Hey guys! Oh god, chapter 7 was really long. Ok, so This chapter will be decently long, but probably not as long as last time. The fluff is killing me, even as the writer. Oh my goodness! Anyway, Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Lockwood & Co.!

I awoke in the late afternoon, the sunlight dancing across my covers; tickling my body with warmth. I opened my eyes, and sat up. I didn't bother to change, slipping on my dressing gown, and going downstairs.

Lockwood was nowhere to be found, and George was asleep, head resting on the surface of his desk. I stalked into the kitchen, and fished a doughnut from the package that rested on the counter. I ate it slowly.

My mind involuntarily drifted elsewhere.

Lockwood. His hand on my cheek the night before. I sighed, fingertips brushing the spot his had brushed. He had been so close. I suddenly realized that being in his arms like I had last night felt... nice. More than nice, maybe. His scent made my knees wobbly, his smiles made my heart pound in my ribcage.

No. I shook the thoughts from my head, taking a large bite from the confection in my hand to drive them away completely. After finishing, I made my way back to my room, and hung my bathrobe up on the hook. I turned the water up to as hot as I could possibly stand, and waited until the bathroom was good and steamy before removing my nightie and slipping into the shower.

As I stood under the scalding water, scrubbing my hair free form oils and grime, my thoughts wandered back. I squeezed my eyes shut, telling myself no.

I can't.

"What... Am I even feeling?" I murmured, voice muffled by the thrum of the water.

"You love him."

I jumped so hard I knocked my head on the shampoo holder that was clipped to the wall.

"Who's there?!"

"Who else? Don't act like you don't recognize my voice."

The Skull jar. I face palmed at my own stupidity, and then bolted into a strait-backed position.

"How are you in here?" I asked.

"You came in here this morning and took a bath. You just dropped me right here."

My eyes bulged. "Did you see me undress?!"

"Heavens, no. Thank god. I'm still in this blasted backpack. I can't see a thing."

I slumped against the wall, letting the water trace patterns down my torso.

"And to answer your little comment, I say myself Heavens no." I grunted, mocking the ghost's voice.

"Oh, Lucy. So oblivious. To your own emotions, none the less." It jeered.

I slipped down to the floor of the tub, wrapping my arms around my legs. I let the water drip from my bangs, sliding down my nose. Sighing deeply, I stood again, squirting body wash into my palm. I rubbed it into my loofa, and scrubbed my skin until it was pink from the friction and temperature of the shower. After washing my hair one more time, I stepped out, dried, the wrapped myself in a towel.

My room was cold- scratch that - cold was an understatement. It was frigid compared to the warm, steamy air in the bathroom. I shivered slightly, and dropped my towel on my bed, and changed into a fold neck sweater, a skirt, leggings, and wool socks. I combed my wet hair, replaced the towel on the rack in the bathroom, and then moved my backpack to the foot of my bed. I then made my way downstairs.

Lockwood was on the couch, nose buried in a beat up paperback. George was in the kitchen, fixing tea.

I sat down next to Lockwood.

"Are we going to the Cartwright's again tonight?"

He looked up at me, shaking his head. "No. I think we all need proper sleep."

I sighed, nodding. I was tired from the past night, even after sleeping for three quarters of the day.

I slumped back on the sofa, lolling my head back, yawning widely. Lockwood followed suit, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands.

"I'm going to town." I said, although I had no idea what I was going to do when I got there. Lockwood stood up as I did.

"I need to get out too. I'll come with you."

"Ok." I said. I made my way back upstairs, slipping my boots onto my feet.

"Prettying yourself up, are you? Do you have a date?" The entity's voice was clear, even though it was in a bag.

I could feel my face burning. "No! We're just going to town." I looked down, attempting to hide my crimson cheeks by busying myself with my laces.

"Aha, but do you know if that is what he considers it?"

I pushed the thoughts from my mind, and began tying my other boot.

"Take me with you. Come on, I'll give you advice."

"Bad idea." I said bluntly.

"Oh, come on. I'll help you out."

I snorted. "No way in hell."

The Spector gave the spectral equivalent of a scoff. "Come on! I'll give you hell if you don't."

"No you won't."

"Okay, fine. Maybe I won't. But This time, I want to help."

"Name one thing you've helped with before."

"Finding sources."

Well, I couldn't argue with that.

"True, but what would you get out of this?"

The ghost huffed. "Do this for me as some sort of... repayment."

I looked down at the bag, nudging it sharply with my foot. "You're stuck in there. I don't have to do anything."

"I could just clam up, like I did before."

To tell the truth, I would miss the skull. Even with it's annoying and snide comments.

I gave in. "Okay, fine."

