I DO NOT OWN "The Great Mouse Detective" but I DO OWN Kate, Rose, Molly and Lidie Dunham. So now...enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Basil

Now I felt like I was loosing my mind. Did Kate try to kiss me? Not that I didn't want it, in fact I was a little sadden to see she didn't, but more then likely, like me she had her reason why she didn't.

The next day I did exactly what I said I would do. I took her out to get her own violin, which from the expression on her face she fell in love with the one we picked. Bought the materials, music and other items before heading home. Mrs. Judson was glad to see us out there instead of Kate possibly sulking in here while I either take another case or possibly blow something up. Though quite frankly so am I. I hadn't gotten another case since Kate came into our lives. The only real mystery there is is who her father is.

As I told her when we got home I made a call to the newspaper about an ad in the paper for violin and art lessons and to please call if interesed to schedual a day. With that Kate had been playing her violin all day, letting waves of lively music flow through the whole place. It was very delightful. Enough for me to carefully slip my violin out and start playing with her. She smiled as I had joined in with her.

For the next hour that's all we did do was play, till Mrs. Judson came in to tell us dinner was ready. Funny enough even I hadn't noticed that Dawson came home from the hospital till he started clapping.

"How long have you been there Dawson?"

"Long enough to see you two play together. It was very lovely, you two work great as a team."

I smiled, listening to Kate mumbling about how she's only okay and her blushing. It was almost too much as i gently put both mine and Kate's violin's down in their case and I get right in front of Kate and held her face in my paws, having her look only at me.

"Kate, please you are a wonderful violinist. If you teach half as well as you play your students would probably be playing in a full professional orchestra before they turn sixteen...depending on the age I guess. If they start at thirteen...then yes defiantly before they turn sixteen. Now give yourself some credit."

We were so close...so close if I would just move that half of inch closer we would be connected. It was so tempting, with her eyes that I feel like I'm drowning in and the blush...that blush that rose on her cheeks that makes her so hard to not smile at. I wanted to...I wanted to, but then hearing someone cough, though not sure if it was Mrs. Judson or Dawson was what caused us to take a step back.

"Well...um...Thank you Basil...and I enjoyed us playing together...um...Mrs. Judson do you need helping setting the table?"

"Yes, come with me dearie."

I watched as she followed Mrs. Judson to the kitchen. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, nor had I noticed that Dawson was now beside me.

"Just admit it Basil...she's more then just a poor girl you found one night in the rain."

"What are you talking about?"

"How you look at her, how much happier you seem with her. You were even playing cheerfully with her."

"She's pleasant to be around."

"How many times have you tried to kiss her..three times?"

"No, twice. Third one was when she tried to kiss me."

"You just admitted you had tried to kiss her in general."

My jaw went slack as I realized that Dawson just tricked me into giving that away, what is Dawson trying to say.

"What is your point old chap?"

"You have feelings for her that are deeper then just liking her Basil."

"Dawson...even if what you say is true...right now she's in mourning time for her lose. I do have to respect that."

"Of course, now shall we go on into the kitchen with the rest of them."

"Yes, let's."

Kate

Oh gods, he tried to kiss me again. What is going on here? I tried to concentrate on setting the table, but Mrs. Judson brought me out of it.

"Dearie, I know you're mourning your loss, but could it be possible that you've already moved on?"

"What?"

"I mean I understand how you feel of the sorts. I lost my husband to death as well."

"Oh, may I ask what happened?"

"Oh yes, it happened many years ago dearie. The sickness got him the poor man, but he always told me if something were to happen to him that I must move on no matter what. Not to hold on to the past."

"Mrs. Judson...I just found out almost a week ago that I'm dead there and I will never be able to be with my husband again."

"I know and I am sorry, but from what I've been seeing is that your mind and most of your heart is mourning, but that small piece of your heart has moved on...to another."

"Mrs. Judson I...I can't make that decision of what my heart wants. All I know is that I love my family...I miss my family and...you, dawson and...Basil have been the best thing to have happened since I arrived here. Please...I just need time."

"Take all the time in the world, just don't forget to live while your at it."

"Thank you Mrs. Judson...you know, what your husband told you sounds like mine."

"Oh?"

