You and Me

by Schimelos

Madame Vastra and Jenny have known each other for six years. While working on a case that takes them to Japan, the pair reminisce of how they met, their early days together, and their first case. They can both see where this is going, but neither appear to be brave enough to take the leap. Just a story of how these two got together. Disclaimer: I own none of these characters

11. In Love

1886 – Tanaka Inn, day of Watanabe Funeral

Vastra

I hadn't been terribly shocked to find that Jenny had discovered more than she had initially claimed. It was an impressive find, although I was still a little upset over the fact she had decided to conceal this information. Nevertheless, I chose to let the matter go. I had pushed her patience to the brink, I supposed. We both angered the other far too much for one day.

"Still ain't sure how the pair of you figured that Mariko wasn't their daughter," Jenny grumbled two mornings later as we sat on the porch. Ito looked up from his reading. "All you kept sayin' was she's the only child. She has a cousin. Thought you had a taken a fit."

I placed my notebook down and leaned in closer to her. "My Dear, you must really learn to read between the lines. The letter was not to a mysterious cousin."

She raised a brow. "What?"

Indeed, it had taken me by surprise. I hadn't expected that. It was common knowledge that Tanaka's sister was barren. It was also common knowledge that Sakura... the wife of Watanabe had disappeared just before the war, feud more like, had ended. Or just after. The dates are not clear.

"The letter was meant for Mariko," I explained.

It had seemed to click together for me then. A riddle that I hadn't known existed until I saw the answer. The distant Tanakas. The possible motive for Mariko's kidnapping. Ito seemed to pick up on this as he read the letter. A light that switched to on for us as the dots connected.

"The sister didn't write it either," I continued, secretly enjoying the shocked look on my human companion.

She turned to look at Ito, who confirmed it with a slight nod. "Then who?"

"Sakura," I answered. "Don't you find it peculiar that the letter was not addressed to someone by name nor was it sighed by someone's name? Yet, there was a point where Mariko is mentioned. And, the writer made sure the person receiving it knew their mother's name."

"Masato and Sakura were," Jenny began, finally seeming to put it together properly. "They were intimate then. Mariko is their child."

"Would that be enough to have him casted out of the family?" I asked Ito.

He gave a shrug. "It could," he admitted, but there was uncertainty. "I don't believe that would be the only reason."

Jenny placed a finger on her lips. "So, there is no cousin? Mariko is the only child in this family?"

Ito shook his head. "Hisao and his wife could not have children. His wife had many stillbirths. She had been child around the same time as Sakura. It may have been why no one knew."

"So, what happened with Sakura?"

Ito looked pained at this. "She died. The letter was a way to tell her daughter when the time came. She may have left it with a friend or it had been intercepted. Or Tanaka's sister was the informant all along."

"It is possible," Jenny commented. "It is vague enough to think it rubbish. But, there is enough there, as you say, to put the pieces together." Jenny looked thoughtful for a moment. "She was killed by Watanabe..."

"It is all speculation as of late," I said with a heavy sigh. "Although, I am willing to accept that theory over all others at this point. The man may have been crumbling from the burden of this secret."

I groaned. "How I wish we knew what this Masato had done."

"I would make some inquires," Ito began, hesitantly. "But, I fear what may or may not come of it. Guarding a secret... "

I put a hand up. "We will need to keep this silent," I told both of them. "The Tanakas should remain ignorant of our knowledge."

"What are we goin' to do, Ma'am?" Jenny asked.

I stood and began to smooth out my black dress. It was nearly time to go as the ceremony was due to start within the next hour. "I believe the best course of action at this point will be to find Tanaka Masato. If he truly is the father of Mariko... he may have her."

Jenny gave a curt nod. "The Dojo seems to be our best chance."

"Indeed."

We began our journey out of the yard and into town. The cemetery was clear across town. Ito led the way and the three of us remained silence. It wasn't going to be a terribly long affair from what I was told. There was normally a wake for the dead soon after their passing. Watanabe had no family, therefore that had been forgone.

Of course, my mind was too preoccupied with everything we had learnt in the last few days.

From what I gathered through the diary entries and letters, this fuel lasted nearly seven years. Many locals refer to it as a small war. Tanaka had intended to rebel against the new regime. However, not all felt the same way. The town had been split down the middle on the issue with many abandoning their homes and leaving for fear of their own lives. That, of course, was over twenty years ago. Tanaka appears to have mended his ways and the towns seems to be in a peaceful state.

