Chapter 4: Strange Emotions

The sights of London were phenomenal. Though for my own safety, we kept clear from the rougher edges, though I was curious to see it if it was anything depicted in pictures I have seen. Since we left Baker Street, the snow had ceased, which gave us a bit more time to see more than Basil had originally planned for me. But most of the time, I was not able to enjoy said sights, due to all the whispers and stares from around me. While some watched with shock and amazement, others were with disgust and condemnation. Not watching my step, I was too late to notice that I was about to collide with a moving cart until after I practically fell hard to the ground.

"Hey, watch where you're walking, woman!" a grey salesmouse shouted as half of his apples came rolling off the cart and onto the busy streets.

At first I watched while human cabs travelled back and forth, crushing the now tainted fruit before glancing up at the peeved face that looked down at me as if looking for an act of contrition. "I-I'm terribly sorry, sir," I tried to tell him. "I wasn't-"

"Sorry! I'll teach you to be sorry." Grabbing my wrist tightly, I winced in fear as he pulled me from the ground callously and raised his hand, attempting to strike at me. While awaiting my punishment, I soon realized that nothing happened. All I felt was a slight jolt. Slowly opening my eyes, I saw that Basil had taken hold of the angered mouse's arm.

"I would get your hand off her if I were you, sir," the detective warned, keeping his eyes on him.

"Not until she gets what is coming to her!"

"Here," he began, shoving some money at his face, "that ought to cover it." Before anything else happened, I was dragged away from the embarrassing scene. Judging by the look on Basil's face, I could see that he wasn't too pleased.

I could hear the enraged mouse shouting as we got further away from the incident. My face was still red from how ashamed I felt, thinking that I caused more talk upon myself as well as the detective. With each step, his grip, tight at first, loosened until he finally released my wrist once we turned the corner.

"You really should watch where you are walking," he told me sternly, possibly not wanting to upset me more than I already was. I slowly nodded and attempted to avoid all the eyes gazing at us. Once more, the whispers started up yet again, but this time, I could slightly pick up some of the comments. Noticing my determination to block out the comments, he added, "Don't let them get to you, my dear."

"It's kind of hard not to when everyone is probably thinking I'm some sort of..." Before I could even say the word, I kept my mouth shut, not knowing what the outcome would bring.

"Some sort of what?" he asked, gripping my arm slightly as he brought us to a stop.

"Nothing...it's nothing."

"Well, this nothing seems to be getting to you-"

"Nothing is getting to me!" I snapped harshly, ripping my arm away from his grasp.

We both stood our ground while everyone else went about their business. At this point, I would admit that even though this detective was my favourite character growing up, he was quite maddening. Though I also knew that I probably wasn't making it to the top of his "favourite individuals" list either.

Basil sighed with frustration and shoved his hands into his coat pockets. I, on the other hand, walked towards a vacant bench and sat down, hoping that at any given moment, he would drop the subject.

"Why must you be so stubborn?" he dared to question. I rolled my eyes and glanced up at him with an irritated expression once he stopped in front of me.

"I'm being stubborn? Why can't you simply drop the subject?"

"I will once you tell me what is wrong."

God, this mouse doesn't know when to quit, does he? Like it's even any of his business...All right, it is somewhat his business. I thought to myself. Placing my hands on the edge of the freezing bench, I took a deep breath and stood up.

"Fine, do you really want to know what I think?"

"That would be quite helpful, Miss Méndez. I might be the world's only unofficial private consulting detective that can figure you out with just one glance, but alas, I cannot read minds. Please, tell me what is troubling you."

"I…I feel as if I don't belong here, and all the whispers and gazes are probably proving that point."

"What point? You were brought here by force."

"Well, tell them that!" I said in an outburst, gesturing to all the Londoners around us. "However, some might then feel sorry for me."

"And you don't want that-"

"No, that's the last thing I want. All I want…All I want is to go home." For a brief moment, there was silence between the detective and myself. This gave me a chance to think. That is until the silence was broken.

"I will do my best to help you in anyway, Miss Méndez, but if I may say so, you're making it sound as if everyone around you thinks that you are…well…uncivilized-"

"A barbarian, that's what you were going to say."

"Indeed I was not."

"Then if I may ask, why did you hesitate? I might be a woman, Detective Basil, but I can attempt to handle anything you tell me, regardless of how harsh it may be."

"I was trying to be lenient, but I think you are wrong."

