Disclaimer: Ditto (see previous chapter)

Chapter 4 – Old Acquaintances

Jekyll looked towards Bet in amazement.

"Just look at you!" He raved. "You look wonderful, Bet!" She beamed at him.

"Oh, it's not Bet anymore." She said, seriously. "It's Elizabeth, now. How are you, Dr Jekyll?" Her accent had defiantly improved. There was still a slight hint of cockney, but it had mainly been replaced with one not too different from Jekyll's.

"I'm alright, thank you. But what are you doing in this part of London?" Jekyll asked, inquisitively. "Your home is miles away from here." He put his arms out towards her and held her hands.

"I'm staying in a hotel. I've only been here for a few days; I go back home tomorrow." She replied, excitedly. "I'm on my honeymoon." Jekyll stopped for a moment and looked down at her hands. She was wearing a wedding ring. He felt a cold sweat run down his back.

"Congratulations, Elizabeth!" Skinner moved forwards, grabbed her hand from Jekyll and proceeded to pump it up and down in a firm handshake. Jekyll broke away and took a few paces back. "And who is the lucky man, may we ask?" Bet's eyes widened.

"Oh," she exclaimed, loudly. "John! I'd forgotten all about him!" Instantly, she turned and clumsily bolted back through the crowd. There was a short silence.

"Well," Mina began. "She seems like a very excitable woman." She turned to Jekyll who was staring out into space. "Are you sure it's the same girl as before?" Jekyll broke from his trance.

"Erm," he mumbled. "Of course she is. She's just had a bit of upper class up bringing now." It had been over two years since Bet had left the Nautilus to start a new life, living in Jekyll's old house. He had told her to go out and get married, hoping that he wouldn't have to bump into the fortunate groom himself. Sawyer subtly moved over to Jekyll and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey," He whispered. "I'm sorry." Jekyll turned to Sawyer and gave him a weak smile.

The crowd was disturbed once more as Bet made her way through the people, dragging behind her a rather startled man. He was small and slim, with blond hair. He had a deceivingly youthful appearance. Bet released his hand and he strode towards the group.

"How do you do," His slight Devonian accent was out of place. It was obvious that he wasn't brought up in London. He stepped back and observed everyone. "So you are the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Elizabeth hardly every talks about anyone else!" Bet fumbled her way forwards to introduce everyone.

"This is my husband, John Stapleton. He's a botanist." She pointed at each of the League members in turn. "John, this is Mina Harker, she's a scientist too. Tom Sawyer, he's come over from America, you could ask him about those American insects you're so interested in. Captain Nemo, you would love some of his inventions, John. Rodney Skinner..." John stared at Skinner, suspiciously. Skinner wondered whether Bet had told her husband about his uniqueness. Bet continued "And of course, Dr Henry Jekyll." A smile swept across John's face as he leant forwards and held a hand out for him to shake. Cautiously, Jekyll took it.

"Well, well," John exclaimed. "It's nice to meet you at last. Elizabeth has told me everything about you."

"Everything?" Jekyll asked, nervously. Bet spoke up.

"Well, I couldn't have told you everything, now could I John?" She tried to catch Jekyll's eye. "Everybody has their private matters. He's bound to by hiding something from us." Jekyll relaxed a bit. The fewer people that new about Mr Hyde, the better.

"Yes, your right." John released Jekyll's hand. "But I'm surprised your Uncle Henry should keep any secrets from you." There was a slight pause.

"Uncle Henry?" Jekyll mumbled. Skinner smirked. A sheepish look spread across Bet's face.

"Yes, but I'm sure I can forgive him for that." She took John's hands. "After all, he was kind enough to let me stay in his house when he was called to work with the League." She explained, obviously trying to fill Jekyll in about his past.

"And I assure you, Uncle Henry," John interrupted. "We are eternally grateful for that. You must come over and look at my collection of butterflies. I know you're not a biologist, but I'm sure you'll find them really interesting." Bet rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, must you always go on about your butterflies?"

"Yes, darling," he kissed her on the forehead. "But I'm afraid I must leave you now. I have to go and talk to the park keeper to discuss the conservation act." He turned back to the League, and shook each of their hands in turn. "I must say it's been a pleasure to meet you all. You are welcome to come over any time you like. Just give us a message."

"That sounds wonderful, Mr Stapleton," Mina exclaimed.

"Oh, please," John interrupted. "Please, call me John." Mina smiled.

"Thank you, John. We will be sure to take up your offer." John faced Bet.

"I'll see you later then, Elizabeth," he uttered. "Back at the hotel." Bet nodded and watched over him as he made his way past the League and around the corner until he was out of sight. She turned back to face the others, her eyes resting on Dr Jekyll. They stood there staring at each other for a moment.

"Well," spoke Sawyer, breaking the silence. "I think we'd better be getting along." Mina and Nemo took his hint and began to break away from the group. Sawyer followed, realising that Skinner was still lingering. "Erm, Skinner?"

"What?" Skinner asked turning to face him.

"We're going to need you." Sawyer stated. Skinner still stood there, oblivious.

"What for?" Sawyer grabbed Skinner by the coat and started to walk him in the direction of Mina and Nemo. He turned his head to Jekyll.

"We won't be far off," Sawyer told him. "Find us when you're ready." And with that, the four of them walked off. Jekyll looked at Bet.

"Uncle Henry?" He asked. Bet looked at her feet.

"Well, I couldn't tell him the truth, could I?" She mumbled. "I've left my old life behind. He would ask questions if it seemed like a complete stranger just offered for me to live in his house. I don't want to bring my past up again!" Jekyll didn't reply. He didn't know how to feel. There was a dull stab of jealousy in his chest, but he knew that Bet had done the right thing. She put her hand on his cheek. "I have missed you though. Living in your house, there are reminders of you everywhere." She paused. "Why did you never visit?" However, Jekyll's mind was elsewhere

"Stapleton hasn't been searching through my notes has he? I never really had a chance to pick anything up." Bet was shaking her head.

"Don't worry." Bet reassured him. "I moved everything out of your laboratory into the attic. I knew you wouldn't want your stuff messed with. Besides, he's only seen the house once. He doesn't move in until after the honeymoon, tomorrow. What sort of woman do you think I am?" She giggled at Jekyll, who let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Bet," he thanked her. She shook her head.

"Oh, no, you mustn't call me that now!" she told him. "John knows me as Elizabeth. He doesn't like nicknames. And you must call him John. He finds it uncomfortable when people try to be too formal to him." Jekyll, who didn't want to go into the likes and dislikes of Bet's husband, swiftly changed the subject.

"I wouldn't mind having some of those notes back." Jekyll said to himself. "They might help with my work."

"The invitation is open." Bet assured him. "You can come over and pick up your belongings then." She smiled at Jekyll. There was an awkward silence. Jekyll didn't really want to spend any more time with John Stapleton, but it would be nice if he could have all his old notebooks back. Bet spoke up. "I guess we'll see you when you've the chance to visit then."

"Yes," Jekyll replied, quietly. "I guess you will." Neither of them moved. They continued to just look at each other.

"Well," Bet muttered. She held a hand out for Jekyll to shake. He looked at it briefly before taking it gently in his own. She shook his hand. "I'd best be going." Jekyll nodded. She let go of his hand and backed away from him. Smiling sweetly, she turned and walked away through the crowds.

Jekyll turned in the direction where Sawyer had disappeared. Thoughtfully, he followed the rest of the League around the corner.

NB: Hurray! I've finally been able to post my fav chapter! What'd'ya think? Now are you ready for some action (as promised)? Oh, good. I'm glad. Reviews welcome, yadda, yadda, yadda...