26 years ago
July 22nd, 1897
9:30 a.m.
The sounds of thunder crackled in the sky, as roars cry throughout Great Britain's capital. As of thursday, people were in a hurry to get through. Cabs were tight, people were eager to get by and umbrellas were used to shield them from the pouring rain. Ladies of fair beauty alike lifted up their dresses, avoiding the ends to be drowned from the puddles. A majority of them were mothers, gripping their child's hand tightly, ushering them not to fall behind.
As a few people run past a flight of stairs, a short, plump figure runs quickly through the crowd.
Dr. David Q Dawson appears from behind it, looking back and forth through the feets' of humans. He hated walking far to distant places, especially on stormy days. A cab was not ready to be rode, nor Toby was available either. Drat, as he looked around, tipping his bowler hat forward and holds onto his bags. In the Mousedom society, he was among the shortest in the crowd of upcoming adult gentlemice.
Ever since his life changed last month, he was beginning to be known throughout london. Simply, and most importantly known as the assistant of the Great Mouse Detective of Mousedom. Sincerly through his new friend himself. He was a surgeon, performing military service in Afghanistan for the injured and ruffed up soldier of his majesty's army. He was recognized by friends and foes alike in that area, and his retirement to home was his success in life. But although he performed such a great task, he didn't expect to land in another's self problems. All he wanted was a quiet home to slumber upon, to rest. Until that moment, when he came upon a small girl in the alley, in a boot, weeping. He volunteered himself to guide her to two hundred and twenty one, and a half B Baker Street. Unknowingly-
-That was the moment his first case with Basil of Baker Street began.
Through the toy store after the kidnapped girl, the Rat trap and under the grounds of london, escaping a blood expecting-thrashing trap that could've killed them, saving Queen Mousetoria, and to the final fight on the Big Ben, was to be Ratigan's fall. Basil had a brilliant mind of course, and an excellent variety of vocabulary. The first he met the sleuth, he mistaken Basil to be under thirty years of age, at least twenty-nine. By golly he thought! He seemed advanced, young at his age. But some weeks after that very night, Dawson was shocked to find that Basil was at least Thirty-Seven years old. The detective had a handsome facial structure and a slim body, that Dawson had to double check by looking at him twice. Who knew that he was still a bachelor, as Dawson thought. Humorously, he agreed partly with that Basil himself should go look for a fair dame to settle down. But sadly at this time, he refused. Now peace sealed the unforgivable crimes of Mousedom away, having the law forces to rest for a while at least. Performing part-time as a doctor less than before, this was the perfect day to check upon a certain Client.
It's been Five days...and Basil has been haunted because of this incident.
Dawson thought, as he turned left and began climbing a set of stairs.
The poor detective..being blamed for the boy's downfall.
Poor...Poor Basil….
Dawson breathed heavily, in and out from his lungs after reaching the top of the stair at last. His stubby fingers always slipped off and he hated inheriting that. If it weren't for the rain, he would've climbed up faster. Brushing his suit off and grabbing his bag, he storms to a rodent-sized wooden stoor. Knocking twice, he waits a moment and taps his foot repeatedly. He suddenly flinches to the sound of shrieking inside.
"Oh Go-" a female voice cracks behind "Oh what a monster! A monster! That CURSED rat!"
The voice weeps out once more, as Dawson cringes in grief.
"The boy was only eleven! Eleven I say! He won't get a chance to live if he doesn't wake up-!"
"Judy, please be calm...go...go dry your tears.."
Dawson's ears pop up as the door opens, for a gentle mouse to show a slight smile.
"Peter Hoskins-"
" . I was wondering if you were looking for Basil?"
"Yes, actually...is he here?"
"Since ten after five...He's...he's in the boy's room...such in a draught since he came."
