Chapter Four:
The Lust in the Relationship

It was a Tuesday evening, but the Princess Alice Pub was anything but desolate as whores and sailors found themselves knee deep in their drinks and each other's arms, for a small fee of course. Temperance Brennan walked in, making sure to keep her head low, and sulked to a table in the back where she could be alone with her thoughts. Glancing around to make sure that prying eyes wouldn't be cast upon her, Temperance reached into the pocket of her overcoat and removed the vial with the strange tooth within. "What are you?" she asked the enigma as she rolled it around in her fingers feeling its peculiar weight from within the vial, watching as it shifted and tumbled in the vial. "I should like to know." she whispered.

As she raised the vial in the direction of the oil lamps in the room she watched intently as it became transparent. "Curious." she said to her self as she continued to study the small specimen. Several minutes later after she had satisfied her innate curiosity about the origin of the tooth she set the vial on the table. Despite what little the empirical evidence revealed, she still in the dark about the true meaning behind the source or the reason for the fractured tooth being in Martha Tabram's throat. She knew that if she desired to quench her thirst for knowledge that she would have to seek more answers. Only then would she have what she required to resolve this lingering unknown.

Realizing suddenly that she had not had much of anything to drink in almost twenty four hours, she collected the vial and returned it to her overcoat as she made her way to the bar. When the keep asked her what she fancied she consider the inquiry for a moment before deciding upon a finger of Gin. It was not something womenfolk were known to drink often, but she was never much like the other women. It was a thought that continued to lurk in the depths of her mind. It was because of her response the keep raised an eyebrow, commenting that it was strange for a lady to be drinking Gin, as he removed a small glass and resting it in front of her. "On the rocks?" She shook her head and watched as he poured, careful and full of intention. "Anything else I can do for you?"

Temperance shook her head and carried the Gin back to the table she had occupied previously. Upon reaching the table she noticed that she was no longer alone. "You didn't come home this evening." A familiar female voice echoed through the halls of her mind. The woman of science looked over to her friend, Angela "Pearly Gates" Montenegro, crossly. "You never come home when you're troubled." she said, dismissively, taking Temperance's Gin in her hand and swirling it. "So, I came looking for you. Is this Gin, sweetie?" She could hear the concern in her friend's tone and snatched the liquor away from her. It was quite like Angela to watch out for her, even when she didn't desire it.

"There was another one," she replied taking a small sip from the glass, "and yes, it is Gin. Don't judge me. I can drink what I fancy." Angela leaned back in her seat and folded her arms across her chest. Temperance set the Gin down and removed the vial from her overcoat. Temperance held it out for her to examine it herself. After a long moment of consideration Angela leaned back in, took the small vial, and looked at the specimen within. "I found this in the woman's throat. Lodged in what I can only describe as being a bite mark." She mimicked the location of the markings on Tabram's throat using her middle and index finger. "I have no idea what it is from, though. I am quite troubled with this, but the reason I didn't come home was the visceral nature of last night's attack." Temperance could feel her skin crawl as she sat down across from her friend. "It was a bit more disturbing than those before it."

Reaching across the table Angela rested her hand on her friend's hand and smiled. "Honey, come home. I need you." Angela cooed. She could sense her friend's need and looked over to the Gin resting on the table between them. "Leave it. I won't have you drunk another evening. It's bad enough when you're distracted." Angela said taking the Gin and pouring what was left on the floor. There was an audible escape of shock and anger from men and women alike across the room. "Gin is a man's drink, Temperance. Come home with me and be a woman for once." Angela leaned back in her seat and looked to her friend. Temperance could feel a hint of tension in Angela's tone, but knew better than to provoke it. "Please."

Temperance mulled over the request. "I should like to return home," she replied, sullenly, "and I could use a distraction." Angela drew a smile upon her face and stood up. Reaching out, she took Temperance by the hand and drew her up. "Can you not wait until we are alone before you devour me?" she asked as a playful smirk drew across her tender lips. It didn't take long before all eyes in the bar were drawn tightly across the room to the two women. Temperance could feel herself flush with embarrassment. It was not something she liked to broadcast, despite what Angela continued to urge her to do. She might drink like a man and take the work of one, but she was a woman. Alas, as Angela led her out of the Princess Alice Pub and across Thrawl street to their small, but comfortable flat that the two women rented together she felt all those feelings wash away.

Approaching the front door, Temperance felt Angela's hand tighten around her own. Something was on her mind, troubling her as well. "Do you feel that?" Angela asked, her tone as cold as steel. Temperance tilted her head to the left. "Something doesn't feel right. It's almost as if we're being watched. Can't you feel it, Tempe?" she asked. While she wasn't sure if someone was watching them, she could sense that there was something amiss in the air. "I don't like it, honey. Let's head in." her friend said as she eased open the door. It wasn't the first time Angela had mentioned the strange feeling that something or someone was out there waiting on them. It was a troubling enough thought that women were being maimed, right there in Whitechapel, and to add this to the list? It was almost too much for the woman of science to take. So, like so many times before, she brushed it from her mind.