"I hope you are right," I finally replied softly. Taking my arm, Basil looped it around his own and smiled softly at me. In return, I did the same. Guiding me back onto the busy streets, we jumped onto a nearby hansom that would take us to our next destination.

I became confused and curious and we hopped off the cab just before it took off once more. Did we intentionally go passed Basil's flat? During this trip, I was paying more attention to the sights around me, that way I could get my mind off everything else.

"Where are we?" I asked while Basil straightened his coat.

"Regent's Park, you didn't think I'd end the tour so soon, did you?"

"Well, I thought with what happened earlier-"

"No, don't be obscured. Come along, my dear, unless you want to head back."

"Not at all," I answered quickly.

Walking down the path, safely away from human eyes, I smiled brightly as I watched a small group of children playing by the fountain. Seeing this gave me an idea. Showing a cunning smile, I slowed my pace, making sure Basil didn't notice what I was planning. As carefully as I could, I scooped up enough snow to make a decent snowball, and hid behind a nearby bench. I snickered as I watched him continue walking away, not once noticing my absence. It took him a few more seconds before seeing I wasn't beside him.

"Miss Méndez?" Basil called out.

I chuckled softly as he continued calling out to me, waiting for the perfect time to strike. Getting closer, I readied myself before hitting the detective in the shoulder. This caused him to head towards me while I quickly made another one. Only a foot away from me, I jumped out, hitting him once again.

"What on earth are you doing?" he questioned, not too thrilled. I stood still once I saw the unpleased expression on his face.

"I was just having some fun," I answered innocently.

"Being juvenile is more like it."

"Having fun is not childish. Haven't you ever just wanted to allow your inner child come out?"

"Absolutely not," he quickly replied. "In my line of work, there's no time for fun and games."

"Oh, really, then what do you call this? What do you call what you are doing right now?"

"I call it biding my time and getting some fresh air. Both Dawson and Mrs Judson complain that I do not get out much, I took it as an opportunity."

"Biding your time? So…this was a way for you to try and drag more information out of me. I told you everything I knew. My apologies if it wasn't enough."

"It is not that I was trying to drag more information out of you. With your head injury, you might have had a slight concussion. I was trying to see if, by some chance, you were able to remember more. If not, then I would deal with what I did have. My lord, child, are you always this defensive?"

Refusing to answer, I scoffed and shook my head while I walked ahead of him. This obviously told him that I had had enough. To keep my mind occupied of any thoughts about the overly irritating mouse that managed to easily catch up with me with his long strides, I took a deep breath, kept my eyes away from him, and looked around the park. Though, not even a moment or so later, my thoughts switched gears and decided to make me feel bad for once again, snapping at Basil. With certain people in my life, I could always hold a grudge, so why couldn't I now?

"I take it you are sore with me," he stated, saving me from my self-guilt trip.

"No, I'm just thinking," I replied softly.

"Of what, may I ask? Or am I not privy to know? I'd like to be sure before you decide to yell at me once more."

Looking up at him, I laughed lightly as I wrapped my arms around me. "Nothing really, just meaningless nonsense." Partly true…

"Well, you seem to be thinking too hard if all that is on your mind is nonsense," he chuckled calmly as we walked towards a vacant marquee located in the centre of the park.

"I tend to do that sometimes," I told him while I took a seat.

"Hmm," he added, nodding his head. For a short while, we sat there, watching bystanders, rodent and human, as they walked on by, holding each other close with such adoration in their faces. But that peaceful moment was soon broken as Basil cleared his throat and focused on me. "So…tell me about yourself."

"Myself?" I panicked, feeling my heart sink as I looked up at him.

"Yes, unless there's something you don't want to tell me."

Which is practically everything? "Well…," I began, trying to figure out what was safe to tell him and what to keep out. "There really isn't much to say."

"Oh, come, come, my dear. I'm sure there is." I took a deep breath before continuing.

"To be perfectly honest, there really isn't. I might have grown up in Puerto Rico my whole life, but I never really got to explore much. We stay where we are needed. My father makes enough to keep us going. I never had many friends, though I kind of preferred it that way. I was never one to socialize much. I'm a bit shy when I'm around others I don't know. Not too thrilled to be surrounded by a lot of peo-um mice. I usually keep to myself."

"Any siblings?"

Can't you stop with the questions? "Yes, I do; one brother and one sister, both older than I am. They too have families of their own…" I soon paused as I felt my breathing become heavy. I knew what was coming, and refusing to let it happen I began to take deep breaths. Mentioning my family, especially my nieces and nephews hurt. "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's all right, Miss Méndez. I can understand how you must feel. I'll have this solved as quickly as I can."

