Cops and Robbers- Hoosiers (Seriously, listen to this song as you read this...they go so well together) :)

Wiggins sits on the tongue of an old boot as he surveyed the area. He takes a bite out of a fresh grape and watched as Wallace was sitting in a pothole and eavesdropping on the bustling crowd of animals, while Wayne was on a post light handle with his slingshot. Wade was busy selling newspapers he traded with the local newsboy, as Walter was acting like a crippled rat to a group of spectators as Holly was swiping pouches and wallets. Winston was wandering about with Wyatt as Slim was spying on people from a crack in the wall. Wiggins peered around and sees Lily hopping toward him. He steps down as he swallows the last of the grape. "Where've you been?"

Lily takes off her straw hat to wipe the sweat from her brow. "My mum forced me to watch my sister's tadpoles."

Wiggins grinned. "Before you know it, your dad will try to marry you off to a bullfrog—pinafore and all!"

Lily scowled and punched his shoulder. "Shut it!"

Wiggins laughed but stopped when he sees Colonel Doran. He smirked. "Here we go." He whistles three times. Subtly, the Irregulars watch Wiggins and Lily as they trailed Doran. Doran was a strong, brown mouse; he always stood straight and tall. He was nothing like his cousin due to his military success. From what they learned, Captain Doran was dishonorably discharged while Colonel Sebastian Doran remained in the military and became a respectable icon. There was even a rumor that Sebastian had killed a tiger single-handily. The kids were extra careful with Sebastian for three reasons:

1. He always carried a revolver and/or a long range rifle.

2. He was trained.

3. He was not an idiot.

One time, Wade got too close and Walter had to get him out of the situation to keep Sebastian from throwing him down the gutter. It was terrifying, they barely got out of that scrape. Of course they didn't tell Basil, if he knew he would be furious and won't let them follow Doran again. The rest of the Irregulars followed discreetly, and Wiggins sent Wayne as a scout. Wayne quickly climbed onto a wrought iron gate.

Everyone crept after Doran and watched as he squeezed through a burned hole of the skeleton of a burnt factory. The little vermin watched as Doran crept through until he made it to what looked like a human office and crawled into the hutch of an empty desk. It was amazing that the wooden desk was free of burns, yet it was covered in dust. Wallace perked up an ear and whispered. "Sounds like there's twenty of them…"

"Let's get closer." Winston eagerly whispered.

"Too risky." Wade hissed.

Wiggins holds up a paw and silenced them. He points to Walter, Wallace, Winston, Slim, and Holly to follow him and motioned for Wade, Wyatt, and Lily to act as look out at the door. The young rodents crept over to the drawer, since the hutch was locked shut with a metal door. Luckily, they went up the side of the desk silently and climbed into the lower drawer. They saw there was a hole at the top that lead to the hutch. They gathered around and peeped up to see what was happening. They heard the murmurings of a dozen animals, but there was suddenly a curt. "Silence!"

"Doran." Wallace mouthed. They listened closely to the silence that followed. They heard the sharp taps of shoes that clicked above them. Holly's large eyes grew wider as she held onto Winston, who glared up at the ceiling. The footsteps froze as they heard a clear voice speak:

"Welcome gentlemen, I have heard that you all here to answer my request for my next mission. I need animals who do not fear pain nor death…"

Wiggins recognized the voice and mouthed to his team. "Moriratty" He felt his fur rise fearfully.

"What's the pay?" A animal whistled (probably a bird by the sound of it).

"I am most gifted with calculations, I will be able to transfer vast amounts of money into your accounts, even if one of you do not manage to survive the experience."

"What do you want us to do?" A different animal squeaked.

"Now, what makes you think you have the job? This is merely an introduction." Moriratty's voice sounded amused.

"Hey! I was told that I would be paid in advance!" An animal growled and hulking footsteps approached. "Where's my cut, teach?"

There was a silence. "Your pay does not exist, because you will not be on this mission. I do not need vagrants on my staff." Moriratty's voice sneered. "Also, I want my money to go into something more useful than a moron's draught of rodent's delight."

