Disclaimer: Same old, same old. You know the drill say it with me. I OWN NOTHING, except for my genius and my characters and plots. There ya go enjoy!

"So Miss Cassandra, what do you fancy wearing today? Black, black, or more black?" Ellie asked drawing out three almost identical black gowns. I say almost, one was more of a fashionable cut with a small waist line which would mean I would have a corset tied very tightly. If I was anything I was fashionable. Hell, beauty is pain, right?

"Doesn't seem like I have much of a choice, now do I?" I said aloud. Ellie tried not to snigger.

"It don't look it, Miss."

"I think I shall wear that one." I said pointing an imperious finger at the gown I had noticed.

"Good god, Miss! You'll faint again for sure if you wear that!"

"Then be sure to bring the smelling salts when we go out."

She sighed, shaking her head trying hard not laugh. She must have wondered what could possibly have happened to changed her mistress so in a single night.

I grabbed a hold to the bedpost as she began to tighten and lace up the corset. I gave a sharp gasp of pain, hissing it in my mouth.

"Funny, it seems like this is the first time I've worn one of these things." I wheezed trying to breathe. I wonder why, oh wait, because it WAS my first time. Bloody corsets! They were probably invented by men to torture women. Damn all men!

After I was laced up she helped me get on the yards of fabric in the gown. Guiding me to the vanity, she pulled out the stool, gesturing me to sit.

"How shall we do your hair today, Miss?"

"Just an up do I think will do it, Ellie, really."

She was a whiz. I just kept thinking she would have made a fortune in my time doing hair with such expert ease. She did my make up as was traditional for the times, a little coal around my eyes to accent them and a small amount of rouge on my lips just enough to keep them full of color. The last touch was a black hat with a delicately laced black veil that covered my features, but not obscuring them. They were like a pair of little black sexy shades for an older generation. I smiled at my reflection, my painted lips rising slightly at the corners. I rose gracefully in a rustle of silk, the layers of the gown rubbing pleasantly against my skin.

Making for the door, I took a black cane with a sliver handle. Raising it to my eyes I spun it slowly taking in the carvings on the silver. A sun joined with a cresent moon. Power over both night and day, light and dark. What felt like a ripple of knowledge stirred in my head. Walking out into the Hall all I could do was stare dumbly at the beauty and size of such a house, making my way down the grand stairs lined in red velvet. The butler or I assumed it was the butler opened the main door for me.

"Thank you." I murmured, stepping out into the light of day, the neighborhood a startling change in color from the slums of the city I was sure. A black carriage waited at the corner of the apartment. Ellie came to my side.

"Will I be going with you, Miss?"

"Not this time, Ellie. I have some business to take care of."

"Very good, Miss."

I began my way down the porch steps to the carriage, when Ellie's voice stopped me.

"What time should we expect you back, Miss?"

I turned to face her and gave an unsure smile, "I'm not sure when Ellie, just expect me anytime this afternoon, alright?"

"Yes, Miss."

I approached the carriage, as I did the driver let down the stairs. I winced as it made the clang of a knife being sharpened, closing my eyes for the moment, shuddering at the memories it brought. When I had opened them again, the driver had his hand extended to help me in. Giving him a small smile of gratitude I slid in on the right hand side. The inside was black walls with brown leather seats, thank god not red. I would have run out of the creepy thing screaming madly if it were.

"Where to, Miss?" I heard the driver ask as he climbed aboard.

"Police Headquarters." I said succinctly.

"Mam?" He asked.

"Just drive." I sighed annoyed, and rapping my cane sharply twice against the wall. With a slap of the reigns we were off.

Man, I felt like bitch of the year. But I guess if you were a woman in these times you'd have to be to get what you wanted. The carriage swayed pleasantly almost as if a mother rocking her child to sleep in her warm embrace. I woke as the carriage came to an abrupt stop.

"Here we are Miss, Police Headquarters." He said opening the door, I gave him my hand as he helped me step out. If he hadn't I would have tripped on the damned dress and broken my neck.

Standing on the sidewalk of a somewhat run in neighborhood, I looked comically out of place. The whores across the street sneered at me, while the men gave out shrill and loud cat calls.

"Thank you. Please wait here. I shan't be long." What the hell possessed me to use the word 'shan't'?! And walking poised and straight backed I made my way up the steps of the building.

