Emma sat heavily in front of the dusted old vanity table. There were some old bottles still sat on top, sure they were dust covered but there was still some liquid inside them. Reaching out she plucked one of the bottles up and studied it closely. Snapping her thumb up she popped the lid off, it tumbled from the bottle top and rolled across the table before making a slow descent to the floor. It clattered loudly off the wooden floorboards the sound echoing.
"Crap," Emma mumbled ducking low and searching for the bottle cap. It was then it hit her, the scent that leaked from the bottle. It smelt of summer. Lilac and lavender with a touch of coconut. What a strange yet oddly satisfying combination. Emma sat a moment merely inhaling the scent-it made a much welcome change from the smog and polluted streets. What she wouldn't give to just be back in Storybrooke with her family. She had wanted her whole life just to have people who loved her and it seemed every time she even got remotely close it was stolen away from her. Her mind would then drift to Henry and where he was now. Scanning over the bedroom she had claimed Emma took note of the sheet covered furniture in the right corner near the window where the drapes hung blotting out any trace of light. The fire place had been lit earlier that night, she had to resort to using an old chair from the lower floors. Once she had demolished that she had managed to provide some heat for herself, Regina had done the same but had disappeared into a room on the third floor. Emma's eyes looked to the large four poster bed, the large velveteen headboard scratched, at numerous points the stuffing was seeping through the popped buttons. Her eyes found the bottle top now, it had rolled beneath the large bed. Setting the bottle down Emma scooted off the stool and crawled across the floor extending her hand beneath the bed. She had to stretch, pushing her shoulder underneath to even get close to the object. She made a note not to flick the lids off anymore bottles.
"Miss. Swan?" Jekyll's face suddenly appeared at the other side of the bed. Emma shrieked, hitting her head off the underside of the wooden bed frame, before quickly reversing out from underneath the bed. "Oh I'm so-so sorry!" Jekyll stuttered quickly scurrying around the bed to her and extending a hand to help her up off the floor.
"Jeez Jekyll," Emma breathed her chest heaving, heart racing. "Little bit of warning next time you come into a girl's room huh?"
"I-I didn't mean-"
"Forget it," Emma pushed herself up off the floor leaving Jekyll stood awkwardly with his hand stretched out. After a long moment the man turned and quickly adjusted his drab brown coat, pushing the glasses up the bridge of his nose before clearing his throat. Emma forced the lid down atop the bottle instantly cutting off the fresh fragrance that had been piping into the room...it slowly faded and Emma could smell the dust again.
"I heard you located the gun?" Jekyll's tone changed to that of excitement now. Plucking an old ivory hairbrush off the table Emma nodded, beginning to comb through her mangled hair.
"We know the location-now we just need to know the man."
"I'm sure I could help with that," Jekyll grinned.
"That's why you're here," Emma nodded watching him through the glass of the vanity table mirror.
"Of course, any help I can provide."
"Who's Javert?"
"Javert?"
"In the note's we have from Abberline's office it claims he has the gun."
"He's an inspector of police I believe. He was assigned to hunt Abraham and myself down when...when things didn't work out how we'd planned."
"So you know what he looks like?"
"Of course. A very sharp man, short hair cut close, usually wears a stubble beard always dressed in-"
"Thank you," Emma cut him off. Jekyll silenced himself and retreated a step. Setting the ivory brush down Emma took in her appearance again, at least her hair was settled in a single direction rather then forty two different angles. "Is Dodger still here?"
"Of course-he's down stairs in the parlour with a number of young boys and Dr. Crane."
"Dr. Who?"
"No not Dr. Who-what an absurd title that would be, next you'll be telling me people have made wands out of screwdriver's next. I mean Dr. Ichabod Crane I believe Regina knows him..."
Rounding a table, he held the tray high before lowering himself and swinging underneath a woman's arm. Snatching a top hat that was about to topple from one of the tables Henry quickly set it right, receiving a courteous nod from the man before continuing on his way. Swinging around another table he finally brought the tray lower and set it down on the hard wooden surface. The eager people quickly reached out to grab their pies-a total of four.
"Enjoy your meal," Henry grinned taking the, now, empty tray back in his arms and winding his way back toward where Mrs. Lovett stood kneading more dough for the pies.
