In the box:

Manouche *feels a sensation like falling the second the lid closes above her, but it’s a slow fall, through the thick mist, and at first it’s not unpleasant, but then it seems to go on awhile, and her uneasiness increases … then she feels as if she’s picking up speed, and the panic rises in her, when she suddenly strikes a surface, the feeling is much like a long fall into a body of water, except it’s not wet, she doesn’t know how to explain it, it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t particularly feel good or bad, but it’s resistance, and she’s in it up to her shoulders … she thrashes around and soon becomes aware of many voices all around her, exclaiming at various levels of emotion, some quieter, but most louder, protesting, crying out in alarm, and the worst ones are the ones steeped in remorse and regret, moaning their sorrow over and over … the voices occasionally come together as if orchestrated, swelling to a crescendo, then they fall away again, off on their own … she tries to make out the people from whom the voices are issuing, but she’s unable to see anything beyond the thick mist at first … then slowly a great deal of it dissipates, though not completely, and she’s able to see more.  She’s treading a slick surface of some sort, and all around is like a dark nighttime sky, with something resembling starlight, but she sees no stars as she looks up, just darkness, and somehow an eerie glow illuminates everything just enough for her to make a few things out.  She sees that there are other people like her, treading the liquidy substance, and the more she looks, the more people she sees, the voices continuing their ebb and flow.  Then she hears one yell out something that makes her heart jump:*

DREAMER!

*And she turns in the direction of the sound, or what she thinks was the direction, and sees two figures swimming their way toward her.  She’s not sure she likes the look of them, so she starts away, but as she turns, she sees there are three others right behind her, blocking her way.  She’s surrounded, so she tries to calm her pounding heart and see what happens.  The other two approach her, half swimming, half wading, and she tries to make them out, but the mist is so relentless, she can’t see them well, but the two appear to be a young couple, man and woman, and the three behind her are two older women and a youngish man.  She stares at them all, frightened, continues treading with her arms, then reaches a foot down through the liquid and realizes she can touch the bottom; strange, because she was certain she had tried it earlier and it hadn’t worked.  She stands carefully, the thick stuff wafting around her, and she looks from the couple to the other three, nods, but cannot find her voice*

Young woman:  You’ve brought the key … and you have a ticket out of here … *her companion nods*

Older woman #1:  Don’t push her, she probably has unfinished business.  *looks at Manouche*  Always someone in your wake in trouble, isn’t there?

Manouche *swallows hard, finally able to stammer*  Th-th-that’s usually m-me.  I – I – apologies, luv … I … I don’t know what yer on about …

Youngish man *grins*  She’s a gypsy … a gypsy dreamer …

Older woman #2:  All right, that’s enough from all of you!  Can’t you see she’s scared?  *looks at Manouche kindly*  Don’t mind them, dreamer, they don’t mean any harm.  Truth is, they’re jealous.

Manouche:  J-jealous o’ me?  Wh-why?

Older woman #2:  Because you don’t belong here, and it’s obvious.  You’re trying to kill the power of the box on the outside, right?  You have the key, you’ve chosen a very rare method.  I assume you have people lined up to get you out.  *raises eyebrows as Manouche shakes her head slightly*  Well, that’s a plain shame.  You stand an excellent chance of escaping.  But you will need help.  The rest of us … we’ll never get out …

*the others make strange noises, seeming to chime in with what she’s saying*

Manouche:  B-blimey … well … per’aps ye could get out if I get out … *her voice trails off as the strange voices all around them start to build again, louder this time, and she winces, the sound scaring her somehow*

Youngish man:  A dreamer, here in the box, fancy!  *leans closer to her, making her rather uncomfortable*  You don’t even know what you can do.  You can do things from here, y’know.  Wondrous things!

Older woman #2 *shakes her head at him*  Shut it …

Young woman:  He’s right, why shouldn’t he say so?

Older woman #2:  Because she knows!  She just hasn’t anything needs doin’ right now, that’s all.  She’ll know when she does.

