Title: Into The Woods
Chapter 1 – A Deadly Reunion?

Summary: As William Wellington lay alone and injured in the cold, dark woods, he had only one person on his mind and it wasn't the man hunting him. It was Eliza. Would he ever see her again? Or would this really be his ending?

Disclaimer: Miss Scarlet & The Duke its characters are the property of PBS/Masterpiece and well not me. I only own my muse (Alice love her!) and the ideas and any OCs that might pop up (which in name are only coincidence if they match anyone reading and not intentional!)

A/N: Hey everyone. I am just captivated by this series and these two characters and thought I'd try my hand at a little angsty piece and hope everyone likes it. Thanks in advance!

His slightly shaking, bloody left hand twisted the damp piece of cloth around the throbbing wound just above his ankle; his lips stifled back a gasp so as not to give away his somewhat hidden position from his merciless hunter. He tried to focus on anything but the bitter chill that started to settle upon him inside the droplets of the fine mist that settled upon him and laughed at his dire predicament.

His dark blue eyes squinted into the dark horizon before him as his mind raced for a way out; an escape route that his deranged hunter wouldn't have covered with another hidden insidious trap to wound him even further or be lying in wait somewhere, ready to deliver the final death blow.

How did it come to this? Would he really die like this? In the dark woods? Alone…?

SDSDSDSD

"Donald, I said…" William Wellington's exasperated voice drowned out into an unintelligible, muffled curse.

"Sorry, Sir, I just…" the younger man stammered as he offered his new superior an impish grin. "I'll go ask the witness again."

"See that you do!" He growled as he turned around and stormed toward the window to see the young man hurry outside and then abruptly stop their witness and try to ask for a few more details to the witnessed crime. "Bloody…hell…" William growled as his gaze slightly narrowed and his head shook.

"I can hear you thinking," he uttered with a softer tone as he heard some shuffling and knew who had entered his office. As much as he was annoyed, as he wasn't irritated by her in that moment, his lips automatically twisted into a slight grin when Eliza Scarlett came into his view.

"New partner not working out?"

"Training's taking a bit longer than expected."

She held his gaze, and he could almost hear the question waiting to burst forth from her mind.

"Go on…ask it already."

"Did you find the deckhand?"

"No."

The two of them started to talk at once and he just shook his head and offered a slight chuckle at her impatient eagerness. "The man was reeking of fish guts and you wanted to go down into the hold?"

"You always told me that sometimes you have to really immerse yourself in all the dirty details of the case."

"And you took that literally?"

"Well…almost. I would have, had you not stopped me," she retorted with a slight annoyed edge in her tone. Her tenacity always fascinated him; sometimes it irritated the hell out of him, but it was one of the things that he just couldn't resist – at least inwardly.

"Did you want something?"

Sometimes the words his thick accent emphasized made her inwardly giggle but his willingness to always hear her out, even when she knew he was busy, further endeared her to him. Further? He was already so imbedded into her heart, that she didn't know what she'd do with herself if she lost him too. Losing her father had been tragic but she couldn't bear to think that William might someday, somehow be absent from her also.

"I found this…down by the docks."

"Eliza…" he started with a renewed growl. How it she could make his heart race with affection and then his blood boil in anger in a matter of seconds!

"William, you know I was thinking…."

"How…did you get that?" He quickly inquired as she held up a rather odd-looking key.

"You know its so fascinating how many passages a ship has. Even one that small. Oh, and don't worry, I wasn't alone. Moses was with me."

"Oh, that's comforting. I've told you…that man…" he tried once more as she held up her hand and slightly arched her brows. "Am I now to lecture you on the company you keep. Again?"

"Outside of yourself, you mean? In any case, I think that you should match this against…"

"Inspector Wellington!"

"Yes Donald," William turned his already exasperated gaze from one office patron to the next.

"I asked the … oh sorry Miss Scarlet, I didn't see you here. Shall I come back?"

