A/N: In response to a random query, no, I'm not Italian. (What makes you
think so?) HUZZAW! Thank you all for the reviews, I'm dying cos I want
more! (Jus to let you know, I walked into a wall after sticking my nose in
the air when I read those wonderful reviews. My nose is broken.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
CHAPTER 8
LONDON, ENGLAND
DEEP IN THE CITY
STREETS OUTSIDE THE PALACE
Mina gave the area an once-over and then settled down on both feet on the ground, watching her step and trying to not to slip on the ground, soaked with blood. Her eyes were back to their usual green, and her elegant lips were now ruby-red, as if she just ate a lemon. The taste of the inside of her mouth would be enough to make others retch. The rhythmic click-click of her boots against the ground were muffled, replaced by splash-splash.
She met Allan at the foot of the Museum and were joined shortly by Tom.
"They went inside," she said simply. "They were following Maddox."
"Tell me if I'm wrong," Tom said, as he hefted the Winchester. "But was it just me or did I see Gray run past us just now?"
Mina sighed inwardly. "Yes."
"Well, boy, I'm dead and standing in front of you. I'm a mortal, too," Allan reminded him. "Gray's a bloody immortal." Tom did that thing with his head that looked like a half -nod.
"We can leave Nemo's men to finish Maddox's troops," Tom stated. "Besides, there aren't that many left."
"Well, you sure took your own bloody time!" a voice exclaimed next to Mina, who gave a little scream of surprise and jumped. She nearly fell but Allan caught her arm.
Skinner had come up next to Mina and had been listening in.
"Get a grip, man," Allan scolded then decided not to continue, because Nemo came out of the Museum with Maddox in hand.
"Well, now, there's our man!" Skinner called, full of enthusiasm.
"Nemo, where'd you get him?" Tom asked as he blinked. Maddox had a suit of armor's head piece stuck to his head.
"He was hiding in one of the suits of armors," Dorian replied, following behind Nemo and the struggling Maddox.
"And I kicked it," Skinner said proudly. "Gave one loud whoop, if you ask me. It's a wonder I'm not deaf!"
"You kicked his shin, Skinner," Nemo stated, matter-of-factly. Mina gave him an incredulous look.
"You kicked him?" Allan asked. "Of all things you could have done, Skinner, you had to kick him."
Skinner just chuckled. "Well, it got us our man; what's your complaint?"
"An effective, if...unconventional...way of doing things," Mina smiled. Skinner beamed even more because it came from her.
"And that begs the question," Nemo said, glancing at Dorian. "About you."
"Obviously, you haven't gotten over Ishmael," Dorian said dryly. Nemo's dark eyes narrowed in anger. Ishmael had been a good friend and crewmate; he had never really forgiven Dorian for his death. The immortal merely sheathed his cane-sword as smiled at Mina. "Miss me?"
"Hardly. What are you doing here?" she shot the question on everyone's lips.
"That's Dorian Gray?!" Maddox yelled through the mask. Skinner whacked the top of it and laughed when he heard the resounding echo.
"See? Even Maddy here knows you," Skinner joked, using a nickname for Maddox. Nemo raised a brow.
"I've been passing along fake information to Maddox all this while," he continued, not meaning to brag, just stating the facts. "It was I who informed the Americans about Maddox's plan in the first place." He looked at Tom, who was biting his lower lip and trying not to say anything that would prompt Dorian to slice open his jugular. He wasn't immortal.
"Where's Hyde?" Skinner asked suddenly, turning around. "More like, where's Jekyll? The potion would've burned out by now."
"Here," a voice responded weakly behind them. Allan, Tom and Mina turned while Dorian leaned forward for a close look as Skinner rushed to his friend's side.
"Oh god, Jekyll, what did you do to yourself?" Skinner asked, holding up the man, who was too weak to stand on his own. Mina ran over to help support his other arm.
"It seems," the doctor managed, "that Edward over-exerted himself this time."