The boards creaked and they heard a click of a revolver. "You think you're so smart, don't you Moriratty? You didn't even realize I snuck in my—"

There was a mechanical noise and then the loud crack of a gunshot. That was followed by a large thump of a huge body falling against the floor. Wiggins felt his heart stop as he held still. He saw Holly covered her mouth to keep from shrieking, Walter was shaking in terror, Wallace's ears were against his head as he stared at the hole, Slim's tail was waving around spastically, and Winston was gazing at Wiggins anxiously. Wiggins listens as the sweat slowly broke out into his fur.

Moriratty cleared his throat. "Colonel, if you could line up the rest of Mr. Green's co-conspirators." The children listened as a couple of footsteps headed over to their left. Moriratty explained. "Let this be a lesson to you gentlemen, if you wish to cross me, be prepared to die swiftly or to be tortured unremittingly."

Wiggins knew it was time to leave and rushed out of the drawer with his Irregulars closely following, and almost felt relieved as the last of his team were out of the drawer until he heard Moriratty say:

"Also, whoever can catch the little vermin spying on us will be admitted to my mission."

Wiggins shoved Slim over the edge and swiftly climbed after him as he lets out a short whistle. Lily grabs little Wyatt and hops away as Wade runs away with her. Wiggins ran as quickly as he could, pulling Holly with him. They rounded the corner of the doorway as soon as they heard animals shout. "There they are!"

The children heard strange flapping noises as they ran. Wallace yells out a warning. "Bird!"

There was another yell and Wiggins turned to see a mocking bird had grabbed onto Walter with its feet. Before Wiggins could act, Winston grabbed onto the bird's tail feathers and wrenched him to the ground. The bird squawked. "Let go you bloody worm-tail!"

Winston managed to get the bird to his level and threw rough punches to his face, causing him to let go of Walter, who scurried off. The mockingbird tried scratching Winston with his feet and beat him with his wings, but Winston jabbed at one of the wings and there was a "crack!" of the bird's hollow bone breaking against the force. The bird cried out and fell to the ground as Winston, Slim, Holly, and his brothers ran out of the factory. Wiggins whistled to Wayne who got out his slingshot and fired. Wiggins heard a "thunk" and cursed; he ran faster as Holly gripped onto his paw tighter because they didn't even realize there was another thug behind them.

They ran faster and around a corner into the main street. They shoved and leapt through the throngs on animals while dodging human shoes. Wiggins managed to hop out of the way of a swiping broom, but ran into something. He sees a fat police mouse and grimaced. Of all the policemice, he had to run into Bumberry—his arch nemesis who tried to catch him ever since he stole his first wallet. Bumberry instantly recognized him. "WIGGINS!"

Wiggins raced away with Holly in tow, and now a fat mouse was chasing them as well as he blew away on his whistle.

The children turn and see that some policemice joined the chase, and luckily apprehended some of the thugs, but there still a few thugs chasing after them as well as a couple policemice.

The children ran close to the ground and even some of Wiggin's brothers were running on all fours. Wiggins felt relief flood into him when they turned onto Baker Street.

Lizzie shouldered her baby brother Harold who was squirming about in her arms. "Thank you for letting Harold tag along with us Olivia. Mother had to go to the Hyde's to clean for a dinner party. She couldn't bring Harold because he would get into everything."

Olivia smiled and gave Harold a piece of chocolate she was eating. Harold takes the chocolate and grinned as he nibbled on it. "Don't worry Lizzie, Harold isn't any trouble at all—" She stopped when she heard shouts. She climbed onto a step to see what was going on across the street. "Oh my goodness! It's Wiggins and the Irregulars! Lizzie, they're in trouble!"

"We should get the police!" Lizzie hugged Harold tightly to her.

"Lizzie they're being chased by the police!" Olivia hops off the step. "We got to help them." She runs off down the street.

Lizzie runs after her. "Olivia!"

Wiggins pulled Holly along as he made sure everyone was ahead of him. Luckily no one was caught yet, but they were all getting tired. He suddenly heard someone shout his name. He glanced across the street and saw it was Olivia and Lizzie. They stood in front Basil's flat and were waving to them to cross the street.