"Alright love?" She smiled.
"Some more satisfied customers," Henry nodded.
"Ain't that nice," Mrs. Lovett nodded before continuing her work. Henry sat now on one of the stools and watched her-she really didn't seem like the sort to make anything that would be edible and yet the last number of days he had remained here Henry must have seen over one hundred people enter the premises. Mrs. Lovett reached out ducking a ladle into a pot of mixed meat, gravy and vegetables before slopping it down into the pie and covering it with a fresh blanket of dough. Quickly adding that to a tray ready to be baked the woman slid the tray into the furnace before grasping a freshly made tray, with a handful of her gown, setting it down on the table top to cool. Spinning she slapped her hands together. A cloud of dust sprung into the air and Henry couldn't help but cough.
"I be expecting you're hungry then?" She gave another small smile. Henry had been working for the better part of the day and, in honesty, he wouldn't say no to one of her pies.
"How could I say no?" He returned the smile. Mrs. Lovett turned plucking one of the steaming pies from the tray just pulled from the oven before setting it atop a plate and sprinkling some salt atop it.
"Freshly made," She winked. Henry took the plate in exchange for the tray that rested on his lap and took a hearty bite. The pie was warm-the gravy flooded his mouth, the meat was tender and the vegetables crispy.
"How do you make them so good?" Henry asked. Mrs. Lovett's eyes however were on a man ascending the stairs to the side of the building, Mr. Todd was behind him, hand on the man's shoulder and together they moved up toward the barber shop above. "Mrs. Lovett?"
"What's that?" Her eyes snapped back to him.
"How do you make these so good?"
"The right ingredients," She smiled tapping her nose, accidentally splodging a spattering of flour as she did. "Our chef's have our secrets-if you're good I might let you in on them." She leant forward on the counter now, propping her chin in her hands and watching him intently. Henry studied her a moment before grinning and taking another bite. "You just eat that down-need all the strength you can get."
Regina sat at the head of the long dining table, Emma sat to her right, Jekyll to the left with Dr. Crane sat at the opposing end four or so rows away. His eyes were intently studying over the notes that Dodger had obtained them, his glasses perched on the end of his beak like nose.
"This all seems to be how I remember it..." Crane mused flicking over another page.
"So this is it?"
"I used this gun a lot when I was in my detective days...the Hessian fell to this and as I'm sure Abraham has mentioned that it had killed the dead also. That Dracula was a wicked fellow. However the only issue you have now...is this weapon is now in the hands of a state official."
"State official?" Regina's brow creased. Just what they needed. "How are we going to get near a state official?"
"Dodger perhaps?" Jekyll offered.
"No street urchin will get anywhere near Javert unless they are being arrested by him and believe me Javert does not do much of the arresting anymore. He's old...like us all." Crane snorted beginning to study another page.
"Can we arrange to meet with Javert?" Emma asked. Crane looked up now, folding the papers neatly before reaching up and plucking the glasses from the end of his nose and stowing them in the front pocket of his suit jacket. Lacing his fingers together he set his hands on the table and shook his head briskly.
"No. I don't know how things are done where you come from but no one will get near him. Not unless they are a police officer, fellow state official or the justice minister himself..."
"But..." Regina knew that look.
"However in regards to that I do know there is an opera being held in the heart of London. It's a rather large gathering of very high society. We may locate Javert there...we may not. However I hold an invitation myself and I have been offered to take one person with me."
"You've been invited?" Emma cocked a brow.
"I may be a doctor but I am the best doctor in all of London, Miss. Swan."
"An opera?" Regina asked.
"I believe it's a tale of The Phantom of the Opera. Though I can't be sure."
"So if we go to this opera Javert will be there? Would he really bring a gun?"
"Javert is a very staunch man-he knows people respect him however that being said he knows people will respect him more if he comes fully armed. There are not many occasions you will find the man weapon-less. This gun?" Crane unfurled his fingers and held up a sheet that had a sketching of the colt itself, "This to him is a statement piece not a weapon. He will have it on his person-should he attend."
"So now all we have to do is get into that ball," Emma nodded.