So, how did Mariko end up in her uncles care? There had to have been a good reason since they had decided not to disclose her parentage to me when we first started. And, it was certainly clear that his brother had made a grave error in taking another's wife.

But, then what of these other girls. All three of them. The only thing connecting them are their fathers working for Tanaka.

"Ma'am?" I turned to Jenny, who gave me a concerned look. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, Jenny," I said with a wave of my hand. "Lost in thought."

She gave a nod and I decided to put the matter to rest. For now.

That evening, just after sunset, we dressed in clothes that were suitable for nightly scouting. I dressed in a light brown skirt that went down to my boots. I pulled my dark brown vest over my blouse and began to button it up. I tied the hilt of my favorite sword to my belt, watching as Jenny finished tying her boots.

I examined my sword, ensuring it was ready for any conflicts. Hopefully, we wouldn't need it. With a sigh, I sheathed it, enjoying the wonderful sound that accompanied it. Jenny had decided on a pair of brown trousers and a white button up blouse. She stood and began to button up the vest that looked very much like my own.

"Ready, Ma'am?" she asked as she buckled the sword hilt to her belt. I gave a nod.

It soon became our routine each night. For an entire week after, we would head out just after sunset. We had found a small area in between a large tree and a silk shop. It was far enough from the Dojo that it provided a good line of sight. We kept to the shadows as close as we could. There was much more open space than we were used to. Unlike London, there were no rooftops that we could use. Nor were there any alleyways that we had grown accustomed to using for these types of endeavors.

"At least it ain't rainin' tonight," Jenny commented as she toyed with the hilt of her sword. "Reckon I could go for somethin' to eat." She let out a grown. "'Ow I miss meat pies!"

I couldn't resist a chuckle. We have been away from London nearly two months. Years ago, I couldn't say I'd miss anything about the city. Now, I almost craved for the familiar sound of carriages and horses. I almost miss the smog and smells. "Yes, I have rather tired of rice and fish."

Jenny snorted. "Ma'am, you been sayin' that since the moment we got off the boat."

We shared a short laugh and then fell silent. Tensions from the other night had finally seemed to wane. Although, Jenny was just as distant as before. Do I ask? Did I want to know? I made a face, because the answer was undoubtedly yes.

"Jenny, how," I faltered for a moment when her gaze met mine. Those brown eyes holding me in place. This is absurd, I thought. You are a Silurian warrior! Millions of years old! A simple pair of brown eyes should not leave you speechless! I gathered the last of my courage. "What do you think of Ito?"

An odd look came over her and for a moment, I thought she might not answer. "Think of him?" she repeated. "How do you mean? That's a strange thing to ask, Ma'am."

"Well, since your outing with him to the teahouse," I began, trailing off as I hadn't really thought the question though.

"I wouldn't exactly call that on outing," she said, uncertainly. "We were there to observe."

Her apprehension should have eased me, however the distance she had placed between us coupled with the the last few days had proved taxing. She clearly was not interested in any other human. I hoped. "I apologize for the assumption," I began, cursing myself for how shaky my voice became. I was not used to being nervous. "I only thought... he is quite fond of you."

"Fond?" she repeated the word and a mixture of disgust and surprise filled her tone. I was taken back by it.

I nodded. "Yes... I believe him taken with you. That was the impression I had when he approached me about courting you."

"Court me?!" she had practically yelled, but realized midway that we were still scouting. Jenny placed a hand over her mouth and we glanced over at the Dojo. Still no activity. Jenny dropped her hand and in a low voice asked, "Why the devil would he approach you about that?"

"I believe it is because you are my assistant," I offered. "Perhaps, wanting to make sure it would not deter from our investigation?"

"Blimey," she said with a sigh and began shaking her head. "I hope he ain't got the wrong idea. I don't very much like the idea of being... courted." She made a face as she said the word.

I cocked my head to the side with intrigue. "No?"

Suddenly, she was sheepish and a blush crept over her cheeks. How very endearing, I thought to myself.

"Absolutely not," she said, sternly before giving me a sideways glance. "Mind, I wouldn't object to that sorta thing. Just that," she paused, seemingly making a decision about her words. "He ain't for me."

