Always and Forever

by L. A. Fiore

  "Then I would say anywhere from 35 to 40 years give or take a few years."

  "Thanks, Tessa."

  "Anything else?"

  "Yeah, actually. Do you still have that friend who works for the FBI?"

  "Yes, why?"

  "Do you think he would mind aging your picture of Constance?"

  "He actually owes me a few, so it shouldn't be a problem. I'll send you both photos in a few days. Does that work?"

  "I owe you now, too."

  Tessa's laughed a reply, "This is actually fun, I feel like Nancy Drew. But I'll collect don't you worry."

  Quinn stopped at the Brazen Head Pub for dinner and was surprised by the age of the place most particularly the sign declaring it opened in the late 1100s. The age of Europe was what brought Quinn here from the United States in the first place. As much as she loved home, it didn't have the history that the European and Asian countries had. She settled at the bar and ordered a glass of wine and a plate of Bangers and Mash. There was a lively band playing and Quinn thought about her evening with Gabriel at Jack O'Shea's pub.

  There were photos all over the walls and Quinn scanned them quickly to find Gabriel. He was younger, maybe ten years younger so late twenties. He still had that hardness about him but knowing how he grew up she understood. He really did wear his hard won battles on his face. When the bartender, a bull of a man named Broderick, came over to place her dinner before her, Quinn asked him about the photo.

  "Do you know that man?"

  Broderick turned to the photo for a moment. "Oh yeah, Gabe, he's a good buddy of the owner. Bit of a legend around these parts, scrawny kid from the streets and now he's almost as rich as the Queen."

  "Do you know if he's married?"

  "Married? Gabe? I don't think so. There was a blonde that used to come around for him back in the day but I haven't seen her in a while. Never really got the impression that Gabriel was ever into her."

  After a delicious meal and indulging in a second glass of wine, Quinn paid her tab and was preparing to leave when the door in the back opened. A man walked out and she knew her face paled because she literally felt all of the blood drain from it. The hair was different, not as long and more blond, but the face, the eyes and the body were exactly the same: Thaddeus. Broderick came over at that moment to take Quinn's glass away.

  "Is that the owner?"

  Quinn knew her voice sounded odd but shock often did that to her.

  "Yeah, Shane O'Conner."

  Shane/Thaddeus walked over to the bar and asked for a Guinness but his attention was completely on Quinn.

  "Evening. Did you enjoy your dinner?"

  Quinn couldn't believe she was looking at a modern day version of Thaddeus. God she missed him. She realized she was staring so she mentally shook herself.

  "Yes, it was delicious."

  "American. How are you finding our fine city?"

  "Beautiful, but a bit scary."

  His eyebrow rose at that before he replied, "Most only see the beauty but there is ugly just under the surface."

  "I imagine most big cities have that, it's the balance of the two that makes them compelling. Alluring even."

  He extended his hand as a smile spread over his handsome face. "Shane."

  Quinn slipped her hand into his. "Quinn."

  He lifted her hand to his lips. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Quinn."

  He was so much like Thaddeus that she couldn't help but smile when she replied, "Likewise, Shane."

  It was so easy between them. As if she was back with her friend Thaddeus. They spent the rest of the evening chatting about anything and everything and in the early hours of the morning, he walked her back to her hotel.

  "Are you free tomorrow? I could show you some of the sights."

  "I'd like that, thank you."

  He started to turn but stopped and looked back at her. "I have to be honest, Quinn, he knows you're here. He called me earlier and asked me to check on you. I was pleasantly surprised to see you in my bar but being that I had just gotten off the phone with Gabriel, I shouldn't have been surprised at all."

  "Gabriel? How did he know?"

  "Your cell phone and your credit card."

  It was then that Quinn remembered that Gabriel was the head of security for the Scarcliff Foundation, clearly he really did have experience in the field.

  "Is he married?"

  "No."

  "Was he ever?"

  "No."

  Quinn couldn't understand since she found the ring but it was late and she was just too tired to think it through.

  "When is he coming?"

  "He's already on the road so he will most likely be standing right outside your door in the morning when you wake."

  "Will you be all right walking back?" Quinn asked.

  "Yeah."

  "Thank you. I really did enjoy the evening."

  He grinned. "Me too. Bring Gabriel by tomorrow. I'll feed you both."

  "Will do," she replied with a twinkle in her eyes.

  Shane waited until he heard the lock click into place, then turned and headed back to his pub. He dialed a number on his cell phone and waited for the call to connect.

  "Hello?" Gabriel's voice came over the line.

  "Gabriel, I just left Quinn. She's staying at the Shelbourne room 313."

  "Is she okay?"

  "She seems so, yes, but I did tell her that you were coming. I couldn't lie to her but she seemed resigned to the fact so I don't think she's going to be fleeing into the night. She asked me if you were married. You're not married are you?" Shane asked confused.

  "No."

  "Wonder where she got that idea? Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow."

  "Thank you, Shane, seriously."

  Shane was quiet for a minute before he asked, "She's the one isn't she? The one you left here for?"

  "Yes." Gabriel replied.

  "You're in love with her." Shane wasn't asking.