"I'm afraid things will most certainly not be that easy," Crane cut in, "You must hold an invitation. As there is only myself I can only take one person with me."
Regina cursed and sat back in the chair now, chewing at her lip. What now? They had a route to Javert-well one of them did. Who?
"That being said..." Crane's voice sounded again, "The opera will not be until week's end. If you could find alternative way's in? You have six days to do so."
Sitting heavily, body worn Van Helsing studied the wall. Kida was sat next to him, her knees pulled close to her chest, her eyes remained on the floor her head rested on his shoulder. Frollo had approached them again that morning however upon seeing Van Helsing had once again been healed his grin became all the more wicked. That was when he tried to pit Kida and Van Helsing against one another. His claims that Kida was helping him seemed farfetched and somewhat lacking. Van Helsing was a masterful liar and he knew when someone was not telling the truth. Frollo had not been. Kida had sworn she would not use the power of her crystal any longer and now they sat together in the blackness of the cell. How long was Frollo going to carry on? Where were they? Kida had confirmed Van Helsing's suspicions of them no longer being at Pentonville however her description of where they truly were seemed too hard to believe also. If she was telling the truth they were below a church. What church had dungeons? Kida sniffed again, she had wept near enough for an hour after Frollo had left. Blaming herself for it all. What had any of it to do with her? She merely tried to help. Van Helsing had enough. His eye began to actively search the cell. He wouldn't remain here any longer, he had indulged Frollo long enough. The cell itself yielded nothing. Barren stone. Van Helsing's gaze turned to Kida now before he noticed something in her hair. A pin.
"Kida?" He spoke. His throat was wretchedly dry and he was painfully thirsty however nothing could be done about it for now. His muscles still weighed heavily on him-although the wounds were closed and there were no scars to add his body still could feel the toll on his flesh. It wouldn't just all go away just like that. The thankful thing was he was not going to die from blood loss. The girl looked up to him her eyes building at the sudden sound.
"Yes?"
"That pin in your hair, do you think you can use it to unlock these manacles?" He gestured to the bounds on his wrists. Kida sheepishly removed her head from his shoulder and reached up to her silver hair pulling the pin free. Her hair swept down across one side of her face. She motioned for him to move-he obeyed and twisted allowing her access to the manacles. His wrists were rubbed raw from them. Kida set to work, the pin poking and prodding at the iron lock.
"I can't..." She mumbled-not to him. To herself. He ignored her comment and only gave words of encouragement.
"Don't panic. Just focus."
Nodding Kida continued. Van Helsing doubted she had much experience with picking locks but he wouldn't be able to set her free before she freed him. Time ticked on, the iron sparked as the pin grated across it. Van Helsing looked over his shoulder to her, on the verge of telling her to stop before he heard a click and one of the manacles slipped off his wrist. That was it. Kida smiled widely.
"I did it!"
Van Helsing turned and grasped her cheeks in his hands. "Well done," He praised. Kida smiled wide again. Her hands came up to rest over his. Quickly Van Helsing remembered where he was and removed his hands from her flesh swiftly taking the pin from her hand. Kida hesitantly released his hands and watched him carefully. Using the pin Van Helsing removed the second manacle off his wrist before turning to her. She seemed wary now.
"Here," He grasped hold of her wrist and pulled her forward using the pin and unfastening one of the manacles around her wrists. It dropped off with a heavy clang. She stared at the iron lump on the floor for a very long moment, tears building in her sapphire eyes. She studied her scared wrists. They were purpled and bruised badly, faint cuts from where she had struggled and pulled against them. Her eyes found his again.
"I've worn them for years..."
"No longer." Van Helsing quickly unfastened the second manacle from around her wrist freeing her entirely. "Come."
"I'm going with you?"
"I'm not leaving you here."
"Really?"
"Yes," Van Helsing's attention was on the cell door now. That would be the next step.