Wiggins grit his teeth. It was risky, but they had no other choice. "Cross!" He yelled to his team. He drags Holly along and into the street. He saw the carriage coming along from his right. They raced around the hooves that shook the ground beneath their feet and threatened to crush them. As soon as they get away from the hooves, another carriage whizzed in front of them from their left. Wiggins had to leap back and pull Holly with him to keep from being run over. He then picked up Holly and leapt through a space in the wheels. He made a perfect leap. He then ran between two wheels. Finally he was able to leap onto the sidewalk. He dropped Holly to the ground and almost went with her—he was out of breath. Olivia helps Holly up and exclaimed. "They're crossing the street!"

Wiggins saw the policemice and thugs were making their way toward them. His heart, which was able to slow down, suddenly beat even faster.

Lizzie and Walter were already at Basil's door and slamming their paws against it.

He saw the rest of his team was out…wait.

Where was Slim and Wayne?

He looked back at the street and saw Wayne was stuck in a pothole; trying to keep from being squashed. Slim was closer and tried to hop through a space in a carriage wheel like he did. He had plenty of room, but he leapt too soon.

"Slim!" They screamed. Slim's leg bashed against a rung of the wheel. He flipped over and onto the ground. He shut his eyes tightly—he remained on the ground and held onto his injured limb in agony.

Winston ran out into the street before Wiggins could, and scooped up Slim. He manage to dodge a horse and got back onto the sidewalk. Wiggins saw their chasers were almost to the side walk, luckily they didn't notice Walter…but they couldn't leave him. He orders to his team. "Get inside!"

Lizzie shrieked. "It's locked still!" Her baby brother started crying in her arms:

"I want Mummy!"

Walter slammed his fists against the door and bellowed. "WILLY! IF YOU DON'T OPEN THIS DOOR! I'LL KILL YA'!"

Wade was at the door as well trying to pick the locks. "Mr. Basil used some of the worst locks to pick! I can't open it."

Wiggins made another order. "Then hide in the bushes! Hurry!"

Wiggins felt himself panicking, and turned back around to see how close they were—

He was suddenly lifted up by his collar by Bumberry. "Gotcha' ya' little street rat!"

Wiggins yelped and kicked at Bumberry's large gut. The policemouse gagged in surprise and dropped him. Wiggins rolled away from being bashed with a baton. When Bumberry raised it again to whack him, Olivia grabbed the policemouse's tail and pulled him back. Bumberry squeaked in surprise and fell back. Olivia barely had enough time to run away to keep from being crushed by the fat mouse.

Wiggins suddenly heard the sound of a large doorknob shaking. He looked up the stairs at the 221 B human door—the handle was jiggling like someone was trying to get out. He also heard scratching—

Olivia yanked on his arm to get up—snapping him back to attention.

Bumberry snarled as he struggled onto his feet. "Blasted brats!"

"TOBY!" Olivia screamed.

The human door burst open and two hounds bounded down the stairs barking and howling. A large, brindle hound was faster and leapt toward Bumberry. Bumberry shrieked and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. The large mutt was Toby II—and Wiggins was shocked how big he grew from pup to hound…also, it astonished him how frightening he was.

Toby hopped into the street but did not have to venture far to snip and growl at the remaining thugs and policemice. They all scurried away, and Toby had time to hop onto the sidewalk before a carriage came by.

The danger was far from over. One of the remaining thugs found Wayne. It was a frog, and he was about to grab Wayne from the pothole, but a blur of green smacked the frog to the ground. It then whisked Wayne away—zipping through carriages like lightning. The green blur hovered before them as she dropped Wayne off to Wiggins. It was Vicki.

She landed before them and took off her goggles. "What the bloody hell were you all doin'?"

Olivia couldn't answer because Toby gave her a lick of greeting.

Wiggins helped his brother up and brushed him off. "I'll explain inside—you're a life-saver Vicki."

Walter whined. "Willy still isn't answering the door though!"

Wade had given up picking the lock and was kicking the door in frustration.

Vicki sighed. "Let's hide in the bush then." She flew into it. The rest of the children went back to their hiding places, but had trouble because Toby II blocked them since he was sniffing each of them excitedly. The children all sat on the thin branches together. Vicki was perched above them. Toby lay in the entrance to Basil's door as guard, while Toby II skipped and paced around the hedge happily as a second guard—barking and howling at humans and animals who came to close.

