Chapter Four: Savior

Upon returning to the hotel,we were all shaken up, all exhausted. I wasn't sure if the case counted as a success or not. Sure, we'd located the Sources, but they'd been purposefully placed there. Plus, the shop had been completely wrecked and ended up in flames. The fire department let us go due to the circumstances, after checking us all out, of course, but for some reason, everything seemed strangely surreal. We should not have attempted the case. It was all too desperate. It had to be us, it had to be that night. I didn't understand. When I think back to it, we didn't even know that man's name. He had given us our payment when he arrived with the fire department but seemed impartial when it came to the burning of his "wife's" shop. We weren't charged with arson, but that's also because it wasn't our fault that the fire began. The whereabouts of the masked men were unknown. So many things seemed off balance that my mind was flooded with thoughts by the time Lockwood and I returned to his room. We had been at the reception desk for a good while asking after my new room, when they finally revealed that they had overbooked the hotel and had no more available accommodations, meaning that I would be spending yet another night with Lockwood. I truly wouldn't have minded if he hadn't been in such a bad mood. Things couldn't get any better.

"I should've known. I should've listened to George. That was ridiculous," Lockwood said. We were in his room. I sat on the edge of the bed in my t-shirt and shorts. Lockwood, on the other hand, paced back and forth in his white button down, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and dark pants. He had not sat down since we'd arrived back.

I had regained full consciousness by that time and was fully aware of the situation and my surroundings. I scratched at the white bandage that circulated my head. "Calm down. It's alright. We're all fine," I reassured him.

"Yeah, but is it?" He faced me, pointing a finger at the crimson blood that was seeping through the white dressing on my forehead. His face was dark with anger. His brown eyes flicked around wildly. I'd not seen him like that ever before. "You were directly attacked. For a second time. That was no ghost, Lucy."

"I understand that. But now's not the time. I'm okay, really."

Lockwood's gaze met mine. He was furious. After being silent for a minute, he spoke again, voice rising, "When is the time? When you're gravely injured? When you're dead?"

"Lockwood! You and I both know that will not be happening. Not now. Not ever."

"You can't ensure that, and I can't seem to do anything about it. It was my job to protect you. And I waltzed off into that case. Not to mention the fact that I left you alone. And for asecond time!" he yelled. Suddenly, anger flared inside me.

"Lockwood, I don't need a protector. I don't need to be cuddled and spoon-fed. I'm fine and perfectly capable of maintaining myself! Calm down!"

"How? How?"

"I don't understand what the big deal is! We've both made mistakes before. This case just threw unforeseen challenges. So, why are you overreacting?"

"Oh, yeah. Unforeseen challenges," Lockwood said, sarcastically. "Like masked killers attempting to take your life." He and I had argued before, but it was usually due to my stupidity or blind, undiscussed decisions. I would have never expected this. That's why it shocked me when it turned into a full-blown argument.

"I don't know what this is, but it's nothing to do with the case. What's going on? You know I'd follow you into anything. I'm not questioning your judgement. I never have." That was a bit of a lie. Lockwood had made some rickety decisions, but they'd always turned out alright. The case that evening wasn't as bad as many of them. I really had been okay with it all. "What is the big deal?" I burst. I felt a trickle of sweat roll down my cheek. Or was it a tear? I was getting worked up, but I was too emotional to care.

"See, that's the problem. You follow me, because I'm the leader. But it's not okay. Because I mess up, and you have to take the fall with me."

I was taken aback. "And you think that bothers me? Lockwood, I trust you."

He turned away. "Quite frankly, Lucy, you don't understand."

"And that's just it. I can't can I? I'm not allowed to. And it's because you shut me out. You try to bear everything alone! But you shouldn't. I want to understand, so I don't know why you won't let me!" I slipped off the bed and stepped forward, reaching out to grasp his hand. It infuriated me how he shut himself away, how he blocked me out.

"It's not that simple!" Lockwood cried, whirling around. I had been close behind him, and we suddenly stood face to face, inches away from one another.

"Then explain," I begged.

"I could never," he whispered in return. I took his hand clutching it with all of my might.

"Please."

Silence. Bittersweet silence. I could do no more.

Lockwood shuffled in the dim light of the room. He picked his next words carefully, I could tell. His anger had dissipated. It was like so many times before. He would become infuriated, but with the right distraction, he could flip moods so quickly that it was mind-boggling. In the moonlight, he suddenly seemed very fragile. He stood there, unmasked and honest, facing me. He spoke slowly, "There is something. But no words could ever describe it."

"Could you show me?"

"I suppose..."

"Then what are you waiting for?" I breathed. Lockwood's gaze met mine, unsteady at first, but all at once, he stepped closer, with confidence, and I saw a fire flame up inside his dark, sparkling eyes as he leaned forward and kissed me.

I was almost knocked off my feet. His lips were so smooth and soft, but firm as he pulled me closer to him, kissing me deeper. There was no hesitation. He knew and meant exactly what he was doing. My hands found their way to the back of his head as he wrapped his arms around my waist. We were frozen in time. I forgot everything before and everything after. All I knew is that I was there...with Lockwood. Gradually, I felt his warmth surge through me. I recalled my name and where I was. Time slowly ticked back into its routine pace. Finally, we pulled apart.

He looked at me, holding my gaze with a ferocity that made my eyes water. His eyes were like deep, brown wells. And I found myself lost in them, feeling as if I was falling. Lockwood broke the silence. "That. That is my predicament," he whispered. He was almost inaudible. My hands slipped to rest on his lower back as I leaned in to catch the soft words that floated on his breath. "I cannot lose you. I fear it every day because I know, deep down, that it would break me."

"You will not lose me, Lockwood. I will always be here."

"Promise me."

"I promise."

At that point, we fully separated, and I forced him to go get ready for bed. I had already snuggled down into the coolness of the mattress and was clutching a portion of the covers, squeezing my eyes shut. My light was off, but I opened my eyes and peered out. I could see a thin shadow as Lockwood walked from the bathroom to the bed. Even still, I felt him slip softly into bed behind me. And then, sparking my senses like lightning, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me back into him. Upon contact, I realized that his shirt was gone, and he only wore the dark pajama bottoms. His toned muscles felt like ice against my warm skin. My shoulders rested against his chest and his hands remained at my hips. I interlaced my fingers with his as my heart pounded. Lockwood kissed my shoulder from behind and then rested his forehead against the back of my head. Calmly and measured, I heard his breathing slow. And I leaned back into Lockwood as I drifted off into my dreams on a cloud of sleep.