A.N: I hadn't originally planned to start work on chapter six yet, but seeing as I'm free with nothing at all to do, I may as well! Also, even though the Nautilus was able to travel through the Venice canals, I've decided to make it impossible for it to do so along the Nile... you don't like it? Deal with it! Lol!

Shoutouts:

queerquail: OMG! Two reviews in one day! You're an angel! (hugs). Anyway... yeah, I LOVE Finding Nemo, it was just SO funny! One of my favourite parts is the Squishy thing, and I love the scenes in the fish tank at the dentist's! Khenemetisis is my OC character, and her name really does mean that! I was doing a Google search for Egyptian names and this site popped up explaining ancient Egyptian nomenclature... it's pretty cool.

Alrighty on with...

Chapter Six: Memories

As Nemo had predicted, the journey to northern Egypt would take them at least two weeks, even if the Nautilus did go at full speed, so the companions were in little rush to prepare themselves for Egypt. Their dutiful captain had also informed them that his ship would not be able to make the journey up the Nile, and so they would be forced to anchor someway offshore and take boats to Cairo. Unfortunately, the boat trip was estimated to prolong their journey by anywhere up to another week.

With this in mind, the various occupants of the Nautilus set about packing their things for at least a week long trip along the Nile in the blazing African heat. Tom began to pack roughly three days before their arrival outside Alexandria, and he huffed to himself as he loaded several more clean shirts and trousers into his trunk, not bothering to fold them. He had always driven his aunt mad back in Mississippi, every time he was taken somewhere she thought she could trust him to pack sensibly, as an adult would. But Tom, ever the child at heart, had always loaded his trunk with slingshots, toy guns and enough ammunition for both to last a whole war. When his dear aunt told him to pack at least some semblance of clothing, he would grab a dirty shirt off of the floor and toss it in.

He closed the lid and flopped down onto his bed, lying sprawled across it carelessly, thinking of the days when he was back in his hometown. Back in the days with Aunt Polly and Huck and Becky, when Tom seemingly had no cares in the world.

Things had changed drastically since then. He recalled fondly how he had attended his own funeral and heard Becky making that confession about him; how he had tricked the local children into painting Aunt Polly's fence for him; how he and Huck had joyfully walked into Washington, delighted with the prospects of becoming Secret Service Agents... and then he remembered the Phantom, or Moriarty as he had been revealed to be. Tom scowled and shut his eyes against the bright light of his ceiling lamp as he recalled that fateful day in London.

They were chasing the Phantom, running after him through a series of labyrinthine London alleyways, their feet splashing in the puddles around the cobblestones as they fought for breath in the icy air. They called to each other periodically, one checking that the other was alright before running onwards again, always on the Phantom's tail.

Tom had been leading the chase for most of the way, and he gratefully accepted Huck's offer to run ahead while he stopped briefly to catch his breath. He watched, bent double with his hands on his knees as his friend ran onward and rounded a corner, his long rain slicker billowing out behind him.

Suddenly, there was a shot. The sharp crack of the gun echoing deafeningly off of the enclosed space that surrounded him.

Tom looked up again, expecting to hear Huck's joyful shouts that he had caught their prize. Instead saw his friend's head snap back violently, with enough force to break his neck. Time seemed to move in slow motion as he watched the bullet emerge from Huck's temple, splattering blood across the gaudy posters that lined the brick walls of the alley.

He couldn't remember how long exactly he had stood there, just staring incomprehensibly before he finally ran towards his fallen friend. His legs buckled and he fell on his knees in front of Huck's body, lifting the limp form into his lap and speaking soothingly to it, as if he was gently trying to wake him from sleep; but his eyes steadily avoided looking at the gaping wound in the middle of Huck's forehead.

He couldn't remember much after that. There were blurred images of a masked figure disappearing into the dark, chuckling as he ran. He must have passed out then - the next thing he knew, he was waking up in an unfamiliar house. He guessed that someone had found him and brought him there, then stripped him and left his clothes in front of the fireplace to dry. Not wanting to be found awake and be bombarded with questions, he had quickly dressed and jumped out of a window into the foggy streets on London.

Tom recalled how he had steadily made his way back to the alleyway in which Huck had fallen, and not finding the body, had wired back to the States to report. After that, he had been assigned to follow the League, and he had shoved all his problems behind him, choosing instead to concentrate on the job at hand.

Only now, the past was coming back, and it wouldn't be pushed away again. Tom screwed up his face as he felt tears coming to his eyes, and he pinched the bridge of his nose to stop the tingling sensation that had begun there.

There was a knock on his door and he immediately opened his eyes, squinting against the bright light. Shaking his head, he stood and made his way over to the door, calling out "come in" as he moved.

"Tom, mate!" Skinner's cheery voice and crooked smile greeted him. "What you up to then?"

"Not much. Just packing for the trip once we reach Alexandria. Did you want something?" Tom wasn't particularly in the mood for the thief's antics, and he had a splitting head ache to top things off. He made a mental note to visit Henry later – perhaps he had something for it.