Emma rested back on the old dust riddled sofa. It was actually a lot more comfortable then it looked. Two of the boys that Dodger had brought with him were splayed on the floor empty liquor bottles lying on the floor surrounding them, they were snoring heartily. The only thought that plagued her mind now was none of the boys had been able to locate Henry...at all. There was apparently no sign of him. Not at the townhouse nor the attic-where Sikes now lorded over. Where could he have gotten too? Had Hyde disposed of him? Emma lifted her head off the back of the sofa and looked around the dimly lit living area. Floorboards creaked from the hall. Emma turned her gaze to see Regina sweeping into the living room in a glorious midnight gown, her face painted stunningly with makeup, cheeks powdered, eyes shadowed, lips rouged. Her hair was curled and hung down over her shoulders. Esmeralda was behind her. It must have been Esmeralda's work.
"Well?" Regina demanded after a long moment.
"What?" Emma cocked her brows.
"How do I look?"
"Same as ever...?"
"Really?" Regina heaved throwing her arms in the air.
"No! I mean-you look great, is that for the Opera?"
"Obviously-I'm not going to go shopping now in this now am I?" Regina scolded sweeping across the room and looking at herself in the large mirror that hung over the out of commission fireplace. Emma had meant to light it earlier...must have slipped her mind. The house was like an icebox. She decided now to rise from her seat and move to the old stone fireplace. Regina poked at her hair, flattened her brows and adjusted the top of her gown. Emma ducked low and pulled the heavy iron grate out and began sweeping up the endless pile of ashes that was in the fireplace. Esmeralda stepped across the room and approached Regina, flattening the woman's dark curls against her shoulders.
"Stop poking at yourself," the gypsy scolded slapping at Regina's hands. Regina dropped her hands and heaved a sigh. Esmeralda reached to her shoulders and drew the long matching midnight shawl from her shoulders and draped it around Regina's shoulder. "Don't forget your gloves," Esmeralda reminded. "You must wear gloves for the opera. Don't worry I'll find you a mask to wear, the theme of the night is, after all, masquerade."
"Right," Regina nodded. The air was split by a sharp loud wolf whistle. Emma, Regina and Esmeralda spun to see Dodger leant on the doorframe of the living area, his arms folded, top hat cocked on his head a devilish grin on his lips.
"Hello Miss. Mills," Dodger grinned.
"Can it twerp," Regina scolded.
"Oh don't be like that-shouldn't we stop playing this game?" Dodger continued to grin. Regina shuddered. Esmeralda let out a small giggle. Emma still couldn't believe the teen.
"You better be here with some good news," Emma warned rising from the fireplace now.
"Course I do-I ever let you down?" Dodger grinned again, unfolding his arms now and striding into the room, he kicked the liquor bottles checking to see if any remained. None did. Growling Dodger kicked the nearest boy before looking back to Emma and Regina.
"You found him?"
"Sure did."
"Where?" Regina demanded now.
"In a shop-pie shop to be exact. Took some finding though. Right tucked away he is."
"A pie shop?" Emma scowled. What on earth was Henry doing there? "And you didn't bring him back here?"
"Well I couldn't exactly get very close to him. Had a woman running around after him-and besides there's some creepy stories coming out of that place."
"What do you mean?"
"It's Todd's place-that demon barber I wasn't getting much closer."
"Demon barber?" Regina growled, "We need to go get Henry back," Regina rushed across the room now.
"Wait!" Emma called after her before turning her attention to Dodger, "What stories?"
Jekyll poked at the wares on display at the market. Emma had sent him out for some food-what type? He had chosen some bread, cheese, some butter and jam but what else? Jekyll had seen all the food they had eaten in Storybrooke and nothing here was similar. He leant over the next stall and peered at all the fruit-some apples would do he popped them in his satchel, some...oranges? He picked up one and studied it closely. A hand clamped onto his shoulders. Jekyll dropped to his knees and felt his heart burst and flutter. His heart raced in his chest, the breath sucked from his lungs. He gasped and attempted to suck the air back into his body, the orange had tumbled from his hand causing uproar from the vendor behind the stall. A figure ducked low in front of him all Jekyll saw was a bare tanned thigh appear from between the folds of a long leather coat. Jekyll gasped loudly again drawing his eyes up to see the face of a woman gazing intently at him her eyes studied Jekyll's closely. She was...beautiful. White hair hung down around her face, tattoos beneath her sapphire eyes...large lips...small waist and large...
"Jekyll get up," The growl sounded behind him. Jekyll spun to see the form of Van Helsing looming over him.
