Two Worlds.

I woke up, raising my head in curiosity, as I knew I wasn't in bed. I looked around and saw the walls of my room back home in America. My Irish shoes were still on my feet like I had remembered from what seemed two weeks ago. I looked down the stairs. I could hear the TV going. I searched my memory, remembering it sounded like the same program Mom had been watching that afternoon. It had only been a second since I had left my world. I was confused. I wanted to go back to England. I shut my eyes and concentrated on it. The next moment I was back in the hallway I had traveled through two weeks ago. I opened the same door and found myself in the guest bed in Ratigan's barrel. I smiled at the simplicity of it all. Just like that, I could go back and forth with ease.

I dressed and walked into the main part of the barrel. Ratigan was sitting talking with Pete. They were eating, and smiled as they saw me come in. Ratigan motioned for me to sit down, where a plate of food was waiting for me. It was an amazing breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast. How they as mice acquired this food was beyond me, but all I knew was it was better than half the restaurants I'd been to in my life. Ratigan explained to me more of his and Basil's conversation the night before. He was going with Basil to meet with Inspector Vole. Apparently Basil had come up with arrangements for his charges to be dropped. I couldn't hold in my surprise. No matter how much he wanted to change, Ratigan had still committed too many crimes. How could he possibly get his sentenced wavered?

"Beats my ass," Pete said with a full mouth after I voiced my concern. "All I know is Basil knows his way around in certain circles. I bet community service or something. Hey, maybe you'll work with Basil, boss. Wouldn't that be a stitch?"

Ratigan chuckled. I was still puzzled.

"But aren't the charges too numerous to drop? And if so, how can you get away with that legally?" Ratigan looked my way.

"Well, legally, you can't. But society's funny. You scratch someone's back, they'll scratch yours. Vole's team owes Basil a favor. Basil caught one of them in a scandal. One of the inspectors' brothers was on trial for murder and the inspector paid off the jury. The brother had already had a mistrial for lack of evidence, so he got off because of the two trials rule. Basil caught the inspector in his deed but since he's one of the best, Vole begged Basil to keep his mouth shut, with the promise to repay him someday. They've always been rivals, even though they're civil. I'm sure Vole isn't looking forward to it, but now it's someday."

He smiled. Pete and I looked at each other. Ratigan wasn't the only one who had changed. A month ago Basil would have taken Ratigan to jail himself. I decided not to question it. Ratigan hugged me, then flipped his hat onto his head and walked up the pulley.

That day I spent much of my time with Olivia. I met with her in the park and we went out on the town. We hit the zoo, toyshops, bookstores, and paid a history visit to the Tower of London, where Queen Elizabeth herself had been held prisoner. Olivia looked at me as a sister, and I enjoyed it. That night she spent the night at Ratigan's with me, snuggling up with the new teddy bear I bought her. I heard Ratigan come in late. I pulled the covers up around Olivia's neck as she had thrown them off in a fitful sleep, and put my housecoat on. He looked up as I appeared in his living room.

"How'd it go?"

"As well as we'd hoped. Vole was very apprehensive, but he knows the crime his team member committed could cost him. He's agreed to drop the charges under lack of evidence. It seems his team had just made assumptions on a few of my cases to begin with."

"How do you think the public will react?"

I sat down on a chair, resting my chin in my hand.

"Well, I'll never be popular like I once was. But England's had her fair share of scandals. They'll get over it. Move on to the next thing that hits the papers. But I won't worry about it."

He smiled at me.

"You shouldn't either."

The Woman.

Another week passed. I was enjoying my new secret life. I found out I could go anywhere beyond those other doors. I just shut my eyes, thought about where it was I wanted to go, and opened the door to my desired destination. The door to the hall appeared whenever I wanted it to, and no one else knew the wiser. I could even control how long I was gone. One weekend morning I couldn't sleep, so I spent two hours in a beautiful garden filled with every kind of flower you could imagine. There was a funny side to it too. All my mice friends could come to see me in my world if they wanted to as well. One day I was listening to music in my room when I heard my cat hiss. I looked around and saw Pete standing against a wall. My cat meowed and shot past him down the stairs.

Mom yelled up "What's up with her?"

I laughed, and showed Pete around after Mom left to run some errands. When he'd examined the house enough, I followed him to The Rat Trap.

I had gone to pet Felicia, when we heard the storm start. Rain poured down in sheets on the roof of the bar, and within minutes the door opened, and a woman appeared in the doorway.

"Great, my new shoes, ruined. Hello Pete."

"Well, if it isn't Irene Relda."

"That's Mlle. Relda to you buster."

She laughed a full belly laugh as she slapped him on the shoulder. I could tell she was an actress. The same Irene Ratigan had said I resembled. I couldn't see a resemblance; she was most likely the superior to every human alive, let alone mice. A strikingly beautiful white mouse, slender and refined. Her accent was that of an American, which shocked me. It took her a moment to realize I was there.

"Well, Dahling, you must be Grace."

She shook my hand smiling, her eyes twinkling.

"Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise," I smiled.

Pete must have mentioned me. I knew they were still friends, and met up occasionally.

"Well, where is he? I don't have much time, y'all. I'm in danger just being here. But I felt he had a right to know."

I gave her a puzzled look. I knew she meant Ratigan. He had been in the papers for a few days, his proclaimed innocence shocking the nation. But there was something fishy going on; I could see it in her eyes. I told her he wasn't there, but that I would escort her to Basil's. At the mention of the name, her jaw dropped.

"Basil? You mean, they're friends now?"

She laughed again, and I smiled.

"I'll explain on the way."

She followed me out the door as I flung my cloak on. The rain was hard and cold. We caught a carriage and made our way to Baker Street. Mrs. Judson smiled when she saw me.

"Ah, Miss Grace. Come in."

She took our cloaks and hung them up to dry. Ratigan and Basil were in the sitting room, and I could see Dawson coming down Basil's stairs. He smiled as he saw us. Basil's reaction was mixed when he saw Irene. Annoyance mixed with a twinge of delight. You could tell he respected her. Ratigan bowed.

"Professor," She smiled as she shook his hand.