"No. Miss Scarlet was just leaving," William stated as she held her gaze a few second more and then watched her offer him an impish smile. "The key…" he growled as she placed the small object into his open palm and then turned and left, giving the younger man a nod before she disappeared. William's dark brows furrowed as he watched his young partner let his gaze linger upon Eliza a bit longer than he liked. "Donald?"

"Oh yes sir…I was meaning to ask…is she…"

"Is she what Donald?"

"Right…never mind. So here is what I found out."

William's brain tried to take in the new information on their case as he inwardly waged an emotional battle between jealousy and dismissal. She would never be interested in Donald…he's…he quickly scolded himself on such immature thoughts and then turned his focus back to the case at hand. However, that was once again going to be diverted, as a courier rushed in with a small package that instantly forced his attention elsewhere.

'Duke of Ellington. Private.'

"Some sod got your name wrong," Donald chuckled as William's sharp gaze looked up and with a short hiss, he ordered the younger man out of his room. "Right sorry Sir. I'll check on the um…"

For a few seconds, the world around him seemed to slow and then come to a grinding halt as he thought back to the one person who dared to make a jest upon his name like this. He could hear the evil snicker, usually followed by a whispered threat and his entire being offered up a small, uncharacteristic shiver. There were few things that scared William Wellington, but the person behind this delivery was one of them. Truly frightening.

"Phineas McArthur," he almost dared not whisper the name out loud. He somehow managed to sit himself down in his chair and stared at the small box for what seemed an eternity before he dared to pick it up and started to inspect the outside before he thought about opening it.

'He's escaped Duke! Gone…somehow just vanished!'

'He can't just vanish into thin air Frank! Find him! Everyone keeps looking until we find him!'

His mind replayed the shouting and commotion over the case from a few years ago, when he was a bit younger, brasher and a lot foolhardier. But as the case progressed, he grew wiser, and his enemy grew bolder. Phineas McArthur seemed to kill at will, randomly and for the sheer pleasure of it. But he was careful. Choosing random victims with no rhyme or purpose and then leaving clues for the coppers that meant nothing. However, the few victims he left in his wake all had one horrific detail in common…

"They were all missin' a finger," William whispered as he spied a small speck of dried blood on the bottom of the package before he slowly opened it. His usually strong stomach instantly tightened as he gazed upon the small, bloody digit.

"Bloody…hell…" he cursed as his grit his teeth in contempt.

'Duke…this bastard has left you another love note,' Frank offered in sarcasm as he handed William a small piece of charred note stock.

'Duke eh? Duke of what, ellington? Does that mean you're royalty? Duke of Ignorance is more like it. Inspector William Wellington, you'll never catch me. And when you do catch up…it'll be at my bidding and mine will be the last face you will ever see.'

"Bastard," William cursed again as he was about to put the box on his desk. However, just before he did, he noticed something on the finger and brought it closer to his gaze. There was a black mark on the underside and instantly he felt his stomach lurch once more. This time, nearly bringing up his hearty corned beef lunch.

"Stuart…" he whispered in dread as his mind thought back once more. "Oh God…no."

'Inspector, this is Stuart Glary. He's the caretaker of these here woods.'

'Thank you, Frank. Mr. Glary. Anything you can tell us would be most helpful.'

'Come along my boy, I have much to show and tell you.'

He was kind old man. The kind of man you knew could be trusted to do the right thing; not afraid of anyone or backing down from any kind of fight. William instantly felt a fondness for him and would on occasion pay him a visit over the past few years; the two of them taking a stroll through the heavily wooded area, talking about life and everything else that came to mind. He did remind him in a way of Henry Scarlet, which is why he concluded he felt a kinship.

If Stuart was dead, that meant Phineas was back in the area. And that spelt certain doom – for them all. His current partner was green. Frank knew Phineas and hated him as much, but Frank would be no help to him now. He had to do this alone. If he could trap Phineas, take him down one last time…or just find a clue for his next move. Clue? That was the most maddening thing. There were no clue's left unintentionally. Always on purpose and always leading to dead ends; those dead ends usually ending with a love note as Frank had called them. However, for Phineas to come back and kill someone close to William, he knew that could only mean one thing, he was the next target. He could assign a detail to himself, and with good reason, but he never would. This was his cross to bear. And bear it alone he would.

