I'm so sorry for the wait! I'm terribly busy with life, you know how it is. I'll try to update a couple. (That doesn't mean you're allowed to only review one of the chapters though! ;))

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The brothers talked for a bit longer that day until Desmond became exhausted and needed to rest. The days went on, and Desmond was able to eat without complications. Now that he was recovering, Hershel returned to his teaching at Gressenheller. Things went back to normal around at the Layton household, and they made daily evening trips to see Desmond. The only thing keeping Desmond going was the hope of helping Hershel's family (which he now considered his own family), and the hope of getting out of the wretched hospital.

Desmond found Doctor Wattford to be an agreeable man, and didn't dislike the hospital as much as he once did. However, recovery was a rough process. Once he was back on his feet, he despised therapy. He pushed through each session, longing for the day when he was granted permission to go home. When the day finally came, he was relieved and overjoyed. Although he still was required to take precautions and perform certain exercises, he couldn't wait to get out of the hospital after having been there about four weeks. He was still very sore and in quite a bit of pain, but everything left was able to heal on own without medical supervision. Christmas was just around the corner, and he had worked his hardest in therapy to get to the point that he could be at home with the Laytons for the holiday.

"Flora is looking forward to having you live with us," Layton confessed, driving Desmond home now that he was released from the hospital. "It's all she's been talking about the past few days. She thinks very highly of you."

"Hah, well I doubt I can live up to her expectations. I don't know what I've done to be deserving of her affection," Desmond mused, then became solemn. "But... if I'm needed to protect her from Targent, I'll probably lose that trust... I don't know how I can help you. I failed my own family, what makes you think I can save yours?"

"Desmond... I'm not asking you to rescue them singlehandedly. I'm only asking that you help me in tracking down Targent."

"But I cannot remember anything... You don't know how many times I lay in the hospital, unable to sleep, attempting to remember glimpses about my abduction. The only thing I remember is what I've told you. Everything else... must've been too painful. My mind blocked everything out," Desmond closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you..." Layton apologised. "I cannot keep hiding Targent from Claire forever. I've felt terrible ever since I lied to her when she asked me what was going on. I just don't want her to worry... Or Flora."

Desmond turned his head to his brother. "Hershel. You need to tell them both."

"I know..." Hershel sighed.

"If I wouldn't have kept Targent a secret from Elaine..." Desmond swallowed, looking out the side window into the busy streets of London. "Maybe she would have been prepared. Perhaps she and Jeannie would still be with me. We could have talked through it as a family and had a plan..." Desmond looked back at Layton. "Please don't make the same mistake as me, Brother."

Layton took a deep breath and let it out as he gripped the wheel tighter. "... All right. I'll tell them when we get home. After lunch."

"What if after lunch is too late?" Desmond tried to reason as they pulled into the parking spot.

There was a silence as Layton stopped the car and put it in park. "Fine. I'll tell them first thing when we're all together."

Hershel unlocked the door, and swung the it open for Desmond to enter.

"Welcome home," Layton smiled at his brother.

As Desmond entered the Layton's home, he sighed of relief. The short trip from the hospital had exhausted him thoroughly, but he was finally here. Home. The word sounded so foreign to him, having been constantly travelling the past few years. The Bostonius had provided shelter for him, but it wasn't much of a place to call home. Here, he would have his own room, a place to live, and a family. He was a bit hesitant at the thought of living with so many people again, but he knew he could adjust.

He looked around as his brother closed the door behind them, actually taking in his surroundings this time. The beige walls and dark coloured furniture created a simple yet inviting atmosphere. Although he was used to wealthy elegant settings, this was a nice change.

Flora came flying around the corner in a rush. "I'm so glad you're finally feeling better, Uncle Desmond," Flora smiled, having already formed a bond with him over the past four weeks.

Desmond smiled back, despite his soreness he still suffered from. His ribs still ached constantly as they still were healing. "I'm glad too. I'm not sure how much longer I could have put up with being in the hospital."