"You need medical attention," Mina said, looking at Nemo, who held Maddox by the collar. "And we need to get his head out of there. Assuming, that is, if you want to do so."
Nemo nodded his agreement as Tom said, "Oh-oh. Heads up." He was looking to his left, towards the Palace. All their gazes turned and Skinner swore softly. A group of constables and baronet-wielding army men were running towards them.
"Oh, no," Allan muttered. "Bureaucrats."
"No, more like 'Oh, no, police.'" Tom pointed.
"Here we go," Mina muttered as one of those in the lead shouted a "Stop there! In the name of the Queen, you're under arrest. All of you".
"Want me to join you?" Skinner asked Allan. "I could always sneak away and enjoy my sherry, you know."
"Don't even try it," Tom threatened. Skinner didn't say anything as Tom tossed him his vest and the thief put it on, grudgingly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
LONDON, ENGLAND DEEP IN THE CITY MEETING ROOM, POLICE STATION
"Well, now, this is new," Skinner commented as he walked around the big meeting room that all of them (with the exception of Maddox and Jekyll, who was getting medical attention) had been placed in. "I didn't know that jail cells were like this. Last time I was here they were cells."
"You were kept in a holding cell before?" Dorian asked, not really wanting an answer. He was seated next to Mina on one side of the long meeting table made of gleaming marble.
"Yep. Those were in the early days of my profession...lets just say I wasn't as good as I am now," he replied.
"And you weren't invisible," Tom added as Skinner nodded. Skinner had returned the vest to Tom, but not before searching for any drinks; to his dismay, he found none. Allan was studying the room with the expertise of the hunter he was, taking in every little detail.
"This is obviously not the usual fare for prisoners," Mina said. "It seems that we are being given special attention."
"Most likely because of your fair face," Dorian said, and ignored Tom and Skinner's glares that said if he tried to make a move on her, they would kill him even though he couldn't die.
"You know, I've been asking myself," Tom said to Dorian. The young American sat opposite the two ex-lovers, keeping an eye on the man he knew as a traitor. "How you came back."
"It seems," Dorian explained, "That as long as my portrait isn't destroyed, I can still live even after my body dies. It pieced itself back together in the factory." As he said that, he regarded Mina, trying to see what she was feeling. She purposely kept her game face on. *Just like old times,* he thought. *Just like old times.*
"And you've become so noble as to help the League stop Maddox?" asked Nemo, who stood near the end of the table. Dorian visibly flinched and looked uncomfortable.
"I have my reasons," he finally answered. Mina kept quiet, not willing to explain about how the picture was related to the whole situation. The door at the end of the room opened to admit three men, one of them who had a massive build and a corpulent face that had sharp features, hawk-like and keen, closely linking him to his late brother, the great detective Sherlock Holmes.
"Hello, gentlemen, Mrs. Harker," Mycroft Holmes greeted. He sat down at the foot of the table, and Skinner stayed in his corner, watching as the other two stood at either elbow of their boss. "This is Detective Barnes (#1) from Scotland Yard and Inspector Dominicus Pike (#2), of Special Branch. My name is -"
"- Mycroft Holmes, brother of the great detective," Mina finished for him. "I take it you are from Special Branch, as well?"
"Indeed, Mrs. Harker," Mycroft inclined his head slightly. "I apologise for all your arrests; Scotland Yard and beyond are in an uproar about the...situation outside the Palace. They arrested everybody within the area."
Seemed that you guys cleared us out pretty fast," Tom observed.
"Yes. Well, the League members are easily recognizable," Mycroft said. "After Moriaty's death, the file and all information on you came to us at the Special Branch. I have been studying your profiles and when I learned about your...shall we say, involvement... I immediately sent word to Detective Barnes to release you."
Barnes gave an indignant humph, clearly not happy.
"Well, I say," Skinner spoke up, "All the better!" The thief sauntered up to the table and pulled out one of the chairs sat down, as evident in the slight depression on the cushion. Barnes and Pike both jumped and looked around wildly, as if they could see the speaker. Barnes stared as Skinner pulled out the chair. "I'd say these newbies weren't really briefed on us, were they?"