With that he gathered up two loaded pistols, donned his coat and hurried out of the building. No carriage, horseback would be the fastest. He only hoped he could get there in time. He owed it to Stuart and all of Phineas McArthur's victims to stop the madman once and for all – any way he could.

SDSDSDSD

'Hey Duke!' A loud angry voice bellowed as William's right hand further tightened its grasp around the handle of his weapon. 'How many bullets left? 2 maybe 3? And only one extra pistol? Did you not want to kill me?'

He had lost count in the frenzied shooting match they started out with and then, in what he surmised was an escape in a most cowardly fashion, the man in question turned and started to run, knowing that the determined Inspector would follow at any cost and that cost would be a deadly surprise waiting to unleash its pain.

And the deadly surprise; the perfectly hidden bear trap didn't disappoint its maker.

William's lips cried out in agony as he felt the cold steel claws instantly seize hold of the bottom of his left ankle, taking him to the ground in an angry jumble of exhausted limbs. He heard laughing in the distance as pain started to course through his entire being.

'Whad'ya think of my device William? Quite the devilish thing, eh?' The voice seemed to echo all around him in the deserted woods.

William's lips uttered an angry curse as he tried to push himself up to his knees and sank back down to the soggy earth with a frustrated growl. His eyes instantly watered as he tried to keep hold of his gun and find the pin on the device to loosen the jaws and set himself free; give himself a fighting chance before his enemy came back to finish him off for good.

'I'll find ya Duke. Just a matter of figuring out which one you stumbled upon. That's right…there's more than one. I might be slowed but I will find you…and I will relish in your slow, painful demise. Anyone I should be sendin a digit to?'

Phineas was a take no prisoners kind of man. He killed because he liked it and left no one to testify against him. And he was next. He could only hope that someone would find him before that fate befell him…but who? Eliza. While he loved her adventurous spirit, he could only imagine the horrors that a man like Phineas would inflict on her. Donald? The man was greener than new grass. But he saw the box…Eliza knew the case. Hopefully the two of them…

A twig cracked in the near distance and he instantly held his breath, his bloody fingers finally getting a hold of the safety pin. He would have only seconds as it would make a noise and reveal his exact whereabouts. Remove the pin, get at least on his knees and ready his weapon.

Would he get the chance to turn the tables on his nemesis? For the last time? Or would he be just another victim?

SDSDSDSD

As he pushed his horse further toward the wooded outskirts of the city, William's mind raced with wonder as to what Phineas could have been doing the past year. He killed in spurts. Randomly. Leaving obscure but false clues. Taking a physical memento but…this time the digit came to him. An invitation to face him one on one – alone. He was foolish for not seeking backup but who? He could hear Eliza suggesting Moses. And while he had some small amount of admiration for the Jamaican, he didn't trust him – no matter how much pleading Eliza did on his behalf. He was a criminal and that was the end of it. Even still…he knew Moses was a capable man in a fight. He could use a capable man right now.

William neared the outskirts of the wooded area that Stuart Glary caretook and slowed his horse to a careful trot. It was a dismal day, the skies not friendly in any way; a light mist falling and darkness looming. What was he doing? Seeking revenge? He stopped the horse and listened. It was silent. Almost too silent; more so than he had been accustomed to even way out here. Nothing moved, only a slight rustle in the distance and that made his anxiety soar.

"Where are you, ya bastard," William muttered in an angry whisper as he moved his horse along a few more meters. He stopped and listened once more. Distinct rustling and then quiet. More rustling and then quiet. The cat and mouse tactic angered him. He preferred to meet his enemy face on – man to man, fist to fist was his preferred choice. But Phineas loved the chase. The game. Loved having the upper hand, which is what he had right now. And they both knew it.

