Hey guys! So I've decided that I'm going to try and post every Saturday and Wednesday. That way, you'll get two chapters each week.
I hope you enjoy this one shot and please leave any suggestions that you may have.
Disclaimer: Lockwood and Co belongs to Jonathan Stroud as well as the characters in this story.
All My Fault
Lucy's POV:
"Lucy! Behind you!" My colleague, Holly, yelled. We've been on much better terms since I rejoined Lockwood and Co.
I spun around and came face to face with the type two apparition that we were facing. I quickly drew my rapier from my belt and slashed through my attacker. It was gone for the moment.
We were given this job by a young woman who was named Adeline Kingfisher. She called on us after she began getting many complaints from her staff. She was getting reports of people hearing screaming during the night and one person even claimed that they saw a ghost like figure in their room one night.
After much debating, it was decided that we would take the job. It was a slow work week and we needed the money.
However, Lockwood had other errands to run, so he trusted George, Holly, Kipps, and I to take on the task.
We were doing pretty well if I might say so myself. We've almost contained the source and at this rate, we would be out of here in no time.
With Kipps watching my back, I made my way towards the source. I was trying to ignore the screaming in my head as I reached for the source.
It was a necklace with a ruby embedded in it. As soon as I touched it, I was suddenly taken back by the strong emotions it was giving me, causing my head to feel like it was going to explode.
I quickly sealed the source and collapsed tiredly against the wall. At least that's all over with.
George offered me his hand and I used it to push myself up.
"Well done Lucy!" George exclaimed and handed me a piece of chocolate. "And to think that Lockwood didn't trust us to do this without his help," he added and rolled his eyes.
"He actually did trust us," Holly argued. "That's why we're here."
"I was trying to make a point!"
"And I was just saying a fact!
"Enough! Both of you!" Kipps butted in. "I didn't come here to listen to two immature kids argue about nothing!"
None of us said anything after that. We weren't mad at each other, we were just worn out from the case.
Then it happened.
When you train for this job, one of the number one rules you learn is that you never let your guard down ever. But in our case, we had just assumed that we finished the job. And that brings me to rule number two: never assume.
It only took a split second. I didn't even hear George's warning or Holly's gasp. I didn't see Kipps instinctively reach for his rapier. All I could see was a blur and then my world going black.
Lockwood's POV
As I reached 35 Portland Row, I noticed that all of the lights were still on. The other members of Lockwood and Co had probably just gotten back from the job involving the type two ghost.
I was hesitant at first, wondering if it was a good idea to send them off on their own. I would've joined them of course, but I had to take care of some business with Barnes.
I also knew that it was time to trust them. They've proven to me over and over again that they were capable of doing a simple case on their own. So, I let them go, after they swore to me that they would all be careful.
As I opened the door and walked into my house, I could already tell that something was wrong. It was quiet. Too quiet.
I walked into the kitchen and saw three out of four of my friends. They were all just sitting there with grim looks on their faces.
And then I noticed who was missing. Lucy.
"What happened? Where's Lucy?" I asked as I tried to keep my voice calm and steady. I already knew that whatever it was that they are going to tell me, it wasn't going to be good.
"Lockwood, listen. There was an incident," George said hesitantly. "There was two ghosts. Our client forgot to mention that and it took us by surprise," he explained.
"And Lucy?" I barely whispered.
"She was standing in front of the staircase railing. The ghost threw her over it before we could react."
I just stood there frozen. Lucy, my Lucy, was hurt.
I should've been there. If I was there, it wouldn't of happened. I was sure of it.
"You should've been more careful! All of you! You're all well trained agents and you made a simple mistake that shouldn't of happened!" I yelled ignoring all of the hurt looks on their faces.
"Lockwood! You're overreacting!" George cried. "It would've happened even if you were there, so don't be blaming us! If you want to blame someone blame yourself!
"You're wrong!" I replied coldly. "Where's Lucy now?"
"She was taken to the hospital. We weren't allowed to go with her. Trust me, we tried," Holly replied sadly.
I knew I hurt their feelings. Suddenly, I felt a wave of regret rush through me. They were right. It wasn't their fault. I was just so upset and worried about Lucy that I'd taken it all out on them.
"Listen I'm sorry guys. I didn't mean what I said," I said truthfully. "I'm going to go check on Lucy. I'll call when I hear something."
I walked out of the room and grabbed my coat. My hands were shaking as I buttoned up my coat.
Lucy was fine. I felt like if I kept telling myself that, then it would be true.
I've always fancied Lucy. She was braver than anyone I've met and softer than anyone ever realized. She didn't deserve all of the horrible things this world has thrown at her.
I was falling for her. Hard. And I might never have the chance to tell her.
No. I can't think like that. My biggest regret was not being there for Jessica, but I wasn't going to repeat that with Lucy. She was going to be fine, I just knew it.
Lucy's POV
I woke up to the sound of a machine beeping. My head was pounding and my back was aching. What happened?
Then it all came back to me. The memory of me being flung across the room by an unexpected ghost.
I ignored the pain and focused on the hand that I just realized was entwined with mine. I knew it had to be Lockwood. It certainly wouldn't be George and Holly had probably already gone home.
I knew I should've opened my eyes right away, but I wanted to see what he would do when he thought I was unconscious.
"Luce I'm so sorry," he whispered as he fixed a piece of hair that had fallen onto my face.
"I should've been there to protect you. I should've researched more before I sent you guys off."
Did he really blame himself for what happened? Of course he did, he's Lockwood after all.
"You know, I'm not the kind of person to express my feelings, you know that. But I need to say it even though you probably won't hear it."
Now things were getting interesting, I thought.
"I love you, Luce. I started liking you after the events at Combe Carey Hall, but I realized that I loved you after you left the company," Lockwood confessed.
Wait, did Lockwood just say he loved me?
"Those few months were horrible. I had no one to talk to on my bad days, no one to laugh with when George did something stupid. And then you agreed to work with us again. I knew it was only temporary, but during those few days when you were back, I felt like myself again," he said while stroking my hand with his thumb.
Of course he had to bring up when I left the company. It was something I still regretted to this day. I spent so many nights alone, just craving the company of Lockwood and Co. When I agreed to come back, I knew it was permanent this time.
"What I'm trying to say Luce, is that if you leave me again, I would have nothing left. You're everything to me and without you, I feel like I'm missing my other half. I love you so much. Please just wake up," he finished.
I decided to finally put him out of his misery and I squeezed his hand.
"Lucy?" He breathed.
I opened my eyes and the next thing I knew, his strong arms wrapped around me. I rested my head in the crook of his neck and I let him hold me.
After a few moments, I brought my lips up to his ear and whispered, "I love you too. And it's not your fault."
I felt his arms tighten around me and I let myself drift back into a peaceful sleep in his arms, feeling safe and secure for the first time in a long time.