Author's Note: So, first off, I want to apologize for the huge delay on getting this chapter out. I experienced major writer's block with this story in trying to figure out how I want it to go. Plus, my dad left for Kuwait (I wish him good luck) and won't see him for at least six months, so I was spending time with him. But I definitely wanted to get this out to you guys since I will be away from my computer for a good week since I'm going on vacation for Christmas. Definitely a good time to visit some of my family, for which I am extremely excited about XD. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to be writing anything. I'll be furiously typing away on my iPod on the way to our destinations, but I won't be able to post anything until I get back.

Now, onto thanking some awesome people for their awesome reviews, and those awesome people are: dionne dance, GingerDeppHead, AqoCJeyBee, and linalove. You are all awesome! Also thanks to those who are taking the time to read this and adding to their favorites!

In other news, I now have a Facebook page for you guys to enjoy for updates and such. The link is on my profile.

Enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own From Hell. Which means I don't own Frederick...sadly. *sigh* Just Lucy.


Chapter Four

Lucy sat near the fireplace, absorbing as much of its warmth as possible. As with most nights, she couldn't sleep, so she went to the kitchen and made herself a pot of tea, hoping that would calm her enough that she could finally get some rest. When that didn't, she made her way to the parlor, where she was now, settled down and reading Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven once more, listening to the pitter patter of rain against the windows. As she read the poem out loud to herself for the eighth time that night, as if trying to etch it to the inside of her skull, she couldn't help but think of the friend she hadn't seen much since their reunion…except when she had brought them lunch earlier that day.

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, while I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, as of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. '`Tis some visitor,' I muttered, 'tapping at my chamber door—Only this, and nothing more.'"

As she muttered the last line of the stanza, there was a thud against the front door, causing her to nearly jump out of her own skin.

"What on earth?" she wondered out loud.

There was another thud, but this time, it sounded more like a knock. Lucy looked at the wall clock, which read midnight. Who could that be at this hour? she wondered.

Carefully, Lucy got up from her spot and walked to the front door. On her way there, she picked up a poker in case it was a burglar. She knew if they were, they would have just barged in, but she wasn't taking any chances. Raising the poker, she grasped a hold of the door handle, twisted it, and quickly yanked the door open. What she found was quite a shocking surprise.

"Frederick!" she cried.

Sure enough, there stood the inspector, drenched by the London rain with the smell of gin emanating from him.

"Lucy," Fred managed to say as he stumbled into the Godley residence.

Lucy quickly dropped the poker onto the floor and caught his falling form.

"Fred, are you drunk?" she asked.

He shook his head, trying to deny it, but she could tell by the gin on his breath that he indeed was.

With her foot, she was able to close the door to keep the cold night air from entering the house. Lucy tried to support her friend's weight, but found it nearly impossible.

"Fred," she whispered. "You have to help me. You're too heavy."

Through his stupor, he was somehow able to comply, and slowly began to walk towards the parlor with her aid. By the time they made it to the sofa, Peter and Helen Godley made it downstairs, Peter himself carrying a gun. Seeing Abberline made him lower it, rolling his eyes.

"What happened this time?" the sergeant asked. "Someone say something funny to set you off?"

This time? Lucy wondered. He's come over here drunk before?

Frederick barely looked at Peter, and said, "Nothin'…happened."

Lucy looked up at her employer. "He's just drunk, that's all."

"Most likely thinking about that red-headed jezebel," Godley muttered.

Both Lucy and Fred looked up at him; Fred was glaring at him, while Lucy gave him a puzzled look. Even Helen was glaring at the man. Lucy ignored the comment though, and helped Fred to sit next to the fire instead of the sofa so that he could warm up.

"I'll go get the poor dear a blanket," Helen said, making her way to the stairs.

Lucy nodded towards the older woman and then looked over to Fred. She could see that he was trembling, so she started to rub his arms to try and warm him up. Feeling her warm hands against him, Frederick looked up at Lucy and gave her a small smile. And then, as if he suddenly remembered something, remembered the reason why he was drunk in the first place, he enveloped the girl into a tight embrace.

This took her by surprise, not expecting it at all. Remembering there were others present, Lucy broke the hug. She didn't mind that he wanted one, but not only was it the fact that the sergeant was present, but she was also in only her night dress and robe, and Fred was still soaking wet. For some reason, she couldn't help but blush.

By now, Helen had made it downstairs and into the parlor, blanket in hand. She handed it to Lucy, who then took the liberty of wrapping it around the inspector.

"Well," she said, watching the two on the floor. "We should take him home."

"I'm not doin' it," Godley said. "I did it last time he was here."

"He's your friend," Helen argued. "You should take him home."

