A/N: Wow, when my muses are free, they waste no time in inspiring me. This whole chapter started out going where I wanted it to go, then it randomly changed direction on me. Ah, oh well. I think it turned out nicely. Any-who, I'm glad you all enjoyed Mortie. She's fun. Ah, and now a little bit [ok, a lot] of Davis torture…
Cecily Marla Smith – Aw… thanks. Now, you get to find out! ::wink, wink::
Morph – Hehehe! I think Mortie's one of my favorites.
Lilren – In what way does Mortie seem familiar? So, how did you get the plushie to transform?
Nicky007 – Cucumber mask… um… thanks? Just kidding. Yummy!
Crystal Nox – Lord only know where the story will lead! This story is a whole lotta plot-twists! Oy! Ah, oh well! It's fun to twist the plot… ::grabs plot and twists it:: Look, a plot pretzel!
Skinner had given Otto's descriptions of Cabrilyn's parents to Mortie, who promised she would do her very best to find them as quickly as her resources would allow. Skinner had also given Mortie the address of their current residence, so she could relay her information. Tom had not been in full support of Skinner giving her the address. While, Mortie seemed to have a certain respect for Skinner, he could not be sure if she would not try to make off with a few of Dorian's possessions in the midst of delivering her information. He was more worried for Mortie's well-being than that of Dorian's belongings – the Lord only knew what the immortal would do if he caught Mortie raiding his house.
When Tom voiced his opinion, Skinner merely laughed. "Mortie's a tough one, Sawyer. It'd take more than old Dorian to bring her down."
"You forget – 'old Dorian' can't even be touched, much less killed," Tom replied as they rounded the corner, Dorian's home coming into full view. Jekyll sat on the front step just out of the rain, immersed in his book. Loud shouts issued from inside.
Skinner and Tom exchanged glances, then sped up their pace. "Doctor," Tom called. Jekyll blinked and looked up from his reading. "What the heck is goin' on in there?"
Jekyll looked back at the doors behind him, then at Tom. "It's Dorian." He replied as if this were old news. "He's gotten into a shouting match with Davis. He'd of killed Davis a long time ago, but Davis is doing a good job of staying… out of sight, if you will. The others have retired to the Nautilus," he said, motioning to the silver-white vessel docked not far away, "But I wanted to stay close… just in case Dorian actually got a hold of him."
There was the sound of porcelain smashing followed by Dorian's angry shouts. Skinner raised an eyebrow. "I almost feel sorry for Davis… almost."
Davis and Dorian were causing more damage to the library than any of M or Reed's gunmen could ever do. Furniture and books lay strewn about the room, creating a chaotic obstacle course. Davis stumbled, knocking over yet another piece of furniture, this one bearing a porcelain vase. It smashed to the floor, fueling Dorian's temper. Davis cursed under his breath and scrambled to the opposite side of the room while Dorian threatened every possible aspect of his life. The immortal searched unsuccessfully for the invisible man – Davis had shed his clothes a while back. His clumsiness was what gave him away.
Dorian seethed with silent anger, but not for Davis. His anger had another source… He kept a close eye on the furniture, waiting for a chair to tip, or a table to move. Davis cowered in the corner, not daring to even breathe. He racked his brain, trying to remember what he'd done to set Dorian off like that… Dorian had been coming from the direction of Jekyll's room… all Davis had said was "Good day, Mr. Gray…" Then Dorian just went off, yelling something or other – Davis had been too startled to hear what exactly. He'd stumbled back into the wall, knocking a framed painting from it… then Dorian really lost it.
"Where are you?" The immortal muttered, strolling steadily toward Davis' corner. "Where… are… you…?" Dorian was getting closer. Davis held his breath, praying he would not be found. Dorian cursed and turned away and Davis let out an inaudible sigh of relief, accidentally knocking the bookshelf with his elbow. Dorian reeled around, his eyes fixed on the corner. With a quick sidestep, the immortal passed through the bookcase.