Pete had told me Irene had worked as Ratigan's second in command for a while, as well as being his star pupil in college.

"Irene. It's been a while."

"Yes it has."

She sat down in the seat Basil motioned her to. She got right to the point.

"As always, I'm taking a great risk being here with the both of you. But I felt I owed it to you both. I was planning on seeing Basil later tonight, but better that you're both here."

I could see Basil's tail twitch in excitement. He was always happiest when he could smell a case coming on.

"Doran has been worse than usual lately. I finally broke ties with him a month ago when I grew leery of my safety, but I'm still at great risk. He has always hated you Basil, but he seems to have more hatred towards you, and you Professor. He's furious your charges were dropped. I've always suspected he has resentment towards you for our partnership. Anyway, I heard he's cooking something up. A sort of double revenge. Using something to get to both of you. I don't know of what, but I felt you both should know."

She talked on for a while longer, and Basil and Ratigan escorted her out. I sat down with Dawson in great thought. I knew who Doran was. Captain Sebastian Doran had been an old associate of Ratian's. His resentment towards Ratigan had started with the partnership between the professor and Irene. He felt offended when a woman was put higher on the scale than he was. I knew he had a reputation for being very brutal with his murders. He had an obsession for death, and particularly death by torture. He reminded me of Thomas Harris's Hannibal Lector. He loved getting inside your mind and playing with it. Ratigan and Basil came back in and sat down. I listened as the three men talked about Irene's warning. That day when I came back home, I sat on my bed for a long time thinking. I was scared; knowing something big was coming up. Mom asked me what was wrong, but I shrugged it off. This was one thing I couldn't tell her.

"You're A Natural Debutante."

Irene and I had become very close since the day we met. Many a night we were found talking about life, laughing it up about something. She was ecstatic when she learned of my interest in the Arts, and had me dancing or singing for her all the time. She was the older sister I had never had, just like Olivia was the younger one. She came to Ratigan's and Basil's often, despite her nervousness about Doran. The prediction was not forgotten, but it was not thought of much.

It was around October that Irene had Basil invite me to a socialite party. She felt I would love the atmosphere and Basil seemed taken with the idea, surprisingly. Irene took me to find a dress. We found a beautiful sleeveless navy blue ensemble complete with diamond choker. That night Mrs. Judson helped me into my dress and stared at me in amazement.

"You've only been here a month and you're already growing up on us!"

She hugged me with tears in her eyes. We put my hair up curly, with a few trestles hanging down. Irene beamed when she saw me come down the stairs.

"Well I say Dahling, you're a natural debutante!"

Dawson gave me his arm as Basil escorted Irene into the carriage. We arrived at the party and I was amazed at how beautiful everything was. Dawson told me it was thrown by Victoria Kaiulani'iole, crowned princess of Hawaii. Basil seemed thrilled I was there, showing me off to everyone when he got the chance. Irene did the same in her circle, showing me to her great aunt the Divine Madame Bella Actrice. Irene said she felt everyone was quite taken with me, and I blushed out of modesty. A lovely dinner was served on the terrace. There were very few children there, but I found some my age. I was chatting away with a boy my age named Christian when Basil came over with a very handsome mouse, who he introduced me to as Oscar Milde, the famous Irish poet, and an old friend from Oxford. Milde took my hand and kissed it. I curtsied.

"Basil tells me you're quite a step dancer, Miss." I laughed as Basil beamed at me.

"Well, I try Sir."

He smiled.

"Call me Oscar."

We talked for a while. I discovered he and I had a lot in common. We were both intellectuals, and loved the written world. We got into a discussion about our favorite books, and he recited some poetry to me. He was a charmer, but I found his company enjoyable. He asked me to dance, and I accepted with honor. As Oscar twirled me around the floor, I noticed a familiar top hat in the corner.

Ratigan was talking to a grey mouse with slicked back hair and glasses. I was shocked. I never would have thought Ratigan would be accepted back into the social crowd so quickly, but I supposed society had changed dramatically in my time. Irene had given me the dirt on everyone there, and I guessed the man to be Julius Augustus Silverson, the famous art dealer, and equally infamous blackmailer. The night ended on a high note. I was bubbly, and having the time of my life. I was sad when it was finally time to leave.

As I followed Basil and Dawson to the carriage, someone tapped me on my shoulder. I turned around to see Ratigan beaming at me.

"You look radiant my dear. The life of the party."

I smiled as he hugged me.

That night when I went back home, I was exhausted but still hyped up. Dad jokingly asked me if I'd been out partying, and I laughed it off. Little did he know.

Doran Makes His Move.

November crept up on me. With my new friends and my little world, life seemed the best it had ever been for me. I found mentors in Basil, Dawson, Pete, Oscar, Irene, and Ratigan, and a little sister in Olivia. My parents even mentioned they noticed something was different, although I could never tell them. Even at school, when I felt like I needed a breather, I just went to see what the boys were up to, and then went back to class. The only downside was that that many a snotty girl or boy was tripped in the halls when Pete came through the portal to see me during school hours. The fact that no one else but me could see any of them gave him a certain sense of mischief. But they always deserved it, so it was always hard finding a reason to scold him.

It rained that night in London. I love rain, but it always seems to foreshadow things doesn't it? I was cleaning up The Rat Trap alone when the door burst open. In stepped Frank, the mouse who I'd hated my first days in the sewer.

"Well, well, if it isn't Miss Grace. Still charming your way into this town I see? Hey Boss, come here."

Following Frank were a couple of big mice I'd never seen before, and a tan mix between mouse and rat with a surly looking mustache, dressed in grey slacks and a black coat. He had a cigar hanging out a corner of his mouth. Before I could get away Frank had me in that hold I faintly remembered. His employer sucked on his cigar in deep concentration.

"It's that human brat I told you about. She's the one who turned Ratigan all soft. Friend of Basil's too."

"Hmm...it could work. I do have a fondness of children."

He smirked. He stepped towards me and brushed my cheek.

"Pretty thing."

I spat in his face. He slapped me.

"Too bad she doesn't have an attitude to match."