Once inside Angela lit a few candles. Temperance had always liked that about her. Despite the fact that she could afford better lighting, Angela had insisted that there be nothing but candle light in their home. It created a romantic feeling, eased the mind, and soothed the soul she would often reason when Temperance tried to offer to acquire something less hazardous. Something that didn't stand the chance of burning their home down to little more than cinder. But her lady friend would have none of it. Once she had offered to have gas lighting installed in their home and Angela had threatened to withhold the consummation of their relationship if she did such a thing. Now it had become an amusing quirk that she had come to admire about her companion.

"I should like to draw a bath," Temperance said as Angela returned, having lit all the candles in their home, "once I am finished..." she let her voice trail as she drew Angela closer, embracing her. Angela let out a small gasp, but Temperance rested her delicate finger upon her friend's lips to silence her. "There's no need for words now." Angela beamed in the soft glow of the candle light and drew her arms around Temperance's waist. The two women locked eyes, taking in what pleasures they could from one another's soul, and their lips soon met. Temperance could taste the sweetness of her companion's lips as her tongue massaged the roof of her mouth. "I'll be back." she replied, lightly touching Angela's nose.

As she undressed Temperance could feel a slight chill rush through the room. Glancing around she saw that the small window in the bathroom was closed and returned her attention back to drawing her bath. Listening to the water fill the copper tub her mind focused on the remains of the late Martha Tabram. How she had brutalized, a blade driven into her repeatedly, and the final blow to the heart. She could not bring herself to fathom who could have done such an act, but she knew that it was not a man. No man could harbor such hatred of women to commit such a criminal act. It was the work of an inhuman monster. The same one who had been attacking women across Whitechapel. Tabram, however, had been his first actual victim. Still, she knew that Scotland Yard would scoff at her theories as they always had and mark it off as gang brutality. Who could take the ranting of a woman seriously? Especially one prone to hysterics.

Trying to clear her mind she removed the white linen under dress she was wearing and let the cold air rush over her naked body. She felt herself becoming slightly aroused by the cold, but she knew it was more reaction than actual arousal. Directing her attention back to the tub she shut off the water tap and dipped her index finger in to test the temperature of the water. Just above room temperature. Satisfied, she climbed in the tub, slowly lowering herself in, and allowing the cool water to envelop her form. Sinking down until the water level reached her chin, she found comfort and rested her arms on the outside of the copper rim, still slick with the water that had embraced them moments earlier. Once she was comfortable, she let her mind drift.

Her mind continued to drift back to the transparent tooth that she had removed from the victim's throat. She knew there was something about it, something out of reach, but she found it difficult to solidify a theory. As she soaked, the answer seemed to float in front of her. Was it from an animal? Her mind scoffed at the assumption that it could have been anything other than that. The question then became what animal had such a razor sharp tooth that became transparent in the light. There was also the inconstancy of it having bitten the dead woman's neck. It was this minor detail that teased at a much different answer than a simple animal attack.

In the distance Temperance could hear Angela becoming restless. She could tell that her companion was frightened by the recent slaying and attacks, which she had every right to be frightened about, and knew that it would fall upon herself to make sure that she didn't suffer from another bout of feminine hysteria; a condition that Temperance herself didn't even accept as being a real condition, but the men who called themselves medical doctors would often diagnose a hysterical and frightened woman with. It was also a condition that she herself had been accused of having on several occasions when her theories had went unheard and she became passionate about being heard. If only she had been born a son, she could have changed so many things. So many things would have been easier for her. But that was not the life she was afforded. Pushing these to the back of her mind she lifted herself from the water and reached for the soft linen robe that was resting near the door and wrapped it around her still wet body.

Exiting the bathroom she noticed there was a faint, almost sweet, aroma emanating from some of the candles Angela had dotted around the apartment. Temperance smiled to herself at her companion's romantic subtext. Following the sweet scent of lavender that filled the air now, she found herself at the door to their bedroom. From inside she could hear the soft sound of Angela removing her clothing. Taking a long breath and waiting for the final article to float to the floor, she counted the seconds between each gentle report of her friend's clothing resting upon the floor. It had become something of an evening ritual for the women and one that Temperance found she had enjoyed more and more with each passing evening.

