"I'm sorry, I know it was wrong. I deeply apologize."

Flora stared at Ben confused, not even realizing what happened a few seconds ago. Touching her lips she imagined Luke, seeing her kissing another guy.

'I've hurt a person that I need so much, how can I be so inane?',

just this thought made her to stand up and say:

"I'm sorry Ben. I need to leave, please don't be mad on me."

With that, she turned away, only forcing her not to scream out of pain... which came from her heart.

Meanwhile:

"What for time is it Professor?"

Luke was in Hershel's room, finding both lovebirds in the same position like they were in an hour before. Claire fell asleep in his arms, cause of her illness.

"It's around 8 pm. Why are you asking, my boy?"

He felt such a pressure on his chest, tears were filling his dark eyes, also fear reached his mind as he thought that Flora was going out with a murderer!

"Never mind."

Showing his back to Hershel, he slightly sobbed and walked out of the room, as the professor loudly whispered:

"Luke! What's going on?"

His smile went by, and turned into a concerned facial expression. Slowly lifting up Claire's head from his lap, he placed her on one of his fluffy pillows and closed the door a bit later behind himself.
In the living room, they took a seat on the couch and began to talk:

"Now tell me, what's making you so emotional?"

Hershel gazed to his 'son', while he pulled himself together and replied:

"Flora's out with Ben... with other words, shes interrogating him. I hope that's all what she does..."

"Why? Did you send her to do that?"

Of course Hershel thought, it was cute from him to worry about such a silly thing but, the interrogating was too much. Nobody has evidences against Ben.

"Flora came up with the idea. You can't blame me for that."

While he shook his head, Hershel answered:

"I'm not blaming anyone. But to questioning someone out is just, inappropriate."

"If you say it like that... could you tell me please what the police had found on the crime scene?"

Finally he had the chance to ask.

"A black glove laid next to the corpse, and a few dark brown hair strands."

His voice was rather seriously, but Luke smiled after the comment:

"Doesn't that fit perfectly to Ben?"

Gloriously he grinned at his 'father', knowing that he was right.

"Actually yes... Another question, could Ben be the only human on earth with a black glove and dark brown hair?"

Luke frowned, how could he blank that out?

"I guess I missed that."

Disappointed from himself, he hang his head. The Professor suppressed a smile, as he put his large hand on his shoulders and told him gently:

"You're not the only one who's suspecting him. Ben's quite odd, but he has no reason to killing Mr. Burwell."

It sounded all so correct;

'He's way wiser than I am...'

he thought, rolling his eyes annoyed:

"Yes, you're right. Like always..."

Luke wasn't trying to be rude or something but he clearly was jealous of his puzzle skills. Hershel chuckled joyously and spoke:

"And about Flora... you don't have to be..."

His speech was interrupted by a loud crash. The Noise clinked similar to a door which was thrown hard against the wall. The Boys quickly looked to the entrance. Flora was distraught, lines of mascara covered her face, after crying about an half an hour before the door, thinking:

'Should I go in, and tell him that I cheated?'.

"Flora! What's wrong?"

Luke stormed to her and held her tightly to his body. Carefully stroking her silky hair, he wanted to know:

"Did Ben harm you?"

Hugging him back, she only whispered:

"No."

A sigh of relief came from Luke, as he glanced in her wet eyes. His happiness flew away, when he saw these broken eyes. Sad, he grabbed her hand and guided her to his room, and leaved the professor alone in the floor.

"I'd hope he can fix it."...

"Claire? How are you feeling?"

She was awake now, sitting up in his bed.

"I'm fine, it's just getting better and better from now on."

When Hershel stepped in, he immediately forget the sorrow, which were between Flora and Luke. Good sign, stress was namely the last thing he could use.

"That's great. Would you mind if we would go out today? For the walk?"

Still shy she accepted the invitation, stood up and was slightly shaking.

"You're very weak."

Holding his right arm out, Claire linked hers in his and walked by his side to the floor.

"Can you borrow me some pants?"

She blushed, when she saw, that she only wore his white shirt. Hershel laughed low-voiced, and gave her dark pants, resembling like his own pair.

"Thank you."

After she slipped in them, he handed her coat over and locked the door behind.

"Flora... dear?"

Covering her eyes with her hands, she tried to find words:

"Ben isn't the criminal. I'm hundred percent sure."

Luke was right before her, bowing down to remove her hands and reply her:

"hush. Calm down, everything's fine."

He placed himself next to her on his bed, as she pushed him away, while many tears rolled down her cheeks:

"No, nothing's fine. Ben kissed me!"

Shock...His glimpse was empty. Flora instantly stopped crying... also stopped to breath.

"He... kissed you? How?"

Injured... wasn't enough to describe how his heart felt like.

"Luke, I... Do you really want to know that?"

She knew that It would hurt him more than, the lost of his parents.

"Tell me... every...single...detail."

Starring at the wall, where the drawn heart was with their names, he dropped his head to his knees and hided his tears.

"We where walking outside, I asked him where he was at the time where Mr. Burwell has been murdered and after a little chat we reached his favorite spot. It was beautiful there, when he suddenly grabbed his guitar and played a song for me. I was amazed, honored, that I didn't noticed what he was doing. Ben came closer, til our lips met. I pulled away quickly and went right after that..."

Lifting up his head again, he looked at her again. His eyes were kinda reddish, and wet.
"It was an accident, then?"

"Yes, exactly. Luke... believe me: I love you."

Stroking her pale cheeks, he returned :

"I Love you too. But don't scare me once more."

"Finally some fresh air."

Claire took a deep breath and giggled around. His eyes were shining even more, as she fondly smiled at him.

"I should have had done this before. Fresh air's always good."

They were walking in the park, nearby layton's apartment. The place was stunning, other persons rarely visit this park, which makes it romantic and mysterious.

"Oh god, why are people dumping their garbage?"

Hershel hated it, when he spotted the cup of coffee on the ground. Bending down to the blank cup he glanced to the side and discovered, behind, a bush something horrible .

"My Word..."

Author's Note: Finally a new chapter :) hope you've liked it, and thank you very much for reading it! Please R&R for the sequel..