My heart sank when I saw another mouse bring in Olivia. I remembered Flaversham was dropping her off. They must have seen her come down to the bar. She was squirming hard, but couldn't fight them off. I could see Olivia's were glazed over in fear. She had tears streaming down her eyes. Something had happened.

"Let's get out of here. We'll leave him our little note."

Doran took an envelope out of his breast pocket and set it on a table not far from the entrance to the bar from Ratigan's home. Then he went outside as his men followed suit with Olivia and me in tow. I screamed for help as they hulled us out the door, but I didn't know if they could here me. When we made our way to the boat dock I gasped in horror. I saw Flaversham, beaten and unconscious on the ground. Blood was seeping through his tweed coat. If Olivia lost her father, it would kill her. I couldn't bear to think of it. They pulled us into a boat and rowed to a tiny island in the river Thames no normal sized human would notice existed.

When we were dragged on shore, I caught my first glimpse of Doran's home. It was almost like a castle of sorts, complete with turrets and towers surrounding the place. It went up high, and I couldn't imagine how much work was put into it. He had made himself a little palace. There were jewels and finery even Ratigan never came to own, the makings of the past years burglaries. He pulled us into his study, which was more or less the size of a ballroom. The doors were locked behind us, and his men let us go. Olivia ran into my arms crying.

"They hurt my daddy. I saw it all. Gracie, they hurt my daddy."

I glared at Doran as he smiled.

"Why are we here, Doran? What are you gaining out of this?"

"Pure amusement is what I get, dear child. I get the amusement of seeing Ratigan and Basil's faces when they see your murdered bodies. The amusement of revenge."

He cackled, the sort of laugh you think would only be found in horror films.

"You monster."

I was trying not to give my frustration away. Tears were at the corner of my eyes, but crying would only add to his amusement. Olivia, being a child, couldn't see this. She grew angry at his laughing and pulled away, running at him before I could stop her. She delivered a couple of good kicks and punches to his legs.

"You hurt my daddy! You are a monster! They'll come for us! And when they do they'll put you in jail!"

She was crying. He threw her off of him. He motioned something to one of his men. I shut my eyes in horror when I saw the whip the man brought out. Olivia screamed when she knew what was happening. I was mortified. One of the men had Olivia pinned by her arms, as the other raised the whip. I ran screaming "NO!" just in time to cover her. The blow struck me hard. The lackey didn't have time to realize it was me instead of Olivia, either that or he just didn't care, so he delivered three more quick blows. Then Doran raised his hand up and had us pulled up. I couldn't hide the tears. I knew my screams had egged him on more, but there was no way I could have held them in. Doran came up to me and slapped me again. The blow made me feel like my face was going to explode. He smiled when I raised my tear-streaked face. "You foolish, foolish girl. You might have saved her from that, but I'll cook up something else. And I'll get you as well. Basil and Ratigan might think they're smart, but I can read minds my dear. Call it a gift. I'll find out your worst fears, may it be torture, beatings, or rape," he smiled when he saw me flinch, and continued.

"And use them to my advantage."

I made my move and kicked him in the groin. He groaned in pain.

"Get them out of my sight. Separate them too."

He motioned for Frank to take me through the door to his left, and Olivia out the one we'd came in. We both screamed our hardest, but it did no good. I was thrown in a tower up three flights of stairs. Frank slammed the prison door. I felt like Repunzel, only worse.

"He will torture you, you know. Make no mistake about that."

He sniggered as he saw the horror escape through my face. I heard him slam the door at the bottom of the steep staircase, and only then did I let the tears come. I crouched in a corner where I was hidden from view from the door's window, and shook in fright, waiting to get out of there.

The Rescue.

When Ratigan saw the envelope, his mind was already made up with what had happened. He had heard a scream from down in the sewer, and had run up the stairs and out the door. He had found Flaversham's mangled body, and had had Pete carry him down and try his best to nurse him. Only then did he see the note. His hands shook with anger as he read its contents.

Ratigan cursed. He burst through the sewer.

"Fidget! Start up the motor! Pete, get Abe to stay with Flaversham. We've got to go get Basil."

Pete read the letter as they made their way to Baker Street. Basil flew into the dirigible with Dawson after Pete explained what had happened. They dropped the doctor off at The Rat Trap to take care of Olivia's father, and flew over the Thames to Doran's place. Basil and Pete took care of the guards as Ratigan flung them aside. He practically broke down the door into Doran's study, where he found him reading the paper.

"Where are they Doran?" He bellowed.

"Ah, right on time Professor. Bring Basil with you I assume?"

Ratigan pulled out a gun pointing it at Doran.

"No games, Captain. I mean it, where are they?"

Doran was annoyed. He wasn't expecting this much trouble. They quarreled as Basil and Pete stormed in with guns in hand. Doran tried to play it cool, but eventually he had to explain himself. He was unarmed and outnumbered. But he had a plan.

"My house is yours, Detective. Search, I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for."

He smiled.

"I guess I can deal with letting you go, but the Professor and I have some things to settle."

Basil and Pete raced out of the room. Ratigan and Doran started in on it again. Ratigan was frantic, but he couldn't leave Doran alone. He made the mistake of turning his back, and Doran raced on him. They fought forever it seemed. Basil found Olivia in a room crying. He picked her up and took her to the dirigible. He covered her with a blanket and tried to comfort her as Pete raced back in the castle. It was huge; he'd never opened so many doors in his life. He couldn't find Grace anywhere. He finally found himself in Doran's study again. But he couldn't get to the door. Ratigan and Doran were battling to the death. He finally screamed to Ratigan to check it and raced back outside.

Ratigan threw Doran to the floor. He seemed satisfied, as Doran lay motionless, then turned around. Doran raced on his back, and tore his coat. He flung him off one last time, sending the Captain crashing into the wall. Doran's head spouted blood, and when Ratigan was sure he was out he left him there, grabbing the set of keys on the desk. He raced up the stairs.