"I'm also happy you will be able to spend Christmas with us. I was excited to start decorating, but I waited for you because I know you were working hard to get well!" Flora said excitedly.

Desmond chuckled. "Well, that's quite kind of you. I hope I'll have enough energy to assist you when the time comes."

Flora's smile shrunk slightly. "That's okay. I understand. I'm ready any time you are."

Claire appeared from around the corner of the kitchen. "Lunch is ready. Hot vegetable soup for a cold December afternoon."

"And cucumber sandwiches! I made them myself. You have to try one, Uncle Desmond," Flora grinned, turning around to follow Claire into the dining room.

Hershel leaned closer to Desmond as he whispered. "She won't take no for an answer. Just... use caution when trying anything she makes," Layton warned.

Sycamore smirked, but Layton's face remained deadly serious.

"Oh... Is it really that bad?" Desmond asked.

"What are you two waiting for?" Claire called from the kitchen. "Your soup will get cold! I have very exciting news to share once we're all seated!"

Upon entering the eat-in kitchen, Desmond saw the set table. There were enough bowls for a family to share a meal, and it was something he had missed. He cautiously sat down (as to not hurt himself) with the Layton family, thinking of his wife and daughter, but quickly erased the thoughts, knowing this wasn't the time to dwell on the past. Seeing the eat-in kitchen reminded him: not everyone had a separate room for eating and cooking. He had grown up in a mansion with the Sycamore family, and he lived in a mansion with his wife; which both had separate kitchens and dining rooms. Yet, something about this combined kitchen and dining room reminded him of something. Then, it hit him. It reminded him of his childhood before Targent ruined his life...


"Theodore! Hershel! Come downstairs, it's time to eat!" Rachel called up the stairs to her children.

The two boys raced down the stairs and into the kitchen. Hershel sat into his chair quickly and smirked as Theodore seated himself secondly.

"Hah! I win," Hershel teased his younger brother.

"No fair! You're bigger and faster. It wasn't even supposed to be a race!" Five year old Theodore pouted.

Hershel laughed. "It's okay, Theo, I was only kidding around. It was supposed to be fun."

"Well, it wasn't. You're better at everything than me."

"Okay, boys. Settle down. Eat your food and tell me how school was today," Their father, Leon, changed the subject.

"It was good," Hershel answered simply. "I learned a lot."

"I can't wait to go to the same school with Hershel," Theodore chimed, automatically changing to admiring his brother. "Then I will be as smart as him!"

Rachel smiled at her son's enthusiasm. "Well, you need to finish the school you're in now. You'll need everything you learn there to move up with Hershel."

"Really, Mummy?!" Theodore's eyes sparkled.

Leon and Rachel both chuckled at their young, endearing son.

"Yes, really. Now eat your food, Theo," Rachel persuaded.

"See, Theo? You're good at a lot of things! You can make Mum and Father laugh easier than I can. All you have to do it say something adorable," Hershel encouraged him.

"B- But I wanna be tall and strong, not adorable," Theodore whined.

"Don't worry about that, Son," Leon said. "Just wait awhile. I'm sure you'll grow up to be just as tall, strong, and smart as Hershel; if not, smarter," Leon smirked at both his sons.

"Father..." Hershel rolled his eyes and slumped back in his chair.

"You think so? I can't wait to grow up!" Theodore was back to his cheery mood. The happy family resumed eating their meal without a care in the world, only love filling the room.


He remembered what love felt like, and he saw love here at the Layton household, as well. If Targent found them, all of that would be taken away. Desmond felt hatred festering up inside himself, wanting to make Targent suffer for what they had done.

"Desmond, are you all right?" Layton asked, seeing his brother's blank yet cold face.

Snapping out of his stare, Desmond realised he had been daydreaming in a flashback. Letting his anger die down, he looked around at the concerned faces of those at the table. "O- Oh... Yes. I'm fine..." He wanted nothing more to dismiss himself to his room to hide, but he forced himself to stay. Besides, even in his new room he would not feel at home.

