Authors note: once again I'd like to thank everyone for their reviews :) it always makes me happy to receive feedback. Please also be aware that Luke makes an appearance in this chapter but as he is now a teenager, his character will be inconsistent with the games and films (people's personalities can change alot through puberty!) This applies to a couple of the other characters...
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The nation's tabloids could hold their tongue no longer and before long the headline of every paper screamed Jessica-Eleanor Smithe's name, for she had been the latest victim of "The Slasher of Gressenheller." Her photograph alongside that of another depicting her body being carried away in a bag plastered every paper and Emmy could not help but feel guilt and sadness as she looked at it.

Now sat in the Laytonmobile, she was waiting for Luke to arrive at King's cross station. Reading the paper she'd picked up, she realised her stomach did not feel any less queasy than the day she had been told of another death. What made it worse is she had not found out until the last moment as she had been at a hotel that night (under strict instruction from the Professor.) She had left the hotel in the morning to be greeted by Chelmy and Grosky, who swiftly escorted her to the station. There, she'd met Layton and they had both been informed of Jessica's death.

*Another death...and things have been made even harder now we are forbidden to open lines of enquiry on our own...*Emmy thought, tossing the newspaper in the back of the car. Both the inspectors had made it clear that now the story had been leaked, all witness statements had to be obtained through police means to avoid anymore media hype. Thankfully, they had been good with keeping the Professor and herself informed of any developments over the last few days. Layton had returned the favour by attending the witness interviews at the station and assisting in anyway he could. In fact, he had been so busy Emmy had barely seen him since the night of the killing. It still made her shudder to think that they were in the area moments before that poor girl had met her fate.

A sudden knock at the window snapped Emmy back to reality as Luke Triton gave a small wave. Stood at the window was a teenage boy, in a smart navy blue uniform. Emmy was amazed how different he looked and yet his smile was still boyish and cheeky.

"Hello Emmy!" He smiled before going round the back of the car to put his suitcase in the boot.

"Hello Luke. Its been a long time hasn't it?" Emmy replied, a little startled how different his voice sounded. She realised as he came back to climb into the passenger seat that he really was starting to turn into a young adult.

"Indeed! Thank you for doing this for me Emmy, I appreciate it." He said as Emmy started the Laytonmobile's engine and drove off from the station.

"Not a problem! Always happy to help the 2nd assistant" She winked remembering how vexed he used to get, however Luke merely chuckled.

"Ah, you may be his assistant but I will be Layton's greatest apprentice yet!" he grinned.

"How is your apprenticeship going?" Emmy asked, surprised that their rivalry was now much friendlier. She assumed this had a lot to do with the Professor's excellent tutoring rather than Luke's age.*Thought speaking of age, he will be able to start college next year...*

"Well, since I'm now in intensive education its rather difficult. He sends me tips and things to read up on through the post but he is adamant that I concentrate on my studies for the time being. I didn't really agree with his decision but I've come to enjoy my time there and have made many friends The school specialises in intensive courses. Once this year is done I'm planning to study in London" Luke said and then paused in thought for a moment before resuming their conversation "How is the Professor?"

"As you would imagine he is incredibly busy. I'm amazed he has time to still write to you and Flora at all! Even though I'm working with him on the case, I haven't seen much of the Professor of late...I'm guessing you read the papers this morning?" Emmy asked.

"Yes but I expect you've have been working hard enough back in London, so in the meantime lets both do our best not to talk about it" Luke smiled, sensing Emmy's sadness. He had noticed the cheerful atmosphere that usually surrounded her had waned a little. That and the shadows under her eyes made it clear that the case was affecting her more than she let on. He would have to alert the Professor to this in his next letter.

"Thank you" She smiled, feeling grateful for the chance to let her mind think about something else. "Have you spoken to Flora recently?"

"Oh yes, her cooking is still awful but her and Clive are doing very well"

Emmy momentarily lost her concentration and wondered who on earth Clive was before the realisation hit her like a slap in the face.

"Clive! You mean, Clive Dove? who built an entire city underground and kidnapped Flora!" She gawped.

"Oh don't tell me she still hasn't informed the Professor!" Luke replied sounding outraged and dissapointed. He sighed deeply and shook his head. "Well, I suppose although its Flora's responsibility to do so, I will fill you in as she has sent a letter to you saying what I'm about to tell you anyway"

"Me?" Emmy asked, surprised that Flora would want to tell her before Layton.