I was still shaking when I heard the commotion downstairs. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard Ratigan's voice coming up the stairs. He jingled the keys until he got the right one to open the door. I wanted to run to him, to get out of there, but I was paralyzed with fear. Tears were still streaming down my face as I saw that he was bruised, the back of his coat torn. I tried to stand up as he came towards me, but blacked out. I woke up on the floor of the dirigible, with Olivia curled up next to me. She had her eyes open, but she wasn't shaking like I was. She hugged me when she saw me wake up. Only when I winced from her hands on my back did she seem to remember what had happened. She pulled back; ready to cry from the thought of hurting me.

"You okay sweetie?"

Her eyes softened a little when she heard my voice, then she hugged me around the neck and cried. I patted her back. There was no one else there, so I knew we were on the ground.

"Where is everyone?"

"You were shaking so bad they didn't want to move you. You're hurt. I'll go get someone."

She walked down the steps and onto the sewer floor. In a few minutes Pete came in. I tried to stand but couldn't do it.

"Sorry,"

"It's okay."

He picked me up and moved me to the guest bedroom. I could see that Flaversham was up and sitting with everyone in Ratigan's living room. Everyone looked at me with sad expressions as they saw how bad I looked. I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror and shook my head. Pete turned me over on the bed and washed the dried blood off my wounds as I tried not to wince. He left me with my nightgown. Change my clothes was about the only thing I could do. I didn't even think about going through the portal. I couldn't stand up let alone walk back like nothing was wrong. My nightgown was one of those with a slit about two inches down the torso, with a button at the top. I struggled to close it, but couldn't do it. I finally gave up in frustration. I lie down on my stomach and fell asleep.

A Realization.

I woke up late the next afternoon, Ratigan staring at me. I had never seen him so unglued. He smiled down at me, trying to hide how unstable he was. I turned over so he could wash the wounds. I saw the look of horror on his face when he saw them for the first time. The pain was more tolerable, but apparently they didn't look any better. He rubbed some salve on them Dawson had mixed up. He surprised me by breaking the silence.

"The bastard."

"I'm just sorry I didn't get to witness you kick his butt."

I got him to smile for a minute, but concern filled his eyes again. I could tell he wanted to know if I had been hurt more than he knew, but he was scared of bringing it up. He finally got up the courage.

"Apart from this, did he hurt you sweetie?"

He finished with the salve and propped a pillow up as I sat up in bed. I shook my head. I didn't have him convinced. Tears started to form at the corner of my eyes. There's something about being around parental figures that always makes me lose it. I can hold it together until they show the least bit of concern. He pulled me into a hug. He stroked my hair, as I sobbed onto his jacket.

"He just threatened me, and he's so believable," I explained through sobs.

"He said he'd use anything to his advantage. Even."

I couldn't even say it. The thought was too morbid. He waited a minute.

"Even what sweetheart?"

I finally whispered it through tears, shaking.

"Rape."

Ratigan swore under his breath. I had talked to him about my family member's rape. He knew it scared me to death. He stroked my hair, whispering over and over again that he was sorry. I think at one point I finally got calmed down enough to thank him for saving my life. He just smiled and kissed my forehead.

He stayed with me a long time that night. Actually I think I fell asleep in his arms. But as I was lying there, I felt that something changed between us that night, a kind of understanding of how much we cared for each other. I realized how much he really had changed. He was like a second father to me now. I had to smile at the thought of how being with him, Basil, and the others had made an improvement on my life. The ironic thing is I think he realized he needed me just as much as I needed him.

The Conspiracy.

I stayed in bed for a week or so. Everyone came to visit me, and we carried on as normal. Ratigan usually stayed with me at night, falling asleep in a chair and then having me prod him to go to his room. Once in a while I would have nightmares and wake up shaking. He'd cradle me like a little child, reminding me of how my dad used to do the same thing.

Irene visited often, having me critique her latest finds at the shops. Basil would walk in, pipe lit, laughing at me holding up cards with one through ten written on them, rating her outfits like a contest judge. Olivia would crawl in bed with me as I read to her. I had Basil go through the portal and grab my Harry Potter books. I started Olivia on the series; she'd sit rocking her legs in excitement as I read with great enthusiasm. One night we were lying there reading and I heard the door creak. Olivia went over and opened it laughing. Pete, Ratigan, and Basil were all listening through the door. Finally, they all brought in chairs and listened with great interest. It amazed me how Ratigan's home had become the hang out for everyone. A year ago anyone who set foot in the place ended up dead, now they ended up with a pat on the back and drinks in their hands. What had happened? I realized through modesty, that maybe it was me that had happened.

Irene and I started talking about Doran one night. Flaversham had taken Olivia with him to Scotland to visit family friends. So it was just us two ladies in the sewer. Irene had found one of Ratigan's coats still torn from the rescue, and was trying to sew it up.

"The whipping itself wasn't what got to me. It was the fact that it was meant for Olivia. I mean she's only nine years old. Anyone who can hurt a child like that without hesitation, well..." I trailed off.

"I know what you mean. In fact, that's one of the reasons I hated working with him. He was always so violent. Had a fascination with death. And he would get mad at me because I wouldn't take part in it. When Ratigan would give him a job he'd always drag me along, and he always turned the ending result into something far more sinister than the original plan."

"How'd you do it for all those years? How'd you keep a conscious and still do what was expected of you?"

"One word Dahling...money. Unlike in your time, there's not much money in performing arts these days. If you want to keep up, you almost certainly can't make an honest living. I just tried not to let it bother me. I never went on jobs where someone was killed, and if I did get caught up in something like that, most likely with Doran, I tried to push it out of my mind. Never could, but at least I can say I tried."

I sat there in deep concentration. Then I noticed the stitches in the coat, and I couldn't help but laugh. Irene held it up for me to see and started to roll in her seat, filling her diaphragm and letting it out in a full-bellied laugh.

"I guess I never got the hang of mending did I?"

She threw it at me to try my hand at it. I had to undo her stitching, and then start over. We talked some more as I worked. I was feeling better. My wounds had healed beautifully (if there is such a thing as a wound being beautiful) and they didn't hurt anymore. I still didn't feel confident about going through the portal, as they still showed a little. Then she brought up the question I was hoping none of them would dare to ask.

"How did you find us, Dahling? I know about the portal but do you have any idea why you came to us?"