"Oh! It's only you!" Jekyll breathed a heavy sigh of relief. The woman crouched before him aided him back to his feet, uncertainly. It was then Jekyll realized...
...
What a fool the man was. Van Helsing watched as Kida helped him back to his feet before quickly ducking low and returning the orange to his hands. Van Helsing reached out and paid the vendor for the good and trouble before grabbing hold of Jekyll and pulling him behind as they began through the streets. Kida following. The departure from below the church had been swift. Van Helsing had warned Kida to close her eyes while he took care of the rest. Many were now dead and no doubt there would be uproar once bodies were discovered. In Van Helsing's defence he didn't kill unless necessary. It was a church-the guard hadn't been overwhelming or strong. Van Helsing had managed to locate his own belongings, thankfully, and he had sourced a leather trench coat and pair of boots for Kida-at least it would keep her warm in the wretched snow. She did always complain about the cold then again she had only a rag wrapped around her body. It would shield them from prying eyes for now. Jekyll stuttered as Van Helsing pulled him through the market before reaching a quiet alley. Van Helsing thrust the man from his grip now. Kida padded behind him.
"Oh it's a joy to see you alive and well!" Jekyll stammered his eyes averting from Kida quickly. Van Helsing opened his mouth about to speak before a flash of white lunged past him and leapt atop Jekyll. Kida had sprinted past Van Helsing and was now pummelling the man before him with her fists. For a moment Van Helsing wasn't sure whether to move and stop her or to allow her to continue, Jekyll tried desperately to prevent her fists from hitting his face. She was strong...then again Jekyll was as weak as a fly. After a moment Van Helsing stepped forward and grasped hold of her dragging her away from the man and even though he still had hold of her she kicked and spat at Jekyll.
"Kida!" He scolded.
"Traitor!" Kida screamed, tears were boiling from her eyes and streaming down her cheeks.
"Please!" Jekyll muttered, "Let me explain!"
"Never!" Kida shouted again, she turned attempting to hit Van Helsing now in order to have him release her. He cast a quick look to Jekyll-the man's eyes too were brimming on tears.
"Kida-stop this!" Van Helsing growled. Her fists smacked against his chest and shoulders. What had gotten into her? It was clear that the woman and Jekyll knew one another-from when? How? Jekyll stood awkwardly. Kida continued to fight him-she was like an animal. Fury was buried in her eyes beneath the tears she was refusing to look at him. Van Helsing shook her roughly. "Stop this." He growled again. Kida's hand straightened, rose and slapped his cheek. Jekyll gasped. Van Helsing threw her away from him-the scar on his face twinged uncomfortably and he recoiled from the hit his hand rising to cover the scar. Kida froze now and stared, her mouth a gap eyes wide and apologetic. Jekyll shifted uncomfortably.
"...Van Helsing?" Jekyll asked slowly.
"I'm sorry!" Kida shook her head rushing to meet Van Helsing her hands moving to his face. He pushed her away finally drawing his hand down from his cheek and turning away from her.
"Are you alright?" Jekyll asked from over his shoulder. Van Helsing rounded on the man now grabbing hold of his jacket and forcing his back against a wall his fist twisting the material of Jekyll's shirt and coat. The man spluttered loudly attempting to bat Van Helsing away.
"What did you do Henry?"
"I-I-al-allow me to explain!" Jekyll stammered. Van Helsing pulled him back from the wall before slamming him into it once more.
"What have you done Henry?"
"It's-it's not what it looks like. Please Abraham!"
"Van Helsing," Kida stepped forward now and pulled at him, her hands pulled on his arm. She scuttled in front of him. "Stop, please."
Van Helsing cast her a look from his single eye and scowled.
"Stop," Kida muttered quietly again. Van Helsing released Jekyll who quickly scurried away from him before dusting himself down. Kida spun and looked to Jekyll now her eyes filled with sadness and hurt. What had Jekyll done to her? Van Helsing allowed himself to inhale a deep breath and calm himself again.
"Should I call you 'Henry' or 'Milo'?" Kida asked quietly.
"Milo?" Van Helsing looked over his shoulder toward Jekyll who shifted uncomfortably.