"There was limited time." Mycroft fidgeted. "I do have a few questions...First of all, what are Mr. Gray and Mr. Quatermain doing here?"
"I came back from the dead, and so did Gray," Allan explained. "For me, it was via witchdoctor and for him, his picture."
Mycroft was speechless for a moment, but then caught himself. "And, of course, I do want to know why you decided to bomb the outside of the Palace."
"Palace security is all in a fluster about that," Barnes added, speaking up. "They aren't happy about what you did."
"We did what we needed to do," Nemo shot back, glaring. "As the League." It was added pointedly, as if Nemo was trying to emphasis the point that he hated the Empire.
"I'm curious as to how you knew what Maddox's plans were," Pike said. It was quickly becoming apparent that he was the more patient of the two.
All of the League members looked at Allan, who sighed and said, "When I came back, my first instinct was to hide. Since Allan Quatermain was dead, I didn't want to argue with history. I got out of Africa and was in London when certain...contacts of mine informed me that Felix Maddox had gotten some modern weaponry that sounded very much like M's. I decided to check it out and I uncovered his plot. He had been using a factory outside London as base for most of the time I worked. I listened to his communications and found out that he was going to meet James Seymour in Oslo, which turned out to be a ruse to kill the League. The Americans had found out around the same time as me, and had sent Tom here" - he glanced at Tom, and Mycroft noted the fatherly pride there - "to re-gather the League to stop Maddox. I met them in Oslo, and the rest is history. There's where Dorian came in."
All eyes swerved to where Dorian sat.
"When I finally worked my way back to civilization, I managed to get my hands on a signal apparatus and by accident tuned into Maddox giving orders to some of his men," Dorian lied. In truth, he had heard about the plot while he served on one of the filthy cargo ships that had helped him get back to London from Mongolia, using the better of the three years. Some of the sailors had been discussing their cargo and he had overheard, thinking that it sounded suspiciously like the things that M had used. "I also happened to hear Nemo over the signal, talking to Sawyer. I thought I could help the League stop Maddox."
"Oh, the noble and honorable Dorian Gray," Skinner commented, sarcasm dripping form his voice heavily. "Did I forget to tell the nice policemen that he tried to kill us?"
"Skinner," several League members said in unison, "Shut up."
"Interesting set of circumstances," Pike said thoughtfully. "Very interesting; coincidental, even."
"True," Nemo agreed. "What of Jekyll? Is he alright?"
"The good doctor is being treated by one Dr. Watson. Rest assured he is in good hands," Mycroft replied. A silent sigh of relief seemed to come from the League members. "And I have a proposal for you."
"Proposal?" Mina asked. "Of what sort?"
"I think it would suit the Empire's best interests if the League stayed together," Mycroft said. "I think we can provide a sufficient retainer."
"You want us to stay the League?" Tom asked. Mycroft nodded.
"We can provide quarters and such," Pike said, thinking just like his superior. "Since all the original members are here, I think it be best."
"For the Empire," Skinner said.
"For the Empire," Mycroft echoed. "I beg you think it over. Give me your answer in two days."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
NAUTILUS LONDON DOCKS
Skinner watched as the sun replaced the moon among the stars, enjoying the cool morning and the cookies that Marie had baked. Jekyll's loving wife had rejoiced at his return from his adventure with the League, and thanked them by baking cookies for all. It was two days since Mycroft had brought forth his proposal. Skinner had no objections if it meant being close to Mina.
Well, as close as he could get, anyway.
He was jealous whenever he saw Dorian trying to win back Mina's heart. Allan and Tom were practicing their shooting during their free time; Mina did her experiments and helped with the injured while Dorian followed her around, trying to get to her to forgive him; Nemo was busy with all the matters that concerned his ship; Jekyll went back every night to his wife after helping Mina, and Skinner wandered around the ship, pestering all and getting on everybody's nerves.
