Author's Note: Suddenly got inspired to write some more of this. About damn time, is all I can say. My apologies for the wait. I've lost track of the updates now… I am ashamed.
Nimmo Gray: I'm glad you liked Huck's speech. ::hugs Huck:: I'm getting so very fond of him… gah, it's really weird. And don't worry about the ambush thing, it's fine.
kingleby: Who will he choose indeed? Guess you'll have to wait and see. Glad you like the characters; very comforting as an author to hear that. Especially since they're not exactly mine, but to hear something like that… phew, weight off my shoulders.
elvenmalka523: Thanks for what you said. Made me smile. Writer's block does indeed suck, and I despise it… growl. ::grabs her stick:: Get away from me, Block of Doom! Rawr!
Capt. Cow: Ah, my romance fan. Howdy. Woohoo! Burn the cherries! BURN THEM ALL! … Ahem, I'm fine. Who's to say what Tom's thinking about… maybe Huck was just taking a wild stab in the dark? ::shrug:: Guess I should know, huh? Heh.
funyun: Glad you got excited cuz of an update. Complicated isn't the word… I'm in complete agreement about the love… shape. The talk… glad – so very glad – that you liked it. I was sitting here thinking, 'gah, I'm stuck… I know! A Huck ramble!' Cuz I'm evil, and devious and stuff… aheh. And remember, opposites attract, do they not? Heh. Of course I don't hate you for a rant… rants can be fun!
Graymoon74: GM! Seems like I haven't read anything from you in a while. Starting to miss you! Sorry about the long updates ::winces:: Sorry! My bad!
: (cuz you left no name) Pummelling Dorian…? Probably not the best idea. He's not in the best mood right now… aheh. I seem to have irritated him. Leaving him for Tom is a good idea, yes. And don't worry… it's coming… slowly.
TARilus: And finally, my good buddy, TARilus. Preparation, preparation, preparation (that's very hard to type out three times, guh). Glad you were satisfied with the Tom training anyway, and to make up for the wait, there's some of what you want in this chapter. Don't worry. Thanks for the comment about Huck's… comments. Heh.
And here we have it. Finally, another update of Ghosts of Old…
Mina's eyes flashed red as she turned to him, her skirts twirling airily around her legs and high-heeled boots as she did so, hair free of its pinnings, and she growled, a low and threatening sound that warned him not to come near her. She was like a cornered animal almost, on her guard, and vicious.
Dorian stood looking at her, raising an eyebrow in what he obviously perceived was a seductive manner. "I don't doubt they will try and track you, dear Mina, but I plan to keep them back at every turn. I have men hired throughout the city, at least until we can arrange to get away from here."
"You speak as if I would accompany you willingly," Mina hissed, narrowing her eyes dangerously, head lowered just a fraction in what he should recognise as a warning motion. Her entire body posture screamed at him to keep his distance, though she knew he would push his luck, be true to his cocky manner, and attempt it anyway. It was in his nature to do so.
"Oh, my dear–"
"Do not call me that, Gray," she snarled.
Dorian turned his gaze from her, feigning offence, before he sighed out, "Very well, Mina. I shall refrain from doing so at your wish… but I know you will accompany me, if not for the love I know still resides in your heart, then for the safety of those creatures you call your 'friends'." His smile made her teeth grind in fury, and she wanted nothing more to claw it right off his face.
"You will not touch them…"
"No… I will not. If they keep away, and you do not prove to be a discomfort, or troublesome, then I will not. You are quite correct. I have no energy to pester them if they do not cause me a nuisance, but…" He sighed, almost regretful. "A man must do what he must… agreed?" He quirked a brow again, lean and finely shaped. He was still as vain as he had ever been. A second – possibly third – chance had taught him nothing, it seemed.
Dorian sidled closer to her, graceful – annoyingly so – in his movements, and he came to a stop little more than two feet from her, dark eyes piercing in their intensity, as he said slowly, meticulously, "Being immortal teaches one to have patience." There was no cocky, knowing smile, only simple confidence in his finely chiselled features.
