Chapter Title: Chapter Nineteen: The Last Word

Chapter Author: Beck2

"She's some sort of monster…" The murmurings in the crowd were getting louder and more violent, and Mina was beginning to regret her decision to help keep citizen demise to a minimum. If Nemo didn't get finished with Orick soon, if he did win the battle, then she was going to have to take care of a few of the more annoying crowd members.

There were several gasps from the crowd as the doors behind her swung open and a silently triumphant Nemo strode out. She smelt even before she saw the blood that oozed from a wound in his shoulder. Regardless, he acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary and strode up to her.

"The deed is done, now we must go back to my lady." He said in his usual calm voice. He then turned to leave through the crowd, which parted before him. She glanced back through the open doors of the church, and hurried after him, not wanting to see the scene that would obviously follow.

Though, most of the crowd could say that this would be a day none of them would forget.

Looking around with his newly restored vision, he could see that the more political of their party would have much explaining to do.

Out in the water, the mostly sunken form of the Aurelius still belched smoke from holes still above the water. The water around it was turning an unhealthy gray. The Nautilus, still afloat, was tilting a bit and had several rips in her hull. Even so, the ship looked like the proud scarred victor of an incredible battle.

All around him were the defeated crew of the Aurelius, guarded by the riflemen of the Nautilus, all of which had a sort of silent smugness to their stances.

The town looked like it had been chewed on in some places. There were large holes in some walls that could have been made by a herd of raging elephants.

Or Hyde, which seemed to be a more reasonable assumption, oddly enough.

"I can't believe we missed all of the fun." Sawyer grumbled to the younger boy.

"I can't believe I didn't know my own luck." The boy commented. "I should have known I wouldn't get rid of you all that easy."

"I don't know why you don't like any of us."

The both jumped when the sign of a building that had already been hanging on by one thin chain clattered to the ground.

"Don't you?" The boy deadpanned, staring at the city.

"This isn't how it usually works out."

"Really?" The boy rung out some of his hair. "Isn't that—"

"A little help here!" Skinner stumbled out of an alleyway, dragging with him the pale body of Jekyll. Immediately he ran over to help.

"What happened?"

"'E fainted. Hyde almost beat me to a bloody pulp. Course I was partially responsible, but I still think 'e has something against me."

"Hyde has something against everyone." They handed him over to some of the doctors. Other than looking like hell, Jekyll seemed to be alright.

"'Ey, what are you doin' here? I would have thought you'd be long gone." Skinner patted the kid on the shoulder.

"I did too."

"As did I." Nemo came walking out from another alley, with Mina. He seemed triumphant.

"I take it you got 'im?"

"Yes."

"I can't believe I missed all the fun." Sawyer remarked again sullenly.

"Where were you Tom?" Mina looked slightly amused by his bedraggled appearance.

"I fell of the ship when the other boat hit the Nautilus."

"A little overenthusiastic about meeting the enemy, eh Tom?" Skinner grinned at him. He just rolled his eyes.

"Not that I mind your little reunion, actually, to be truthful, I do, but could you all get over yourselves and call your crew off? Clunky and I have places to go."

"Yes. There is still the question of you." Nemo said seriously. "You are a thief."

"I gave you the book."

"Only because it suited you to do so. You used it to bargain your way off my ship."

Sawyer watched the kid try to weasel himself out of another bad situation.

"If I hadn't given you information, you wouldn't have even known about the book."

"Again, you worked only for yourself."

"But he did save my life. He didn't have to." Sawyer broke in. "And even though he is a self satisfying little thief, he has proved he does good things sometimes."

"Well at least I have one person on my side." The boy commented sarcastically.

"Very well." Nemo said, ignoring the boy. "You choose Sawyer. You have a realistic view of the boy, and none of the sentimentalities." The last comment was directed towards Skinner. "You decide what to do with him."

Sawyer looked at the boy. The kid looked like he had been dragged through dirty dishwater, and his dog looked just as bad.

"Get out of here kid. If we catch you again though, all bets are off."

The kid looked totally taken off guard for a second, then he grinned and nodded.

"Wouldn't have it any other way govnah'. Come along Clunky. G'day Skinner, I'd say hope to see you again, but we'll see, shall we?" The kid practically ran into the city with his dog and disappeared into the crowds.

There was a low groan as Jekyll came to, and Mina went over to check on him.

"So, we won. Now what?"

"We repair the Nautilus. That will take several weeks. Until then, we must find another way to bring these men to justice in London."

"Another ship, maybe?"

Nemo looked at Skinner as if he had said something totally outrageous. He almost had to stifle a laugh at the look of masked indignation.

A small group of people detached themselves from the city and marched down the street towards them.

"Bloody…politicians. I'm out, you all can deal with them, and I already dealt with them once. I need a drink." Skinner turned away from them.

"I have patients to deal with." Mina said from her examination of the still very pale Jekyll.

"I appear to be a patient." Henry said with an apologetic smile.

"And I must have a shoulder wound tended to. I believe that leaves you, Sawyer, to deal with them."

"Excuse me? I'm no good at that sort of thing!" He protested quickly.

"Yes, but Skinner was the only one available a moment ago, and he did just fine. You'll do wonderfully." Mina said in a swift, no nonsense all business tone.

"But…" It was no use. His so called 'comrades' were turning away from him. He would be left to fight one of his toughest enemies.

"What went on here?!" One of the men bellowed, a short balding man. Sawyer resigned himself to his fate, and tried to think of something.

"Well…ahh….Damn it. Alright, it's really easy to explain…"

THE END

Thank you all for sticking around till the end of my story. You all have been so wonderful with your comments and your constant support, and your patience with my inability to keep a good update system going. I want to say it's been wonderful fun, and ff.net, reviewers, and my own criticism willing, I'd like to count this story as a success.

Fritz Will Get You: Aww, don't cry. I did my best to update within a week, and I hope you liked it!

Niani: Well, I'm glad you liked it, even though no Skinner torture. Though, I noticed that Skinner is tortured a lot in fanfiction, though you usually see it in Jekyll and Sawyer. I think that the person that really doesn't get tortured all that much is Nemo.

Silent Bob 546: Well, I know it wasn't much, but the holy people's reaction to her was there, and I'm glad you liked the chapter so well. I hope you liked the ending as well!

Clez: It's here! Look no further. I'm glad you liked the fight, I'm always nervous about the fight scenes I write. I hope you like the ending!

Steffi-333:I'm glad you found the last chapter so enjoyable. I hope you like the last chapter as well.

Thank you all again and please leave your final comments on your way out.