Manouche *starts trembling uncontrollably, they all move closer to watch her.  She puts her hands out, pushes them away*  Bloody ‘ell, give me room ‘ere …  *she moves away from them slightly, though she knows they’re still watching her, then she feels something coming to her, an odd sensation … she sees a vision of sorts, at least that’s what she thinks it is, but this one is different, she feels as if she’s there … she sees a small white house, bright sunshine, and a pond, the whole scene very tranquil, but there’s something disturbing about it … then she sees a strange creature with long tendrils of green and brown where her hair should be … her face is beautiful, very young, and a cold, damp aura surrounds her, she has a strange cast to her, like a bad lobster in a dark cellar … a cellar … Manouche shakes her head, feels the strange creature’s cold fingers on her hand, but she looks at her hand and nothing is there, the vision seems to be fading in and out around her, and she feels lightheaded, fears she will fall over in a dead faint … then there’s a loud roaring in her ears, and she’s horrified at a series of images, but she doesn’t know what’s going on, and the images are gone before she can even consider them, followed by the creature racing across the grasses, shouting:*

Il prendrait mon coeur et mon âme, il me tue.  Abberline fichu à l'enfer pour toute éternité!

Manouche *eyes wide as she’s suddenly inside the creature’s head, sees the running from her point of view, followed by a leap into the sinister looking pond, and a shattering pain, then darkness … then very bright light all around, and she’s back on the scene with the small house, the sunshine, the creature reaching cold fingers for someone, and Manouche sees who it is and she screams*  No!  No, Fred, don’t do it!  *She feels herself sucked down under the liquid, or did she voluntarily slip under it, she’s not certain … she’s unable to catch her breath or see anything for what seems a horribly long time, and she’s terrified, afraid she’ll suffocate … then she’s squeezed and propelled through something, another dimension, perhaps, and she’s there, she’s not just seeing it, she’s there, with the creature, with Abberline as he takes the creature’s hand and she leads him to the house, Victoria is waiting … the light is brighter and brighter still, and Manouche starts to feel some of the chilly peace herself, and wonders what her panic was all about … then she hears a familiar voice:*

FATHER ... Father, come back ... I need you ... FATHER PLEASE, I need your help ... 

*and she swiftly looks to see if Abberline heard his son, but he didn’t, he just continues on with the creature, toward the house, toward Victoria, toward the light, and Manouche starts running as fast as she can toward them, grabs Abberline away from the creature, knocks him to the ground, not sure whether he’s trying to fight her to get back up, she’s too frightened … she then remembers something Alifi told her once …

You’ve sacrificed for others in the past.  Remember the ones you protected, either taking the blame for what they did, or refusing to name names?  You risked your life some of those times.  When you did those things, according to Rom belief, you gained a little part of your benefactors’ souls.  Don’t you see, Manouche, in Rom terms, what this means is, you have enormous life-giving qualities inside you.  It’s a combination of the date and time and place you were born, and the choices you’ve made in your life …

Manouche *considers these words, looks down at Abberline, lying on his back, very still, frightened to see how pale he is, how he’s not responding to anything, his eyes glazed and staring.  She’s trembling, tears in her eyes, not sure what to do, but she tries something, she places one hand on her heart, her other on his, and concentrates, hard … offering to strengthen his heart with part of hers, offering to share part of her soul with him, anything to keep him alive, it’s not his time yet, she doesn’t know how she knows this … she just knows.*  F-Fred, please … ‘ang on, luv … come around, come to, an’ … go back, it ain’t yer time … yer family needs you, Kat an’ Raven, they love you … I love you … Frederic … la meilleure vie peut vous offrir, le rêveur doux ... *she leans her face close to his, her tears falling on him, and she kisses his cheek, keeping her hand pressed against his heart ... she starts to feel a throbbing beneath her palm, at her lifeline, and she’s fearful, remembering the painful experience with the tattoo, but she resolutely keeps her hand in place, continues to concentrate, kisses him again ... and she feels a heartbeat, strong, steady, and she sobs with relief, brings her arms around his neck and hugs him, kisses his face again and again, weeping, hoping it worked, and she takes one of his hands in both of hers, watches his face anxiously as the bright light around them starts to fade ... she sees the glaze lift from the dark eyes, the long lashes flutter, he starts to turn to look at her, and he squeezes her hand ... she feels a lightheaded weariness overwhelm her, and the next thing she knows, the bright light is gone, Abberline is gone, and she’s plunged into the strange, dark mire once again ... she keeps her panic under control this time, and soon she pops up to the surface again, where she was before, the same din of voices coming together then apart ... she looks around for the five souls she’d been talking to earlier, but they’re nowhere to be found ... she feels something in her hand, brings it out of the liquid mass, holds it up ... a tiny braid, made with two locks of hair, dark and light ... tears come to her eyes, she brings it to her lips and kisses it as a big piece of the puzzle of Abberline’s unhappy childhood is shown to her with heartbreaking clarity ... *