"You have no patience… you never had any before. Why now?"
"Time and patience will teach you to remember…"
Mina growled anew, distaste burning on her face, and in her blazing eyes as she said, "You speak of love…" She spat the words almost as if they were foul upon her tongue, and she wished for nothing more than to be rid of them before they caused her to retch.
Dorian moved until they were almost touching, noses an inch apart, and she could feel his breath upon her own lips, though her eyes bled crimson once again, even as the immortal said in response, "I speak of destiny."
Mina moved to shove him back, but he grabbed her quickly, and in a rush of motion, had forced his lips to hers, kissing her forcefully, and even violently, and she hurriedly fought him back, throwing him away, and his left shoulder struck the doorway near to him. There was the slight telltale sound of some kind of injury that would cause Dorian discomfort, but he merely grimaced, and glared at her.
"You will learn, Mina… even if only the hard way."
"I will never learn these lessons of love or destiny you so frivolously speak of, Dorian," she retorted, her words laced in deadly venom.
Dorian chuckled dryly, shaking his head, almost as if disappointed. "Oh… yes you will. Soon you will see, and soon you will wish that you had simply opened your mind. Whatever happened to the curious vampire I was intrigued by? Where did she go? Who has taken her from me?" He paced towards her, though she held her ground. She was not afraid to strike, should he get too close. "Where now are the loving blue eyes that once gazed into mine so affectionately and even mischievously? What happened to the Mina Harker I fell for?"
"She opened her eyes…" Mina stared at him stubbornly and resolutely. "She now sees this man for what he really is… and always was, and will be. She sees him, his heart, blackened and withered… his mind, conniving and twisted. The hollow shell where his soul once resided, and the cruel cunning in his eyes. She sees the monster within Dorian Gray."
Dorian's face lost all traces of poetry or grace, and he sighed heavily, before he reached up and grabbed her by the back of the neck, pulling her face to face with him again. "We shall see who is the monster… let us not forget which one of the two of us relies on blood to live… dear Mina."
With that, he threw her to the side, using all the strength in his left arm to do so, and unprepared – even with her supernatural senses on her side – Mina felt herself propelled in that direction, unable to stop her movement. She felt herself land on something relatively soft, something that registered in her rushing mind as a bed, and she rolled, coming up into a crouch, even on the manipulatively bending mattress, just in time to see the heavy door clang closed on what was to be her prison. She growled loudly, fangs exposed, eyes bleeding savage red once again as she saw Dorian look at her through a small – irritably so; no bat would fit through there – barred opening at head height, saying, "Well shall see, Mina…"
With that, he withdrew, leaving her alone in the room, which was suddenly cast into darkness from an outside source, and her head turned this way and that to try and identify some small offering of light, to which she received no reward. The room had been thrown into an oblivion of darkness, shadow and solitude, and her growl quickly died away when Dorian's words sank into her mind.
She knew what he meant to do to her, and she knew that – given enough time – it would drive her mad…
Nemo paced outside the cells, his mind running over what had happened as of late, and he sighed wearily. The thought that his own crew could betray him was a deeper wound than any other conceivable. Even for money, why would they do such a thing? He had picked the most loyal and trustworthy men available… hadn't he? Gray had gotten to them somehow, and his hatred for the immortal intensified madly. His left hand clenched over the hilt of his sword.
It was as his musings were overtaking reason that Skinner appeared beside him, donning his jacket and sighing. "Still haven't decided what to do with 'em yet, then?"
Nemo did not start. He had trained himself sternly over the years not to react in such a manner, and simply turned dark, pensive eyes upon the floating jacket that was the only sign of the thief's presence. "I am, as of yet, undecided, Mr. Skinner, yes."
If Skinner nodded, Nemo could not tell, before he continued briskly, "But if we are to have any chance of learning the position of Gray and Mrs. Harker, then I must question them."
Skinner surprised him then by asking, "Need a hand?"
