News
Vivian sat sipping her cup of afternoon tea with Mrs. Judson. Many months had passed since Ratigan had fallen from Big Ben and she had come to live at 221 Baker Street with Basil and Dawson. During that time, Basil had taught her a great deal about his particular brand of work. She had mastered tobacco and footprints, and she had moved on to chemistry which was proving to be much more difficult. Her latest experiment was currently simmering at the chemistry table while she enjoyed her tea with Mrs. Judson.
Basil had left in the early hours of the morning on a small matter for the police while Dawson had left around lunchtime for a house call. While she wasn't worried about Dawson, Vivian found herself glancing at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time that hour. Mrs. Judson placed a gentle hand on her knee. "Stop fretting about Mr. Basil, my dear," she said with a knowing smile. "He's been out for much longer than this before and come back without a scratch. It was only a small matter for the police, after all."
"I know, Mrs. Judson," Vivian sighed with a small smile of her own. "I can't help it."
"When will your little concoction be finished?" Mrs. Judson asked with a wary glance at the chemistry table.
"Not for at least another half an hour," Vivian replied. "I do hope I did it right this time. He's getting impatient with me, and I hate to disappoint him."
"But you've made so much progress in such a short time!" Mrs. Judson cried in shock. "How on Earth could he be upset or disappointed?"
Vivian smiled ruefully. "Because it's him: 'Any failure, no matter how small, will always outweigh any success, no matter how great.'"
Mrs. Judson shook her head. "I honestly don't know how he can live like that."
"That's easy," Vivian laughed. "He just doesn't fail."
Mrs. Judson couldn't help the laugh that escaped her as Vivian pointed out the obvious characteristic that was both a quality and a shortcoming of the famous detective.
Meanwhile in one of the many streets of London, Dawson was returning from his house call when he saw a familiar figure before him. "Basil, old fellow!" he called.
"Ah Dr. Dawson," Basil smiled, pausing in his purposeful tread. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"
"I was out at a patient's and was just on my way back," Dawson said. "I would've thought you'd be back at Baker Street by now. Vivian will be getting worried."
Basil chuckled. "Yes that is an unfortunate habit of hers. However, my business with the police is taken care of now. I was just on my way back as well."
They began to walk together in the direction of Baker Street when Dawson noticed something in Basil's coat pocket. "What's that, old fellow?" he asked pointing at the mysterious object.
"Oh you mean these?" Basil replied pulling the paper from his pocket. "They are merely tickets to the theater for this evening."
Dawson inwardly groaned; he never cared much for the theater. He opened his mouth to relate this fact, but Basil cut him off.
"I know you have less than no desire to accompany me," he said with a wave of his hand. "That is why the second ticket…" he paused for a moment and toyed with his tie. "The second ticket is for Vivian."
"Why Basil I think that's marvelous!" Dawson cried. "She will be elated!"
"I certainly hope so," Basil admitted. "You and Mrs. Judson have both pointed out that I should want to reward her amazing success thus far in her training, and I felt that this fit the bill quite nicely."
Dawson clapped Basil on the shoulder. "I'm proud of you, old fellow. You've come a long way since she first came to us."
"Whatever do you mean, Dawson?" Basil asked with a bemused expression.
"Well, you never would've thought of asking her out for an evening at the theater when you first met her," Dawson pointed out. "But you've become much more relaxed around her since then."
"She is a joy to have around," Basil confessed. "I've quite enjoyed her company, and I believe spending an evening with her would be no exception."
"Oh come now," Dawson sighed. "This is about more than just enjoying her company or rewarding her progress. You have feelings for her."
Basil was silent for a moment. "Whether I do or do not have feelings for her, it doesn't matter. Are you forgetting her noble blood or that she only has several months left before she will return to take her crown?"
"Oh Basil," Dawson said. "You just don't understand. Regardless of what happens next, you should tell her of your feelings."
"Why should I, Dawson?" Basil snapped. "We enjoy each other's company, so why should I ruin that by confessing a dream that cannot be?"
"Because you might be wrong," Dawson snapped back. "You may be the master of deduction, but love is a problem you will never solve and a criminal you will never outwit."
Basil scowled but dropped the argument. Glancing at his pocket watch, Basil sighed. "We should hurry; Vivian's chemistry experiment will be finished soon, and I want to see her results."
"Don't be too hard on the girl if it's gone wrong again," Dawson warned. "She's worried sick of disappointing you."
"Perhaps my next project with her should be to stop her from constantly-"
"MURDER IN THE EAST END! HORRIBLE MURDER IN THE EAST END OF LONDON!"
Basil's head shot up and he hurried over to the newspaper boy standing on the corner of the street. "I'll take one of those, young man, if you please," he said shortly holding out a coin.
"'Ere ya are, Gov'ner," the boy replied holding out the paper.
Basil seized the paper and hurried back to Dawson while his eyes flew like lightning from side to side. "Whatever has happened, Basil?" Dawson asked anxiously.
Basil's lips thinned as his eyes reached the end of the article. "Let's get back to Baker Street. I'll explain everything to both you and Vivian there."
"Are you certain involving Vivian is a good idea?" Dawson puffed as he hurried after Basil. "I mean, you wouldn't wish to frighten her especially with your planned outing for this evening."
"Vivian would never forgive me if I kept it from her," Basil replied without slowing his pace at all. "Besides, I do not believe she will be in any danger."
"Why is that?" Dawson asked.
"I'll explain at Baker Street. Hurry along now, Dawson!"
Vivian carefully removed the beaker from the burner and pulled another vial, already prepared, closer. She swirled the contents of the cooling beaker until the color changed to a pale green the slowly poured the contents into the other vial. She held her breath as she gently mixed the liquids together silently praying for the contents to turn the proper color: a bright blue.
