Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Professor Layton.

Chapter 1

Everything went downhill the day I met him. Jean Descole. At the time I was working for Targent, directly under Broneph Reinel. And when I say I worked directly under Broneph I mean he monitered my work twenty-four seven. He felt the need to make sure I wasn't dead and still breathing. I didn't understand why though I was the best Targent had. There was no way I was going to let myself get injured or worse because my work didn't involve weapons.

"Sir, I think I saw something over there. I'll go check it out." I called over to Broneph.

"No, You're not a soldier." he responded. I huffed stalking over to him. Broneph pulled me closer as he motioned for someone trained in combat to go and check it out. I choked back a laugh as said soldier nearly fell on his face trying to go see what it was I had...found. He was back in no more than a minute at least.

"Report." he commanded.

They saluted, "We found nothing but a small animal, Sir."

"Dismissed." Broneph shooed him away as he glanced accusingly in my direction. This was not exactly the first time I have tried to…escape. I kept having this desparate feeling like I had to get away, but I didn't know where. All I could do was shrug, feigning an innocent smile.

"I swear I thought I saw something. Maybe if I had-" I started until he caught me by my arm cutting my sentence short. Making sure I was the only one to hear he started to lecture me all the way back to his car, practically throwing me into the back seat. The ride to his home was more then uncomfortable. Well, this was our usual routine, try to convince him to let me go somewhere, fail horribly, and then suffer through Broneph's lecture about trying to leave after he, from the kindness in his heart, scooped me off the street and gave me everything I could want. Yeah, well, I may not have been from the city, but that didn't mean anything. Although to his credit, he knew I hadn't ever left Targent's HQ very much except for a mission here or there. When we reached home I launched myself from the back seat onto the pavement of the driveway. I think Broneph nearly had a heart attack because of that stunt.

"Ah, miss are you all right?" Ted asked concern etched all over his boyish features.

"Yes, Ted, I am fine," I answered plastering a huge smile onto my face. "I just felt a little stir crazy in the car that's all."

He nodded not fully convinced of my lie. He was too good at reading me though for my lie to be convincing.

"Take her to my room." Broneph ordered, grabbing my arm. Ted bowed before escorting me into the house and through the many hallways that led to Broneph's chambers, where I knew I would be in for a long night again. No need to elaborate. Maybe I could convince him I was too tired tonight so I could put my plan into action after he was asleep.

I had figured I would try to be good for the rest of the evening. If not then I had no clue what was going to happen. Maybe he would stop harping on about that other issue we were having in bed. Soon I heard his footsteps resounding on the tile outside the door as I was slipping into my nightclothes, readying myself for a long talk. Again about whether it was his or my problem, though I already knew. I was still going to try to convince Broneph that I was tired.

"You really are a hand full you know." he called as he opened the door.

"Yes sir, I know." I responded. He chuckled at my response as he settled himself on the bed next to me while I brushed my hair out. Soon though he had the brush and was doing the rest for me. I did not really mind it when he did that, it was relaxing to have someone else mess with my hair, it made me somewhat sleepy too.

"Broneph," I started. "Maybe we could just…cuddle tonight? I feel really tired."

"You are?" he questioned. I could hear the suspicion in his voice. I nodded, settling myself against his chest a little, resting my head on his shoulder. He stroked my hair while he thought about my request wondering if I was lying to him or if I actually was tired. After a while he got up and removed his clothing, as well as mine, then proceeded to just lie down. I crawled in next to him taking off his sunglasses for him since he forgot to do so himself again.

We kissed each other before dozing off, curled up in each other's arms.

Broneph awoke the next morning to any empty bed. Mayazaka was gone. Damn it, he should not have fell for her little "I'm tired" trick. He had suspected, but he had wanted to believe her so badly just this once and now look at what that had gotten him. With the speed of a hummingbird he was up, dressed, and out the door before a very bewildered Ted could even register what had just happened. The slap of Ted's feet on the floor as he hurried after his boss echoed of the walls.

"Sir, what is it? Where is Mayazaka?" he asked. Broneph did not bother to stop and answer. He was more focused on finding the son of a bitch responsible for letting her get away in the first place because there was no way she could have made it off that property without inside help. He made sure of that with his best soldiers guarding exits at night.

"Ted!" he shouted.

"Yes sir." Ted responded.

"Grab your men and search the grounds. I want her found immediately before something happens to her. If you can't find her I want Maya's room turned inside out for any clue as to where she may have gone." Broneph gave out his commands, which were carried out immediately. There was absolutely no time to waste. Who knew what was going to happen to her out on those streets.

The search lasted well into the afternoon with not one clue as to where she was. Her room did not even yield any clues seeing as she kept much of what she did not want found on her at all times or she memorized its contents and destroyed it. That was the reason why she had been brought into Targent in the first place, her secrecy. Mayazaka's strong suit was espionage so, she made a handy spy when the job called for some manor of tact.

Where is she? Broneph thought. Right now, he would rather have her here screaming at him than not at all.

I showed my ticket to the ticket taker at the bottom of the ramp before grabbing what little luggage I had and boarded the gigantic ship. The smell of salt off the sea as the wind blew was intoxicating, a scent I hadn't inhaled since I was small child in Japan. Breathing deeply I took my time getting to my room. There was no rush after all since Broneph had no idea of where I was going or even where I was right now. I enjoyed the freedom and the fact was he could be a little too worried about me sometimes. It was more than annoying.

Although, I did not necessarily hate him. Broneph Reinel and I went back quite a bit. We occasionally had met in Targent HQ when I had first been hired. I still, to this day, have no clue why he insists on ranting about plucking me off the street like a stray cat. I was only in my early to mid-twenties and had a nice place to live. He was nice to me, made sure I had all the information before sending anyone out after I had returned from spying. I don't remember when exactly he showed more romantic interests in me after we had been talking and getting to know each other for so long, but he did. Broneph fell in love with me. Maybe I did too, just a little. After the day he proclaimed his love for me was the day I moved in to his place. It was also the day my childhood friend Masahiro, or Ted as he liked to be called in America, achieved his position now as a commanding officer of Targent. Broneph knew how close we were so he kept Ted around on staff with the rest of the guards except Ted had complete authority over the rest of them. Now it was actually funny how I viewed our relationship. He cared about me and I felt like I was being suffocated frequently setting up escapes just to get away from him.

Maybe we both needed to have this break from each other.

"Excuse me miss, but may I help you with your bags?" a familiar cockney accented voice asked.

"Hello to you too, Connor." I responded as he feigned surprise at seeing me here.

"Maya, I had no idea you were going to be here. What a surprise though that someone working for a shady government organization associates with a criminal such as myself. Who would ever see the day." he rambled. I wanted to cut him off, but it just seemed better to let him get it out of his system. We both continued to my room with him chatting my ear off the whole way.

"So going to the UK. Why?" Connor eagerly questioned.

I shrugged in that off handed way I knew bugged him. He huffed, exasperated with me already, but still he seemed determined to know why and kept pressing the matter. Even after I smaked him in the head with a very heavy book. Now this was going to be an interesting boat ride.