In the cellar:

*The bright light fades, and Victoria and her child, the small white house disappear in a mist, and the spirit gone crazy with grief returns to the depths of the pond, releasing him, and Manouche, who felt like she really was there, her warm hand against his heart, her tears falling on his face, she is gone too, but not entirely.  He knows that he was dead and that Manouche brought him back by her love and by giving him a part of her own life force, a part of her heart and a part of her soul, and he understands that Victoria and her baby are death, and Kat and her children are life, such a simple truth and he hasn't understood it before.  And in a flash he also understands what the soul box is about.  It is the alchemical secret of life, the basic elements of life - love, heart, soul and will.  He is the will, the one that binds the elements, and Manouche is the love that brings life and revives, and Kat is the heart and Raven, Raven is the meaning of all, the reason to its existence, he is the soul.  And now that he knows the secret, he has the power to use the box if he can combine the three life forces with his will ... *

*Yes, it was Manouche who gave him back his life, but the real meaning, the reason that he is alive and shall go on living, it is Kat and Raven, they keep him alive, they are his heart and soul, and as long as he has them he lives.  Kat, Raven, Chiana, his family, his destiny ... Marchand has no longer any power over Kat, the only way for Marchand to get the heart and soul he covets would now be to kill him, because he stands between Marchand and Kat, protecting her, and he feels that he is now stronger than Marchand; he may be now lying in chains in a dark cellar, but eventually he is going to be free, but Marchand is bound into his withering existence and he can't escape his fate.*

*The cellar is still damp and cold, the chains bite his flesh and the brandy that Nate poured in the wounds intensifies the pain, he feels sick from the brandy, but his chest doesn't  hurt any more, and he doesn't feel any panic, he just tries to settle himself into a more comfortable position, and now he is thinking of them all, of Raven, Kat and Manouche, and his little girl Chiana and he knows that he is going to live ... And he sends a thought to Marchand, wherever he is*  Marchand, you lost.  You will die.  I will live.

Marchand *upstairs, fuming, still furious over losing another chance at the box, senses the thought from Abberline, and he swears.  He’s so angry, he’s tempted to go downstairs and kill Abberline on the spot; but he restrains himself.  He may still be able to use him.  Marchand has never been one for rash actions, so he calms himself down as best he can and reminds himself that the cool, calculated approach usually yields the best results.  He also knows that his rage expends energy, and until he can absorb another victim, he must conserve his resources.  He starts to relax, and as he does, an idea comes to him, and he smiles.  He’s certain that Abberline and the dreamer can communicate … if he can’t get at her right now, he can certainly have some fun with her friend.  He pushes Abberline’s thoughts from his consciousness as if swiping away an annoying insect, and sends him a response:*  How little you know, Inspector.  This is merely a setback, nothing more.  However, you’ll have to pay for the gypsy’s trick, since she’s not here to receive her punishment for crossing me.  Very cowardly of her to leave you in the lurch … I do hope she’ll appreciate what you’re about to endure on her behalf.  Yes, you’ll live, for now.  But Nate may soon have you begging for release.  *He smiles, considers the possibilities; he then looks around the room, and for the first time is aware that Nate left the house.  He shakes his head*  That fool …  *he leaves the house to go find him.  He doesn’t want to expend his energy performing the torture on Abberline.  Best leave that to Nate; that way, he can simply observe and enjoy.  He heads for the woods, knowing that’s the direction Nate took … and he doesn’t notice the white raven that flies overhead, into the house after he’s left.*

