The Tardis materialised in the grounds of a stately home in an outer London suburb. All the tourists had left for the day. Joe knocked on the door of an outbuilding, with a tall, slender, dark-haired man coming to let them in.

"Good to see you, Joe, Doctor, Mac, everyone. What assistance is required?"

"Mayor Regina Mills of Storybrooke and Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira have been abducted on an unofficial state visit here in London, Uncle Dan."

Dan Robinson, founder and leader of the Irregulars nodded. "Jeff, Liz!" he called. Two blonde figures approached, one a tall, stocky man and the other a tall, slim woman. Jeff Webster and his wife Liz Spencer had been Dan's best friends from infancy. Together with Mickey Denning, they formed the Baker Street Irregulars, named after Sherlock Holmes' gang of Street Arabs. Unbeknownst to Sherlock Holmes addict Dan at the time, he was actually the Great Detective's Great-Grandson. If his features had been a fraction more hawk-like, he could have passed for his distinguished forebear.

Behind them was a tall, fair-haired girl of Nicholas and Ava's age. "Hello, Joe. Who are your friends?"

Joe grinned. "This is Jeff and Liz's daughter Louise Webster." He then introduced the others.

They were invited into the building. George Kirrin was chatting to Jon and Penny Warrender. J.I.G. "Jigger" Johnson was talking to his best friend Rex Milligan.

Once the contingent (now including Richard, Fenella and Reuben) were seated, Dan turned to one of the computer terminals. "Where did the abduction take place?"

"Richmond. At this pub here." Joe passed Dan the address. "Right, about what time?"

"About half past one." Suddenly images from traffic cameras appeared on the scene. "There, that must be the fake diplomatic protection vehicle. Look, that's Henry's Mum and Athena's Grandma."

Dan nodded. "Odd! The car vanishes in the area between those lights. Per the incident report I've flagged up, MI5 Section D have searched the area thoroughly, based on these same images.

"Hang on! That blue car! It's the wrong dimensions – that looks like adaptive camouflage to me. They must have rotating or projected licence plates, adaptive paint, adjustable tint windscreens and windows and internal holographic projectors. Let us trace it. It disappears in that area down by the docks. Blast! Too many warehouses, factories and office blocks! We'll have to do a search tomorrow morning."

"Well, all these screens show that area," Joe nodded. "These analyses based on the cameras and – what did you base this one on?"

Jeff looked up. "That's based on…" He turned pale. "That is a probable location based on current information to where the mysterious tiger shark leftovers are coming from…"

"I think," Jigger said slowly, "we know who imported the thing and why."

"Yes," Joe agreed, "SPECTRE are keeping it. From the fewer carcasses found, I presume they are part starving it for a large meal sometime soon. Regina and Hippolyta are destined to be fed alive to the shark!"

Regina finished towelling herself off in the en suite after her shower. She put her bra and panty set back on and entered the main cell. Hippolyta, clad in her own underwear, was in her bed. The former Evil Queen slid herself beneath the duvet of the other bed.

"That was a good idea of yours, Hippolyta, to keep at least our underwear on when in range of that CCTV camera. I'm not happy about being naked with that bloated idiot watching me!"

Her friend began to shiver. "Ditto! While I enjoy being naked on Themyscira, the thought of evil men watching me unclad…"

"If I had been raped, Hippolyta, I would be even more uncomfortable about the situation than I already am."

Hippolyta nodded. "Well, I suppose we should get some sleep tonight. By Aphrodite, what a shame you are straight! I would have liked to have made love on what could be my last night on this world…"

"Sorry, Hippolyta! Straight and spoken-for! I didn't know you…"

"Did you really think that I did not have sex for three and a half millennia?"

"Fair point! I suppose the, err, alternatives were limited until recently…"

"Exactly!" She shivered again. "We must formulate a plan of escape, but it's hopeless!"

Regina sighed. "If only I had Henry to do his "in Fairy Tales, we never abandon Hope and we shall get our Happily Ever After!" routine." She then started to sob. "Henry, Robin, Swan, even those idiot Charmings, I'll never get to say a proper goodbye to them. I'll never hug Henry or kiss Robin, or even see them again! Why must I always be unhappy?"

Hippolyta was starting to cry herself. "Diana, Clark, Lois, Drusilla, Athena, Donna, Roy… I won't see my beautiful family ever again! Maybe I'll semi-ascend like the goddesses did, but…"

After some more chat, the two friends fell into a restless, uncertain slumber.

Tirelessly, MI5 Section D arranged for the area to be swept by the Special Branch of the Metropolitan Police. Superman searched the area from up high, but too many of the buildings had lead-lined walls and he could not hear any sound that was obviously Regina or his mother-in-law. Roy Harper, the vigilante known as Arsenal and Donna's long-term boyfriend, was preparing his arrows, with Robin doing the same thing. James Bond, Modesty Blaise, Jack Harkness, Sam Loover, Joe, David and Emma were checking their firearms and Mary-Margaret her crossbow. Harry Potter was polishing his wand.

