New Renaissance Man: Aguas Calientes

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

Haverford and Lyman get into town, and Jean and Scott do some light spy work.



Aguas Calientes was a very, very tiny town; Scott was trying to not be anxious about the likelihood of Lyman or Haverford spotting them too early, but it was taking real effort. On the bright side, the village at the foot of Macchu Picchu was flooded with tourists at this time of year. If nothing else, he and Jean could lose themselves in the crowds.

The Pueblo Hotel's bar was crowded as well, and they'd found themselves a shadowed corner table, waiting to see if the hotel's newest guests were going to come downstairs for a drink. It was that time of the night.

The brown hair out of the corner of her eyes was still more than a tad disturbing. Particularly since she had her back to the main lobby, giving Scott cover to do a visual scan while she searched telepathically. "Got them," she said quietly. "Coming off the elevator now."

"-- apprised of the risks. However, given the value of the artifact, I can't imagine you have an interest in going back where you came from." Haverford's voice was dry, and he ran a hand through his hair, easily keeping pace with the older man.

Lyman shook his head. "The risks are worth it. Do you have the transport arranged to the Temple? The quicker we can get this done, the better - we're getting too close to the high tourist season as it is."

It was hard. It was really damned hard, to sit there and watch the man walk into the bar. To just sit there, and pretend that his heartrate hadn't just jumped, to slow down his breathing to something approaching normal. Scott leaned back into the shadows, making himself look at Jean instead of Lyman and Haverford. Just for a moment, to regain his composure.

Haverford had pulled a PDA out of his back pocket, tapping the screen several times before turning it toward Lyman. "As you can see," he said, "transportation has been arranged, and I took the liberty of seeing to certain other considerations, given the layout. I can't say I've been to Machu Picchu recently, but my sources are reliable."

Jean took a moment to wish that she had a feral's enhanced hearing - she had no idea how good Haverford's mental training was, and while she could probably scan Lyman without him noticing, Haverford was clearly the one in control. "Come on," she whispered, "when?" Before they moved out of range, further into the restaurant.

Lyman looked over at Haverford and resisted the urge to mutter 'congratulations'. He took the pda and frowned at it. "We'll be getting there at 5:45. The ruins open to tourists at 6. Will we have enough time?"

"I should think so," Haverford said crisply. "Provided that you can keep a decent pace, that is."

Scott leaned forward and took Jean's hand, as if they were any other married couple in a cosy corner of a poorly lit bar. "Can't be that easy, can it?" he murmured under his breath.

"Let's not question the universe deciding to give us good luck for once." Jean paused, then added, "And let's keep our eyes out for it changing its mind."