Chapter 7: A Year of Service
Winter
The blustery fall turned into a harsh, cold winter; and December was over and the new year upon them before they knew it. The ballet that was established in Jenny's first few weeks continued with the two women only interacting when absolutely necessary. Jenny had a set routine to maintain the home and keep Vastra fed and warm: she shopped on certain days, the firewood delivery was set, and the butcher delivery was set. Jenny liked routine.
It was late January when, like so many other late night/early morning returns, Vastra stumbled through the scullery door barely able to stand. The cold had crippled her, dulled her senses, and slowed her movements to a crawl. But Jenny was prepared.
Like every night when Vastra went out in these conditions, Jenny kept plenty of water pre-heated on the stove and a fire blazing in the sitting room. Running to the Silurian before she collapsed onto the floor, she wrapped her arm around Vastra's waist, pulled her arm across her shoulders -despite Vastra's protest- and helped her into the sitting room. "You warm up while I get your bath ready." She gingerly laid Vastra on the settee that she had arranged in front of the fire, the whole while Vastra hissed at her in Silurian.
As Vastra warmed up by the fire, Jenny lifted pot after pot of near boiling water to the second story and filled the tub. Eventually, the Silurian regained enough energy to walk herself up the stairs to soak until she had warmed her core. She would then retire to her bedroom, where Jenny had prepared another blazing fire, and fall asleep beneath a mountain of wool and down.
This was now Jenny's primary responsibility-keeping Vastra warm. It was a thankless task that Jenny had grown accustomed to in the winter months. She didn't mind being hissed at because she knew without her care the stubborn Silurian would surely die; or at least succumb to the cold and fall ill. And she knew how to handle it. She had developed a routine.
For Vastra's part, she was beginning to wonder how she had ever managed on these cold nights without the human to tend to her. She remembered previous winters when she would return home and struggle to start a fire and end up falling asleep on the floor of her office. Though she would never admit it, she was beginning to depend on Jenny. Knowing a warm fire and hot bath would be waiting on her when she arrived home allowed her to stay out later and work harder to catch London's most elusive criminals.
The need for Jenny to be home and be prepared for whatever condition Vastra would return in took precedent on these cold nights. As a result, Jenny's only social outlet, Saturday nights spent with Frankie and her friends, were limited to those nights when Vastra stayed in, which had been seldom over the holidays and on into the New Year. But she liked that she was there for her madam and enjoyed being needed, despite all the hissing.
Spring
Winter finally gave way to spring and Vastra's need for a hot soak after a night of work lessened. This allowed Jenny more Saturday nights out on the town. She had grown quite fond of Frankie, although she had to dismiss her advances on more than one occasion.
"Jenny," Frankie said as Jenny recoiled once again from her touch. "Have I misjudged you in some way? Are you not interested in the company of women?"
Jenny blushed slightly and smiled at Frankie. "You've not misjudged me. I rather enjoy you and your company," Jenny paused, "It's just that right now I'm not at a place where I can really 'be' with anyone."
"And why is that?" Frankie asked as she took a long pull from her pint.
"I'm," Jenny started, clearly uncomfortable, "my time is not my own, at the moment." Jenny wasn't sure she would be able to explain her current situation without revealing why she was in the service of her madam.
"Just because you work for someone doesn't mean they own you," Frankie insisted. "Tell your employer that you have a right to spend your free time as you see fit."
"I'm afraid it ain't that simple," Jenny replied.
"Then make it that simple," Frankie insisted again. "You are her employee, nothing more. She can't demand your time all day, every day." Frankie looked at Jenny and a moment of realization washed across her face. Her expression turned to a furrowed brow. "Is there something between the two of you?"
"No!" Jenny blushed again. "Nothin' like that. Not at all." Jenny was a little flustered at the thought. If Frankie actually knew Vastra she would have never asked that.
"Then what is it?"
Jenny was determined to keep her secret. She had worked hard to leave her life on the streets behind. "Let's just say I owe her a lot. It wouldn't be a lie to say I owe her my life. So I do feel obligated to be there for her whenever she needs me, day or night, for whatever reason."
"You owe her your life?" Frankie asked, confused. "Does that mean you are going to give her the rest of it? How long do you intend to be indebted to her?"