"Yes. She called me up and asked if it would be a good idea to write to you and get a woman's perspective." Luke shrugged.

"Well, I suppose it is daunting telling your father things like that..." she mumbled thoughtfully."Alright, tell me what you know and I shall keep it to myself and respond to Flora's letter when it arrives"

The teenager smiled and then took a deep breath.

"All in all its a bit weird to be relaying a mushy romance story but I suppose we had better start from the beginning. Flora said she always wrote letters to Clive when he was in prison but when they suddenly stopped about a year ago she was rather upset. As you know, Flora is at college now and she told me one day she was heading to a class when she saw Clive sat in a cafe opposite a very important looking man. After the man left, she ran to talk to Clive and ask why he had stopped writing. He said MI5 were so impressed by the fact he built an entire city undetected that they were desperate to have him work for them. He was required to cut all contact for a year in order to 'fall of the radar' so to speak. Clive told Flora that meeting he'd just had was to confirm what position he was doing and that he could establish some connections again. Flora forgave him instantly and they went from there. I'm not really interested in mushy girl things so to speak, but I was very suspicious about all this when she first told me so I took a train to meet her to see what was going on...I was surprised in the end. Clive is very different from how we remember him."

"How so?" Emmy asked, touched by the concern Luke held for his friend. It was easy to forget that Luke and Flora weren't related even though they acted like siblings. She recalled the Professor had mentioned to Emmy that Luke had taken it upon himself to play the older brother role even though he was younger than Flora.

"He looks very much like me still, which I will always find weird I think... However none of us can claim to have really known Clive before now because it was all a farce back then. When I met him he seemed to me to be the strong and silent type. He only speaks when spoken to. It's bizarre but I they make a good but very odd couple..." Luke said and took a deep breath. He seemed relived at having been able to talk to someone about it.

Emmy could not help but remain silent as she absorbed the information. The young boy she had seen so long ago was now almost a young gentleman and it seems Flora had flourished into an independent young woman. Had that much time really passed?. Emmy decided she would have to think over later as a sudden realisation popped into her head.

"I'm assuming this matter is what you wanted my advice on?" She asked having now remembered Luke's letter.

"Ah, No but I'm glad you brought that up" Luke said with a nervous smile playing on his face.

"Oh?" Emmy smiled raising an eyebrow at the sudden change in Luke. She presumed that he would be asking a personal question and braced herself."Well, how can I help?"

"Well..." Luke began...
*****

Mean while...

Checking the corridor to make sure no one had seen him, a tall man in a suit walked up the last flight of stairs before reaching the flat he was looking for. This building was modern enough to have an elevator but he opted to take the stairs when he could. After all it is important to maintain one's health. The man walked up to the flat and knocked on the door, which soon opened up to reveal a dark eyed young woman.

"Hello Clive!" Flora beamed, leaning forward to gently place a kiss on his lips.

"Hello. Sorry for the intrusion" He replied as she let him in. Flora's flat was modern and had a warm atmosphere to to his own apartment and the cell he had spent many years in, it was easily his favorite place to be.

"You always say that even though you've been here plenty of times now" Flora mused, as she went to put the kettle on. "Are you going to let me make you a cup of tea for a change?"

"Most certainly not" Clive said and gestured for her to sit down. Flora had grown into a beautiful young woman but her cooking skills still left much to be was fairly certain he had been the only person to tell the truth about her cooking and although she had been very upset at first, she seemed grateful someone was totally honest with her. Since then he had always made a point to cook for her when he visited.

Flora pouted a little as she sat on the sofa and folded her arms."You're so mean"

"I'm sure I am" He smirked and set about making hot drinks for the both of them. He knew deep down his beloved girlfriend secretly enjoyed being taken care of for a change.

"May I ask why you've come to see me? I was under the impression you would be gone for a week or so" Flora asked, twirling her ribbon around her finger. Her hair was still tied as ever but she wore it low and to the side, much like her mother had done. Clive had always liked the way Flora's fringe gently curled and had been pleased to find it still did when they'd been re-united.

"I'm required in London instead, So I wished to see you before I went" Clive replied, bringing over the drinks and settling down on the sofa with her. He knew he would not have to explain further as Flora was all to aware of the confidentiality surrounding an institute such as MI5

"Oh..." she said thoughtfully.