Raven *swoops inside the house, lights on the floor, shimmers into his normal shape, looks around nervously, knowing there’s not much time.  He looks in the living room at the fireplace mantle, sees an iron poker, grabs it and makes his way through the house cautiously, not calling out in case someone else is there; he searches the first floor, then decides to go to the cellar before checking the second floor.  He goes down the stairs, sees Abberline*  Father … *he runs to him, embraces him, then stares at him, his eyes wide, as he realizes his father is communicating to him dreamer-like, with his thoughts.  Not as loud and clear as what he’s experienced with Manouche, but the fact that Abberline is engaging in it at all, when he used to speak of the ability with such disdain, pleases Raven beyond words.  He embraces him again, tells him how he wasn’t sure where to come, but somehow he received a vision of the location … and how frightened he had been earlier, he thought his father was dying.  He releases him, then remembers the danger they’re in, and works hard with the fireplace poker to knock loose the links that hold the chains in the wall.  They eventually break free, and he helps his father to his feet, they climb the stairs a little unsteadily, go through the house, and reach the outside, where Abberline has to pause to take huge gulps of the fresh air, the remaining chains still rubbing painfully on his wrists.  They quickly flee the area, and Raven guides Abberline away from the direction Marchand took to find Nate … and they cautiously make their way back to town, keeping out of sight as much as possible*

At Bournemouth House:

Abberline *stumbles over Ichy's suitcase as he enters the living room and he slumps down on the sofa, exhausted*  Where is Kat?  Don't look like that, I saw them in a monitor, I know what happened.  *smiles at Raven who looks at him uneasy*  And I also know what didn't happen, don't worry.  I know that she didn't do anything wrong, it was not her ... Where did she go, to her ship?  I - I had a vision while I was lying there, and now I know what a fool I have been, but I promise I will make it all up to you ...  *smiles*  You saved my life, not only today, you and your mother are doing it every day ...

Raven *sits on the sofa, next to him*  F-Father … she’s with Constable Crane, on her ship … but it’s not her.  She told me Mother’s never coming back, and that she and Constable Crane are leaving together.  She told me to leave, to come back here and be with you … *he tries hard to keep the tears back, but he can’t, and they spill down his cheeks*  I was so afraid … I couldn’t find anyone.  I could see Mother, but I knew it wasn’t her.  And then I knew you were in danger, and I yelled out to you, but you didn’t hear me.  An’ … then it all went black, an’ I didn’t know what to do, so I tried to contact Manouche.  An’ then … it was a long time, I didn’t feel anything, but then … somehow I knew where to find you … I think it came from Manouche … but now I can’t find her at all … I’ve always been able to find her, something’s happened to her … *he starts to weep, trembling*

Abberline *sighs, puts carefully his arm around Raven's shoulders, not knowing a better way to console him, and he winces from the pain the chains cause him when he moves his hand*  Don't cry.  *He stops abruptly and hears his father's voice telling him that boys never cry, and he suppresses the memory quickly*  There is no need for that.  I am back.  And I don't know what happened to Kat, but she will be back, I just know that she will be back somehow ... As will Manouche, I saw her, she was in the same place with me and she brought me back, and then you found me because I was thinking about you.  Don't cry for Manouche either, she is safe for the moment, though you can't hear her.  I know where she is and I am sure I know how to get her out.  But now I want to see Kat, I must get to the Apparition, I can't just sit here and do nothing.

Raven *wipes his eyes, nods*  I’ll come with you …

In the box:

Manouche *shivering, arms wrapped around her, alternates between standing in the strange mire and treading it, or sometimes being supported by it, like floating suspended.  It’s a sensation she thought she would get used to, but she hasn’t yet, it has her feeling dizzy, as if seasick.  Now she feels a prickly sensation, as if she’s contacting a fever, and she wonders if it’s possible to pick up an illness in this strange environment.  She’s doing her best to not let all the voices get to her, and she finds herself wishing she had gently but firmly prodded Abberline to talk about his experience in the box at some point; perhaps she could’ve prepared herself better.  But he had always looked so miserable at the mere thought of it, she never had the heart to pursue a line of questioning with him*

Older woman #2:  Try to conserve your strength.

Manouche *jumps at the voice next to her, she hadn’t seen her approach*  B-blimey!  Wh-wh-whatcha mean?  *Now that she has a reason to speak out loud, she realizes her teeth are chattering*

Older woman #2:  It’s admirable, what you did for your friend, but be careful, don’t spread yourself too thin.  You won’t have anything left for yourself, and you’ll wind up like them.  *she indicates the disembodied voices flying around them*

Manouche:  H-h-how d’ye know wh-what I dd-did …

Older woman #2:  Word travels around here.  It’s a small community.