Jenny shook her head and thought about how to answer. She knew she owed Vastra a year's worth of wages to pay back what she had stolen, but what would happen after that year? "I promised her a year of service," Jenny said.
"Do you expect me to wait a year for you?" Frankie asked.
"I don't expect anything from anyone," Jenny said firmly. Reaching over, she took Frankie's hand in hers and looked into the performer's deep brown eyes. "I'll be free from my debt come this fall, but I'm not sure I will want to devote myself to anyone right away."
Frankie understood what Jenny was saying. Obviously Jenny did not feel about her the way she had come to feel about Jenny.
Jenny could see that Frankie was hurt. "I love my time with you and the friends I have made at the pubs. I love watching you perform…," Jenny stopped suddenly as Frankie interrupted her.
"You just don't love me."
She was taken aback by Frankie's directness. "No. I'm sorry. I don't."
Summer
It was a warm July night and Jenny had been out late with her friends. Frankie had landed a show at a prominent London theatre. This was a step up from the pubs, even if she was only a two song opening act. Vastra was working tonight, but the summer months weren't hard on her Silurian metabolism, so Jenny didn't need to be home while her madam was out; or so she thought. She hadn't noticed the trail in the back yard; but as soon as her hand landed on the doorknob of the scullery door her palm was coated in a thick, sticky substance. Opening the door she spotted the splatters on the floor where blood had dripped and made a trail into the kitchen.
"Bloody hell." Jenny rushed into the kitchen to find Vastra slumped in the chair holding a blood soaked cloth to her right bicep. "Wut 'appened?" Jenny asked, her accent thick.
"I'll be fine," Vastra snipped. "I just need to control the bleeding."
"Lemme see," Jenny demanded, but Vastra didn't move. "Show it to me."
"I'll do no such thing," Vastra protested. "You are my maid, not a doctor."
Jenny stood with her hands on her hips. "I don't bloody well see a doctor, do I? So if you want that looked at either let me at it or you can take a cab to the hospital."
Knowing she was beat and had no time or reason to argue, Vastra nodded and moved the cloth away from the wound. It was a deep puncture and wasn't clotting. The blood began to flow, bypassing the soaked fabric of Vastra's dress and dripping from the tips of her fingers.
"What happened?" Jenny asked softly as Vastra applied the cloth to the wound again.
"I was stabbed."
"Let me help you into the dining room. I need you up on that table so I can work," Jenny demanded.
"Work?" Vastra asked. "Just what is it that you think you will be doing?"
"I'm gonna clean that wound so you don't get infected and then I'm goin' to stop tha bleedin'."
"And just how do you propose to do that?" Vastra demanded.
"Cauterize it of course." Jenny said very matter-of-factly.
"You will do no such thing!"
"You 'ave a better idea? If you do I'd love to 'ear it."
Vastra knew what needed to be done. She just hated the fact that it would be this ape to do it. "Have you done this before?" Vastra asked.
"No." Jenny wasn't going to lie. She'd never even seen it done. "I've 'eard stories. Seems simple enough. Heat up somethin' metal and stick it to the wound. But first I have to clean it up. So I need you to get on that dining room table now."
With Jenny's help, Vastra was able to get from the kitchen into the dining room and onto the table. The loss of blood had made her weak and she needed Jenny for support.
Jenny quickly gathered a pillow and two leather belts. She placed the pillow under Vastra's head. "That should be a little more comfortable," Jenny said as she smiled at Vastra. Using one of the belts, Jenny made a tourniquet and slipped it over Vastra's hand and up her arm. "I need you to pull this tight. You need to hold it tight enough to stop the bleeding. You understand?"
Vastra nodded her head "yes" and held onto the belt.
Jenny got busy. She retreated first into the kitchen and got some water on to heat. She then scurried around the house gathering up alcohol, bandages, scissors, and clean linin. With everything gathered she got to work.
"I'm going to have to cut your sleeve out of the way. Alright?"
Vastra simply nodded. The dress was all but ruined anyway from the fight that had precipitated the stabbing.
