Part two! Based on the prompt: Prof has a horrible nightmare and it's so bad that he comes to Lucy's house even though it's pouring rain outside and seeks comfort from her.
Hope you enjoy!
Rain pelted the entire city. A murky black night sky violently flashed as thunder boomed and the wind howled mournfully. Lucy turned her head to watch the storm outside continue tirelessly through her window. She pitied any poor soul who had to work this time at night. It sounded dreadful, and she was in a warm dry flat curled up in bed. Burying her head in her pillow, the awoken constable let out a muffled sigh. There was little chance of just rolling over and counting sheep to fall back asleep; time to pull out the big guns.
Groggily, Lucy donned her slippers and her old robe before blindly bumbling out of her bedroom to find the flat's kitchen. A warm drink should fix her up just fine, just fine indeed. She'd be back to catching those crooks in her dream in no time. Sleepily smiling, she flicked on a couple lights and started deciding on exactly what would be appropriate to drink this time at night, before a strange knocking sound echoed out. It nearly gave her a heart attack. Was she hearing things? Pausing to see if the noise returned, the blonde's ears perked up as it happened again. Clearly someone was dropping in for a visit… at 2 am in the morning. Alert but still extremely curious, the detective slowly approached the door and grabbed the nearest thing that could be used for whacking, an umbrella. Then, rubbing the remainder of grogginess out of her eyes, she peeked through the peephole. The umbrella fell out of her hand.
"By'eck Prof! What are you doing out there in the rain like this?!" The man looked horrible. Drenched to the bone, obviously he had spent a fair amount of time in the torrential downpour outside. More than that though, he looked exhausted and downtrodden. Noticeably slumped over, Alfendi merely offered a small apologetic smile that masked a great wave of relief.
"Ah, Lucy… I realize the time", suddenly it dawned on the inspector how little he thought this through. It was a rarity for him to act this rashly, and now, as he stood soaked to the bone on his assistant's doorstep, the off the cuff plan to confirm her wellbeing seemed completely ridiculous. "I'm sorry if I woke you and for the sudden itrusi-" A strong tug on his arm interrupted his apology as the young woman dragged him inside.
"Never mind all that, you're going to catch your death out here!" Lucy insisted, closing the door behind them and then scampering off, "Wait 'ere I'll get you a towel." In a flurry of movements, his dripping wet white coat got removed, a thrown towel landed on his face, and the man was pushed backward onto a small sofa. So much for disturbing her, his midnight visit appeared to have little to no effect on the constable as she put a kettle on for tea. Sighing and shaking his head, he began to dry himself off. "You want a cuppa? I were just about to make myself summat to drink before you knocked, actually! Loud enough to wake the dead out there, it is." Alfendi nodded.
"Yes, thank you, that'd be fine…"
"Great, I'll have it ready in a jiff!" Sure enough he soon received a steaming hot cup of earl grey, as Lucy plopped down beside him with her own drink. "So what's up, Prof? You're not one to going running around in storms… or anywhere that's not the mystery room for that matter." She kept her inquiries as casual as possible, but there were too many pressing questions she held back that clearly danced in her eyes. He looked as if seen a ghost when she opened the door, and though now he seemed much more calm and comforted, sadness was still etched in his fingers. She'd never quite seen him so uneasy, or lacking his normal, hard to disturb composure. Well, disregarding Potty Prof anyway. It took a while for her mentor to finally respond, his gaze never leaving his cup.
"Lucy…Why are you still working at the mystery room?"
"Because it's my job of course! That's a silly question; I were assigned there to help you out! Why-"
"If you asked I'm sure you could get reassigned with little trouble. No one would blame you I'm sure."
"But who says I wanna get moved elsewhere?!" What the heck was he driving at? Saying stuff like that without even looking her in the eye, she didn't care how depressed the man looked, that was too much! "What's with this talk Prof?! I ain't going anywhere- Do ya want me to leave?" Alfendi winced at her accusation, before finally tearing his eyes away from his drink.
"No, no I don't," he admitted, "Like I said, I hope you stay on for a long time yet. Honestly these past few months have been…better than I thought they would be at the start, much better in fact. It's just…" The inspector shifted uncomfortably, scratching his head before letting out a drawn out sigh. "Him. He's threatened you before I know-"
"You mean Potty Prof? Issat what this is about?" He nodded meekly, traces of shame becoming more evident in his body language. Suddenly things started clicking into place. "Ya don't think I'm gunna run just because of your Jekyll and hydeing, surely?"