Manouche *attempts a grin*  Aye, I j-j-jus’ come from a p-place like th-that … *she swallows, tries to control her shivering*  C-c-can I be comin’ down with s-somethin’ ‘ere?  C-could I d-die ‘ere?

Older woman #2:  That’s the trouble.  You can’t.

Manouche *looks at her sharply, then feels the sensation coming again … but instead of being shown a vision, her eyesight is dimming, as if someone is lowering the lights in the already dark space.*

Older woman #2 *sees the panic in her face*  Ignore it.  Don’t do it.

Manouche *starts to speak, then feels herself sucked down again, faster this time, painful, whipped into a downward spiral cyclone.  She wants to scream, but she can’t, all the breath has been knocked out of her.  She’s thrown about violently, she can’t discern up from down, then the pressure, as before, the feeling of being squeezed, she’s afraid she’ll be crushed this time and braces herself, though the woman told her she can’t die here, but she finds it impossible to believe she’ll survive this.  The very next thing she knows, she’s in a tiny, confined, dark space, like a cocoon, the walls very hard like a shell, and she can barely move, and she’s so frozen with fear, she doesn’t try, at first; though she’s thankful that she no longer feels cold, and her teeth have stopped chattering.  Then she hears something, and is aware of another presence; she listens closely, decides she must be hallucinating.  But no, there it is again, the sound of a baby crying.  She starts to move a little; the confines force her to remain as she is, crouched nearly into a ball.  But she’s able to reach out her hands in the darkness, and she feels the baby, carefully picks it up, she can barely see it.  The child is naked, and Manouche is able to see just well enough to tell that it’s a girl … she takes her in her arms, tries to comfort her; she’s terrified that the baby’s body is tense, she’s never experienced anything like this in a child.  Even the crying is different than a usual baby’s cry … conveying a genuine sense of anguish and despair*

Manouche *whispers to her, tries to get her to stop crying, to relax, holding her close, patting her*  There, there, lil’ one … s’all right … no worries, savvy?  Not while I’m ‘ere.  Ye can ….. oh!  Well, there y’ are.  *she exclaims, surprised at how quickly the baby calms down, the little body relaxing in her arms*  Blimey, luv, ye didn’t even give me a chance t’ sing ye a lullabye!  *she laughs softly, continues to hold her; the baby’s no longer crying, she makes a soft, contented gurgling sound.  Then she surprises Manouche again with what could only be described as a rippling of her entire tiny form – soft, like a pool of water gently grazed by a bee’s wing.  As she does this, Manouche senses that the confines around them ripple and soften, no longer the hard shell-like cocoon, but softer and giving.  She looks around, still can’t see anything … still cuddling the baby, she kisses her head, holds her back slightly to examine her face, and she gasps – Chiana, the healer baby.  She thinks she sees just a slight trace of Abberline in the child’s features, but the face is almost pure Kat.  And as Manouche stares at her, she sees the faces of Chiana’s family melding in her little face … much like the vision Manouche picked up on early in the pregnancy, by placing her hand on Kat’s stomach.  The faces come and go, light, like little shadows, then they’re gone … and tears spring to Manouche’s eyes as, for a split second, she sees her own face appear, like the others, filled with carefree joy.  Then the shadows are gone, the tiny little face so much like Kat’s smiles up at her … and the cocoon-like surroundings are now as soft and peaceful as a cloud.  Manouche leans down and kisses her cheek, then brings her close, presses her tiny body gently against her heart, offering of herself to her*  Prendre de mon coeur que vous avez besoin de, le petit guérisseur …  *Chiana ripples again in response, smiles at her once more, then drifts into a peaceful sleep.  Manouche feels tears come to her eyes, because somehow she knows they’re about to be parted, and she longs to stay here forever … but sure enough, Chiana softly slips from her arms, now sound asleep, and Manouche knows she’s safe, at least for now … and she feels tugging at her from behind, as if hands were grasping her and pulling her away … she’s somehow removed from the place, she's unaware of how it happens, but at least it’s far more gentle than her approach … she’s plunged into the dark mire again, and soon resurfaces where she was … cold, thick mist, voices whispering and screaming all around … *

Older woman #2 *looks closely at her, shakes her head*  Fool.  Each soul you assist takes more out of you.