Mac, Lois, Jigger, Rex, George, the Lone Piners and the Irregulars would provide mission support from the Tardis. Once Superman had identified the correct building, he, Wonder Woman and Troia would attack from the air, with Arsenal, Robin, James Bond, Modesty, Willie and Jack attacking from the ground. The Doctor would materialise his craft in the lair and try to help the captive queens. He would leave the Tardis with David, Emma, Sam and Joe as cover. Much to their annoyance, all the youngsters other than Joe were told firmly that they would be staying in the Tardis until the battle was over.

"How are you feeling, Henry?" Ava asked as she snuggled up to her boyfriend as they relaxed in the lounge after a hearty meal Joe called Toad in the Hole. This consisted of thick sausages cooked in batter, served with mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, savoy cabbage and creamed parsnips. It was very tasty and filling, which was just what Henry needed. It had been a trying day, with the worry over the kidnapping. "I know that's a stupid thing to say."

"I just need to hold you at the moment. Well, we don't know they are dead yet. Until we do, there must be hope. We are Fairy Tales. Hope is our business! I must believe that!"

Penny Warrender sat down beside them, her flame-red hair as fiery as her temper. The general feeling was that Tom Ingles might have been the strongest member of the club, but "Newpenny" (as Jon had dubbed her after the copper new penny coin) was possibly the most dangerous! On the other hand, she was quick to give a friendly smile, with her wide grey eyes sparkling. "This waiting is always the worst part of a kidnapping, trust me. I remember when the twins disappeared during our second meeting with the Ballinger…"

"You weren't bound and gagged in that cellar!" Richard commented drily. "That was when we met that French girl Arlette and my future editor James Wilson of the Clarion."

"Crystallised Cheesecakes!" they could hear Rex exclaim, as he and Jigger were telling Nicholas the story of how they helped raised the money to repair the roof of Sheldrake Grammar's school hall, a complicated tale involving a bird watcher, a refugee and an unexploded bomb that turned out to be a bathroom geyser. As always with Rex, Jigger and their friends, nothing was ever simple!

"We never spoke in a daft slang…" Richard noted.

Jon, Penny and Fenella looked at each other before exclaiming in union, "Acksherley, Dickie…"

"Oh, shut up!"

Athena was talking to Reuben Morton. The darkly handsome Romany boy was a good listener and had a habit of only speaking when necessary (something else he inherited from his mother, according to Joe!). Just what she needed, with her grandmother in mortal peril. She was told that, until there was proof of death, there was still hope (largely by Henry – as endearingly naïve as ever).

"I don't understand why anyone would want to do something so cruel! My grandma is a fierce warrior and Regina Mills a formidable sorceress, but they do not deserve to be used as fish food!"

"No, your royal highness – I mean Athena. Some people are just plain wicked. This SPECTRE has long been a byword for viciousness."

"Indeed," James Bond announced. "Waiter, I'll have a vodka martini, ice and lemon, shaken not stirred. I have been fighting SPECTRE and the Blofelds for most of my life, Princess Athena. If they are thwarted in a plot, they shall send a reminder that the R stands for Revenge."

"Well, I hope that, if, no, when Grandma and Regina are rescued, they can do some heart-ripping!"

"Whichever Blofeld or other is in charge, they are hard to kill! Trust me, killing Ernst Stavro Blofeld, their founder, wasn't easy." Bond sighed. "He had my wife killed en route to our honeymoon, after I had ruined an earlier plan. We had all the time in the world, or so I thought…"

Athena nodded. She turned to Reuben. I wonder if he is single? Grandma did tell me that I would be allowed to marry for love after that business in Storybrooke. I can't believe that those horrible Al Ghuls nearly caused a war. It was a good thing that Henry, Ava, Regina and the rest accepted that we were being manipulated by that madman! "Reuben, thank you for listening. Do you have an e-mail address I can use to keep in touch?"

"Certainly!" He gave it to her. She disappeared back to the room she was sharing with Sappho and Chloe, but not before shyly pecking Reuben on the cheek and embracing Henry and Ava tightly. I just hope I can get some sleep tonight!

Nicholas approached Louise Webster. "Your parents are detectives, then?"

"Mum helps the others where possible, although she's primarily a journalist, like Nan. Her Mum, I mean. My other one is a housewife, much to Mum's disgust! She's a women's libber!"

"Sorry?"

"A strident feminist! She's forever calling Dad a male chauvinist pig. He then teases her about her militant tendencies. According to Uncle Dan, it's the basis of their relationship!"

"I see." He didn't! "Ready for the excitement tomorrow?"

"What excitement? We are being kept in the Tardis by the patriarchal oppressors…"

"If you mean the Doctor, he's like that with everyone!"