Jenny cut a slit up the sleeve and moved the material away to expose Vastra's skin. She had never actually seen Vastra's arm before as the Silurian went to great lengths to cover every inch of herself, even at home. She noticed how the scales were different on different parts of her arm: lighter and softer on the inside, darker and thicker along the outside. Her skin was cool to the touch and Jenny thought back to the first time their hands had grazed one another in Vastra's office. She cut the sleeve completely away and repositioned the tourniquet on Vastra's bicep. Pulling it tight enough to slow the bleeding, but not too tight, she said in almost a whisper, "just like that."
Vastra nodded and kept her grip on the end of the belt.
Soaking the clean linin in warm water, she carefully washed the blood from Vastra's arm. Some had dried, some was still wet. It was darker and thicker than human blood, but with the same metallic smell. She was as rough as she needed to be to get the job done, but she was overall gentle and careful. She examined the scales and looked for other wounds as she cleaned, and did find a few other nicks and cuts, but nothing significant. There were quite a few scales missing from her arm and Jenny wondered if they would grow back. Lingering longer than necessary, she found herself completely fascinated with the Silurian skin. Finally she was done with cleanup.
What she was about to do next would be painful, but still not as bad as what would eventually come. She doubled over the second leather belt a few times and held it up to Vastra's mouth. "Bite down on this. This is gonna sting. A lot."
Vastra did as she was told and opened her mouth for Jenny to place the belt between her teeth.
As she endured the sting of the alcohol, the Silurian bit hard on the belt in her mouth and pulled tighter on the belt on her arm but she didn't utter a single sound, not even a whimper.
"You're doing great, love," Jenny cooed. She could tell Vastra's breathing was getting rapid. "It's all cleaned up. I'll be right back."
Vastra took a breath and loosened up the tourniquet a bit. Some blood leaked out, but not like before. The stinging of the alcohol subsided but she knew the worst was about to come.
Jenny returned to the dining room with a knife in her hand. It wasn't glowing red; it didn't even look hot, but it was. It had to be. "I'm going to hold this to the wound for three seconds. I need you to lay very still for me when I do that. Bite down, scream, do what you have to do, but it'll only be three seconds."
Vastra nodded. She clinched the leather in her mouth and pulled tighter on the belt around her arm.
Jenny quickly wiped away the fresh blood and plunged the blade flat down on Vastra's wound without hesitation. The smell of burnt blood and flesh filled the dining room.
Vastra bit down so hard onto the leather she cut into it with her teeth. Her breathing became rapid. She pulled the belt around her arm so tight Jenny was afraid she would damage it further.
In three seconds it was over and Jenny pulled the knife away. Silurians didn't sweat, but Jenny was sweating enough for the both of them.
Vastra spat out the belt and took some rapid breaths. She held onto the tourniquet and pulled it tight as she still reeled in pain from the burn.
Jenny took the tourniquet from Vastra, loosened it, and watched the wound to make sure the bleeding had stopped. When she was satisfied it had, she let out a sigh of relief and placed the knife in the bowl of water to cool and pulled the belt from around Vastra's arm.
Vastra continued to breathe rapidly. She didn't scream or even complain. She said nothing. Just breathed rapidly and shallow.
"You need to calm your breathing now," Jenny spoke softly. "Look at me. Everything's fine. The worst is over." Jenny calmly breathed in and out as she looked into Vastra's sapphire eyes.
Vastra followed Jenny's lead as she stared into her soft brown eyes. Her breathing slowed and became more normal.
"That's great. You're doing great," Jenny reassured her. "Keep your breathing slow and controlled. I'm going to leave you here while I clean up. Don't move, I don't want that wound to reopen. When I get done I'll help you up stairs to bed."
Vastra simply nodded. She was grateful for the help even if she hadn't said "thank you." She may have very well bled to death if Jenny hadn't been there since she couldn't take the pressure off the wound long enough to clean and cauterize it herself. Once again, she was indebted to the human.
For the next few days Jenny didn't leave the house. She waited on Vastra hand and foot to make sure the wound healed properly and also that she ate enough to rebuild her strength.
Vastra relegated herself to desk duty while her arm healed. She was redundantly organizing her notes and maps for her current case, not really making any headway or discoveries. She really needed to be out on the streets, but Jenny insisted she stay home and threatened her with tagging along if she left. A knock on her office door was followed by Jenny entering with tea. It wasn't even tea time. Vastra hated the doting. "I don't need you checking in on me every minute. I am fine."