"I knew you would give in."

"Do you want me to leave you behind?"

The skull was quiet for a moment. "No."

I pulled the bag onto my shoulders after pulling on my coat and gloves, clipping my belt around my hips. "Than shut up."

The day was crisp, and cold, the kind of day that nips at your nose and ears, your breath puffing in front of you like smoke. Blue skied and snowy, the sun doing nothing to keep you warm. Lockwood and I walked down the sidewalk towards the city, rapiers swing at our sides. Kids played in the snow, throwing snowballs and toy rapiers at crudely built visitors shaped out of cold white substance.

The children gazed in awe at the two of us, rapiers swaying at our sides.

Lockwood smiled at them, and led me to the next block.

"So." I began. "Are we just going for a walk?"

"Well, we could." He said, "Or, we could go to a coffee shop. Grab a bite."

"It's a date."

I ignored the skull jar's quip, and nodded. "Maybe just go to the park."

"That sounds nice." He said, nodding thoughtfully. "Yeah!"

I looked over at him, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"Come on then!" Lockwood surprised me by grabbing my hand.

Howard park was a warm place in the summer. It had a large playground usually swarming with children, parents on the benches, and mothers with babies. In the dead of winter, like it was now, an old woman strolled down the pathway with her husband, the two of them conversing in hushed tones. Two children were off to the side, building a snowman while their mother sat shivering on a park bench.

In the middle of the park was a pond, where in the summer, many geese resided.

Lockwood and I walked side by side down the path, hands still loosely linked from our dash here.

Lockwood either didn't notice, or didn't care, because he didn't pull his hand away. I felt a painful twist make it's appearance in the pit of my stomach, and the frosty air somehow seemed a few degrees warmer.

"So, shall we just walk around?"

"He asked you to go to a coffee shop. Take advantage of that."

I used my free arm to elbow the backpack.

"Sure. We can go to the coffee shop you mentioned when we get too cold."

Lockwood nodded, giving me a megawatt smile. His teeth were whiter than the snow. I smiled back.

We walked in a comfortable silence before Lockwood led me to a park bench. He brushed the snow from the seat, and sat. I sat beside him, setting my backpack beside us.

"So, any thoughts on Elizabeth?"

I looked at the hem of my skirt, rubbing the fabric between my fingers.

"Does the fact that she's terrifying count?"

Lockwood laughed. "Sure. But I meant on her case."

I thought for a moment before replying. "Well, she seems to be aggressive towards her murderer, much like other victims are. She shouts things like, 'it hurts,' 'I loved you,' and 'how could you.'"

"So, it's a lover? Her husband perhaps?"

I nodded. "Possibly."

"We'll have to do some more research on Benjamin Anthonyson."

I nodded. "Agreed."

We turned to look another, and suddenly, the urge was back, tingling across my lips.

I sighed, breath pluming in the air. Before I could move, his hand was on my cheek.

He was leaning forward, rapidly closing the gap between us. Our lips were inches from each other, his breath tickling my skin. My eyes drifted shut.

Then; "Why, hello, Tony!"

Quill Kipps. His hair was as red as ever, and he was wearing the standard Fittes uniform plus a grey scarf wound around his neck. His over-jeweled rapier hung at his side. Kat Godwin stood behind him, and if it was possible, her chin seemed even sharper. She was clad in a Fittes uniform as well, earmuffs over her ears, gloves on her hands. A smirk tugged at her thin lips.

I heard Lockwood growl as he righted himself, sitting back against the bench.

"Hello, Kipps, how are you today?" Lockwood said venomously.

Kipps just smirked.

"Oh great. It's carrot top." The jar grunted.

Of course, Kipps couldn't hear the spirit.

"Getting quite cozy, aren't we?" He sneered, smirk widening. Kat Godwin snickered.

I felt my cheeks flare. Lockwood's face broke into a wolfish grin. "And just what are you two doing here, hmm?"

Kipps' smirk wavered slightly.

"Are you getting cozy?"

A blush spread across Kat Godwin's face.

Kipps' face turned red as his hair. He straightened himself, poking his nose in the air. "O-of course not. That would be unprofessional."

"Since when have you been professional? You are the one who squealed like a little girl when I poked you in the bum with my rapier all those years ago." Lockwood said slowly.

Kipps' face turned scarlet, and he grabbed Kat Godwin's arm. "Fine." He began to walk away, "You win. This time, Tony."

We watched him disappear down the path before bursting into laughter.

"His face!" Lockwood said between laughs. "It looked like a tomato!"

"I know!" I cried. We laughed together, breathless when done.

"God, just kiss already."

A blush rose to my cheeks, and I turned away, busying myself with smoothing my skirt.