Looking at her deep in thought made Clive smile a little to himself. She was truly wonderful. When he had been imprisoned all those years ago Flora was the only person who cared enough to write to him. He had always assumed she had done so in secret as the one time she had visited him she'd turned up in one of her disguises. He still had those letters and looking back it was easy to understand why he had come to love her. She was always honest and caring even to someone like him, who had frightened and kidnapped her. Little did she know that after Clive was done repaying his debt to London, he would make up for doing such an awful thing.

"When are you leaving?" she asked suddenly

"I can't say."

"Oh...Its half term at the moment so I was thinking about paying the Professor a visit" She sighed and gazed off into space. "I suppose I shall have to wait. Maybe it's for the best as I'm still awaiting a reply from Emmy. She will be with Luke right now I expect as he mentioned when he last came to visit that she would be taking him to Misthallery"

Clive remained quiet for a moment. He had never actually met Emmy Altava but Luke and Flora had taken a particular interest in her not long after he had been sent to jail. Flora's habit of oversharing details had revealed that her and Luke both seemed to think the Professor may harbour some feelings for her. Clive had initially told flora to let things be but it couldn't be helped. Luke and Flora saw Layton as a father figure so naturally they wanted to be sure Emmy was suitable.

"I recall you said Luke was distraught at the idea of Emmy initially" He eventually replied.

"Well, he's older now. In a strange way he's like a mini Layton himself" she smiled. "Perhaps that is why he's come round to the idea. Not that Luke of all people would have a clue about love"

Watching the younger girl laugh at her own remark Clive let himself get lost in thought before he found Flora's slender hands moving his arm out the way. She nestled her head against his shoulder as she wrapped an arm around his middle and closed her eyes. When they had first started dating, he had been surprised to find that she had no issue showing affection and over time had helped him come out of his shell. Prison had hardened Clive's soul to the point he always met other peoples eyes with a cold stare. His defences had slowly been broken down by Flora's gentle touch and sweet nature. Before long, he found he was happy to let her close to him.

"I do love you." He said. Those were some of the few words he would say without having been spoken to first. But only Flora would ever hear them.

"I love you too...Will you stay the night? I do miss you so when you don't" She sighed happily in reply, gazing up at him for a moment.

"I would like that." He said softly and planted a loving kiss on her forehead before standing up and heading to the kitchen.

Flora watched as he walked over to the cupboards, searching for something to cook and she smiled to herself. *I wish you knew how happy I was to have you here. Of all those who are precious to me, you always return when you say you will.*She thought.
*****

When it came to situations like this, Luke didn't have a clue about love. The day before he had hoped that Emmy would've been able to offer him some useful advice but sadly it seemed all she said in response to his question was "Once you get the feel of it, it wants you back for more."

"What sort of ridiculous answer is that anyway!" Luke huffed, Making his way up the hill towards Barde manor.

His journey to Bucky's northernmost pickup was made all the more difficult by the typically foggy weather that frequented Misthallery. He had left the hotel he and Emmy stayed at early to be sure he wouldn't be late. It seemed Emmy had left around the same time to return to London upon the assurance that he'd arranged transport back to his school.

*It was nice to see Emmy...ts been a while since we've spoken to each other...* he thought to himself as the little shack came into view. A closed sign hanging on the door signalled to Luke that Bucky had taken a rare day off. *Oh no! I will have to walk all the way back later...*he sighed mentally.

Sitting in the doorway to the shack, Luke felt glad he had opted to bring some water with him. In the old days when he still lived here he would've brought sweets with him from aunt taffy's stall. Of course now that he was too old for them it was yet another thing about Misthallery that had been confined to memory. One thing about Misthallery that would remain unforgettable for him however, suddenly appeared in Luke's line of sight.

"Long time no see!" winked a ginger haired girl.

"A-Arianna?" Luke gawped. Even though he had seen her in the summer, he was still amazed by teenager that stood before him. The girlish frame had gone having grown into a hourglass which was shilloueted by the neat black dress she wore and her long sleek hair.

She giggled at Luke's response and offered a hand to him "It's no good staying down there. You can't tell me you came all this way just to sit by the river?" she teased.

"Of course not!" Luke huffed, jumping to his feet and offering his bottle of water to her."Are you thirsty?"

"Thankyou, but I'm alright. Are you ready to head up to the Manor?" Arianna smirked, offering her hand once again.

