A/N: Thank you for the support! :)

The Orient Express

CHAPTER III

When the two awoke the next morning it was by the sunlight. A little cloudy but the sun managed getting a glimpse in between the clouds. Arie had slept heavily, but not Angelica. She kept worrying about Emory. Luckily, he had not recognized her, but she was well aware of that it was only a matter of time.

Arie stood with two dresses, one hanging on each of her outstretched arms. A blue colored and a red one.

"I know red is your favorite, Arie. But remember that it is the color which attracts the eye the most, and we should keep low whilst Mr Emory is aboard."

Arie looked at her mother and nodded in agreement. "True words."

Angelica herself in a white color with low cleavage, stepped forward to her daughter and helped her tighten the corset. "You look lovely."

Arie beamed. "Thank you, Mother."

Angelica opened the door and gestured for Arie to leave. She followed beside her as the two ladies strolled through the hallway. They both nodded to the doorman that guarded between the wagons. It took two wagons until they had entered the restaurant wagon. A servant met them up and guided them towards the empty table that was exclusively reserved to their compartment.

Arie drew in her breath dramatically and caused Angelica to turn her head in Arie's vision's direction.

"Emory," Arie said quietly only for Angelica to hear.

Angelica turned back her attention to the table. "I suggest we dismiss the thoughts of his presence and enjoy this breakfast. He is unfamiliar of our identities for so long."

At first Arie seemed skeptical, but was later convinced. "If that is what you say."

And they did enjoy the breakfast. A servant had to run several times to keep the ladies entertained with sandwiches, fine teas and cheeses. They were in the middle of a conversation of gossip about friends when Angelica gasped.

Never in her lifetime had she believed she would see him again. Perhaps on Wanted Posters, but never in person.

But there he was. The grand man. Standing in the opening of the restaurant in his dark coat. His hair was indeed different from the dreadlocks she was used to, as his hair was rather combed into a long ponytail. Snobbish. The dark eyes examined a butler that were ready to guide him to the table.

Her eyes widened and her heart fluttered. She could feel the goose bumps on her skin but fortunately the dress covered them all. What in the world was he doing there? THERE? Of all places.

Arie looked over her shoulder but found nothing unparticular.

"Let's go!" Angelica announced and threw her napkin down onto the plate as she stood up. She had been too busy to panic that she even did not take in Gibbs or the woman by his side.

Arie's eyebrow quirked. "Why?"

"Emory is here," Angelica explained.

Arie was even more confused. She remained in her seat. "I know? I told you moments before."

"Emory is here," Angelica repeated.

Arie stood up and watched her mother with confusion, but did let her shove her out of the restaurant in panic.

Arie's glare was not noticed by Angelica. She was breathing heavily and for a stranger, she might appear as if chased by a murderer.

Why was Jack there? Why? The world was so big, yet he had to be on that particular train. WHY? "Díos mío."

When Angelica had shoved Arie into their compartment, the younger version had had enough.

"Mother you make no sense," she stated and sat down in a chair, still upset her breakfast had been ruined. She had never seen Emory utter a word about their true identities, which she took as he had no knowledge of them.

"Madre de dios," Angelica continued her rambling in Spanish. "Escuchamé, no puedes tenerlo aquí," and then she went on in English. "It's impossible! I've been good for so long. Why, Señor, are you doing this to me?" Her hands were clasped.

Arie followed her mother's eyes to the ceiling. She crossed her arms and examined her mother. She had never seen her act like that before - ever.

"But he did not see us," Angelica then said in relief and looked at Arie.

"No, I believe Emory never took a note of us," she said unknowing of which man her mother truly spoke of.

Arie turned her attention to the grand window. The previous sun had disappeared behind the clouds and it was raining. "This is going to be a long day."

Angelica huffed. "Oh yes."

Arie sighed and stood up. "I shall find a book in the library to read. Do want one as well?"

Angelica shook her head. "Be back soon, or I will go looking for you," she warned, not completely safe with having her daughter dancing around Emory on the train.

