Alex sat in Paul's study, his feet propped up on the desk, reading the letter he'd gotten from Déroulède. His heart was beating nervously, but he kept a cool expression on his face an in his eyes.
_No fear_ he thought, _Déroulède's one seeking you out, for
whatever reason._ His dark grey eyes shut and he relaxed back in the chair.
Paul made a quick stop at a friend, who gave him the plans of the
Concergerie prison which he had requested earlier. Now he stood
In front of his house and he was happy to have reached it without
encountering any officials. He opened the door and entered. Then
quickly went to his study to hide the plans and the scraps of paper
with some info he had with him. The door was half open and Paul
chided himself for not locking it before he left. Angry at himself he
slammed his fist against the door and when it flew open he stopped
dead in his tracks. Someone was in his study! Slowly Paul entered and
saw a young man sitting very comfortable in his chair. He got very
worried and the fear made him stammer but he was also angry. With
quick steps he walked up to his desk and threw the stranger's feet of
it "Up!" His breathing became heavily and Paul had a hard time
keeping his temper and his manners...
"Really now," Alex said, pitching his voice low and standing, "is
that how you treat your guest? Or did you forget you invited me?" He
offered the letter in his hands. "Forgive me for making myself
comfortable, I wasn't sure how long I would have to wait," he
apologized.
Angry he snatched the letter out of the young man's hand "Guest? You
break in my home and you're a guest?" He heaved a sigh of relief and
laid a hand on his heart as he read the letter "You nearly gave me
heart attack man" He glared at Alex. Then shifted his gaze to the
letter and scanned it quickly. He recognized his handwriting and as
the shock and fear wore of he remembered it all. Paul calmed
completely down and accepted his apology with a smile "It's ok but
the next time wait outside" Déroulède handed the letter back before
taking a seat "Take a seat M'sieur" Pointed to one of the chairs
in front of his desk "and then I'll tell you why I requested for you"
Laid the maps and papers in front of him on a stack while waiting for
Alex to sit down...
He sat in the indicated chair and made himself comfortable, "I was
never very good at waiting." His long hands folded the paper and
tucked it away in the folds of his cloak, "Please do, I was intrigued
by your letter, and if I may ask, how did you hear about me?"
"In Paris finding someone uninvited in your house can cause some
heart pains M'sieur. So please, I beg you. Next time wait outside" Got
up and walked to the bar. There he filled two glasses with red wine
as he continued speaking "I heard about you from a mutual friend who
thought you'd be interested in helping me with eum" Swallowed and
turned around to face him, the two glasses in his hands "my plans"
Walked back to Alex and handed him his glass "but before I tell you
all you need to know tell me something about yourself first">
He nodded slowly, "My apologies, then, M'sieur." Alex accepted the
wine and sipped it thoughtfully, "What would you know about me?" he
asked, studying the older man, "My name is Alex Vasquez, I'm twenty-
two, and I've had a rather interesting series of careers."
"Hmmm" Paul frowned and took a file from out of his drawer "Explain
these careers M'sieur" As he waited he took a sip from his wine
Alex sat back and looked at Paul over the rim of his glass, "You name
it, I've probably done it, but let me think," he set the wine glass
down, "I've been an actor, a writer, dance instructor, portrait
artist." He sighed, "But my professions and my skills are rather
different, and I think you'd be more interested in my ability to forge
most any document and breaking and entering."
He rose his eyebrows. Paul was quite impressed and took a sip of his
wine "Quite interesting M'sieur and you might need those skills as well
as those latter but you are right. Forgery is why I contacted you. And
I'll tell you exactly why" He took another sip and took out of his
desk drawer several written documents, plans from prisons and maps of
the city and country. He laid them all open on his desk "This is for a
plan I'm working on with several others, which you'll meet later this
evening at the meeting, to free the Queen from the Conciergerie
prison. Now all those involved know it's a difficult task which we
have took upon ourselves but all know the dangers. All accepted the
price they might have to pay for this undertaking. So before I tell
you the details and why exactly I need your help I have to ask if you
are willing to risk your life for this?" Paul hoped Alex would accept
since his help was something they couldn't do without but he knew he
couldn't force anyone to join in on this nearly impossible plan. So he
would understand if the young man refused.
Alex looked into Paul's eyes and sighed quietly, "I won't have come
here if I weren't willing to take the risks." There was no fear in
his soft voice, or his eyes. He waved a hand over all the
papers, "will you need all of these copied?"
Nodded "Yes I do. Most importantly these maps of the Concergerie. I have
to put them back before they miss 'em. So you have two days at the most.
Then they have to finished. Alright? The rest doesn't matter when. We
still have a few months to go before we begin with putting plan to
reality. Also do you have a place to stay? A private place because a
hotel isn't advisable. Too many spying eyes and walls that have ears, if
you understand my meaning" Smiled and finished his wine. Then he gazed in
Alex' eyes, waiting for a reaction and answer...
Alex listened intently to Paul, it didn't matter to him if the older
man searched his eyes for a reaction, there was none to see, any fear
that he felt was kept hidden away so deeply that nothing could reveal
it. "I have my own flat, no one enters without my permission," Alex
spoke after a long silence, "and I have a secret place to
keep...sensitive papers, so rest assured, all will be well." And even
if all wasn't well, he added silently, I'm the one that will be
killed. Alex leaned back in the chair and rocked it with one foot
while he watched Paul with impassive eyes.
Paul filled his glass again and smiled at Alex "Well then there is nothing
left to say. Nothing left to take care of. I think I covered all bases for
now. Of course the plans and the cause will all be explained in this
week's meeting. As well as an introduction to those present and to those
who'll you be working with. Mostly Lachlan and Ayden. They are the ones
who I trust the most and who I know that will help you if you need it.
Also if there is something troubling you, anything at all you can always
come to me to talk about it. So if you disagree, have ideas of your own
let me know. I'm sure we can work it all out if such moments should arise.
Don't you agree?" While staring in the young man's eyes he takes a pencil
and scribbles some words on a blank piece of paper
Alex nodded and stood up, reaching for the papers and maps Paul
wanted copied, "I should be leaving now, when and where will this
meeting be?" He hid them away in the folds of his cloak, "Do you want
my home address, in case you need me for anything before I see you
next?"
Paul stood up simultaniously "The meeting will be Friday. I'll come after you and take you there myself. So yes. I want your home address" He took his pen and a piece of paper "Just write it down"
Alex leaned over the desk and wrote the address of a building in a
less than desirable part of the city, "I suggest you come before sun
set," he offered, "after that, it can get rough." He straightened his
back and held out the paper in long, slim fingers. "I'll see you
Friday then."
Paul took the paper which was offered to him and in return offered
his hand to Alex "Merci Citoyen and trust. I can take care of myself
but thank you for your concern"
Alex put his hand carefully into Paul's "I'll be going then, and I'll
see you on Friday." He released the other man's hand and left the
house on silent feet.
It was quiet out, and that was comforting to Alex's frazzled nerves.
The games he was forced to play to protect himself were tiring,
sometimes he wanted to scream the truth of who he was from the
rooftops. But no, that would be suicide. He turned into an alley and
continued on wrapped in his own thoughts.