Vicki rubbed her beak tiredly. "What happened?"

Wiggins looked at his brothers and friends. Olivia and Lizzie were giving him quizzical looks as well; he couldn't hide their mission or failure from them. He was about to speak, but the twigs to the right were cracking as a animal rushed toward them. Vicki held up a wing as she got out her pocket knife. Wiggins picked up Wyatt—ready to run.

Willy suddenly came into their clearing; carrying a paper bag filled with food. He looked around in surprise. "Oh—what are you all doing here?"

The brothers took off their hats and threw them at their brother:

"Willy!" Wyatt squealed.

Wallace growled. "Where have you been?!"

"We thought you were here!" Walter whined.

"Why weren't you here?! You dopey sod!" Winston spat.

"I almost died!" Wayne rasped.

Wade barked. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to pick these locks—"

"Shut it!" Wiggins ordered. "It wasn't his fault."

The brothers fell silent.

Willy looked terrified at his brothers' tirade but calmed himself and explained. "Well, I had to go shopping with Mrs. Judson, and she sent me home with the groceries so she could go to Mr. Flaversham's toy shop to get something for Mr. and Mrs. Dawsons' twins. Mrs. Dawson had her babies today you know."

Olivia gasped. "She did!"

Lizzie smiled. "Oh, I can't wait to tell Mama!"

Lily croaked at them. "Focus you lot." She was bent over Slim's leg. "I can't tell if his leg is broken."

Slim had his eyes shut in pain, but had managed to keep quiet so far.

Vicki flew over and gave it a look. She let out a long whistle. "It's bruised badly, but it ain't broken."

"How do you know?" Holly asked skeptically.

Vicki gave her a frown. "Because the bone ain't stickin' out."

Slim's eyes snapped open and he turned green. "I think I'm gonna be sick…"

Willy rushed over to the door and got out a key. He opens it. "Come on in."

They all rushed into the flat and Wiggins helped Slim inside and sat him on the green chair. Willy ran off to put away the food, but came back with some ice. "Here you are." He gives it to Slim.

Slim gratefully placed it on his leg. "Ah. That's nice, that is."

Vicki tapped a foot. "Are you ready to tell me what happened?"

Olivia questioned. "What happened Wiggins?"

Wiggins explained what happened to his brother and the girls. They were all silent when he finished with his story. Vicki went over to the Basil's chair and sat down on it tiredly. "You all can't do this anymore Wiggins…"

"Vicki, we're the Baker Street Irregulars—" Wiggins argued.

"You almost became worm food today…you understand why I have to tell Basil." Vicki gazed at each street child grimly.

They looked down at their feet in shame.

There was suddenly a knock at the door. Vicki hopped up and flew over to the door. She peeked through the peep hole. "Speak of the devil."

She opened the door and Basil, Belladonna, and Marten walked in. They looked surprised, but all Basil had to do was look at each Irregular to figure out what happened. "You're off the mission." He told them. He rushed over to his mantel place and grabbed some letters to look through.

Wiggins gaped. "Mister Basil—we found Moriratty—he and Doran are recruiting criminals for something big—"

Vicki folded her wings. "And then you were chased by them and the policemice."

"We got away." Lily argued.

"You were almost caught." Lizzie added as she took a dart away from Harold. "And Slim was almost ran over."

Slim whined. "I'm fine!"

"You all have a hit on you!" Vicki shrilled.

Wiggins waived the comment away. "Mister Basil, Moriratty is planning something big! He offed one of his contestants on sight! Himself I bet! He met with Doran and the thugs in person—this is serious! Just give us another chance to track him. We can find out what he's up to—get you more evidence—"

"Not another word Wiggins!" Basil snapped at him as he crushed a letter in his paw in pure frustration. "I do not want to hear of any of you being within a scent of Professor Simon Moriratty or Colonel Sebastian Doran! And that is final!"

Wiggins and the Irregulars stared at Basil in shock, but remained silent. Marten mouths to Belladonna: "Within a scent of?"

She shook her head at him.

Belladonna then walks up to Basil and touched his shoulder. He turned to her and she gave him a stern look. He sighed and tried to fix the crumpled letter in his hand. "Wiggins…the mission has failed…it's too dangerous. I will not let you become Moriratty's next victim"

Wyatt begged. "Please Mister Basil. Give us a case…we'll do better. We will."

