Disclaimer:- Yes, me again. Thanks to Nathan-Daystorm for the chapter title. Don't own LXG, do you honesty think I do? No one commented on the fact that Nemo gave Tom blood without anyone checking to see if the blood was the same group. Glad no-one noticed, but if anyone does, then here is the reasoning. In the novel Dracula, there are a few blood transfusions, without any checking. So I'm coping that. Thank you to the reviewers from last time, and also to Bloodshootingstar, my temporary beta. Here are the Shout Outs;

Leigh S. Durron:- What didn't happen? Did something happen? ::Runs around in circles, looking for the thing that 'didn't' happen.:: As for Tom... remember, there is always hope. And you can't kill my baddie! I need her!

Funyun:- Glad you found it believable and also that the slap wasn't corny. I was really worried about that and nearly didn't add it. So I'm glad it worked. And yes... Jekyll was acting odd... but why? ::Evil grin::

Queerquail:- Yeah, the blood transfusion is just like Dracula. Meh, I've done worse to Tom.

Clez:- I thought it was in my nature to torment Tom? And here is the more you wanted.

Graymoon74:- I have got to stop reading your reviews while drinking a drink! Tom as a little love slave indeed... ::dreamy smile. Shakes self.::And yes, Tom does have a certain charm doesn't he...

Ellina HOPE:- Thank you.

And now...

On The Wall

Marlene watches from the wall

Her mocking smile says it all

As she records the rise and fall

Of every soldier passing

But the only soldier now is me

I'm fighting things I cannot see

I think it's called my destiny

That I am changing

Marlene on the wall

Marlene on the wall, By Suzanne Vega

:::

Part 4- Temperance

It was Skinner who noticed the signs of life from Tom first.

Tom's chest rose and then instead of falling as it always did, it seemed to catch there for a second before falling. The invisible thief sat up in the chair he had been sitting in, as if was his turn to sit with Tom and watch over him. At the entrance to the infirmary stood two of Nemo's men, keeping guard over the sleeping American Agent. They didn't know if the Vampire was planning to come back and finish off Tom, or if it thought Tom was already dead. Either way, Nemo and the rest of the League were taking no chances.

"Sawyer?" Skinner whispered, scanning Tom's pale face. The eyelids fluttered weakly and slowly bright green eyes opened and stared at Skinner in confusion. "Sawyer, you're awake at last!" Skinner said with relief. Tom opened his mouth to answer him then stopped and settled instead for a simple nod. Skinner didn't see the nod though, as he had already turned from Tom and pulled the white curtains open slightly to tell the rest of the League. The harsh white light which had been muted while the curtains were shut now rushed into the small space and Tom winced, shutting his eyes.

At the other end of the infirmary Mina and Jekyll were talking quietly. The former looked slightly annoyed as she stared at Jekyll who seemed even more twitchy than normal – a compete opposite of how he had been acting at breakfast this morning.

"Why did you stop the transfusion?" Mina hissed, keeping her voice low. "Agent Sawyer needed at least another quarter of a pint."

"I stopped the transfusion because even though Sawyer could have used more blood, I was not convinced that Nemo would survive if we took any more from him." Dr. Jekyll snapped back. He flinched slightly, his eyes fixed on a point just over Mina's left shoulder as if he was having an internal augment with Hyde. In actual fact, his alter ego was silent and had not spoken or even tried to antagonize the good doctor all day. Nevertheless, it was a useful trick when he wanted to end a conversation, a sneaky trick and one that he was sure Edward would approve of – it only Edward would talk to him again.

Edward? Did I upset you somehow? Henry asked. The question was not answered and simply rested in their shared mind. Henry Jekyll had never thought he would miss Edward Hyde and he did enjoy being able to look at Mina without his head being filled with gleeful comments about what he, Hyde would like to do to the woman, but even so... this sudden silence was strange and Jekyll didn't like that one little bit.

"Jekyll! Nemo! Mina!" Skinner called, his white face peering out of the curtained off area. "He's awake!"

Nemo lifted himself up from the bed he had been resting on and walked regally over towards him, Jekyll and Mina hurrying over from where they had been standing.

The group filed in through the curtains to stand in a group around Tom's bed. He lay on his back, staring straight up at the ceiling, an unreadable expression on his face. They gathered around him, each looking to the other, waiting for someone else to speak first. Skinner nudged Mina in the ribs and nodded his head towards Tom.

"Agent Sawyer..." Mina said stiffly. Tom turned his head to look at her. The normally bright and cheerful green eyes were now filled with a sheen of tears, a range of emotions flashing behind the water, each appearing and lasting for no more than a second before being replaced by some other feeling.

"...Yes?" Tom whispered, his voice horse. He didn't add anything else, as he had an odd reluctance to talk about what had happened and so wasn't going to help her at all.

"What happened?" She asked. Tom blinked, the movement causing a few tears to fall. He looked away before taking a deep breath and pushing down on his hands, forcing himself upwards into a sitting position. He bowed his head, still not being able to meet her gaze before lifting a hand and pulling down on his collar to show her the bite marks. Nemo coughed lightly and tapped Skinner on his shoulder, pointing away from the bed and towards the exit. Skinner nodded, showing he understood and the two nodded at Tom then quietly left the area. Jekyll looked uncomfortable and with a muttered excuse he fled the area as well, leaving Mina alone with Tom.

