Total number of words including the note: 2529

Chapter Nine [ PART ONE ]

Two weeks have already passed since Jimmy and Rosalia became lovers. The magician always come and visit the two detectives and the younger one in their office every afternoon to bring them lunch, she even brings Sapphire sometimes with her, they all eat together and talk about stuffs.

However, Jimmy and Harley has been busy for three days straight, the cowlick haired haven't saw the lady for three days straight since they start their investigation about the missing children till dawn. For the past few weeks, three children died in a horrible death, the number of the missing children increased and the case about it was still kept hidden from everyone, even the magician.

The French detectives went to the place where the body of the current victim is located. They inspected the body, like the others, the victim's skin and flesh are melted, bones are visible, the abdomen was slit open, and some of the internal organs are missing.

"Anthony! Anthony!" the officers and the detectives moved away after hearing a woman's scream in grief.

"My child, who did this?!" the woman cried as she kneeled down on the ground and hold the lifeless hand of her child.

The detectives just look down, while hearing the woman's cries.

"Hartwell, we are in the third week and as expected another innocent child died, but we still have no suspect for this inhumane serial murder." Jimmy said lowly as he clenched his fist, feeling guilty for not being able to do anything.

"Who would do something as horrible as this to a child? We found nothing except for the possessions of the children. The crime was too clean." said Harley as he sighed, he too feels guilty like Jimmy, they haven't got anything to lure the culprit yet, they tried to set up a trap yet it seems like they can also predict it— this is the toughest crime that they have ever faced, the fact that they haven't stopped the killing and the abduction frustrates them, it guilt them to hear the same cries from the children's parents every time they discovered that their child died. They are the most trusted detectives in Strasbourg yet they still have no leads.

"We have to ban children for going out of their houses for without any guardians, in that way, we can prevent the number of the missing children to increase" said Jimmy as he looks at the officers take the body away, with its mother behind them.

"You're right— but how about the case? People should be informed about the serial of murders" Hartwell said and looks around again to find some clues.

"That's not for us to decide, unfortunately" said Jimmy as he sighed while thinking, "we have to wait for the decision of the authorities"

"Still, you have to suggest it to them, it's better to not allow the children go out as for now"

Jimmy nods from what Harley said, letting the children go out on their own will worsen the situation, and the only way to probably prevent the abduction and killings is to stop them from going out, although they are not yet sure about it but it's better than nothing.

"We will go to the station after we scan this area."

The two continues to scan the area and the place near the crime scene, hoping that they would find something, but like usual, the crime scene is clean— without any clues

They left the place with disappointment and went to the police station and stated their proposal to inspector.

"So you want to disallow the children to go out without their legal guardian, and each child should have at least one adult from age 18 and above guarding them?" Inspector Bisset asked Jimmy while rubbing his chin, "Monsieur Jimmy, monsieur Harley, you know that we can't inform people about the case yet"

"We thought so too, we can do it without telling people why— and we asked you can tell this proposal to the higher authorities too. This is the best way to prevent children from getting missing" Harley said while crossing his arms

"We can't hide this to people forever, especially now that the number of the missing children is increasing— we cannot afford to risk another innocent life of a child" Jimmy said, emphasising the last phrase he said with a serious voice.

Inspector Bisset sensed the determination of the detectives as he let out a sigh and nods,

"Very well, but we need the permission of the higher authorities first" the inspector said as he sip on his tea before he speaks, "You can talk to your father about your proposal too, Monsieur Jimmy"

"I will try to send him a letter, but knowing father, I bet he already thought about my plan"

Jimmy stands up from his chair as he looks at them, "Anyway, we have to go now. We only went here to tell you about our proposal, we haven't yet found any clues"

Harley and Jimmy start walking back home to the apartment building they'
are staying at.

Jimmy looks at his pocket watch and sighed, "6:00pm" he muttered. He haven't saw Rosalia today, they were too busy solving the case about the missing children and the current murder that they have not stepped a foot at their office after they left earlier.

'Did she stop by this afternoon?' he wondered and took a deep breath. The detective is sure that she went to their office this afternoon just to bring them lunch— and it felt like he's wasting her effort, good thing that Arthur is there to accompany her.

As soon as they arrived at their tenement, a familiar figure of a lady caught their attention, waiting outside in front of their door.

"Rosalia" Jimmy called and looks at Harley who just gave him a pat on the shoulder before walking back inside.

The French detective walk towards the female as he cup her cheeks, "it's ready late, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you, I went to your office earlier but I only saw Arthur— he told me your address before his father picked him up" Rosalia said softly with a smile on her face. Jimmy felt soft after hearing what his lady have said.

"Does your father know that you're here?" he asked while staring at the lady who shook her head as an answer.

"He went in Paris with my brother for their magic show, so I ask my mom instead— " the magician paused and blushed while looking at the detective, "s-she told me that I should stay over for the night with you since it's already late"

"Oh..." Jimmy looks up with a slight blush on his cheeks, "then, shall we go inside?" he asked as he gets the lady's knitted bag and the basket covered in cloth that she is holding, Rosalia gave him a nod.

