“Don’t tease me now, professor. I know you’re there.” Carew’s voice chuckled over the radio. 

Geppetto scrunched his face in disgust before easing up and smiling at both Vice and Jekyll “One moment please, my friends.” 

Geppetto walked to the front door and took a deep breath before opening it “Yes, Sir Carew?” 

“Oh, come now? Why the grumpy face? After all, I came all the way here with an offer that will make your life as bright as your mind, Prof. Polendina.” Carew let himself in boastfully while smiling with another man behind him carrying a briefcase “In fact, I even have all the paperwork ready with a down payment here. As I told you before, your research on artificial limbs and brain powered machines are absolutely marvelous! Such marvelousness merits recognition and reward, no? Come work for me and can have both, my dear professor.” 

Geppetto crossed his arms with a stern expression “No.” 

Carew was stunned for a moment, but then smiled calmly “Prof. Polendina, I don't think you understand me. Why just gamble on the possibility of being recognized at the upcoming seminar when you have me here in person right now offering you a golden ticket?” 

Carew signaled to the man to open the briefcase which contained a lot of money, but Geppetto closed it and pushed it away gently “I DO understand and that is why am refusing your offer. My research and I are not for sale to be owned privately by one man. I intend to share my inventions with the world, Sir Carew.” 

“Now, now, who’s to say you can’t while still working for me and make a pretty penny off it all? If not for yourself, think of how set your dear son Pinocchio would-” Carew went on. 

“Leave Pinocchio out of this!” Geppetto raised his voice slightly “I heard things about you. Things I don’t like. You were part of the old Board of Governors who were criminals.” 

Carew looked offended for a moment, but he managed to keep his disposition “Then you have heard that I had no hand at least not directly or with my knowledge in their evil ways. Words cannot describe my shame for allowing myself to be used.” 

“You’ve got no trouble using others though.” the professor pointed out sharply which took Carew by surprise “I heard THAT too and more things I don’t like.” 

Carew tried to salvage the situation “My dear professor, I don’t know what you heard-” 

“Enough! You heard what I said before and I’ll say it again; no. Now, go home!” Geppetto stood his ground and pointed to the door. 

Carew frowned hard, but then smiled “Alright, but... There is one last thing that also came with my offer and that’s protection.” 

“Protection? Are you threatening me?” Geppetto raised his thick brow. 

“Heavens, no. I’m warning you as we are living in rather dangerous times here in London right now with that accursed Mr. Hyde on the loose, the former Lord Savage still being at large and the abundance of evil people as of late. I simply dread the idea of a man and his son being so open to attack.” Carew warned with exaggerated concern. 

“Get out of my house!” Prof. Polendina commanded while looking angry. 

“On my way, dear professor.” Carew backed away towards the door with the other man following “The offer stands. Just give me a call when- I mean, IF you change your mind. Tootleloo.” 

Once the door was closed, Geppetto made a rude gesture while grunting before turning around to see that Jekyll and Vice were not too far away. 

“Um, we weren’t... uh...” Jekyll tried to explain. 

“It’s alright. I have no secrets and from I heard, you don’t like that guy either.” Geppetto reassured him while pointing at the door with his thumb. 

“Ah, no. We don’t and as people who have been burnt by Carew before, you did the right thing, professor.” Jekyll praised him. 

“No, he didn’t! Father, how could you be, so stupid?! Didn’t you see how much money you would have gotten just now for accepting Mr. Carew’s offer?!” Pinocchio angrily yelled from above the stairway. 

“Pinocchio, one day you’ll understand.” Geppetto sighed while looking up at him. 

“You ALWAYS say that!" Pinocchio hollered before running away again. 

“Pinocchio!... Oh, Pinocchio...” the professor hung his head down. 

Vice looked at Jekyll and then back at Geppetto “Perhaps Henry and I should go now, professor.” 