Ha, yeah right! I think this is one case you won't be able to solve…whether you knew the truth or not.

I jumped slightly when I felt Basil's hand cover mine, and once more, the strange feelings came back in full force. The gesture, as friendly as it seemed, tend to mean something more. Or was I just jumping to false conclusions? Must be.

Glancing down at his gloved hand on top of mine, the beat of my heart began to pound. What was I to do? Keep still or walk away? I soon felt his other hand glide across my cheek, forcing me to look at him. I could feel my face becoming warm, possibly from blushing. I was confused; this was not like him at all.

We continued to gaze into each other's eyes, and without realizing it, our faces began to move closer. Our lips only inches away from locking before Basil finally snapped out of whatever trance he was in and quickly got to his feet, apparently blushing from embarrassment, leaving me where I remained.

Were we almost about to…?

"I…I think we should head back," the detective suggested, still blushing from the whole ordeal.

Taking a hansom back, we reached the flat in no time. My guess was to avoid any conversation of what we had almost done. While hanging out coats, the silence between us was soon broken when Basil began to hear noises coming from the kitchen.

"What in God's name is that?" he questioned, grabbing his revolver from the side table nearby as he quietly stepped towards the door. Being curious myself, and with no objections from him, I followed close behind. But when I saw him cock his weapon, I stepped away, not knowing what to expect once he opened it.

"Stay where you are…," he shouted demandingly, the loaded revolver aiming at whoever was in the room. But my brows furrowed in confusion once the detective saw whom he was aiming at, "M-Mrs. Judson?"

"Oh, dear lord!" the poor landlady screamed with utter fright as she dropped a pot of water. "Mr. Basil, what on earth are you doing? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Lowering his weapon, he chuckled nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I…ah…I thought that…I didn't expect you to return so soon," he replied as Mrs Judson continued glaring angrily at him.

"Well, my granddaughter made a turn for the better, and was well enough that she no longer needed constant care. Nathan sent the doctor home early this evening," she answered, rather suspicious of what the detective was up to.

"Ah and how is your son? Busy I suppose-"

"Mr. Basil?"

"Yes?"

"Whom, may I ask is out there with you? If there is one thing I will not tolerate are certain liberties-"

"No, no, my dear, nothing likes that," he quickly replied, his face slightly red from the thought. "She's a client of mine."

"Oh?"

Without any warning, I felt myself being dragged further into the room. "Mrs Judson, this is Miss Paula Méndez. Miss Méndez, my landlady, Mrs. Judson." Turning back to her, he added. "I found her last night in the alley."

"Oh, you poor dear, what on earth happened?" she asked with great concern.

"Someone, don't know who just yet, took her from her home country, and dumped her here," Basil lightly explained.

"Home country? You are not from England?"

"No, ma'am," I kindly replied. "I'm native to Puerto Rico."

"My," she said surprised, "a Puerto Rican, how fascinating. Well, don't you worry, dear, I'm sure Mr. Basil will solve this before you know it. In the meantime, please do make yourself feel at home. I'll bring you two out some tea momentarily."

Without saying another word, Basil escorted me out of the small kitchen, leaving the landlady to continue with her duties. Offering a seat, I watched as the detective lowered himself in front of the fireplace to add more wood to the dying flames. Carefully observing him, I detected a light expression of pain in the process, but it did not become more noticeable until he grunted after throwing the last log in, gripping his right arm tightly.

"Are you all right?" I asked with deep concern, wondering what he did.

"Hmm, quite all right, Miss Méndez," he replied calmly as he carefully leaned toward the side of the fireplace, using a wooden cane sitting nearby to support himself while he got to his feet. "Really, I'm fine. Just some old wounds that refused to heal properly," he added when my expression didn't change.

"Do you mind if I ask what happened?" I waited as Basil took a seat in his red leather chair, placing the cane beside him in case he needed it once more.

"Well…," he began, grabbing his pipe from the side table, "it was one year ago on the night of Her Majesty's golden jubilee. I was engaged in finding Miss Flaversham's father, who had been captured by my now deceased arch nemesis, Professor Ratigan. He was using Flaversham to overrule the empire by assassinating our queen and using a decoy the toymaker had built to claim him as her royal consort.

"By destroying his diabolical plot once more, he finally had enough, and we had our final battle on the hour hand of Big Ben. It was also there that the professor completely lost what sanity he had left and attempted to get rid of me for good."

