~~~INTERESTING TIMES~~~ (A Doctor Who/Highlander Crossovers) The plan had worked perfectly, a little too perfectly. It smelt like a trap, but the lure of the Dagleish Blue Diamond was too much for Amanda to resist...she pressed the stethoscope against the safe door. “Hallo.” Amanda resisted the urge to jump as she felt a soft breath fall against her cheek. “Come here often?” she asked lightly, as she tensed to run. “First time,” the stranger said, as he dropped his chin onto her shoulder. "You? It’s 24 right, 6 left, 82 right, by the way." Amanda looked at him dubiously out of the corner of her eye as she wondered how he’d managed to sneak up on her. "You seem very sure of that,” she said suspiciously as she took in his dark leather coat and worn jeans. Could he be security? “Process of elimination, really,” he said, with a knowing grin. “He keeps a picture of his wife and daughter on his desk, but the photo he keeps in his top drawer is of—” “His mistress,” Amanda finished for him. It was obvious, once you thought about it. “How long have you been watching me?” “Long enough to see you trigger the silent alarm when you crossed the rug.” Okay, not security, then…a competitor, perhaps? “Let me guess, you were just about to crack the safe, when I arrived and interrupted you.” “Not exactly,” he murmured. “I was looking for a really good thief and, I thought to myself, where would I find one in London at this time of night?” His grin grew wider. "Guess where I ended up?" They both eyed the safe. “You’re not going to let me take it, are you?” Amanda asked rhetorically. The stranger shrugged. “Bit academic, really, the house is completely surrounded by now,” he said. “It’s worth a fortune.” “It’s worth eight to ten,” he pointed out. “I’m the Doctor, by the way.” “Charmed, I’m sure.” “Want to see my getaway car?” Amanda eyed him ruefully. As pick up lines went, she couldn’t fault his timing. “I’d love to, but reaching it might be a bit problematic,” she said. “I used indoor parking.” “The garage isn’t attached to the house.” “Trust me, that isn’t a problem.” “Famous last words,” Amanda said dryly. “You said you were looking for a thief…?” “Correction, I said I was looking for a really good thief,” the Doctor said cheerfully. “Not so sure that’s you, seeing as you triggered that alarm pad under the rug—” His grin reminded her of Methos when he was being particularly smug, and a little alarm bell went off in her head. “I didn’t cross the rug,” she realised suddenly. “You didn’t…oops, guess it was me, then.” “You did it on purpose, didn’t you?” “I thought it might help usher things along,” he admitted, not looking the least bit sorry. Amanda threw a longing glance at the safe. “Just one peek?” “Leave it,” he said quietly. “It’s not as if you really wanted the diamond, anyway; you just wanted the challenge.” Amanda gave him a measuring look. “You seem to know an awful lot about me,” she said. “Why is that?” “Did my research,” he said simply. “Come on.” Amanda crossed her arms and gave him a level look. “Give me one good reason why I should trust you,” she said flatly. “I can’t,” he said. “But I can promise you it won’t be boring.” Amanda laughed, despite herself. “That I don’t doubt, but you know what they say about interesting times—” Hushed voices emanated from the stairs, and Amanda sighed. “It seems the local constabulary have decided to join us.” “Eight to Ten,” he reminded her, stretching out his hand. It took only a moment to decide. “Lead on, McDuff,” she said, as she let his fingers curl around hers. He smiled. FINIS MAINPAGE HIGHLANDER FICTION : BUFFY/ANGEL FICTION : CROSSOVER FICTION : E-MAIL ME : UPDATE LIST