A/N: Hey everyone! This is my first fanfic...EVER!

I love Professor Layton and was so happy when I found a fanfic section!

This story is set in London 1933. Flora is 13 and Luke is 12, but they are only 6 months apart.

I do not own any Professor Layton characters.

"Professor, did you hear that?" Luke asked.

"Hear what?" Professor Layton said.

Meow.

"That." Luke replied, getting on his hands and knees.

"She's under here for sure, but I just can't see anything! May I have the torch please?"

"Certainly," Layton responded, switching it on before handing it to his apprentice.

Luke pointed the flashlight at the underside of the deck, the beam of light piercing through the darkness.

"Here kitty," he called.

Suddenly the light landed on a ball of white fluff. The kitten turned towards Luke. Her ears flattened and her eyes widened. Her mouth opened and she let out the tiniest hiss.

Luke chuckled.

"You're a right scary one, aren't you? Come on, come here."

The kitten didn't budge. She sniffed the air as if to say, Ha, who do you think you're talking to?

Luke narrowed his eyes.

"Cheeky brat," he muttered.

"Now Luke, a true gentleman never resorts to name calling." Layton reminded him gently.

"Sorry Professor," Luke, said, embarrassed.

Just then, Flora came around the corner, her ponytail bouncing up and down as she walked.

"Any luck?" she asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"She's under here, but she won't come out," Luke reported, as he brushed off his trousers.

Flora seemed relieved.

"I think I have something that she will like. Here."

Flora handed Luke a small ball of yarn.

"Just dangle it it front of the opening. She'll come out in no time," Flora instructed.

"Very well," Luke sighed, before returning to his crouched position.

Flora bent down next to him, her hair tickling his ear. He shivered.

"Come Crumpet," he called, shaking the ball of yarn. He unraveled some yarn off it's coil, and rolled the rest into the hole. After a moment he felt a small tug. He pulled on the string and out came the ball of yarn, with Crumpet attached.

Flora carefully unhooked her cat's claws before scooping her up.

"Thank you Luke; Professor," she smiled.

She cuddled Crumpet and then motioned her hand towards the house.

"Come you two, I made tea and biscuits."

Luke and Layton exchanged nervous glances. Cooking wasn't exactly Flora's strong suit.

Once inside, Flora poured cups of steaming Earl Grey tea for everyone, accompanied by ginger biscuits. Luke stared at the biscuits for a moment. He picked one off of the plate slowly, as if it might explode. He brought it to his mouth and took a small bite. He was surprised. Shocked, even. It wasn't bad. It was a little dry and the ginger slightly overpowering, but still, pretty good.

"So?" Flora grinned. "How do you like them?"

"They are wonderful, Flora," Layton replied.

Luke nodded in agreement.

Flora took a seat beside Luke and added some milk to her teacup.

"How is your class going at University, Professor?" Luke inquired.

"It's going alright, I suppose," Layton answered thoughtfully. "Unfortunately, with the current status of the economy, less students are applying."

In the distance, Big Ben chimed. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong.

Luke dabbed his mouth with a napkin and finished off his tea.

"I best be going, Professor. Mum and Dad will be waiting."

"Of course. Do be careful," Layton said, his expression softening.

Luke returned a sympathetic smile. "I will," he promised.

"Thank you again, Luke," Flora smiled, hugging him.

Luke wondered if she could feel how fast his heartbeat was or how warm his cheeks were getting. He looked over at the Professor. Layton smiled. He knew that Luke was very fond of Flora.

Flora picked Crumpet off the floor.

"Crumpet says 'thank you' as well."

Luke patted her head, and she nuzzled his palm.

"It was my pleasure."

He then turned towards the hallway, where a small portrait hung of the professor and Claire.

He wished he could've met her.

Flora opened the door, and she and the Professor stood side-by-side, waving good-bye to their friend.

Luke turned left at the end of the street and continued straight. He stopped at the threshold of Westminster Bridge and sighed. Poor Professor. He knew it hurt his friend to cross the bridge ever since what had happened. Unfortunately, that was the only way to get to Gressenheller. As Luke continued his walk over Westminster Bridge, he suddenly froze in his tracks. He squinted. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? He kept walking until he reached the end of the bridge. St. Stephens Tower was only a stone's throw away now, but there was no mistaking what he saw. Or didn't see, for that matter. Bridge Street, usually a bustling hub of activity, now completely deserted. Luke could feel his stomach do a flip-flop. He looked around, and despite the fact that no one was there, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. He cleared his throat.

"Hello?" he called out, sounding less confident than he wanted.

No answer.

The sun slipped lower into the horizon, turning the sky from pale orange to purple. A few moments later, the lampposts flickered on.

The wind picked up a bit, nipping at Luke's ankles.

Don't be silly, Luke, he said to himself, adjusting his cap. Nobody is watch-

Suddenly, Luke heard a sound-the rustle of leaves.

He spun around and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of movement. The dark shadowy figure quickly scurried out of sight, but Luke didn't waste another second. He ran. His satchel repeatedly smacked into his ribs with every step, but he didn't care. He dashed past Westminster Abbey, a sight he would usually stop at and admire for it's incredible architecture. Finally, he recognized his street and when he saw his red-roofed house, he burst through the door, and slammed it behind him.

His head ached and there was a burning sensation in his chest.

"Luke? Is that you?" his mother said from the kitchen.

Luke didn't answer. He walked to his room and shut the door.

Someone was watching me. But who? Why?

Luke didn't know the answers to those questions, but he was determined to find out.

A/N: Whoo! First chapter done! I hope you all liked it! Please R&R!

Also a few things:

Don't hate me, but in this story, PLatDB and PLatUF never happened! Sorry!

Claire did exist...at some point...

I'm from the US, but I am going to try to use 'Britspeak' as best as I can to make the story as realistic as possible.