Revolution in Time (Out of Time #10) (13 page)

Jack wouldn’t.

Travers arrived.

“You can’t do this. I won’t let you,” Travers said, bravely and a little stupidly.

Cross looked down at Travers with a glare so fierce Travers nearly stepped back. “I am going to find Hawkins and cut out his heart.”

Travers swallowed nervously but didn’t budge. “You can’t.”

“Then give me a gun.”

“You don’t understand. You—”

Cross shoved Travers aside and started for the barn again.

Travers regained his footing and called out after him. “If you do, you might as well kill Elizabeth while you’re at it.”

Jack felt a shiver run down his spine as Simon turned back. There had been murder in his eyes before, but now ….

Travers held his ground, mostly, under the power of Simon’s gaze. “You’ll undo everything we’ve done. Hawkins gave the order, yes, but he’s not alone in this.”

Jack could see Simon trying to resist the logic of what Travers said.

“And neither are you,” Jack said.
 

“If you go there now,” Travers said, “they’ll know. It won’t be long before they figure the rest of it out. You might kill Hawkins, but you’ll give us away. You’ll throw away everything we’ve worked for. Everything a dozen people have risked their lives for. Everything you and Elizabeth have suffered would be for nothing.”

“He’s right,” Jack said. “When this is over. I’ll help you kill him, but you can’t go there now.”

Simon’s eyes shifted to Jack. They were starting to get through to him.

Slowly, Travers walked over to him. “I understand how you feel. But we have to stop them the right way. The only way that will put an end to this once and for all.”

Travers held out his hand, silently asking for the knife.
 

Jack could see Simon’s logic warring with his anger as the need for vengeance pulsed alongside both. For a moment, Jack wasn’t sure which would win.

Simon shifted his grip on the knife and Jack readied himself to take action. Simon raised his hand and then threw the knife down into the dirt so hard it nearly disappeared into the earth.

He looked back up at Travers. “Then end it. Or I will.”

He walked back toward the house. Travers bent down and, with some effort, yanked the knife out of the ground.
 

They both watched Cross go back into the house.

“That was troubling,” Travers said.

