Disclaimer: Read Ch. 1
"The past beats inside me like a second heart." – John Banville
Ch. 19: The Replica, The Demon, and The Past
"Why don't we run away?"
"You want us to run away?"
"Why not? We can be together, have a new adventure, and be free from familial obligations."
"Then where would we run?"
"We can go to France or…America! Think of it, crossing the sea to see a new land being formed."
"Without family money though, Danielle."
"I can work, I can still be an artist. We can find a plac-"
"I will think on it, Dani. Now, shall we go to bed?"
Hands trailed with lips wandering, whispers of affirmations, with night becoming day in those moments.
Daylight shined though the window, hitting Jane directly in the face causing her to groan and move her arm slightly to cover her eyes. As she moved, she felt Maura move closer, nuzzling herself into Jane's neck. The doctor breathed in the sweet scent of her lover and mumbled against her neck, "You're up."
"The sun got in my eye," Jane retorted, kissing the top of Maura's head. She then took the sheet that was tangled around them and pulled Maura closer.
Maura kissed Jane's jawline then down her sternum. "What are you doing," Jane mewled as she ran her fingers through Maura's hair.
"Kissing your heart," Maura replied, adding another peck.
Jane let out a laugh, flipping Maura over and kissing her ardently on the lips as Maura wrapped her legs around Jane's waist. "Isn't that not possible," Jane teased as she kissed down Maura's neck. Maura gave a side eyed glance then catching Jane off guard, flipped her onto her back. "Damn, I knew you were strong," Jane hummed as Maura was kissing her collarbone and was about to move lower until there was a knock on the door.
Jane grabbed a pillow in pure frustration, groaned into it then barked, "What?"
"Jane," Maura admonished, gently moving from her position from on top Jane.
"No…" Jane whimpered.
"Jane, sorry to wake you and Maura up-" Frost started, not hearing Jane or if he was, blatantly ignoring the awkwardness.
Jane sat up, pushing her messy brown curls back. "Sure, you are."
Maura nudged Jane, moving off Jane completely and wrapping the sheet around her. Jane watched as Maura slipped out of the bed, placing the sheet on the floor to grab some clothes. Jane's eyes watched Maura, letting them trace Maura's figure.
"There's news circulating that you need to hear," Frost muffled through the door.
"Is Dani up," Jane questioned as she slipped out of bed, moving behind Maura and wrapping her arms around Maura.
"Jane," Maura scolded breathy, feeling Jane's lips at her ear.
"About to wake her up as well."
Feeling Jane's hand about to trail down, Maura forced herself to pull away and answered back, "We will be down soon, Barry." The doctor turned toward her lover, swatting Jane's hand away and pointed Jane toward the direction of Jane's suitcase.
Jane grumbled but Maura pulled her lover quickly back, to give her a small peck on the kiss. The blonde noticed that it calmed her beautiful Italian and that their morning together would be a rain check for now.
At Dani's room, Regina was up and observing the sleeping figure of Dani. She took in the scar on Dani's back, tracing it slowly then let her fingers start to trace the other scars that were showing. Each one seemed faded from the other except the one down her lover's back, the symbol of Twisted Sisters. Since the time they spoke with the sisters, Dani informed that the scar seemed to radiate heat and now seeing it, Regina understood what her lover meant.
"I can feel you staring," Regina heard a low mumble and felt a hand attempting to reach.
The witch let out a small laugh and leaned over, pressing her body against Dani's. She kissed Dani's shoulder then let Dani raise her head to look over. Light brown eyes seem to reflect a calm; something she never seen in her lover. She pushed back the brownish red hair, tucking a lock behind her ear before Dani leaned and kissed Regina's forehead softly then her lips with same tenderness.
It was filled with some anxiety and still the softness of something new. Regina pressed the kiss firmer, inviting Dani to deepen it and she did. The other woman slipped onto Dani, and they continued to kiss and caress until Regina pulled back. Dani gave Regina a quick on her chin, prompting a smile on Regina's face. She then rested her head on Dani's chest, breathing in Dani's scent. "What were you thinking about," Dani inquired, her fingers twirling in Regina's ebony hair.
Regina nuzzled her nose to Dani's neck. "Do you regret your immortality?"
Dani stopped twirling her lover's hair and took in the question. Heavy pillow talk much, Hyde remarked for first time. However, Dani ignored it and replied, "If you asked prior to this," gesturing toward the position they are in, "I would say yes but, now…no, I don't because I wouldn't never have met you."