Luke gulped and nodded. It seemed in situations like this, very little of what Layton had taught him about being a gentleman seemed to come into practise.
*****

Sitting in one of Barde Manor's many rooms, Luke felt unnerved as he watched Arianna set tea out for the two of them. "I think the last time we saw one another was the summer wasn't it Luke?" She smiled. In the past, that smile was innocent but Luke was far too aware that something else now lurked behind Layton had always taught him to treat every woman like a Lady, Arianna was not your typical "Lady." She had grown from a sweet little girl into a vixen.

"Yes. I recall you were unusually happy because you'd driven another tutor away" He said, warily eyeing up his tea before taking a sip.

"Oh! why on earth would you remember that of all things? besides, he wasn't teaching me anything I didn't already know. What's the use in that?" she huffed, annoyed that Luke hadn't responded the way she had wished.

"...You did want to come and see me didn't you?" she asked quietly.

"Of course I did!" Luke blurted before regaining his composure."I'm just a bit cautious after last time that's all." He had every reason to be. The last time he had visited Arianna he had barely left with his virginity let alone his dignity. The ginger haired teen giggled a little and glided over to where he was seated.

"Well, I can't say I blame you...But for all I know you might have a girlfriend by now...I'm still irritated that It was not me who shared your first kiss" She pouted, folding her arms under her bust.

Luke paused for a moment and let the her stew in silence. Plenty of girls had approached Luke with hopes of being his girlfriend but after a few short relationships he found that he just could not find the same feelings for them that he had for Arianna. She was like a Drug it seemed and Luke always found himself drawn back to her no matter how hard he tried.

"For all I know you might have a boyfriend" He retorted. Arianna could easily have any man she wanted or needed yet Luke seemed to be the only person she wished to treat this way.

"Ha! As if I could find a boyfriend in Misthallery" she sneered before unfolding her arms and smacking the cup and saucer from Luke's hands. Before he knew it, Arianna had used his moment of surprise to swing her leg over him and was now straddling him. "Although...technically I have found one haven't I?" she purred, draping her arms around his neck.

"What makes you think that?" He replied, looking back into her blue eyes which were now smoldering. Luke tried to maintain his cool even though his heart seemed to have relocated to his throat. He would have to think carefully what his next moves would be. Anything he recalled about being gentlemanly was becoming hard to remember.

"Because you wouldn't come all this way otherwise..." she whispered, pressing her body against his."Don't you love me anymore Luke?"

As she said that, Emmy's voice suddenly resounded in his head *Once you get the feel of it, it wants you back for more...*He had asked her how to tell if you were in love and now her answer finally made sense.

Luke's heart overtook his head at that moment. He suddenly stood up and pinned a startled Arianna on the coffee table, holding both her wrists and looking straight into her blue eyes."Stop this. Even if I do...Lust and Love are two entirely different things. This all just seems like a game to you! You can't keep dragging me back here for your amusement!"

His words seemed to have gotten through to her as tears trickled out from the corner of her eyes and Luke was surprised to see she had a soft, warm smile on her face."Ha...It would be so easy if it was a game wouldn't it? Then every time you went I could just laugh and forget you couldn't I?"

"Arianna..." Luke sighed, his expression and hold on her wrists softening.

"And if it was Lust, I could have had anyone in between to satisfy my passion and there would be no need for me to keep calling you back again...But It's not like that...I...Every time you leave I feel like somethings missing and when your here its like I crave you! I don't like sitting back and waiting for you that's why I do this!" She said, getting agitated and sitting up again as she slipped out of Luke's grip."Its driving me fucking crazy!" she exclaimed, venting her frustration. Luke felt a bit shocked having heard such a foul word come from such a pretty girl but it didn't matter. The pounding in his chest was deafening as Arianna stared back at him with flushed cheeks and a burning passion in her teary eyes. It was in that moment he decided he could take no more and before he realised what he was doing Arianna was pulled into his arms, his lips crushing against hers in passion.

After a while the two of them pulled back, gasping a little from the intensity of what had just happened. Unsurprisingly, Arianna was the first to speak.

"I didn't think you had it in you..." she grinned shyly, her cheeks still flushed.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Luke replied, letting Arianna take his hand and lead him away. She merely winked back at him, a wicked smile playing on her face.

"Why don't we find out?"

*Uh oh...*
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