A.N: Alright… chapter four. Here goes, I'm not sure how this is going to turn out, but we're just gonna have to see now aren't we:D Remember to review people! It makes me happy! And you don't want to see me unhappy… starts to go Hulk Anyway… the League FINALLY appears in this chapter! WHOO HOO!

Disclaimer: "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and all material therein is originally copyright of Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neil. The movie rights belong to 20th Century Fox. No infringement is intended.

Chapter Four: Called to action

Rippling waves of moonlight invaded the command deck on the Nautilus, tracing delicate dancing patterns across the face of the only soul present. Special Agent Tom Sawyer stood in front of the broad windows that offered the best view of the ocean without actually leaving the warmth of the magnificent ship. He drew in a deep breath and let it out in a long sigh, resting his hands on the window sill as he did so. So much had happened, in what seemed so short a time, he could hardly believe it. It seemed like only yesterday he and the League had been travelling around the world at unimaginable speeds, fighting evil along the way. Now they were simply travelling. The closest Tom had come to an all-out fight in these two years was a drunken brawl that their erstwhile friend Skinner had started back in a London pub. Tom was itching for a chance to get out and, well, put simply, shoot something… and not just the floating targets that Nemo provided.

The Secret Service had sent him an urgent message following the "incident", as they had put it, in Mongolia. They had wished for him to stay in Europe, citing that they had few agents of Tom's calibre there, and one more wouldn't hurt. Tom knew full well that what they really meant was that the U.S Government wanted to keep an eye on the actions of the European nations. The scare they'd received after the possibility of the impending war crossing the Atlantic was enough for Washington to consider Europe enough of a threat to itself and the U.S to warrant closer investigation. In truth, no one had actually asked Tom to spy, but he knew that if it came to it, his training dictated that he report any unusual behaviour immediately.

Including any unusual behaviour within the League…

Tom suddenly snapped out of his silent reverie. Something was in here with him. What, he couldn't tell. Slowly, he turned around, and made as if to leave the bridge. There it was again, that something. The something that felt like… wind? That was impossible. How could there be wind inside the Nautilus? All the same, Tom kept a wary eye on the shadows in the corners of the room.

He reached for the heavy door, turning the handle quietly, listening.

Suddenly, he pulled back with all his weight, slamming the edge of the door into the wall opposite which it opened, effectively trapping… whatever it was, between the riveted steel and the corner. He was rewarded by a satisfying, and slightly familiar sounding "ouff!".

"Oi! Easy now, Sawyer… it's me… it's Skinner!" The thief was more frightened than he wanted to admit to: he voice had risen a few tones.

"Skinner? What the- Damnit, put some clothes on!" Tom pulled back on the door and offered Skinner a hand to pull him off of where he was supposedly slouched on the wall. "Trying to keep control of you while invisible is like trying to control Hyde." Tom grinned lop-sidedly. "Remember the library?"

"Oh yeah… that was fun." He took the proffered hand, smiling at the memories of the encounter of which they both spoke.

"Fun?" Sawyer scoffed. "Hyde tore down three bookshelves, and nearly killed two crew members!"

"Yeah… but they lived right? And we fixed the bookshelves." Skinner spoke as if that was all that mattered. Tom supposed in a way he was right… the damage had been repaired, and no lives were lost, but Nemo had been furious. He remembered trying to hold back the angry Captain, while he slashed randomly at the air, trying to get at Hyde. He didn't seem to recognise the fact that killing or maiming Hyde would also injure their friend Jekyll. It was unlike Nemo to attack out of rage… but he had been livid. It was a good thing that the potion had worn off pretty soon after that: Nemo seemed to regain some composure when he saw the poor doctor lying on the floor, panting and trembling.

"What were you doing up here anyway?" Tom was again dragged out of his thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"What were you doing? You. Here." Skinner punctuated the last few words by poking Tom in his chest.

"Oh. Nothing… just thinking. You surprised me is all." Tom made a gesture with his hand as if to say 'forget about it'.

"Surprised you?" The thief seemed incredulous. "Sawyer, as far as we know, hell, as far as the British Government knows, I am the only invisible man in existence on the planet. Who on else would seemingly not be in this room and yet be able to make noise… aside from me?"

Tom was silent for a minute before he let out a sigh, this one ruffling the strands of hair on his forehead. "I don't know Skinner. I'm just kinda edgy. Ever since we left Siam, I've been having this weird feeling that something's up."

"Mate, is this about that old bag who cursed you 'cuz you wouldn't give her a penny? Cuz, if it is, then I feel inclined to tell you that she was making it all up… you're not cursed. In fact, what she was reciting was simply a recipe for stir-fried noodles." Tom raised an eyebrow. "I overheard one of Nemo's men talking about it… apparently one of them knew Siamese."

"Yeah… well." Tom mumbled. He didn't feel he could explain anything to Skinner: he was just too carefree. At times Tom wished he could be like that. Not caring, but not exactly heartless at the same time.

Both were silent for a minute before Skinner again broke the silence, his happy-go-lucky cockney reverberating off of the cold steel of the walls.

"Mate, I know just what you need." He slung an arm around Sawyer's shoulders as he steered him through the door and out into the hallway. He stopped and pulled on his long trench coat before continuing. "A nice drink." He spoke quickly before the American could object. "I'm sure our dearest friend the Captain won't mind… especially if it keeps me out of trouble and out from under his old sea-legs, eh?"