When I turned back, Lockwood looked at me. "I'm getting cold. Shall we go to the coffee shop?"

I nodded. "Sure. A hot biscuit sounds amazing right now."

Lockwood stood, and took my hand, pulling me to my feet.

"Lucy..." He said softly. "I..."

"You... What?" I asked. I could feel my cheeks heat up for the umpteenth time that day.

Lockwood squeezed my hand. "It's nothing."

I had just enough time to grab my backpack before he ran off, dragging me in tow.

The coffee shop was a snug place, hardwood floors with tabled pressed against the walls, coffee stains ringing the surfaces like broken chain links. Comfy couches sat tucked in corners, lamps lit on tables beside them. Toys sat in bins for children, magazines in stacks on coffee tables.

I ordered a hot scone and a strawberry-banana smoothie, Lockwood with a hot cup of tea. We settled down at a table in the far corner of the shop. The barista smiled dreamily at Lockwood, but he seemed to be ignoring her.

I bit into my scone. My smoothie tasted fantastic. Lockwood sipped his tea carefully, as not to burn his tongue. He gave me a smile.

"So, anything you want to talk about?"

I smoothed my skirt, my mind letting itself out. Then, it dawned on me.

Back at the park, before Kipps had arrived... was Lockwood about to kiss me? And if Kipps hadn't shown up, would he have? I found myself moving my fingers to my lips, gracing them gently.

I had a feeling I probably wouldn't have minded all that much if he had.

I shook the thoughts from my mind, just as I had been doing for the longest time.

"Lucy?" Lockwood waved a hand in front of my face. "Hello?"

I snapped out of my trance, blinking a couple of times.

"Hi." I said stupidly.

"Get him to try and kiss you again. Go on. It almost happened."

"I don't want to manipulate him." I hissed. Luckily, Lockwood had been lost in space, staring at a painting.

"How dense are you? He did that on his own. Do it, before that barista comes over and does the job for you."

The skull was right. The barista was now sitting on the counter, eyes tracing up and down Lockwood's body. I glared at her pointedly.

"Not here." I said quietly. "No. I can't."

What was I even thinking?! Kissing him?! Where did that thought even come from?! I shook my head vigorously, and took a long pull from my smoothie.

I took a large bite of my scone, chewing slowly.

I could feel that painful tug had returned.

"Go on. Lucy, you love him. I can tell. Act before others do."

The tug seemed to agree. I slurped up the last of my smoothie, and put the last bite of my scone into my mouth. Lockwood's teacup was empty.

It seemed I had to. I had to before I couldn't take anymore. I could feel that that was coming soon.

"Shall we?" He said, taking my hand, lacing his fingers through mine.

I smiled. "We shall."

When we went outside, the chill came back sharply, like a slap. I took the lead. I walked us back to the park.

"Lucy... why are we here again?"

I slipped my fingers from his, walking to a great oak. I leaned against the trunk.

Lockwood stood next to me. I turned to face him.

"Lockwood, do you know that I care about you?"

Lockwood smiled. "Of course, Luce. You know I would die for you.

"Lockwood..." I muttered. A smile crept to my lips.

"I didn't get do do this earlier."

Lockwood took my cheek in his palm, stroking it with his thumb. He wasted no time in pulling me to him, free arm around my waist.

And he was kissing me.

Deep, soft, and full. His lips were firm, and soft, their warmth spreading a current through my body. I loosely framed his shoulders with my arms, kissing him back. I was lost in the kiss, cold of the day forgotten. I could feel him smiling against my mouth, and I found myself doing the same.

"About time!" Came the skull jar's voice.

The rational part of myself told me to pull away, and apologize, say I was being foolish. The irrational part told me to forget it. I went with that.

He kissed me until we were out of breath, and pulled away. Snow had begun to fall, clinging to my eyelashes, and speckling Lockwood's dark hair. His eyes danced merrily, and he was smiling. Really smiling. Not a charming smile. Just a smile. And it made me melt. I smiled back.

I found myself questioning if this was the right thing to do. Was it proper? Would it weaken us? I pushed the thoughts from my head. Lockwood kissed me again, deep, but quicker than the last one.

"Luce, you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that. I've been waiting to do that."

I didn't know it then, but so had I.

"So," he said, his hand slipping into mine, "Shall we head home?"

I smiled, nodding. We held hands the entire ways home.

GOD THAT TOOK SO LONG TO WRITE AND I'M SO SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE. OH MY GOODNESS SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS.

God, kiss scenes are always the hardest to write. But, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'll update much sooner next time, I promise. Although, now I don't really know what to do.

Ah, I'll figure it out.

Anyway, see ya next time!

~Starry