"Agent Sawyer... Tom." Mina said, her voice swelling with pity, her hand reaching out to touch his hair. Tom shook his head, leaning it slightly away.

He didn't want her pity.

"Tom." Mina said again, the pity no longer sounding in her voice, the woman now realized that it was the last thing he would want. She cupped a hand under his chin and gently lifted his face until it was level with her own. The two stared eye to eye for a few moments, Mina's gaze direct, Tom's darting all over the room, then being drawn back to her eyes.

"I didn't want her to stop..." Tom whispered, the words sounding empty and dull. Now that he had finally allowed eye contact to be established he found he couldn't look away. "I did at first but then... oh God, help me. I wanted her to do what she did to me."

"Tom... did... did she make you drink some of her blood?" Mina asked slowly. Instantly Tom's eyes skittered away and that was all the answer Mina needed.

"I tried to stop her, I tried to fight her. She pushed my face in it and I couldn't breath, she wouldn't let me until some of her blood had found its way into my body. And then... Oh My God!" Tom buried his head in his hands, his whole body shaking, the words becoming increasingly jumbled as he confessed his sins.

"I started to enjoy the taste and then... and then I couldn't stop and instead of the blood being something disgusting that was forced upon me I started to drink it because I wanted it. She had to pull me away to stop me... why? Why did I act like that? What's wrong with me?" He asked in dispare.

"Nothing is wrong with you Tom." Mina answered. Tom gave a short bitter laugh and Mina pressed on. "There is something in Vampire's blood that makes it additive. Not only that but this Vampire would have used her thrall on you... it's what they do to any person they plan to... to sire."

"Is that what happened to you?" Tom asked. Mina slowly nodded.

"He only made me drink from him once, but he drank from me time after time and I let him, unable to stop him and although I hated and was disgusted by what happened I drank from him willingly. It was only after Van Helsing and Dr. Steward burst into the room, forcing Dracula to let me go did my senses return to me and I realized what I had done..."

"Van Helsing? Dr. Steward?" Tom asked with interest, his own problems forgotten for the time. Mina nodded, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"Men. Good men. They were part of the group of men that included my husband who set out to destroy the evil Count Dracula. Dr. Steward fell in love with my best friend, though he was turned down by her. Dracula killed her, but before he did, Steward had called in the help of his mentor, Professor Van Helsing, who knew what was happening to her and knew how to stop the evil. Though it came at a high price." She stopped talking, her face showing all the signs that this was a topic she didn't want to talk about any more.

"I threw up the blood. Once she had left... I staggered to the toilet and thew it up."

"Good. That will slow the change." Mina said with approval. Tom's eyes widened, a hint of fear lurking in the depths of his pupils.

"Only slow?" He asked. Mina sighed and nodded.

"We have to kill the Vampire... what was she like?"

"She said her name was Becky. I don't... I don't think that was her real name. She has blond hair..." Tom said slowly, feeling as if he was talking though a mouthful of sticky honey.

"Any clues as to who she was?" Mina asked. Tom frowned, his mind traveling over everything Becky had said to him.

She knew Mina's name... but that might not mean anything... but why would she mention Mina over any of the others... unless she knew Mina was also a Vampire...

"Tom?"

"No. No, there is nothing else. She didn't really talk at all you see." Tom said, his voice falling him at the end and he rubbed at his throat, it feeling dry and itchy. Mina nodded and silently handed him a glass of water. She couldn't shake the feeling that the scent of the other Vampire was familiar somehow if only she could remember where she had smelt it before...

:::

Skinner paced up and down the infirmary, his gaze straying to the closed area where Tom was every few seconds. After his talk with Mina, the female Vampire had left, presumably to try and track the other down. Nemo had returned to his quarters to rest, which left Skinner and Jekyll along with a few of Nemo's sailors to guard Tom and hope their new enemy didn't try again. Skinner grumbled quietly to himself as he neared the curtained area.

Glancing over his shoulder he saw Jekyll head towards the door, no doubt to talk to the sailors about something. He slipped in between the gap and walked closer to the bed, to assure himself that Tom was okay. The young spy was lying on his back, asleep, his face flushed slightly, his breathing thick and heavy. Instantly Skinner knew that something was very wrong.

"Sawyer? Sawyer, wake up kid." Skinner hissed, shaking Tom slightly. The young man didn't stir and Skinner's worry increased. Jekyll hadn't given Tom any drugs and about a hour ago he had been fine, talking quietly to Nemo. Skinner shook Tom more violently, trying his best to wake him. Again the young man didn't stir and Skinner straighted up, taking a step backwards, deciding to call Dr. Jekyll to see if he could wake Tom up or if he knew what was wrong.