"Were-were you afraid?" I asked delicately, feeling rather guilty that I had possibly opened an old wound.

"I was terrified," he replied in a sigh. "I knew I had no chance against him. So trying to find a way of escape was my only choice. But I was trapped. Every chance I had, he blocked my way. I could see in his eyes the taste for blood, and that is precisely what Ratigan got when I felt the agonizing pain of my flesh being ripped open by his claws." Basil paused for a brief moment, probably forcing himself to soak up all he had just willingly released out into the open. "I thought I was done for with each strike that vile creature made. To be honest…I rather wish he had killed me at the first strike, for I felt so weak. Powerless. Apparently, luck was on my side that night, for after the bell began to ring, the powerful vibrations from the clock managed to knock him off. I could see he had some fight left in him when he dragged me down with him. At first I thought that I was done as I fell along with him. But it was then that I noticed the piece of the broken dirigible I still had clenched in my hand. So I was able to peddle myself to safety while he continued falling to his death.

"I was congratulated for my victory against the Napoleon of Crime, but he left me with these permanent reminders, to make sure that I never forgot it. Due to my wounds, I feared that I would not be able to continue with my work. Thankfully, that never became reality. However, because of my stubbornness, I disobeyed some instructions that were given to me, and began my work once I felt I was able to do so. Doing this, unfortunately, made me face some horrid consequences that I will probably live with for the rest of my days. Now, if overworked, which is always, the pain comes out to torture me." Ending his narrative, he glanced in my direction, smiling as he added, "The wounds were worth it."

I relaxed a bit as I smiled in return. Feeling that there was nothing else to say, I focused on the growing fire. Just then, a loud knock broke the silence between us and I watched Basil slowly rise from his seat to answer the door.

"Letter for Mr Basil of Baker Street," the middle-aged mouse announced as he held the small envelope out.

"I am he," he detective replied, taking it, and bidding the gentleman a good evening.

I watched as he examined the envelope with such caution. "Hmm, interesting," he whispered to himself, walking over to his desk to retrieve a letter opener. Fishing the folded piece of paper, he carefully read its context, the curious expression not changing once.

Placing the letter on top of the organized chaos, he then read the small card that came with the note. For a moment, Basil's face remained the same. But after looking over the card and the note a few more times, his curiosity changed to amusement. "When will that mouse ever learn?" he questioned, tapping the papers on the palm of his hand. "Miss Méndez?"

"Hmm?" I responded as he walked back to his chair, placing the open letter on the table beside him once he sat down again.

"I have something I'd like to propose to you."

"What is it?"

"Doing me the incredible honour of accompanying me to Lord and Lady Radford's Christmas Ball."

"Oh, um-"

"Because you see, word of you being here has seemed to add some amusement into him and many other members of the Diogenes Club."

"Why is that?"

"I honestly have no idea. But he has requested my presence and that of my client." He then paused and for a slight moment, began to ponder the situation. "Hmm, I can bet you that William has something to do with this," he ended in a slight whisper, bringing his pipe to his lips.

"Who is William?"

"Hmm, an enemy, but not of great importance at the matter, right now all I need is your answer."

An enemy? "Right…Um, yes, I'd be honoured to, but if you don't mind me asking, do they expect me to remain in England for that long?"

"Possibly, William and a few of his other associates happen to know about your case, but it almost seems that they suspect something."

"Suspect something? As in...As in us being involved?"

"Mhm," he replied with a smile on his face as he took another puff.

"But, why would they suspect that? We hardly know each other."

"That is where the 'amusing' part comes in, my dear."

"Oh," I replied softly right as Mrs Judson stepped out of the kitchen carrying a tray of fresh brewed tea and her famous cheese crumpets.

In the back of my mind, I began to wonder exactly what was going through Basil's mind when it came to this situation. From what I could see, he didn't seem against it, but then again he didn't seem for it either. Perhaps, he was neutral about it; he did not care at the very least. I knew he had the ability to hide whatever emotion he felt, so perhaps he was doing just that, hiding his true feelings about it. This invitation was sent to him for a reason. Did someone happen to witness what we almost did? Is that the reason behind it? Even if we did, it is not like it would have meant anything...Right?

Wow, another chapter in just three days! Well, I won't be able to get on the Internet much once I go back to my sister's. Luckily I have the entire story finished, so I can simply post the next chapter in the next day or so. So anyway, enjoy.