Bingo Runner: A Chase Through Time Part 5

How do you know how old you are when your life is over centuries?

Phoenix awoke with a smile on her face. The sunlight was just beginning to shine through the blinds, and she was happy to still have no work to do. She put on her gown and wandered down the hall towards the stairs, checking in on Rob as she did so. He was still fast asleep, and she didn't rouse him. She had a strangely affectionate bond towards that man, something she couldn't quite place her finger on. She went outside to get the mail, and the air was crisp. It woke her up quickly. There was a strange tablet object in the mail box; it was addressed to Rob. That struck her as odd; Rob didn't know her exact address did he? And he had not told anyone he was here, as far as she knew. The device looked like a plain metal box, smooth to the touch, but it felt almost alive.

Phoenix walked back into the house to find Rob in the kitchen, trying to put coffee into the toaster. Rob was no fool, but he seemed to have difficulty with certain simple things Phoenix wouldn't have expected.

"Morning Rob," said Phoenix, taking the coffee from him with a smile and putting it into a filter, "you'd have a little more success if you used the right machine."

"Right, well, what's this bloody thing then? It looked like it would have cooked that coffee properly to me." Rob said, embarrassed and looking genuinely confused.

Phoenix laughed at this, and said in a kind but playfully condescending tone, "Rob, you don't cook coffee. I don't know what planet you're from sometimes. Also, you've got mail!"

It was Phoenix's turn to look confused as Rob said, "Ah yes, I've been waiting on that. Thank you." He took the device gingerly and headed upstairs, leaving Phoenix in her morning robes holding a filter full of coffee, quite confused.

Phoenix had always been one to respect someone's privacy, as she valued her own, but a nagging at the back of her mind forced her to follow Rob up the stairs. Stalking silently, she opened the door into his room, discovering quite a spectacle. There appeared to be another man in the room with Rob, and they were in what seemed like a heated discussion.

She could only hear bits and pieces. They were speaking quietly, but she caught "leaving immediately," "jump trail still hot," "too attached... compromising mission," and a few other things before she walked back downstairs. Phoenix was famous for her apathy, but she had difficulty covering her dismay. She didn't want to lose this man who made her so happy. At the same time, she didn't know where to go with it. Rob came downstairs then, interrupting her thoughts.

"Hey Phoenix, any plans for breakfast? I've gotta jet pretty quick I think, something's come up." Rob said, flashing her a winning smile.

"I'll whip us up something nice," Phoenix said, unable to return his effortless smile. They ate in silence, but as Rob went to leave, Phoenix spoke up.

"Rob, would you mind if I accompanied you on your errand? I've got no plans for the day, and..." Phoenix trailed off, feeling helpless.

"Well..." Rob stood a minute, considering. "I don't see why not," Rob said, but his face said otherwise.

Rob warmed up the BMW, and they drove into the morning mist in silence. Rob seemed strained, and Phoenix was nervous. Not a word was spoken. 
 

Stay tuned next week for Part 5 of Bingo Runner: A Chase Through Time.

Read previous episodes of Bingo Runner: A Chase Through Time:
Bingo Runner: Part 1
Bingo Runner: Part 2
Bingo Runner: Part 3
Bingo Runner: Part 4