"You must be exhausted," Claire said sympathetically, picking up his bowl from across the table to fill it with soup. "Here. This will give you energy," She handed it back to him.

"Thank you," Desmond thanked sincerely. "I apologise if I seem a bit distant at times... It's just going to take some getting used to being part of a family. I really do appreciate all you're doing for me."

"We're happy you are with us, Desmond," Layton assured.

"I know..." Desmond sighed, picking up his spoon and placing it in his soup. "I'm sorry for interrupting, didn't you have something important to say, Claire?"

"Wait, Claire," Hershel interrupted, unable to keep the secret. "I guarantee you I have something more important to say first... I can't keep it from you any longer."

Claire sighed and closed her eyes. "I knew it... I didn't want to believe it, but I knew you were hiding something from me..."

"I thought I had good reason, but I know I shouldn't have lied to you when you asked. I'm sorry, Claire. Please forgive me and listen," Hershel pleaded.

Claire sadly looked him in the eyes. "All right."

"Claire, Flora... the reason Desmond and I were separated as children is because of an organisation known as Targent. Our father was an archaeologist, and Targent is obsessed with knowledge about the Azran civilisation. Archaeologists that do not work for them willingly are taken by force... and so our parents were taken from us. Targent was thought to be defeated about a year ago, but it seems they're still around. Desmond does not know what their goals are now, but they are the ones behind his extreme injuries. They used to want Azran information, but now... All Desmond knows is that they are seeking to... destroy our biological father's bloodline, for an unknown reason."

Claire put a hand over her mouth and gasped.

"I didn't want you to worry about me. They most likely only want me and Desmond, considering neither of you are in the direct line of our father's heir..." Layton started. "But I know you have a right to know what is going on. We haven't seen or heard anything of Targent yet, so there's no need to worry, Claire and Flora. Desmond and I are going to do everything we can to stop them before they follow through with their goals. We aren't even certain of what they intend to accomplish."

Claire's eyes were filled with confusion and a stubbornness, not willing to let her husband put himself in harm's way. "Hershel, you can't just go hunt them down alone."

"The police have tried to end their madness before, but Targent is too sly... I will go to Scotland Yard to discuss this with Inspector Grosky later on today. As long as we stay together, we can be prepared for anything that might happen. I know this is a lot for you to take in... but let's just enjoy our meal right now," Hershel looked at Claire and Flora, who still appeared worried and concerned.

"This isn't something worth worrying about. Targent has not done anything since I found Desmond, so it may not be something to worry about at all. Perhaps they've already been found. After lunch, I will go inquire at Scotland Yard," Hershel said.

Claire sighed. "All right... I'm sorry you felt the need to hide this from me."

"No, I'm sorry. It was selfish of me. I don't deserve your trust anymore. I'm not much of a true gentleman..."

"Even true gentlemen aren't perfect, Hershel. I forgive you," Claire reached out and put her hand on his.

"I forgive you too, Professor," Flora said. "I'm not scared. You always keep me safe, no matter what," She smiled.

Hershel smiled a little bit. "I don't deserve you both..." After a short silence, Hershel remembered Claire had news she wanted to share. "Well, after all of that, I think it's about time for some good news. Claire, what were you going to tell us?" Hershel asked.

A smaller smile than Hershel expected appeared on Claire's face. "O- Oh... it's nothing. It's not important."

"Oh, come now. I know I deserve that after hiding this from you, but what is it?" Hershel urged.

"Well... I've known awhile now, but there was never a joyful, opportune time to tell you all," Claire paused as she looked at all of their anticipating faces. "... I was promoted at the lab," She smiled.

"That's wonderful, Claire!" Hershel beamed, proud of his wife.

"Congratulations," Desmond smiled warmly.

Flora also congratulated her, and the cheerful mood seemed to return to the family. They enjoyed their lunch, although a deep fear and anxiety still resided in each of their hearts. None of them knew when or how Targent would strike, but they were going to get through this as a family.


Don't forget to review before reading on! (Pleaseeee) :) ~Descole'sApprentice