Regina cupped Dani's cheek, kissing her softly until they heard a knock at the door. "Yeah," Dani shouted back, keeping her eyes on Regina.
"Dani, there's news."
RI
Washed up and dressed, everyone met in the lounge where they were met with the sight of Lord Darnell. "Your Lordship," Dani greeted in surprise before taking a seat, "I take this visit isn't with good news."
"Unfortunately," the Lord answered. "As you suspected, Mephistopheles visit to London is due to less baggage."
Jane sighed, "Faust is dead."
"Yes, his body was dropped in front of the Golden Mask. No visible marks and he happens to have all body parts."
"Change of M. O," Korsak said aloud. "Why change that?"
"Killers change modus operandi when it wasn't part of their plan or for derailment," Maura spouted, remembering a journal she read about criminal psychiatry.
"Faust was not planned. He was obstacle, a possible loose end," Jane inferred. She then looked at Lord Darnell, "Anything else?"
Darnell shook his head, "Unfortunately, that's all I have currently."
"Damn it," Adam cussed, standing up and walking away.
Dani sighed, rubbing her face when Nina appeared with cups of coffee and tea for everyone. "Thank you," Dani added, taking a mug.
Frost took a sip from his coffee then spoke, "So what now?"
"Well," Nina took a seat and pulled out her tablet, "I went through Van Helsing's journal, and he had some information that was interesting. First, vampire blood is potent but drinking it will create the sire once the bite occurs. Their fangs hold a specific toxin that creates the vampirism but can make their victims feel pleasure; almost euphoria like."
"Answers the strip club," Frankie piped in.
"Blood dens are recreations of opium dens. Drugs, smoking, alcohol, and sex," Dani added.
Nina nodded and Korsak asked, "So the main reason for Mina's kidnapping could be based on her blood or the bite?"
"If that's true, why not kidnap Dracula," Jane brought up.
"Mina's a sire of Dracula, she's just as strong and potent possibly," Adam added. Everyone looked up to see that Adam was at the doorway. "As a sire, you've drank blood from the person who created you." He then took a seat, taking a coffee, "What else did you read, Nina?"
Nina returned to her notes to her tablet. "Discussed about Adam and about Frankenstein. Amazed about Adam being kind, observant, and saw great potential in him as a person. He did write about the Black Magic Book, mentioning how it's powerful and that many including the Twisted Sisters wanted it. Supposedly, it can create and sustain life and easily take it, granting beings power to control others."
"As much as that's informative, it doesn't answer the purpose for the need to take the book," Dani pointed out.
"This might though," Maura retorted, opening to the newspaper, and placing it on the table.
BRITISH MUSEUM REVEALS FIRST EVER ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF BOOK OF THE DEAD
Walking along the streets of the place she grew up in was odd for Dani, to say the least. Jane, Maura, and Regina observed as the immortal walked, staring at the street names then speaking to herself. Some folks stared oddly at her, but she ignored it while Regina would note the street to ask her lover about it.
Now as much as one wanted to walk around the streets, time changed many things as Maura noted in her mind. As soon as they reached another street, Maura stopped Dani from walking and hailed a cabbie (much to Jane's surprise). They stepped in and Maura spoke softly, "British Museum please."
The cabbie nodded and started to travel. Dani shrunk back in her seat and mumbled, "Old habits die hard."
"You mean you just walked around everywhere you needed to go," Jane whispered.
"It was that or try to hail a horse," Dani retorted.
Maura let out a chuckle while Regina patted her lover's before she gave a quick peck on the cheek.
As they drove through the streets, Dani tried to remember the sights that used to be her home. She recognized streets somewhat, glancing at the street signs; each one surprising her more and more. Meanwhile Jane, who never had left the country except once for a small trip to Italy as a child. The memories were far and few in between but, Jane just remembered food, random houses, extended family, and how loud it was. This was unlike Maura, who was in boarding school in France and had travel to England once before. She seen the sights before but to see the wonder in Jane's eyes; it made her smile widely.
Jane glanced over at Maura, "What?"
"Nothing. I just love you," Maura smiled.
Jane smiled brightened, giving Maura a kiss on the forehead then resumed her observation.
When they finally reached the British Museum, they made sure that they were able to enter the museum. "Frost just texted," Jane commented, looking at her phone. "Lord Darnell got us a connection with a contact who can have us…examine the translation."
"That will help," Regina said.
Dani's eyes darted around, taking in how much changed. She didn't even realize that her feet were moving. Technology had taken over certain parts of the museum. Exhibits that were once new to her were considered an "old" wing.
