Chapter 11 - A New Life
Mrs. Clarise Judson, a widow in her late sixties, scurried about the flat she owned, frowning at the mess her tenant had left. As a matter of fact, it was the same mess she had been dealing with for years since Basil of Baker Street took residence in the basement of No. 221B, and there were some days she would like to kick his tiny rear into the street until he decided he would clean up after himself, or at least let her do some of the cleaning. But she knew his heart was in the right place, and after all, he saved countless lives and helped his country time and time again…but God help her, if she found that her beautiful pillows had been blasted to Kingdom Come one last time, she'd be the one to send the next bullet flying straight at the detective's head.
"It's high time he find himself a woman," she muttered to herself, dusting off the mantle. She chuckled, shaking her head at her own comment. "Oh, I'm sure that'll happen…when the sky falls, perhaps-"
The door swung open and in came a motley crew of mice and one peg-legged bat, causing the landlady to gape at them in awe. "What in Heaven's name-?!"
"Please, Mrs. Judson, the first aid if you please," Dawson instructed her, helping Sophie get Basil into his chair. "Now, Basil, let me check your arm."
"I'm perfectly fine, Dawson," Basil argued, grunting as his elbow brushed against the arm of the chair.
"Here you are, Doctor," Mrs. Judson said, returning with the kit before turning her attention to the other mice. "Oh! You poor dears! You're soaked to the bone!" She hurried to Alyssa and Peter, fussing over them like a mother. "Now, now, I have just the thing! I'll fetch a fresh pot of tea, and bring some of my cheese crumpets out." She giggled as she noticed how Alyssa blushed in Peter's arms, finding the couple absolutely adorable. Turning about to head for the kitchen, she found herself staring at the third new mouse of the group – a young lady in a tattered yellow dress with shoulder-length chestnut hair and large, beautiful green eyes filled with concern as she dabbed Basil's face with a wet rag. Basil, oddly enough, did not shove her away as she fussed over him. Rather, he smiled at her and murmured reassuring words as he occasionally winced while Dawson worked on his bleeding arm. Mrs. Judson raised an eyebrow at this when she remembered what she had been muttering to herself about her tenant finding someone. Odd, she didn't remember this young lady from any previous cases…still, it was a welcomed change, seeing Basil smile at a girl and give her his full attention. She continued on her merry way, a smile growing on her face.
"I'm beat," Fidget sighed, falling on his back on the floor, his wings spread wide.
"Sit down, Aly," Peter insisted, kneeling beside her as she took Dr. Dawson's chair. "Man, am I glad that's over."
"Me too," she nodded, shuddering at the memory of what had happened merely minutes ago. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to get that out of my mind."
"Hey, it's going to be ok," he reassured her, squeezing her hand. Glancing over at Basil and Sophie, he couldn't help but crack a smile. "There's definitely something between those two…"
"There, that should do it," Dawson nodded at last with a satisfied smile. "Thank goodness it wasn't too serious."
"Thank you, Dawson," Basil said, flexing his fingers tentatively before unrolling his sleeve to cover his arm. "And thank you, Sophie, for pulling me to safety." He took her hands in his, looking into her eyes as he spoke. "I might have been trampled to death if it hadn't been for your quick thinking."
"Please don't even mention that," she shook her head. "It was my fault that you got into this mess in the first place-"
"See here now, Sophie, Ratigan and Bleulynn were the two culprits, and they've both paid quite dearly," he told her, taking her hands to his lips and kissing her knuckles. "You've been a victim of circumstance – all of you," he nodded to the others. "And I intend to make sure you're all well off."
"Basil-" she protested until he placed his hand on her mouth, causing her to go bright pink.
"I believe I said it's my turn to take care of you," he chuckled. "Oh, don't worry Dawson, I'll fill you in shortly," he explained to his friend.
"Please do," Dawson nodded, though he already had a fairly good idea of what had happened, thanks to Bleulynn's magic. "But right now, I believe we all need to relax and get some sleep."
Mrs. Judson returned at this moment with a tea tray and a plate full of steaming cheese crumpets, making their mouths water. "Here you are my dears," she cooed, placing the tray down before them. "Well, Mr. Basil, seems you've gotten yourself in quite a scrape-"
"Indeed," he smiled wryly at her. "But I made it out alright, thanks to Sophie."
"Miss Sophie?" Mrs. Judson asked, directing her gaze to the young lady, grinning as the girl blushed. "I didn't realize you were on a first name basis with any young ladies, Mr. Basil."