Skinner was still a bit uncomfortable about the ripping of his coat, and had gotten a new one, courtesy of an not-so-apologetic Mina. She even threw in a compact of greasepaint. He found himself thinking of taking the antidote to his invisibility.
*I want Mina to see me.* He thought. *Being invisible...no one knows your there; gets lonely. But if I take it...then I wouldn't be much use to the League.* Skinner took out the clear bottle and studied it. It was unmarked, and he carried it with him everywhere. The antidote he had discovered in the burned-out remnants of the factory, made by one of the scientists before Nemo and Hyde had freed them. He had taken it with him after they'd left, had considered using it.
He thought back to the old days, before he had stolen the original invisibility process and made himself what he was today. He remembered how he looked...when he could actually look into the mirror and see something; see a man, a full-bodied, visible man. He gripped the bottle.
*To take, or not to take?* he asked himself, contemplating. *I want her to see me, yet...I want to help the League. And I used to look out for one only.* He chuckled to himself.
"Ah, the things we do for love," he said to no one in particular; there was no one else up on the deck. He looked at the bottle, threw it up slightly into the air and catching it again. He did this several times. *Mina, I love you, but I'm a coward and can't admit it to you. And Allan said I was a hero.*
*Heroes are brave, I guess...Am I brave? If I cannot be seen, then do I exist?*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
(#1) Readers may know Mr. Barnes from the 1899 story "The Nameless Man" by Rodriguez Ottolengui; as usual, I'm just using the name so I don't need to wrack my brains for one.
(#2) Same reason as the first one, and Dominicus Pike is the tobacco peddler 1834's "Mr. Higginbotham's Catastrophe" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. (I just got a new book on the 19th Century's best crime stories; can you blame me for being lazy?)
A/N: Chapter 9 will be up soon, and I think I'll stop at 10. Keep it short and simple, know what I mean? Anyway, if you review this chapter, pls tell me if you wan t Skinner to take the antidote or not! Depending on the feedback I get, I'll write as how you want it. Thanks for all the reviews for the previous chapter, I hope I don't let you down on this one!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
CHAPTER 8
LONDON, ENGLAND
DEEP IN THE CITY
STREETS OUTSIDE THE PALACE
Mina gave the area an once-over and then settled down on both feet on the ground, watching her step and trying to not to slip on the ground, soaked with blood. Her eyes were back to their usual green, and her elegant lips were now ruby-red, as if she just ate a lemon. The taste of the inside of her mouth would be enough to make others retch. The rhythmic click-click of her boots against the ground were muffled, replaced by splash-splash.
She met Allan at the foot of the Museum and were joined shortly by Tom.
"They went inside," she said simply. "They were following Maddox."
"Tell me if I'm wrong," Tom said, as he hefted the Winchester. "But was it just me or did I see Gray run past us just now?"
Mina sighed inwardly. "Yes."
"Well, boy, I'm dead and standing in front of you. I'm a mortal, too," Allan reminded him. "Gray's a bloody immortal." Tom did that thing with his head that looked like a half -nod.
"We can leave Nemo's men to finish Maddox's troops," Tom stated. "Besides, there aren't that many left."
"Well, you sure took your own bloody time!" a voice exclaimed next to Mina, who gave a little scream of surprise and jumped. She nearly fell but Allan caught her arm.
Skinner had come up next to Mina and had been listening in.
"Get a grip, man," Allan scolded then decided not to continue, because Nemo came out of the Museum with Maddox in hand.
"Well, now, there's our man!" Skinner called, full of enthusiasm.
"Nemo, where'd you get him?" Tom asked as he blinked. Maddox had a suit of armor's head piece stuck to his head.
"He was hiding in one of the suits of armors," Dorian replied, following behind Nemo and the struggling Maddox.
"And I kicked it," Skinner said proudly. "Gave one loud whoop, if you ask me. It's a wonder I'm not deaf!"