There were moments in which Jenny would try my patience with questions. There were rare occasions in which I tried hers. I hesitated, not sure if I wanted to push the subject. "You mean, he is not an optimal choice for pairing? He seems to be a fair sort."

She shook her head. "I'm sure he will be a fine choice for some other young lady. What I mean is, he is not the type of," she paused for a moment, looking away from me. "Person I'd see myself wantin' is all."

"What do you mean by that? How do you know you wouldn't want him if you are not willing to enter courtship with him? Isn't that the entire point of the process?"

She didn't appear impatient as she normally would be. There was unease. I realized that this wasn't a topic she was comfortable with. Nevertheless, she turned back to me to explain. "You enter courtship with another you find physically attractive," she said. "If there ain't any of that, then there ain't a point."

"And, Ito does not... attract you?" She shook her head. "Why?"

There was that blush again. She began to bit her lower lip, conflicted. Suddenly, I felt as if there was something she was trying to tell me that I may have been missed. There are so many males in London, at least one should appeal... I paused for a moment. I don't believe any of those males ever came calling on Jenny. Now that I think of it, I don't believe she has ever been courted either. Granted, there hadn't been much time between training and our work. Yet, there had to be one.

Jenny had never showed interested in any of them, I realized. I don't believe she has ever mentioned a male companion of any sort. Although, she had mentioned female friends on occasion. There had been Ruth, who had been murdered so very long ago. I was almost certain there had been another a few years ago. I just couldn't recall her name. There had been moments when I had caught her staring at female apes. On more than one occasion. Her cheeks always red when she averted her gaze. Almost as if...

"Oh," I muttered, suddenly feeling very foolish. Some Great Detective! "He is not for you because he is... a he."

She gave a nod, those cheeks becoming a darker shade of red. "Aye..."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried," I quickly said, extending my hand to place on her shoulder only to retract it at last minute. "I-"

"It's alright, Ma'am," she began, cutting me off before I could say anything more. "I had always meant to tell you. There ain't never seem to be the right time. Then, it seemed to not matter with all our cases and such." She took a pause, looking away for a long moment. "I hadn't wanted to give you another reason to try and rid me away either..."

"Well, Jenny, I'd never -"

"I know," she interjected sternly and then softened her tone. "I know, Ma'am. I was... afraid of losin' another because of somethin' like that."

I nodded, knowing how difficult our relationship had been in the beginning. And, I was also not ignorant in the Victorian way of thinking. Same gender relationships were forbidden. People lost lives over it. People lost families...

"One moment," I began, suddenly piecing another puzzle together. "You had left your Uncle and Aunt's home. It... it wasn't by choice, was it?"

She closed her eyes for a moment, shook her head, and gave a sigh. "They caught me and a girl once... together," she explained, looking down at the ground. I don't think it's out of shame. No, there's sadness. "Obviously, I was fairly young, it weren't the whole bit, but enough to condemn me."

"I'm so very sorry," was all I could manage to say. She smiled at me, grabbing my hand with her own and squeezing it. My breath hitched. A response I hadn't fully expected.

"It's alright, Ma'am," she began with that sad look in her eyes not fully dissipating. "It turned out for the best. It led me to you. And, I don't think about them anymore."

"I know I've said this countless times, but your Ape society truly baffles me..."

She laughed, letting some of the faint sorrow fade. "Aye. Me as well. Silurians don't harbor the same feelings then? I mean, they have same gender relations? It's accepted?"

"We do not share the same theology as your species," I reminded her. "We also had a very different way of thinking. As you well know. Same gender love was allowed and accepted."

She was thoughtful for a moment and we turned back to the Dojo. We were silent for a while. My mind lost in my thoughts as I replayed our conversation. Was there hope then? I asked myself. She prefers females... would species matter to her?

"Madame," Jenny's voice broke my train of thought. I turned to her. "Can I ask you a question?"

I gave a nod, but she hesitated and for a moment, I thought she had decided not to ask. "Have you... have you ever been in love?"

These types of conversations rarely occurred between us. Perhaps that's why I had never known about her sexuality. Of course, I had told her all about the Silurian society and small portions of my childhood. I had portions of her own as well. Evidently, not enough had been shared.

"I... no," I said with a shake of my head. "I can't say that I have. To be honest, I wouldn't be sure of it. Love... well, it wasn't unheard of, but not many Silurians experienced it. As you recall, marriage was rare."