"It's a long story," Sophie said meekly, accepting her teacup. Heaving a sigh, she glanced over at her sister and Peter. "We'll have to start looking at places to stay and even jobs since we won't be able to get back home…"
The two other mice nodded, their faces grim as they wondered what would become of them in this strange world and era.
"I've already got the perfect place for you," Basil stated, sipping his tea calmly. "You'll be staying here."
"Really?!" Peter beamed, already excited at the prospect of hanging out with the Great Mouse Detective.
"Seriously?" Alyssa asked, a grin working its way onto her lips. "That'd be great!"
Dawson blinked at him, stunned, but he, too, started to smile. "I say, Basil, that's a splendid idea."
"Isn't it?" he smiled, starting to become full of himself.
"Basil," Sophie started. "We couldn't impose-"
"Nonsense, darling, I've got it all worked out," he said, instantly snapping back into his gentler, romantic side. Taking her hands in his once again, he noticed how she had blushed when he called her 'darling', causing his own cheeks to become red. Clearing his throat, he explained, "We have plenty of rooms here, and I'm not going to toss you out to fend for yourselves after everything we've been through. Mrs. Judson, I'll pay for their expenses-"
"Pish-posh," she waved it off, happy to see her tenant so excited and determined to have these mice stay. They seemed like a decent bunch, and if her picky, socially awkward boarder was content to have them here, then so was she. "It's quite alright by me if they stay. I won't be changing anything from these youngsters."
"Then you must let me help you around the house," Sophie insisted.
"Me, too," Alyssa nodded.
The old woman chuckled, nodding her head. "Very well, since you're so sure you want to."
"Here's the plan," Basil started once more. "Master Peter, you said you were interested in studying medicine, am I correct?"
"Sure," he nodded, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. "But I don't think I could find a job anywhere. I'm just a kid and I'd need years of training-"
"I know a few mice that can pull some strings to help you take classes," Basil cut him off. "And if you're up to it, Dawson, perhaps you could be his mentor when he's not in school."
"I say, I'd be honored!" Dawson laughed, delighted at the idea of teaching someone and passing on his love for helping others. "How do you feel about that, lad?"
"That's awesome!" he beamed. "Thanks, Doc!"
"Miss Alyssa, you had told me that you were interested in chemistry," Basil spoke once more. "I happen to know just the mouse to help. Professor Swissair works with Mouseland Yard and is quite the chemist. I could set up an internship with you to work with him, and I will allow you to work with my lab, but only under my supervision," he said, stressing the important of her being watched.
"Ohmygosh, thank you!" she squealed, her eyes shining with happy anticipation.
"Hey, boss, could I stick around?" Fidget asked, accepting a crumpet from Peter.
"You?!" Basil gaped. "Certainly not! How do I know you won't try any tricks on me-"
"I'll be good, I swear!" the bat begged, kneeling on his knees and popping the treat into his mouth before grasping his hands together pitifully.
Basil raised an eyebrow at him, stroking his chin in thought. "…well…you did help find Sophie, and you didn't give Dawson any trouble…"
"I'm sure he'd make a fine assistant to Mrs. Judson in the kitchen and around the house," Dawson winked, sparking Basil's mind.
"Aha! Yes! Fidget, old boy, you'll be Mrs. Judson's assistant, and she's free to give you s sound beating if you act up, understood?"
Fidget nodded his head violently, eager to try anything. Surely working with an old female mouse couldn't be as bad as working with Ratigan.
"I'll be keeping that in mind," the housekeeper frowned sternly at the bat, giving him such a look that he scurried and hid behind Alyssa.
"Now, for you, Sophie," Basil said, his tone softening substantially as he returned his full attention to the girl kneeling by his side. "You have a deep love of books and reading, so it only makes sense that you should be able to find a little job at the library. The head of staff there, Ms. Robinson, will help you until you're comfortable, and I'm sure she'll put you to work with any young students that drop by. What do you say to that?"
Her eyes glistened in the firelight, her smile radiant as she absorbed all that he told her. "Basil…I don't know what to say… or how to thank you…"
"This is all the thanks I need," he said softly, brushing her hair away from her eyes with the tips of his fingers. His eyes dimmed as he added, "I… I'm so sorry for… taking you all away from your home… from your loved ones…" His heart skipped a beat as she grabbed his hand and pressed it to her cheek, her eyes still on his face.
