The water streamed down the waterfall, pouring into the small lake and making splashes as it came in contact with the boulders. It was morning and Robert was out here to clean himself up. The level of the lake was against his broad shoulders and he splashed his face with some water. They would leave for Crawley today.

Today was the day that decided his fate. He had come this far. He truly hoped it wasn't for nothing. Hopefully, they would find the old woman and she'll tell them where Captain Asher's children were. And then, his metal would be safe. He would then complete the moon lamp and then his father would come to see him in a new light.

Hopefully.

His drenched golden hair stuck to his scalp, some wet strands falling by the sides of his well-sculptured face. Footsteps sounded behind him and he turned to see Ella yawning as she approached the lake, her hands rubbing against her eyes. Her barley curls were in disarray and Robert watch her take uneven lazy steps to the lake. It was adorable like watching a baby wobble on its feet.

The pond was crystal clear so if she came closer, she would not only see the pebbles covering the bed of the water body, but she would also see something he wasn't sure she was ready to see.

"I believe you shouldn't take any step closer," he said.

She paused in her steps and looked at him with her half-open eyes. When she discovered it was him, she yelped and turned around, covering her eyes.

"I swear I didn't mean to intrude," she said.

"It's fine." He smirked. "You could join me if you wish."

She peeked over her shoulders. "That wouldn't be the wisest thing to do."

"You have a point," he said, walking out of the pond, the water trickling down his excellent physique, his meaty rod swaying both ways. He picked up his towel from a boulder that was on the pebbled shore and cleaned himself up before he wrapped them around his thin waist. "You can look now."

She spun on her heels and he heard her breath hitch as she looked at his abdominals. "I thought you were going to cover up yourself."

"My clothes are in my tent." He moved closer to her and ran his fingers down her cheek, feeling her tremble beneath his touch. "What are you doing out here anyway?"

"I came to clean up. Howard told me the lake was here, but he didn't tell me you were already here."

Howard, that vazey mutt. "I believe Mr Lithstone wanted us to engage in certain interesting activities."

"Does he know about..." She hesitated.

"Us?"

She nodded.

"Mr Lithstone was able to discover you were a woman without me telling him. I believe he would've figured us out a long time ago."

Ella took a deep breath and rested her soft cheek against his rough hand. "I'll see you soon. Let me clean up."

"Alright," he said, kissing her hand before he left her to clean up. Deep down, he wished they were able to bathe together. He supposed a time like that would come. But for now, they need to concentrate on the mission at hand.

******

By afternoon they had arrived east Crawley. Men in labour uniforms were working on a railway, the steam from their building machines spewing into the sky, painting it grey. They rolled past the construction, the chatter of the men fading away.

"I didn't know they were building a railway here," Ella said, looking curiously at the rail tracks in construction.

"They started months ago. Chelmsford is the first English town to have a train transport system. Soon Crawley will have theirs," Robert explained.

In the back of his mind, he couldn't take off the reason for their visit out of their mind. His fingers tapped nervously against the leather of his seat. Ella noticed it and interlocked her hand with his own, a wave of comfort washing down his body.

"It'll be fine," she said.

"It will be," he concurred, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath. Flanking their carriage was Captain Asher's red one. They went at the same pace with them, heading to their destination.

"Look!" Ella screamed, pointing outside the window. Robert peeked outside, following her finger. Two children who looked nothing more than three were playing on the road. And closing in on them was a carriage rolling down the road at unbelieving speed. From one look at the driver, Robert could tell he had lost control of his horse.

He barged out of the door, rolling onto the floor and sprinting off to the chaps. He was far from them. He wouldn't reach them in record time. His fear settled when he saw Captain Asher dashing towards them with a speed that didn't match the size of his body. He grabbed the two lads before the horse could ram them to their graves.

Robert watched the horses continue racing down the road till they disappeared into the fog caused by the building machine. What were those children doing out in the middle of the road? Robert and Ella jogged to Captain Asher who was carrying the two of them in his arms.

They were identical with black hair and blue eyes. The girl had her hair tied into pigtails and she kept touching the Captain's dark green military hat. The boy on the other hand was touching the shiny medals on the Captain's dark green uniform top. They looked adorable.

"Awwn," Ella squeaked, pinching their cheeks. "Aren't they adorable?"

"I don't think they'll appreciate you touching them," Howard said, joining them. "We wouldn't want to get dirt on the lads, would we?"

Ella rolled her eyes at Howard's comment.

"They were almost knocked down by that bloody rider," The Captain said, his brown eyes flooded with concern. With the two children in his arms, Robert could imagine him as a father. He was a natural and they didn't seem to be scared of him.

"Where is your mother?" Ella asked, holding the little thumb of the girl twin.

"Mama, there," she said pointing to a finely terraced townhouse, larger than all the other buildings along the block.

"Captain, captain," the little boy said tapping the Captain's hat, grinning.

Captain Asher smiled warmly at the child. "Aye, lad. I'm a Captain."

The door of the townhouse opened and an old woman came out, yelling, a veil of worry over her wrinkled face.

"Dorice! Campbell!" She was dressed in a white floral dress, her hand supported by a cane. There was a signpost before the building, bearing the number of the house. It was familiar. Robert brought out the piece of paper Mr Garfield gave him from his coat, and read it out.

"1-2-East Crawley lane." Bloody hell Fire. Robert's bladder loosened. "That's the woman we're looking for."