Manouche *arms wrapped around herself again, shivering violently*  Th-th-then I r-reckon I were d-d-depleted ss-significant that time, luv … I may ‘ave j-j-jus’ played a d-d-double-header …  *thinks of little Chiana and Kat, manages a smile*

On The Apparition:

Miranda *Nervously*  It's alright my love.  It seems to have passed for some reason.  *Glancing at Alifi*  You know about babies?  Is such pain normal?  *Tearfully*  Please answer, I could not bear it if I have brought harm to their child.

Alifi *looks at her sharply*  “my love” … THEIR child??  *looks at Ichy, then back to Kat*  Kat, what’re you talking about?  What’s this about Constable Crane?  Where’s your husband, dear?  *she places her hands on Kat/Miranda’s stomach, presses here and there*  I … I know something about babies, I’ve had some experience.  It would be better if Manouche were here.  *prods a bit more*  I think everything’s fine.  *turns to Ichy*  Dear, why don’t you wait outside, I’ll do a quick examination of Kat.  It won’t take long.  Or better still, why don’t you go see if you can fetch Manouche.  Barring that, please find Inspector Abberline.  He should be here with his wife.  *she smiles kindly, and ushers him out of the cabin gently but firmly, then shuts the door*

Ichy *tries to protest, but he finds himself outside the cabin and the door shut on him, turns toward the closed door and starts to protest, then thinks better of it.  Troubled, walks to the deck where the crew waits for orders, and for a moment he is tempted to tell them to set sail.  But it seems that with Alifi he can say goodbye to going to Catalina and - to Kat.  And at the same time, he knows that there is no way he could go looking for Inspector Abberline.  The Inspector would probably not react well on hearing that his wife has deserted him.  It's better that someone else than he tells it the Inspector.  Not knowing what to do, he starts to pace the deck in deep thoughts.  He still can't believe that his beautiful future has gone up in smoke ... *

Abberline and Raven *arrive at the docks, board the Apparition*

Raven:  I think they’re still in Mother’s cabin.  *he looks over on the main deck, waves at Jaime, who waves back at him*

Abberline *sees Jaime, gets an idea.  To Raven*  You go ahead to your mother, I’ll be right there.  I’m going to talk to Jaime about something.  *Raven nods, runs to the cabin.  He passes Ichy on the way, looks at him for a moment, picks up on his unhappiness, and he gazes at him sympathetically; he then continues on to the cabin, to see his mother*

Abberline *approaches Jaime, holds up his hands, shows him the chains on his wrists*  You think you could help me get these off?

Jaime *Grinning*  Now that be not a sight ye see e'ery day, an Inspector in chains.  *Chuckles, examines them then nods. Retrieves a wire device from his pocket, smirks at Abby*  Tools of the trade mate.  *Proceeds to work at the lock mechanism and soon springs the locks*  See no worries mate, yer free as a bird, mate.

Abberline *dryly, taking a handkerchief and trying to tie the broken wrist, but he doesn't manage to do it with one hand*  Thanks.  Enjoy then while you can.  *suspiciously*  And what have you used that tool of yours for?  Watch out, you can yourself be the next one in chains, who knows.  Wait, don't throw away the chains, I want to keep at least a part of it.  *Looks at the sails*  It seems to me that you are preparing to sail away.  How come, I have not heard anything from Kat that she would have given such a command?

Jaime:  It be comin' in 'andy mate when ye'ave got no key.  Now don't it mate or did ye 'ave a likin' for them bracelets, eh?  *Grunts and hands him the chains.*  Kat don't be givin' me requests only orders, savvy?  ‘Course she were actin' most strange.  But then I be thinkin' a married woman runnin' off with another man be 'avin' reason for actin' odd, eh?  *Snickers*

Abberline:  Wipe that grin from your face.  *enraged, tries to grab hold of Jaime, forgetting his broken wrist, but the sharp pain makes him groan and back off*  You are lying.  I don't believe you.  She wouldn't do that.