"I know," Jenny said setting the tea service on the table. "Can I see your arm?"
"You are not my physician," Vastra said flatly.
"True, but I'd still like to make sure it isn't getting infected," Jenny smiled and Vastra just stared at her. "I just know that you won't take it easy with that arm if I'm not here to watch you."
"You are also not my keeper," Vastra said.
"I know. I am neither of those things. I am just a filthy ape who sees to your every need, prepares your meals, builds your fires, washes your laundry, cleans your home, and brings you tea." Jenny smiled. "But if you won't let me look at it at least drink your blood then have some tea." Jenny sat a cup of warm blood on the desk and began to pour a cup of tea.
Vastra found Jenny to be exhausting at times, this was one of them. And although she would never admit it, she was also beginning to find her endearing. Jenny was all the things she had mentioned and more. Because of Jenny seeing to practically everything else in Vastra's life, she was more efficient in her detective work. As she sipped the blood she wondered how she had ever gotten along without the human.
"I have things to do upstairs," Jenny said pulling Vastra out of her thought. "And I'm watering your plants in the greenhouse. You don't need to lift the water jug just yet." Jenny didn't ask.
Vastra didn't argue, she didn't see the use. "Do not rearrange anything in there. I have everything just how I like it."
"Yes Ma'am," Jenny smiled as she walked out of the study closing the French doors behind her.
That was the longest conversation the two women had had since Jenny had been in her home.
Fall
The leaves had begun to change and a chill was in the air. Jenny strolled around the market looking for fresh carrots, turnips, potatoes, and onions for a stew, her favorite cold weather meal.
"Jenny," a male voice called her name in the crowded market. "Jenny, is that you?"
Dressed in her maid's uniform and heavy cotton cape Jenny turned to see who was calling her by name. It was one of the boys from Simon's gang. She struggled a bit to remember his name and must have had a dreadfully confused look on her face.
"It is you," the boy said. "We looked for you for months after Simon got pinched. Figured you'd been done for then, didn't we?" The boy could see that Jenny was still a little taken aback and had yet to speak. "Victor." He said flatly. "Me name's Victor. Remember."
Shaking her head and coming to her senses, Jenny smiled at the boy. He was a few years younger than her, but he had certainly grown since she had seen him last. He was as tall as her and she hardly recognized him. "Yes, Victor. Sorry, Love. I'm terrible with names, I am."
"No matter." He took Jenny in for a moment and smiled at her finely tailored maid uniform, cape, and boots. "I see you've gone off and got yourself a proper job." He thought back to how good Jenny was a set of lock picks and the many lessons she had taught him. "You a kitchen maid then?" He asked pointing to the bag of fresh food Jenny held at her side.
"I'm a housemaid for a Lady of London." Jenny smiled, somewhat nervously.
"Lock Pick Jenny a house maid," Victor shook his head. "What made you go straight then? Did you get caught or sumthin'?"
Jenny hesitated. She wasn't about to admit she got pinched, threatened, and forced to choose between paying off a debt or being a meal for a lizard woman. "I have a room and three meals a day as a maid. And my Madam buys me clothes and keeps me safe from the London streets. That's way more than I ever had workin' for Simon, or takin' care of myself."
"That's 'cause you kept givin' all your loot away as I remember," Victor shook his head agian. "Simon would get so mad at you. He'd say you were the dumbest cleverest thief he'd ever met."
"You said Simon got himself pinched? When did that happen?" Jenny asked.
"Not a year ago now," Victor said. "Got nabbed doin' some heist. He was almost home free when they got 'im
"You said you were lookin' for me after Simon got pinched, but then gave up. Why?"
"Why were we lookin' or why'd we give up?" Victor asked.
"Oi!" Jenny yelled, then caught herself and calmed her tone. "Don't be daft. Why were you lookin' for me? I'd stopped workin' for Simon. I didn't know anythin' about him getting' pinched."