Tom chuckled. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Skinner was actually right. Many a time had he heard Nemo muttering under his breath following an encounter with the invisible thief, and he felt it part of his duty to allow the good Captain some much needed quiet-time in his cabin.

"Alright Skinner. Lead the way."

Dr. Henry Jekyll sat at one of the tables within the confines of the Nautilus's library, intently studying a book on medieval medicinal practices. Not that they would ever come in of any use… those doctors had been about as learned as a five year-old child. But still, Henry read on. The beliefs that people in his position had held fascinated him, and he wasn't exactly the sociable one on board the vessel anyway, preferring solitude and a good book to the animated company of his fellow League members.

He was just beginning the chapter entitled "Leeches, Blood and Their Application to The Human Body" when he heard two familiar voices drifting through the great sliding doors of the library. Rising from his cushioned seat and pulling out his much worn pocket-watch, he carefully sneaked a peek around the tall bookshelf in front of him, not immediately wanting to be seen. Sure enough, there were Thomas and Skinner, laughing and cajoling as if they hadn't a care in the world, which Jekyll supposed they didn't. They had no burden to bear, no demons to escape… not like him.

Yes, Henry. Always watching. Never touching, never playing… always alone. You're pathetic you little weasel. Hyde taunted his maker.

"Shut up, Edward." Henry's reply was brief; he was in no mood for bantering to the creature that lived within his head. As if on reflex he began to fiddle with the watch, rubbing it, opening it, closing it. Over and over again, as natural to him now as breathing was.

Now, now Henry… that wasn't very nice. And as you know, one good turn does deserve another… Hyde's mocking tone was now replaced by an incessant banging against his captor's skull. Henry clutched at his temples, as if that would stop it. Let me out… let me out… LET ME OUT! Hyde screamed at him, his booming growing with each syllable.

"NO!"

"Jekyll?" Henry looked up, only to be confronted by the shaggy blonde head of Sawyer. Damn. He'd been found. He quickly plastered a smile on his face and ran out an explanation.

"It's Hyde - It's been a while since he was let loose." Inside his head Hyde scoffed. He had given up his migraine-inducing activities, or at least, whatever it was a mind-dwelling, alter-ego could do that could be called an activity, and was, Henry presumed, simply listening. It irked Henry, having Hyde inside him. No thoughts, feelings, emotions, conversations… nothing could be kept a secret from the irrepressible Mr. Hyde.

"Yeah… I guess so." Tom shot him a pitying look. The kind that Henry secretly abhorred. "Skinner and I were just going to have a drink before dinner. Care to join us? Skinner's found some of Nemo's best port." He now offered his friendly crooked smile.

Not wanting to be rude, and seeing as he couldn't rightly fathom up any excuse not to, Henry Jekyll agreed. Who knew? It may even amuse Hyde for a while.

The two emerged from behind the bookshelf and wandered over to the small table around which several deep-seated, heavily cushioned chairs had been arranged. Trust Skinner to always drink in style.

"Ah, doctor!" The thief looked up from where he was pouring the alcohol into glasses that were originally intended for a less potent drink than after-dinner port. "I thought you might join us. Hyde giving us trouble again then, hmmm?" There was a friendly, questioning look on Skinner's grease-painted face.

"Not much, he should be alright for now, although I do admit I will most likely need to let him out soon. If not, he may try to force the change without the potion." Skinner grimaced slightly at the thought of what pain that may cause.

"How would we do that? We don't want it to be like last time." Tom eyes moved around the library, stopping on one of the bookshelves which had been repaired following Hyde's last little 'outing'.

Inside Jekyll's head, Hyde chuckled with mirth at the memory. "I suppose we could try and bind him up in chains like you did when you first captured him." Hyde's chuckles abruptly stopped and were replaced by a low growling.

"But we can worry about that later!" Skinner interjected as he distributed the glasses. "For now, we can talk about… anything at all. Minus Hyde and Mina's sudden ill-tempered phase – which is nothing to do with the fact that I went through her things – and of course, this port won't drink itself." He held up his glass as if to a toast, and downed a long gulp, the warm liquid visibly running down his throat and into his stomach. Tom and Henry smiled at each other before following suit, albeit with a little more restraint towards the drink than their invisible friend.

They didn't get long alone together before Nemo came walking in, closely followed by two crew members who stood by the door while their captain addressed his comrades. As usual, he was dressed to the nines: turban, silken robes, sword… everything as befitting an Indian pirate.

"Friends." He approached them from behind bowing slightly and startling the slightly tipsy Skinner, who was beginning to rant on about some barmaid in Driscoll… wherever that was. They immediately stood and put down their glasses, Skinner downing what was left in his before doing so. "We have received a signal from British Intelligence's nearest out posting. I believe it necessary that we discuss the message they transmitted. Miss. Harker will be meeting us in the dining room presently."

Curious as to what Britain could possibly want to do with the League, they followed their host out of the library, and down the elegant white halls. Each one lost in their own thoughts again, wondering what news awaited them.

A.N: Again, this is getting a little long, so I'm going to leave you with this little cliff-hanger for a while until I've written up the next chapter. PLEASE review people… yeah! That includes you ghosts that run around reading fan fiction and then not reviewing it! You know who you are!