"Must have been lonely for 'em." she commented and her expression was unreadable.

I shrug. "Most of us didn't seek out companionship until we were ready to procreate. I believe in that regard, our societies are somewhat similar. Only, it appears that humans are ready as soon as they come of age."

She laughed. "Very true. Not many people marry for love anymore. Most are arranged by families or worse, business dealin's."

"How very sad for them," I commented, looking back at the building. "That girl... the one you had been caught with. Were you in love with her?"

She inhaled sharply and closed her eyes. "As I said, I was quite young," she explained. "I didn't know of love back then. Not truly. Suppose, I were fond of her in a way, but in love? I very much doubt it."

"How could you be sure?" I asked, curiously.

"Suppose many things that should happen, never had with her," she said, wistfully. "Love should knock me on my arse. I should look at the girl and feel my legs go weak, my breath stop, and my heart beat faster."

"And, that never happened when you with her?" She shook her head. Her brown eyes caught mine and there was something there that I couldn't quite place. It was as if she was gauging my reaction. "Do you wish to leave to seek a companion that you can marry?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I can't marry a woman," she told me with a laugh.

"Well, do you not wish for a family of your own? Have hatchlings?" Why am I asking this?

She turned away, her lips turning downward into a tight frown. "I can't have children. As you very well know, the process requires a man..." she sighs when she notices my questioning stare. "You need physical attraction to... begin the process?"

"Oh yes, I believe I read that somewhere in those human anatomy books," I shook my head, cringing at memory of the pictures that had been provided.

"What about you?" she asks, catching me off guard.

"Well, my dear, I can't reproduce the same as you can," I explained. That earned me a pointed look.

"Right, you lay eggs. No, I mean, wouldn't you want to go out and seek a man for yourself?"

I blinked several times. The conversation had taken a strange turn indeed. "I think not." I felt my scales turn a dark color and was glad for the shadows that hid it from her.

"It's strange," she commented.

"What is?"

"Ito asked me the very same thing," she explained with a thoughtful expression. "If I had ever thought of leavin' to marry and have children."

My mouth went dry. "Leave... as in leave Paternoster?"

She gazed at me and nodded. "Suppose I could now that I'm much older. Got enough money set aside for it anyhow."

My chest tightened. Leave? It had been on my mind as of late that this conversation would come up sooner or later. I had always thought it'd be later. And, now having heard it vocalized... I don't know. "And..." I was surprised at how my voice cracked and cleared my throat to relieve it. "What did you end up telling him?"

Suddenly, we seemed to become aware of our close proximity. Jenny glanced down, noticing that our hands were still linked. A small smile played on her lips and she squeezed my palm once more before finally extracting it. Reluctantly, I drew back, letting my arm hang on my sword hilt awkwardly.

"I told him that I could never leave you. Reckon, you're stuck with me."

I was awestruck by her declaration. "Stuck is a very odd way to put it."

She shrugged. "Thought perhaps you'd say it were the other way around in the beginnin'."

I shook my head and she tilted her head slightly. "I wouldn't put it that way. I would say that it has been a honor to have been your friend all these years," I explained, suddenly feeling far too shy to look her in the face. Her dark brown eyes were watching me, full of curiosity. "I have enjoyed your company, Jenny Flint. When I had first awoke in this strange new world, I would have never thought it possible to find any friends at all."

I heard her approach me and her feet came into my field of vision. Warmth against my cheek made me gasp and I realized it had been her hand, coaxing me to look upwards. "Madame..." She spoke in a low whisper and it sounded almost like a plea.

"Jenny," I began again, gently taking her hand and pulling it away from my face. "I meant what I said before. If you truly wish to seek that companionship, I wouldn't mind it. I would... could never stand in the way of something that every being on the planet desires."

"What about you?" she asked with an odd look crossing her face. "Wouldn't you desire that?"

"Companionship?" I repeated the word and then snorted. "Please, no ape would wish to seek a Silurian as their mate. I could barely find a friend in this world, if you could recall."

She was looking more troubled by the moment, almost conflicted. I want to tell her, I realized. Tell her that it's not an apes companionship I seek, but hers. Only hers. But the words are lost when I opened my mouth and I found myself looking away once more. I owe it to her to offer her a chance to leave.

"I meant what I told Ito," she told me and with that she took a step forward. "I could never leave you, Madame. There's nothin' out there that I would want more than our life."