William dismounted his horse, pulled the first loaded pistol, and carefully made his way toward Stuart's quiet cabin. Deathly quiet and the image of the bloody digit he couldn't erase; the screams of the old man now gripped him. How long did he suffer? Phineas wasn't a merciful killer, he relished in the torment before the kill, toying with his prey until it was his time to end it. Hours? Days? He shuddered at that horrible thought.

How would it end today?

"Where are ya…" William whispered as he neared the rickety front doorsteps and then paused to take in his surroundings once more. It was too quiet, and he didn't like it. Phineas was out there, waiting and watching and he hated it. But how to remedy that? He knew the lay of the land better than he hoped Phineas did, but Phineas had been out here how long? Days…weeks? Possibly months? Maybe the full year? Setting traps or just memorizing the best escape route for himself or his prey. Either way…the ensuing fight wouldn't be an easy one to win.

It only took a few seconds before the game was put into full motion. His right foot stepped onto the second step and instantly went through the purposely sawn board. The loud crack caused him to curse and pull back and his hunter to reveal himself. William fired off a few shots as he yanked his foot out of the rotten steps and started to pursue.

But Phineas wasn't about to make it so easy. So, he stopped and fired off a few shots in William's direction; a mere distraction of what he really had in mind.

Forced to take cover, William quickly surveyed the landscape in his mind's eye, remembering the little peaks and hidden valleys that Stuart had told him about. A few more bullets whizzed past him and then stopped. Without hesitation or waiting, he fired off a few more shots, tossed the first empty pistol onto the ground and then hurried after Phineas McArthur.

"Got yer blood boiling now William! Duke of Despair!" Phineas yelled into the still damp air that surrounded them. The thick forest kept the precious light at bay and as he chased his killer further into the dark woods, the faster his agitation gained momentum.

Go back…go back and get help…backup…something…his mind urged; an urging he pushed aside without further thought. But he knew he was in too deep now and there was no time to go and get help; the cabin now a nearly invisible dot behind him. His footing slightly gave way, which caused him to stumble but quickly recover with only a slight tweak to the growing throb in his right leg. Pain be damned. He had one job to do – stop Phineas McArthur at any cost.

"Whyd'ya come back McArthur!" William shouted as he remained in place and tried to get a bearing on where Phineas might be waiting.

"Missed ya I did!" Phineas called back with a snort as William dared to peer around the large oak tree and squint into the fading horizon before him. "Did you miss me?" Phineas asked with a dead, calm tone.

'click'

The coldness in Phineas McArthur's question seemed to match the coldness that started to descend upon the area around them.

"Whyd'ya kill Stuart? He was a kind old man that never hurt anyone!"

"He hurt me…by helping you!" Phineas sneered as William's free fist clenched at his side. "I'd tell you to drop your weapon, but I know ya won't. I have no issue shooting you in the back dear Duke."

And Phineas was right. He had no issue killing anyone…anywhere if it suited his means. And now it did. He was the last man standing in Phineas' murderous rampage in this area. But he wasn't going down without a fight and if it were to be a fight to the death then so be it.

William wasted no time in twisting around on his heel, dropping his shoulder while he sent his fist toward Phineas' jaw. A shot from the surprised killer whizzed into the air, punctuating the once stillness with an angry crack. Another blow was delivered before Phineas returned the favor.

Blow for blow was traded, neither losing but neither gaining ground either. The two of them took a tumble to the ground in a jumble of arms and legs; each of them sustaining their fair share of angry blows. However, Phineas wasn't a man to fight fair, and quickly pulled out a small knife and, while it wasn't a death blow by any means, the small jab to William's side, made him instantly recoil and cry out in pain.

Phineas wasted no time in getting back up on his feet and then delivered a swift kick to William's vulnerable mid-section; the cut slightly tearing wider. William's lips offered a labored gasp, but he grabbed at Phineas' leg and yanked. The angry killer stumbled backward a few meters before he spun around, desperate to regain his footing. Which he did. However, at the same time, William pushed himself upright and fired off another shot.

"You'll hafta shoot me in the back!" Phineas shouted as he darted toward a darkened patch of forest.

