A/N: If I differentiate from the script, I do apologize; I cannot reach the program right at this moment. Flashbacks are in italics; if you didn't already know that. I wasn't too sure.
Disclaimer: Ripper Street belongs to Amazon Prime, or the BBC...
Whitechapel:- 1890.
Unlike her brothers and sisters, Grace Drake was the wild-card of the Drake family; with the exception of Bennett Drake, the elder cousin of Grace. Stepping from her taxi-carriage, the blonde-apprentice made her way through the bustling crowds and stopped short, now standing in-front of her destination. Whitechapel. Or more importantly, 'Division H.' Grace beamed confidently and entered the large building. Once inside, the young-woman calmly approached the front desk and once again, began to smile; maybe the sunshine was causing this sudden change in mood. At the front desk, a gentleman stood; his hair and beard the colour of fire. Sergeant Donald Artherton's position behind the Leman Street dock is as important as those patrolling the street below. The man often concerns himself with the ever-growing chaos on Whitechapel's streets, an educated fellow too. From behind his bushy beard, 'H Division's' vigilant desk sergeant can see disaster looming; however, he failed to see the younger-female enter the building. Adjusting the bun on her head, Grace took a deep breath and tried once more to grab the officers attention.
"Excuse me?" She asked softly, hoping to attract the officers attention.
Sergeant Atherton quickly glanced up from his log-book, locating the mysterious voice; his brown orbs fell upon Grace and rather abruptly, closed his book. Now giving his full attention to Grace, Atherton coughed roughly and smiled warmly.
"Sorry ma'am, I wasn't paying attention." He said, rushing his words as he did.
Grace simply chuckled heartily and smiled, waving her hand and reaching for a wad of paper within her bag.
"Do not worry friend, it is my fault after all. Do you know what on Earth is going on outside?" She asked, curious of the ever-growing ruckus outside. Atherton smiled and chuckled, this young-woman obviously wasn't used to life in Whitechapel.
"Afraid not ma'am. Can I do something to help, is it an officer you require?" Atherton offered softly, which caused Grace to quickly shake her head.
"Oh, no, no. I'm Miss Grace Drake, former nurse and apprentice to Captain Jackson; I'm here for my placement." She explained, calming the older-gentleman in her quest.
"Ah, Drake? Are you-?"
Knowing what the Sergeant would say, Grace nodded and cut him off quickly.
"Emmett Drake's cousin. His mother is related to mine, you see."
The two conversed freely, discussing the recent events occurring within Whitechapel and around London. This went on for a few minutes, Grace's nerves calming down as she spoke with the elder-officer; that was until the 'main-attraction' of Lemen Street barged straight into the building. Edmund Reid headed straight towards the front desk, Captain Jackson following close behind; a Chinese-woman also followed suite, shackled and carted away by a mass amount of police-officers. Sergeant Atherton welcomed the pair and produced his log-book. Whilst, Grace removed herself from the sudden-crowd and stood to one-side patiently, waiting for somebody to notice her.
"Inspector Reid, Captain Jackson, I'd like to introduce Miss Grace Drake." Atherton nodded towards the blonde stood directly behind Jackson.
Both, Edmund and Jackson turned on their heels to face the mysterious 'Grace Drake.' This simple action alone caused the two men to remove their respective hats, causing the elder-Atherton to smirk at the men's reactions.
"Good afternoon gentlemen, I'm here for my placement; as an assistant-practitioner." Grace explained softly.
Breaking out of their trances, Edmund shook Grace's dainty hand, Jackson doing the same; except with a frown on his face. He pointed towards Grace and his frown grew.
"Sorry Miss, but my apprentice is a Mr. G Drake. Not, a Miss." Jackson explained, unsure of the current events.
Edmund also wondered about this, as he had requested that they acquire more medical-help; but, he wasn't complaining. Grace smirked wistfully and clutched her bag closer.
"Captain Jackson, how many woman can you name, right now, whom are doctors and politicians?" A silence fell upon the room, as Jackson had no answer for the young blonde. "Exactly. I want to leave a legacy for those around me and for future generations. Women are looked down upon by the male species, they feel us to be the less-superior mammals-"
"You wish to change that, Miss Drake." Edmund cut in, curious of the young-enigma stood before him. Grace caught his piercing blue-eyes and held the man's gaze, trapped and unable to tear away.
