December 17th
3:19 PM
Criminal Affairs Department Entrance
As Ema walked through the front doors of the precinct, the biting wind immediately began to take its effect. She pulled her lab coat more tightly around her shoulders as she started down the sidewalk. The department store was quite a short walk from the precinct, and she quickly began to scan around the area for Apollo and Trucy. After a minute with no sign of them, she reached the parking lot. While there were, of course, an incredible number of cars and other vehicles packed into the expansive lot, there were relatively few people. Most seemed to be making a point to rush from one place to another to avoid the cold.
Finally, Ema spotted a familiar pair of spikes pointing up from the head of someone in a dark coat.
"Hey, Ema!" Apollo called out, waving to her. He was standing next to Trucy, who was examining the exterior of a large delivery truck. Trucy stood up to wave as well when Apollo shouted, and Ema returned the gesture.
"Hi, Apollo, Trucy." she said as she neared them. "How's the scene looking?"
"There's definite evidence that somebody was in the back of the truck between its departure from the factory and its arrival at the store," Apollo began,
"But we're gonna need your shoe printing kit to determine if it was the driver." Trucy finished. Apollo nodded.
"According to the driver, the missing stuff is worth several thousand dollars, and the store manager's accusing the truck's driver of stealing everything and is ready to
take the matter to court." he said. Ema nodded as she took the information in, and reached into her bag. She pulled out the necessary equipment and walked over to
the truck. "Also, Trucy and I-" Apollo began, only to be cut off by an elbow in the gut from Trucy.
"Apollo bought you a bag of Snackoos as thanks for helping us out." Trucy said. "Go on, give them to her." Apollo grinned nervously and held out the bag, which Ema
immediately pulled from his hand. Without a second thought, she tore open the bag and started on the contents.
"Thanks, -MUNCH- Apollo." she said through a half-filled mouth. "You've -MUNCH- laid down a print of the driver's -MUNCH- boot, right?"
"Of course." Trucy said, motioning to a trail of prints lining the snow next to the truck.
December 17th
3:54 PM
Department Store Delivery Lot
"Thanks again for all your help, Ema." Apollo said as Ema slung her bag back over her shoulder. She brushed a lock of hair away from her face and smiled.
"Not a problem, Apollo. Scientifically speaking, it was a simple process. Let me know if anything else comes around, OK? There's still nothing happening down at the precinct." she responded.
"We'll be sure to." Trucy said. The group traded farewells as Ema started to walk back across the parking lot.
"That went well." Apollo said to Trucy. "We should have everything we need to prove that the driver wasn't involved in the trial tomorrow." In response, Trucy simply folded her arms and frowned up at him.
"What's wrong, Trucy?"
"Still completely clueless, aren't you, Polly?" she said impatiently. She rolled her eyes at Apollo's blank expression and continued, "You know that you wanted to ask Ema out, so why didn't you?" Apollo groaned.
"Trucy, Ema's three years older than me. She wouldn't be interested." Trucy lightly hit Apollo in the arm.
"That's not a real excuse, Apollo. Ema wouldn't be so friendly with you if that were true. You appreciate her love of science, and how handy it is for investigations. That's why she likes you. Now, go catch up with her and give it a shot." she said, staring him in the face. Apollo hesitated, and Trucy began to shove him backward.
"Alright, Trucy, I'm going." he said, turning in the direction of Ema's retreating back. He jogged after her, and caught up just outside of the parking lot.
"What's up, Apollo?" she asked, turning around. Apollo's hand flew up to his head and he began to nervously flatten his hair again.
"Er, Ema? Do you want to-" he broke off, his face heating up again. Ema stared at him, her fingers twisting around a lock of her hair. "Do you... I mean, want to...go out for lunch or something after the trial tomorrow morning?" he stammered. Ema continued to stare at him, as his face somehow found a way to redden even further. Finally, she smiled.
"Sure. I'd like that." she said, placing a hand on his shoulder for a moment. "Come by the precinct when everything wraps up. I'm sure Gumshoe wouldn't mind, as long as it's still calm down there then." With that, she turned and continued her walk down the sidewalk. Apollo stood in silence, and Trucy approached him from behind. She gave a resigned sigh. "You are so tactless, Polly." Apollo glared. "But, you still did it. Nice job." Trucy smiled and began to walk back down the sidewalk in the opposite direction, toward the office. Apollo followed along, his blush finally subsiding.