A/n: Sorry for the absence, guys, I got really busy and this fanfic was the least of my concerns. To make up for it, I made this chapter a little longer than usual. Oh yeah, did you know Denali is an anagram of denial? I noticed that when I was writing this. Oh, the glorious wisdom my notes impart ;)

As usual, I don't own Professor Layton (because I'd die of awesomeness) nor Twilight (because I'd die of shame).

Edward's cab inched forward pitifully in the stop-and-go traffic. The driver, a Middle Eastern man who fulfilled any number of cab-driver stereotypes, had Indian music blaring through the cab speakers. Edward was glad that the music was so loud; it gave him an excuse to sit quietly and brood in the back. His mind wandered, and he reflected on his denial of Tanya Denali's affections. He couldn't help but to think of her blonde hair, her strawberry curls… why exactly did he ever turn her down in the first place? He couldn't recall his exact line of reasoning, but he was sure it was pretty stupid.

Raindrops started hitting the roof of the cab in a chaotic percussion that clashed horribly with the music's beat. As far as Edward could see, the traffic would not be getting any lighter. He considered just jumping out of the taxi and running all the way to the airport, but ultimately decided against it. He was in no rush; he had all the time in the world.

Meanwhile, Layton, Luke, and Bella were walking down the street.

"If I'm going to go to Italy with you tomorrow," Bella remarked to Layton, "I'm probably going to need to pack a suitcase."

"A logical conditional," Layton replied. "Do you need a ride to your house? We have a rental car at our hotel."

"That'd be great, if you don't mind. Where's your hotel?"

"Just down the street here," Luke volunteered. "Isn't that right, Professor?"

"Correct as always, Luke."

"We were lucky," Luke told Bella. "They rental car company had a car almost identical to our one back in England."

"Oh really? What car do you drive, Mr. Layton?"

"Please, call me Herschel. And it is a unique model; that's why we were so surprised to see it here."

The car, Bella soon found out, was something akin to a red Volkswagen Beatle, albeit one with a Model T-esque front. Layton drove, of course, and Luke all-too-eagerly gave up his shotgun position for Bella. The ride was a pleasant one; Layton engaged in some small talk with Bella, who did not even try to flirt with him this time. Luke was quietly sitting in the back, staring in admiration at Bella's plain brown hair. While it could have used some of that volumizing shampoo that Luke had seen during commercials, and perhaps a new style, Luke was absolutely smitten with it.

"So how is that Renesmee?" Layton finally asked during a lull in the conversation. "She sounds like quite the genius child."

"Actually, Herschel… I never had Renesmee. That whole plot line was a desperate ploy by Meyer to give Breaking Dawn a purpose."

"Was that the creative license you were talking about earlier?"

"Yeah. Anyone who knows anything about basic anatomy would realize that Edward can't father a child. He can't even-"

"Say no more, my dear. I understand."

Luke broke out of his daydream, a rather personal one that involved him, Bella, and a slab of dark chocolate. "Professor! I think I solved it!"

"Solved what, Luke?"

"How Edward was able to impregnate Bella!"

Layton sighed. "Yes, Luke, we have established this already," he intoned wearily, perhaps with a bite of impatience. "Really, you must pay attention sometimes!"

Luke slumped back in his seat, disappointed. He was expecting one of Layton's laudatory catchphrases, but ended up being embarrassed in front of Bella, of all people. For the first time, tendrils of preteen angst curled around his admiration of Layton.

The car rumbled along the road, and Layton pulled off onto a forested path at Bella's direction. The murmur of the voices from the front seat and gentle hum of the car's engine had lulled Luke into a sort of stupor. His head was resting against the window, and he watched the trees fly by, merging into a single green-brown blur. Suddenly, Luke lurched forward as the car screeched to a halt. He swung his gaze out to the front windshield, where he saw a tan lump slide off the hood.

"An animal!" he cried, and hopped out of the car. He saw the lump, a deer, lying, unmoving, in front of the rental-Laytonmobile; blood had already begun to pool around the body. He knelt down besides the deer, a doe, and laid a hand on her soft hide. "Are you okay?" he whispered desperately.

Bella and Layton had exited the as well, and Bella was surprised to find that Luke was actually talking to the deer!

"AH, I'M HIT!" screamed the deer. Only Luke understood her, however; Bella and Layton were assaulted with a terrible shrieking noise.

"Calm down, everything's going to be fine," Luke said desperately, not knowing what else to say.

"TELL THE FAMILY I LOVE 'EM!" the deer shouted "TELL THE KIDS I LOVE 'EM!"

"I will," Luke promised helplessly. "I promise, I'll-"

"I CAN FEEL THE LIFE DRAINING OUT THROUGH MY VEINS! OH, THE INHUMANITY!" the deer interrupted, bringing the focus back to herself. She tried to get back up, but collapsed on her spindly legs.

Bella walked up behind Luke, and knelt down beside him. Much to Luke's surprise (and delight), she bent over the doe's head. She looked like she was about to whisper something in his ear, or as she got closer, maybe even a kiss. But then Luke watched in horror as Bella took a giant bite out of the doe's neck.

"I'M BEING EATEN ALIVE! OH, THE INHUMANITY!" the deer cried out.

Luke could not help but stare as Bella broke its neck and drained it of blood. Once she was done, she picked it up with inhuman strength and slung it into the woods.

"I was famished," she said, wiping a smear of blood off her lips with the back of her hand. "That was a pretty good snack!" She walked back to the car, leaving Luke to stare at the bloodstained road. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Herschel," she told Layton as she walked past him and got back into the car.

"Come on, Luke," Layton went up and put his arm around Luke's shoulder. "Let's drop Bella off."

For the first time during their car ride, Luke was actually looking forward to this moment.

A/n: Good news for those who love this fic - I've come up with an idea or two that could prolong it by a good three or four chapters. HINT: it stars more characters, from both fandoms. Also, in case you were wondering, my friend is not sick. She does, however, have a dislocated patella :/

As usual, please leave a review. Those things sorta make my day and are a huge incentive to keep this story going :D