A quick prelude before you start… I just finished both SJTR and HPD within less than a week and a half. I fell in love with the novels and characters, and was devastated to find absolutely no fan written stories about them… because I needed more before the third one came out. I fell in love with the characters, and although I'm completely out of works with any writing skills whatsoever, this has inspired me to write!I have absolutely no idea where this is going to go... Aside from all that, there are two main points I'd like to get out there before anyone reads. This is going to be more than definitely an M rated story. If that is a problem, do not continue.

And the second point - I do not own Stalking Jack the Ripper or any characters - The lovely Kerri Maniscalco does!

(I apologize greatly for any mistakes or errors in grammar or anything)

The Library

The particular scent of uninhibited knowledge greeted me as I entered the castle's esteemed library. That is, endless rows of books, many of which were ancient, with decaying pages and surely eaten-at glue. It was quite a musty smell, mixed in with dust and a slight dampness. I cheerfully inhaled it all, and waltzed right in.

The only librarian smiled politely at me from behind his desk as I entered. It appeared to be quite uninhabited. I wondered how one man kept track of this massive place. The general macabre feel of the castle remained in the library as well, but I found it quite enchanting. We'd only just gotten settled into the academy.

I wandered through the massive rows and columns, picking out a few books. I plucked out a few dated forensics books, one on the history of romania, and I might have slipped some sort of romance novel in there as well. They did have a bit of Jane Austen and such, but this one I had never heard of. I had quite the handful of reading material.

I began wandering in search of a study table. I passed by a very small round, wooden table, with two stools pushed against it. I continued on, sure that I could find something a little more comfortable. I walked toward what I was sure was the back of the library. I veered to the left, passing another table.

Not only was I looking for something a bit more comfortable, but I most certainly wanted the most private area possible. Thomas was surely still in his meeting with the dreadful headmaster, so I could not discuss with him the matter of the train and our current situation for the moment. As much as that panged me, even more so I did not want to come anywhere close to the other students in the program. The few encounters I'd had thus far had been quite unpleasant.

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up slightly. I whipped around, and I could have sworn I saw a black shadow dart away between a stack of books. I paused momentarily, and then nearly sprinted in the direction I'd been originally going.

I tried to tell myself it was just in my head. I came upon a slight break in the stacks, and seemed to be at the back of the library, as a stone wall with sconces lining the back of it stared back at me. It seemed as though I were in the corner, and to the left was quite a large archway, lined with lit gas lamps in stone holders on either side. I felt quite alone, in a good and bad way. I hadn't encountered any other students, however that shadow frightened me. I glanced around myself, twirling several times. I couldn't shake the feeling, but no one was there.

I headed to duck under the archway, hoping to find more tables, and gasped in amazement at what I found. Before me was a small sitting room with a crackling fireplace. It was lit, although there were no inhabitants. Gas lamps were perched here and there. There was a large rug in the center of the space. A beautiful coffee table with a cherry finish lay in the middle. There was a large settee, and two smaller velvet sitting chairs on either side. The adjacent walls were built in with additional shelves, as though the enormous library didn't already have enough space for books. I wandered around the perimeter of the room running my hand along the books and their ancient spines. On the far end of one wall, a thick tapestry was hung. This one didn't have any horrid, graphic depictions of the past, but was woven with beautiful, ornate patterns, including flowers and trees.

There seemed to be quite the assortment, with no real theme, an array of subjects. I paused in front of the fire, relishing in the heat. I was quite giddy at my discovery, and hoped I could pass a few remaining hours undisturbed. Because of this study being quite separated, it retained much more warmth than the rest of the chilly library, whose ceiling extended much further up.

I plopped my books down on the coffee table, and adjusted my dusty pink skirts as I sank into the couch.

"Oh, miss! You quite frightened me," I heard and let out a small yelp. I turned swiftly to see Ileana, my maid, below the archway. "I'm still adjusting to the new students, and didn't think I'd find you here. No one has been in to the library yet, let alone study as it appears you are! I was about to put out this fire, but I shall leave it for you, my dear." She finished, she had spit it all out in a hushed and polite tone, quite quickly. She had a nervous smile that lingered, as she waited for me to respond.

"It's alright! This is my last free evening before classes begin… I haven't much to do, I thought I'd scope out the selection. I believe this library has a book on just about everything. And this room is absolutely lovely."

"Yes, it is. It is very rarely used. The librarian, Pierre, occasionally spends his mornings in here before it opens for the students. I bring him his tea here," she paused, giggling a bit. "Really miss, I came here to warm myself up a little bit as well."

"Oh, I am terribly sorry I was here to interrupt!" I felt like an intruder all of a sudden.

"Oh dear, do not say such a thing! I'm very busy. I like to pop in every once in awhile in my free moments… I don't have many."

"I'm a little spooked being in here all alone, care to keep me company?" I truly wouldn't mind. I did think shortly after how improper it'd be to convene with a servant. My family always treated our servants with dignity and respect, and I suppose I felt they all deserved such. I got quite close with many of them over the years, although father had fired most after a few months.

Ileana smiled happily, and answered me a soft, sad tone. "I wish I could, but I must get back to my duties." She bowed slightly, and exited.

I was sad to see her go. She was absolutely lovely. Soft spoken, definitely. But from the few encounters with the headmaster I experienced, I was not surprised they were treated much more harshly here. How absurd it would look if we were caught enjoying tea together as equals. I scowled at the thought.

I sighed, sinking back into the couch. I gazed into the fire momentarily, and decided I'd like to start with the book about the history of this country.