To say it overwhelmed her was an understatement.
"According to the map, the Egyptian artifacts are over here," Jane pointed to the third floor.
They followed the direction of the map and followed the staircase until Maura noticed Dani stop and walked down another hallway. Jane and Regina noticed, following Maura's lead, and going the opposite direction of the Egyptian artifacts. "Danielle," Maura called out then stopped to see Dani staring at a painting.
The doctor approached to see a beautiful oil painted portrait of a red-haired woman with piercing hazel eyes. She dressed in a beautiful yellow gown with a book in her hand with a small smile filled with mirth it seemed. Next to the same picture was the same woman in a more compromising position; a bedsheet covered her body with outlines of a bedroom. It was a sketch with charcoal mixed in with color pigment.
It was also a style Maura seen before, in Dani's office. The doctor observed Dani's posture and it was noticeably stiff and the eyes seemed to be fill with hurt. Regina and Jane finally caught up with Jane whispering, "What's going on?"
Maura didn't answer but gestured toward Dani as Regina stood beside her. The witch touched her lover's forearm, breaking the trance slightly with the posture relaxing but the eyes still held the emotions of before. Maura glanced over to see the placard describing the two pieces, "Donated by the Bennett estate, these portraits were found in a trunk that was hidden away from public eyes. Authenticated to be a piece of the Victorian era's academicism or possible realism, the artist is considered an unknown as the woman in the portrait is of Lillian Shaw, daughter of late Sir Thaddeus Shaw. At the time of the discovery of the painting, there was a great surprise that Lady Shaw did a nude portrait and based on the small date and initials, it was prior to her marriage to Lord Marshall that happened in December of 1884."
"Lord Marshall…" Dani muttered.
She married that ass, Hyde spat. She downgraded.
"What happened between you two," Jane inquired, noticing the neutrality in Dani's face.
"She said it was a fling and nothing more."
"Just like that?"
Dani gave a small nod, "Just like that." She then huffed, "There's more to it but that's not why we are here so let's move on."
Jane patted Dani's shoulder in comfort while Regina took her lover's hand once more. They followed the path to the Egyptian wing, moving through the area. Each antiquity reflected the ancient history but each one was also not the one they were looking for until finally, they noticed a large group of people gathered around a specific area. "That has to be it," Regina gestured toward the crowd.
It was a small; a leather book that seemed to be man-made and yet, there it was in a display case and closed. "Here, we have the English translation of the Book of the Dead," a tour guide spoke to a group that was passing by. "During the early 19th century, an archaeologist dedicated many months to several years to translate the full book which is currently at Boston, Massachusetts."
"What happened to the archaeologist who translated it," a person inquired.
"Oh…he died," the tour guide answered with a wide smile. "Supposedly, by translating the book, he cursed himself with a painful death."
"What the fuck," Jane hissed.
Regina patted Jane's shoulder, "He read the incantation aloud."
"Indeed, and death became his newest friend," Jane turned swiftly, placing her arm in front of Regina while Dani did the same with Maura. Out of instinct, Jane tried to reach for her gun, but she heard the click of the tongue, "Now Detective, you cannot really do anything here especially since only you four can see me and," a finger pointed to where her hand was going, "you have no gun."
"Is that true," Jane asked Dani.
Dani stepped forward toward Mephistopheles. "Yeah, a demon such as himself can be selective. Right now, we can look ridiculous because we are talking to thin air," Dani confirmed. "But that's not why he's here."
Mephis crossed his arms, "You are so perceptive, Danielle."
"Perception," Maura added, taking in the sight of the platinum blonde demon dressed in a simple black suit with his black gloves.
His yellow eyes darted toward Maura and Regina, "Ah, Doctor Maura Isles, Chief Medical Examiner of the Boston Commonwealth and Miss Regina Coldwell, heir of Mama Lorna's coven." Maura felt a chill run up her back at the sound of her name escaping the demon's lips, it seemed that he was inspecting them, taking a small stroll around the group as he continued, "How lovely that you made this outing a couple's trip."
"Why are you here," Regina addressed, attempting to make it look like she was talking to Dani. She could feel the museum visitors' eyes looking at them, some with curious glances and others were straight up gawking.
Mephistopheles raised his hand and with flick of his hand, a torn page was in his hand. "Obviously, you are here to stop Victor and Dorian. Faust interfered in powers he shouldn't have especially ones that were beyond his and now, you are doing the same," the demon explained simply and matter of fact.
"Many have died," Maura argued.