One of the constables opened the door for me. Entering I heard him whisper lustily to his companion, "Wouldn't ya like ta feel her satiny skin on yers, eh old boy?" I heard the other man snigger softly.

Turning around and pinning him with a stare I made my way back to him.

"What is your name?" I asked him in a soft flirty voice.

"My.........my name Miss?"

I nodded.

"It's Thomas, Miss."

"Well Thomas you just might end up getting your wish."

Thomas turned to look at his friend as if to say, "Can you believe this?!"

"Why, really, Miss?!" He asked leaning down closer.

"Really."

Smack!

The next second, his head had snapped to one side and his hand was pressed firmly to his growing red cheek. His friend burst out laughing, his hands clutching his sides.

I raised a brow, "So.....Thomas.......how did my 'satiny skin' feel to you?" And giving them both a nod of the head I said, "Gentlemen." His friend was still laughing hysterically, tears of mirth running down his face, as he opened the door for me and once again I swept past them into the building.

Noise assaulted me from all angles as I entered a room full of loud, rambunctious constables. Standing in the doorway, I was seen by all. The silence which followed was unnerving.

Another eyebrow raise, I gave a haughty humph of disdain and walked up to one man who seemed to be the secretary or deskboy. Standing over him, I could see the terror in his eyes, and it felt good to have that kind of power over men.

"I'm here to see Sergent Codley."

"And what business would ya be wantin' with the Sergent?" he asked rather bravely.

"That is none of your concern. My business is my own. Now, go and tell your Sergent that I need to speak with him immediately."

The boy gulped.

"Now." I said coldly. The boy sprang from his sear, disappearing into another room behind his desk. I stood with the entire silence of the room at my back, like a dagger between my shoulder blades. Within the next few seconds, the little man scurried out closing the door behind him.

Approaching me, wringing his hands, he said his voice shaking, "Um, I'm sorry Mam, but he's terribly busy at the moment."

I sighed and rolled my eyes, pushing myself past him to the door. Taking another brave front he stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

"I'm sorry Miss, but you can't go in there!"

I narrowed my eyes to slits, "Watch me." And pushing him aside with my cane I burst through the door.

If he was busy at that moment I would have loved to see what an off day was like for the Sergent. He was leaning back in his chair, his feet were set up on the desk and he nearly fell over when I entered with the little man following behind.

"Yes, I can see he is VERY busy." I exclaimed with lilting sarcasm.

"I'm sorry sir, I tried to stop her but......."

"It's fine Devons, you can leave, I'll handle this." Codley said rising to his feet. The little man nodded and exited backwards closing the door again.

"Now how can I help you Miss......." he struggled to find a name.

"Miss Harlington." I said smiling. I always like Codley in the movie. I hoped he wouldn't disappoint me now.

"Harlington? Oh yes,.......I was sorry to hear the tragic news of your father's passing." He gestured for me to take a seat in front of his desk.

"I prefer to stand." I merely said.

"So what can I do ya for Miss Harlington. I do hope nothin' bad concernin' you or yours?"

"No," I said turning away and beginning to take in my surroundings. One the other side of the room was another desk and behind it a board with the Ripper Case evidence on it. I slowly made my way over to it, "Nothing unforeseen has happened to me. I'm here to ask you some questions about a certain Inspector......." Saying this I picked up the nameplate on the desk and turning showed it to Codley, ".....who goes by the name of Abberline."

I saw Codley become still and tense for a moment, skillfully hiding the next. I was probably the only one who would have noticed such a thing, because I was the only one looking for it.

"Something wrong, Sergent?" I asked innocently.......enough that is without being innocent.

"No. Not at all." He said in a flustered way and then trying to act nonchalant he made to sit down in the chair, "What would ya be wantin' to know about Abberline? If he's caught the Ripper yet?"

"No, my dear Sergent, I think we both know the origional Ripper's days killing whores are over, all though many will try to copy his methods in the future. No, my dear Sergent," I repeated, "What I'd be wantin' ta know about Abberline is where he chases the Dragon."

He had been about to sit down in the chair and instead fell on the floor. Jumping up he tried to brush it off as normal and walked over to me, towering over me, blocking out the light.