The night I had had the realization about Ratigan and me, I had also realized where I'd seen these mice before. I remembered that day in the park with Olivia, how seeing her face had made me remember my favorite children's movie. But I couldn't find a way to tell them. I felt it would confuse them too much, be too far out there for them to grasp the concept. But Irene kept prodding me.

"It's hard to explain Irene."

I concentrated on my sewing, trying to find the words.

I tried my best to tell her. She was shocked when she learned how famous they all were.

"You mean we're famous?"

The thought struck her like a bolt of lightning. I think the concept of their "creation" scared her, as it would me. It was almost like a conspiracy of sorts.

"Well, you were "thought up" by authors and directors. They thought they were just making you up, that you really didn't exist except in their minds. And I mean, how could they? Maybe your world developed because of your fame back home. Or maybe you've always been here and they just didn't know it. Whatever the case, you're known back home. Just, no one knows you have minds of your own like I do. No one knows you're real."

When everyone came to the sewer that night, Irene had me explain what I had come to realize. I could just see their brains working, trying to process the nature of their "claim to fame." I think Basil was the most intrigued, his tail and whiskers twitching in amazement. I explained Eve Titus, Walt Disney, the concept of movies and animation, and the fame to them. Pete popped the question.

"Can we see it?"

"What, the movie?"

"Hell yeah, I wanna see what I look like."

I smiled.

"I don't know, I think if it was me, I'd be embarrassed."

"Come on, what's to be embarrassed about?"

"The fact that because of this movie, I know almost everything you did last year. Everything you said, every move you made, was seen by hundreds of thousands of people."

Pete smiled.

"Neat."

Not the reaction I was looking for. Basil smiled too.

"So not only are we the people we are today, we're characters in a children's movie empire."

"Correct. You're books, movies, websites, I think they even had stuffed animals of you."

He shook his head in wonder.

"Amazing."

"Wait, let me see if I get this straight. So you saw everything?"

Pete was trying to work this up in his head.

"Well, I'm sure not everything's true. For example, they have all you and Ratigan," I motioned towards the boys, "doing a little song and dance number. I really can't see the truth in that now that I've come to know you."

Ratigan chuckled nervously. In the end I had to give in. I motioned for them to follow me through the portal. I opened a door, closed my eyes, and thought up a huge living room with a big screen TV. It appeared before our eyes, and everyone sat down, confused expressions on their faces.

"I'm just gonna warn you, there's cause to be embarrassed. Especially for you."

Ratigan smiled as I pointed at him.

"He can take it."

Pete slapped Ratigan on the back as they gave each other devilish grins. I started the movie up and sat back with Pete and Ratigan, Pete looking like a Cheshire cat as the credits rolled on the screen, overture music playing. When the ending credits played, I had everyone in tears laughing at themselves. I had never seen Basil this way before. He was on the floor rolling with laughter.

"Can you imagine, Ratigan dancing around in a jewel-encrusted cape and crown?"

It was almost scary, how hysterical they were.

"I can."

Irene had tears in her eyes from crying, as Ratigan gave her a look through laughter.

"I told you I felt utterly ridicules in that disguise."

Dawson was laughing and blushing at the same time.

"Ah, Doctor, we all looked like fools."

Basil wiped a tear from his eye.

"This has given me some enjoyment. The funny thing is most all of it is true. You'll have to show me this "Internet" so I can get some dirt on Irene too."

He giggled again. Pete rested his hand on my shoulder.

"See? I told you we could all take it."

"Whatever, Pete."

I straightened up, smiling. He started singing the reprise to "World's Greatest Criminal Mind" and we all doubled over with laughter again. I felt like a huge load had been lifted off my shoulders, them knowing how things were. Pete just wouldn't quit.

"The question is Gracie, when you saw that movie, who was your favorite character?"

"I'm not answering that. Every answer will make you mad because it won't be you."

Pete playfully punched my shoulder as I laughed. He kept on me.

"Okay, okay, umm..."

A smile crossed my face.

"Disney villains are always the best."

I leaned into Ratigan, and everyone snickered.

"I wanna see more of these movies, that was quite enjoyable."

Irene was pulling her hair back as she spoke.

"Well, I've got a bunch of them. They aren't limited to just Disney. There's many more."

Pete was acting like a kid. He stood up and shouted "Movie Night!" at the top of his lungs as the rest of us gazed at him in annoyance. He sat back down laughing out of embarrassment. I hit him with a pillow. Irene was enjoying this.

"Hey, do I need to give you guys a time-out?"

Bed Side Manner.

It was the last day of school before Thanksgiving vacation started. I was in 8th period when I saw Irene's face pop up in the window of my Spanish teacher's room. I squirmed in my seat for the last ten minutes, and then raced to the bathroom where I could go through the portal without being seen. She met me in the hallway.

"What's wrong?"

"Olivia, she has scarlet fever. Dawson's been trying to calm her for an hour. She's delirious and screaming for you."

We raced through the door of Basil's home, where I saw everyone sitting in anxious silence. Pete was drumming his fingers, Ratigan was staring into space, Mrs. Judson sewing, and Basil looked like someone had just knocked the wind out of him. Scarlet fever in this age was serious, so I understood where the worried looks came from. There was a chance Olivia could die, and we weren't about to let her go. Irene whispered nervously to me.

"Flaversham's gone again. I swear, since he was kidnapped, his popularity has picked up tremendously. The only problem is the traveling. He's in Scotland again, and no one can seem to reach him. I wish her mother were alive. You've had the fever before, right?"

I nodded. Scarlet fever wasn't dangerous if you got it a second time. Poor Olivia had never had it, thus it's danger to her. We walked in Basil's guestroom to find Dawson sitting with her. Her eyes were glazed over in nausea, and I could tell she was delirious, as Irene had said. Dawson stood up as I patted his shoulder.

"We'll leave you alone with her."

Irene smiled pitifully at me as she and Dawson closed the door. I took a rag, wiping Olivia's burning forehead with cool water.

"Olivia," I talked softly to her, as my mother had done to me when I was sick.

She opened her eyes, and smiled faintly when she saw me.

"Grace, you're here. What's wrong with me?"

"You've just got a bit of scarlet fever. You'll be alright."