“Uh, yes. It is getting late, and my niece and nephew are coming over this evening. I must prepare supper. It was nice to meet you though, Prof. Polendina. And your invention is genius. I’m sure you’ll leave all of London speechless at the seminar. I’ll attend it.” Jekyll added kindly. 

Geppetto smiles at them “Thank you, Katherine. And thank you, Henry. You are good people and it’s clear to me that you are good for each other.” 

“I don’t know about that...” Katherine mumbled which Jekyll slightly heard “Uh, let’s go, Henry. Like you said, you have things to do.” 

“Of course. Goodbye for now.” Jekyll said as they left together. 

Jekyll and Vice walked in silence without holding hands. Hyde’s shadow cleared his throat while gesturing to Jekyll to say something. 

“Uh... Katherine, is everything alright? You seem... troubled.” Jekyll asked her. 

“I’m fine.” she lied without making eye contact. 

Jekyll rubbed his chin “Are you worried about Prof. Polendina? Because if you are, perhaps we can check up on him from time to time.” 

“That would be kind of you...” she replied while still not making eye contact. 

“Katherine...?” he tried to take her hand, but she recoiled. 

“Uh, sorry, Henry. I... I have a lot to do at home myself.” she explained while rubbing her hands together. 

“I see, but if you have a moment, darling, there-” Jekyll was about to invite her in as they were in front of his house. 

“I don’t.” she interrupted “I... I’m too busy. Another time. Maybe.” 

He was mildly disappointed “Another time then. I always have all the time in the world for you, love.” 

Jekyll was about to kiss her, but she merely patted him on the cheek and ran off. Jekyll scratched his head in confusion. 

“Jekyll, you couldn’t read between the lines if they were bold and written in bright red.” Hyde’s shadow sighed. 

“What? Katherine’s just a bit worried about her mentor.” Jekyll replied as he came inside. 

“Bullocks! She IS worried, but not about old Geppetto. Don’t you recall your ‘visitor’ today?” Hyde groaned. 

“Emma? What about Emma? I’ve made it very clear to Katherine that she’s in the past.” Jekyll pointed out. 

“You never told Katherine what Emma looked like.” Hyde shot back at him. 

“What does that matter?” Jekyll rolled his eyes. 

“Nothing to normal people, but everything to a woman like Katherine who spent most of her life believing she was too ugly to look at let alone love.” Hyde’s shadow explained. 

“HYDE!!” Jekyll was angry. 

“Now, now. I’m not saying she is. I’m saying how she views herself because of her unusual skin and hair. Learning that your former fiancée was someone so conventionally beautiful came as a shock to her. Now Vice is questioning if she’s worthy of you.” Hyde explained. 

Jekyll softened a little “That’s ridiculous. If anything, I should be questioning if I’m worthy of HER! Dr. Vice is a celebrity alchemist who is famous throughout Europe.” 

“Be that as it may, you cannot dictate someone’s feelings for better or worse.” Hyde rubbed his head. 

It was then that Louis flew in “Doctor, you forgot your package!” 

“Ah yes, well, I think I can at least put her feelings to ease during this hot summer.... hot summer...” it then hit him, and he put his hands on his head in shock “OH NO!!” 

Dr. Jekyll ran out into the garden into the seating area and on top of the table between the two chairs, the ribbon wrapped box was visibly dripping chocolate. He opened it carefully and winced upon seeing how his beautifully crafted chocolate box had melted into a gloopy unrecognizable blob. He groaned while rolling up his sleeve and fishing out the engagement ring with Louis perched on his shoulder lamenting the loss too. 

Hyde’s shadow shood its head “Forty pounds of chocolate...” 

That night, Jekyll gave control to Hyde, so he could pay his own sweetheart Lucy Harris a visit at the bar The Old Shoe. 

“Do you mind? That was from MY garden you know.” Jekyll’s shadow scolded. 

“You can spare one rose. Now, if YOU don’t mind, a bit of privacy, good doctor?” Hyde requested. 