"Who's been tellin' stories about Abberline? Withers?"

"Is he the man out guarding the front door?" I asked him.

"Yes, that's him. Bloody idiot!"

"But he didn't tell me anything. Just remind him to keep his comments in his throat so that the ladies don't smack him around."

"What? Fine, I'll speak to him about it. But who told ya Abberline chases the Dragon. Why it's godwhollop......"

"You know that that is completely false, having you yourself wakened him from the drugged sleep."

His eyes narrowed suspiciously and he took several steps back, "Aye, I know but how do you?"

"Just call it my womanly intuition, Sergent, and we'll leave it at that."

"No, Miss Harlington," he said walking back to his desk, opening a drawer, "I don't think we will." With that he pulled out a gun. My eyes widened slightly as I froze staring at the black demon like object in his hand. Damn! I should have seen this coming. Well that is the basic rule, try to remember it girl: You're a woman. You're not supposed to know any of this!

"Are you intending to kill me, Sergent?" I questioned, making no sudden movements.

"If it comes to that, Miss Harlington. Now tell me, how do ya know all of this and who told ya?"

I was becoming angry and I didn't have much time left as far as I knew to argue.

"First of all Codley put that thing away right now, there is no need of it. I wish no harm to come to you, Inspector Abberline, or Mary Kelly."

He cocked the gun.

Crapcrapcrapcrapholyfreakingcrap!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Who are ya?"

"A friend."

"And what the fuck do ya want with Abberline?"

That was easy to answer, "To help."

"And what if I don't believe the bullshit ya've told me so far?"

"Then I suppose you could kill me, but I think there have been enough murders so far, don't you. You could kill me, but then Frederick Abberline would never see Mary Kelly again, for the fact he will be dead and you'll be the one to pay his way for the Ferryman."

"How do ya know about all of this?" He finally asked.

Whooooo, now how would I explain that?! I could go with the whole I'm-from-an-alternate-universe-and-time-and-I-know-everything-that's- happened, or I'm GOD. Oh shit, what excuse could I use that he would really believe........? Visions: He would believe in another Abberline.

"You should know more than anyone that there are certain people who SEE more than others do."

His grip lessened on the handle of the revolver.

"People like Abberline," I said softly, "People like me. That, Segent, is how I know all of this. Because Abberline isn't the only one of his kind."

He lowered the gun, a light of dawning in his eyes of a realization.

"Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

Placing the gun on the table he spoke, "I believe so, Miss Harlington. But I do have one question."

I raised a delicate brow, "Only one, Sergent?"

"At the moment. If you are as you say you are, you do see as Frederick does then why did you not help us before in the Ripper case. You could have saved us a lot of fucking trouble."

"You already had someone with the Sight, you didn't need me. You had Abberline." I improvised.

"But why now?"

"You won't have him for very long now." I said, "He's going to die and it'll happen if we don't stop him."

"Stop him? The bloody bastards goin' ta take his own life?!"

"No, not intentionally, at least I don't think so......." I stuttered.

"How?"

"How do you think?" I asked angrily, "He has been taking the Opium seed into his system for years! Do you have any idea what that drug does to your internal track?!"

"No, but I can sure as hell guess that ya're goin ta tell me." He answered.

"He is going to die today or the next if he chases the Dragon one more time!" My voice grew louder and I began to pace.

"Alrigh' alrigh! Not so loud lass! He hasn't come in yet today but he should be here very soon."

"I'm afraid to wait. My visions," I lied, "don't always come in order. I don't know the exact time he kills himself, just that it's soon."

"Ya'll have ta calm yaself Miss or ya'll end up in a faint."

"Too late I'm afraid Codley, it's happened once already today but no worries I have the smelling salts handy."

"Listen, he'll be here and I'll find out for ya where he'll be and when. I'll come with ya of course, while I do believe ya I'm not so sure I trust ya just yet, if ya don't mind me sayin'."

"Not at all. But how can you be sure he isn't at the den at this moment?" I asked, somewhat disturbed, the thought just now occurring to me.

He actually laughed. "Not Abberline! Maybe others, but not Abberline. He'd come ta work and THEN kill himself!"

I gave a small smile and chuckled, "You're right. That sounds like the Inspector."

"What of me?" A new voice joined us.