"Please let me explain," Jekyll pleaded.
"Enough," Van Helsing growled rounding on them both. "Jekyll. Do you know where the others are?"
"I-I-I do."
"Then take us to them. Now."
"Have you acquired an outfit?" Crane asked sitting at the head of the table once again, his hands intertwined, chin resting on them.
"I did," Regina nodded, now in her normal gown. She would be attending the Opera alongside Crane. Dodger was going to infiltrate the backstage of the theatre along with Emma and try and locate Javert from there while Regina and Crane opted to infiltrate from the other side.
"Splendid," Crane nodded. "Then everything is arranged." The man stood from his seat and gathered his wool coat and top hat. "I must admit it has been quite some time since I've ever taken part in such antics...it will be a welcome reprieve from the hospital."
"You should hang around with us more often then," Regina snorted, "Plenty things to keep us busy on a daily basis."
"Hmm," Crane mused propping the hat atop his head and swinging the wax coat around his shoulders.
Regina pushed herself up from the table and followed Crane as he stepped into the corridor. His eyes looked into the living room and noted the multiple young boys passed out on the floor and cast a questioning look to Regina. "Yours?"
"Good god no," Regina shook her head, "I wouldn't allow my child to drink."
Crane's brows raised further. "Ah," He nodded before reaching to the door and jerking it open. "Well then I bid you good day Miss. Mills. Remember should you need me you know where to find me. If not then I shall meet you in four days time at 2 o'clock."
"Until then," Regina nodded giving him a faint smile. Crane gave a tip of his hat and smile before turning and striding elegantly down the front steps of the house passing Esmeralda on his way. Regina smiled at the gypsy's approach. She was dressed in an elegant lavender gown that hugged her frame a large hat held her hair up and back from her face. She grinned.
"Come on in," Regina nodded. Esmeralda obliged and stepped inside shutting the door behind her swiftly.
"I don't have long," Esmeralda muttered. "I think Phoebus is growing wise to me."
"Just what we needed," Regina sighed turning and re-entering the dining room. The boys that had littered the living room had vanished. That was quick and silent. Esmeralda followed Regina.
"I've brought you these-" Esmeralda produced a pair of long satin black gloves and a black mask with midnight colored feathers and a velvet sash to fasten. "These should suffice for the opera."
"Thank you," Regina nodded receiving the gloves with a faint smile. "Anything else I should know for this Opera?"
"Don't worry Regina, myself and Phoebus will be attending also, if you have any dire problems I will be at hand."
"That's a relief."
"The night should be...fun in a way."
"Fun? Not sure that's the word I'd use. If we don't get this gun then we won't be able to stop Hyde."
"And then you'll all return home...?"
"That's the plan."
"I see-in that case-"
Knock, knock.
Both women froze. Dodger's boys? Emma? Emma was upstairs. Crane? He'd just left and had no reason to return. Esmeralda went white. Abberline? Phoebus? Regina tried to run through all possibilities in her head. All were not a welcome thought.
Knock. Knock.
Regina turned, setting the gloves on the table, moving into the hallway. The door loomed at the corridor end now, an unsettling thing that extended before her very eyes. She stepped carefully down the corridor toward the object. It seemed to grow darker and bigger as she approached.
Knock. Knock.
Regina reached the door-no way to see through it. Her hand reached to the handle and carefully twisted before pulling it open.
"What joy...I've finally found you," Mr. Hyde grinned down to her, eyes glowing red, flesh pale.
Reaching for the door Regina attempted to slam it against Hyde. Regina didn't want to allow him in, she didn't want him anywhere near this house-if he knew they were there then he would pin them down and slaughter them. Regina felt the door push against her, she desperately tried to close it.
"Regina!" That voice wasn't Hyde's. She pushed none the less. "Regina please it's me!" Jekyll squealed from the other side of the door. Regina paused and looked around the door to see Jekyll staring at her wide eyed from behind the tall form of Van Helsing. Van Helsing had a deep frown on his brow. Regina looked past Van Helsing and Jekyll but, aside from the hooded girl, there was no one else. What? She could have sworn she had seen Hyde...then again would Hyde really knock? Regina stepped back now and pulled the door open wider before throwing herself against Van Helsing.
