"Pleased to meet you miss," he said carefully, extending his hand in the usual greeting. She returned his shake.
"The pleasure is mine," she said graciously, watching for a smile of inflated egoism. She found none.
"We must begin immediately," he said, walking off with importance, the smile filling his face as he turned away.
"I think you should take a break," he said looking over at her slowly drooping head.
"Not done yet," she replied, stubbornly keeping her head up.
"As you wish," he said, going back to his duties. She finally slumped over.
"They never listen..." he said, observing her snoring form.
"Do you know what this means?" he said carefully, observing her steady hands.
"Yes," she said eyes aglow. He grinned slightly.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, eyes diverted from his subject.
"So what did you want to be as a child?" she asked, bored with the tedious work at hand. He looked over at her quizzically.
"Why do you ask?" he said cautiously. She shrugged.
"I want to know more about you," she boldly stated. He blinked.
"...a General. Of some grand army," he nearly whispered, "the Hero." She smiled widely.
"I could see that..." she said, going back to her task.
"You should get some rest, I insist," he said, watching as she pushed herself yet again. She yawned.
"I'm not tired..." she argued. He raised an eyebrow.
"I'll have him take you home," he said, pointing to the man outside the door.
"Mmm...kay," she said, her mind floating off.
"Be careful with her..." he whispered, returning to work.
"Do you like this type of music?" he asked, putting a record on the turntable. She smiled.
"Mmm..." she murmured, closing her eyes as the music filled the room, "...Mozart. How did you know?" He smirked.
"Research," he answered.
"Dance," she said gently placing a hand on his shoulder, "how about it?" He smiled.
"Of course," he replied, standing up, "But you'll have to show me how. I'm afraid that it's been quite some time."
"Then follow my lead," she giggled, grasping a hand, "Unless you're against that sort of thing..."
"With you..." he whispered inaudibly, "I'd do anything."
"The applications..." she said with awe, her mind buzzing, "...endless possibilities..."
"If he is correct," he replied soberly. It didn't faze her.
"We'll have to proceed slowly," she whispered, "It will take years."
"Then..." he began, something catching in his throat, "...it will be years. I'd like that."
"Why do you always fiddle with your hair when you're reading?" he asked, peering over at her. She blushed.
"Old habit, I picked it up while in school," she replied.
"It's fascinating to watch," he murmured, turning his attention back in front of him.
"Linger..." she whispered.
"What impact would you want to have on the world?" she asked, the lazy Sunday breeze blowing her stray hairs.
"Perhaps..." he began thoughtfully, "Through my children. I would give them something to change the world with."
"That's sweet," she said gazed up at him with innocent eyes, "If only I would be so lucky, as to have children like that."
"Can you stay a little longer?" he asked, watching as she made her way to the door. She stopped.
"It's getting late," she said glancing up at the clock.
"Please," he said, softer now, "I think you'll enjoy it." She walked closer to him.
"Well?" she asked with mock impatience. He laughed.
"Take this..." he said, handing her a box. She opened it gingerly.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, admiring the beautiful gift. He lightly placed a hand on her shoulder.
"...I..." he whispered close to her ear, "...think...I...love you." She looked at him with wide eyed wonder.
"Then you won't mind this..." she said slyly, embracing him, "If I linger a little longer...love."
"Why were you out so late?" he asked, watching as she slinked into the room. She cringed.
"Please don't be jealous," she said quickly, trying to read his face, "It's nothing."
"I'll believe you," he said staring hard at her, "If you promise never to see him again."
"Of course," she answered, grabbing him tightly, "Just let me say goodbye."
"Oh! I couldn't..." he heard her voice, from where he was watching. He smiled to himself.
"She is with me..." he whispered. Then his jaw dropped, watching the actions of the two figures.
"No!" she shouted again, her lips hers again. She was running towards him.
"What's wrong, love?" he asked, appearing from the shadows.
"Just hold me," she said, between the tears, "Let me linger here with you."
"Yes, my dear..." he whispered, his eyes following the figure in the distance.
"I'm pregnant," she said, her face glowing. He smiled.
"Then we shall see our future..." he trailed off, a shared secret smile between them.
"What did you do with him?" she asked, hands angry on her hips. He ignored her.
"Maybe he ran off with one of the local girls," he said quietly, "You know those Turks..."
"Alright," she said reluctantly, "You're not jealous, still, are you?"
"Never, my dear," he said quietly, trying not to betray his real tone.
"I feel so weak..." she said, a faint look on her face, "Can we forgo the injections for today?"
"No, dear," he said, "It will reverse the years we've put into this..." She sighed.
"This is our contribution..." she said; sweat dripping from her brow, "I fear it might kill me, Dr. Hojo."
"Please don't be so formal, Lucrecia," he quietly pleaded.
"Just let me hold him," she said quietly.
"Give it all you've got!" he said, as she gave the final push. She was breathing erratically, and sweating profusely.
"Can...I hold him?" she asked, a faint and breathy request. He ignored her.
"I have to check to see how the cells are holding up," he said, eyes wide with discovery. She breathed in painfully.
"Please...Linus..." she pleaded, "...Hojo...please,"
"Just a minute dear..." he said distractedly, but she did not hear.
So...ya. Maybe not the best Hojo/Lucrecia out there...but I'm curious as to how they were together. Don't worry, Vincent fans...I'm one of you. I just only write Vincent unrequited Lucrecia pieces...cause that's how I see it. So Hojo had to be appealing at some point...he just hid his madness from her, I think....
10/21/04: The controversial "ego" bit (first conversation) has been changed slightly. I just wanted to make him more sly...hope he appears egotistical enough.