"He just said to find you wuz all. So we looked for you everywhere. We checked out all your usual places, the abandoned buildings, the gin houses, everywhere. After a couple of months with no one layin' eyes on ya we just sorta gave up. We assumed you'd met your fate."
"I've been at this job about a year. I haven't been to those places since."
"Well I've found you now and you should go see Simon. He's not likely to be out for a while now. They're still tryin' to pin a lot more burglaries on him but they don't have the proof and he ain't talkin'. He said they gave him more time for assaultin' an officer just because he stepped on one of the detective's feet when they were manhandling' him over at the Yard. Can you believe that?"
"I can believe anything these days," Jenny said, a little absentmindedly.
"Wut's that suppose' to mean?" Victor looked confused.
"Nothin'," Jenny recovered. "So where they keepin' Simon?"
Jenny sat across the table from Simon. He looked older, harder, and tired.
"You look great, Jenny." Simon smiled and took her in. She had filled out from the luxury of three meals a day since the last time he had seen her. She had color in her cheeks and her hair was shiny and clean. She smelled faintly of rose. She was wearing a nice clean dress, a warm cap, and gloves. "You seem to be doin' alright for yourself then."
Jenny smiled at her former mentor. "I'm doin' okay." She wished she could return the kind words to Simon, but he truly looked worse for wear.
"Find yourself a sugar daddy?" Simon asked.
"I think you know better." Jenny said. "I'm a housemaid now."
"A maid?" Simon was shocked. "My little Lock Pick Jenny has gone and got herself an honest job."
Jenny smiled. "Something like that."
A crooked smile crept across Simon's face. "Ah," he said, "there's more to it than that. There's something you're not telling me."
Jenny tried her best to remain calm. She couldn't let Simon know she had gotten pinched and was working to pay back a debt. "Nothing more," she assured him. "The Madam's just a little strange, that's all. She isn't from here and treats me different than most housemaids get treated. She pays me more than most housemaids get paid too: a room, meals, and clothes."
"I see," Simon pressed on. "So you have a sugar mamma." He smiled an evil grin.
"Oi! No!" Jenny protested. "What is it with you men? I get a good job and you have to read sumethin' into it. Besides, if you knew her you wouldn't even joke about that."
Simon studied Jenny's body language and posture. He could see she was uncomfortable and decided to give her a break and change the subject. "So how'd you know I was here?"
"I saw Victor at the market. He's grown up! He told me you were lookin' for me after you got yourself pinched," Jenny said.
"I was indeed," he looked around to make sure none of the guards were listening. "I was gonna offer you one last job."
"A job?" Jenny asked. "What kind of job?"
"I think I know who it was that put me in here," he said discreetly. "I was going to see if you wanted to earn some coin to help me get a little revenge."
"What do you mean, 'who put you in here'?" Jenny asked. "You got pinched was all. Right?"
"No," Simon shook his head. "I think there was more to it than that. The guards talk. And I listen. Apparently the Yard has some woman detective they use for certain cases."
Jenny's eyes grew wide and she sat straight up in her chair. There was no hiding her reaction and there was no doubt he was talking about Vastra.
Simon noticed her reaction but kept talking. "The say she's called in on cases they can't crack. Heard they let her do whatever's necessary to get information to help the Yard."
Jenny squirmed uneasily in her chair again.
"You done got squeamish with your new job then?" he chided.
"No," Jenny quickly straightened up. "Just sounds odd, that's all."
"That's what I thought. No way could a woman have pinched me. Not unless she was seducing my associates into giving her information," he said.
"Seducing?" Jenny almost laughed at the thought of Vastra seducing anyone, much less a human. She thought them all hairless apes and detested the lot of them.
"What else could it be? The Yard's finest didn't have a clue how to catch me as I stole antique after art piece after war relic from some of the toughest safes in London. Then as I got to the bottom of my list, they were there to nab me just as I was about to grab a priceless piece of art. Only two other people knew where that art was and that I was going to get it. And one of them was paying me to get it."
Wheels started turning in Jenny's head. She thought back to a year ago when she had rummaged through Vastra's desk and caught a glimpse of a case file. She had noticed the addresses of the burglaries, pictures of the safes, and the list of stolen goods: a rare sapphire ring, a dagger from France, and an oil painting, to name a few. It hit her like a ton of bricks. That case was Simon. But it was so much more than that.