"Death is common, Doctor Isles. You of all people should know this and with one life extinguish, eventually another disgusting one comes again."
"It doesn't mean you should have the power to take it."
Mephistopheles let out a chuckle and gestured around the room, "Taking it is not the issue, it's the use of it that you struggle to understand. There is power in death and here you are, trying to be noble; to use death to understand life, to bring those in the living world comfort and peace."
"What's your part in this, Mephistopheles," Jane interrogated. "Faust is dead. You have no charge so that means nothing ties you down."
"Wrong," Mephis sneered loudly; his body turned and stood before Jane, with their noses almost touching. The yellow eyes seemed to dilate, and the black suit was in a fazing mode of changing into a robe. Maura could see the pale skin started to show a red hue and nails that were short and neat were suddenly longer. "I'm stuck in a forever loop, shackled to this hideous realm, and to that idiot Faust."
It wants freedom from the servitude, Hyde connected immediately. He wants someone to break his connection with Faust.
"I see someone understands," Mephis stated out of the blue.
What? How can he know that I…wait…
Mephis gave a toothy grin, "Ah yes, your inner demon pieced it together and maybe, this can help that old memory along." He then released the page as it fell into Dani's hand. She flipped the page and immediately, her eyes darted up, "Where did you get this?"
"Where else?"
Before Dani can question once more, Mephis backed himself into a large crowd, but the whisper of his voice still echoed, "Death is just a kiss away."
What the fuck does that mean, Jane thought as she attempted to reach for him but realized that it was pointless. "Damn it," Jane cussed then looked back at Dani, "What did he give you?"
"I…Let's fine the contact first," Dani retorted, trying to process what was just given to her.
RI
They walked toward a back area of the exhibit area. Dani approached the door then gestured toward Jane. The detective walked over, knocking on the door three times then knocking on it once more. "I'm coming," they heard and the door open to reveal an older man with circular glasses and wild white hair wearing a brown suit. "Are you with his Lordship," he questioned with a quick whisper.
"Detective Jane Rizzoli, Boston Police Department," Jane introduced herself then pulled her badge out of her pocket.
He raised his eyebrow, "Boston. I was expecting a former London resident."
"That would be me," Dani showed her face at the older man.
His eyes widened in surprise, "It's you!" Everyone gave a confused expression with the older man gesturing to enter the room. He then locked the door and gestured toward the wooden table as he continued, "My name is Professor Lewis Monty, an associate of the Nightfall London Division."
"Nice to meet you," Regina greeted, shaking his hand.
Jane, Maura, and Dani followed suit with Professor Monty then the Professor continued, "You must be Danielle Stevenson. You worked with the great Professor Abraham Van Helsing, correct?
Dani nodded then gestured toward the table, "Lewis, right? As much as I appreciate your eagerness about my former mentor but…"
"Oh right, the book!" He turned around, walking to a lock box on the table. "Outside is a replica since you needed to expect this." He handed each person special gloves and a mask, with Maura motioning for them to place the items on. The professor did the same then he took a key and unlocked the chest then placed the leather book on the clothed table.
Maura opened the book slowly. "Remember do not read it aloud," Regina reminded the group.
They all nodded, and eyes began to scan, trying to find what Dorian would be after until Regina noticed something. "This is not the translation," she said aloud.
Professor Monty let out a small laugh, "That's a good joke, miss."
"No, this isn't the book," Regina emphasized. She then pointed to a note in the book, making Jane to pull the book close to her.
The detective peered at the book, not sure what she was looking for until it hit her. "This is giving a cooking recipe," Jane pointed out.
"What," Professor Monty squeaked, grabbing the book quickly to read it. His eyes widened in shock, "Oh god…"
"Are you sure this isn't the replica," Jane questioned, trying to calm the professor.
"No, I made sure that the replica was in the museum display, and this was the actual document. How is this possible?"
Jane thought for a moment then looked back behind her. "Mephis," she said aloud with the realization hitting her.
"Fuck," Dani groaned, pacing back and forth in front of the museum's entrance. Regina sat down next to Maura while both of their lovers paced back and forth. "I should have known that Mephistopheles was not just there to taunt."
"So now the problem as grown bigger because they have the translation for the Book of the Dead," Jane crossed her arms. She then looked over at Dani, "But he gave you something. What was it?"
Dani pulled the paper out then unfolded it. "It's a page from my brother's journal," Dani confessed.
"Didn't you say that you thought it was destroyed?"
