Author's note: Thanks for the reviews … you guys make my day! This chapter is kinda short – sorry about that – but I've been absolutely rushed off my feet over the last week, and I had MAJOR writer's block … so let me know what you think!
Clez: Thanks. I did make it kind of obvious who was under threat, didn't I?! Still ... not all is as it seems ... ;-)
Crystal: Thanks! As for why Skinner was arrested ... if I tell you "all will be revealed soon" will you trust me and wait – or will you kill me for adding more suspense?! You see, this story is going to be full of angst as everyone complains about being back in the League, and Skinner's arrest is related to that. Sorry! I promise it will get sorted out ...
Niani: I'm evil? Excellent :-p Thanks :-)
Drowchild: Lol – Sawyer's arrived ... along with his angst :-p
Vic: Glad you like it :-)
Chapter 4 : The Innocents
Roger Barnes opened the door. "Have you come to a decision?"
Mina acted as spokeswoman: "Yes we have. The League will be reformed."
Barnes let forth a sigh of relief. "Thank you –"
"Wait," Mina said, raising a hand. "The League will be reformed, but it will be up to us – as the League to decide for how long the arrangement will stand. At present, we have agreed to reform until we have completed this mission. If our decision changes, we shall notify you."
Barnes looked slightly taken aback. "Is – is that your final decision?"
"Yes, it is," Sawyer told him brusquely. "Now, is there anything else you can give us about this Shadowman?"
Barnes dropped a file on the table. "This is a copy of all our records relating to the Shadowman. As for the house that Skinner went to, we've searched it. The Shadowman must have left it just after Skinner took the files from him." He turned to leave the room, but paused at the door. "Good luck." He nodded at policemen, who unlocked the handcuffs on Skinner's wrists, and then followed Barnes out the door.
"Well," Skinner said. "Here we go."
Nemo agreed to let them back on the Nautilus, and it was there that the League spent that night, gathered in the dining room discussing plans. "We should make up a list of those who would be likely to be in danger," Jekyll said, "including myself and Mina. Just because Skinner got the files back on us, doesn't mean that the Shadowman does not know who to target." He gestured towards Mina. "Mrs Harker? Can you think of anyone?"
Mina shook her head. "I have no family alive, and no true friends in Berlin. Any friends I had in London I lost many years ago. I cannot think of anyone who will be harmed by knowing me."
Nemo too was unable to think of a person closely associated with him, but Skinner had no difficulty. "My girlfriend Abigail."
Sawyer choked on his mouthful of food. "You – you have a girlfriend!" he exclaimed incredulously. "How did that happen?"
"Well," Skinner began, "we met in a tavern one night, and we went back to my house and –"
"Thank you Mr Skinner," Mina inturrupted loudly. "Where is your girlfriend?"
"At her house – she lives in the country."
"We should make arrangements to bring Abigail abroad the Nautilus," Nemo said. "Sawyer?"
Tom paused. "Becky Thatcher," he said. "She's a friend."
"Just a friend?" Skinner asked; Sawyer retaliated by hitting him where he assumed Skinner's head was.
"Yes," he said loudly – too loudly – "just a friend."
"Where is Miss Thatcher?" Mina asked.
"Missouri – my home." Sawyer looked a little wistful. Jekyll dragged him back to the present by asking:
"What relation is Miss Thatcher to you?"
"A friend," Sawyer replied. "I've known her for years."
The rest of the League exchanged glances; they were all thinking exactly the same thing – though in different words – Sawyer's found a girlfriend. This annoyed Mina more than it should have, and she couldn't think why. Her vampiric urges were becoming stronger, and she couldn't concentrate properly. Her eyes flashed red for a second, before she forced the urges down and her mind to concetrate on the matter at hand.
"We should find Miss Thatcher and warn her of her danger," Mina said. "Dr Jekyll? Can you think of anyone?"
Jekyll shook his head. "No…"
Nemo stood up. "Skinner – you should notify Abigail of the situation. You have three days, before we must leave for America."
"So where do we go to find the Shadowman?" Sawyer asked.
Mina smiled – that was more like the Sawyer she had known. "I believe," she said, "that he will find us."
Later that night, one of Nemo's crewmen was making a standard inspection of the conning tower; but when he reached there, he was greeted by a familiar face. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to intrude …"
The figure gestured him to silence. "Do not worry about it; I will be coming down in a few minutes. I am just getting a breath of fresh air."
The crewman nodded. "I'll leave you." He proceeded back down the tunnel; but he couldn't help thinking that it was an odd time to get a breath of fresh air … and what had the person been clutching in their hand? Had that been a … knife? But why would –
His thought was cut off as a knife thudded into his back; he fell without a cry. "You chose the wrong time to check the conning tower," said the figure quietly, pulling out the knife and returning to their station on top of the tower.
They were waiting – waiting for a signal, telling them to go ahead, or to wait. After about 15 more minutes, a light shone briefly on a nearby tower, then flashed on two mores times. "Three lights," the figure murmured. "So the game begins …"
AN: Who is this mysterious figure? *laughs* I'm not actually sure myself yet … let me put it this way; I know who it ISN'T cos I've already written the last few lines of this fic … but I'm tossing up about who this person should be …
Yes I know it's another cliffhanger … sorry! But I really wanted to get this done so I can start the new chapter afresh and try to get a run at it … next update should *fingers crossed* be a large update. Review pleeeease!