"It's fascinating, isn't it?" Julia asked in awe.
"What is?" Murdoch asked back, puzzled.
"The idea of time travel," Julia replied. "It makes one wonder what other mysteries the future has to offer."
Murdoch hummed in thought as they continued to walk. They were slowly making their way through the park, enjoying the summer sun. It had been a while since they had any time together, outside of work. Brackenreid had told the detectives to take a break from the case since there were no new leads and they were both burning themselves out. Alucard had retired to his rooms while Murdoch took the opportunity to go over some things privately with Julia. She was endlessly fascinated by Alucard's claim of being from the future.
Murdoch himself was still grasping the concept of time travel. There were so many variables to consider, he didn't see how it was possible. However, he supposed that, in the future, anything was possible.
"I wonder how well detective Raven is coping," Julia mused.
"He says he's done this before," Murdoch replied.
"Yes, but I'm sure no matter how many times it has happened, being plucked from your own time and dropped into another has to be difficult," Julia said. "How would you feel if you suddenly found yourself in a completely different place, far from home and all things familiar? You would have no way of knowing customs and what's considered appropriate and what isn't."
"You make an excellent point, Julia," Murdoch told her.
"I'm sure if you found yourself in detective Raven's time, you would be just as disoriented as he was," Julia concluded. She sighed as she thought. "In a way, I feel sorry for him."
"We did meet under less than pleasant circumstances," Murdoch agreed. "He was displaced against his will and was automatically accused of murder."
"If your roles were reversed, I'm sure the same thing would have happened," Julia told him. "If detective Raven had found you standing over the body of one of his suspects, he would have thought the same thing you did."
"Another excellent point," Murdoch said. "Any advice on how we should proceed to strengthen our sudden partnership?"
Julia thought for a moment. Murdoch loved the way her eyes sparkled when she thought. If only he had the courage to tell her how he felt about her.
"Get to know him better," Julia finally answered. "Talk to him. Learn more about him. I think you would both benefit. You would learn more about him, and he would learn more about you. It certainly wouldn't hurt."
Murdoch nodded. "And at the very least, what's the worst that can happen?" he asked.
Crabtree, Higgins and Jackson walked into the pub for a relaxing evening of drinking and unwinding after a stressful day at work. They took a seat near the middle of the room and ordered a round of drinks. Higgins looked around the pub, eyeing the ladies, until his gaze fell on a familiar face at the bar.
"What's he doing here?" Henry asked.
"What's who doing here?" Jackson asked back.
"Raven," Higgins replied.
Crabtree turned to follow his friend's gaze. "He's out enjoying a relaxing drink, Henry," he said. "And, that's detective Raven."
"You know I don't trust him, George," Higgins reminded him.
"That's because you don't know him," Crabtree replied.
"Neither do you," Jackson pointed out.
"That's easily fixed," Crabtree said.
He got up from the table and went over to where Alucard was sitting. The detective from the future glanced up from staring into his drink when Crabtree sat down next to him.
"Good evening, sir," the Constable greeted.
"Good evening, Constable," Alucard greeted back.
"We haven't been properly introduced. I'm George Crabtree," the Constable said.
"Alucard Raven," Alucard said, extending his hand.
George took it and they shook hands. "I thought you had retired for the day," he said, releasing Alucard's hand.
"I was restless," Alucard replied. "Still getting used to being in the past. It's a little disorienting."
"I imagine it is, sir," Crabtree commented.
Alucard took a sip of his whiskey and sighed, running his finger around the rim of the glass. "I just want to know why me. Why am I here? Murdoch is more than capable of solving this case on his own."
"What happened in your time? Before you came here?" Crabtree asked.
"Collins was dropped into my lap," Alucard answered.
"Maybe that's why," Crabtree mused. "Maybe...you were marked in some way. Chosen to be detective Murdoch's protector in this difficult time."
Alucard gave him an amused look. "You must have a lot of interesting ideas about how things work."
Crabtree smiled. "I like to think I have an open mind," he said.
"I dare say you do, Constable," Alucard agreed.
"George," Crabtree said. "You can call me George. Detective Murdoch does."
"As do your friends, I take it," Alucard guessed.
"Indeed they do, sir," Crabtree confirmed. "Speaking of which, come with me and I'll introduce you."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Alucard declined.
Crabtree gave him a puzzled look. "Why not?" he asked.
"I get the feeling they're not as open minded and trusting as you are, George," Alucard replied.
Crabtree waved his hand dismissively. "That's because they haven't met you. I've met you and I think you're a fine chap...if you don't mind my saying, sir."
Alucard smiled. "Not at all, George," he said.
Crabtree sighed in relief. "Thank you, sir. I was afraid I had overstepped my boundaries. But, again, I insist you come meet them. They're fine fellows and I think you would all get along just fine."
