Author's Note: Gaaaaah! I am so, so, so – get the idea? – sorry! I really didn't intend for this to take so long, but I got awful writer's block, and the muses wouldn't work with me. You know how it goes… 'sigh'. Oh well, at least things are winding up now, at last.

Marcus Lazarus: And I'm afraid it's been ages again… guh; bad me. I'm very glad you liked the last chapter, and especially the points you emphasised. Thanks!

queerquail Thanks very much! Have another update.

Ten Mara: Tom may be desperate, but I don't think he's insane ;) Regarding Mina… let's all keep hoping about that, shall we? XD

Drakena: Considering the trousers are the only bit Jekyll keeps when he changes into Hyde, I'm sure both he and Hyde are feeling quite confused and miffed right about now… XD Thanks for the review.

Saffra Crane: No worries about not reviewing every chapter – I know how it is. And I'm very happy you like my stories. As a writer, that's very comforting to hear, I'm sure you'll agree. I'm glad you could believe the emotion in the chapter… very good to hear. And nearly made you cry…? O.o Um… wow…

BloodMoonLycan: Pea soup… that's pretty damn thick, Dru-ster o.O But I'm glad you think it rocks XD Thank'ee!

Alyssa Halliwell: Heheh, you sure are an enthusiastic one, aren't you? And yes, they have to save Mina! You're not the only one eager for Gray and Sawyer to scrap it out… didn't realise the prospect was going to be so popular when I wrote the trailer O.o And the mailing list? Can and have, my friend XD

And now (finally) for the new part of Ghosts of Old…

In that moment, Joe thought he felt a little of his own heart break at Tom's words; so calm, but so filled with meaning and certainty. He saw in his friend's eyes that Tom did love Becky… in his own way… he loved her, and always had. It was no secret. But now… the love was not what it had once been. The two had grown apart, and though there would always be a passion between them, they would never again be what they once had. Joe was somewhat saddened by this. Becky had always loved Tom Sawyer… he was throwing that away so effortlessly, almost. But he knew Tom had something else; someone else to fight for. He had Mina Harker.

Which meant that Becky would be alone again. For some reason, Joe took no comfort in that fact, and sighed, looking Tom square in the eye as he asked, "And you're absolutely sure you still want to do this?"

Tom half-pulled the beautiful sword from its scabbard, admired the blade silently for a time, and then slotted it back firmly. "I'm more certain than I've ever been in my life, Joe." The two regarded one another seriously, and Joe felt a twinge of conflict within himself. He still doubted the success possibilities of this endeavour, but… he and Tom had been friends for years. He couldn't abandon him now… could he?

Sighing to himself, he took a step closer to Tom, and said definitely, "Then I'll stand by you."

Tom paused for a long time, holding the sword's length in one hand at the midway point, before he reached up and patted Joe's shoulder. "Thanks," he muttered gratefully, nodding his head. "I know you don't have to do this, Joe… so it means a lot to me."

Joe simply nodded, not sure what to say.

Tom moved past him, but as he did, he said to Joe, "And don't worry… she'll come around." He smirked. "Trust me."

Joe followed Tom with his eyes, noting how the blonde spy glanced to him only briefly, but with a knowing and reassuring smile. Joe couldn't help but smile himself after a few moments, looking away and nodding again. "Here's hoping," he murmured, before adding, "I'll be at the entrance soon."

Tom watched him leave. "Thanks again, Joe."

Joe acknowledged silently, and then made his way to his own room. He had some things to collect, after all.

Tom watched Joe leave, letting out a low breath in relief. He didn't even want to think about having to go without the third agent. Without Joe, it would have been increasingly more difficult, and Tom didn't know if he and Huck would have made it without him. And the thought of Huck getting hurt again because of him was more than unbearable; Tom didn't think he'd be able to live with the guilt of that… not again.

Shaking off the sour thoughts, Tom checked the sword again, before looking to his other weapons. They were all here; from the Winchester on the bed's length, to the sword in his hand, to the Colts at his waist in their harness. Smiling softly to himself, he realised he was going to be somewhat weighed down by the weaponry, perhaps, but when it came time to face Gray, he knew he would only be able to rely on the blade he held concealed in his right hand now. Passing it over to his left, he went about fixing it in the strap he'd found in Nemo's practise room; silent and vigilant in his task. He had no doubt Huck would be waiting down in the hold for him already, and he never had liked to keep his partner waiting.