"He would tell me, if anything were to happen where he couldn't be there anymore, that I must live...do not let go, just hold on one day at a time...and that's what I'm doing...holding on."

"He's a smart man, just don't hold on too tightly or else no one else will be able to give you the hand up when you need it."

I smiled and nodded at Mrs. Judson. I know she means well and I know I can't mourn forever and I know my husband can't either...at least I hope he doesn't.

I had been in thought long enough for Basil to walk in and probably notice that whatever look I had on my face was what caused him to put his paws onto my shoulders.

"Well dinner looks wonderful Mrs. Judson, now come on Kate let's sit down and eat."

That evening Basil had gone ahead and reserved out tickets for the same booth seats as last time for tomorrow. I thought it was silly to buy them again, but he told me it was just to make it easier for us to go backstage if we had been there for the show. Whatever logic that makes, at least then no one will stop us then.

Though my sister would say it's so he could see me in that dress again. Which no I'm not wearing...but apparently I'm wearing the same style just in red and black this time as Mrs. Judson had helped me pick it out before going to bed.

The next night I did put that dress on and I had put all of my hair up into a bun with some of the hair coming through it. Though the way Basil looked at me almost made me take it down and use it to cover my front. I mean he was blushing when he saw me...more so then he had been. Still he was a gentleman...gentlemouse...whatever. As he escorted me once again to a cab and back to the theater.

Second time watching this very performance and I still loved it, but as it got to the end I was getting nervous. So many questions: What did she mean my death saved my daughter? who is my father? and why after all these years did he decide to come after me...and why me? As I said, so many swimming through my mind, but Basil seemed calm and collected...when doesn't he? I told myself, but he must be feeling my anxiety about this cause he took my hand...paw...paw into his and squeezed it as he leaned over.

"It's going to be alright, you know."

"I know, just so many questions unanswered."

"And we're going to get them tonight and...I'm here when you need me."

"I'll defiantly need you when I go see her."

"Then I'll be there."

Once again we gave a standing ovation as it ended, but before they finished announcing each performer, Basil grabbed my paw and we dashed away to mother's dressing room, waiting till she would come in.

She didn't seem shocked to see us in there before her, just tired from tonights performance.

"God it's getting more tiring every week."

"I know, but mother you said you would..."

"Answer your questions, I know. So go ahead and shoot."

"Okay, what did you mean by my death saved my daughter?"

She once again brought out her crystal ball and had Basil and I come closer.

"This is the day after your death. Your...husband had Rose stay home from preschool the next day. Here's why I say your death saved her."

In front of me the fox news appeared in the crystal ball with a small picture of children...and a gun.

"Today's news tragedy stuck as a whole class of preschoolers and their teacher at The Happy Days preschool were gunned down today. It was said that it was a man the teacher had been dating for the last month. His reason for doing such an act is yet to be answered, but as it shown on the attendance list, only three children missed school today, I guess it was a good day to miss school..."

I couldn't believe it...I knew the teacher, she was so close to get her Masters in English My mother ended the visual as it started talking about other things...things that didn't involve children.

"I...I can't believe it...That was my daughters class...her whole class..."

"And if you hadn't died the day before Kate she would have gone to school like any other day instead of staying home and grieving her mother. Imagine your father killing you ends up saving his granddaughter...oh the irony if he knew."

"He doesn't know?"

"Oh he knows he has a grandchild, but he doesn't know it's a her, or her name or even what she looks like. I've been keeping her away from his visual. Afraid that if he couldn't get you, he would go after her."

"NO!"

"Shh, it's okay. He'll never find out, I promise."

She held me in her arms as if we've always been this way. Never knowing the whole time she's been keeping an eye on me and my family, knock on wood if my father ever does find Rose...and that question came to mind.

"Speaking of father, who is he?"

"His name is James...James Ra..."

Then there was a loud bang against the door and that rough voice from last time, calling for mother to let him in.

"It's him! you two need to hide. Here hide in my closet till I can get rid of him."

She opens the door to a very beautiful wooden clothing closet...think of that one from "Beauty and the Beast" only brown wood and has no face nor can talk. It certainly was big enough though to hid us deep inside behind the clothes with the door cracked just enough for us to see.