Here's the "second part" of the previous chapter. It's really just the same thing but from Alfendi's perspective. I like it a bit more than Lucy's perspective, but maybe that's because I just connect more with Alfendi. Anyhow, I kinda wish I'd written this part first. I might have made Alfendi a little too mood-swingy and nervous, but as they say, write what ya know! Haha. Enjoy!

Alfendi lowered himself onto the barstool. Every muscle in his body ached with exaustion.

"By 'eck, Prof, I'm so glad you came. I know you're tired, and all, but you never leave the office. This'll be good for you!" Lucy said. Her voice made him feel just a little better. She was the only reason he had agreed to go out for a drink in the first place. You see, Alfendi had been wrestling a humongous crush. There it was. He felt no need to deny it, to himself, at least. In his experience, it never helped to deny it.

Sighing, he said, "I'm glad I came, too." He rubbed his eyes and smiled at Lucy. She really was quite pretty. He tore his eyes away and ordered them some drinks.

They drank in silence. He looked up at Lucy, examining the way her short, light-brown hair brushed her cheek, as though he was examining a particularly interesting piece of evidence. She looked at him and smiled. Quickly looking away, he felt his face warming. 'You can't look at her like that,' he thought to himself, 'you'll give yourself away.' It really was the most bittersweet of things. He was so close that he could reach out and touch her. A closeness that was purely physical. The desire burned inside of him, making his heart race.

He ordered more drinks, as they finished their first few rounds. Lucy would occasionally try to break the silence, but Alfendi could not think of anything to say. He had never been with her one-on-one like this, outside of the Mystery Room, anyway. He was starting to feel the alcohol going to his head. 'Come on, Alfendi, say something!' He thought.

"Lucy." He hardly even realized that her name was coming out of his mouth.

"Eh, Prof?"

"I never really thanked you for clearing my name, did I, Lucy?" He knew he had, but he had to say something. And he was so thankful. It was hard for him to imagine why a pretty young woman like Lucy would bother with him, a messed up man who often threatened her when his true self shone through.

"I think you did, Prof. You're welcome, anyhow."

"Well, thank you, Lucy. I know this has been hard on you, what with my... well... 'Jeckle-and-Hyde-ing' as you call it..." He laughed a little. He really did feel horrible about some of the things that "Potty Prof" had said to her. He wished he had more control, but when his real self burst out, he seemed to try to make up for the time he had been concealed by spewing obscene threats to anyone who spoke to him.

"No problem, Prof. I were really starting t' get used t' it!"

"No, seriously, I owe you, Lucy. You're the best, y'know that, Lucy?" Saying her name was an indulgence, like biting into a smooth, creamy piece of chocolate. He savoured the way it rolled off his tongue.

"Eh, what're you saying my name so much for, anyway?"

Beginning to really feel the alcohol now, Alfendi plowed on, "Y'know, when you first came into the Mystery Room, I thought to myself, 'I don't need an assistant, I'll have to train her, and everything,'" (how naïve he had been,) "but you've really proved yourself, Lucy."

"Why, thanks!"

He looked right at her. 'I love you, Lucy Baker.' He thought to himself, even mouthing the words slightly. His stomach hurt with the desire to say them out loud. Trying to calm his racing heart, he took a long drink. He could feel his true self trying to push through. As much as he hated his placid side, he used all of his energy keep it in control. He had to, for Lucy.

"Take it easy, there, Prof!"

"Don't tell me to take it easy, you take it easy!" The words slipped out before he could stop them. He saw her flinch. He was mortified.

"Sorry, Lucy." He touched her hand, and even though it was only a second, it felt as though his hand lingered with hers forever. "It's just, Lucy, I... well..." Trailing off, he thought, 'How could I have said that?' She hadn't even meant anything by what she said. How could he be so harsh?

"Wot's that?"

"Well, I just wish... I mean, I don't mean to frighten you. Really, even when I'm... you know." The drinks certainly weren't doing anything to raise his spirits. He felt as though he was sinking into his stool, falling into a black hole, something he wouldn't be so opposed to just then.

"I know, Prof." A lie, if he'd ever heard one, and he had heard many.

"No, I see how you react. I see how you look away." His voice was low, "It's just, I really... er..." He had to say it, if not now, then when? He looked at her, the anticipation building inside him, and ended up saying, "Well, you're a great assistant." Backing out, he felt more ashamed than ever.

"An' you're a great prof." Alfendi sighed and looked at her disbelievingly. "No, really, I mean it," she tried to assure him.

"Lucy, no, you're really great, y'know? Like, er, your hat, for instance." He didn't know what he was saying. Neither Potty Prof, nor Placid Prof had control now. The alcohol was in control of him.

"My hat?" she smiled at him, confused, "Wot of it?"

"It's just really great!"

"Okay, Prof. Let's get ya home." He felt her hand loosely grasp his. It was warm and soft. She pulled him out of the bar. As they walked, he barraged himself with criticism.

'Come on, Alfendi. You can't just be here next to her, doing nothing. Where will you be in five years? Still here, slowly dying inside? It's now or never.'

Now or never.

Now or never.

"Wh–" His lips silenced her. He felt himself rising to the heavens, his mind clear, awake. Her hand was rested on his cheek, pulling herself towards him.

But then she pulled away. "I'm terribly tired, Prof," Alfendi fell. Back into the black hole. He had given it all up, and she was refusing him. He never should have done it. How had he though for even a moment that she would want him? He heard Lucy saying something, her voice pulling him back.

"And it's a very long walk back to my place. I en't sure if I could make it all that way, Prof..."

He could see what she ment by her flirtatious smile. It was easily the best feeling had felt in four years. Ever since Placid Prof had appeared, and his two personalities had wrestled for his body, he had felt small, unconfident. Now he had Lucy. Lucy was there, standing in front of him, a huge smile decorating her beautiful face. "Do you think you could make it to my flat?" His voice was a little shaky with relief.

She nodded vigorously at him. Feeling lighter than air, he swung Lucy off her feet and into his arms, carrying her to his flat.

"What a gentleman!" She laughed. She had no idea.

"Yes, he'd be proud," Alfendi joked to himself.

Thanks for reading and I hope you liked it!