Jack frowned. “Wait till he finds out just how we plan on ending it.”

~~~

“Are you mad?” Simon demanded as he leaned forward onto his fists as they rested on top of the dining table. Elizabeth reached for his arm to try to calm him down.
 

Since she’d woken up, the quiet, loving Simon had been replaced by raging, loving Simon. He wouldn’t tell her what happened, and she didn’t press, but whatever it was, he was still upset about it.

Now, all of them were gathered in the dining room to learn what came next. Apparently, that meant missions back in time and Simon was … reluctant.

“If you think I’m going to take Elizabeth back to revolutionary times, you’re insane.”

Travers remained calm. “I understand your reservations.”

Simon snorted. “Reservations?”

Jack stepped in. “I know it’s a lot to ask considering everything you’ve been through. Asking you and your pregnant wife to travel back in time to stop an assassination sounds a little crazy.” He frowned then turned to Travers. “You know, it does sound crazy when I say it out loud like that.”

“Be that as it may,” Travers said. “These are the cards we’ve been dealt.”

Simon stood up straight. “Then you can play them without us.”

“If only I could.” Travers sighed and laid his hands palms down on the table. “We are faced with a great crisis. Hawkins—”

Simon’s hand twitched visibly at the name.

“And the others,” Travers continued, “have already set their plan in motion, and I’m afraid it’s more complex than we’d feared. They intend on attacking three separate points in time simultaneously.”

He picked up three large folders and laid them down one at a time as he ticked off the Council’s scheme. “1774, London. Writer, activist Thomas Paine has yet to come to America and has yet to pen
Common Sense
or
The American Crisis
. His words spur on a nation.

“1776, New Jersey. Washington and his troops are freezing to death, starving. They take one last risk and win, against all odds, a small but extremely important victory at Trenton.”

He held up the third folder. “1777, Paris. Benjamin Franklin, inventor, statesman, and diplomat, is attempting the impossible and trying to secure the help of the French monarch in a revolution against a monarchy. Without the weapons, men and money from the French, the war would surely have been lost.”

He patted the stack of files. “Each of these moments in history is under siege. Each of these men plays important parts in history. And so, it seems, do we.”

He looked at Simon. “The fate of this nation, of the world as we know it, of history itself, relies on us.”

“No pressure,” Jack muttered.

“No kidding,” Elizabeth agreed.

“We must make sure each event occurs as it is meant to. If we fail in even one, the repercussions will be catastrophic. I realize I’m asking a great deal of you.” He smiled at Elizabeth. “Of you both. But if we fail, history as we know it will cease to be. You, all of us, in all likelihood, will cease to be.”

Elizabeth felt a shiver. She reached over and took hold of Simon’s hand. He looked haunted. He shook his head.

“There must be someone else who can go,” Simon asked quietly.

“The people in this room,” Travers said, “are history’s last line of defense. Like it or not, we’re it.”

“I can help,” Teddy volunteered.
 

Travers looked at him kindly. “And you will. All of us will, I’m afraid. The stakes are too high to leave anything to chance, and so each team will be comprised of two people.”

“I work alone,” Victor said.

“Usually, yes.”

“Always.”

Travers wasn’t intimidated, although, from the look in Victor’s eyes, he probably should have been.

“These are exceptional circumstances. All of us will travel in pairs. I will go with you.”

“Like hell you will.”

Travers looked almost annoyed. “If you should die, all of our plans fail. You are a talented operative, but this is not a request. Each team will be comprised of two members. I’m well versed in French history. You’re French.”

“Your observational skills are keen at least,” Victor sniped.

Travers wasn’t put off. “I will work with you to make sure Doctor Franklin achieves success in Paris. While the Crosses travel to London to make sure Thomas Paine gets his letter of recommendation.”

“Ridiculous,” Simon said.

“Happily, there’s no war there at the time—”

“Just pestilence. The whole city is rife with smallpox—”

“You were both vaccinated nearly two years ago,” Travers reminded him.

Simon frowned as he realized Travers was right. “Nonetheless—”

“We’ll go,” Elizabeth said.
 

She felt sick. She wasn’t just risking her life, but Charlotte’s. But there was no choice, really. If they didn’t go, Charlotte and the rest of them might never be.

Simon started to argue with her, but she pressed on.

“I know you’re worried. I’m kind of freaking out a little, too, but we have to do this. You know we do.”

Simon clenched his jaw to keep his emotions from getting the better of him again. She squeezed his hand. He stared down at her for a long moment then sighed heavily and sat down next to her.

Travers continued, “Jack, I think with your combat experience, you’re best suited to be with Washington and his troops at Trenton.”

Jack nodded thoughtfully.
 

“I guess that means you’re stuck with me,” Teddy said softly.

Jack grinned. “Hey, if we were picking, I’d take you over the lot.”

Victor snorted.

“He’s the smartest one here. No offense,” he added as he looked at Simon. “And what he lacks for in brute strength, I more than make up for with charm and good looks.”

Victor rolled his eyes, but Teddy beamed.

Jack walked over to stand by Teddy’s chair.
 

“Thank you,” Travers said and then looked around the table at each of them. “Thank you all. And may God help us.”

“G
OOD
LORD
,” S
IMON
SAID
as the two of them went over the wardrobes that had been provided for them. Clothes and accessories were laid out over the bed and chairs.
 

Using the end of a wooden comb he picked up a curly white gentleman’s wig. He held it out in front him like roadkill he’d just pried off the street.

Elizabeth laughed. “You think that’s bad?”

She picked up the corset that had been supplied for her. “Designed to grow with my growing figure.”

“A maternity corset? Is there really such a thing?”

Elizabeth glared at the offending garment. “Apparently. But on behalf of women and their intestines everywhere, I’m going to pass. It might not be kosher, but I’m going commando this time.”

Simon managed a laugh. It had been a long time since she’d heard that sound. It was still faint by comparison to his usual, but any sign of the old Simon was welcome.

He dropped his wig into a pitcher on the dresser. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Elizabeth grinned and tossed her corset aside. She crossed the bedroom to stand in front of him and reached up to touch his hair. He’d been in need of a cut when they’d traveled to the cabin. The ends were just beginning to curl. She combed her fingers through it and gathered the small loose ends at the nape of his neck.
 

“You can probably get away with a ponytail.”

He didn’t look too overjoyed at the prospect, but put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Gazing down into her eyes, they both forgot about his hairstyle.

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened earlier?” she finally asked.

His brows drew together and he sighed. “I acted impulsively.”

It wasn’t exactly an explanation, but it was something, and she didn’t want to press. Despite his assurances that he was fine, it was clear to all of them that he wasn’t. None of them, except for perhaps Simon himself, expected him to be.
 

“It’s going to take time to put all of this behind us,” she said gently.

He nodded but was clearly still troubled.
 

“And I know you don’t want to go, don’t want us to go,” she continued, “but—”

“I understand the importance.”

There was something else then. “But?”

He looked almost pained. “I’m afraid I’ll make some sort of mistake. A dangerous mistake. I’m not thinking too clearly right now.”

It was a difficult admission for him. Simon prided himself on his logic, on his ability to control himself, and to feel so out of control must be deeply unsettling.

“What if I do something that puts you in danger?”

“You wouldn’t.”

“I nearly did today,” he said and then eased out of her arms and crossed the room. “If they hadn’t stopped me ….”

He shook his head and turned to face her. “I’m supposed to take care of you.”

“You do.” Elizabeth walked over to him. “We take care of each other.”

He nodded but didn’t seem convinced.

“How about this? While you’re feeling impulsive, I’ll be a little more like you.”

He looked at her in question.

“Strong,” she answered, “confident, protective.”

He smiled, pleased and humbled at her assessment.

Elizabeth did her best Simon impression. “Now come here and kiss me.”

He mock frowned. “Do I really sound like that?”

She pulled him into her arms. “Not really.”

“That’s too bad.” He looped his arms around her. “It was damned sexy.”

Elizabeth laughed, but it was smothered by a kiss.

“We’ll be all right,” she said. “As long as we’re together.”