Nemo looked to the jacket, and where he assumed the eyes of the thief to be, wondering if Skinner ever grew agitated that he rarely received solid eye contact with people due to his condition, and replied, "I am capable of questioning my own men… but you may assist in being present, Mr. Skinner, thank you."
Skinner spoke quietly, almost reluctantly, "Glad I can help."
With that, Nemo unlocked the door to the cells – which were very rarely used and built only as a precaution – and stepped inside, Skinner behind him.
"C'mon, buddy, you can do this."
Joe threw a gentle glare at Huck, and swung his legs off the bed. The injured one ached madly, but he refused to let it show on his face, and took a deep, soothing breath to ease it. Becky watched intently, concerned, and seemed ready to jump forward and cast him back into bed if the situation called for it.
Huck was holding a pair of rather awkward looking crutches out to Joe, who regarded them almost reluctantly for a moment. But then again, he had been in bed and out of action long enough… though it hadn't been that long. He had sworn to Jekyll he would keep pressure completely off the leg, and his constant hounding had seemed to overthrow the doctor's will. Jekyll had consented to let him out, so long as he kept someone near him at all times in case, and if the strain got too much, he returned immediately. He had agreed to that, and here he was, about ready to hop down from the bed, and take the crutches.
Which was when Tom entered the room. Joe wasn't sure what to think about his friend, but he offered him a smile anyway, one that was wanly returned. Tom strode further into the room, and asked, "Did I miss something?"
Becky turned her head to Tom, and smiled at him warmly. Joe pretended not to see it, even as the woman said, "Jekyll's letting Joe out of the infirmary. He's gotta use the crutches though, so we're just seeing if he can manage."
"'He's' sitting right here," Joe said with a feigned annoyed rolling of his eyes, "and he can hear you. And I'm fine… and I can manage."
"And you'll live to fight another day," Huck rambled, "Just hurry up already." He laughed playfully, as was his manner, and offered the crutches forward anew. "Don't make me tease you again… not that I don't enjoy it."
Joe narrowed his eyes, but couldn't stop the smile from forming, even as he reached out and took the crutches in his hands, forcing himself up on his good leg, and balancing, using the supports provided. Huck, Becky and Tom watched him, and he couldn't help but think that he was on display somehow. It was rather unnerving.
"There? Everybody happy now? Joe can manage."
Huck laughed, crossing his arms as he watched. "For now, yeah, when you're standin' still, but can you walk on 'em?"
Sighing, with another roll of his eyes, Joe began to hobble forward on the crutches, feeling the weight of his torso supported solely on his arms with each alternate 'stride'. It would take some getting used to, but a lot of things in life were like that, he supposed. "Happy now?"
Huck put on a pensive expression, feigning thoughtfulness, and then grinned. "For now. I'm still going to see how long it takes for you to fall over, though."
Becky swatted at Huck's arm, and the youngest agent laughed mischievously. "I never said I'd push him, did I?"
"That's not the point, Huckleberry Finn, and you know it," Becky retorted, jabbing a finger, though there was a faint twinkle in her eyes that suggested a smile loomed under the surface of the exterior. Joe couldn't help but be warmed by that. Tom was standing silently and somewhat gloomily at the back of the small gathering.
"You okay, Tom?" Joe asked out of habit, having a feeling he already knew the answer.
"What? I'm fine… Nemo's interrogating the crew who mutinied."
Joe nodded slowly, less than thrilled to hear the news. It made very little difference to him why they did what they had, so long as they got what they deserved… to sound harsh. But it seemed that Tom was obsessed – or becoming as such – with this situation. True, Mina was his friend, and he had ever right to be worried, but wasn't she a vampire, and therefore immortal?
Joe couldn't help but think somewhat cynically though. Hadn't they just rescued Becky from Gray? And hadn't he just been injured in the attempt? It seemed Tom was too distracted to realise this though, and that actually offended Joe somewhat. But he kept silent for now, his opinions kept to himself. "Did he say how long it'd take to learn anything? If he does, that is…"
Huck offered Joe a sceptical and even suspicious glance at that comment, but remained quiet.