I didn't let up that we were all scared. I remembered as a kid, the one thing that always broke my confidence was seeing the look of defeat in my parent's eyes. She drifted off a little, as I started to sing a song we had been singing in chorus softly to her, wiping her face. I stayed with her all night. Two days passed before her rashes started to go away and her fever broke. I was reading more of the third Harry Potter to her when Flaversham walked in. I think he had expected the worst, and I saw the look of astonishment in his eyes when he saw her sitting up eating porridge.

"Daddy!"

Olivia's face lit up as he hugged her. He patted me, thanking me for staying with her. He picked her up to take her home. As they got into the carriage, I stood outside waving to Olivia until she was out of sight. Irene snuck up on me and poked me, causing me to laugh.

"You know, if none of your other many talents work out, you could always be a doctor. You're bed side manner is wonderful."

I smiled at her before I walked through the portal, sleeping in a huge canopy bed in one of the other doors before I went back home.

Christmas In The Rat Trap.

For Christmas that year, my parents surprised my brother and I by taking us to my aunt's house in Florida. Since the ocean is a utopia in itself, it wasn't until Christmas day when I finally trudged down the snow-covered plank in London to the sewer. When I sat down the huge bag full of presents and gave Olivia and Irene a hug, I could tell by the look in his eyes I was in for it from Pete.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up."

"Merry Christmas Pete."

"Merry Christmas yourself, I thought you'd died on us."

He tried to appear peeved as he took a swig from his mug. I ran over to his chair and hugged him from the back around the neck, kissing him several times as he squirmed to get loose.

"Oh, poor pitiful Petey missed me! Did he miss his Gracie? Poor pitiful boy."

"GET OFF ME!" He screamed through a smile.

He finally ducked out of my arms and under the table, everyone's laughter erupting through The Rat Trap.

"What are you gonna do when I get a boyfriend, huh?"

He scrunched his face up at the idea as I hugged him. I had to laugh. In high school I felt that would never happen.

"I guess I'll just have to kill him Gracie."

I slapped the back of his head playfully.

"I second that."

Ratigan came up laughing and hugged me. I made the rounds, handing out presents and professional pictures Mom had taken of me as Christmas cards, as we sang carols and ate delicious food, complements of Mrs. Judson. I felt sorry for her. She had baked the food because of everyone else, but couldn't make herself come down to the bar. Although she had come to regard Ratigan as tamed, she still couldn't bring herself to befriend him out of Josephine's memory. I really couldn't blame her, and I don't think Ratigan could either. As Irene and I were talking about the weather in Florida, a figure appeared under the mistletoe Irene had hung by the door.

"Happy Christmas everyone."

Oscar Milde waltzed in, kissing Irene and my hands and shaking the men's hands. I smiled at the look of his fur-trimmed coat. He really did travel in style. After a while he came up to me and whispered in my ear.

"What do you say we fill this place up with noise?"

He smiled as he dangled his pair of Irish shoes in front of my face. I laughed. He had planned this from the moment he knew he was coming. I went through the portal into the hallway. I could walk there and think of anything, dried hair to a spoon, and it would come true or appear. I got a worn in pair of shoes and boom box, and walked back in. I buckled the shoes up, rolled my ankles, and put in my Riverdance CD. Those who had never been in my room back home looked puzzled at the cordless music maker, but their eyes widened in amusement when I started it up on the stage. Oscar was a natural performer.

"My lovely partner and I" he gestured towards me as I blushed and curtsied to everyone, "would like to give you a bit of Irish entertainment for the sake of the holiday spirit."

Pete and the boys whooped at us. Oscar whispered to me which dance we'd perform, and I started up a song in accordance to the rhythm necessary. We waited a measure, and started it up. The male partner began this dance, so I stood in the wings as Oscar started the dance out beautifully. The rhythm picked up and I danced on, Pete whistling at me like he had no idea who I was. I laughed as we kept at it, trying to keep up to the ever-growing speed of the song. When the song really picked up, everyone started clapping in tune. By the end my face was red from keeping up. Oscar got everyone into the spirit all right. They wouldn't let me off the stage. Irene was pushed on and they had us do a tap number (I had started tap and jazz in the middle of the year) and then had us singing duets. Just what you'd expect from a Christmas party in a bar! And as always, when I went through the portal to the real world, I was happy but tired!

Lily, Julius, And Irene's Discovery.

One of the things I loved best about my little hallway besides London, were the stages I could make. I could create massive theaters just waiting to be filled up with noise, whether it was my dance shoes or my voice. I'd make it so my songs filled the room and sing my heart out on the microphone. Singing was just an outlet for me, a way to relieve stress. One day in March I came home frustrated and upset. I had screwed up a test and was cold down to my bones, even with my wool sweater and warm kaki pants. I thought up a stage and entered it, smiling at the décor of the place. A palace. Beautiful, I thought as I thought up the perfect song and adjusted the microphone. I started up a version of "Everything I Do". I sang with a smile plastered on, singing just made me feel exhilarated. I sang it a few times, each time improving my voice by the happiness and warmth I felt inside. After the last chorus I heard some rustling behind the door that led to the hallway. A little girl's voice, but not of Olivia. She seemed excited, as if she were bouncing up and down.

"Is she in there? She in there Irene?"

"Come in."

I smiled as Irene entered, the little girl bounding up to me, taking me in. She was grey, with stunning emerald green eyes. She looked about two, sweet but a pistol.

"Are you Grace?"

She looked up at me wide eyed. I crouched down on her level.

"I am, sweetie. What's your name?"

"Lily."

"Pretty. And what's your friend's name?"

I gestured towards her stuffed animal.

"Brutus. But he's been a bad boy. So I punished him."

"Good for you," I laughed as I stood up.

Irene smiled.

"She saw your picture and went ballistic. Wanted to know what your clothes were called."

I smiled at the memory of the picture I'd given everyone for Christmas. It was taken in the fall. I was on a bridge, twirling a leaf around, smiling in the camera. I was wearing a cropped white t-shirt and overalls, barefoot. My mom had finally let in to letting me get fake nails, not flashy, but a natural shape with a French manicure. It was actually one of the only pictures of myself that I liked. I looked at Lily.