"Regina?" Van Helsing muttered confused. Regina gathered herself and quickly removed herself from the man's arms stepping back.
"What the hell took you so long?" Regina growled looking up to Van Helsing. His brows popped up in confusion. "Get in quickly," Regina ordered before spinning and holding the door for the three on her doorstep. Van Helsing stepped in, the girl following him-could she get much closer to him? Jekyll quickly padded into the house vanishing into the dining room. Regina took one last look around the streets checking to see if Hyde was lingering. He wasn't. She shut the door and turned following the rest into the dining area.
Emma sprung up from her seat.
"Van Helsing!" She felt a wave of relief wash over her. Thank god. He knew what to do in this world, he would be able to guide them now. Emma quickly put her arms around him. He stiffened at the touch. She drew back quickly and looked to the others who had arrived. Jekyll and a woman hidden amidst a leather trench coat remained close to Van Helsing her eyes staring at Emma from beneath the cover of the hood.
"How did you get out of Pentonville?" Emma asked the question that had been plaguing her mind in the last matter of minutes.
"I didn't," Van Helsing stepped past her and fell into one of the seats at the dining table bringing a gloved hand up to caress his brow. "I was removed to a church and held there instead."
"Church?" Regina scowled from the far end of the room, she was pressed against the rear wall, her arms folded across her chest.
"It may have been Westminster. I believe it was a Benedictine monastic church," Jekyll spoke up, "It was usually used as a place of coronation and burial site for the royalty-"
The girl in the leather coat hissed at Jekyll who leapt in his skin before silencing himself.
"Who are you?" Regina looked to the girl now...well she was a woman really. The girl looked to Van Helsing who nodded and gave a faint wave of his hand.
"Kida," The girl spoke reaching up and drawing her hood back revealing white hair, stained with dirt, tanned skin and tattoos on her face. She was gorgeous.
"Kida?" Regina cocked a brow, "And where do you come from?"
"That doesn't matter," Jekyll cut in quickly. A heavy silence hung in the air. Regina looked to Emma, Emma to Jekyll, Jekyll to Kida, Kida to Van Helsing. Van Helsing sat with his eyes closed however. He wanted nothing to do with any of them in that moment, seemingly.
"Regina?" A voice sounded from upstairs, feet clattering down the wooden floorboards sounding shortly after. Regina spun and saw Esmeralda step into the room the small smile that had been on her face was swiftly stripped away as her eyes fell on the form of Van Helsing. The man's eyes were already open and staring at the gypsy. Regina could feel the tension in the air, the hesitance and the unrelenting desire to ask questions. The door to the house crashed open and a loud voice called out.
"Regina?"
If one more person shouted her name. She spun to see Dodger strolling into the living area, the four boy team following. He stopped short when he noticed the full room.
"Oh..." He muttered. "Eh boys? Upstairs?"
"But the gin!" One boy moaned.
"Oi!" Dodger rounded on the boy clapping him on the head, "Up the stairs bellend." The boys vanished upstairs, Dodger gave an awkward smile before spinning and following them.
...
Esmeralda stood near the windows now, peering through the closed drapes, Regina sat at the dining table next to Emma, Van Helsing at its head, his eye fixed firmly on the wooden table, Jekyll fumbled with his sleeves across from Emma. Kida sat on one of the chairs, her knees pulled close to her chest, her chin on her knees her eyes fixed on Jekyll-rage burning across her face. There was an eerie heavy silence. No one wanted to be the first one to speak.
"You live then?" Van Helsing's growl broke the silence, his eyes didn't look away from the table in front of him but his question was directed to the gypsy at the window. Esmeralda too did not turn to look at him.
"Yes," She responded.
"And you are married?" He had noted the wedding band on her finger.
"I am."
Van Helsing didn't respond but only nodded. There was that heavy unnerving silence again.
"Well clearly there's a lot everyone needs to get off their chest," Regina spoke loudly now. Emma cast her a glance. She must have been feeling particularly brave. Everyone's eyes remained as they were. "So-how about you start us off Jekyll?" Regina cast her eyes to the doctor who jumped at his name.
"He's responsible for all this!" Kida hissed from behind her knees.