Basil knelt down to Wyatt's level. "Here's your next mission then—stay hidden. Do not, under any circumstances, let yourselves be noticed by the police or the crime rings. Do you all understand?"

Each Irregular muttered. "Yes sir…"

Basil stood up and cleared his throat. "Vicki, I assume your hear to meet about Ida's disappearance."

Vicki nods.

Basil strolls over to the dining room door. "Let us discuss it then." He motions to everyone. "I want you to stay put…Marten if you could walk Miss Clark, her brother, Miss Smith, and Miss Flamhammer home."

"Flaversham." They all told him.

He sighed. "Whatever" He shut the door behind him and Vicki.

There was an uncomfortable silence that followed. Marten broke it fortunately. "Alright ladies," He lifts up Harold and placed him on his shoulders. Harold smiled happily as he held onto Marten's cat-like ears. "Lets get you all home."

Lily pats Slim on the shoulder and gave Wiggins a nod. "Goodbye guys." She made sure to give Holly a hug as she passed.

Olivia takes Lizzie's arm and waved goodbye to everyone. Lizzie curtsied when she made it to the door and they all left to go home.

I watch them go and turn to the children…unlike the girls they didn't have a family to go home to. They stood around in silence. The quintuplets sat on the stairs; leaning against the rails solemnly. Holly sat on the window seat; picking at the hem of her dress. Winston sat on the stool at Basil's lab-table. Willy stood beside the fireplace as Wyatt was standing and staring at the suit of armor. Wiggins was leaning against the grandfather clock, and Slim remained in the chair.

I glance at each child. What should I do? I knelt down beside Slim and checked his leg. It was a nasty bruise—you could clearly see it through his blonde fur. I then peered at his bitten ear…this little guy has been through some nasty scrapes. He saw my gaze and tugs on his bitten ear. "I got this when I was in gang of young vermin. I made a mistake in transportin' opium poppies…I was thrashed and when I tried to fight back—I got a good bit of my ear bitten off."

"How old were you?" I ask staring at his ear.

He shrugged. "Don't know. I was at the orphanage ever since I was a baby."

I bit my lip and place a paw on his head to ruffle his hair. "You're a trooper."

I get up. "Willy?"

"Yes Miss Belladonna?" He stands up straight like a little soldier.

"Does Mrs. Judson have some leftover cheese crumpets?"

"Yes ma'am, she does."

"Could you get a platter out for everyone." I ask the children. "Would you like some tea?"

The children nod excitedly; looking less down than before.

I smile and go into the kitchen. I fill up the teapot and set on the stove as I searched for the tea leaves.

Someone tapped my shoulder. I turn and see Willy holding the tin of tea leaves. I take the tin from him. "Thank you Willy, you've been a great help."

Willy grins. "I'm glad ma'am. It's a good job, and Mrs. Judson is gonna retire soon...so I'm trying to learn as much as I can here so I can help out, you know?"

I give a sad smile. "Yes, I've heard she will retire by next year and live with her son and his family. I'm going to miss her."

Willy picks up the tray of crumpets. "Honestly miss, I don't think she will leave. She loves this place too much."

I chuckle. "Who doesn't?" I open the door for Willy and we were met by the Irregulars. They snatched up the crumpets faster than I thought possible. Willy sets the platter down, and there were only a few left on the plate. Willy shyly takes one and nibbles on it. I take the rest to Slim. He grabs all of them and eats them quickly. I sit down in Basil's chair. I watch as the children get closer to me and they all sat around the two chairs eating. Wyatt crawled onto my lap. I was surprised by how comfortable Wyatt was with me, and I hold him as he ate. Holly also came over and sat on the arm of the chair. She gives me one of her many crumpets. I take it and nibbled on it. "Thank you Holly." I suddenly heard the kettle whistle. I get up and sat Wyatt in the chair. "Tea's ready!" I skip over the children and into the kitchen. I make the tea and filled up ten cups on a tray. As I bring out the tray I hear the children whispering about something. They all stop when I approached and stared at me with small grins. Uh-oh, I was in trouble.