The door opens wide, and Closes after Dawson. Peter adjusts the belt on his pants, and the tie on his white, buttoned collar shirt. Peter dressed like a simple, high-classed mouse with a middle-class home. No butlers but a maid, and no Rodent's delight in a family living environment. Well-behaved and mannered around his guests, he offers and takes off Dawson's heavy coat and hat, placing on the coat rack. Looking around, the wallpaper is velvet red in the halls, with a golden embroidered patterns. Pictures and house decorations were scattered neatly and orderly lined, as Peter turns on one of the oil lanterns.
"Any tea that you would prefer?"
"Oh, that won't be necessary, but I thank you for the offer."
"How could I!? He's so young-"
Dawson and Peter walk by the parlor room as he glances at a weeping Judy, who slams her feather duster on the end table. Same age as Dawson, short but lovely looking, Judy sobs into her paws as Lawless rubs her left shoulder, offering comfort.
"There, there…"
Peter and Lawless look at each other, exchanging sad expressions.
"He...Basil finished him...but he shouldn't survive."
"It's unbelievable...isn't it?"
Lawless nods, as Peter points to the left of the hall.
"Down that way, the third door to your right will be where Jason sleeps."
"Thank you sir."
Dawson grabs his bag, hearing Judy speaking once again:
"Oh such a terrible fate!" She cried
Dawson looked away to the halls. It was true, in fact, a very true and sad statement. The young mouseling, turned only eleven that day. He was a special boy to his mother and father, and held a place deep inside Basil's heart since. The boy went by the name of Jason Hoskins, and was a enormous fan of Basil. Jason was very shy to say the least, and knew beforehand to give his idol space to breath. Walking slowly down the hall, he remembered the first time he met him, that very night when he and Basil were received medals, for their excellent work in Ratigan's defeat.
Funny in fact, the boy seemed to share a bit of Basil's personality.
There's something I remembered between them...but what was it?
Dawson reached to the archway of Jason's room as he heard sniffling and coughing. Sure enough, Basil sat on a small stool, next to the bed like a statue. Inscrutable and murky the detective appeared. Dawson has seen this part of him in defeat. But never, for the first time, seen him worse in condition. Basil took off his coat, as his necktie hanged around his shoulders. His deerstalker cap and brown inverness slopped over the edge of Jason's chemistry set. It appeared in his eyes as if his life struck down a path to the end of the line. Basil and the boy's mother, knew what was going on between them only.
The mother was a retired burlesque dancer, a housewife equal to her husband's place. Melissa 'Moody' Millson-Hoskins was a mid-western beauty, inheriting a small part of her mother's british heritage. By mystery, she had burgundy hair that shined colorfully in the light with her light brown fur. Combed in a low-updo, a strand of hair hanged in front of her. Wearing a white collared blouse, a gray-purple long skirt, and cowboy boots, she threw a shawl around her. She then stared at her son, in slumber, still in time.
"..Basil...It relieves me to see that you're here in person…"
Nothing was spoke upon as Melissa looked at him.
"...But you should've let me know in where you were at." Dawson set down his bags
Basil took a slow glance at him, then turned back to the boy.
Dawson paused to hear a response from him, and looked at the boy in pajamas.
He watched as Basil stroked the stitches of Jason's scars, on his cheek.
"What mostly frustrating is you leaving with clients early in the morning calling for help!" Dawson spoke quietly "There are mysteries to least be solved, to keep your mind off of-"
"No cases shall be taken...until I KNOW that he will be okay." Basil spoke sternly and frowned in a irritated mood at his assistant.
Dawson appeared surprised as Melissa cleared her throat.
"Basil...you seemed not have slept long? Please consider in resting for a short moment until lunch arrives." She turned to him, then Dawson. "I'm sorry doctor for his behavior-"
Her voice almost breaks in a low tone, but she controls herself as she exhales.
Dawson seemed more suprise for her concern for him.
"-We...the pressure for Jason's life is very high and…"
"We all worry my dear." Dawson sat on the edge of the bed "...I'm ever sorry that he was the target of Ratigan's rage."
