This was a one-shot romance fic I had the crazy idea for one evening when I couldn't sleep. It was also a break from my other fic as I had writer's block! The feedback I got was very much appreciated.
An idea for a second chapter kept niggling at me, so I decided to actually write it down and post it. So here is "Traitor" in it's full glory.
Disclaimer: Not mine!
Chapter 1
Dorian was a traitor. They all knew it now. The crackling record continued to spin on the player,as M explained what fools they had all been. What a fool Mina had been.
"Everything so far has been misdirection. Sanderson Reed, the assassins in Kenya, your recruitment and mission, the secret conference, a myth. Even the League itself. There is no League. There never was."
Mina felt her heart skip a beat. She phased out momentarily. It was as if she knew what was coming, but couldn't do anything about it. How could he do such a thing? He had betrayed her. She wanted to hate him, she really did. But something was stopping her. Her mind drifted to the memory of their first meeting.
It was a wet and weary day, some of the worst weather England had seen that year. Mina had been called out to attend an important meeting and was feeling rather cramped after being in a horse drawn carriage for several hours. She was feeling particularly drowsy. The rain's patter on the roof of the carriage seemed to beat out a rhythmic lullaby. Shaking herself slightly, Mina told herself that she must be awake and alert. This day was a very important day; one that would change her live forever. But she could never have guessed what would happen that day to change it the most.
"We're almost there, madam," The driver called to Mina. She looked out of the window at the scene around her. Everything looked grey and dreary in the wet weather; it was rather depressing.
The cart pulled up outside a grand looking building. Mina noticed a male figure by the entrance doors. It was difficult to make him out in the pouring rain, but he was wearing a suit and held a large, black umbrella in his hand. Upon spotting the carriage, this stranger walked swiftly through the rain towards Mina. Collecting her belongings, Mina paid the driver and turned towards the door. The man opened the door of the carriage, and held the umbrella out for Mina to step under.
"Allow me," The stranger held out a hand to help Mina out of the carriage.
"Thank you," Mina replied, politely taking his hand. There was something perculiar about his touch. His hands were unusually soft and had a great resemblance to the shape of Jonathan's. It was silly that she would remember such a thing, but she remembered everything about Jonathan. It was comforting that she could find something so familiar in a stranger. She looked up, catching her first proper look at this man's face. He didn't look snything like her late husband, but there was defiantly something intriguing about him. She longed to know more about him.
"You must be Mrs Mina Harker," The man stated, tightening his grip on her hand slightly. Mina shuddered slightly. The touch of this stranger's hand seemed to send tingles down her spine. It shocked her. It was as if something had moved within her. Something she hadn't felt for a long time.
"That's right," Mina answered. She stepped onto the wet streets of London, sweeping her long scarf around her shoulder to prevent it from dragging along the cobblestones.
The man shut the carriage door, and the carriage slowly pulled away from them. He turned back to face Mina.
"And may I ask who you are?" She asked the generous stranger before her. He gave her a broad smile.
"Sanderson Reed," He replied. "You are here for the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, are you not?" Mina nodded back at him and Reed held out an arm for her to take. Gratefully, she took it and they both made their way up to the main entrance of the building.
Once inside, Reed broke away from Mina to shake his umbrella dry. She stopped and waited patiently for him to join her again. She knew nothing of M, and wasn't exactly sure what to expect of him. He had never explained much about the League, and she didn't really want to meet him on her own if it was at all possible. She was comfortable in this new friend's company.
Reed looked up at Mina once he had finished putting away his umbrella. His eyes lingered on her face momentarily. Mina looked away, to avoid him from seeing her blush. He smiled to himself.
"I hope you don't mind me asking," Reed began. "But what talent do you have to contribute to the League. It is obvious what talents Nemo, Quatermain and Mr Skinner have to assist the League, but you're a little harder to work out." For a moment Mina felt like just coming out and telling Reed exactly what her talent was, but she stopped herself before she made such an irrational move. She always though about the consequences of what she did, but there was an air about him that made her feel she could trust him with anything. And, after all, he was on their side.
Reed walked towards her and offered his arm to her once more. Mina took it, and they both walked slowly down the corridor.
"I'm a scientist," Mina told him. It was probably best not to reveal everything straight away. That was her talent, after all. Not the talent that granted her the position in the League, mind you, but a great talent none the less. Reed smiled at her again.
"Ah," He exclaimed. "Brains and beauty. Now you're the sort of lady I should have snatched up as soon as I could!" Mina paused for a moment. There was a mix of both excitement and disappointment in her stomach.
"Oh, you're married, are you?" She asked, casually.
"No, no," he replied, quickly. "No, but you are. I should have snatched you up when you weren't married." Mina could fell herself blushing slightly again.
"My husband has passed away," She told him softly. Reed stopped smiling, yet his eyes seemed to light up.
"I'm really sorry." He apologised. "I didn't mean to..."
"It was a long time ago," Mina interrupted. "We all have to move on." Pausing for a moment, she looked at him out of the corner of her eyes. Had he really meant what he had said? Her stomach did a somersault. She had to find out. "Did you really mean that, about snatching me up?" She surprised herself. She had never been so forward before.
"You're a very attractive, polite lady, and you're a scientist into the bargain." Reed complimented her. "There aren't many women who can say that. How could any man refuse?" He stopped walking and turned to face her.
Smiling knowingly to each other, they continued to walk down the corridor. Mina searched her mind for something to say, but she couldn't think straight. Her head was filled colourful visions of how wonderful her life could be if she just ran off with this stranger. She wouldn't have to mourn anymore.
They descended the stairs and approached the double doors leading to the library. There was a faint mumbling of voices from behind it. Reed released Mina's arm and stood in front of the door.
"Well, here it is." He told her, but remained standing in front of the door. He looked troubled, as if he were contemplating whether to let her past or not. Smiling weakly, he stepped away from the door.
Mina hesitated. She wanted to stay with Reed, to quench her thirst for companionship. He stepped towards her and took her hand in his.
"I hope we will meet again soon." Reed spoke, softly. "Perhaps I can snatch you up then." He lifted her hand and kissed it.
"Perhaps you can," Mina replied, as if giving him permission to make a further move. He took another step towards her smiling. She could feel a buzz rushing through her body. Even though her previous relationship had been so physical, she had never felt anything so strong with Dorian as what she was feeling now. Gently, he placed a hand on her cheek and kissed her softly on the lips. Closing her eyes, she melted into it. She felt alive again. Reed stepped back.
"Be careful, won't you?" he told her. She nodded at him, unable to speak. He smiled at her once more, placing his umbrella under his arm, then turning and walking away from her. Taking a deep breath she tried to regain her composition as she saw him disappear up he stairs.
At that moment the whole Nautilus began to shake along as a deafening blast resonated about the room. Mina lost her balance and fell to the floor. He had helped with all of this. She had been such a fool. He was nothing but a traitor.