(sings) Sucky, sucky chapter, sucky sucky, chapteeeeeer!!! And no comments for today, so I'll jump straight to the so-called point! Watch your step.

- - -

"No! Absolutely not!" Jekyll told her, his arms crossed over his chest. He knew that he looked like a stereotypical parent, but so what? Adria sighed.

"I can't go to America, even if I like to! I have to get off and get back to my uncle's hotel.

How long have I been here anyway? Never mind that, just tell me why I can't go home."

Jekyll tried to find a good explanation, but was interrupted by Hyde's voice.

Because she's a potential murderer who will go berserk in London while we're away, hm? Or is it because you still want to...

"Because I'm not sure that you can take it. I don't know how your body will react to work so soon. And if it can't take it, then I will be around to take care of you. Other doctors can't tell exactly what I have done." Jekyll explained quickly to interrupt Hyde. Adria gave him a questioning look.

"But I'm fine! It's just..." she began, but paused at the end as if she hesitated to say it. "...scars now."

"But do you have any idea if you're infected with anything?"

"What? Why would I be that?"

Jekyll could've bitten his tounge off.

"Uh... you never know. We don't know what hurt you in the first place or where it have been."

Adria gave up.

"Alright, alright, fine. I'll just send him a small letter or something before we go. How long do you plan to stay?"

"I don't know exactly, but I don't think we'll be there more than three weeks."

Adria shook her head.

"I'm going to have a lot to explain when I get back... But thanks for caring, doctor."

"Oh, it's nothing."

Adria looked around in the room.

"Doctor? Do you have another room? Nothing too much, just a small place for myself during the trip."

"I don't know, I think you should ask captain Nemo about that. It's his ship after all."

Why don't you offer her our room? Or the ice room? Better safe than sorry, or what do they say?

Jekyll stared at the wall and tried his best not to answer. He had promised himself not do do it in public again.

"Are you alright?"

He was torn out of concentration and looked at Adria. She looked as confused as he must have done.

"Yes, yes, nothing wrong with me. I was just thinking."

"You must have very interesting thoughts then, if they can keep you that busy with them."

Jekyll smiled weakly.

"They can keep me busy alright."

That was not nice, Henry. For shame.

Be quiet!

"So, do you know where I can find the captain?"

"Most likely in the control room. If he's not there, then just ask around."

She thanked him and left. When Jekyll was sure that she was out of hearing distance, he took out his pocket watch.

I still say you should have offered her our room. There's so little fun to be had around here now.

"Edward, stop. I'm old enough to be her father, grandfather maybe. I will not try anything."

Isn't that part of the fun?

"I don't love her." He said. He knew he didn't.

No, you don't. You want just the same thing I do, don't you? Let me put it like this, then. I want her, you want her, lock the fucking door next time she comes to complain about something!

To his horror, Jekyll realized that he actually considered it.

"No!" he gasped.

Ha! You DO want it! Shut up then and have a bottle ready the next time she comes. I'm sure she likes it rough.

Jekyll sat down on the bed and leaned his head in his hands.

"No, Edward. I don't want to hurt her. I... you're right. I do want her, but not like that. I don't want to force her to do anything."

Then let me do it. We'll probably have some time to spare for that vampire too, right?

"Let's say I did let you do it then, Edward. Let's say I did let you out to take her. You know what she is, what if she hurts you? Remington told us even a scratch is enough to be infected, what do you think would happen to us if we were infected? What would happen to us, Edward?"

There was silence for a while, both in the room and in Jekyll's head. He didn't wait for an answer, he got up and put the watch pack into his pocket.

"I need some fresh air..." he muttered and left.

- - -

Talon took a deep breath and smiled.

"It feels good to be back on solid ground again, doesn't it?"

One of the vampires in her crew gave a by-passer a hungry look before he went back to his chores. Talley laid a hand on Talon's shoulder.

"I have been on solid ground for quite some time now." He said quietly and smiled. To him, it still felt strange to be happy.

"And you should be damn happy about it too, Greg."

"Oh, I am. Believe me."

"Why would I?" she scoffed and pushed his hand away. She tried to keep her face serious, but it broke up in a grin anyway.

"Talley!"

Talley turned around and saw Jones glaring at him by the ship. He sighed and left Talon. When he stopped at Jones' side, he seemed to want to slap him over his head.

"You and your little plaything can talk later. Here are the directions to their brand new home. Guide them there, don't forget the supplies." He said and gave him a piece of paper.

"Where are you going then?"

"Me? I'm going to make some tracks." He answered with something that would look like a smile.

"I'm sure. Why?"

"So this whole journey would have a point, of course!" he said and left. Talon looked at him while he went and came to Talley.

"He's mad, isn't he?"

Talley shrugged.

"In the beginning, I thought he was just too intelligent for his own good. Now, I'm not so sure. You can take better care of this than me." He said and gave the paper to Talon. She looked at it and smiled.

"It feels good to get a place I can call home again."

"I know exactly how you feel." Talley said and put his arm around her shoulders.