"You kicked his shin, Skinner," Nemo stated, matter-of-factly. Mina gave him an incredulous look.
"You kicked him?" Allan asked. "Of all things you could have done, Skinner, you had to kick him."
Skinner just chuckled. "Well, it got us our man; what's your complaint?"
"An effective, if...unconventional...way of doing things," Mina smiled. Skinner beamed even more because it came from her.
"And that begs the question," Nemo said, glancing at Dorian. "About you."
"Obviously, you haven't gotten over Ishmael," Dorian said dryly. Nemo's dark eyes narrowed in anger. Ishmael had been a good friend and crewmate; he had never really forgiven Dorian for his death. The immortal merely sheathed his cane-sword as smiled at Mina. "Miss me?"
"Hardly. What are you doing here?" she shot the question on everyone's lips.
"That's Dorian Gray?!" Maddox yelled through the mask. Skinner whacked the top of it and laughed when he heard the resounding echo.
"See? Even Maddy here knows you," Skinner joked, using a nickname for Maddox. Nemo raised a brow.
"I've been passing along fake information to Maddox all this while," he continued, not meaning to brag, just stating the facts. "It was I who informed the Americans about Maddox's plan in the first place." He looked at Tom, who was biting his lower lip and trying not to say anything that would prompt Dorian to slice open his jugular. He wasn't immortal.
"Where's Hyde?" Skinner asked suddenly, turning around. "More like, where's Jekyll? The potion would've burned out by now."
"Here," a voice responded weakly behind them. Allan, Tom and Mina turned while Dorian leaned forward for a close look as Skinner rushed to his friend's side.
"Oh god, Jekyll, what did you do to yourself?" Skinner asked, holding up the man, who was too weak to stand on his own. Mina ran over to help support his other arm.
"It seems," the doctor managed, "that Edward over-exerted himself this time."
"You need medical attention," Mina said, looking at Nemo, who held Maddox by the collar. "And we need to get his head out of there. Assuming, that is, if you want to do so."
Nemo nodded his agreement as Tom said, "Oh-oh. Heads up." He was looking to his left, towards the Palace. All their gazes turned and Skinner swore softly. A group of constables and baronet-wielding army men were running towards them.
"Oh, no," Allan muttered. "Bureaucrats."
"No, more like 'Oh, no, police.'" Tom pointed.
"Here we go," Mina muttered as one of those in the lead shouted a "Stop there! In the name of the Queen, you're under arrest. All of you".
"Want me to join you?" Skinner asked Allan. "I could always sneak away and enjoy my sherry, you know."
"Don't even try it," Tom threatened. Skinner didn't say anything as Tom tossed him his vest and the thief put it on, grudgingly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
LONDON, ENGLAND DEEP IN THE CITY MEETING ROOM, POLICE STATION
"Well, now, this is new," Skinner commented as he walked around the big meeting room that all of them (with the exception of Maddox and Jekyll, who was getting medical attention) had been placed in. "I didn't know that jail cells were like this. Last time I was here they were cells."
"You were kept in a holding cell before?" Dorian asked, not really wanting an answer. He was seated next to Mina on one side of the long meeting table made of gleaming marble.
"Yep. Those were in the early days of my profession...lets just say I wasn't as good as I am now," he replied.
"And you weren't invisible," Tom added as Skinner nodded. Skinner had returned the vest to Tom, but not before searching for any drinks; to his dismay, he found none. Allan was studying the room with the expertise of the hunter he was, taking in every little detail.
"This is obviously not the usual fare for prisoners," Mina said. "It seems that we are being given special attention."
"Most likely because of your fair face," Dorian said, and ignored Tom and Skinner's glares that said if he tried to make a move on her, they would kill him even though he couldn't die.
"You know, I've been asking myself," Tom said to Dorian. The young American sat opposite the two ex-lovers, keeping an eye on the man he knew as a traitor. "How you came back."