  "Completely," was Gabriel's only reply.

  Quinn didn't expect to sleep so she was very surprised when she opened her eyes to the sunlight pouring in through her windows and then she remembered that Gabriel was coming, or maybe was already here, as she unconsciously looked to the door. Was he standing out there even now? The thought had her heart beating wildly in her chest.

  She climbed from bed and brushed her teeth, pulled a brush through her hair and slipped on a sweater and jeans before padding barefoot to the door. When she pulled it open, she couldn't deny she was disappointed to find the hallway empty. But then Gabriel wasn't a stalker and standing outside her door was a bit creepy. She was just closing the door when the phone rang.

  "Quinn?"

  Her heart rate tripled in response to that familiar baritone.

  "Can I come up, please?"

  Her hands shook from nerves while she waited for the knock on her door. Taking a few calming breaths, she walked to the door and gave herself a moment to savor the sight of him. He was dressed in faded jeans, a heather gray sweater, well worn biker boots and his leather jacket. He was a sight but he looked tired with purple smudges under his eyes.

  "Come in," she whispered as she held the door open wider. When he stepped into the room, his scent immediately surrounded her and she couldn't help closing her eyes and taking it in.

  "We need to talk, Quinn."

  She noticed, in the light of her room, that he wasn't just tired, he was exhausted.

  "We can talk later, Gabriel, you need to sleep."

  He started to protest but she reached for him and pulled his jacket down his arms and dropped it on the back of the chair. She took his hand and led him to the bed.

  "Please. You look like you're going to drop. When was the last time you slept?"

  His grin was boyish before he replied, "I don't remember."

  She bunched his sweater in her hands and lifted it over his head. She wanted to press her lips to him but she took a step back. He needed sleep.

  "Sleep. We'll ta
lk when you wake."

  Gabriel shucked off his jeans and climbed under the covers. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was sound asleep. Quinn took a seat, holding his sweater to her chest, and watched over him.

  He had arrived at the Shelbourne at four in the morning but it was too early to go to Quinn so he sat in the lounge too wired to sleep. As soon as the clock struck eight, he was dialing her room from the courtesy phone at the concierge desk. He felt relief and love wash over him when he heard the sound of her voice over the line.

  And when he finally saw her, he didn't miss her reaction: she had missed him as much as he had her, but she was nervous, hesitant, and he understood why.

  Knowing she was safe, that she was within arms reach, the adrenaline he'd been living on for the past week faded as exhausted swamped him. He felt every one of the days from the past week where he hadn't slept more than an hour or two. He wanted to talk with her but he couldn't seem to hold onto a thought. When she told him to sleep, he almost wept in gratitude, but when she reached for him and pulled his sweater over his head another emotion stirred to life.

  He was exhausted, yes, but wanting her trumped everything else so he stood completely still, didn't even breathe as he waited to see what she would do. It was disappointment he felt when she took a step away from him even as his body cried out for sleep.

  "Sleep. We'll talk when you wake."

  Her softly spoken order was all it took for him to tug off his jeans and climb into bed seconds before he fell fast asleep.

  When he woke, he had no idea how long he slept and he was worried that she left him again but when he sat up, there she was sitting on the chair watching him.

  "What time is it?"

  "Just after two in the afternoon."

  He'd never slept that long before which only proved how sleep deprived he'd been. He pulled a hand through his hair as his eyes stayed fixed on hers and then she asked, "Are you hungry?"

  "Aye."

  She reached for the phone to call room service. He watched her, starved for the sight of her, her delicate hands, the way her throat moved when she spoke, the curve of her cheek and line of her jaw. God, he had missed her. And he had to right his wrongs.

  "You found the ring."

  "Yes."

  "I should have told you but I just didn't know how you would take it."

  "Tell me now."

  He walked to his jacket and pulled out a ring box before walking over and handing it to her. He saw her confusion but he simply said, "Open it."

  The last thing she wanted to do was see that ring again but he was just standing there, clearly not willing to say anything more until she opened it, and so she did. It wasn't just the diamond band but also a beautiful emerald-cut diamond engagement ring and a thick platinum band. She lifted the diamond band to see the inscription as tears burned her eyes.

  "Look at my ring."

  With shaking fingers she lifted his ring and turned it upside down to see the inscription. It took her several minutes to understand what she was reading and when she did her eyes flew to his.

  "I don't understand."

  He took the diamond engagement ring and slowly slipped it onto her finger. It was a perfect fit as the inscription on his ring swirled around in her head. Always and Forever, Quinn

  "It's yours. I married you."

  "When? How?"

  "November 18, 2019."

  Her legs weren't going to support her much longer so she sank down onto the chair. He married her. In the future he married her.

  "You came back through time?" she whispered.

  "Yes, I was sent back for you."

  Quinn looked down at her finger where the diamond winked back at her and then a thought had her going very cold.

  "Why did you come back?"

  He hunched down in front of her and took her hands into his own. When she looked into those green eyes, she saw not only his tears but a pain so staggering she was surprised he could function while carrying such an emotional burden. He reached up to run his fingers through her hair and when he spoke his voice was a pained whisper.

