Ratigan, Basil and Dawson hurried on the professors steed, roaming the streets of London at the dead of night. Ratigan holding Rosalie close, her blood staining her blue dress. He whispered "Stay with me.. please." He patted Felicia's back "A little faster girl, we're running out of time." The cat mewed and picked up the pace.
After just one more street, at last they arrived at the Detectives home. Ratigan quickly hurried down the cats backside, carrying the girl in his arms. Dawson in quick pursuit and Basil behind him. Ratigan burst through the door. Dawson motioning him to the upstairs "Basil! My doctor bag, in the kitchen on the brown table!" Basil nodded without complaint and grabbed it.
Mrs. Judson gasped, seeing the unconscious girl in the professors arms "Oh no! What happened?" Dawson pointed to her "Madame, I need some extra warm water and some towels."
Basil pushed past her "Please Madame! We have no time to waste!" Mrs. Judson nodded.
Dawson motioned the professor up the stairs "Please, follow me up here to the spare bedroom.." Following, Rosalie moaned "Professor?"
He smiled hopefully "Rosalie, I'm right here. You're going to be alright." Dawson cleared the bed "Lay her down flat.." he rested her on the bed, she slightly moaned again. Ratigan backed up, as Dawson and Mrs. Judson push past him. The commotion in the room lay to a group focused in the middle. Ratigan didn't know what to do.. watching Rosalie lay unconscious. Dawson murmured "We'll need to operate…" he took a breath "Alright.. Mrs. Judson I need that water and towels, keep her calm.." Mrs. Judson nodded, taking a towel and dipping it quickly into the warm bowl.
Basil turned to the professor "We need to leave.. we need to let them work."
"I won't leave her side!"
"Please." He insisted. Basil touched his arm, that was torn from the past hour. His coat, cape and shirt all torn in different places. "I trust Dawson with my very life, it would be better to let them work and help Miss Rosalie." Without putting up a fight, Ratigan untensed and sighed heavily, starting out the door with Basil.
Hours passed.. the sitting room was silent.. Nellie, Nora and the family sitting on one side. Ratigan and his group standing, sipping tea or on the stairs, waiting for news. Victoria worriedly looked at her uncle, staring intently on the fireplace. Alex squeezed her hand, they both sat together closely. Nellie whispered to Nora "Who are those children?"
"Those are Ratigan's. Rosalie told me his sister passed on.. so by law they are his now." Nellie nodded. She stood, and slowly walked to the professor, scared of his large stature. She didn't know what to do. She subtly touched his shoulder "Professor?"
Waking from his gaze, he saw the small white mouse next to him, practically terrified. He rubbed his eyes and looked to her "Yes, Miss Nellie?"
"Would you like to go outside with me for a moment." She pulled her coral shawl close to her "I wanted to get some air." She watched the professor take a quick look up the stairs. Nellie smiled kindly "Don't worry.. we'll be right outside." He was hesitant, but nodded.
They walked outside into the cold London air. Still was the morning as the sun hadn't sprouted above the buildings.
An awkward moment. Nellie stood on the steps of the small entrance. Ratigan close to the door. Nellie sighed and looked up to him "I want to thank you…" she began. "You did a great service helping all of us tonight.. who knows what would have transpired if Elijah got his way… Rosalie would have been-" she gasped "Oh dear.. I can't even think about it.. You stepped in at the right time.. so Thank you."
"It was a matter of duty madame." He said. Still close at the door. Nellie "You seem very close to her, to Rosalie. Watching you protect her.. was quite remarkable to see."
He managed to grin "I've developed quite a friendship, the first that has no personal gain of my own. She is quite remarkable." She smiled slightly, feeling the sentiment.
"She is.." there was another pause "Uncommonly kind, compassionate.. and beautiful as her mother. I can see why she affected you so.."
She laughed to herself "I'm actually still in shock I'm making pleasantries with you now.." she laid her hands on the rail of the small steps. There was a long pause. She continued "You do know there was a reward if anyone saved her from you, yes? A ransom if you will."
"I am aware madame." He said assuredly. He thought to himself, Nellie probably still believes him as a con. "But I have no further interest in any of it."
Nellie turned, her brow raised suspiciously. Her bright blue eyes shining like the morning stars that speckled the sky "You desire no money? One hundred thousand pounds.. and you-"
"Desire none of it.. My objective is Rosalie.. I have no interest in your money."
She stifled a laugh, crossing her arms "I don't understand.. You save her life… and mine…and yet the money means nothing to you." She watched him soften for a moment, obviously something else was on his mind. Her suspicions subsided "Why a change of mind?"
A moment for a pause.. both of them looked to each other for some kind of comfort "It was more of a change of heart." He smiled kindly.
The door opened quickly, Alex's eyes bright "Uncle! The doctors coming down the stairs."
Ratigan motioned for Nellie to walk inside the house.. they watched as Dawson walked down the stairs, Mrs. Judson in tow behind him with the bowl and towels. Dawson removed his gloves and sighed. Everyone in the room, the thugs, the children, Basil and the Plunkets all stood in baited breath waiting for the news. He wiped his brow and looked to the group "Miss Rosalie has been fatally wounded. The trajectory of the bullet hit Rosalie to the right of her chest, a half an inch away from her heart. That half an inch would have ended her life where she stood."
Victoria stepped forward "What happened to her?!" tears in her eyes. Dawson sympathized with the child and smiled "Miss Rosalie is in stable condition!"
The group cheered happily, hugging each other and jumping with joy! Even Basil clapped his hands and rushed to Dawson patting him on the back "Well done old boy!" Dawson spoke louder to hush the group. Mrs. Judson piped up, still holding the bowls in her hands "EVERYONE! She may be in stable condition but she still needs her rest! So QUIET!"
Ratigan stepped forward "Can we see her?"
Dawson nodded "Yes… but please, please be advised she is in stable condition.. she musn't be disturbed."
Nellie patted his back "You can go first.." she smiled kindly and motioned to the stairs. Ratigan slowly walked up the steps, walking into the room with a dim light. Inside the room, Rosalie lay on the large bed, her dress torn open in the center. Her chest was completely covered from the top of her chest to her waist. Ratigan gasped, seeing the girl laying practically motionless on the bed. Rosalie's chest barley moving. The bandage doing its job. Around her were towels and basin's of all kind.. marking the scene of her surgery.
He took a breath "Oh Rosalie.. I'm so sorry… this is all my fault…" he took her wilted hand, squeezing it tightly "I am so sorry… I love you." The words erupted an emotion he has long tried to avoid.. He spoke softly, a tear falling down his cheek "I love you for your kindness and your courage… I always have.. And now you'll never hear this.. and It's all because of me… Oh Rosalie.." He wept his tear and took a breath "No.. I musn't talk this way..I'll stay… I'll stay here until you wake.. I will stay positive for you my dear… I will stay." He slowly managed to smile, wiping one of Rosalie's curls out of her face. He stole a kiss on her cheek, hoping it would awaken her… like in the fairy tales he once heard.
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