Jaime *Stepping back out of reach, laughs out right.*  Go below and see for yerself then.  Mayhap ye wasn't bein' 'nuff man for 'er, mate.  But don't go worryin' ye mind o'erly much, I be most certain that Constable won't be lastin' long.  She'll wear 'im out soon and who knows maybe I'll 'ave a go at 'er.  *Smiles lecherously*

Abberline:  You touch her and you are a dead man.  *steps closer to him, looks him up and down*  If you think she fancies you, why didn't she marry you.  You are nothing but a miserable bloody pirate.  *and despite the wrist, he takes Jaime by his shirt and slams him against the wall*  The Apparition will either have to get a new captain or a new crew.

Jaime *Sneers*  Like I told ye already, go below and see for yerself.  She's down there with 'er Constable now.  The last orders she were givin' me was to make ready to sail.

Abberline: This ship is not going anywhere. *glares at Jaime, takes one of the chains with him and goes below the deck to the cabin*

Ichy *retreats into shadows seeing him, follows him quietly*

At Kat’s cabin:

Raven *runs up to the door of the cabin just as Alifi is opening it*  Alifi!  I’m glad you’re here …

Alifi *looks at him, surprised, but smiles*  Raven, it’s good to see you, dear.  Is your father with you?  Your mother is fine, she was having a little trouble earlier, but it seems to have passed.  I just checked her out, she’s sound, as far as I can tell … and so’s your baby sister.  *she crouches down in front of him*  No need to worry, all right?

Raven:  Sh-she’s not my mother …

Alifi *frowns*  What do you mean, of course she is …

Raven *shakes his head*  No, she’s someone else … she told me my mother is gone, and she won’t be coming back. She said she doesn’t know how to bring her back, even if she wanted to.

Alifi:  But … how can that be, that’s impossible … *tries to make light of it*  Child, she’s probably just a little delirious from her condition … she probably didn’t even know what she was saying.  Every pregnancy’s different … women can be affected in the strangest ways, you’d be surprised … *she reaches up, brushes the hair back from his eyes*  Now, why don’t you go in and see her?  I know she’d love to see you, and she’s fine, I promise you.  *stands up, looks around*  I’d like to have a word with Constable Crane, if he’s still here.  Poor dear, I think he’s confused again … *she pats his shoulder reassuringly, then goes to find Ichy*

Raven *watches her go, turns to the doorway of the cabin, enters, looks in cautiously*  M-Mother?  Or … whoever you are … are you all right?

Miranda:  I am not your mother, child.  My name is Miranda.  As to your mother’s fate, I'm not certain.  I'm sorry, but I just have no way of knowing … all I'm sure of is that I am here.

Raven *feels an anger toward her for what she’s done, but works to control it; she’s still carrying his baby sister, he thinks it’s best not to upset her.  He swallows, comes closer to her*  M-Miranda … will you … will you please stay here until my little sister’s born?

Abberline *enters the cabin, goes to Kat/Miranda and takes her hand, looks her in the eyes*  Kat?  You can't be going anywhere, I -  *he stops in the middle of the sentence*  By gods, she was right.  You are not Kat.  *concentrates*  I know you, I have sensed you and I have seen you, long blonde hair and a white gown ... In my house.  I always believed it was Victoria I saw, coming to haunt me, not letting me forget her ... You are the one they warned me of when I bought the house, but who are you?  You can't stay in her body.  You have to bring Kat back to me.

Miranda *Drawing her hand away*  She's gone, and there's nothing either of us can do about it.  This is my life now and I intend to live it.  You need have no fear for your child, when she is born I intend to give her over to you.  You will have your children.  Be grateful for that and forget your wife.

At the small harbor:

Malachi *smoking a cigarette, watches grimly from the shore as the Leader’s boat approaches, drops anchor.  He sees the Leader and one of the Shadows launch a dinghy from the boat, coming to rest at the shoreline, and he walks up to them as they’re pulling the dinghy up onto the sand*  Where is she?

Leader:  I was rather hoping you would be here.

Malachi *throws cigarette down furiously*  I warn you, I’m not feeling very patient right now.  I know she went with you, that was a mistake, she shouldn’t have done it, and you shouldn’t have taken advantage of her … *his words are cut off as he realizes what the Leader said*  What do you mean, you were hoping I would be here?

