I don't own any rights. I am introducing a new character or two to the story line and will highlight Detective Fitzroy as well. This starts after the end of season four, so yes there will be spoilers and flashbacks from all seasons. Music used as inspiration will be cited. I hope you all enjoy, please leave comments as I would love to hear your thoughts and input.
Chapter One:
Eliza had just finished her letter to William and placed it in her pocket so Ivy wouldn't find it. After all, William had been writing to Ivy, fishing for a reason why Eliza wasn't responding to his letters. Still mad and upset, but her heart was lighter. Life has been miserable since he left for New York; not only his absence but the return of Nash, the closing of Nash and Sons, and now starting from scratch on her own. If only he were here, it was her fault he wasn't.
Lost in her thoughts, she heard Ivy tell her that there were visitors waiting. Eliza knew who it wasn't, and couldn't put two and two together to figure out who the callers might be. Everyone she knew was now on another continent, or in jail.
As Eliza met Ivy at the door of the sitting room, Ivy introduced Detective Fitzroy and Miss Alexandra Scarlett. Pausing for a moment before entering the room, Eliza's head spun.
Entering the sitting room, Detective Fitzroy stood to address Eliza. As she tuned out his voice, she saw her cousin Alexandra, whom she hadn't seen since leaving Wimbledon 11 years ago. Though Alexandra was a few years younger, they had been inseparable.
Here they were reunited in the same room, though only one of them was handcuffed to Detective Fitzroy. Eliza could only imagine what had occurred, but why was Alexandra in London? Last Eliza knew, Alexandra had followed her family to Ireland, and they had lost touch after Eliza's father passed.
Eliza recognized Alex, or Alexandra, or as she affectionately remembered their parents and schoolmates called them Lizzie and Allie. She had the same uncontrolled curly mess of hair piled on top of her head, as well as the same dark eyes. There was no way Eliza could think of her as a stranger passing on the sidewalk.
"Allie, what in the world?" Eliza asked as she embraced her cousin in a hug. Pulling back, Eliza looked her over. Allie had the same glint in her eye as always, and that smirk that proved all her guilt. "Lizzie, I don't know. I had been traveling since the passing of mother and father. I had just gotten off the train here in London and was eating dinner at an inn when I started to feel sick. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a cell for trespassing. They said a storekeeper called for them when they couldn't wake me.
Eliza couldn't believe she'd missed the torn dress, and the disheveled overall look Allie had. Allie nodded in thanks to Detective Fitzroy, tears started to fall down her face. Allie's head hung in shame as she listened to Eliza becoming increasingly angry and promising to find who had hurt her. Eliza stopped briefly as she noticed Detective Fitzroy leaving his seat beside Allie and moving so he was now kneeling in front of Allie, taking a handkerchief from his pocket with the other hand and gently drying her eyes.
Eliza thanked him for helping Allie make it to her safely and then asked why he and Allie were handcuffed at together. Detective Fitzroy explained how terrified Allie was to leave the holding cell, and asked if she could be handcuffed to the wagon so she wouldn't be taken again. Fitzroy explained that since he was off hours taking a private coach home it might look a little odd, so it was agreed that he would handcuff himself to her in order to make her feel more secured
Allie looked up at Ivy and said, "Thank you." Ivy came over and placed her hand on Allie's shoulder, giving her a small smile. Ivy asked Allie if she needed her clothing washed. To which Allie shook her head no; everything to her knowledge had been stolen while she was incapacitated. Detective Fitzroy assured Allie that if anything was recovered, it would be returned to her. Allie acknowledged his input. Eliza let Allie know that she has nothing to worry about; Allie's things are hers as well, and she was welcome to whatever she needed. Ivy asked Allie to follow her, and they would find some of Eliza's things she could wear tonight after her bath.
As Allie left the room, she turned and thanked Detective Fitzroy for everything he had done. He wished her a good night's rest. Eliza assured Allie that she would check on her after she saw Fitzroy out. Allie nodded and followed Ivy.
Eliza sat down with her head in her hands, trying to hide the tears that were waiting to fall. Forgetting Fitzroy was there, she felt his hand on her shoulder. "Miss Scarlet, I hope bringing her here was appropriate. I apologize that I didn't notify you or ask permission." Eliza rose from her seat and explained that she wouldn't have it any other way, even though she and Allie had lost touch, she was always welcome. Detective Fitzroy apologized for the circumstances and advised he had asked permission for officers to keep a close watch tonight. He also advised he would return tomorrow to check on "Miss Alexandra Scarlet" and get another statement.
Eliza locked the door and turned to see Ivy coming down the stairs. Ivy let Eliza know that Allie was in the bath and had been shown her room. Eliza hugged Ivy and thanked her. Ivy murmured how unfair it was that this had happened and how broken Allie was. Ivy pulled away with a sad smile, "Don't think I don't remember all the trouble you two caused me." Eliza returned the smile and went upstairs to check on Allie.
Eliza knocked on the bathroom door. Allie opened it slightly and when she saw Eliza, she opened it all the way and let her in. They looked into each other's eyes and embraced each other tightly, letting tears freely fall. They always knew what each other was thinking; they didn't need to speak to communicate. Eliza stepped back, still holding onto Allie by the shoulders. She brushed Allie's wet hair away from her eyes. Eliza offered to help Allie brush her hair. Allie accepted. Eliza shared a small smile as she brushed Allie's hair. Allie sat on the same stool as they used to when they were younger, taking turns brushing each other's hair or trying to style it but just making knots for Ivy to help untangle later.
Allie looked up while Eliza was braiding her hair and thanked her again. Eliza smiled and said there would be no more saying thank you. Allie smirked at Eliza's response; Eliza's heart warmed. Eliza walked Allie to bed and asked if there was anything else she needed for the night. Allie patted the pillow next to her as she lay on her side. "Lizzie, I know we are too big for this, but can you stay with me for tonight? Like when we were younger?" Eliza climbed into bed, lying on her side facing Allie. "Thank you." Allie said. Eliza took Allie's hand and smiled, "I am so glad you are okay." "I will be better tomorrow, I promise," Allie replied with her eyes closed, praying that when she wakes up it will all have been a dream.