"I do, Inspector Reid, I do." She replied confidently.
Jackson coughed loudly, breaking the gaze and returning Grace's attention onto himself. The Inspector nodded firmly and sent a pointed glare at the doctor.
"Captain Jackson, I assume you will assist in welcoming our new member of staff and make sure she is well equipped to be begin her placement-" Edmund commanded smoothly.
The doctor sent a smile over to Grace and led her away, leaving Edmund alone with Atherton. Edmund watched the young-blonde exit the room, the light seemingly leaving alongside her. A thought then struck the Inspector.
"-Wait. Is she related to-"
Atherton nodded and turned back to his log-books. Edmund smiled faintly, realising that the blonde-bombshell would make an excellent new-addition to the team.
Margate:-
After ushering Grace inside, Edmund presented his friend with a cup-of tea and sat opposite her. Grace cast her blue-orbs around the room, appreciating the decor chosen by the man seated before her; the style suited him. The two shared a brief silence, before Grace placed her tea-cup onto the China plate.
"Three years on and all we can do is sit in silence; my, how times haven't changed." Grace said with a bitter-smile.
Edmund smiled sadly and felt a pang-of guilt for his 'favorite-girl.' The pair shared a gaze, one that spoke many words; yet, Grace knew that her mission was not a social-one.
"You have not changed." He replied softly, which caused Grace to chuckle heartily.
"That is true Edmund, but neither have you." Grace took in her lip and sighed, taking a small-sip of her warm-tea. "Your letters proved to be a great joy to me whilst I attended college. Many of the girls were indeed jealous-"
"My-my, aren't you a popular-one? Who's that letter from Gracie?"
Looking up from her newly-received correspondence, Grace smiled bashfully and waved her fellow doctor-in-training, Miss Minnie Romano, away. The letter gripped within her grasp was from none-other, then Inspector Edmund Reid. The bay-window, where Grace currently sat, showcased the finest views in all-of Derbyshire; the sun shining through the window and no-further duties for the rest of the day. Leaning back, Grace began to bask in the midday sunlight and read her letter.
Dearest Grace,
I do hope you are well, as it has been some-time since our last correspondence. Margate is as lively as ever, there are many different characters here; all of which you would never see in the depths of Whitechapel. Matilda's studies are continuing and she is doing exceptionally-well, all down to you; her apparent inspiration. My Matilda has also requested your presence on many occasions, she appears to miss your conversations and over-all presence; as do I, my dearest Grace. As I write now, the sun shines down upon our little patch of land, it's certainly a sight to behold. Hopefully Derbyshire has a similar disposition. If you cannot write back quickly, I will not think you ignorant; I deeply acknowledge your constant need for study and socializing. Although, I'm sure you're already readying a reply as you this; I know you all-too well Grace.
Yours,
Edmund Reid.
Grace chuckled at her closest-friend's wit and placed the letter to one-side, watching as Minnie moved over to the bay-window. Minnie, although only 5'3, was a sight to behold; with her fiery Italian temper and flowing brunette locks. Peering over at her blonde friend, Minnie tried to sneak a peek at the letter, but was rebuffed from a glare from Grace.
"Can I help you Minnie?" Grace asked with a clear smirk, causing Minnie to sigh and point at the letter seated besides her.
"Are you ever going to tell me whom your secret admirer is, a soldier maybe? Oh, maybe he's a sailor; tall, dark and handsome? Wait, wait, he could be a-"
"Oh for goodness-sake, here."
Cutting Minnie off, a dainty hand thrust the shielded letter into Minnie's face and the smaller-nurse eagerly accepted it. The room fell into a comfortable silence. Grace began to watch the birds outside, before turning to face her friend and watching her reactions to the letter. Many moments passed by before Minnie ceased reading the letter and began to smile manically at Grace.
"He's an Inspector? Gracie, darling, you've been holding back on me. Oh good-golly, when's the wedding? Will I need to buy a new frock?"