"Nah, not particularly, just came to check on you. You haven't really come out of your room much these past few days; figure I'd check you weren't dead." Skinner walked over to Tom's trunk and lifted its lid, he never really had had much respect for personal barriers, which, Tom thought, was probably why Mina and Nemo were constantly after his head.

"Yeuch. Tom, mate, didn't you ever learn to pack properly? Even I, the Gentleman Thief, can fold a shirt." Skinner lifted one of the American's clean shirts between two fingers and promptly dropped it distastefully back into the trunk.

"I never was one for packing properly. Besides, it'll all get messed up again anyhow." Tom shrugged.

Skinner cocked a pale eyebrow and grinned. "Can't disagree with you there. I'd better get started meself come to think of it."

"You? Start packing early? We've got three days before we arrive. I'm only doing this now because I've got nothing better to be doing."

"Cut that down to one day." At Tom's perplexed look Skinner elaborated. "I ran into Nemo a moment ago. He said that we've managed to catch onto some current which'll carry the Nautilus to Alexandria faster than he thought."

Tom greeted the news happily. He hadn't realized just how much he'd wanted to get onto dry land; no matter how splendid a ship it was, Tom hadn't been born to leave in a cage - even one so magnificent as the Nautilus.

The friendly thief stayed a while before they both wandered off to the library; Tom intent on reading up a bit on Egypt, and Skinner in pursuit of Nemo's liquor cabinet.

Similarly to Tom, Mina could also be found in her quarters. The news of their new-found speed had reached her ears, and she was intently considering what clothes to pack. Knowing full well that Africa's heat was virtually unbearable for the proper English woman, she extracted the thinnest clothes she could from her closet, but refused to leave behind her corset and petticoats. Even if she was to be travelling with people she knew well, she had always taken a certain pride in being the only English rose aboard, and was not about to throw her reputation away simply because of the change in temperature.

While she was arranging her toiletries, she heard a soft knocking at her door, and, perplexed as to who it may be, she walked over to answer the call personally. Upon opening the door, she was surprised to discover none other than Henry Jekyll standing before her, timidly smiling.

"I-I, was wondering if, perhaps, you required any assistance Mina?" The doctor's voice was hopeful, and Mina somehow couldn't bring herself to turn him away.

"No, actually, I'm quite alright." At the sight of his crestfallen look she quickly continued. "But, I could use some company, I have seen so little of you lately." She stood aside and allowed the doctor to walk in. "Would you like some tea? I was brought some a minute ago, and I'm sure that I have another cup somewhere in here." Before her guest could reply, she immediately started to rummage around in a cabinet to find the proffered cup.

"Tea would be lovely, thank you."

Just as Mina was closing the cabinet door, the Nautilus gave an uncharacteristic heave, which sent the vampire toppling head first into Henry, who caught her deftly about her waist and steadied her until the ship had righted itself. The two stood like that, looking at each other for some time before Mina pulled away.

"Thank you." She seemed slightly breathless. Henry himself only nodded slightly in acknowledgment of her thanks before he broke her gaze and took the tea cup that she still held carefully in both hands.

Mina blushed slightly, realizing that she was simply standing around looking foolish before she moved towards the pot of fresh tea and poured it. She sat down briskly, and quickly hid her rosy cheeks behind her cup. Henry, not having been asked to sit down, simply took he hostess's actions as if to mean that he should do the same, and he sat down in the comfy chair across the table from her.

After a minute of uncomfortable silence, Mina finally spoke.

"I'm so sorry about falling on you like that. It was unintentional, I assure you." She smiled apologetically at her companion.

Just as Henry was about to brush away Mina's words, a knock came at the door. When opened, Tom stood there and surveyed the scene before him for a moment before stating his business.

He cleared his throat before speaking. "Are you two okay?" The question was addressed to both of them, but Tom looked only at Mina.

"The current is kind of rough. A few things got knocked about – including Nemo." Tom grinned.

"Yes, Tom. Thank you. I slipped but Henry caught me in time before I fell." At this, Tom turned his head sharply towards the doctor and forced a smile.

Mina hated telling Tom the truth, she knew that taking hard knocks was most difficult when you were young, and heaven knew that Tom had taken enough of them in his lifetime, but she wanted to deter his feelings for her as soon as was possible. She didn't feel that she could rightly move on with her own life unless Tom felt nothing for her, or until he at least stopped showing his 'affection' as he most likely believed it to be.

"I just came to check on you both." He paused briefly. "Dinner is being served." With this, Tom closed the door without waiting for a reply from either of them.

Mina and Jekyll simply looked at one another for a time before rising. Henry helped her to empty their cups before escorting her down the hallways to the dining room.

Mina's actions and words to Tom seemed to have given the good doctor more confidence. He offered Mina his arm as they walked, and for once, he started up the conversation instead of commenting on anything she suggested. Mina was pleased. She had never thought the doctor to be so charming. Obviously she knew he was completely the opposite of Hyde, and she was glad of it. But he had never really come out and shown any real kind of feeling to her, let alone anyone on board the Nautilus.

Mina thought it quite a remarkable change... and she intended to improve upon it.

A.N: Whoo! Okay, that was quite a long chapter. Anyway, I may not update for a few days as I have to do some research on Cairo in the 1900s for the upcoming chapters... but please review anyway!