"I'll shoot ya anywhere I can," William growled as he gave chase.

He preferred to have a straight up fight, but with Phineas darting all over the place and his bullet count already starting to be depleted every single shot now had to count. He neared a small downslope in the forest and then it hit him…something deadly that had been carefully hidden by leaves and just waiting for its innocent victim to make it literally spring into action.

The two iron jaws clamped onto William's leg and started to dig into the soft flesh just above his shoe. He instantly fell to the ground in agony; his teeth clenching down in immense pain. He heard Phineas laugh and fired off a shot in his direction. This time it was the killer's lips to utter a groan and then a curse. William knew he didn't kill him but if he slowed him a little, or at least long enough for him to get his leg free, that's all that mattered.

Just find the pin and get the damp trap off your leg or this is how you will die! Alone…in these damned woods! His mind yelled in painful agony.

He remained still, a steady stream of blood slowly trickled down his leg; the pounding in his heart gaining momentum and his despair spiraling out of control. He quickly yanked off his jacket and ripped off a strip of the cloth to help at least stop some of the blood while he felt around for the pin. His cold, shaking hands tried to turn the knot tighter to keep the pain and blood at bay. It was a futile effort.

William heard Phineas' taunting words in the near distance but remained still for a few painful seconds to see if he could get at least a direction that Phineas was coming from.

Just pull the damn pin. He knows he has you. But you need to be alert and able to try to fight back or escape. Pull the damn pin! His mind yelled as he heard a twig snap a lot closer than he wanted.

Phineas neared.

"You're empty Duke."

William took a deep breath and prepared to embrace his fate. The last face on his mind, however, wasn't that of his current nemesis, it was the one person that held a special place in his heart; the one he feared he'd never see again. Eliza.

SDSDSDSD

"William…I found…" Eliza started as barged into his office only to stop short as someone in William's desk chair quickly stood up.

"Mi…miss Scarlet. Sorry I was just…"

"Where is Willi…Inspector Wellington?"

"He's out Miss. Left in a real hurry."

"To the shipyard no doubt," she lightly growled. However, her gaze was quickly diverted to the top of the file clad desk and rested upon a small, tarnished object. "Without the key?" She inquired as she looked up in wonder. "He left the key behind?"

"No Miss, he…well he didn't say where he was going."

"What happened? Tell me all the details? When did he leave?"

"A few hours ago."

"Hours? He should have been back by now. Which carriage did he take?"

"He…left on horseback."

"What? Odd. What happened?"

"He got a delivery. A small packet wrapped in plain brown paper. Then he shooed me out of his office. Stewed in here a bit and took off like his tail was on fire. He muttered the word Stuart as he hurried past, pushed his way outside, demanded a horse and then was gone. I figured he got a lead on a case that I wasn't privy to."

"Stuart. Stuart who?" Eliza pondered as she started to pace William's small, stuff office. "Do you know who the package was from?"

"No, but it was odd. It said to the Duke of Ellington. He seemed to know the reference," Donald slightly chuckled as he looked up at Eliza who now bore a look of dread. "What's…the matter?"

"The box…do you know where he put it?" She dared to ask; her mouth suddenly dry as her heart started to race. Her mind raced backward until it rested upon a past memory that would be vital in the present. He had told her father and then her about all the sordid details of the grisly deaths and the bodies with the sawed-off digits left by the only man who ever eluded him, and she knew this was the same killer. She knew William was in trouble. Serious trouble.

"Here it is Miss. But are you sure he…"

"Let me see it!" Eliza snapped impatiently as she snatched the box from his grasp and then dared to open the lid.

"Oh God…" Donald uttered in soft horror. "Bloody…hell…who would do that?"

"A monster," she whispered, as she looked up at him in dread. "A remorseless killer. And if we don't find him…William's next."

A/N: Well I had originally thought this would be a one-shot but seems like it'll be a two parter. Hope everyone like the angsty start to this and if you did and want to see how this will all play out please do review and let me know your thoughts and thank you so much in advance!