"I don't see why you wouldn't actually. I'm not exactly stable or non-violent when I'm in that state. I'm sure others have warned you to be cautious as well. You're the one at most risk since it's usually just us in the office, and with the way he's been more active lately, it's only a matter of time before.. well."
"Oh come on Prof, I'm not going to find another place to work just because he has the cheek to throw those threats around. He acts like he's serious about em, but I don't think it's quite it you know? I've been around him by myself more than once now, and nowt's happened. Besides, danger's all a part of being on th' force right?" Setting down her cup, Lucy raised her fist in the air. "I knew that when I signed on, and, if you think about it, this is safer because at least I know about it ahead of time, instead of being caught off guard yea?" Confidence beaming off her form, Alfendi simply stared as if she had grown two heads, before letting out a soft chuckle. She really was something, his assistant.
"That's… an interesting line of logic to be sure." The constable nodded, proudly.
"It'll be fine Prof, don't worry about me! And while I'm not exactly sure, I don't think that other side of yours is really as violent as he seems, ya know? He certainly has a funny way at looking at murders, admiring them and all that, but he's never actually done anything besides helping us in a pinch! … and being awful vague about everything." She looked back at him just in time to see his eyes flash and his posture change.
"Are you insinuating I'm just blowing hot air when I speak, Baker?" Well now she'd done it, she'd tee'd off Potty while trying to reassure the other. Argh, she forgot the other could listen in on anything, awfully noisy of him even though she had been talking about 'im. "Gossiping about someone when they're right in front of you, your gumption really never stops does it?"
"Oi, settle down Potty Prof! Nowt I've said about you has been rude…" she huffed before suddenly something struck her. That could be the ticket! "Besides you don't really want me to skip off either, right?" Alfendi inspected her skeptically. Hmph, he knew what she was trying to do here. Fine then.
"I couldn't care less what happens to you, Baker, though you've proved yourself more competent than several other dimwits at the station," he started, crossing his arms, his words as sharp as his glare. The girl had good instincts and was sharp enough to spot some things others missed; the detective also stood her ground well, not showing nearly the amounts of fear and disbelief he was used to receiving. Yes, she was useful enough, but deserving of his respect? No, not yet. His eyes narrowed. "I stand by my yapping comment, however. You could really learn when to stop talking; else I might relieve that privilege for you." The threat made her warily hesitate for a moment before she shook it off.
"Well if that's your only complaint, then I don't see the problem here!" Lucy chimed, ignoring the quizzical and dubious look the darker half of her mentor shot her, "I'm sure you'll get over that soon enough-"
"Get over it- now wait just a damn minute, Baker. I'm no- Gah! No!" Abruptly Alfendi grabbed his head as if suffering from a large headache. "I'm not- … ugh… I'm sorry; he slipped out again." Lucy's brow furrowed. He just looked guiltier than ever now.
"There's nowt you could've done Prof! Besides I were asking for it to be honest. Talking all about 'im and all." Nervously, she scratched the back of her neck before promptly turning herself toward him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Anyway it's just as I said! I'm quite alright wi' working here, Potty Prof or not! I can handle it; threats don't bother me too much, else I wouldn't be a good DC, aye?" Offering her most comforting smile, Lucy thought desperately of other reassuring things to say. The thought of her having to comfort the other never crossed her mind before now. Agh, how did someone calm someone so composed like the prof anyway? "S-so I ain't going nowhere. I'm sticking it out wi' you and the mystery room as long as I'm able! Don'tcha worry 'bout that Prof!" An agonizingly long moment of silence ensued before the inspector exhaled and lifted his head from his hands.
"…Thank you, Lucy, that means a lot." Al confessed, finally managing a sincere smile, which instantly brightened his assistant's face.
"No problem at all! It's the truth, Prof! Now how's that tea?"
Much later, after the storm had cleared, the sun had begun to rise, and conversation had quieted down, Alfendi blinked open his eyes. Apparently at some point in their late night conversing about various cases and current events he had drifted off, and he wasn't the only one. Leaning flush against his side, Lucy peacefully continued sleeping. He found himself smiling again. Carefully the inspector extracted himself from the couch, gently maneuvering her to rest against the back of the sofa instead.
"Thanks for the tea…" he mumbled softly before pausing a moment. A silent mental debate racked back and forth until he swiftly bent down to press a chaste kiss on the constable's forehead and made his quiet exit. "I'll see you at work."