The lovers finally enter the building. Rosalia couldn't help but to look around, the tenement seems luxurious and clean, looks like a house more than an apartment.

"Where's Harley's room?" the lady asked as he turn her gave to the detective.

"His room is located on the third floor and mine on the fourth" he said as they reached his room.

The lady gasped as soon as they enter, "This is your room? It's so huge and it looks luxurious!" she exclaimed that made the detective chuckle.

"Well if it seems that way then yes it is" he said as he open up the gas lamps to light up his room and put down the lady's things on his table, "this building is owned by Harley's aunt after all"

Jimmy pulled his magician towards the couch as the both of them sit. Rosalia looks at the detective and ask, "How many people live in here?"

"Three, me, Harley and his aunt." he answered tiredly, he hold the lady's hand and gave her a kiss on her knuckles.

"You look so tired Jimmy, you're over working. Did you even eat something today?" Rosalia said and pulls him closer for a hug

The detective hugged his lady back and rested his head on her shoulder, sighing in relief, "I haven't, I didn't have time to eat something."

Rosalia brushes her lover's hair while hugging him tightly, "How about I cook for you? You're over working for these past few weeks, I'm getting worried about your health" she said softly.

"Alright then, but let's stay like this for a while, it's been a tough week and haven't seen you for three days" he whispered to her and gave Rosalia a gentle kiss on her shoulder.

The magician smiles and remain on her position, she gave Jimmy a kiss on the side of his head.

"I miss you, Jimmy" she muttered before closing her eyes

The detective glimpse at the magician while hugging her tightly. A soft smile curve onto his lips, feeling contented and satisfied.

"Really?" he asked, the magician nods as an answer and wrap her arms around his neck, facing the detective.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I? I haven't seen you in days since according to Arthur we shouldn't bother you and Monsieur Harley while working" she said and pouts.

The detective couldn't help but to chuckle and planted a soft kiss on the woman's forehead.

"I missed you too, Rosalia"

Jimmy felt like his battery has been fully restored now that the magician is already by his side, giving him her bright smile that he finds ever so beautiful.

"Shall I now cook our dinner for tonight, mon chéri?"

The detective flashes a wide grin and nod. He stands up and holds the female's wrist and lead her towards his kitchen. As a man who has no idea on how to cook, he is really curious on how his Angels cook such heavenly food that she always brings them during lunch. He is disappointed to himself, because of the case he wasn't able to taste the lunch the she makes— and he is really glad that he can taste it tonight.

Smiling brightly, he watches his lover cook their dinner while admiring her every movements. He also listen to her hum a tune, it's angelic and pleasant to the ears.

'I am becoming a sappy lovesick fool'

He thought while admiring the magician and let out a deep sigh. Yes, he became the man he never thought he would be, but what can he do? Who wouldn't fall for an Angel like her? Of course he would.

He chuckles silently while staring the magician, realising that he has totally fell for the woman in front of him, and he is thankful that she came in his life. He can stay all the staring at his magician, he will never get tired of it.

He decided to stand up and walk towards the magician and hugs her from behind. The magician almost dropped the ladle that she's holding in surprise and glimpse at the detective who rested his chin on her shoulder while watching her cook.

"What are you going to cook, mi amour?"

"That would be a surprise, why don't you try guessing it, great detective?"

The detective hummed and tilts his head as he looks at the ingredients. His mind starts to progress and thinks where those ingredients are usually used.

"Why don't you try helping me? It will help you guess the food that I'm going to cook"

Jimmy froze with the female's suggestion. Letting out an awkward chuckle, the detective scratches his nape and answer,

"You know that I suck at cooking"

"Well you can just assist me, please Jimmy?"

Showing her lover her obviously effective puppy eyes, the detective gulps before nodding his head.

'You are doing her a favour, helping her won't kill you, Jimmy.'

His mind argued to himself, the detective pulls away from the hugs while looking at the magician.

"Tell me what I should do"

The magician brightens up and gave the detective a peck on his cheek as a sign of appreciation.

"Can you prepare the hearth?"

"Well sure then, leave it to me"

"Thank you, Jimmy~"

Jimmy almost stumbles in surprise when the magician tackle him with a hug and gave him a peck on his lips. His cheeks flushes bring red with the sudden affection while looking at the magician who just smiled playfully and let out a giggle after seeing his reaction.

Jimmy clears his throat pretended to deadpan, he can no longer manage the affection and cuteness of the magician, it seems like his heart will pop out of his chest any second. He walk towards the hearth and prepares it for him, it's a good thing that he has some woods and coal, preparing the hearth wouldn't be difficult any more.

Jimmy finished setting the fire as Rosalia thanked him and hang the cooking pot on the top of the fire of the hearth. The detective looks at the pot then to the recipes

"Spicy beef stew and mashed potatoes, bread, butter and milk, am I right?"

He said confidently while looking at the magician who let out a chuckle

He asked which makes her chuckles.

"You got it right, great detective!"

She said which makes him grins widely. Jimmy looks at the ingredients again and smiled.

