Disclaimer - All characters of which you have heard of from GO belong to Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I don't own them in other words. Linda on the other hand is mine as I thought her up.

A/N - Since Aziraphale's human name for the time period during the book was A. Ziraphale, I have decided to stick with that for this story, instead of calling him Mr. Fell. So, better get used to him being called Arthur, which is the name I chose for him in this story.

Something Different

The bell above the bookshop's door merrily jingled, signalling someone had just walked in. Looking up with a glowering stare, he was surprise not to see someone who would usually try to buy one of his books, but a young woman. A young woman who at this instance was dripping all over his floor. He hadn't noticed that it had started to rain.

"May I help you?" he asked, his voice taking on the somewhat stern tone he always took on with anyone who enters his shop.

The woman glanced up at him, brown eyes looking a little angrily at him. "I just need a place to get out of the rain, that's all," she said, her voice holding the agitation of someone having been suddenly drenched without warning. Of which, by the look of

it, had happened.

"Are you planning on buying anything?" he asked, raising one eyebrow and wished that sometimes he didn't have to always be so good, so he could just tell her to go away.

The woman stared blankly at him, took a good look around the shop and wrinkled her nose. "No, I have no interest in buying old, dusty books, but thanks anyway. I'm just looking for a place to get out of the rain as I said."

Aziraphale allowed himself to look a little embarrassed, before smiling brightly, set the sign on the door to closed and led her into the room behind the bookshop. His study was behind one door and he went over to it and shut it, making sure it was securely locked, before ushering her to the seat Crowley usually took at the small table and pottered around the kitchen for a bit, making them some tea.

"Here you go, warm yourself with some tea my dear, and tell me how long it has been raining. I was...caught up with something and didn't even notice." He picked up his cup and took a sip, wincing slightly as the hot liquid burnt his tongue.

An angry sigh was the reply he recieved to begin with, before she took a few calming sips of tea and placed her cup on the coaster waitng on the table. "It just started about five minutes ago. It was really strange actually, there was barely a cloud in the sky and the next minute, instant downpour. I'm Linda by the way, Linda Brighton."

Aziraphale blinked before shaking his head and holding out his hand for her to shake. "Arthur Ziraphale. Owner of a little antique book store, collector of rare editions and hoarding them from the outside world. Sorry about my first greeting to you. I get...possessive. Not very good for business, but I can get money other ways than selling my books. I just needed some place to store them..."

Linda snorted and grabbed at her tea again. "Well, the only thing I collect are models of cars. Vintage ones mainly."

Aziraphale chuckled. "I would have to introduce you to Crowley sometime. He is very proud of his car, though he drives it like a mad lunatic. It is a 1926 Bentley."

Linda's jaw dropped before she closed it again with a loud clack of teeth. "Wow, you know the guy who drives that car?"

"Unfortunately. He's an old friend." Aziraphale would never admit to her just how old, it would scare her away and he found himself rather relaxed and enjoying her company. She was a good soul, he could tell that.

She smiled at him and shook her head. "Well, I have seen his driving, so I can agree with the lunatic part. Next time he finds it funny to almost run someone over, perhaps someone could scream his name and add on a few certain expletives."

Aziraphale couldn't help but laugh at that. The woman had a solid will that was for sure. That was good for if he ever saw her again and introduced her to Crowley. "Well, in that case, his name is Anthony. He usually goes by Crowley though. His last name."

"Ah," Linda stated, a cheeky grin on her face. "He suffers from Bond mania does he?"

Aziraphale blinked. "From...what?"

"You know, 'My name is Bond, James Bond.'"

"Ah." Sometimes Aziraphale really didn't understand young people these days, and one thing he had never been interested that much in was action heroes, though Crowley did seem to have a fixation with them. "Yes, I guess he does."

"Well, that may explain his driving," she replied, finishing off her tea in one big gulp. She got up and placed the empty cup in the sink and looked out the window. "Oh, the rains stopped, and I have to go now. It ws nice talking to you Mr. Ziraphale. Odd name that."

"Call me Arthur, or Zira if you prefer."

She looked at him for a bit before nodding. "Arthur it is. Zira makes you sound like a girl."

Aziraphale found himself shrugging. "You get used to it after a while. Children call me Zira, as they cannot pronounce all my last name, and I spend some time with the children in orphanages and hostels. They need someone willing to talk to them. Without giving their hopes up. Poor things..."

Linda nodded again, her smile fading slightly. "You're a good man, you know that, Arthur? It's rare nowadays. But I have to go. Thanks for the place to stay while the rain was gong on. Oh and for the tea."

"It was my pleasure," he replied, bowing slightly, before walking her to the door and opening it for her. No one could ever say he was anything but a gentleman.

As Linda disappeared down the street he found himself hoping that he would see her again some time in the near future.