44. The Train To Paris.

"That lady wants to go brush her kitty!" Ava woke abruptly at the sound of a young boy announcing this much too near to her face. She ignored him and rubbed her neck; thankfully, it looked like the train was finally pulling into the Paris station. "She had ginger hair just like me!" the boy cried, determined to be noticed. "And she's going to brush her kitty!"

"That's very exciting," Ava conceded wearily. Kids could be so weird.

"Georgie!" a maternal voice called out. "Georgie, get back in your seat!"

Ava nudged Abe awake and stood to gather her own bag. As she stretched her legs, she realized with a wakening jolt that her pockets were empty.

"You!" she snapped after the little boy. "Did you go through my things?" She leapt down the aisle to where he and his mother were putting their jackets on. "Did you take my watch?" she yelled again, but the boy just shook his head fearfully.

Abe's groggy voice came muttering from behind her. "Please," he said slowly, "please tell me you're joking..."

Read Chapter 45: A Face In The Crowd

43. Baggage.

Packing his bag was a surreal sensation for Abe. He’d been caring for his father for five years now, and to be leaving so indefinitely was disconcerting. Of course, Ava had finished packing almost immediately. She was probably waiting on the stoop, still irritated at Charlie for the meager information he’d offered. He seemed to think if he told her everything, she might not come back--and Abe had to admit he was probably right.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt at how much they were really withholding. Like this ‘favor.’ Charlie had only just told him about it, and the notion sickened and thrilled Abe all at once. If Ava found out, she’d almost certainly abandon them. 

Which, Abe reluctantly agreed with his father, was something they simply couldn’t afford.

He tightened his jaw as he threw an extra sweater into his bag. Then he grabbed one more bottle of vicodin for his med kit. He could at least try to keep her alive until then.

Read Chapter 44: The Train To Paris

42. To Go Alone.

 "I'm not handing out blank IOU's," Ava blurted. "No offense, Abe, but I'd rather do this on my own anyway. So I'll take this," she grabbed the watch and stood up from the sofa, "and head to Paris myself."

"Don't be a fool!" Charlie cried suddenly, startling her. "I know more about that watch than you ever will. Why do you think I bloody have it in the first place? I could write a dissertation on the set of Coulise skills you only just realized you even have!"

Ava narrowed her eyes. "And why exactly is that?" she asked.

"I met your grandad, about twenty years back," he said. "Oh, yes. Struck a particular interest after he disappeared. Ended up doing a bit of research--" At this, Abe gave a sort of guffaw, but quickly covered his mouth under Charlie's glare. "More than a bit, perhaps," the old man admitted. "Point is, I can help you. As can my boy -- how long do you think you would have lasted without him by that plane?" He sat back smugly and folded his arms.

Ava didn't want to admit it, but he had a point.

Read Chapter 43: Baggage.

41. A Favor.

"If we can help you fix the watch," said Charlie, "you'll be able to use it properly."

Ava rolled her eyes impatiently. "Yes, that is the idea," she chaffed.

"You'll want to use it to find your sister, of course--" He hesitated when Ava's eyes widened and she turned a withering glare onto Abe.

Abe looked back innocently. "What?" he asked. "You didn't say it was a secret!"

Charlie chuckled. "Doesn't matter what you want it for, lass," he said. "But once you've done that, you'll do one thing for me. Just a little favor I can't do for myself."

Ava had been afraid of this. "And what kind of favor are we talking about?" she asked.

"Well, it will involve hopping around in time, of course. Your soon-to-be speciality. But it's of a rather sensitive nature, so let's just leave it at that." He grinned again and spread his arms wide. "We help you, and you help us." 

Ava glanced over at Abe, who avoided her gaze. "This favor," she asked. "This is for both of you?" 

Abe still wouldn't meet her eyes, but he nodded. "Both of us," he confirmed, in a voice that might have been shaking.

Read Chapter 42: To Go Alone.

40. Pleading.

Abe watched her with a pained expression. "He's right, Ava. The Paris address is all we have to go on."

Ava stared at the quietly ticking watch. She couldn't help but wonder where Allie was, right at this minute. Ava knew she was still alive. She had to be. In fact, it almost felt like she was watching them, pleading with Ava for something. "Fine," she said at last. "But Charlie, if we're going to work together, I think it's about time you told me what you're after." She matched his gaze with a steely glare, determined not to be intimidated. 

Charlie's wrinkled lips spread into a Cheshire-wide grin. "What, you don't believe me to be helping out of the goodness of my own heart?"

Read Chapter 41: A Favor.