"No! I mean those who are keeping the women away from the action…"

"Emma? Diana? Donna? Modesty? Mary Margaret?"

Louise sighed. "You have a point!"

Jeff grinned. "Ladies rarely concede an argument in my experience!"

Liz glared at him. "Maybe that's because gentlemen are rarely clever enough to win one!"

"Flirt later!" Dan barked. "Otherwise you'll have Jack Harkness pestering you!"

"Did someone say my name?!"

"Jeff, Liz, good luck!"

"Well, hello there…"

Liz and Jeff quickly made their excuses and left with Louise.

Regina awoke after a fitful sleep. Hippolyta had got out of her bed and was doing some exercises on the floor.

"It's a bit late to be worried about your health!"

"I like my body to be in peak physical condition at all times."

"I would say being dead is not a peak physical condition!"

The cell-door was unlocked and opened. "My, what a sight! The Queen of the Amazons exercising in her scanties!" announced the SPECTRE guard, pointing a pistol into the cell.

Regina raised an eyebrow. "Assuming that means underwear, may I remind you that she does martial arts?!"

"Well, if she attacks me, I shoot you in the stomach before her in the head!"

"I won't use pankration on you," Hippolyta promised. "Now, are you going to kill us now?"

"Actually, I'm providing you with your last breakfast! Your joint execution is scheduled to take place in about ninety minutes' time."

"I can't wait!" Regina muttered.

After a generous serving of porridge was provided by the guards, they left, locking the door behind them. Regina and Hippolyta ate, freshened themselves up and dressed.

Superman flew over the Docks, hidden by the clouds. Whilst he couldn't see through lead, he could still hear over great distances. The Invisible Jet with Wonder Woman and Troia inside was flying beside him. Diana was using telepathy not just to pilot her plane, but to send a repeated message that hopefully Hippolyta can hear from wherever she is being held. Lois was staying aboard the Tardis – even she had conceded a pregnant woman didn't belong in battle. Her goodbye kisses to him and Diana had been even more passionate than usual, as had her pleas for their safe return. She wants our child to grow up knowing the Daddy and both the Mommys.

Wait, the voices were muffled, but did he hear Regina talking to his mother-in-law?

"We've had about ninety minutes now. I do hope they are not going to keep us waiting!"

The door opened and the guard from before entered, covering them with his pistol. "Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira. Ms. Regina Mills of Storybrooke. You have been tried in absentia for crimes against SPECTRE, convicted and sentenced to death. Tie them up!" This last instruction was given to two further guards, who stood behind him with lengths of rope. They quickly approached their captives and bound their wrists together.

"Show time!" the lead guard grinned. "For us, anyway!"

"If I survive," Regina promised, "you shall be short a heart, I promise you!"

Regina and Hippolyta were led to a chamber. There was a strong hook hanging from the ceiling above what appeared to be a trapdoor. The women's bound wrists were raised above their heads and secured to the hook, ensuring they stood back-to-back. A SPECTRE operative with a knife made a gash in a bare shin of each lady (they were wearing the little black dresses from the previous day, SPECTRE not having provided alternative garments), causing blood drops to fall onto the trapdoor beneath them.

"That's not a fatal wound!" Hippolyta snapped. "That is not arterial blood."

"No, your majesty," said Werner Blofeld. "The blood loss shouldn't kill you both. Something else will do so first!"

"Don't keep us in suspense!" Regina snapped. The hook was suddenly raised on its winch-cable, lifting the helpless queens into the air. "This is definitely keeping us in suspense!"

The trapdoor suddenly opened a few yards beneath their feet. About thirty foot beneath it was a large tank of water, with a large shape clearly visible swimming within. "Galeocerdo cuvier, the tiger shark. Imported from the Caribbean near Trinidad, it has been given less to eat than usual recently. It should quickly pick up on the blood in the water very quickly and be driven into a feeding frenzy. All the time…"

"We are to be slowly lowered down towards and eventually into the water?!" Hippolyta guessed. Almost immediately they began to descend slowly towards the tank and its hungry occupant.

"Right!" Regina snapped. "I shall enjoy ripping that jet black heart out of your fat chest, Mr. Blofeld…"

"Please!" Blofeld lazily replied. "That squid ink-based serum won't wear off until long after you will be some savaged remains floating in the Thames. I think I'm safe…"

"No, you are not!" Hippolyta told him. "I can sense my eldest daughter telepathically sending a repeated message from somewhere above. She's saying that she has company!" She then screamed out two words at full volume: "SUPERMAN, HELP!" She then grinned. "He may not see through lead, but it doesn't affect his hearing!"

Superman nodded at the Invisible Jet, before flying over. "Mother's just called for my assistance. It came from that building down there!"

Diana set the Jet to autopilot, whilst Donna contacted the ground troops and the Tardis. The two Amazons then glided down towards the nondescript warehouse, the Kryptonian speeding through the air ahead of them. The rescue was under way.