The next morning, Lucy awoke to the sound of birds outside her window and a small smile crossed her face. Everything seemed better. She was in the same house, wearing the same clothes, but everything somehow seemed different.

This was the day after her 25th birthday, when Alfendi Layton had finally admitted his feelings for her. Lucy had always felt the same way about the Prof since she first laid eyes on him and they were together at last. She wondered how she was ever going to be able to keep her hands off Alfendi, since they both felt the same way about each other.

She quickly hopped into the shower, the hot water washing off all the tiredness that clung to her. Brushing her hair and slipping quickly into her clothes, she grabbed her keys and sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her, all the way to Scotland Yard. She burst in through the door of the Mystery Room, panting for breath.

"Prof, so sorry I-!" she huffed, looking around the room rapidly. There was no sign of Alfendi.

"Strange." thought Lucy, "He's normally here before me."

Lucy walked around the Mystery Room and stood behind the Prof's desk. Her hands rested on his lab coat that was draped across the back of his chair. She took one look at the door and then put it on, quickly.

"Well." she murmured, turning around to look at the coat flowing around her knees, "This lab coat ain't half bad."

Suddenly, the door flew open and Alfendi walked in, hands in his trouser pockets. He stopped, letting the door swing shut behind him as he looked at Lucy; an amused smirk stretching across his face.

"You're wearing my lab coat." said Alfendi, trying and failing to sound stern.

"I know." grinned Lucy, "What are ya going to do about it, Prof?"

Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she thrust her hands deep into the coat pockets. Alfendi had a dark smile spreading across his face, as his hair darkened slightly.

"You naughty girl." he purred, as he walked across the room swiftly. Lucy yelped as he picked her up, bridal style and looked into her eyes, a sadistic look flashing across them.

"Ay-aye…" stammered Lucy, her arms around his shoulders, "S-steady o-on Prof!"

"I was kidding, Lucy." said Placid, nuzzling her neck affectionately as she leaned her head against his.

"You can't have this coat back." she smiled, shifting closer to him, "It's mine now."

"What am I going to do with you, Baker?" grinned Alfendi, looking up at her.

"Whatever you want, Prof." said Lucy, leaning down to kiss him. He kissed her, feeling her warmth against his own body. He set her down on the ground softly, his arms wrapping around her waist as he leaned gently into her. She responded, her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her.

"We're not going to get any work done, are we?" grinned Alfendi, his lips still against hers.

Lucy let out a shy giggle as she kissed him again, this time slightly more urgently.

"I love you, Prof." she whispered, a slight blush colouring her cheeks.

"And I, you, Lucy." he murmured, unwilling to break the connection that was blossoming between the pair of them in the dim light of the Mystery Room.

Suddenly, the door swung open and a tall woman with blonde hair flowing down to her waist stormed into the room. Her blue coat was slung around her broad shoulders and her skirt was plastered around her hips, showing off her curvaceous figure. Her lips twisted into a sneer as she examined the scene in front of her.

"Al! Lucy!" she barked, "Stop canoodling and get to work! I've got a new case for you."

Potty broke away from Lucy, his arms still around her as he turned around to see Hilda Pertinax, glaring at him, tapping her foot impatiently. Lucy looked thoroughly embarrassed, her gaze immediately averting to the floor as she shifted from one foot to the other.

"Ee….sorry Hilda…." murmured Lucy, still swaying next to the Prof.

"Hilda…" muttered Placid, "Impeccable timing, as per usual."

"Oh I'm sorry." said Hilda, a cold tone lining her voice, "I had no idea that Scotland Yard paid their employees to have full makeout sessions instead of doing work."

"Hilda." groaned Potty, his hair darkening, "Get out."

"Not yet." said Hilda, crossing her arms over her chest, "I need to speak to Lucy."

Alfendi's grip on Lucy tightened as she spoke those words.

"She's not going anywhere with you." he said, firmly, "Like you said, we have a case to solve."

"Oh and why not?" said Hilda, "I don't bite. Come on Lucy, I need to speak with you."

"Alright Hilda," mumbled Lucy, still flushed pink from her embarrassment, "I'm coming."

Lucy flashed an apologetic smile at the Prof as she walked out of the door with Hilda. Alfendi picked up a file and waved it at her, before smiling as the door closed.

"Hilda…" stammered Lucy, "I'm so sorry….."

Hilda, who was just walking directly in front of Lucy, stopped in her tracks.

"What do you mean, Lucy?" she asked, turning around to reveal the puzzled expression on her face.

"T-the P-Prof, I mean." she stammered, "I know you two were close an'…well….er…"

"Oh Lucy!" Hilda chuckled, placing her hand against her chest, "There's nothing between me and Al anymore. You don't need to worry about that."

"Sure?" asked Lucy, twisting her hands together.

"Lucy." said Hilda, taking her shoulders and looking into her eyes, "I've seen the way he is around you. He's never looked at anyone the way he looks at you."

Lucy blushed and smiled at Hilda.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" she asked, "And why was it so important that you had to take me out t' office?"

"I didn't want Al to hear this." Hilda mumbled, "But…you should know."

"What is it?" asked Lucy, growing increasingly worried.

"Justin…" she murmured, "…isgettingreleasedtomorrowmorning…."

"Excuse me?" asked Lucy, "Could you repeat that, Hilda?"

"Justin is getting released out of prison tomorrow morning." stuttered Hilda, her voice shaking, "Someone bailed him out."

"W-what?!" stammered Lucy, her fists clenching, "But he were supposed to be in there for another year!"

"I have no idea what happened." said Hilda, quietly, placing her hand over her mouth.

"But the Prof's going to go ballistic!" exclaimed Lucy, "We have to-"

"We can't let him know!" said Hilda, her eyes pleading with Lucy, "We can't."

"Why not?" asked Lucy, crossing her arms over her chest, "Surely he deserves to know."

"This goes way deeper than you think." said Hilda, shaking her head, "Something bad is happening."

"Eh?" mumbled Lucy, "Like what?"

"That," said Hilda, truthfully, "is a question I haven't been able to answer yet."

This is probably such a bad chapter; I'm so sorry! Getting a bit busy now... :/
AthenaX