All You Need is Love

AN: I'm not sure how long this is going to take me, since the only thing I know about it is the ending. Just bear with me!

Disclaimer: you know the drill.

Prologue

Phoenix opens her eyes wearily as she feels a weight lift off the mattress. Looking over to the neon clock, she groans. "It's quarter to three, Membrane… What the hell are you doing?"

"Work," he states matter-of-factly, dragging his coat over broad shoulders.

Phoenix sits up, her semi-naked body reminding her of the cold. She quickly pulls the duvet to her chin, before changing her mind and standing up, ignoring the chill. Before he gets a chance to button his coat, she places her arms gently around his neck. "Are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer?" she asks suggestively, adding a kiss for emphasis.

Membrane smiles, appearing to ponder his options. After a while he replies, "Pretty sure," wrapping his goggles around his head. He kisses her quickly before closing the coat around him.

"Only a true workaholic would refuse that," she retorts, placing her hands on her hips.

Membrane shrugs, "You coming into the Lab later?" he enquires with a wink.

Phoenix giggles, "Bugger off," she dismisses him, still chuckling as she closes the door. She had missed these little games. They had played them ever since she arrived to collaborate on Dib. Starting off as serious arguments over trivial things, both Professors realized that they each enjoyed the sport, coming up with rules to determine who 'won' and who 'lost' the disputes. Basically it was thus: the first person to say "shut up," "fuck off," or anything else that required little-or-no intelligence whatsoever, instantly made their opponent the victor.

Turning her back on the door, she sighs as she climbs back into the empty bed, contempt.