“Just wipe your feet before coming inside when you return home this time.” Jekyll said before disappearing. 

Hyde looked down at The Old Shoe smiling before taking a moment to make sure he was decent. He then jumped down gracefully and came in. He was greeted by the regulars and his friends as he went straight towards to counter to Lucy. She turned to him smiling. 

“Hi there, Ed.” she greeted him. 

“Good evening, my love.” he greeted her back while tipping his hat off to her and then kissed her “You look lovely tonight.” 

“Ya always say that.” she laughed as she accepted the rose. 

“That’s because you always are.” Hyde smiled wide. 

“Uh... Ed, can we talk in private?” Lucy asked him. 

“Of course.” he followed her out back where it was just the two of them behind the bar. 

Lucy took a deep breath before speaking “Ed, how long have you and I been together now?” 

“Two years, five months, two weeks and a day. Why?” he raised his brow playfully. 

“I... I uh... Remember what I told ya when we first met?” Lucy asked nervously. 

“You said you don’t do players and you don’t play, love. Why would you ask that though? Has someone been telling you rumors because I’d never stray from you.” Hyde reassured her while taking her hands. 

“That wasn’t what I was implyin’.” the southern belle paused for a moment “Is what we’ve got... goin’ somewhere?” 

Hyde was taken aback “Huh?” 

“What I mean is maybe it’s time to make plans for the future, darlin’.” she explained. 

“Plans for the future? Well, if you have anything in mind for this evening, I’m always game for you, my dear.” Hyde laughed. 

“Uh, no. Not short-term plans. I mean LONG term plans. For the future and for life.” Lucy dared to explain. 

Hyde’s smile faded “Oh.” 

“But before we can do that, I want us to get to know each other better or rather, I want to get to know YOU better, Ed.” she explained while tightening her grip on his large hands. 

“Oh, I see. Well, Lucy, I’ve always been open with you.” he reassured her. 

“No, you haven’t. I don’t know nothin’ about ya, darlin’. I don’t know yer past, yer life, yer family if ya’ll got one or even where ya live or how ya came to London.” she pointed out. 

“Ohhhhh....” Hyde let her hands go now looking nervous. 

“Ed, we love each other, but let’s be honest here. Ya’ll have been keeping me in the dark about the REAL you. The more personal you.” Lucy went on firmly. 

Hyde looked at her, then looked away hiding his eyes with his hat “I... see. You’re not asking for a simple thing, Lucy.” 

“I figured I wouldn’t be, but ya’ll don’t have to be ashamed. Whatever ya were in the past or went through, ya can tell me. I kind of always figured it was dark.” she reassured him as she cupped his face. 

“It’s not dark, Lucy. It’s more... It’s... Does it really matter?” Hyde played it off. 

Lucy frowned “It most certainly does matter ‘cause how are we supposed to get to the next step if I’m only with ya halfway?” 

“You are not only halfway with me and what is this ‘next step’ you speak of? Living together? Marriage? Children? Settling down?” Hyde casually asked. 

“Is any of that so bad? Why else would I invest my heart into ya? I thought we were serious about each other!” Lucy went on now looking a bit mad. 

“Darling, I am serious about us, but-” he put his hands on her shoulders. 

She shrugged them off “But what? Ya’ll weren’t afraid to stand up to the former Board of Governors and cut them down to size, but yer here shakin’ in yer boots about tellin’ me about yerself?” 

Before could say anything, one of the waitresses opened the back door awkwardly. 

“Uh, pardon me, Ms. Harris, but we have a situation at the front of the counter. I think the young men who just came in are underage, but they are refusing to show any ID.” she explained. 

Lucy cleared her throat, composed herself and made sure her hair was neat before turning around “I’ll be right there, Gladys.” 

Hyde breathed a sigh of relief. 

“This ain’t over, Ed.” Lucy sternly said before going inside.