"If anything, Basil, you've helped us start a new life. I know that we'll miss Dad… and Peter will miss his uncle… but we'll make the most of it, and I can't think of a better person to help us start."
Dawson gave a small smile at this, his heart warmed by the sight of the two mice holding each other's hands, gazing into their eyes. Perhaps, just perhaps, this could be the start of something beautiful…
~221B~
Sophie tossed and turned in her bed, her brows furrowed as she struggled to fall asleep. As tired as she was, she just couldn't drift off. Grunting in frustration, she threw the covers off and reached for the robe hanging on the bedpost. Slipping her arms into it, she shivered at the slight chill that seemed to seep through the windows.
"What on earth is wrong with me? I'm exhausted and I can't catch a wink of sleep!...maybe some chamomile tea will help." Poking her head out of her room, she checked the empty hall and slipped out, clutching the robe to her collarbone. Moving silently, she walked down the steps when she realized that she could hear the parlor fire burning. Her brows began to furrow at this when she heard someone moving. Already, she had a pretty good idea of who it might be.
"Do come here, my dear. No need to hide," Basil chuckled as he returned from the bookcase to his velvet-lined chair, sitting down comfortably before the fire. He waited until she came to his side and gave her a smile. "Hello. You're a sight for sore eyes."
"I'll bet," she shook her head with a wry smile. "I figured you would be awake."
"And I had figured you would be asleep. It appears I stand corrected." Pulling out his pipe, he lit it and smoked, raising an eyebrow at her. "What's the matter, Sophie? Are you uncomfortable?"
She shook her head, tucking her hair away from her face. "I'm not sure…I guess it's just…all the excitement, maybe. So much has happened in such a short amount of time."
"Very true," he nodded, leaning back in his seat. "Please, sit down, won't you?" He motioned with his hand at Dawson's chair, to which she complied and sat across from him. "I realize this must all be very trying for you and the others…but I don't want you to worry about anything. First thing in the morning, I shall take you all to get new clothes, and then, if you're up to it, I should like to take you on a tour of London."
"I'd like that very much," she nodded, her face lighting up at once. "I always wanted to visit England, and being in this time is even more exciting, at least for me. This time era always fascinated me."
"Glad to hear it," he beamed. "We may not have your internet or television, but we do have beautiful sights and, perhaps, you might wish to join me occasionally on a case."
"Really?!" she asked. "I don't want to get in the way-"
"Nonsense!" he insisted. "You were a great help when we attended that dinner party in your world-"
"But I was bigger then," she reminded him, the light in her eyes dimming.
"But you're still quite clever, and brave," he spoke softly, reaching for her hand. "You thought of leading us to Ratigan's lair with a trail, and you fought back when he tried to finish me off." Looking into her eyes, he added, "You've got great potential, and I wish for you to recognize it and be happy here…but I don't want to put you in danger. I'm not the safest mouse to be with-"
"The safest place in any of these times or worlds is by your side," she protested, gripping his hand. Blush suddenly filled her cheeks once again, catching him off guard, as she began to speak. "Back in Ratigan's lair…you might have heard him, but…he threatened me and tried to get me stay with him to be his queen."
"Yes, so I recall," he growled through his teeth, gritting in as so not to punch the picture on the mantle of his arch-nemesis.
"Then you probably also heard him say that…that there could never be anything between us," she said quickly, pulling her hand out of his and looking towards the fire, her hair falling like a curtain to shield her face from him. Taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage and blurted what she had been wondering since the moment Ratigan had taunted her: "Basil, I know it's crazy, and we barely know each other, but I think I have genuine feelings for you, and I wanted you to…to know. I know I'm human, or at least I was one, but I can't help what I feel, and I guess I'm being too forward with this but-" Her eyes widened as she felt two hands place themselves on her cheeks, moving her face away from the fire to stare into a set of loving green eyes before her lips were claimed. She stiffed for a moment, processing what was going on, before letting herself melt in his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling herself closer to him. They remained that way for what felt like eons, their lips pressed together in happy bliss, before they finally pulled apart and looked to each other once more.
"Basil…?" she whispered, breathless and star-struck from the action.
He cleared his throat, tugging at his cravat nervously before running his fingers through his hair. "I, uh, I suppose that was a bit bold of me, but…but I wanted to reassure you, Sophie, that…that the feelings are…quite mutual. Of course," he held up his hands defensively. "I understand if this isn't what you want, and if you do want it that we are to take things slowly if we are serious about this and-"
"Basil."
"Yes?"