I hand the tea out to each of them. Winston elbows Willy. Willy gave his twin a glare, but turns to me. "Miss Belladonna?"

"Yes Willy? What do your brothers want you to ask me?" I smirk at their sly expressions.

Willy stuttered. "Well—um…"

"Are you and Basil ever gonna get married?" Walter asked.

I was agitated and surprised by this question that my tail swished and knocked over one of Basil's beakers on the lab table. The children giggle at this madly. I turn around and set it back up; I was lucky it was empty and didn't roll off the table. Despite being a mouse for a while now, I still had trouble with my tail. I would just forget it was there and get it caught in something or knock over something else.

I finally answer the question. "Well, I would like to get married, but Basil has been very busy…"

"Don't take it personally Miss Belladonna—Mister Basil isn't much of the marrying type." Winston explains.

"He's scared of ladies." Wayne adds.

"You mean commitment." Wade clarifies.

This conversation made me feel worse.

"He really likes you though—so who knows." Wiggins tells me; instantly making me feel better. "I never saw him so happy ever since Miss Irene."

I give a shy smile at this. I notice Wallace was sitting beside the door to the dining room. I kneel beside him. Before I could ask, he whispers. "Vicki found out that at each area where animals were kidnapped witnesses had described a white mouse—male—with black hair and fancy clothing—he stood out in the lower districts…no one knows who he is…Mister Basil has narrowed it down to some bloke named Redwood…new noble mouse…good friends with parliament."

"There's a mouse parliament?" I ask; astonished. I think about Redwood…he was probably the shadow…

"Yes—though they also have hummingbird members. Vicki's father is one."

"Wait—Vicki is a noble lady?"

"Yeah, she ran away when she was Wiggins's age. She was being forced into an arranged marriage." Wallace explained.

"You got all this from eavesdropping?"

"That's what I do." He smiled, one of his ears twitched. "Basil's curious how Count Redwood is so chummy with Parliament…oh, he also thinks his big brother knows Redwood…now he is planning on going to Clifford's estate to chat with him about it. He also thinks he knows where to find Ida. They're gonna go find her tonight."

I listen to all of this. I have to go with them. I thought to myself. I wrap my arms around myself—just the thought scared the fur off of me. I need to face this shadow once and for all.

Author's Notes:

Author sits at the kitchen table and types her notes as she babysits her baby sisters. She turns to sister 1: "Hey, don't inflate the snack bag!"

Sister 1 was busy blowing up a plastic bag filled with cheese cubes like it was a balloon.

Author: "Ugh, why did Brother choose today of all day to do the laundry?"

Sister 2, who was wrapped in a beach towel shrugged.

Author: "Do you guys want to help me with my commentary?"

Sister 1: "What?"

Sister 2: "Yes, come over here to our new home." She motions to the couch. She then turns to her older sister. "Want to make a tent?"

Sister 1: "Yes." They commence with pulling out blankets and towels to make a tent.

Author stares at the screen. "Well...I guess I'm doing this solo. Wow...criticizing my chapters without being criticized is going to be hard.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the Irregular chappie. I did. I love the Irregulars! It's hard to keep them straight though...kind of like trying to remember all my siblings' names.

So, Moriratty is starting something big. I mean if he shows up to a applicant meeting himself and kills one of them...I would think it's serious. Good thing Wiggins and his team got out alive. Don't judge Basil too harshly, he just cares about the Baker Street Irregulars that he could never forgive himself if anything bad happened to them. Just like Vicki.

Vicki! She's awesome. Blunt, but awesome. She was rich, but she prefers her bachelorette lifestyle of pub brawls and fast flying. Who wouldn't?

So Basil and Vicki figured out Redwood might be behind this. They are going to try to find Ida in the next chapter. Belladonna will tag along to face the shadow because she believes he's the kidnapper. Will she ever learn to listen to Basil? Will Basil ever learn to stop underestimating her? Hahaha, nope.

So Elven Silver Power Ranger- Thank you for your great review (8 lines of "please" takes awesome dedication). It made my brother smile and it inspired me to update soon...well, soonish due to my busy schedule. :)

I don't own GMD. All rights reserved to Hoosiers. R&R. Please and thank you!