"I thought it was." Dani took a seat at the stairs, "We are back at a dead end and…my memory is so fragmented…"
"And Hyde," Maura inquired.
"I only remember so much," Hyde replied. Maura took in the sight of the red eye on Dani's face, realizing that Hyde took over the conversation. "The house burned down and whatever memories, I have been far and few in between."
"Then that's where we will start," Jane concluded. "We got back to the original spot of the Jekyll mansion."
To help cure…only made with…red like blood…labeling as HY3D. Could this…be what can…
RI
As one who thirsts knowledge, Maura researched about the power of memory. It involves many neural activities, nerve pathways, and the brain stores memory in different sections and to build back Dani's memory involved a technique known as reconstruction. The part that they needed to get back was the long-term But, there was a high probability that the memory might be altered due to the repression of it and the repression was from trauma.
However, Regina had an idea, but it involved elements that only could be done in the house they were residing at.
Regina's plan seemed simple but things were never truly simple. First, they established the old facts in the house with Frost and Nina pulling up old photos of Dani's childhood home. Jane was impressed by the home for it was a large home; two story on the outside but there was a basement down below where Henry Jekyll would work in laboratory. Floor plans would be hard to access especially if they were about the old home.
"So, what exactly are you going to do," Hyde inquired as Regina laid them down on the sofa in the parlor room.
"Well, it's a bit complicated to explain but let's say you will be time traveling," Regina tried to answer.
"Isn't that not safe?"
"Time travel is possible," Jane asked in amazement.
"Well, not exactly time travel. That is a forbidden spell but there is a special potion that makes you relive the events needed. With Dani's journal, Nina should be able to navigate Dani and Hyde's subconscious back to the moment."
"And Maura?"
"Maura is going to supervise Dani's vitals," Regina answered.
"Our vitals," Hyde questioned back. "Why the fuck do we need to keep track of our vitals? Like do you expect us to stop breathing?" Hyde, breathe, Dani attempted to calm in the mind. "I am breathing, Danielle! But we can drop from this drink!"
Regina could sense the anxiety coming from Hyde. She touched their shoulder with the dark red eyes to look up at her. It was odd to see Hyde so tense about the situation but, at the same time, it showed how human Hyde was. "I want your vitals kept track because I've only heard that this potion can be potent."
"Potent," Hyde mouthed.
Regina nodded then looked over at Jane, "The only way to find the site of the old Jekyll mansion is sending you, Vince, Barry, and Frankie onto the field to see if you can find an old map of London from 1884. By having this map, you can compare the current map with the old one."
"And we should be able to back track," Jane connected. "More of us to look around."
"Exactly."
"Then let's get going," Frankie stated, giving Nina a quick kiss on the cheek then jogging to the front door.
Jane approached Maura, "You'll be okay?"
Maura cupped Jane's cheek, "You do your gumshoe thing and I'll do my-"
"Google thing."
"You know that Google-" Jane leaned in and kissed her, causing Maura to sigh. The detective pulled back and Maura shook her head, "Go. Be safe. I love you."
"Love you," Jane shouted back, running out of the room.
Maura turned her head back at Hyde as Adam was placing the pulse monitor on their finger. She then grabbed the blood pressure cuff and wrapped around the arm. Regina touched Hyde's shoulder and looked into their eyes. A small look was exchanged, and a nod was given by Hyde before they closed their eyes and reopened to show that the red eyes were gone.
Regina took Dani's hand and gave it a light squeeze. "This might bring back a lot of memories," Regina explained.
"I know," Dani acknowledged. She ran her thumb over the top of Regina's hand then continued, "It's our only way and my only way to know what happened completely." Dani lifted Regina's hand to her lips then laid her head back. Regina went to her bag and pulled out the purple vial and handed it to Maura.
"You'll administer the dose while I start to connection," Regina instructed.
Maura nodded, gave the vial to Dani as they checked the initial blood pressure. "One hundred twenty-five over seventy-six with a steady pulse of seventy-seven. Pulse ox is at ninety-eight," Maura announced to Nina, Regina, and Adam.
"Making the call to Frost," Adam announced.
Regina waved her hand a couple times and whispered an incantation several times before a small mirror floated in the middle of the room. She then touched Dani's forehead with one hand and the mirror with the other as she commanded, "Connect."
With the word, the mirror formed a figure sitting in the same type of chair Dani was sitting in. "Hyde," Maura asked in curiosity.
Hyde made a small bow of their head, "On with the show."
Hey everyone! Sorry for the long wait! Life has been very busy! Please review, comment, etc! I appreciate the support!