Tom shook his head. "No. He shouldn't be too long though. If Nemo is going to get his way, he usually gets it quickly, or not at all. He's pretty precise."
Becky had edged subtly closer to Tom, and once again, Joe pretended not to notice. He had once told himself that this wouldn't affect him… how he had lied.
That evening, the League – sans Mina for obvious reason – collected in the vast stateroom. There was tea to be drank, but it was mostly ignored by all save for Jekyll, who sipped at a cup frequently, letting his thoughts run away with him. He watched the others discreetly, a talent he had learned over the years, perhaps aided by the supernatural hearing and keen eyes of Hyde, forever trapped inside to his own devices, except for the odd occasion when Henry let him loose.
The others were all present, even Agent Harper, whom he had released from the infirmary in exchange for the vow that he would be careful and remain with someone at most times, if not all. The four Americans stayed close together for the most part. Tom had his arms crossed over his chest pensively, the same with Agent Finn at his side. Miss Thatcher stood to the other side of Tom somewhat timidly, hence her proximity to him. She looked about ready to grab him if something happened… again.
Agent Harper was the only one seated, propped on the edge of the table, and Nemo was too distracted with his papers to notice the offence to his furniture. Skinner stood opposite the wounded agent, hands in the pockets of his jacket, head down turned slightly, from his place next to the captain. After a few elongated – and almost unbearable – moments, Nemo straightened, drew in a breath, and started talking.
"I learned very little in my interrogation of the mutinous crew who were working with Gray," he said gravely, and his dark temper showed in his eyes, if nowhere else.
"You must have learned something at least," Tom countered gently, careful not to irritate the Indian man. This was still, after all, his territory, and they all respected that.
Skinner turned his head slightly, his greasepaint showing his impassiveness… as feigned as it was. His posture showed his discomfort with the entire situation. It spoke volumes, but he stayed quiet in voice.
"Very little, as I said. I know only that Gray and Mrs. Harker are supposedly still in the city. Gray had made no plans known about his leaving once he had regained his… 'property'."
"So there's a good chance we can find her again," Tom said, brightening a little, but not enough to let it show on his features. His eyes lit up just a fraction, but his posture only relaxed slightly.
Nemo tilted his head in consideration. "Perhaps, Agent Sawyer, but we must not be hasty. There is a good chance he was simply not telling my men–" here he scowled slightly, before continuing, "that he had plans to leave London. He may have already left, on a boat, or by train… even carriage. We have no way of knowing."
Tom looked around the table, and Henry saw the question in the eyes that did not escape his lips. He was asking them if they felt the same as Nemo. No one spoke, simply looked to the American League member hesitantly. Henry was no exception. He had no idea what else to think, other than what Nemo had already voiced.
"So that's it then? We're just going to stop here?"
Again, no one spoke, though Nemo's body language suggested he did not agree with that statement at all. After a few moments however, he did speak. "That was not what I intended to suggest Agent Sawyer. I simply meant that the situation has become that much more complicated. How can we be sure where to begin?"
Tom shook his head, uncrossing his arms. "We can't abandon her."
"No one said we should," Finn eased gently by his side, trying to be the voice of reason, as it seemed he often did. "But Captain Nemo's got a point, Tom… this isn't gonna be easy."
"Nothing ever is, Huck," Tom returned. Henry watched, intrigued by their behaviour in an odd sense. "You know that better than I do." There was a hidden meaning in those words that Henry could practically taste, and for some reason, it made him uncomfortable. Apparently, it seemed to have the same effect on Agent Finn. "But that doesn't mean we just give up… we have to try… with everything we have."
It fell quiet after that, with everyone's minds running over the possibilities, and Henry for one was starting to get a headache… Tom had a point, but it was going to take everything they had… and more.
Sighing heavily in defeat, Henry sipped his tea.