Leader:  She has taken things into her own hands.  We had nothing to do with her decision, she fooled us all.  *waves a hand toward the dinghy*  She’s in there.

Malachi *moves closer to the dinghy, eyes widen as he sees the soul box, his face goes pale*  N-no … it can’t be … *spins around, grabs Leader’s robe, glares at him*  What the hell have you done?

Leader *patiently*  I told you, this was her decision.  *pushes him away, adjusts robe indignantly*  What she has done has rendered the box useless, which is even more than we had hoped for, with the solution we had in mind.  I suppose you humans would call her a hero, I believe is the word.  *reaches in pocket, pulls out letter*  Here, she wanted me to give this to you.  It explains everything … well, as far as such things can be explained.  *shakes head slightly, hands the letter to Malachi*

Malachi *unfolds the pages, reads the letter and the information from the book, his eyes growing wider, then dark with his concern*  Oh, god … Manouche … stupid trouble girl …  *He finishes reading, his head lowered for a few minutes, then looks up at the Leader, a catch in his voice*  So … why did you come back here?  Why didn’t you just take that damn thing back to Fiji, hide it away like you planned?

Leader:  For one thing, there’s little need to do that now.  It’s useless, it poses no danger.

Malachi:  It’s useless to anyone?  *manages to feel some amusement, despite his despair over Manouche*  Marchand must be howling somewhere …

Leader:  I’m sure he’s not pleased.  *pauses*  As I said, I was rather hoping we would see you.  We were going to come find you if you hadn’t been here, partly to deliver the letter, but also to … deliver the box.  We want to leave it with you.

Malachi:  Wh-why?

Leader *nods toward the pages Malachi holds*  You read the text.  She’s still alive, and there’s a very good chance we can get her out without undoing what she did to destroy the box’s power.  We thought it best to bring the box back here, leave it with a dreamer … a dreamer that we know is a good friend to her.  It’s unknown what it will take to get her out.  We have no idea how to open it, and the only existing key is inside with her.  And it must remain inside, or the box will be dangerous again.  We have to be very careful as we consider how to open it.

Malachi *looks at the box, face dark, mutters*  I’d like to take a bloody axe to it.

Leader:  And that would probably kill her, not to mention what else it may unleash.  The box mustn’t be destroyed, and there’s no way to break the lock.  It would be dangerous even to pick it.  *He adds this as if reading Malachi’s thoughts; smirks*  Yes, we know that’s a talent of yours.  *looks down at the box*  But I believe we can solve the mystery.  If it was accomplished successfully in the 1800s, it can be done again.  There must be documentation on it somewhere …

Malachi *runs hand through his hair*  I hope so.  I … I don’t know where to start.  *pauses, lights another cigarette nervously, shrugs*  Sure, I’ll keep it at my place.  I … I want to.  I’m still surprised that you would bother with … *voice trails off, he looks at the Leader, grins*  I’ll be damned.  You care about her.

Leader:  Don’t be absurd.

Malachi:  You do.  Your work is done … you could just take it back to Fiji and it would be all over.  Why else would you go to this trouble?  *smiles broadly*  You care about her.  Awfully damn human of you …

Leader *sniffs*  Don’t be so quick to attach your silly emotions to every action.  This is a prime opportunity for research.  If we can figure out how to do this successfully, we can document it on permanent record.  Our superiors will be very pleased.  *pauses, looks at the box again, then shifts his eyes out to the sea*  I admit … she’s … rather impressive …

Malachi:  For a human …

Leader *frowns, glares at him*  And shall we stand here all day wasting time prattling on?  The sooner we get started investigating, the sooner we can learn the solution.

Malachi *finishes cigarette, drops it on the ground*  Okay.  C’mon, let’s take the box to my house, I’ll keep it safe there while we see what we can find out.  Savvy?  *he smothers his grin as the Leader glares at him indignantly.  He steps over to the dinghy, picks up the box, carries it very gently, murmurs to it*  Steady on, trouble girl, we’ll get you out.  And the first round’ll be on you.  It’s the least you can do …  *the Leader and Shadow follow him to the house on the river*