I'd hardly opened the first page, before I felt warm hands slide onto my shoulders.

"Audrey Rose, I'm quite offended. You aren't supposed to have any sort of romantic rendezvous with anyone but myself. However you are quite adorable, inviting the maid to sit with you. Your kindness never ceases to amaze me."

I whipped around and whacked none other than Thomas with my book. He blocked his stomach with his arm, and it bounced right back. He stood behind the couch and behind me, ever so tall, smiling smugly down at me.

"Where on earth did you come from? How did you find me here? Why aren't you with the headmaster?" I babbled out each question angrily, until I realized his hands were still inappropriately placed on my shoulders, which then shut me up. I slapped at his hands until he pulled them off.

"Ouch! If you must know, my meeting ended early, and I followed you here," he grinned in self-satisfaction, waltzing around the couch and sitting down beside me. "I will not have you wandering about here alone.

I prickled at the thought of getting caught with Thomas with no escort. However, I was a woman that they willingly into this academy. I had every right to go study in the library, as did all the other students. It was abnormal in general for a woman to be studying and put in this position, but I was doing nothing wrong. The librarian looked as though he were about to take a nap at his desk, so I wasn't worried about getting caught.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. And I saw you sneaking behind me through the stacks, you imbecile." He crossed his leg, and acted mortally offended by my words.

"I don't know about you, but I'm delighted to see you. Headmaster Moldoveanu informed me our first class starts tomorrow. It's a folklore class." I did realize I hadn't seen or heard so much of a peep from him since we arrived yesterday. I'd tried to summon him earlier, sending a note to his dormitories, but the servant I'd sent it with told me he was in a meeting with the headmaster.

I lowered my eyes to slits in suspicion, wondering what that was about. Thomas was already infuriating enough at the present, I didn't want to give him any sort of interest. Who knows what they had been discussing.

"Interesting," I rolled my eyes and opened my book, set on ignoring him. I knew we had much to discuss.

We chattered in hushed tones about the events on the train. We knew Wilhelm, our colleague, had been on the train. We had to find him and ask him what he'd seen. We carried on for quite some time, discussing a few different plans of action. We'd try to corner him after class tomorrow, and several other ideas.

We stopped talking briefly. I was deep in thought, and gazing into the fire, thinking of everything that had happened so far. I nearly couldn't believe we were faced with another mystery, the second we arrived. I got a simply dreadful feeling in my gut, believing that something big, and something terrible was on it's way. There was a giant hole in my heart, missing who I'd thought was my loving brother, and the death of his reality, Jack the Ripper.

My attention was ripped back to Thomas, who had just bumped his knee back into mine to get me to look. He'd began talking again. "I would simply love to read this to you before bed," Thomas purred, looking up at me with mischief and scandal, and… something else. I realize he'd reached toward the bottom of the pile, plucking out the romance book I'd brought with me. It had a soft, feathery cover, with a golden etching of a fox on the front. It was titled A Winter in Willborough. I had skimmed the first few pages when I was still searching for books, and had deduced that it might provide a steamy story.

My cheeks flushed bright red, and a rage took over me. "Give that here, you mongrel!" I reached over him to grab it, but he switched it to the other hand, causing me to fall further into his lap. Before I knew what was happening, he dropped his arm down, let the book fall softly onto the carpet, so he could curl his arm around me and trap me in my position. I was disgruntled and in an awkward position, so I twisted around so my behind fell promptly into his lap, as if I fit perfectly in place and was meant to be there.

"WAIT. Wait. Shhhh. Sh." He put a hand over my mouth, slowing my impending explosion. I felt utterly embarrassed at the position. My breathing slowed, and I realized screaming would do no good. I believed us to be utterly alone, and very far from anyone's perception, and I preferred to keep it that way. He wasn't hurting me, he was just being an unimaginable git. I wrapped a clawed hand around his wrist that was connected to the hand over my mouth.

A heat began to creep over my body. My anger subsided as I stared up at Thomas. His soft, dark brown hair, regal features, aristocratic nose. And those deep dark eyes, which were sparkling with mischief. He seemed happy I wasn't throwing a fit, and lowered his hands, features softening as he smiled crookedly down at me. My heart skipped a beat, as I thought of his declaration at the end of our last adventure, and our kiss.

I put my mind on halt. Instead of thinking of all the reasons not to, I reached a hand into his lush hair, and pulled his face towards mine. I pressed my lips to his. He had closed his eyes and wasn't moving much. He responded after a moment. He pulled back, gasped for a breath of air, and before I knew it his lips were on mine, deeping quickly. The scent of him enveloped me. Spices, cologne, a slight sweetness. I was dizzy with desire. Our mouths worked together passionately for about ten seconds, until a burning log in the fireplace popped and sizzled, scaring me.

I jumped out of his lap. Mortified at my own actions, I gathered my books up. Thomas looked rather disheveled, and there was a darkness in his eyes that made my breath hitch.

I put on my most formal business expression, and ushered him out under the arch. "We'll discuss this later, we need to go back to our dorms before curfew. You may be an idiot, but I suppose you're my idiot, so don't even think about sneaking about tonight. We'll stick to our plan for tomorrow. I'm gonna check out these books first, come with me."

Thomas was acting a bit weird. He didn't respond at first, then reached back and picked up the romance novel. A smile crept across his lips. "Don't forget this one, my dear," he plopped it back onto my pile, and snuck a warm kiss on my cheek. I went red once again. "I would love to read it to you, but it seems as though it's given you some inspiration, and I'll be happy to wait for the surprises it has in store."

With that we headed back through the maze of shelves.