Lucy looked between the arguing couple and Fred, who seemed to be looking only at her. She thought made he was staring at her because of what she was wearing, but upon closer inspection, she noticed that he was only focused on her face, and that he was looking at her with concern, fear and could she also detect…love?

She looked towards her employers, and then said, "I'll take him."

Both Godleys gave the girl incredulous looks.

"What?" she asked. "I said I'll take him home."

"At a time like this?" Helen asked. "But, Lucy…"

"Well, someone has to. You two are only arguing about it, and since Frederick is my friend, it's the least I can do."

"Lucy…" she heard Frederick whisper.

"Are you sure?" the sergeant asked. "No tellin' who's out there at this time of night."

"I'm sure. We'll get a carriage to take us to his house so that we aren't walking the streets in this weather."

"If you are certain…" Helen said, worry dripping in her tone.

"I am. And to make sure he doesn't run off into the streets, I'll even stay there with him."

"Alright, dear. As long as you're careful."

Lucy nodded and ran upstairs. She quickly packed an overnight bag and pulled on a coat. It was one of her father's coats, and it covered down to mid-thigh, so it would only look like she was wearing a gown and not a night dress.

She then ran down the stairs to join the others at the door. Godley handed her a piece of paper with the address, seeing as how Frederick could barely speak, and bid them both goodnight. When they walked outside into the rain, there was a carriage waiting for them.

Wow, Lucy thought. Maybe being the inspector has its perks.

The two of them climbed into the carriage, but not before handing the driver the slip of paper with Frederick's address.

"Don't worry, miss," he said. "I know it well enough."

Lucy couldn't help but smile. With that, she climbed in and they were off.

xxx

Lucy struggled to get the house keys out of Fred's pocket. When she did, she put them into the lock and gave them access to the house. She had to practically drag him into the parlor before she could shut the door. She placed her things in an armchair next to the door, and helped the inspector out of his coat.

"Jesus, Fred," she said. "You're freezing!"

Frederick nodded towards something behind her. "There's a fireplace…behind you."

Lucy turned around and looked at where he was gesturing to. She walked over to the small fireplace and threw some wood in there. Finding a match box on a small round table next to his armchair, she lit one and threw it in as well, getting a fire going so that it would warm up the entire house. She then grabbed a hold of Abberline and sat him near it to get him warm.

"Just…sit here for a moment," she said. "I'll make you some tea."

Fred shook his head. "No. No, just…I need water."

Lucy nodded. "Okay then."

She went into the kitchen and pulled out a mug and filled it with water, just as he asked. When she returned to the parlor, he was gone.

"Fred?"

"In here," he called from down the hallway.

Lucy walked toward the only door that was open, which she assumed led to his room. When she walked in, Frederick was lying on his bed, still dressed.

"Oh, Frederick," she said to him. "You need to get out of those clothes before you can even think about turning in."

"Do I?" he asked.

"Yes! It's bad enough you went and got drunk, and then walked in the rain. You're going to either catch a cold or your death."

She walked up to him and placed the mug of water on the nightstand next to his bed. She then saw fit to help him sit up, get on her knees, and start removing his shoes.

"What're you doin'?" he asked, startled by her sudden action.

"I…am making sure that you don't get sick. Believe it or not, I do care for you, so I'm not allowing that to happen."

Frederick smirked. "Care for me, ye say?"

"Yes," she said. Looking up at him, she added, "You're my best friend. Of course I care for you."

The two of them sat there, just staring at each other. Both were thinking about how much the other seemed to have changed, and how much they had missed each other's company. Lucy thought about how much he could have helped her if he had been there when her parents had passed, just a few weeks ago, how she may have been able to cope a bit better. Her own brother couldn't even do that. She also thought about how handsome her best friend had become. He seemed to be just as lean as he had been when they were children, but with more muscle. His brown hair looked almost exactly the same as it did then, and even with the addition of a moustache and goatee, he still looked the same. And those eyes…the same dark brown that always seemed to be dancing with mischief and sincerity. When they were children, she never took notice of it. Now, it seems that she could easily get lost in them.

So…handsome, she thought.

Lucy shook her head, trying to get back to the task at hand. She coughed a little and said, "We should…ah…get you into something dry."

Frederick looked at her and nodded, not saying anything.

She's so beautiful, he thought, watching as she headed for his closet. I can't believe this is the Lucy Miller I used to know. She doesn't even have freckles anymore. And her eyes…one could get lost in those. She looks like her mother.

The inspector couldn't help but think about Lucy's mother, Isabelle Miller. She was considered to be one of the most beautiful women in all of Oxfordshire, even more so than John Wilmot's wife, Elizabeth. Not only her beauty, but her kindness was unmatched as well. And Frederick couldn't help but think that Lucy had inherited that from her. She could easily join those ranks.