"Good evening, beautiful." Angela whispered as Temperance opened the door. Her breath was taken away as her eyes were met with the sight of her friend's soft body, naked and slick with oils, awaiting her. "I have been waiting for you." she whispered as she drew closer. Temperance could feel herself becoming aroused now, intentionally by the beauty she beheld in Angela's slender frame, as she drifted closer. Reaching out she could almost touch her companion, but before she could she had taken her hand and was leading her to the bed. "You won't need that." her friend spoke softly as she reached the bed.

For a moment Temperance didn't know what she was referencing. Once it dawned upon her what she wouldn't need, she removed the linen robe and exposed her own flesh to her companion. Angela took in a shallow breath and leaned back on the bed. Temperance crawled on the bed, climbing on top of her friend, and felt a small jolt rush across her naked flesh as their bodies met. Angela shifted her weight under her, wrapping her legs around Temperance, drawing her down. She could feel the soft skin of her breasts touching Angela's and uttered a light moan. Angela beamed, running her left hand along the small of Temperance's back. She fought the urge to arch, but she couldn't control the muscle's reactions to the light touch and felt herself climb.

Taking back control over her body, she ran her right hand along Angela's wait, almost tracing the outline of her body. "Mon Cherie," she whispered, using her left hand to support herself, "you smell of the Heavenly." Angela laughed softly and brought her lips to meet Temperance's. There was a long moment as she let herself lower down to Angela's level, their two bodies melting into one. Using her left hand now she followed the curves of her companion's body, resting her hands upon her breast. She could feel her heart beating in her chest as she brought her other hand to cup the other. She could feel Angela's hand running along her side now, between her thighs.

Just as she could feel her companion penetrating her body, she thrust her tongue into her mouth, and tightened her own hands around Angela's delicate breasts. She wanted to scream in ecstasy, but all she could manage was to succumb to her lover's touch and found herself sliding and shifting as Angela's fingers rolled inside of her. Before she knew it she was kneading her friend's breasts, digging her nails in, almost drawing blood as the coarse feeling of her nipples etched across the palm of her hand. She could feel her own had become solid, stiff, and ready. As the two women withdrew of one another's lips, they rolled over and she found herself on the bottom now.

She knew what came next would be better than any other feeling in the world, as Angela let her tongue roll between Temperance's breasts, her breath heavy. She could feel as Angela's tongue started to trace her right breast, following it along down to her nipple. Temperance used her left hand to trace the side of Angela's face and her right to glide along her thighs, finally reaching her own destination. As she thrust her finger in, penetrating Angela, she felt her friend wrap her lips around her nipple and bite down softly. Both women arched in synchronization with one another. Temperance felt her eyes flutter in absolute ecstasy as Angela moaned loudly. It was in that moment that both women had what they needed and felt complete.

As Temperance watched Angela climb off the bed and dress herself, she couldn't help but admire her body. She had known since she was young that men did nothing for her. She had tried to be with a man once, but he had hurt her, beaten her, and drawn blood. But Angela was nothing like her. Angela walked the streets at night, with her friends, and was defiled for pittance. "Why don't you stay with me tonight, Angie. You know I have money. You could end this life and be a kept woman." she ran her hands along her body, still feeling the residual electricity that had been between them minutes earlier. Angela turned, a concerned look written across her brow. "What's wrong?" Temperance asked collecting their sheets and crawling to the end of the bed.

"You know I can't do that. Mary needs me and Polly is feeling ill, and...I can't. I can't live off your money, Sweetie. I cannot do it and feel confident." she reasoned. Temperance let out a sigh and returned to her position on the bed. "You know I love you," Angela replied climbing back on the bed and kissing her lover softly, "but I have to do this. If I don't...others will talk. You know what they do to freaks like us." Her words cut through Temperance like a razor blade, but she knew she was right. Loving another woman was a criminal offense of the highest order, it was against God's Law, and the two women would likely be crucified for having such an affair. "I'll be back later." she whispered and Temperance watched as she walked out of the room.

Rolling over to the small tableau that was next to the bed she fetched her cuttie and stuffed a pinch of tobacco inside. Reaching for the matches that she had rested next to the cuttie she removed on, struck it, and took a long breath, holding in the smoke. She knew there was no logic in fighting with Angela. She would walk the streets no matter what. It didn't matter that she had money, left to her by her father Max, Angela wouldn't hear it. As she released the smoke from her lungs she felt a sense of dread wash over herself and she worried for her lover. Who knew what lurked in the shadows or what those sexually starved men would do to her?

And it was in that moment that her mind went back to Martha Tabram, a woman of the evening, who had been brutally murdered. She knew Angela could hold her own, but would she be able to hold off whoever had done that? Concern set in and she knew that no matter how much she could try, she wouldn't be sleeping tonight until Angela walked in that door and drew her close for warmth until the morning sun broke over the horizon.