Chapter: Ten: The Aftermath of a Burnt Life

Author: Beck2

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"Nothing." Tom shrugged exasperatedly as he looked around at the burnt walls. Everything had been destroyed. Fire left no survivors.

Literally and metaphorically.

Mina was looking at a bookcase that had been blackened by soot, trying to pull a book out that wouldn't explode into ashes on contact.

That had happened the first time. Now he would have to take a shower.

It would never cease to amaze him that the vampire that pulled the book out of the bookcase didn't get on ounce of soot on her, but just because he was walking by he got covered in it.

She may have done it on purpose. But until he had proof, he was going to act like that never crossed his mind.

"Keep looking. The fire may have burnt everything, but something may still be salvaged." She kept her eyes on the bookcase. She was cleaning away soot with a small brush. It looked like she was brushing away a good bit of the book too. But she was determined to find something.

Had to admire that about her.

"So what do you think about all this?" He asked suddenly. She barely glanced up.

"What?"

"This whole mission and this ship."

"I think that it could become a serious problem. And Captain Nemo will not let it rest until it is dealt with."

"All I know is that it's a lousy way to spend a few weeks." Sawyer returned jokingly. She rolled her eyes and started brushing away soot again. There was silence between the two for a moment. Then a sudden groan in the beams caused Mina to jump, accidentally putting her brush through a book and making it explode into a flurry of ash.

Sawyer tried to keep his lips from curling into a smirk. The building was just settling back into a position, it always happened after there were fires, even though there was little chance that the building itself would collapse. Still, smiling might get him in deep trouble, which wasn't something he particularly wanted. Especially not with someone that could probably fling him out the window as easily as swatting an insect.

Mina had soot settling on her white shirt, and she was glaring ferociously at the timber that creaked, and if that plank had been alive, it would have un nailed itself and ran down the stairs and out of this building.

"That probably wasn't what we were looking for anyway." He tried to say consolingly. The comment got him a crimson eyed glare.

"And how do you suppose that, Mr. Sawyer?" Her tone, polite as it was, was laced with heavy sarcasm.

"Well…" He had to think quickly. If he blew it now, she probably wouldn't talk to him for the remainder of the mission, which to him would be a worse tragedy than anything the fake Nautilus could dish out. "I figure if I had something really important, something people would kill for, I wouldn't be hiding it in plain sight on a bookcase. That's what I figure."

She looked a bit taken aback. "Yes. Yes, I suppose that does make sense." She looked back at the bookcase. "Though, It didn't hurt to try and look. For all we know he was below average intelligence."

"True." Sawyer swiftly agreed. Though in truth, he didn't think that could be a case. Still, agreeing was better than being given the silent treatment.

"We should look for hidden panels."

"Hunh?" Sawyer said intelligently.

"Panels. Perhaps he hid something behind a panel of wood, or a shelf in a dresser."

"Oh." Sawyer gladly went to work. He pulled out his pistol and used the handle to tap the walls. As long as he was doing something, everything was fine. He never much liked being the one that wasn't doing anything. He was a man of action.

He circled around the entire room but came up with absolutely nothing. The walls were not hollow, nor were they thick, he realized when he had accidentally put a hole into the wall when he tapped too hard. Mina had just about as much luck, when she checked into the dressers. She was checking the last drawer when she clicked in anticipation. He walked over to look as she pulled a piece of wood out of the drawer. Under that wood panel…

Nothing. Though there was an interesting form in the dust.  It looked like a book had been placed there.

It was amazing dust survived where books were exploding into clouds of ash. Not that he thought about it, the fact that this desk hadn't been burned to the floor was probably a miracle. Fire was a tough thing to predict.

"Another dead end." He sighed. "Think whoever set the fire snagged the book too?"

"Most likely." She agreed. "Though he may have sent it away. In any case, it is not here."

"Guess there's not much more we can do here."

"Yes. We should go back to Nemo and tell him of our findings, or lack thereof." She walked towards the door with her unnatural grace. Sawyer twirled his pistol once and holstered it, took one glance around the room, then followed.

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A chapter completely of Mina and Sawyer? That unasked request has been answered.

Apologies for late update, I had formatting problems with another story, and I have to finish one thing before I start another (in the way of chapters, not stories).

Asteria: 'Go write the Danny story'? I'm glad you like it so much! Reviews like that always amuse me for some reason. I hope to see more of your story soon as well.

Clez: Like you asked, I didn't forget! I hope you liked it!

Rayne: Well, he may just be a really smart dog. I don't know as of yet. No worries about not reviewing, I'm just glad you like it.

Steffi-333: Wow! I'm so glad when I get new reviewers! I think it's a bit of a pity that I can't see how many people have me on their favorite stories lists, but hearing that people do always makes me happy. Thank you!

Niani: I agree, most everything with Skinner is good. Not one bit of Skinner in this though, but I'll bring him back next chapter.

Rogue77: I love that song. Oldies rock. I'm glad you like it!

Please leave your comments on the way out!