It was Simon that Vastra was out hunting that gave Jenny the opportunity to break into her home and spend hours on end trying to crack that safe or persuade Vastra to move her money. If she had known then it was him, she could have warned him. But now? Now where would her loyalty lie? Vastra had almost killed her. She would have killed her if that man, the Doctor, hadn't been there. But in the year since then, Vastra had given her a home, security, and a purpose. She had helped her off the streets and away from a harsh life of crime.
Simon snapped Jenny back to reality. "What is it?" He could tell she knew something.
"Nothin'," she lied. "I remember readin' about 'bout that is all. I had no idea it was you. I think it was just about the time I went on as a maid. I stopped hangin' out at all the usual dives. I had no idea."
"That's why they couldn't find you when I sent some of my boys looking for you. Last I heard you had something big planned. When you were nowhere to be found we all assumed you'd gotten yourself pinched. Or worse. I told 'em to drop it after a bit." Simon studied Jenny for a moment longer. "Anyway, I kept my ears open around here and the guards kept their mouths moving. And they love to complain that some stuck up bitch is getting' paid better than them to swoop in, spread her legs, and claim arrests. I perked up when they started guessin' how much she got paid."
Jenny knew exactly how much Vastra got paid. And it was a handsome sum indeed. She was appalled that people thought she got that pay by sleeping with whoever she needed for information. She also knew what Vastra would do to anyone who thought that about her and was dumb enough to say it to her face.
Again, Simon snapped Jenny back to the conversation. "That job's still on the table, if you're interested."
"I have a job," Jenny said.
"Just because you're a maid doesn't mean you forgot how to pick a lock," Simon smiled.
Jenny was certain she could still do that. It came so easily to her. She could almost feel the metal picks on the tumblers now. Oh how she missed that sensation. "What exactly are you offering?"
Simon smiled and looked to make sure the guards weren't listening. "You find this woman 'detective'," he said with sarcasm, "and you take her for all she's worth. You can keep the loot. It isn't even about that. I just want her to pay for what she did. You do that for me and I'll tell you where some of those priceless artifacts are that I stashed. I didn't give all the loot to the middleman, so there's a fortune just laying about in London and only I know where. I'm willing to give you a piece of that if you help me. You'll never have to work for anyone ever again."
"Steal from a detective?" Jenny asked. "Don't you think that's a bit foolish?" Jenny almost laughed at herself.
"Who would suspect you of such a thing? You're just a simple maid, remember. You have no connection to her."
Jenny was silent. She had no intention of stealing from Vastra again. She knew firsthand what the Silurian was capable of to those who wronged her. She had received her one and only warning. If she did what Simon asked, it would mean her death.
"Not good enough?"
"Wut?" Jenny shook herself out of her trance.
"My offer," he said. "Not good enough?"
"It's not that," Jenny said shaking her head. "I've started to make something out of my life. I'm off the streets and safe. It may not be the most glamorous life, but I'm clean, healthy, safe, and fed. I don't know if I can go back to the life I had."
"With what those pieces are worth, you'll never work again. And you'll never be on the streets again." Simon pushed his case. "I don't think you understand the amount of money you're gonna make if you take this job. You can piss it all away helping orphans and widows if you want, that always was your style; which I never understood. But you can take just one of those pieces and leave London and never look back. Spend the rest of your life on a beach somewhere. Or in the Alps. Whatever suits your fancy."
"Why haven't you made this offer to one of your boys?" Jenny asked.
"Children!" Simon exclaimed. "They're fine for petty crime, but this is above them. No. Only you will do for this job."
Jenny thought about the money. So much money. And her year was going to be up soon. Then what? Would Vastra kick her out and send her on her way? Once she had repaid her debt what was in store for her. She hadn't really given it much thought until now. Could she steal from Vastra one more time, take the artifacts from Simon and run away somewhere even the Silurian's sensitive tongue couldn't find her? Simon had given her more to think about than she was prepared for.
"Well?" Simon goaded her for an answer.
"I have to think about it," Jenny said in a hushed tone. "It would mean running away somewhere and starting over. I'd have to say goodbye to London and all my friends. I couldn't risk getting caught. I won't get caught."