  "In 2020, the night of our first anniversary party, you stumbled upon a robbery attempt."

  His eyes filled with tears and spilled down his cheeks, as he took a few deep breaths, before he finished.

  "You were killed, murdered right there in Nick's solar. I was the one to find you just before you..." He didn't finish, couldn't seem to get the words out, but Quinn didn't need to hear what he wasn't saying because she saw the devastation stamped all over his face. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. He buried his face in her hair as his tears dampened her neck.

  "I died that night, too," he went on, "couldn't imagine having to live the rest of my days without you. And then quite suddenly, I found myself back in this time."

  "When did you come back?"

  "Right after your accident. When I learned you were still alive, that I had been given a second chance with you, I couldn't stay away." His hands came up to frame her face, his thumbs wiping her tears from her cheeks.

  "I won't lose you again," he vowed.

  Quinn reached up to touch his face and when she spoke her voice was filled with wonder. "We were married."

  "Yes."

  "When did we meet?"

  "I came to visit Nick and I saw you. One look and I had to know you, be near you. It was so powerful a need that it was beyond me."

  "And we married in 2019?"

  "Yes."

  "But why were you sent to this time when we hadn't yet met?"

  "Perhaps not this time but I'm beginning to believe that you and I have met in more than one lifetime."

  Quinn's voice was filled with awe when she replied, "Destined."

  Gabriel touched his lips to hers before he added, "Fated."

  "Do you know who killed me?"

  His face went hard. "I suspected Derek. It's why I'm working at the Scarcliff Foundation and why I left you last week. I've been tracking his movements but..."

  "But what?"

  "Now I'm not so convinced that it was him. He was there, at the party, and I saw him in the hall heading away from the solar right before I found you. But from what I've uncovered, he seems like a dirt bag but not a killer."

  "What does he look like in the future?"

  "What?!"

  Quinn almost laughed at the startled and angry expression that flashed across Gabriel's features. She touched his face before she asked, "Does he look oddly old?"

  "No, he looks about forty. Why do you ask that?"

  "A theory. My friend Tessa called me yesterday and guess what Derek's partner's name is? A partner who seems to have disappeared from sight?"

  "What?"

  "Constance Danvers."

  "Why does that name mean something to me?"

  "It was the same last name Derek used when he went back to the 18th century to con Archer."

  "Clearly not a coincidence."

  "I don't think so." Quinn stood and started pacing the room.

  "Derek was interested in something of the Scarcliff's, something that had him wanting to go back in time to find it. So let's assume before anyone did any time travel, Morgan and Archer both lived, had children, and the Scarcliff name carried into the future. Something in that future enticed Derek enough to make him want to go back and find the treasure for his own." She paused. "If he's looking for a Scarcliff treasure he's more than likely going to start at the beginning with Archer's father. But what if what Derek sought hadn't yet been created in that time?"

  Gabriel nodded his head following her logic. "Go on."

  "Tessa has a theory about time travel: when a person goes through time they age when they return to their own time. The amount of aging depends on how many times they've traveled into the past. If Derek looked his age in the future then he can't be the one moving constantly through time finding those rare finds. It has to be his partner doing it, burying them for Derek to find. That would e
xplain why she disappeared because she wouldn't look as she should, she would look significantly older. So maybe it wasn't even Derek who went back that first time but his partner. She jumped too early but, being an archaeologist, when she learned that there were Danvers living she couldn't stop herself from investigating to see if there was any connection to her. She hung back in the past for a while learning all she could on the Danvers but at the same time, unrelated to her being there, Morgan is killed. Killing Morgan though definitely would change the future, at least as it pertains to Derek."

  "Which would explain why Derek appeared in the past because the future and, presumably his treasure, was no more," Gabriel completed her thought.

  "Exactly! What's interesting is both Morgan and I are killed. Derek is the obvious link but he isn't smart enough to pull that off. I think, especially now that we know people can actually walk through time, that it's very possible whoever killed Morgan could have also killed me."

  "Why?

  Quinn shrugged. "I don't know."

  "Who?"

  "Again, I don't know but I think it might be interesting to look a bit harder at Archer's father."

  "Why?"

  "Murder 101. The killer is usually someone close to the victim. He went to the trouble of covering up her death, and of everyone close to Morgan, Archer's dad was the only one with a motive."

  Gabriel and Quinn arrived at Shane's pub just as the lunch menu was being written on the board.

  They picked a table in the back of the place and while they waited for Shane to join them, Quinn asked, "Tell me about our wedding."

  There was wistfulness in his expression when he replied, "We had the wedding at Whispering Winds near the river's edge. You were the most beautiful bride as you walked down the slopping hills of green towards me in your white gown. I see you, every time I close my eyes, I see you walking toward me looking only at me. You were clutching your bouquet of white roses so tightly and I could tell you were nervous but it was only love looking back at me. It was a small ceremony, only our very close friends and family, and after, we celebrated in the great hall where Nick spared no expense." A slight grin touched his lips as he thought of it. "We spent our wedding night in the rose room of Whispering Winds before leaving for our honeymoon in Tuscany."

  "We lived at the estate, didn't we?"