Henry Jekyll was certainly right about one thing. Lucy was definitely earning every penny of her extraordinary salary. It was already half past ten, and Henry showed no signs of slowing down for the evening.

"The chromium, please Lucy. It is the red one."

Lucy used the back of her hand to brush an errant curl behind one ear, as she looked for the 'red' substance. She would have to get used to all these chemicals and their names if this was to be successful. She already feared she had disappointed the doctor, as it seemed he had to slow his pace to explain things to her.

Her eyes finally lit on the requested test tube, and she took it in her gloved palm and carefully placed it into the doctor's outstretched hand.

"Thank you, Lucy."

He set the small vial in its holder as he placed his safety glasses back over his eyes.

"Glasses, Lucy."

She did the same.

"Now, when I add this, there will be a very small….I suppose explosion is the best word….nothing dangerous, but you will see a small smoky fume exit the vial."

She nodded, and as Jekyll picked up the vial, she held her breath. With a flick of his wrist, the red liquid had joined the other, and it did indeed fume. It also bubbled.

Jekyll pulled off his goggles, and started laughing. Lucy cried out, clapping her hands together. Evidently their day of toil was not spent in vain. He placed the tube back in its holder as he continued with his joy. Lucy took a step into him, and he wrapped her in a hug. They faced each other, both excited with their discovery.

As Lucy stared into Henry's face, she noticed his features harden. It was one of the looks she loved the most. It was as if his face turned from everyday, to suddenly serious; tight with arousal. His hand gently brushed her jaw. She closed her eyes and let out a small sigh.

It was then that the heavy laboratory door opened and Poole called down, "Doctor Jekyll….you wished me to fetch you at eleven o'clock?"

"Yes, Poole!", Jekyll cried up the stairs, tearing himself from Lucy. Their moment was lost, but still she smiled, for she had not seen him so excited.

"Poole…..my experiment is a success!" Henry called back up the stairs.

Poole seemed to hesitate for a moment, before responding. Obviously, he was rather uninterested in the whole process and thought Henry's time would be better spent with brandy and cigars, but he responded, "….wonderful, sir."

Henry called back, "We'll be right up."

He turned to Lucy. He walked over to her, his face still glowing. "Well, that's it then. I suppose I shall need to release you for the evening."

Lucy nodded, smiling back at him, and started to undo the ties of her lab apron.

"I usually start at six in the morning; however, based on this great success, I believe we shall both sleep in and meet at nine."

She nodded again, still fumbling behind her with the ties. She felt warm breath behind her neck, and heard his low voice, "Lucy, let me help you."

She closed her eyes and her head tilted back, unconsciously. His breath sent warm prickles down her spine. She knew he had not meant his voice to sound seductive, yet it did all the same. How was this to work, then? How could they work together, and avoid these situations?

Henry regretted striding to her side the moment his hands started working the laces. He saw her head gently tilt his way, and her hands clench. He had not meant his assistance as a sexual thing. Being so close to her made him able to smell her. She wore no perfume, and she had come from the tavern earlier that day. Yet she did not smell of ale or smoke, yet her smell lingered. It was the most wonderful thing he had ever breathed in, and he found himself struggling to unlace the simple apron. The sounds of rain pelting the roof somewhere far above became all too apparent, as it also became apparent that they made no noise whatsoever.

Silently willing his hands to work again, Henry resumed working at the knot, finally succeeding, and distancing himself from Lucy, as he stepped back.

When she turned around…..no…..could it be a sense of embarrassment he detected?

Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were parted. She immediately averted her eyes. "Well…..I…..thank you, Doctor Jekyll. I….I shall retire now…."

Her eyes met his gaze for a moment, and she could tell he wanted nothing more than to come up the stairs with her and find solace in her heated limbs. Would he use her quickly, or would he be a talented lover? Would he wish to bring her pleasure as well as please himself?

A thousand unwanted thoughts raced through her mind. Should she be giving herself to him? He had done so much for her, yet he had not asked for it. Should she be offering?

Lucy did not have to make any decisions, for it was Jekyll who broke the gaze, when he said, "I wonder if the rain will be as horrible tomorrow?"

He looked back at her, and she spoke, stammering, "I don't really know. I suppose there is always rain."

Sometimes she wished her mouth was wired shut, for she said the most ridiculous, unintelligent things.

Jekyll looked at her again, and smiled gently. "You did very well today. You have kept up with me more than any man."

Lucy's brows knitted together. "I thought I was much too slow. It seemed I was breaking your pace."

Jekyll's face then took on a look of confusion. "Not at all, Lucy. I was quite impressed how well you kept pace. It allowed me to work at a much better clip. You should be proud, we accomplished quite a lot today."

She smiled at him, smugly satisfied with herself.

"Now get some rest, and I shall see you at breakfast time."

She smiled as she turned to climb the stairs that led to Jekyll Manor.