"It seems," Dorian explained, "That as long as my portrait isn't destroyed, I can still live even after my body dies. It pieced itself back together in the factory." As he said that, he regarded Mina, trying to see what she was feeling. She purposely kept her game face on. *Just like old times,* he thought. *Just like old times.*
"And you've become so noble as to help the League stop Maddox?" asked Nemo, who stood near the end of the table. Dorian visibly flinched and looked uncomfortable.
"I have my reasons," he finally answered. Mina kept quiet, not willing to explain about how the picture was related to the whole situation. The door at the end of the room opened to admit three men, one of them who had a massive build and a corpulent face that had sharp features, hawk-like and keen, closely linking him to his late brother, the great detective Sherlock Holmes.
"Hello, gentlemen, Mrs. Harker," Mycroft Holmes greeted. He sat down at the foot of the table, and Skinner stayed in his corner, watching as the other two stood at either elbow of their boss. "This is Detective Barnes (#1) from Scotland Yard and Inspector Dominicus Pike (#2), of Special Branch. My name is -"
"- Mycroft Holmes, brother of the great detective," Mina finished for him. "I take it you are from Special Branch, as well?"
"Indeed, Mrs. Harker," Mycroft inclined his head slightly. "I apologise for all your arrests; Scotland Yard and beyond are in an uproar about the...situation outside the Palace. They arrested everybody within the area."
Seemed that you guys cleared us out pretty fast," Tom observed.
"Yes. Well, the League members are easily recognizable," Mycroft said. "After Moriaty's death, the file and all information on you came to us at the Special Branch. I have been studying your profiles and when I learned about your...shall we say, involvement... I immediately sent word to Detective Barnes to release you."
Barnes gave an indignant humph, clearly not happy.
"Well, I say," Skinner spoke up, "All the better!" The thief sauntered up to the table and pulled out one of the chairs sat down, as evident in the slight depression on the cushion. Barnes and Pike both jumped and looked around wildly, as if they could see the speaker. Barnes stared as Skinner pulled out the chair. "I'd say these newbies weren't really briefed on us, were they?"
"There was limited time." Mycroft fidgeted. "I do have a few questions...First of all, what are Mr. Gray and Mr. Quatermain doing here?"
"I came back from the dead, and so did Gray," Allan explained. "For me, it was via witchdoctor and for him, his picture."
Mycroft was speechless for a moment, but then caught himself. "And, of course, I do want to know why you decided to bomb the outside of the Palace."
"Palace security is all in a fluster about that," Barnes added, speaking up. "They aren't happy about what you did."
"We did what we needed to do," Nemo shot back, glaring. "As the League." It was added pointedly, as if Nemo was trying to emphasis the point that he hated the Empire.
"I'm curious as to how you knew what Maddox's plans were," Pike said. It was quickly becoming apparent that he was the more patient of the two.
All of the League members looked at Allan, who sighed and said, "When I came back, my first instinct was to hide. Since Allan Quatermain was dead, I didn't want to argue with history. I got out of Africa and was in London when certain...contacts of mine informed me that Felix Maddox had gotten some modern weaponry that sounded very much like M's. I decided to check it out and I uncovered his plot. He had been using a factory outside London as base for most of the time I worked. I listened to his communications and found out that he was going to meet James Seymour in Oslo, which turned out to be a ruse to kill the League. The Americans had found out around the same time as me, and had sent Tom here" - he glanced at Tom, and Mycroft noted the fatherly pride there - "to re-gather the League to stop Maddox. I met them in Oslo, and the rest is history. There's where Dorian came in."
All eyes swerved to where Dorian sat.
"When I finally worked my way back to civilization, I managed to get my hands on a signal apparatus and by accident tuned into Maddox giving orders to some of his men," Dorian lied. In truth, he had heard about the plot while he served on one of the filthy cargo ships that had helped him get back to London from Mongolia, using the better of the three years. Some of the sailors had been discussing their cargo and he had overheard, thinking that it sounded suspiciously like the things that M had used. "I also happened to hear Nemo over the signal, talking to Sawyer. I thought I could help the League stop Maddox."