Replacing the vial on the table, Vivian crossed her fingers in her apron pocket and stared at the vial. Her concentration was so strong that she leapt into the air as the front door bumped against the wall. "Oh Basil," she gasped, clutching at her chest. "You startled me. And Dawson: I'm glad you're both back!"
"How is your experiment?" Basil asked eagerly as he hurried over to her side.
"I just finished," Vivian muttered. "It should've changed color by now…I can't bear to look!" She hid her face in her hands as Basil lifted the beaker to his eyes.
A large grin spread over Basil's face as he watched the liquid change to the bright blue it was supposed to. "Congratulations, my dear," he said gently. "You have a success."
Vivian gasped and whirled around to look at the beaker for herself. She gently took it from Basil and began to laugh as she took in her success. "I finally did it!" she cried happily.
"Indeed you did, my dear," Basil smiled. "I knew you could."
Replacing the beaker on the table, Vivian pulled off her apron and carefully hung it on its proper hook. "I'm assuming my next assignment begins tomorrow," she teased. "But for now, I believe you have something you wish to tell Dawson and myself."
Basil chuckled and gestured to the seats before the fire. "Your powers of observation continue to impress me, dear Vivian. You are correct, of course. It is, however, a matter of the greatest seriousness, I'm afraid."
"What's happened?" Vivian asked, her teasing manner dropping in an instant.
Once everyone had taken a seat, Basil pulled the paper from his pocket and began to read the article on the front cover.
HORRIBLE MURDER IN THE EAST END
The police mice have just released a statement which confirms the rumors of this morning regarding the death in an East End alley last evening. It has been officially confirmed that sometime during the late hours of the evening a young lady mouse met her death in an alley. The police mice found evidence of several stab wounds; however there were no signs of a struggle. The police believe the murder was not a robbery or an accident. "There were no signs of resistance on the young lady, and we found several pennies in her pocket," Captain Lestrane told reporters. "It is obvious the young lady knew her attacker." The young mouse's name was Lily, and her profession one of a performer in a pub near to where her body was found. The police are encouraging anyone with information regarding either Lily or her attacker to come forward.
Basil finished reading and looked up at the faces of his two companions. Vivian's lower lip was trembling, and Dawson's hands were shaking. "Horrible, is it not?" he sighed as he put the paper away.
"That poor girl…" Vivian breathed.
"Who would do such a thing?" Dawson asked shakily.
"It is useless to theorize," Basil sighed. "The police will have long since cleared the scene and removed any chance of finding evidence."
"Why did they keep it quiet for so long?" Vivian asked. "Why wasn't it in the morning paper if they had rumors of it?"
"Most likely because of the location of the body," Basil said tersely.
"You're saying it was because it was an East End occurrence?" Dawson said incredulously.
"I'm afraid so, Dawson," Basil sighed. "It does have a rather nasty reputation that would keep it out of the papers."
"They're saying a murder in that area is nothing to worry about?!" Vivian cried angrily.
"Well that and murders in that area are not uncommon," Basil added.
Vivian scoffed and muttered under her breath for a few moments.
"There is nothing we can do about it now except wait for further news," Basil said consolingly. "If any new information comes to light, I promise you we will act."
Vivian nodded and stood. Basil had thrown his coat on the table, and she carefully put it back into the clock where it belonged. As she made to close the door, she noticed two slips of paper sticking out of a pocket and gently removed them. "What are these, Basil?" she called over her shoulder.
With a glance at Dawson who nodded reassuringly, Basil stood and crossed the room to stand beside Vivian. "Those, my dear, are tickets to tonight's show at the theater."
"What a lovely idea!" Vivian beamed. "You need the relaxation after that grueling case last week."
"I'm glad you find the idea agreeable," Basil smiled, "because I would be honored if you would join me this evening."
Vivian gasped and stared at Basil in amazement. "Really?" she asked breathlessly. "You want me to join you?"
"Indeed I do, my dear Vivian," Basil replied. "You have worked hard over the past few months, and you deserve the night of enjoyment. I also believe spending the evening with you will be far more enjoyable than on my own."
"I would love to go to the theater with you, Basil," Vivian grinned. "When do we leave?"
"Well that depends on if you would rather eat before or after the performance," Basil said.
"Dinner as well? Oh Basil this will be wonderful! What time is the performance?" she asked.
"It begins at eight o'clock and should conclude by eleven."
"In that case," Vivian said, "I would prefer to eat before."
"I concur," Basil smiled. "In that case, would you be averse to leaving around six to ensure we do not have to rush?"
"That would be perfect," Vivian smiled. "I shall be ready by six. Mrs. Judson?" she called into the kitchen. "Could you help me?"
"Of course, my dear!" Mrs. Judson grinned (she had been listening at the door, of course). "We'll have you ready in no time!"
Vivian beamed as she hurried into her room and closed the door behind her and Mrs. Judson.
Basil sank back into his chair before the fire and let out a sigh of relief.
"Well done, old fellow," Dawson cheered, "well done indeed!"
Basil smiled and picked up his violin.
"Now why on Earth would you start scratching on that old thing?" Dawson exclaimed.
"To calm my mind, Dawson," Basil muttered. "And to calm Vivian's as well." He gently began to run the bow across the strings in a melody that both he and Vivian preferred above all others.
Dawson rolled his eyes and shook his head as he picked up the paper from the floor and began to read the other articles as Basil continued to play the haunting melody on his violin.
Well, there's the first chapter for you! I hope you enjoyed it even though there wasn't much to it. I'm really excited about this sequel, and I hope you all are too. Since I'm now on my own without the movie's help, your reviews are more important than ever. Let me know if I'm getting too far OOC or getting boring plot wise. Feel free to leave anything else in comments as well; I love all the comments I get! Thanks and I'll see you soon!