As Minnie continued to rant, Grace lent back once-more and laughed at her friends expense.
"-as they only received word from distraught parents and siblings. But, my call isn't social, I'm afraid Edmund."
Earlier in the week, Doctor Drake was approached by a rather cautious Deborah Goren; as in the past, the pair hadn't quite seen eye-to-eye. Deborah had become concerned about her friend, Isaac Bloom; Whitechapel's resident genius and newly-accused murderer. Unfortunately for Grace, she was forced to perform the autopsy on Bloom's 'victim' and the sight wasn't pretty. Her cousin had declared Bloom the murderer and that was that, until Deborah Goren stepped back into the picture. Cornered on a Whitechapel street-corner and with little choice but to speak to the woman, Grace listened calmly. As events occurred, the older-woman was persistent in Bloom's innocence and wasn't too sure on her next moves. At the time, Grace was fresh from graduating and wanted so-desperately to see her old-friend Edmund again. However, as if Miss Goren had already read-her mind, her plans were brought forward. Go to Margate and retrieve Edmund Reid from his paradise. At first, the younger-blonde was hesitant, but reluctantly agreed; therefore, here she was. Edmund lent forwards, resting his elbows onto the table, an eyebrow raised curiously.
"Please, do tell me what has ailed you, Miss Grace." He questioned. Grace inhaled sharply and placed her tea-cup onto it's saucer.
From the bruised and battered doctors-satchel, Grace produced a newspaper and slid it towards Edmund; it contained an article about Isaac Bloom's current predicament. Edmund spent a few moments evaluating the front-page of the newspaper, before the Inspector closed the paper quickly and passed it back to Grace; who proceeded to give the Inspector a 'waiting' glance.
"Isaac Bloom, accused of murder and will be hanged in a few days time; something I'm sure you're aware of." Grace started off slowly, unsure of how to proceed with her following statement. "I-Well, you see Edmund, I have come here for an acquaintance, Deborah Goren sent me. Deborah, as you know, is a valued figure within the Jewish community. She came to me with the ideal that Isaac Bloom did not commit this crime."
Edmund allowed Grace's speech to soak in, watching the young-woman with complete caution and worry evident in his eyes. Startling Grace, he reached across the table and grasped the blonde-doctors hand. The latter began to grip onto Edmund's, causing the former-inspector to smile softly.
"Does your cousin know that you're here?" Edmund queried curiously. Taking another sip of her lukewarm-tea, Grace laughed bitterly and pursed her rosy-lips.
"Who, Bennett? He's far too busy with making Lemen Street his kingdom to notice me. It is also the same with Captain Jackson, he's preoccupied, dealing with his mischievous wife. I am alone and with Deborah only now coming to me with this information, I-I don't know what to do. Personally, I don't believe that Bloom murdered this man. Will you help me Edmund?" Grace pleaded softly, noting that Matilda had now entered the room.
Matilda Reid stepped cautiously into the sitting room, grinning broadly at the sight before her; her father and Miss Grace sitting close. This pleased the youngest Reid immensely, as if anyone was to be suited with her father, it was Miss Grace Drake. Coughing softly, the pair of 'Lemen Street Addicts' re-took their hands and Grace, rather speedily, stood to embrace Matilda. Grace and Matilda chatted excitedly for a few moments, Matilda informing her old-friend of what she'd been up-to during her three-years; whilst Edmund still remained seated, watching the pair with a kind-smile. It was then that he decided what he wanted to do.
"I'll help you, Miss Grace. You made a promise to Miss Goren and I will not fail you, not now."
A wide, yet gleaming grin spread across Grace's features and she rushed towards Edmund, pressing a kiss to his cheek and smiling once more.
"Oh Edmund." She gushed. "I can't tell you how much this means to me." Grace then turned to face Matilda. "Now, I have yet to taste Margate's wondrous ice-cream and paddle in the sea. Now, shall we?"
Matilda smiled and took Grace's arm, turning back to her father; only to see that he was standing and making his way over to the pair. Edmund reached for Matilda's scarf and reached his umbrella, all-before holding his arm out to Grace. A smile was shared and the trio stepped out into the Margate sunshine.