~~~

“These are your keys.” Travers held up three ornate skeleton keys. “Don’t lose them. The machine has programmed them to return the bearer at a specified time.” He turned to Teddy, who was struggling to shoulder a musket that was larger than he was. With his face freshly shaven, he looked more like a boy than a man.

They all looked like they were going to a very strange costume party—Teddy and Jack in their rough and mismatched soldiers outfits, Travers and Victor a little more resplendent in French silks, and she and Simon as the lowest rung of the upper class, the landed gentry.
 

Teddy struggled a little more until Jack took the gun from him. Elizabeth caught Jack’s eye and he gave her a wink.

Teddy took the keys. Each had a different colored ribbon tied to the end of it.
 

He held up the key with the red ribbon. “Forty-eight hours,” he said and handed it to Jack. The next was blue. “Seventy-two.” He gave that key to Travers and then the final key, with its white ribbon, he held out to Elizabeth. “Ninety-six.”

She took it with a smile. Teddy returned the smile then nervously moved back to stand with Jack.

“Each duration is based on our best guess of the time needed for the task at hand. Since we don’t know exactly where Thomas Paine is, we wanted to give you a little extra time.”

Elizabeth hated that part. Of all the missions, theirs was the vaguest. Each group received detailed dossiers on their subject and mission. Theirs was sadly lacking. Unlike Franklin or Washington’s exploits, Paine’s life in England before he traveled to America was sparsely recorded. Where in all of London he was on September 27, 1774, no one knew.
 

“The side effects of traveling by the machine diminish greatly after the first time. You might have a slight headache, but that should be all.”

Travers tucked his key into his jacket pocket.

“When you arrive in your designated location, mark the time. The clock for the automatic return will then start ticking down. And I cannot stress this enough—don’t lose your key. It will return whether you have it in your possession or not. Do not get separated near the return time. When the time expires, the bearer and anyone they’re touching will be brought back here. Anyone else will be left behind.”