And it was those thoughts that brought him to remember the dream he had not but hours ago.

"I 'ad a vision," he said before stopping himself.

Lucy looked at him while rummaging for a clean shirt and trousers for him. "You did?"

"Yeah."

There were only three people who knew, and believed, that Fred had these visions: Peter, Lucy, and Lucy's mother. Even though Helen knew about them from Godley, she still didn't believe them.

Lucy walked out of the closet with the desired items. "What was it about?"

"Uh…" He wasn't sure if he could tell her. Should he?

Lucy sat on her knees in front of him, starting to unbutton his shirt. He could smell the remains of the perfume she wore that day, the smell of lavender clouding his senses. For a moment, he couldn't think straight. Not that he could anyway, even if he was more sober now than earlier.

"Fred?" Lucy asked. "Are you okay?"

He finally looked into her eyes, trying to determine if he could tell her about the vision he had. Can I really tell her?

"It was 'bout the fires," he said.

Lucy stopped unbuttoning his shirt. "The fires? Do you think there is going to be another one?"

Fred furrowed his brow. "Not sure. But there was a man there. A shadow."

"A man?"

"Yeah, but I couldn't see who it was. He had killed someone as well."

Lucy gasped, putting a hand over her mouth. "Who was it?"

You have to tell her, his inner voice told him. She needs to know that she needs to be on her guard. Someone knows who she is, and wants to do her harm.

"It was…a woman. I didn't recognize her."

Coward.

"Oh," Lucy said as she continued to unbutton his shirt.

As she did, her fingers grazed the skin on his stomach, causing him to shudder. Not because he was cold, but the feeling of her soft fingers brought back a feeling he hadn't had in over three years. Not since his wife and son had passed away.

Upon feeling his cold skin, Lucy hurried her actions so that she could get Frederick warm. She pulled off the now damp shirt and began to pull the clean, dry one onto his form. She stood up from her spot and handed him his trousers. "I'm sure you can put those on yourself. You should have sobered up by now."

"Thank you," Frederick said.

"You're welcome. Shall I bring in some tea?"

"Please."

Nodding, Lucy turned and left the room, giving him some privacy. She headed for the kitchen so that she could get the kettle ready. While the water was warming up, she took the liberty to walk around the house. It had a nice set up, with the parlor being close to the front door and the kitchen running off of that. Past the fireplace was the hallway that led to Frederick's bedroom and also to a washroom and guest bedroom, as Lucy had found out. Since she had planned on staying for the night, she grabbed her things and brought them to the second bedroom. When she opened the door, a small black and white dog ran out in search for food.

"What?" Lucy wondered. She quickly placed her things on the bed and walked after the dog. She found the dog in the kitchen, looking down his empty bowl.

"Are you hungry?" she asked him. Lucy looked to see if there was anything Fred had special for his pet. She found something that resembled what she used to feed her family's dogs, so she put that in his bowl. He went after the food as though there were no tomorrow. "Guess he was," she added.

By that time, the tea was ready, and Lucy made two cups for her and the inspector. She took the cups to his bedroom, only to find that he had fallen asleep on the bed. Lucy quietly giggled.

Of course, she thought.

Lucy put both of the cups on the nightstand, and drew the covers back as carefully as she could. Somehow, she managed to get Fred under the covers so that he could keep warm. Once that was done, she turned off the kerosene lamp and walked out with the two cups. She left the mug of water in case he needed it.

She set the cups in the kitchen on the counter, finishing off her own, and then head for the parlor. The fire had died out, which left her to feel more at ease. Seeing that it was safe to, Lucy turned off the rest of the kerosene lamps and made her way to the guest bedroom. Since she was already in her nightgown, she didn't have to worry about changing, so she pulled back the covers and climbed into bed. With everything that happened that night, Lucy fell asleep within moments of her head hitting that pillow.

She had become too enthralled with her own dreams to hear Frederick enter the room. Seeing her sleeping form, he walked over to the other side of the bed, drew back the covers, and climbed in. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him, and snuggled into her warmth. Lucy stirred a little at the slight chill, but stayed asleep in the comfort and safety she felt. She had no idea that she was providing that same comfort to the man sleeping next to her. Within moments, Frederick joined Lucy in the land of dreams, and he slept soundly since she had come back into his life.


A/N: Well, eventually Fred will tell her that he was dreaming of her. Eventually. Wonder how she'll take it when he does. Who knows until it happens! And even though he's inebriated (did I spell that right? oh well), he's getting all sorts of cozy with Lucy. Awww! Well, hope you enjoyed it. Please leave me some feedback. I wish to know your thoughts. It makes me very happy. I'll even count it as a Christmas gift!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

~Xanthe :3