"I will," Arie promised and left.

As Angelica leaned backwards into the couch and watched the scenery pass outside, Arie was crossing the wagon over to another. Upon walking through the passages, she always made a polite nod to the doormen and smiled. Even if she had to admit her and her mother's thievery, she had been taught from a very young age about how to be a lady. She crossed the restaurant right through and eventually ended up at the library.

"Good day Miss," the librarian smiled upon her entrance.

"Good day," Arie responded.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" the librarian wondered thoughtfully.

Arie smiled but shook her head slowly. "No, thank you. But I will ask if there will be."

She had not searched among the shelves for long until she heard someone clear it's throat too closely behind her. Immediately, she spun around to face the imbecile.

"You - again."

The man frowned. "Believed you were someone else - again."

Arie's eyebrows raised. "Who are you mistaking me for, if I may inquire that?"

The man chuckled. "A woman similar to your looks. But older. Have ye seen someone like those descriptions?"

Arie bit her bottom lip and shook her head. "No. If you excuse me, I am not really allowed to talk to strangers."

The man smiled and revealed some of his golden teeth. He bowed. "Ye can call me Jack."

She looked into his eyes for a longer moment. It was something about him. She could not place it, but something that made her feel warm. Warm and safe. There was an urge in her that made her want to let him hug her and tell her that she and her mother would not have to be afraid of that stupid Emory person.

But then Arie swallowed and nodded. She was not going to reveal her name at least, and that surprised Jack. "Jack, a fine name," she said and turned back around, declaring her desire of being left alone.

Jack squinted his eyes as if he could see her through upon doing so. There was something with that young girl he could not understand, but he knew it was there in his gut. Like a desire of embracing her and keeping her away from all devil in the world. What in the world was he thinking of? He was not fathering a teenage girl, and hopefully never ever in his entire lifetime either.

He left the room and headed for the restaurant.

Angelica swallowed nervously for the twentieth time. Her hands were clung onto the soft material of the couch but she could not hold it anymore. There was just too much out there. Emory and Jack. Who else would be there? Her father returned from the dead and ready to strike? Or the one-legged man in mission to kill her? It would not surprise her.

She jumped up from the couch and threw the door open. She was just going to find Arie and bring her back to the compartment. Just bring her back, without her finding out anything about Jack, he would not see her nor Arie and without letting Emory finding out about their identity.

In her rushing steps she had already entered the restaurant when she saw the man across the wagon, standing in the other doorway. She stopped tracks as if she had been shot.

Jack.

Not now.

It was too late. They had locked eyes and she could tell he was not surprised by seeing her. Although she could not denial his lowered and darkened eyes.

There was a part of her telling her to escape, and another one wanting to touch him. Her legs were weak and she had to grab the top of a backrest of a armchair to not lose balance. Her heart was racing and she debated if it might pop out.

His stare had always been unbearable.

Whilst Jack had imagined facing his old flame would be easy. Just to walk over to her and claim her signature. He had not really thought it through. There she was, entering his life again when he least expected it. Looking more beautiful than ever. To not mention her juicer body parts that must have grown with the years. Additionally, she just had to have that low cleavage, those kohl-framed eyes and that long wavy and curly hair reaching so long. He could feel his pants tighten and his feet squeezed in the boots. That woman made him hot.

After taking a deep breath, he firmly began his march towards her. She panicked and began walking out of the room, kicking a chair when looking over her shoulder to catch his eyes. And he too, was way absorbed in her eyes that he did not see the servant and the trap which he crashed into, letting Angelica escape the restaurant.

The woman fled to her compartment and pushed the window up to hang over the windowsill. Fresh air, just what she longed for.

It was only a mere second afterwards when Arie promptly entered the compartment. Her happy smile fell upon the sight of her mother emptying herself. She threw the book aside and rushed over to her.

"Mother!"

A/N: Poor Angelica is a bit stressed, to say the least. Well I would for sure be! Hope you still are enjoying this story! :) I will upload chapter 4 on Monday! Have a nice weekend! See ya folks!