"This is not my fault," Jekyll stammered.
"Who is your new love?" Van Helsing cast his eye to Esmeralda.
"Why is it important?" Esmeralda spun to face him now.
"Okay!" Regina said loudly cutting everyone to a halt. Emma put her head in her hands. They would never get anything sorted. Not if everyone had to go through a counselling session! How long would it take? There was more important things going on now aside from petty bitterness. It was like sitting in a room full of children.
"Look, I don't know about anyone else but Hyde is still out there. He's the one who's dragged us all here it's him we should be arguing with." Emma snapped now, thrusting her seat back and finding her feet. She looked to each in turn. They all stared back. "Esmeralda is married now-to Phoebus. Van Helsing you've just broken out of prison and no doubt police will be looking for you. Myself and Regina will attempt to convince Inspector Abberline not to chase you. Jekyll you'd be best to stay here-and do not leave this house. Kida...take a bath and I'll find you some better clothes." Emma spun before any could answer and left the room she only made it to the next room, out of sight of the others before stopping and heaving a sigh. It would be a long day.
Emma looked to Kida across the bedroom. Esmeralda had fled the house only a half hour after Van Helsing and Jekyll had arrived. Heated words had been exchanged, Van Helsing had been slapped and Esmeralda had departed. She had returned, however, and provided Emma with some more clothing for Kida. Esmeralda stood next to Emma watching Kida. The girl had been provided with a pair of breeches, a loose fitted shirt and some tan leather boots that stretched to her thigh. She flicked her hair over her shoulder and grabbed hold of it wringing the water out. Her white hair stretched to her lower back. Her fringe hung down over her eyes as she looked to Esmeralda and Emma.
"You know the Hunter?" Kida finally asked.
"I do," Esmeralda nodded.
"We're acquaintances," Emma shrugged. Esmeralda crossed the room and looked to Kida before smiling lightly.
"You are very beautiful," Esmeralda noted sorrowfully.
"Thank you-as are you," Kida grinned wide. How naive the girl was proving to be-she seemed to possess no idea that Esmeralda was nothing more than incredibly jealous. The gypsy was playing with the girl's white hair to which Kida responded by smiling wide and enquiring into everything about the gypsy's life. Esmeralda answered calmly continuing to play with the girl's hair. Emma turned now and slipped from the room descending down the stairs back toward the living room. Van Helsing was slumped in one of the heavy arm chairs, Jekyll was lurking in the dining area stammering to himself. Out of the two? Emma opted for the hunter in the living room.
"Hey," She muttered. Van Helsing cast his eye to her before continuing to caress his brow. "Listen I suppose I should fill you in-"
"Don't bother," Van Helsing growled. "I know it all. Regina has been kind enough to detail me on every detail, including this Opera she plans to attend."
"Oh," Emma drew back. He was angry. "Yeah. The opera. We should be able to claim the gun there...that's still a few days away. In the meantime-"
"What is it you want?"
"Hey! I hadn't even finished my sentence..I could have been asking you to take a bath."
"You wouldn't ask me to such a meaningless duty."
"As a matter of fact...you're kinda right." Emma admitted. Van Helsing rolled his eyes. "It's Henry."
"What of him?"
"I need someone to come with me and get him back. I don't really know my way around and seeing as-"
"Where?"
"Mrs. Lovett's pie shop."
"In Fleet Street?"
"I guess so. I figured you may...want to get out of the house for a while?"
"A kind gesture. Of course, Emma. I'll show you to him. May I rest for an hour before we go?"
"Sure, of course. Take the time you need..."
"But?"
"But listen...I know why you and Esmeralda are having trouble. You lost her years ago and now things have changed...it can't be easy to hear she's married."
"On the contrary, Emma, I couldn't be happier for her."
"What?"
"Esmeralda has found love and a man to care for her, to give her what I could not. That's no cause for resentment. I just hope he loves her as much as I did."
"He does. I've met him, he's a good man."
"Pleasant news."
There was a heavy silence. Emma sat in the chair on the opposing side of the fireplace looking to her hands in her lap. After a moment Van Helsing sighed.
"I suppose I'm just wasting time. Come-let's retrieve the boy."