"Just what are you saying?"
"I-I'm…I'm saying that…I'd like to court you."
A sweet smile formed on her lips. "Then kiss me again."
He shook his head with a smile, taking her in his arms once more. "As you wish."
~221B~
True to his word, the following morning Basil announced that he was to take the little crew out on the town after they had eaten a proper breakfast (made by both Sophie and Mrs. Judson). After they had eaten, Basil took Dawson, Sophie, Peter, and Alyssa upstairs through a secret passageway, leaving Fidget in the capable hands of Mrs. Judson. Arriving at the proper floor, Basil motioned for the group to remain silent as he poked his head out of a hole in the wall, checking to see if there were any humans about. His eyes widened at the sight of two men walking down the hall in his direction, causing him to slip his head back into hiding though he could still see and hear everything quite clearly.
"The poor girl, she must be traumatized, and yet she's gone straight to work! Holmes, you don't actually plan to let her work her as a servant, do you-?"
"If it means keeping an eye on her for her safety, then yes, Watson. Moriarty is still at large and I don't intent for her to suffer anymore than she already has. Cleaning the house with Mrs. Hudson is a form of therapy for her. Also, she feels indebted to me after what's happened. For now, this is how it will have to be. Come, old fellow. I believe it's time we visit Inspector Lestrade."
"Lestrade, hmph! He should be coming to you, not the other way 'round…"
Basil's eyes followed the grumbling figure, waiting until he had left the room before nodding to the others and saying, "Alright, follow me."
They all piled out and trailed behind Basil in a cluster, gaping at the room in which they entered as Basil began to call out, "Toby? Toby! Come here, boy!"
"Oh dear," Dawson murmured, his eyes scanning the area when suddenly, the ground shook. They all nearly toppled over when a basset hound approached them with a huge smile and lolling tongue, his brown eyes bright and playful as he looked down on the mice.
"Good boy, Toby!" Basil laughed, patting the dog's nose. "Toby, I have some friends I'd very much like you to meet. This is Master Peter, Miss Alyssa, and Miss Sophie Ward."
"Hi Toby!" Sophie smiled, giggling as he licked her. "Oh, aren't you a sweet heart? Yes you are, yes you are!" she said, scratching him under his chin, causing his hind foot to start hitting the floor as if he were a rabbit. Dawson and Peter began to shake from the vibrations, sending Basil and Alyssa into fits of laughter.
"Silly dog!" Alyssa cooed, kissing his nose. "Would you like a crumpet?" She offered it to the dog, who inhaled the tiny morsel and licked his chops happily.
"See here, Toby, we're going out on a trip and we need a noble steed. Are you willing to do that?" Basil asked. "This is no case, but it's important nevertheless." Of course Toby nodded and stood stalwart at Basil's command, waiting until the little mouse had set his leash on properly before allowing the mice to hop onto his back. "Alright Toby, forward march!" Basil declared, feeling Sophie's grip around his waist tighten as soon as Toby made a dash for the doggie door.
Within minutes, they arrived at a certain little dress shoppe and spent the following hours within it. The tailor and shopkeeper gave them the clothing at a special price in gratitude to Basil for helping them with a case from the previous year, causing Basil to take the whole group out to lunch afterwards as a special treat. Toby remained outside, faithful as always, and the mice would toss him treats through the opened window of the bistro, much to the owner's disagreement.
"I believe it's for the best we take the clothing home. Mrs. Judson and Fidget will put them away," Basil said once they left, riding Toby's back along the sidewalk. "I did want to show you more of London, Sophie, but perhaps we should wait-"
"Don't be ridiculous, Basil, I can take the clothes home," Dawson volunteered.
"We'll go with him," Peter jumped in, knowing how Toby and Dawson did not always see eye to eye.
"You two have fun," Alyssa winked. "But maybe you should stick with Toby-"
"Nonsense, we'll take a cab!" Basil exclaimed as he took Sophie in his arms and slid off the dog's back. "Be good, Toby! Listen to them until we return."
The dog nodded cheerfully before taking off down the street with a great howl. Giggling, Sophie let Basil carry her along through the street until he found a hansom cab and helped her climb aboard.
"To Hyde Park," the human gentleman ordered as Basil and Sophie made themselves comfortable on the step of the cab.
"Hold on tight, darling," Basil said, loving how she rested her head against his chest and timidly gripped his coat. Wrapping his arms around her, he rested his chin upon her head, a smile working its way onto his face. He could get used to this…