"Oh, the noble and honorable Dorian Gray," Skinner commented, sarcasm dripping form his voice heavily. "Did I forget to tell the nice policemen that he tried to kill us?"
"Skinner," several League members said in unison, "Shut up."
"Interesting set of circumstances," Pike said thoughtfully. "Very interesting; coincidental, even."
"True," Nemo agreed. "What of Jekyll? Is he alright?"
"The good doctor is being treated by one Dr. Watson. Rest assured he is in good hands," Mycroft replied. A silent sigh of relief seemed to come from the League members. "And I have a proposal for you."
"Proposal?" Mina asked. "Of what sort?"
"I think it would suit the Empire's best interests if the League stayed together," Mycroft said. "I think we can provide a sufficient retainer."
"You want us to stay the League?" Tom asked. Mycroft nodded.
"We can provide quarters and such," Pike said, thinking just like his superior. "Since all the original members are here, I think it be best."
"For the Empire," Skinner said.
"For the Empire," Mycroft echoed. "I beg you think it over. Give me your answer in two days."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
NAUTILUS LONDON DOCKS
Skinner watched as the sun replaced the moon among the stars, enjoying the cool morning and the cookies that Marie had baked. Jekyll's loving wife had rejoiced at his return from his adventure with the League, and thanked them by baking cookies for all. It was two days since Mycroft had brought forth his proposal. Skinner had no objections if it meant being close to Mina.
Well, as close as he could get, anyway.
He was jealous whenever he saw Dorian trying to win back Mina's heart. Allan and Tom were practicing their shooting during their free time; Mina did her experiments and helped with the injured while Dorian followed her around, trying to get to her to forgive him; Nemo was busy with all the matters that concerned his ship; Jekyll went back every night to his wife after helping Mina, and Skinner wandered around the ship, pestering all and getting on everybody's nerves.
Skinner was still a bit uncomfortable about the ripping of his coat, and had gotten a new one, courtesy of an not-so-apologetic Mina. She even threw in a compact of greasepaint. He found himself thinking of taking the antidote to his invisibility.
*I want Mina to see me.* He thought. *Being invisible...no one knows your there; gets lonely. But if I take it...then I wouldn't be much use to the League.* Skinner took out the clear bottle and studied it. It was unmarked, and he carried it with him everywhere. The antidote he had discovered in the burned-out remnants of the factory, made by one of the scientists before Nemo and Hyde had freed them. He had taken it with him after they'd left, had considered using it.
He thought back to the old days, before he had stolen the original invisibility process and made himself what he was today. He remembered how he looked...when he could actually look into the mirror and see something; see a man, a full-bodied, visible man. He gripped the bottle.
*To take, or not to take?* he asked himself, contemplating. *I want her to see me, yet...I want to help the League. And I used to look out for one only.* He chuckled to himself.
"Ah, the things we do for love," he said to no one in particular; there was no one else up on the deck. He looked at the bottle, threw it up slightly into the air and catching it again. He did this several times. *Mina, I love you, but I'm a coward and can't admit it to you. And Allan said I was a hero.*
*Heroes are brave, I guess...Am I brave? If I cannot be seen, then do I exist?*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
(#1) Readers may know Mr. Barnes from the 1899 story "The Nameless Man" by Rodriguez Ottolengui; as usual, I'm just using the name so I don't need to wrack my brains for one.
(#2) Same reason as the first one, and Dominicus Pike is the tobacco peddler 1834's "Mr. Higginbotham's Catastrophe" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. (I just got a new book on the 19th Century's best crime stories; can you blame me for being lazy?)
A/N: Chapter 9 will be up soon, and I think I'll stop at 10. Keep it short and simple, know what I mean? Anyway, if you review this chapter, pls tell me if you wan t Skinner to take the antidote or not! Depending on the feedback I get, I'll write as how you want it. Thanks for all the reviews for the previous chapter, I hope I don't let you down on this one!