"Oh, those are called overhauls sweetie."

The little mouse repeated the word a hundred times, twirling Brutus around as she sang it. I laughed. I followed them out the door. Irene whispered to me.

"Her father came to see Ratigan. I'm shocked to learn it's not about business. I thought you might like to know his jaw dropped down when he saw your picture. I about died laughing; I've never seen anything like it. Ratigan looked so proud. They heard you sing by the way, snuck out of the hall when you finished."

She laughed as my eyes widened in embarrassment. My clothes had changed from my sweater and pants to my favorite outfit for London, a long sleeved cornflower blue blouse and skirt. Pete met us at the entrance. He slapped my rear playfully.

"YOU SICKO!"

I yelled at him smiling as we made our way to the door. He whistled at me, and I heard laughter from the living room.

"Poor thing," I entered the room as Ratigan stood up.

I guess they saw the action from the doorway in the living room. With him was the grey mouse I'd seen at the party all those weeks ago, dressed in purple and black, slicked back raven hair, and the same emerald eyes as Lily. Ratigan gave me a hug, still laughing. He turned towards the man, and smiling, introduced us.

"Grace, I'd like you to meet Julius Augustus Silverson, Lily's father."

Lily hugged his leg, and smiling, He bowed his head as I curtsied to him.

"Charmed, my dear."

"Likewise," Irene and I sat down.

"Doesn't she put up with a lot, Mr. Silverson?"

Pete smiled as he joined us.

"I guess, Pete. You sure make it difficult for her."

"Ah, she loves it."

"I do try to keep them in line."

I smiled at Ratigan as Pete punched my shoulder.

"Especially this one."

I slapped his knee. Irene laughed. Silverson smiled. I could tell he was a man of many secrets. I guess a blackmailer had to be. Lily broke the silence, talking as she flipped Brutus around.

"Daddy, doesn't Grace have a pretty voice?"

I smiled. I loved it how children asked their parents everything.

"I must say she does. Irene, can we praise you for this?"

He smiled. Irene laughed.

"She's way ahead of me, Julius. Our little diva."

I laughed as she hugged me around the middle. Irene said she had to show me something, and Silverson and I said our goodbyes. She pulled me out of the room laughing the whole way. When we got to the bar, she exploded into laughter.

"What?"

I stared at her in amazement; I hadn't seen her like this since the movie.

"You, you're amazing."

"How so?"

I was interested to see where this was going. With Irene, you never knew.

"Grace, I swear to you, I've seen it all. But I've never seen a girl like you be able to do it."

"What? Do what? Tell me!"

I was getting impatient.

"I have never seen grown men act that way before. They're all memorized by you."

I blushed.

"THEY ARE NOT!"

"Okay, example. The night of your homecoming dance, when we all snuck up to see your dress, Ratigan and Basil were about ready to flip over how you looked. They agreed that there were 'no words to match your beauty'."

I was turning beat red. This was not something I wanted to hear, these embarrassing stories. Irene on the other hand, was enjoying this. She sat down in her seat laughing.

"And when you sing and talk, you're so confident. You just give off that air of maturity and elegance; I think they find it admirable. Not that I can't see why they think like that, just that...I don't know. Keep doing what you're doing, because you've got them wrapped around your fingers."

She placed two up in the air. I slapped her playfully.

"THAT IS NOT TRUE."

We fell over with laughter. We heard people coming up the stairs. When Pete, and Ratigan walked in, we lost it again. She kept talking, only making them more curious.

"It's true Gracie, it's true."

"It's not Irene. Shut up!"

She kept laughing.

"Stop it! You're making me blush!"

I fell over laughing.

"What did we miss?"

Pete sat down looking at us with wide eyes. I cut the air with my hand.

"Nothing, nothing."

"No, it's something. It's just I find it fun...." I covered her mouth with my hand.

"DON'T SAY IT! IRENE, DON'T! PLEASE!"

She laughed again.

"Okay, I won't say it."

Ratigan and Pete chuckled, shaking their heads at each other.

When the rest of the boys came in, they found us slumped in our chairs laughing. We remained on a high that night, playing cards. A couple of times Irene moved her head making me look in Ratigan's direction. Each time he was looking at me with a proud look on his face, like my dad did, and Irene would burst out laughing. Being here seemed to prove things about me that my modesty didn't find amusing.

When I came back the next day, Irene was there, and this time Basil and Dawson were with her. They were talking about a case that involved an old boss of hers. She was giving Basil background information. I knew something was up when seeing me; all the men turned their eyes blushing.

"Irene, please tell me you didn't..." She started laughing.

I ran over to hit her but she ducked out and flew down to the sewer. I followed suit, as the men followed us chuckling. I couldn't catch her. She ran all over, under pipes, and even hid in the prison for a moment. I chased her back up to the bar and back.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

I was laughing, but I still couldn't keep up with her. She got out of my sight on the way back to the main sewer, and as I rounded the corner, she caught me.

"Oh, come off it Grace. Hell, you memorize me!"

"SHUT UP!"

We walked in the living room laughing. Irene wouldn't leave them alone.

"See, look at them! Blushing! Unbelievable!"

She fell down laughing. Ratigan gave me a hug.

"Ah, give it a rest, Irene. It's not her fault we're sick over her!"

We all laughed.

"We love all our girls!"

Pete kissed Irene on the cheek as she chuckled.

Gunshots And Wounds.

I was amazed at how the year passed. I no longer looked back at the past in regret, or worried about the future. I simply enjoyed what each day brought, and if I had a bad one, I'd go to my world. It was that simple. When school started and I became a sophomore, I was ecstatic. I was learning how to drive, and couldn't hold in my delight when I held my license in my hand for the first time on my birthday in September. Everyone in London was excited too. Every time I got in the car, one if not more would appear in one of the seats. I'd laugh, and turn the music down to talk to them. But even my second world had its shocks.

I was at home alone that day. I had gotten a good book from the library and was enjoying it when Basil came into the room. His eyes were red like he'd been crying. I put the book down right away. Basil wasn't one to show his emotions, something had happened.

"Basil, what's wrong?"

