Ties Between Freedom and Love

✦27✦

Chapter Twenty-Seven
Promises And Trades

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"It's getting late," Emma told Jack as she looked over London. "I should be getting back."

"We're discussing business," he reminded her.

She looked back at him, laughing. "This isn't business. This is champagne."

"I try never to discuss business with a clear head," he joked. "Are you traveling alone? Are you authorized to negotiate with me?"

"And what would we be negotiating?"

"I have something for the Time Agency. Something they'd like to buy," Jack replied. "Are you empowered to make payment?

"Well. . ." Emma said. "I should talk to my. . . companion."

"Companion?"

"I should really be getting back to him."

"Him?" Jack questioned, a priceless look on his face.

"Do you have the time?" Emma asked, trying her best not to laugh at his frustration.

He pulled his remote back out and clicked a button on. Behind them, Big Ben lit up with a soft chime of a bell.

"Okay, wow," Emma breathed out. "That's flashy."

Jack stepped forward, gently taking her by the waist. "So when you say your companion. Just how disappointed should I be?"

Immensely, Emma wanted to say but instead, she said, "Okay, we're standing in mid-air, on a spaceship during a German air raid." He nodded and took her hand to kiss it but she pulled back, "Do you really think this is the best time to flirt with me?"

Her rejection didn't seem to dissuade him one bit. "Do you like Glenn Miller?"

"Who?" Emma asked as Jack pressed another button on his remote and Moonlight Seranade started playing. He held his hands out with a grin and she laughed. He took her in his arms and hesitantly she laid her hand down on his shoulder as they began to sway to the music.

"It's 1941, height of the London blitz. Height of the German campaign and something else has fallen on London. A fully equipped Chula warship, the last one in existence. Armed to the teeth," Emma smiled at his skills of persuasion on how to seal a deal. She pulled away slightly and he looked down at her, "And I know where it is because I parked it. If the agency can name the right price, I can get it for you," Jack promised. "But in two hours, a German bomb's going to fall on it and destroy it forever. That's the deadline. That's the deal."

"Very convincing," she commented.

He smiled, "Now, shall we discuss payment?"

"You know what I think?" Emma asked.

"What?"

"I think you're just bluffing."

Jack nodded, "Two hours, the bomb falls. There'll be nothing left but just dust and craters."

"Promises, promises!" Emma taunted.

"Are you listening to any of this?" Jack questioned obviously thinking his charm made her brain fuzzy.

"I am," she reassured him. "You used to be a Time Agent, and now you're some kind of freelancer."

"Well, that's a little harsh!" he told her, pulling her flush against him. "I like to think of myself as a criminal."

"I bet you do," Emma laughed, giving them a little distance again.

"So this companion of yours," Jack replied. "Does he handle the business?"