This Morning started very early for Hershel. He was chased by many strange noises last night, especially Claire's 'cough attacks'.
While he heated up the huge teapot, Luke crawled his way out of her bed. Flora was still sleeping like a baby. A few seconds later, he'd stood in the door, with his old, dark blue pajama.

"Professor? How long are you already up?"

He asked with a yawn between it.

"Oh my boy... you'd look terrible!"

The Cup of fresh tea was filled now, as he chuckled and glanced to his apprentice, who was more than just looking tired.

"Thank you, I'd give that compliment back."

He gave him a cheeky smirk and sipped a gulp tea out of his cup. But he realized quick that this weren't the manners Hershel taught him from an early age on.

"I'm sorry..."

Slightly blushing out of quandary, he replaced the glass back to the the little plate.

"It's okay... I guess its because I didn't slept last night. Claire and Flora were coughing the whole time. Since hm... five am. I'm awake."

After that he closed his eyes and enjoyed his favorite tea, when Luke sighed in relief.

"The Girls are making us crazy, aren't they?"

He leaned against the white wall and laughed. Hershel just smiled in response and added:

"How was the prom... before Mr. Burwell was murdered?"

This Conversation was definitely going to nowhere.. Luke also just gave him a look, but this one was very amorously, thinking of the dance and the special kiss with Flora.

"Good Answer. I'd mention that your expression's rather enamored."

"It was...beyond all description..."

He stared dreamy out of the window and regarded the cloudy sky. Then Hershel started to think about the disaster date he had with Claire, but it couldn't ended better with that kiss in the rain.

"Flora looked so beautiful in her purple dress. I'm so glad she'd awoke yesterday night."
Both were still peering at the morning sky, as the professor coughed slightly and brought them out of their romantic illusions.

"Yes, she's gorgeous. But what did you meant with 'she's awake'?"

Luke turned back to face him and said:

"I've laid my hand on her cheek and whispered good night, as she blinked and told me the same."

A delighted Smile crept in Hershel's face, when he heard those good news. But Flora surly had fever.

"That's nice to hear. Now Luke... don't you have to bring her this prodigious cup of tea?" With a strong nod to the right side (when he said 'prodigious') , he held the petite glass out to Luke.

"I guess I have..."

This was very random!,

Luke thought and walked away . But of course he was happy to see his mentor so lucky...

Layton's Room:
He tried not to wake her up, as he walked in, with his prodigious cup of tea, but another 'cough attack' came and shacked her awake.

"Are you okay?"

Hershel asked worried, placing the glass next to his Top Hat on the nightstand. Claire just pressed her eyes closed and waited til the pain in her throat went away.

"Uh...I don't think so. Could you please, bring me some medicine?"

She asked politely.

"Of course, I'm on my way. But I have to say that I wont be back so soon, Chelmey called me early today and told that new evidence were found."

This didn't made it any better for Claire. She was alone with Luke and Flora and thought she needed to keep an eye on them.

"Please Hurry."

Hershel was truly lost now, when she looked at him with her sad, glassily eyes.

"You know I can't resist that. I'd feel horrible when I leave you."

Sitting on the bed, he handed her the hot cup and checked if she had fever.

"Thank you. No you don't have to. But your presence would definitely make me think better."

After she took a few sips from the delicious liquid, she placed it back and held his hand.
"Your Hand's so hot and sweaty. That's not good sign. Do you really think I can go , when you're in such a state?"

His Top Hat made a huge shadow, as he brought it on his disheveled hair.

"Yes, you can. Luke's here, right?"

Claire questioned.

"Yes he's there. I'll tell him, that he also must take care of you."

Leaning down to her, he wanted to give her a peck on her lips but she quickly stopped him, with putting a finger on Hershel own lips.

"Don't, I've fever. Good bye."

It wasn't stern said by her, quite the opposite, she nearly laughed between it. But these annoying coughs didn't let her to.

"See you later, my dear."...

In Flora's Room:

"Be ready, your personal nurse's coming."

Luke pushed the Door with his behind open, having a meal tray in both hands, on which a little breakfast for her was. Flora smiled tired and sat up in her small bed.

"Is that all for me? How am I going to eat this all?"

Sitting next to her, he showed her the tablet.

'Where did he found my favorite Flowers?'

She thought.

"Just try to eat something. I'll eat up the rest. How do you feel today?"

Luke asked caring, when he laid the tray on her lap.

"I'm okay, maybe I'd have low fever. Guess who called me seconds ago!"

Taking a bite from the bread, she awaited his guess eagerly.

"Uhm...perhaps Ben?"

He hoped so, it was very strange as he disappeared at the prom.

"Yes exactly. He told me that he had to leave early. I still don't know why, but he wanted to make a visit here."

Flora's eyes where glowing happily, 'fortunately her birthmark isn't shining!'Luke thought jealously.

"Oh is he? From where does he know the address to Professor's apartment?"

That response sounded kinda angry.

"I said it. Luke please, calm down... he's our friend."

She'd recognized his rough tone in his voice fast, as her happiness passed away.

"I'm sorry. I know he Is. When did Ben said he'll be here?"

Grabbing the Tablet from her lap he brought it back on his.

"Around 11 am. Maybe he'll eat by us... if that's okay with you?"

Flora acted cautious now, just the teeniest wrong word from her could destroy the whole situation.

"I'm okay with that. Flora?"

Looking deep in her eyes, he made sure that she'll listen to him carefully.

"Yes? If it has something to do with Ben then..."

The sentence was interrupted by him sharply.

"It has, but not in that way. My Jealousy is not the reason... since the prom I'd feel odd when I hear his name..."

Luke moved closer to the ill girl and spoke along:

"I'm convinced that he has his fingers in the whole Mr. Burwell thing. So if you should ever be alone with Ben then please, go away if he's extraordinary or wants to know anything suspicious from us."

Shaking slightly she whispered back in fear:

"Somehow I don't want him to come."

With a tight hug, he comforted her a bit and said:

"Try to act normal. Maybe he doesn't has anything to do with that so..."

Flora nodded as response and stood up, to bring the meal tray in the kitchen with Luke.

"Chelmey, among us, what are the new evidences?"

Hershel's Hand landed, full of exceptions, on his rather large shoulder, holding the bag with Claire's medicine in the other one.

"First you'll tell me what in this petty bag is."

He pointed curious on the white plastic bad and chuckled quietly.

"Actually you don't have permission to ask but, in it are some pills and random medicine for Claire."

Both were standing again on the same place where they stood on the crime scene last night.

"Claire hu? You've a relationship with her?"

Rudely he accented the 'her' , as if he wouldn't get a woman anyway.

"I guess, Don't ask any further."

The Professor glanced to the ground, hiding his nervously blushed face from him.

"Okay, Okay. So what we found yesterday's very odd. A few short, dark brown Hair Strands were distributed all over the room and over the corpse. What we also found was this."

Chelmey held a black clove out, handing it to Hershel.

"But with those facts you can detect the thief."

"Yes we can, but it would take weeks til we know the results of the test."

That was right, this couldn't wait any longer. This was another mysterious case for Professor Layton...

but Maybe Luke would find it out first...

Author's Note: My next chapter.. hope you've liked it. If yes, then please R&R. There's alllooot to come.. so stay tuned. Thank you for reading!