"He'll surely pay for this." Basil growled
"Basil-"
Basil pointed at Dawson in a quick motion:
"Don't criticize me doctor-" he hissed quietly "-It's because of me, not finishing Ratigan before hand, that this boy's life is about to be cut short! I haven't slept in fact for a few days! I tried to shake my nightmares off. But what do I receive, a laughing villainous, clueless sewer rat that holds the corpse of Jason! It's horrendous if you wore my slacks for a day and see for yourself!"
"Basil-"
"For what do I achieve from you instead? Get my mind off of things while I worry more for HIS condition! You appear as you don't care-"
"I apologize!" Dawson hissed back "I regret the slip of the tongue-"
"Oh sure! Why care now?" Basil rolled his eyes
"I do! But I care mostly for your condition as well! You have looked horrendous than-"
"You two!" Melissa slaps Basil's left shoulder. "Knock it off! Do you want Lawless hearing us?!"
Silence broke as the two shared a staredown.
"Both of you fellas probably don't know, but you're acting ridiculous! Why not take a deep breath and rest back at Baker Street...I mean it...I play a role too as his mother! We can't let this get worse for us! Stress has taken fairly as my boy is in a coma!"
"Ours.." Basil muttered
Suddenly, Basil acts strange as he opens his eyes wide to Dawson.
Melissa rubs her eyes as Dawson could've swore that one word come out of his mouth.
"What was that?" Dawson asked in shock
"Is everything alright?" Peter walks in
"I….Well…" Basil paused for seconds without end, and looks at Jason.
Dawson finally remembered what they have in common-
They looked almost alike, with the exception of Jason having short, burgundy curly hair like Melissa.
Dawson paid no attention as Basil gripped Jason's paws, then stands and walks across to the guest bedroom. He pats Dawson's pack oddly, as the doctor feels him trembling with grief, trying to hide his sadness.
"I'll take your word for it Melissa...I'll be across…"
Dawson raises a eyebrow as Peter sits down.
"What's with him all the sudden?"
Melissa covered her mouth.
"My...I could've swore that he said 'ours'..."
"..Doctor...he hasn't told you yet I give?"
"...Told me what?" Dawson becomes confused and looks concerned of the situation. Peter sighs, deciding whenever or not to tell him.
"Sir Hoskins...what is he keeping from me?"
"He was only trying to keep it personal...but….it's no use...as long as you don't tell it to the public." Melissa sighed
"I am a good mouse to keep things personal…"
Peter nodded, then grasped his hands together.
"Doctor...long ago as a child...my sister and I were the first victims of a deadly illness that took lives. My father contracted it first, he was a good man enough not to have it at first...but I was wrong."
"What happened?" Dawson pulled out his stethoscope.
"He died the next morning, as I layed restless, trying to breath as I whimpered my father's name. My mother was forced to evacuate us to the hospital, where I laid. It seem as it lasted for years, but it only lasted a few weeks before my sister and I got back on our feet."
"As I grew up into a young man...I wait almost years till I married a brute of a woman, careless. I loved children as they were my own...thats why I felt as Jason were mine."
"Were yours?" Dawson seemed shocked.
"Yes."
"W-what are you getting too?"
"Well..to my first wife...we tried numerous times to conceive a pup...but finally I went to the doctor. Due to my childhood illness...I cannot have children Dawson."
Dawson suddenly stood up and dropped his stethoscope in a pure blow.
"But! B-b-but if you can't...then-"
Suddenly, he opened to the truth.
Of course! If he's not the father...then Basil-
Melissa nodded, as Dawson suddenly heard sniffles softly, coming from across.
He...couldn't hold it in anymore…
Dawson felt his heart race as he peaked in Basil's room.
It was resolved. Dawson could now see why Basil cared.
Filling with regret and sadness, he watched as the biological father of Jason kneeled against the window, quietly and faintly as he tried to hide his tears.
But the rain could speak for themselves as they poured down the window.