She gave me a small, tentative smile and I felt something shift in me. It felt almost like an invitation from her. The way she spoke and the way she stood so close. She said 'nothing' was worth more than our life... but something about the way she said it and the way she couldn't meet my gaze made me think she had meant to say something more...

"Jenny," I called out to her.

But, she had ceased to pay me any heed. Instead, her eyes darted to the right and then she was grabbing my arm and pulling me downward. "Madame, get down!"

I fell to the dirt with Jenny half covering my head with her torso. A few small clinks sounded just above us. We pulled apart, still remaining close to the ground and looked up. Several shining steel objects were protruding in the bark of the tree just where I had stood.

We stood then, and I placed a firm grip on my sword. I felt Jenny's back against my own and my eyes began to scan the area around us. "Blast it all," I muttered as I gazed from my left to my right.

"Madame!"

I heard a small movement from our left and we broke apart to find a figure darting our way. Jenny already had her blade drawn and she pulled it up to meet our attacker's. She moved backwards with each swing, taking a defensive stance as her attacker went at her. I pulled my sword out, about to join in, to help, but then movement caught my eye. Just out of my peripheral vision, I saw something.

Whirling around, I let my blade meet the one that was aimed for my back. The man was dressed head and foot in black. Just like the one from the Watanabe house. His dark eyes met mine, challenging me. With frustration, I maneuvered the sword to the side, throwing his stance off. He moved back a little and brought the sword upwards. I met it with my own. Then, I took a step forward and began to swing my sword, forcing him backwards until he was pushed against the tree.

I drew back a little, ready to disarm him when I felt something hit me. I hissed in pain, looking down to find two metal disks lodged in my sword arm. Blood already began to trickle out. The ninja that I had backed to the tree came forward to push me. Dropping my sword, I fell to the ground with a hiss.

I began to think back to when I first began to teach Jenny how to use a sword. I had disarmed her and she stood against the wall, looking almost frightful.

"Remember, my dear," I began as I rested the wooden stick against the base of her neck. I had to give her some credit. She hadn't even flinched. She stood straighter, staring at me, expectantly. "You must never let yourself become disarmed."

"Right," she agreed, inching away from my weapon.

I shook my head and grabbed the front of her shirt with my fist. It was a rough action and I watched the fear in her eyes grow stronger for a moment. "No, you misunderstand," I told her. "You must prepare to do one of two things if you become disarmed during battle. One, you run. It may seem cowardly, but the best thing to do is give yourself distance and time. That way you can formulate a new plan or possibly retrieve a new weapon."

"Other words, don't be reckless?" She raised an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed with my lesson.

"Precisely."

"What's the other thing then? You said there were two?"

I let her shirt go and turn away. "The other option is to let yourself be killed."

It struck me odd that such a memory would appear in such a moment. But I suppose I had been unconsciously evaluating my options. What were my chances of escape? There were two of them now. Both dressed head to toe in black. Both with weapons drawn, aimed at me.

I moved to the left to avoid the blade that had came down at me. The motion, however, left me open to the second ninja's mercy. I felt a sting of pain on my shoulder and I muttered a string of curses in Silurian. Then, I felt something hit me in my abdomen. The force knocking the air out of my lungs. I struggled for air as I struggled to get to my knees.

"Madame!"

Was that Jenny I heard?

I managed to look up from where I was kneeling, looking for her. I still hadn't told her... and for the second time that week, I began to regret that. The thought, however, was abruptly put to an end as something... or rather someone, hit me in the back of the head. Then all went black.

Author's note

The scene where Jenny and Vastra have their little heart to heart about love was actually the very first scene I wrote. It was meant to be a cute little one shot. But, then I got the whole Japan idea, so the one shot was scrapped and the scene was rewritten to be included in this story.

The two are almost there! I promise!

So, I did mention in an earlier chapter that I was going to put together a playlist of music that helped me write some of the scenes. I didn't get very many because I forgot what I had listened to. LOL

So, here are the songs that I turned to for inspiration.

You and Me by You+Me

Madness by Muse

Geronimo by Sheppard

Lost in Paradise by Evanescence

Monster by Imagine Dragons

Flaws by Bastille

I haven't forgotten the First Case side of this. I just wanted a couple of chapters to cover the excessive storyline of the Japan side. I didn't want to switch back and forth too much with the plot thickening.