'So the basket that I was holding earlier consist the ingredients that she will used, it seems like she already knows that I wasn't eating properly and came prepared'

The detective chuckled at his own thought and stare at the magician, he's really excited to eat the food that his beloved magician will prepare for him so as soon as the food has finished to be cooked, the two started to eat together. They talk about how they spent their day, he avoid talking about the case so he just let the lady talk and rant about some rude costumer she had to deal with, he cannot ruin their moment by telling her about what happen, it will only worry the magician.

After the two finished eating and cleaning the table that they used, they went back sitting on the sofa while keeping each other close, enjoying each other's presence.

"Jimmy..." Rosalia called her lover who immediately looks at her, but the magician bite her lower lip while blushing, feeling shy about the favour that she is about to ask.

"What is it, mi amour?"

He asked and caresses the back of her hand

"Is it okay if you lead me towards the bathroom? I wanted to take a bath"

She said shy as she blushes bright red. It is just a simple request but she couldn't to feel embarrass. Perhaps because she had to ask it directly to the man that she loves?

Jimmy, who is currently blushing slightly, gave the magician a small nod before speaking,

"W-well sure, let me just prepare the bath for you"

He said and kisses the back of her hand before standing up, he quickly heads to the bathroom and prepare the bath for her.

The detective leads the magician towards the bathroom as soon as he finished preparing it for her. He leaves her inside the bathroom and walk back in the living room. He gets a book and sit on his chair as he starts reading while waiting for the lady.

He just finished some few chapters when he closes the book that he's reading and put it down on the table. He feels absolutely tired so he decided to rest for a while, leaning his back on the backrest of his chair, the detective close his eyes and let himself relax until he fell asleep, still waiting for the magician

After some few moments, the magician finished taking a bath, feeling fresh and relaxed. She went out of the bathroom when he saw the detective sleeping while sitting on his chair, she walk towards him and chuckles after seeing how peaceful he looks but of course, she can't let him sleep while sitting since it will be uncomfortable for him.

"Mon chéri, wake up"

She called him gently while poking his cheek, the detective's eyebrows met, it made her giggle and poke his nose, enjoying on teasing the sleeping detective.

"Jimjim wake up"

She called him once again, the detective's eyes open, revealing a sleepy cerulean eyes, but as soon as his vision becomes clear, his eyes widens and a faint blush suddenly come out of his cheek after seeing that the magician is only wearing a chemise.

The detective gulps and looks at the magician's face, staring straight to her azure orbs. He can now smell her strong sweet scent, like cinnamon and honey, together with fresh roses, right there, he knew that he's doomed.

'This is dangerous...'

He thought as he quickly stands up and looks away from the magician,

"I apologise, I fell asleep." the detective said while still looking away, "I will also take a bath. You can use my bed to sleep" he continued and walk towards the bathroom quickly to take a quick bath.

As soon as he finished taking a bath, Jimmy went out of the bathroom wearing his pyjamas, he turn off the wall gas lamps and walk inside his bedroom and saw Rosalia sitting on his bed while looking at his portrait hanged on the wall.

"Jimmy? How come you don't have a portrait of you and your family?" she asked and turn her gaze at the detective who sat next to her.

"Well, they are all in my parents' house, I didn't have time to bring those portraits with me" he said as he hold his lover's hand.

"What are they like? You already know a lot about me, how about let me know about your family this time?" she asked, looking at the detective curiously. It's true that she doesn't know a lot about the detective yet, he is quite mysterious.

Jimmy just let out a sigh, he is not used to talk about his family at all but how can he even ignore the curiosity of the magician?

"Well I came from a wealthy family, my mother is a theatre actress and my father..." he paused for a second, "he has some sort of political job. Both of my parents are smart, they didn't want me to work as a detective before because father wants me to follow his footsteps but I managed to convince them in the end" he said as he kissed the back of the magician's hand.

The female nods and lean her head on Jimmy's shoulder, "how about Harley, how did the two of you met?"

"His parents and my parents are close friends, although we haven't met each other till high school— I can say that we became good friends after having a deduction battle at our school and ended up just having the same deduction in the end." he chuckled and shook his head as he brushes his lady's hair.

"You two are good friends. Did you ever liked or loved other people before you met me?" she asked again, the detective shook his head as an answer before he speaks,

"None, I wasn't interested in anyone before. Although in high school, everyone thought that me and my childhood friend are together, but I wasn't really interested that time so I'm still confused why such rumour spread" he said as he chuckle, "so that means, like what I've said before, you are the first one that made me feel this way, and you will be the last"

A smile curved on the magician's lips as she face the detective, "then we're just the same, you are also the first one who made me feel this way, you're my first love" she whispered and lean closer to her lover.

The both stared at each other, eyes full of love and admiration, they can now feel each other's breath for their faces are so close with each other.

The detective gulps, he wants to kiss her, he wants to hold her close, and most of all he wants to touch her, he haven't seen her for days and he missed her so bad.

'D-damn, I can't hold myself anymore'

He thought before claiming the magician's lips.

NOTE: We had to slit this chapter into two since it is too long! As promised, we will publish a chapter this Thursday but we will only publish the part one~ don't worry, you won't have to wait for days, we will publish the part two on Friday!

So what do you think about this chapter? Please share your thoughts!

-Dark Knight