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"If I don't say this now I will surely break, as I am leaving the one I want to take. Forgive the urgency but hurry up and wait, my heart has started to separate."
Wellington arrived at his office to start his last 12 hours of being an Inspector in London. Fitzroy had made progress, and his father the commissioner was keen on pushing change even if his staff were not ready for it to happen. Wellington just needed to get through the day. Normally those working under the Inspector were told to answer to Fitzroy. Fitzroy was on his own, Wellington was just there to tie up loose ends.
Wellington sat in his office and waited to be needed. Looking over he saw the handkerchiefs Eliza had given him in the trash. It's not that he didn't remember they were there, he was hoping the trash would have been dumped from his office before he arrived for work today. Picking them out of the trash he set them in the last box he needed to take home. Normally he looked at his door in annoyance knowing that Eliza was going to come barging in, and his men were constantly in his office as well. Today though was different as there was no Eliza, and the men were on clean up from the case last night with Fitzroy. Just a few interviews with witnesses that saw Detective Nash get shot. Simms was already booked, no reports of any problems had been reported which left him no reason to consider that madman would be endangering anyone today.
Eliza stopped by the hospital to see how the injured Detective Nash was getting along. It was the friendly, neighborly thing to do after all she would be helping him with cases and his office took over Hildegard's Funeral Home building below her office. It seemed like a good opportunity. After the visit, while she was approaching her own office, noticing through the window several detectives from Scotland Yard were visiting with Detective Nash's staff. She stopped before unlocking her office's entrance and turned towards the windows she just glanced in, she saw Fitzroy but no Wellington. Knowing his absence was something she would need to accept and get used to, she walked towards the neighboring detective agency to see if she could be of any assistance due to the absence of Detective Nash.
The newly appointed Inspector Fitzroy and his men were just exiting as Eliza was rounding the corner. Fitzroy greeted Eliza with a beaming smile. Fitzroy was eager to ask how Eliza was fairing after yesterdays events. Eliza had reassured him that she was just fine and thanked him for his concern. Two gunshots rang out from in front of Fitzroy and Eliza. Fitzroy collapsed holding his arm tightly as red pooled around his shoulder. Eliza fell to her knees and kept pressure while the other present officers took off after the assailant.
Meanwhile chaos could be heard throughout the precinct. Wellington rushed out his door to find people running and his Munro yelling orders. Wellington asked Munro what had happened. Munro informed Wellington that Fitzroy had been shot while leaving Detective Nash's office. Eliza...he heard "Fitzroy" but his first thought in that second was Eliza. Was she okay? He didn't even know if she was even in the same area, likely though she was always at her office. While his thoughts were racing an officer approached Munro and Wellington advising them that Simms had escaped sometime during the night.
Wellington rushes to the scene while Munro heads to the hospital where Fitzroy has been transported to. It's always difficult when a fellow officer is injured, he can only imagine what hell will come being that the commissioners son was shot. Wellington jumps out of the carriage and sees a few of his men getting information from witnesses. Quickly surveying the scene he notices that everything appears to be somewhat managed, he doesn't see Eliza and starts to make his way to her neighboring building. Upon opening the door he meets Detective Phillips who explains she was present at the shooting and he has finished questioning and taking her statement. Thanking Phillips, Wellington continued up the stairs to Eliza's office.
Eliza heard rushed steps up to her office door, assuming Detective Phillips had forgotten something, she stood to meet him at her door. Eliza hoped that whatever he needed would be done quickly so she could check on Fitzroy and update Detective Nash about what just occurred. Eliza reached for the door knob and saw it already turning, but there hadn't been a knock. There is only one person who forgets to knock, and that is William.
Willam was startled to find Eliza standing at the door when he swung it open. William felt instant relief seeing she was unharmed. Though he had heard the only injury was Fitzroy, that wasn't good enough he needed to see that she was okay with his own eyes. William interrupted Eliza as she began to talk, telling her that Simms had escaped and likely was the gunman that shot Fitzroy in an attempt to shoot her again. His words came out pressured and Eliza could see the panic on his face that matched his voice. William asked gently yet urgently for her to gather what she needed as she would be under strict surveillance until Simms was back in custody. As she was locking the door to her building, Hattie excitedly approached them and invited them to attend her engagement party. To which Eliza responded with disbelief, "tonight?"
The carriage ride back to Scotland Yard was uncomfortably quiet. A few stolen glances toward each other, but nothing was said. William was processing how thankful he was that she was safe with him, and would anyone besides him make sure she was under surveillance? Not likely he answered himself, again he has been too close to losing her. Eliza was trying to understand how Hattie settled with marrying someone she didn't love. Though when she looked at William, Eliza realized she may also settle for someone she didn't love in Williams absence to avoid the fate of a lonely life Mrs. Parker had kindly brought to her attention.
William and Eliza had barely made it back to his empty office when Munro came to alert him of Simms arrest and immediate transport to a secure prison, as well as Fitzroy signing himself out of the hospital and his return to the precinct. Munro recommended Wellington to come and debrief with the men soon. Upon hearing the news of Simms capture, Eliza asked if she could return home. Wellington agreed but would have someone patrol frequently just for reassurance. Eliza thanked him, and wished him a safe trip. Smiling as much as she could fake she said, "I guess this is goodbye." William corrected her, "Goodbye for now."
"There now, steady love, so few come and don't go. Will you won't you, be the one I always know? When I'm losing my control, the city spins around. You're the only one who knows, you slow it down."
Eliza returned home to find Ivy excitedly buzzing around the home getting ready for Hattie's engagement party. Mr. Potts would also be joining them. Noticing it was 8 o'clock Eliza hurried to get ready. Focusing on getting ready was difficult as William's departure was actually happening and regret started to overwhelm her.