"You'll have enough to start over anywhere you want to go," Simon smiled thinking he'd almost won Jenny over. "Just get my revenge and I'll make you rich."
Jenny left the station and opted to walk home. She needed to think and clear her head. Simon's offer was tempting, but could she actually do it? There was no love between her and Vastra. But still, she had developed so much pride in her work. She thought back to the house and the condition it was in when she first arrived. It was beginning to feel like her own home, in a way. She had poured so much of herself into it. And despite Vastra's prejudice toward "apes" she had seen the Silurian soften a bit. She had seen her vulnerable and weak. It took almost a year, but she had seen a change, towards her at least.
Had it been a year already? The realization was setting in that she would very soon have her debt repaid. What would happen then? They had not discussed this but then again, they didn't discuss anything. She couldn't just go back to her old life on the streets wondering where her next meal would come from. Perhaps Vastra would recommend her to another household. But she didn't relish the idea of starting over at a new home. And despite the name calling, the hissing, and stoic attitude of her Madam, where would she find another employer who gave her a room and complete freedom to set her own schedule? Vastra treated her less like a maid and more like a housemate at times.
Vastra arrived home that night to find Jenny, in her nightdress, in the sitting room in front of a dying fire. She was perched atop the settee with her feet tucked under her, a blank stare into the distance upon her face, and a cup of tea long cold on the side table. Her long brown hair was out of its usual tight bun and fell about her shoulders and onto her chest. For a moment Vastra regarded her and Jenny was completely unaware she was being observed she was so deep in thought. Vastra turned to leave, thinking herself rude for staring, when Jenny finally noticed the movement and snapped back to reality.
"Ma'am," Jenny quickly called to her.
Vastra stopped and turned to face her maid. "Yes, Jenny?"
"Do you have a moment?"
"A moment for what?"
"To talk?"
"Yes," she said as she entered the sitting room and took a seat in the chair closest to the fire. "What would you like to talk about?"
"Are you pleased with my work, Ma'am?" Jenny asked in a low tone.
"Very," Vastra answered. "I hardly know you are here, yet my home looks magnificent."
"Am I close to paying off my debt?"
"I believe so," Vastra said. "I suppose you'll be relieved to be out from under this debt, out from under this roof?"
"That's just it, Ma'am," Jenny began. "I am very happy to have paid my debt. I would not be happy unless and until I have repaid what I owe you. But, Ma'am," Jenny's words hung in her throat. "I do not want to leave."
"But you will have paid your debt," Vastra was confused. She did not understand why Jenny would want to spend one minute more in the service of someone like her when she could be free to make her own way.
Jenny began to cry. She wasn't sobbing uncontrollably, but a few tears tracked down her face and fell onto her cotton gown. "I have nowhere to go, Ma'am. No family. No home. I do not wish to go back to the life I had before this. I only stole because I had to. I did what I had to do to survive. Stealing and thieving was by far a better option to me than selling my body. I doubt I would still be alive if I had done that. By allowing me to pay my debt back to you, I have seen what it is like to have a roof over my head, to have food, to be warm and safe. That is more than I have ever had before."
Vastra understood what Jenny was saying. She admired the girl for changing her stripes, as it were. She had become a better person. Someone willing to work for what she had, not take what wasn't hers. "Perhaps," Vastra said, "you could find a position with another household. I would be happy to write you a letter of recommendation."
"Thank you, Ma'am. I appreciate it, I really do," Jenny paused, "but if it's all the same to you. If you are happy with my work, which you said you are, would you be willing to hire me on? I would work for cheap. I will continue to work for room and board and the weekly allowance you already give me. It wouldn't cost you anything you aren't already paying."
"Would you be satisfied with that arrangement?" Vastra asked.
"Oh yes, Ma'am," Jenny smiled. "I would be very happy with that. I can 'ot think about working for someone else. I know this house Ma'am and I know you. I know how to do things to your liking. And if I were to leave, Ma'am, who would fetch your meals and tend to your floors and all the lovely things in your home? And who could you 'ire who would keep your secret." Jenny halted her words. It was not her intention to offend her Madam. She hoped she had not. "Forgive me Ma'am if I have spoken out of turn."