When the strap was fixed together, Tom swung it over his back, feeling the powerful blade settled across the rear of his shoulders, and down the length. He wouldn't be able to sit or bend as well as normal, especially not backwards, but all he needed was for his friends to help him get to Gray… he would take it from there.

Donning his black jacket, he shrugged it on properly, smiling darkly to himself when he realised how well it concealed the blade… perfect; maybe he could surprise the cocky immortal yet. Already having stocked up on spare rounds for both firearms, he took his Winchester in his left hand, and his hat in his right, striding confidently and finally from his cabin. Whether or not he would ever return, he would leave to fate, but for now, he had his friends on his side, and a duty; a purpose…

For Tom Sawyer, that was more than enough.

Huck sighed and leaned back further against the wall, sticking to the shadows so he wouldn't be spotted by anyone. For the time being, the hold of the vessel was securely closed, so he had no need to worry about guards or civilians alike. All he needed to do was wait for his companions… but they sure were taking their sweet time, considering they had something of a crusade on their hands.

Joe was the next to arrive, surprisingly, and Huck revealed himself to the taller spy. Nodding his head from underneath his broad-peaked cap, he half-smiled at Joe, who returned both gestures. He had no rifle, only pistols at his waist, Huck knew. Joe had never been a heavy-arms kind of man, and so, relied on the one-handed variety. But Joe was a good shot; damn good in fact, so it made little difference to the mission.

"Tom not here yet?" Joe inquired softly, as if afraid of being overheard. He wore a hat on his own head as well, half of his face subsequently cast into shadow. Huck simply shook his own head, even as they heard approaching footsteps. The two quickly ducked into the dark corner Huck had been encompassed in to begin with, waiting with bated breath for who would appear.

They were not disappointed in their hopes; Tom was the one to emerge from the doorway, stepping over the small barricade with a definite purpose in the way he moved. His sharp eyes scanned the hold, even as Huck made himself known again, with Joe right behind him. Huck smiled wanly towards Tom, who quirked a brow.

"Ready?" the blonde agent inquired with finalism in his voice. This was it; there was no backing down now. Joe nodded his consent.

Still, even as all he had been through; the pains and trials he had suffered… Huck found himself saying, "I'm ready." And he felt he had never been so confident of something before in his life as he spoke those two simple words. This felt right… and that was why Huck had signed on that dotted line in the first place; to do right… to help people, no matter what. It had nearly cost him his life once, and he bore the wicked scar to prove it… but he had overcome that obstacle, and this was merely another for him to tackle. And he would face it head on; with Joe and Tom… this was where he belonged.

"Let's go then," Tom confirmed, striding towards a side of the hold; the exterior hull. Joe and Huck came up behind him; one to each side, and watched as the leader of the three – there was no question about it at that moment – spun a wheel that neither had noticed before, and successfully unlocked a hatch which had previously been sealed and airtight. Tom swung it open, and looked to his companions, before hopping out of the hole. Huck poked his head out, seeing Tom land safely on the dock down below, without complication or penalty. Looking warily but questioningly to Joe, he saw the darker agent smirk, and swing himself out of the hole in such a manner that protected his damaged leg. He landed on his dominant and unwounded limb, placing the other down gently and carefully, coming up with perfect balance down below. The two looked up to Huck, who chuckled to himself. Oh, how this reminded him of his 'misspent' youth. He missed those days…

Giving a little jump, Huck sailed down the short distance, and bent his knees with the landing to cushion the impact, coming up between his two friends; shorter but the oldest, cocky and sure of himself all over again; Huckleberry Finn at his best. Tilting his hat at the right angle, he looked expectantly to Tom, who used one of the dock posts to prop himself up and swing the door closed again, or near enough to pass for shut.

The three met eyes briefly in turn, and Tom led the way down the dock's length, and away from the Nautilus; not one of them looked back, even as Huck and Joe came out to flank their friend on either side. They left the dock, entered the streets of London, and melted into the night.