At the station the men had been debriefed by the days events. Wellington was called into Munro's office and saw the commissioner standing there as well. Commissioner Fitzroy was irate that his son had been shot, and needed someone to blame. That person was Wellington. Overhearing the heated conversation, Inspector Fitzroy barged in and abruptly interrupted, he stated that he and the other officers had all prepared to resign should Inspector Wellington leave, or be disciplined for todays events. Inspector Fitzroy added that the press will have a great time running the story about a failed commissioner in an attempt to get his father to reconsider. Trying to avoid showing emotion, Inspector Wellington thanked his men for their dedication and opportunity to continue working with them at London Scotland Yard. The clock in Munro's office chimed nine times, looking over at the clock William excused himself. He mad an engagement party to get to now.
Ivy's arm was occupied by Mr. Potts while entering the Parker residence. Hattie rushed up to Eliza to introduce her non English speaking fiancé. Mrs. Parker came up shortly after to remind Hattie there were other people to meet with besides Eliza. Now alone Eliza took a glass of champagne, looking around the room she smiled seeing how happy everyone is together with their loved ones. Taking a sip she sees the clock on the mantle. She couldn't stay there, she had to get to the train station. If William was leaving, she would have to be fine with that, but she wasn't going to let him go with out telling him how she feels. It was just after 9 o' clock, Eliza grabbed her cloak and left she didn't even think of letting Ivy know she was leaving.
William entered the Parker residence, it was just a bit after 9:30 pm. Looking around he spots Ivy, looking surprised Ivy listens to William about the change of plans and his need to find Eliza. Eliza is nowhere, Ivy and Mr. Potts offer to go back to Eliza's house to she if she is there. William starts walking in the direction of Eliza's office. Eliza by now had already been to Williams house, office, and to the train station only to see the train pull out on time at 10 pm as scheduled. Eliza started walking to her office, she needed to be alone somewhere comforting. The office was as close to her dad that she could get.
Walking up to her office, coming out of the shadows to meet her was William. William made it known he had been looking for her, and for the second time that day Eliza noted the relief that was visible in his face. Eliza told him she left the engagement party suddenly to find him before he left. Eliza rattled off everywhere she had been. Eliza paused, then started, "William I watched the train pull away, I had to couldn't let you leave without saying something I should have said before." Eliza was trying to convince herself he was standing there now in front of her. William catches on quickly and asked why she was looking for him. Eliza fired back asking why he wasn't on the train and looking for her, how did he know to come to her office? William joked softly and said, "You are always at your office Eliza." Eliza looking up to make eye contact with William thought there is no turning back now. Knowingly William stepped closer, he told Eliza that he gets to keep his position in London. Eliza watched his eyes smile back at her, and knew he felt the same feelings for her that she had for him. William took another step closer and extended his hand to gently touch her forearm and with the most comforting voice Eliza had ever heard from his lips, asked what it was she needed to tell him. Leaning into him, Eliza looks up and tells him she will tell him later. William started to shake his head and retaliate when a carriage rushed beside them, jumping out were Mr. Potts and Ivy eager to have found Eliza. Both Eliza and William take a step back and welcome their intruders. Ivy is clearly not ready for the night to be over and suggests Eliza's hidden sherry, and Mr.Potts piped in and asks if anyone wants to play charades.
"If ever there was a doubt. My love she leans into me. This most assuredly counts. She says most assuredly"
Eliza knew that there was no way she was going to partake in the rest of the nights activities alone. Eliza pleaded with William to join her, William knew that there was no way he was leaving her so soon considering a few hours ago he had come to terms with moving back to Scotland without her. Jokingly with a hint of seriousness, William said he would if she told him what she was going to say when she found him. Eliza playfully said she would later, William chucked knowing she wouldn't. William smiled as they argued their way up the stairs.
"Oh, oh, Oh, oh, Be my baby, I'll look after you"
Eliza watched as William lit the fire place in her office. Ivy found the hidden stash of sherry with the help of the dutiful Mr. Potts. The chairs from the front of Eliza's desk were moved beside the other two already in front of the fireplace. Eliza and William against Mr. Potts and Ivy proved to showcase William's shortcomings when it came to parlor games. Ivy watched as Eliza and William stole glances at each other, she saw their hands linger longer than normal when they touched as Eliza handed William her glass to be refilled. It had been years since Ivy has William smile this much.
William knew Eliza would never tell him what was so important that she had to find him before he left. Though he wanted to hear her say it she didn't have to because he knew, just as she knew that he felt the same way. Words could never accurately describe the depth of their feelings, or at least the way he felt about Eliza. This dance of theirs would continue until one of them gave in and took the next step. William didn't mind as long as he was dancing with her.
Eliza read William like a book. She loved growing up with him after her father took him in as a teenager. The relationship hadn't changed dramatically since their younger years. They had lost touch after he kissed her when she was 16, probably didn't help that she slapped him in return of his misguided attempt to comfort her. Though her father's untimely death brought them back closer than before, it was still uncharted territory and Eliza feared that taking the relationship to the next level would ruin their relationship altogether. The night was slowly becoming morning, Mr. Potts escorted Ivy to a carriage that should she would share on the way home with Eliza. Eliza locked the door behind William as he excited behind her. William waited for her to lock the door and then they walked together to the carriage where Ivy was waiting. William took Eliza's hand to assist her into the carriage. Eliza was caught off guard by the gesture. Ivy noticed the awkward exchange and smiled.
Once in their respective homes, both Eliza and William slept for the first time in days. William was eager for things to return to normal the next morning as he would be reinstated as Inspector. William took comfort in knowing his work day would be interrupted by his favorite private investigator.
"It's always have and never hold. You've begun to feel like home yeah. What's mine is yours to leave or take. What's mine is yours to make your own."