"Think nothing of it," Vastra smiled. "You are right. I do still need a maid. Like you, I too have become accustomed to a new standard since you have been keeping my home for me." Vastra looked around her spotless sitting room. "My home did not looked this magnificent until you began taking care of it. You have earned my trust and you respect my boundaries. I dare say I could not ask for much more from a maid."
"So you'll keep me on?" Jenny asked, excited.
"I suppose I will, Jenny," Vastra actually smiled. "I think I would like that very much."
"Thank you, Ma'am," Jenny beamed. "Thank you very much." She wanted to hug Vastra, but as that was quite inappropriate. She settled instead to reach out and take Vastra's hand in her own.
In those few seconds, time stopped for the Silurian. The house around her could have crumbled but she wouldn't have noticed. All she knew was touch and warmth.
Then, as suddenly as Jenny had touched her, she pulled away.
The next day Jenny returned to visit Simon and tell him she could not accept his offer.
"You're turning down a small fortune," Simon told her.
"I know," Jenny said. "But don't worry, your secrets are safe with me."
"Of that I have no doubt," he smiled. "I know I can trust you. You always were too honest to be a thief."
Jenny smiled at Simon and they shared a laugh.
"Now that you know where I am, perhaps you'll come visit me more often," Simon said. "Doesn't look like they have any plans of letting me go for quite some time."
"Will you retire now?" asked Jenny. "Will you pass the torch like Eli did with you?"
"No need," he said. "The boys are still carrying on without me out there. And as soon as I get out of here I'm packing up my stash and making my way south. Maybe Italy, somewhere on the Mediterranean. Either way, my days of burgling in London are well and truly done. If they ever let me out they'll watch me like a hawk. So if one of the boys wants to take up the reigns, then more power to him."
Jenny just smiled and thought of Simon on a beach. He didn't belong there.
"My offer is still good until I get out of here," he said. "All you have to do is say the word and the loot is yours for the taking."
"Alright, Simon," Jenny smiled. "I'll let you know if I change my mind."
Jenny left the station that day and never went back. She couldn't afford to run into Vastra at the Yard and have to explain why she was there; and she'd never betray Simon. She thought about her mentor every day and wondered if he would seek out the great female detective once he was released.
The rest of the week went by normally. Vastra spent her time between her office and the streets of London and Jenny spent her days toiling away in her Madam's home or out at the market. Saturday night came and Jenny had dressed to go out. She would meet up with her friends at the pub for a few hours and then have a relaxing Sunday, which was the day she normally took as her "day off" even though there were still chores to be done.
On her way out, she passed by the sitting room to find an unusual site. Vastra sat in front of the fire, on the settee, reading a book.
"Good evenin' Ma'am," Jenny said.
"Good evening, Jenny," Vastra smiled. "On your way out to meet up with your friends?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Jenny said shyly. "I don't usually see you out here-you're usually in your office or out catching criminals at this hour."
"My case load is uncommonly light at the moment," Vastra said, putting her book aside and giving Jenny her full attention. "I thought it would be a good time to brush up on my French." Vastra held up the book she was reading, but Jenny couldn't read the cover.
"You ever just do anything for pleasure, Ma'am?" Jenny asked. Perhaps overstepping her place.
"What do you mean, Jenny?" she asked, looking at her maid.
"Do you ever read for fun? Like a novel, a love story, or a tale of crime and adventure?"
"No," Vastra admitted. "I find it best to make the most of the time I have. I have learned several languages since I have come to live on the surface. I can speak and read English, French, German, Russian, and Japanese. Soon I will learn Mandarin."
"That's very impressive, Ma'am," Jenny was genuinely impressed. "I can barely speak English, and I know my accent must be a fright to someone as learned as you."
"There is no reason you cannot learn too, Jenny," Vastra said. "If you really want to, you can learn anything you set your mind to."
"I don't know, Ma'am," she said. "I think you give me too much credit."
"Nonsense," Vastra scoffed. "The only thing preventing you from learning, is you."
"Maybe, Ma'am," Jenny smiled. "I guess I've never had a need to do better."
"Perhaps one day you will," Vastra said and picked her book up and continued reading.