The bookcase rocked, and a book dropped from the uppermost shelf, missing Davis by mere inches. The man yelped and scrambled to get out of the way as the rain of books increased. He leapt clear of the bookcase as the entire thing came crashing down, catching the side of his head on a lamp hanging from the wall. Davis cursed again as he clapped a hand to the spot, feeling blood. Dorian came stepping from the debris, heading straight for the invisible man.
Davis did the only thing he could to against Dorian – he ran. His foot came across the edge of the rug and he stumbled, only then did he pause and look at the debris that lay between him and the door… Suddenly, a memory came to him like a flash of lightning… It was some kind of army boot camp. The air was thick and humid, the smell of rain wafted on the warm breeze. Half buried in mud, was an obstacle course. His comrades watched him with anticipation as the instructor put a whistle to his wind-chapped lips and blew… Davis took off like a shot, dodging upturned chairs, leaping over strewn books with an agility he did not know he had. He was nearly gone before Dorian realized where he was and gave chase. With a giant leap, Davis hurdled one last table and was home free.
The door swung open, nearly scaring Jekyll out of his wits. It slammed quickly again as Davis all but collapsed onto the cement, panting heavily. "Davis?" Jekyll asked. "What on Earth…?"
Davis muttered only three words before fatigue overtook him: "Dorian's… gone… crazy…" And then he just passed out. Jekyll dropped his book and tried to haul Davis over to the Nautilus.
Suddenly Dorian came charging through the door. "Where is he? Where is the little…?"
"Dorian, stop," Jekyll demanded. He did not know what reason Dorian had for being so angry with Davis, nor did he care how legitimate a reason it was, he was not about to let Dorian just murder someone.
The immortal turned on Jekyll. "You," he said, malice dripping from his very words. "You stay out of this." Jekyll stood his ground in the pouring rain. Dorian fumed. Jekyll was the real reason for his rage… Jekyll and Mina. He'd just loosed his frustration on the first person that happened his way – Davis. Now, though, Jekyll was standing right here… he could finish it all, right now…
A gunshot rang out, and Dorian looked up towards the Nautilus. Tom, backed by the rest of the League, as well as Otto and Cabrilyn, stood not far from the Nautilus, pistol drawn. Calmly the American slid his pistol back into its holster. "Dorian," he said. "Get away from him." Dorian did not move. Tom raised a brow. "Now."
The immortal scoffed. He was not the least bit intimidated my Tom and his guns. There was nothing any of them could do. No harm could befall him – he was already dead. He seized Jekyll and was about to beat the living daylights from him. Suddenly, Dorian was seized from behind and pulled to the ground. Jekyll was sent sprawling on the street. Dorian looked absolutely baffled and struggled to get up, but was kicked back to the ground and pinned beneath the muddied boot of his attacker. Dorian was bewildered – he had literally been untouchable… he still was. The rain still passed through him as it did ten seconds ago. Again he struggled to rise, but Otto held him down firmly.
"How… how…?" Dorian stuttered, looking up at the young man.
Otto looked the immortal square in the eye. "Don't touch him again. Ever." He let out a small, wolf-like growl before removing his boot from Dorian, who just stayed on the wet road, trying to figure out what happened. He went to Jekyll, who had watched this entire scene from the ground, looking just as confused as Dorian. Otto extended a hand. Jekyll took it gratefully and Otto hauled him to his feet.
"Otto, thank you, but…?" Jekyll began.
"I figure I owe you," Otto replied.
"Owe me? For what?"
In reply, Otto glanced back at Mina, who was studiously ignoring the others' questions and remarks. She nodded to him. "For keeping my secret."
"I does not have to be a secret, you know," Jekyll replied, now all of his suspicions about Otto were confirmed – he was indeed the werewolf. "It is only a few weeks until the next full moon, and you could use all the help you could get." The pair cast a glance at the rest of the League. "Of course," Jekyll said. "This might take a bit of explaining."
A/N: Jeez. Jealousy will really drive you mad! ::bursts out into El Tango De Roxanne from Moulin Rouge and dances around:: I think Davis sums it up best when he said "Dorian's… gone… crazy…" Hehehe, poor guy. He just happened to catch Dorian right on his way from seeing Jekyll and Mina's little "moment." Not good timing! XD