"Grace, there's been a fight."

"What?"

I stood up, and then fell back in my chair when he said the words.

"Doran wasn't dead."

"No, it can't be."

"He came up on Irene and the guys in the sewer. Started insulting all of us, including you. Ratigan came in, and before the guys could stop him, Doran fired at him."

I was numb all over. I covered my face as tears spilled out. How had this happened?

"Dawson got the bullets out, but he's really bad off. He might not....make it."

He wiped a tear from his eye. In the time since I'd met them all, Ratigan and Basil had become very close. It was almost scary, how their hatred had changed to friendship since that fateful day when Ratigan had cleaned up his act. Basil came to me when I stood, and we hugged. When we came out of the portal into the sewer, things weren't looking much better. Irene and Pete were sitting in the living room, hugging each other. The others hung their heads as they sat at the tables outside in the main part of the sewer. Irene came over to me.

"Oh Gracie."

She wiped a tear from my eye, and kissed my forehead. Dawson came out from the hallway to the bedrooms. I hugged him as well. He patted my back.

"I've done what I can, sweetie. The rest is up to God."

"Thank you for helping him," I said as tears spilled on his jacket.

He wiped a few from his eyes. Flaversham had taken Olivia home earlier, but everyone else was there. All we could do was wait. I felt so helpless, like I did when other loved ones were sick. I tried to regain composure, then sighed and walked slowly to his bedroom.

The door was cracked open, and I peeked in. Ratigan was on his side, sleeping, his chest heaving up and down, as it was hard for him to breath. I covered my mouth with my hand to hold in the scream that I felt would escape any moment. I tiptoed into the room, and seated myself down on the chair by his bed. I smiled a little as I observed his room. It was much like the guestroom; only things were there now that probably never would have been a year ago. He had pictures of his diplomas and years at Oxford, Basil and Dawson, Olivia, Irene and the boys, and another picture of me on his nightstand. There were books in a bookcase, including songbooks for his harp. I sat back down and watched him sleep. He was in a white nightshirt, the kind I'd only seen my friends wear in plays. I had heard Irene tell Basil he'd been hit twice to the chest. I had to face reality; the odds were against him. Tears poured down my face silently as I waited for the inevitable.

I must have sat there for an hour when all of a sudden his chest heaved like you do when you're taking in a deep sigh, and his eyes opened.

"Hey you."

I smiled as he squeezed my hand.

"Hi Sweetie."

He coughed heavily, and I lay my head down on the bed by him. I couldn't take it anymore. He stroked my hair as more tears came down.

"Please don't leave me. Please."

I was a wreck. One of the reasons I'd wanted a world of my own was to escape all the bad things that happened at home, like death. I wouldn't be able to face it if he died. I lifted my head, wiping my eyes.

"Well, this isn't doing you any good is it?"

I chuckled as I wiped more away, gaining my composure. He smiled, taking my hand again. We sat in silence like that for a long time. When he fell asleep again, I watched him for a while, thinking this might be the last time I ever saw him. Finally Irene came in.

"Aren't you tired, Sweetie?"

Her saying it reminded me that I was, and I yawned softly.

"You've got to get some rest," she whispered as she brushed hair out of my eyes.

It was then that I realized I was still holding Ratigan's hand. I gently let go; making sure the movement didn't wake him. Tears filled my eyes again as she led me out of the room.

"He can't die Irene. He just can't. I've grown so close to you all, and if any of you, especially him, go, I don't know what I'll do. He can't die."

She kissed my head as she hugged me.

"I know Sweetie. I know."

"He's just been like another father to me. All the guys have been here for me. They've restored my faith in men a little, actually."

She chuckled, and even I had to smile. More tears poured down my face as she spoke.

"You know something? I think he'll pull through."

"You do? Why?"

"Look at him Grace. He's happy. A month ago he would have died lonely and miserable, but his life's changed. He's got something to live for now."

She kissed me again smiling, and saying goodnight, left.

I stood in the hallway for a long time. The adrenaline was pumping through my veins, and I was wired. I paced the living room, the oil lamp dimly reflecting my shadow as it moved across the room. Every so often I'd peek through the crack to Ratigan's room to make sure his chest was still moving from his breathing. I felt like I did when my mom had told me my dad had cancer. Panicked, but too numb to do anything constructive. I went into the guestroom around 1 a.m., throwing myself on the bed in frustration. I tossed and turned for another half hour, glancing at my door, as if listening for the grim reaper to pass through the hall. I don't really remember it, but somehow I got myself back into his room, sitting on the chair, watching over him like he had done me on all those horrible nights after Doran's first revenge. I sat there all night, and when I could feel the change from night to dawn, I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw he was still breathing. More relaxed, I fell asleep in the chair.

I woke up in the guest bed; chuckling, knowing Pete must have moved me. My suspicions were confirmed when he stuck his head in.

"Hey there,"

"Hi."

He saw the concern in my eyes.

"He's okay. Out of bed actually, using a cane."

My eyes widened. Then I laughed, reassuring myself.

"Well, he IS Ratigan. Anyone that stubborn is going to recover just fine." I rubbed my eyes laughing when I heard Ratigan's voice from the living room.

"You making fun of me?"

I hugged him when we came into the living room. Irene was back again. She hugged me.

"Sweetie, you look terrible." Pete slapped her leg for the remark about the bags under my eyes.

"Well, she was up last night."

Ratigan smiled at me, a look of gratitude in his eyes. I smiled back at him. He really was looking better, and his breathing was steady, not choppy like the night before. Basil and everyone came in later, and we went over some evidence from a new case of his. Things were looking on the bright side, except for one thing.

Doran was still out there. After he had shot Ratigan, he'd fled before the boys could get him. He had become the new villain, plaguing our minds knowing that he was still out there. I knew he'd come back, and even when Ratigan gained enough strength to take a walk through the park with Irene and me, I knew it wasn't over. As we walked, I took a moment to reflect on the year or so I'd had with them all. Full of surprises and adventures, unlike any I'd ever known in my life back home. And as Irene took my hand and swung it playfully while Ratigan looked on smiling, I knew I was the luckiest girl alive.