Alucard shook his head. "All right, Constable," he caved. "Lead the way."
Crabtree grinned and led Alucard to the table where Higgins and Jackson were sitting. The other Constables looked far less than pleased.
"Detective Raven, these are my good friends, Constable Henry Higgins and Constable Slugger Jackson," Crabtree said.
Alucard smiled warmly and extended his hand. Higgins reached out and shook his hand, not wanting to seem rude. Jackson also shook his hand when it was extended to him.
"A pleasure to meet you two," Alucard said.
"Are you...really from the future?" Higgins asked.
Alucard nodded. "I am," he answered.
"Prove it," Jackson said.
Alucard shifted on his feet, thinking. "What month is this?" he asked.
"August, sir," Crabtree replied.
Alucard nodded. "Next month, September. On the twenty-fourth, it will be the first round-the-world trip by a woman on a bicycle. Annie Londonderry, I believe her name is," he said.
"I heard about her in the papers," Jackson stated.
"She makes it?" Higgins asked in astonishment.
Alucard nodded. "That she does," he answered.
"Remarkable," Crabtree whispered.
"But, if you still don't believe me, keep an eye to the papers when September twenty-fourth rolls around," Alucard said. He stepped to the side as a waitress came and passed the Constables their drinks. "I'm interrupting. I shall bid my farewell and see you all in the morning."
Crabtree reached out and grabbed his arm as Alucard started to walk away. "Nonsense, sir. We'd love to hear stories from the future," he said.
"I must admit, you have me interested," Higgins confessed.
"I thought you didn't trust me," Alucard replied.
A slight blush touched Higgins' cheeks. "I...will admit...I didn't, at first. You just came out of nowhere."
"And with your strange clothes, strange technology," Jackson added.
Alucard nodded in understanding. "I keep forgetting that this is just as big an adjustment for you as it is for me," he apologized. "I honestly didn't mean to cause any alarm. And I certainly didn't mean for it to seem that I had any ill intentions against you and your station house. Especially detective Murdoch."
"Well...if you had meant ill intent, you would have done something by now," Higgins told him.
"Finally seeing reason, are you, Henry?" Crabtree teased.
Higgins' blush deepened. Alucard chuckled and shook his head. In some way, these men reminded him of his own men. Loyal to their fellow Constables and their station house. Ready to defend another officer's honor if need be. It made his heart ache for his own time. However, maybe George had a point. What if the sudden appearance of Noah Collins in his time marked him for something in this one?
Crabtree pulled up another seat and he joined the Constables, ordering another drink. They asked him questions about the future and what they might expect. Alucard told them stories of his own adventures from his time on the Toronto Police force. The pub rang with the sounds of their laughter. It was stuff they could relate to, even so many years into the past. It seemed police work never changed over the long span of time.
The stories never stopped, each Constable regaling stories of their own personal experiences from working for the Constabulary. Alucard laughed so hard he could hardly breathe. They each took turns pointing out stupid or idiotic things the others had done. At one point, Alucard thought it was safe to take a drink, only to spit it out onto Jackson when Crabtree finished telling his story. The incident only made them laugh that much more. Alucard had to wonder what was in the drinks.
Sadly, their night drew to a close and they left the pub, still chuckling to themselves, but in much lighter moods than when they entered. Alucard put on his hat and tipped it to the three Constables.
"Well, gentlemen, it was a most pleasant evening getting to know you three. I look forward to working with you further," he said.
"It was a pleasure for us, too, sir," Higgins replied.
"And, again, sorry for not trusting you," Jackson apologized.
Alucard waved his hand. "Water under the bridge," he said. He looked around. "Now, I have to remember in what direction my boarding house is in."
Crabtree, Higgins and Jackson chuckled as Alucard began walking off. The detective waved as he walked away.
"Until next time, gentlemen," he called over his shoulder.
"Until next time, sir," Crabtree called after him.
Alucard whistled an upbeat tune as he headed off towards his boarding house. His spirits were increasingly lighter. He was in a much better mood than before. Alucard took off his hat and tossed it into the air before catching it again and placing it back on his head. He tipped his hat to a young couple as they made their way out of a restaurant. The young man tipped his hat in reply.
Alucard half walked, half skipped up to his boarding house, climbing the stairs until he reached the third floor. He made his way to his room, unlocked the door and stepped inside. Closing the door behind him, he flicked the key in the lock to secure it. He took off his hat, tossed it on the bed and removed his jacket, vest and shirt, also tossing them on the bed.
His wings unfurled from his back and he wrapped them around his body, enveloping himself in their coolness. Alucard let out a contented sigh as his eyes drifted closed, his body hovering several feet off the floor. Maybe being stuck in the past wasn't such a bad thing, after all. He could relate to these men almost as well he could with officers from his own time.
We'll see what tomorrow holds, he thought as he drifted off into dreamful slumber.
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