A needle pricked at Skinner's arm and before he could react fully, it had slid in and it's contents injected into his bloodstream. The needle smoothly slid out and Skinner turned to try and catch a glimst at his attacker. As he did so, his body slumped towards the ground, only to be caught by strong arms. Dr. Jekyll stared down at Skinner and Skinner stared back in shock for a few second before his eyes shut. Of course, Jekyll didn't know that and waited a few moments longer before dragging Skinner's prone body towards an empty bed. On two more were the guards Nemo had ordered to protect Tom, also knocked out. Jekyll dropped Skinner onto the bed and nodded, dusting his hands in satisfaction.

"Well done my dark knight..." Becky breathed, stepping forward into the light. "Well done..." Jekyll turned to face her, a slack expression on his face, his eyes glazed. Becky smiled as she looked at him, deciding that her idea to place Dr. Jekyll in her thrall before she went after Agent Sawyer was a good plan. Her revenge was moving along nicely and soon it would be too late for everyone. Oh she wouldn't kill Dr. Jekyll, she wouldn't even bite him. No, she would wait till Tom was hers and then let him kill his old friends.

Her final act of her revenge on that miserable woman, Mina Harker.

Becky moved closer to where Tom lay in his drugged sleep, her helpless victim. Really having Dr. Jekyll do her bidding made her tasks almost too easy. She was only a few feet away from the curtain before a hand reached out, clasping her wrist and pulling her back. Jekyll stood there, his breathing erratic, sweat pouring from his face as he visibly struggled with the thrall. Becky snarled then adopted a sweet expression, turning to face him and running her hands down his face.

"Just wait a little longer my dear..." She whispered, her eyes sparkling. Jekyll nodded dumbly and his hand went limp, allowing Becky to move away. She smiled again and turned back to Tom. Behind her she could hear faint noises of Jekyll doing something, but ignored them, focused instead on the young blood she could feel on the other side of the curtain. A shadow fell on her and she sighed with annoyance.

"I said wait a little longer, my dark kn-" She started. A huge hand grabbed at her hair and pulled her away, swinging her and throwing her into the wall. With a shriek she smashed into the wall and jumped up, fury on her face. Mr. Hyde roared back at her, some broken glass on the ground.

"Clever boy." Becky muttered.

"Your thrall won't work on me." Hyde boomed. Becky's eyebrow raised and her lips pouted together.

"Are you sure?" She whispered, standing and stepping forward, looking up at the great hulk of a beast. "What if I made it worth your while?" Becky asked, moving even closer. Hyde didn't answer her, his eyes fixed on the slip of a Vampire as she grew closer and closer until she could touch Hyde's arm. Carefully she reached out and stroked a hand along his skin, watching with amusement as he shivered at her touch. Suddenly with a yell he swung out again, his thick arm hitting her in the face. Becky dropped to the ground and slid along the floor, before banging into an empty bed and lying there, her eyes closed. Hyde laughed and turned away.

With a snarl Becky's eyes snapped open and she jumped to her feet, grabbing at the bed and lifting it, using it as a bat. With all her strength she swung it round, it side of the bed connecting hard with Hyde. The man – even though he was so much more stronger than any normal human – didn't stand a chance and fell to the ground. Relentlessly Becky swung the bed again and again, raining hits down on Hyde until finally, he began to change back.

Becky dropped the bed to the ground and lifted her heel, bringing it down on Jekyll's face. An inch from his eyeball she stopped and sighed sadly. If she spent her time tormenting Jekyll then she wouldn't be able to drink from Tom, and she needed the energy.

But I promise you this Dr. Henry Jekyll. Before Tom Sawyer drains you dry I will rip out your eyes and tongue so you will be both blind and dumb.

Becky hurried over to the curtain, ripping it down in her haste. The time for secretly had passed. It would soon be time for the final act and the last bow. She stared down at Tom, her eyes lighting up at his flushed face which was a sure sign of blood and lots of it. The fools must have given him a blood transfusion. All that archived was to slow her down slightly because she would just take it out again. She hovered by the side of his bed before shaking her head and moving around to the other side so she could keep an eye on the other people in the room.

Becky lowered her head, her lips pulling back, her fangs extending, glinting in the light. She licked Tom's neck around the holes before softly biting him. In his sleep Tom gasped and his hands gripped at his covers but other than that he did nothing to stop her, still trapped in his drugged sleep. Becky drank hungrily, letting his rich blood fill her. She slowly drank his blood, drawing out the processing, enjoying the taste of mortal flesh under her lips, her hands traveling over his body.

Her fangs retracted and she lifted her head, kissing him on the wounds, leaving what to a casual viewer would seem like a lipstick kiss. Laughing quietly she kissed Tom on the lips. Even with her small problem with Jekyll and Hyde, everything was going to plan and they didn't even know that they had already lost – lost Tom and lost their own lives.

Licking her lips, Becky bent back to Tom's neck and began to drink again, again taking her time, being carefully to just take enough to not kill him but leave him terribly weak. Let the League give him more blood if they wanted. Let them try to save his soul. All they could do is delay her and her plans. A blood transfusion? It would only stall her slightly, not stop her.

TBC...

Hope everyone liked this part and will leave a review. Please. Pretty please.

Sethoz