The point of no return…

Becky Thatcher had busied herself with resting and reading, but there came a time when even the most 'relaxing' of tasks became menial and mind-numbing; unbearable. She had had about as much as she could take without company, and had set off to find someone – anyone – to help pass the time. Until a definite course of action could be decided, she had told herself she would help by any means necessary, even if that just meant lending an ear… not that there was much of that to be done, either. Everyone seemed awkward around her all of a sudden… even Tom. No… especially Tom.

You're losing him, a part of her whispered sadly, and she paused in the hallway, looking down slightly with pale eyes, and a furrow in her delicate brow. Could it be true? Even with all she had seen… she found it hard to believe. She didn't want to believe it; she supposed that was the problem. Shaking her head with a sigh, she forced herself to persist in her search for company, and came first upon Huckleberry Finn's cabin, rapping her knuckles on the door politely to request entry.

There was no answer; nothing came of her formalities. So, quite simply, she calmly called his name… and received no response. This did not worry her… he was most probably off analysing Tom Sawyer's behaviour, as was the norm for him. Huck had become quite the observer in his maturing, and had taken it upon himself to study others; he was quite good at it too, Becky had noticed. She smiled almost proudly, and made her way towards Joe's room. Whenever she thought of Joe, she acquired an odd sensation in her stomach that refused to shift until he had completely left her mind altogether. While she was not sure what this sensation was, she knew she did not like it, and therefore tried to keep her mind from thinking of Joe Harper too much at all.

Reaching his room, she found herself repeating the process first carried out at the original door, only to garner the same outcomes. Her eyes narrowed curiously and with confusion as she looked around. Calling Joe's name one more time, she shook her head… and moved on again.

This is silly, she told herself. Either they did not want to be found, or she simply was not supposed to find them. It was as simple as that… but Becky never had been much of a quitter. Her first flirtations with Tom were proof enough of that, for sure. Her father had raised her to be a fighter, not a quitter… quitting wasn't something she took any pride in, and so, avoided whenever possible.

It took her a margin longer to reach the final cabin she had sought to investigate, and knocking hesitantly on the wooden door, she waited… and waited… and waited.

"What're they trying to make me wait for?" she asked herself as she knocked again, louder this time in case the occupant had been napping. "For my hair to go grey?" Shaking her head distastefully, she frowned, and called Tom's name, and then Huck's, and finally Joe's.

Nothing.

Something deep down inside of her flipped, and overturned. She felt uncomfortable… downright unsettled even, and her frown only increased, carrying right up into her eyes as she cast them up and down the corridor adjoining to Tom's cabin. There was no one in sight for some time, until a crewman came around the bend. Calling to him, she asked, "Excuse me; have you seen any of Agents Sawyer, Finn or Harper recently? In the last hour or so?"

The crewman shook his head respectfully, replying with a simple, "No, madam, I have not. My apologies."

She nodded, but as if in a daze. Setting off down the hall, she headed for the stateroom. There had to be someone in there, surely. It was getting on in the evening; quite late, actually, but they were most probably still trying to line out some sort of plan to track Gray, or trap the man… or whatever he was. Becky still wasn't quite sure, and suddenly, she wasn't so sure she wanted to know. All of these mysterious goings-on had her quite perplexed and troubled, and she wasn't used to so much… strangeness. Back home in St. Petersburg, she was used to things being laid out plain and simple for her, in a natural way. There was none of this enchanted portrait business, or anything of giant underwater boats, or invisible men, or vampires either, for that matter. All of a sudden, she felt rather homesick, but pushed that aside when her feet finally carried her right to the door of the stateroom. There was very little in the way of noise from inside, but as she swung the doors inward boldly, she saw three men around the table. Jekyll had removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves; Nemo was leaning over maps of London; and Skinner was turning a glass of some kind in his hands, appearing rather weary.

They all looked to Becky as she strode into the room, her heels making her presence known. Meeting their eyes in turn, she summoned her voice and asked, "Have any of you seen Tom? Or Huck or Joe?"

"No," Jekyll replied simply, shaking his fiery-haired head. "Not in some time, Miss Thatcher. Why?"

She frowned. She had heard no sound of gunshots from the room where Nemo had assured her before they could practise their marksmanship, and so, she had assured herself they were not there… so, short of their cabins – which she had already ruled out – and here – which was now proving to be a failure also – where could they be? Looking up to the three men, she frowned worriedly, a horrible thought settling in her mind.

"Because I can't find them…"

They're gone… you've lost him.