," Alex corrected, "just at the same time."

"Why the sudden need for vacation?"

"Well," Alex explained, "my parents had that trip to Cancun all planned, and my younger brother was supposed to go… but something's come up with him and you know, my parents don't want the ticket to go to waste, it's all paid for and—"

"Okay, Alex, you've made your point." Then, to Bobby, "and what's your story?"

"I just need sometime, that's all, and I do have the vacation time. And with Alex gone, well… you know. Just thought it would be more convenient. You wouldn't have to come up with a temporary partner for me… you know I don't do well with temporary partners."

That's a bit of an understatement. Deakins just stared at them for a minute, then agreed. "Okay, I'll clear it with the brass upstairs. You know" he said, by way of warning, "a little notice next time would be nice."

"Yes, Sir," Alex replied respectfully, and Bobby nodded. Both inwardly breathed a huge sigh of relief.

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Later that evening Bobby made a trip to Public Library. Although he'd read about Jack the Ripper in his early years, now he wanted facts. Straight facts without all the bullshit thrown in. Going to the history section he looked up all the information he could. The books all said that Jack the Ripper had never been caught. It also said the killings had stopped, which according to Professor Osmet, was untrue. The killings had continued, just in a different place, a city further south. Somehow, the officials had never made the connection, or chose to ignore it due to the notoriety it would bring to their fair city. Bobby, sort of a human sponge when it came to taking in information, ingested as much as he could in the time allowed. He also made a few photocopies of certain passages for personal use.

That night Bobby, already an insomniac, couldn't have fallen asleep if he'd been hit over the head with a hammer; he was way too wound up. He was more than excited, he was hungry, hungry for the case that had baffled experts for over a hundred years.

………………………………………………………………………………

Bobby and Alex were supposed to "leave" early in the morning. Bobby, never having slept, was up early, as was Professor Osmet, who had slept on Bobby's couch, despite Bobby's insistence that he use the bed, while he, Bobby, took the couch. But Osmet refused; he would not think of putting Bobby out of his own bed.They were just waiting for Alex. Bobby paced the living room, back and forth, anxious to get started.
Finally, Alex dragged herself in, mumbling something about not having slept well.

"Alex, I want to show you something," Bobby said, producing his photocopies from the previous night. Alex looked at them, then at Bobby.

"Just wanted you up to date on the latest," he said mysteriously.

"Okay," she said, not really understanding why she had to see those papers. She kind of knew some of it already.

"Remember it for when we get back—"

"If you get back," the professor interjected.

They both looked sharply at him.

"What do you mean 'if'?" Bobby demanded.

"Oh…did I…forget to tell you?" Professor Osmet said sheepishly.

"Forget to tell us what?" Alex said, glaring at him.

"I'm so sorry!" Professor Osmet said. "The thing is, um…I can do nothing for you once you're there. You'll be completely on your own. You…you could be hurt…you… uh…could be killed."

"Great!" Alex said angrily.

Suddenly Bobby had his doubts. "Eames, I…I can't ask you to do this. I was wrong, I didn't think it through. The last thing I would ever do is put you in any danger. I'm sorry. You don't have to do this… you can't…"

Alex looked at him, at those intense brown eyes. "But you're still going, aren't you?"

"Well…yes. I…I have to…"

"Well, you're crazy if you think I'm gonna let you hog all the glory on this one! If you go, I go. We're partners. A team…remember?" she said, smiling. "We've handled worse…well at least in our time."

Bobby smiled back, once again thinking he could not have asked for a better partner. "Then it's settled. Ready?"

"Oh, one more thing," Professor Osmet started.

Bobby and Alex sighed together. "What now?" Bobby said, then, in an attempt to lighten the mood, said to Alex, "he really is an absent-minded professor!"

Alex just looked at him, shaking her head.

"Well, you can't be the one with the jokes all the time!" Bobby said, defending his joke.

"Why not? At least mine are funny!"

Bobby chuckled, then was all serious again. "What else, Professor?"

"Well, I just wanted to warn you. Getting there may be a little discomforting. Headaches, dizziness… but, I think you'll be able to handle it. Ready?"

Bobby and Alex looked at each other, then nodded to Osmet.

Their great adventure was about to begin.

TBC