Arriving home, Aurora had been asked who she would prefer to stay with while details were being sorted out. Not too surprisingly, after a moment of hesitance, she replied that she would prefer to stay with Professor Layton during that time. It wasn't too much of a surprise for Elaine. He did catch her when she fell from the ice (even if she was unconscious at the time), and carried her during the rescue from the Targent ship. Okay, Desmond could have been a good second option, but Elaine did prefer Aurora staying with him until they began their Azran egg hunt.

The Professor along with Emmy, Luke and Aurora went their own way while Elaine (under the white lie of Desmond offering her a lift home) had gone with Desmond, his daughter and Raymond. And there was some mild truth to it. Elaine made it clear to Desmond while out of earshot to everyone else that she wanted to make a call to work and her parents. Grudgingly, he agreed that the two of them would make a quick trip to her home, leaving Johanna and Raymond at the Bostonius until they returned. It shouldn't have taken more than an hour or two at the most anyway.

"I don't see why you were so insistent," Desmond grumbled as they walked swiftly up the street to Elaine's home. "It's not like you'll be back the next day." Elaine glared and slapped the back of his head.

"Because I want my family to know I'm okay, and I need to give some sort of excuse as to why I shouldn't lose my job. Not all of us are lucky enough to 'ave a seemingly infinite amount of wealth."

"I wouldn't call it infinite. Just a very… large amount," Desmond corrected, looking around the streets. "At least you live in a decent part of London."

"Oh? And suddenly it's important that I live in a 'good part' as you put it?" Elaine questioned with raised brow.

"I'm not going to bother answering that since you'll turn on me no matter what answer I give," Desmond sighed. They soon stopped outside her home. "Well. Here we are."

"Indeed. So open the door." Elaine folded her arms while Desmond gave her a look.

"Excuse me?"

"I doubted I 'ave powers to automatically put my 'ouse keys in my pocket while you were kidnapping me." Elaine's blunt statement almost brought an embarrassed look to Desmond's face, but he quickly coughed and muttered as he shifted through his pockets before taking out some type of small lock picking tool.

"It's been a while since I've done this, but I suppose I could try lock picking it."

"And you went through the trouble of disguising yourself as my brother to get in?" Elaine asked.

"It was easier in my opinion," Desmond said before walking to the front door and kneeling down. Elaine stood behind calmly, occasionally looking from side to as she waited. There weren't many people about, and they didn't appear to be paying attention to herself and Desmond. Then again, it's not exactly as though they appeared to be anyone really suspicious from the way they were dressed. Some people did occasionally have the habit of judging by appearance.

"And we're in," Desmond said with a triumphant smirk as he stood back up and opened the door.

"Ah, so your criminal activities do 'ave a use for good," Elaine mused as she walked around Desmond to go inside.

Her house didn't look any different than it was last time she was here. There wasn't even as much dust as she would have expected. Elaine recalled after her first kidnapping, her mother had mentioned how she and sometimes her father would come over to do a little dusting. That must have happened again this time.

"May as well 'elp yourself to a drink while I call work and family," Elaine said as she went straight to her phone.

"I would have thought you'd expect me to wait outside," said Desmond, coming inside and shutting the door behind him.

"You would come in regardless."

The phone call into work went easily enough. Elaine just had to tell a small lie that she already talked to police, and decided to actually take time off this time. She was a good worker, and had rarely taken time out except for holidays and excavations, so she figured those factors may have played into her favour. Now, it was just time to call her parents.

"Allô?" Elaine smiled lightly at hearing the voice of her mother.

"Hi, mum. It's Elaine."

"Elaine! Oh, darling, where are you?! Are you alright?!" Elaine's smile widened as her mother sounded a mix of emotions. Excited, joyous, relief. There was a bit of panic there too, which would have made Elaine second guess feeling so happy, but brushed that worry aside.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm calling from home now actually."

"Thank God, thank God," Elaine's mother mumbled a few times, almost sounding delirious. "'Ave you called the po-?"

"Already talked to them," Elaine said shortly. "Where's dad?"

"Fishing trip with Madeline. He insisted on her boyfriend coming along so he could get to know him more."

"So he plans to intimidate Henry then?" Elaine asked with a smile. Madeline was the only one in the family who truly liked fishing. Elaine's father liked it but wouldn't have counted it as a hobby like Madeline would. Intimidating Henry Ledore was probably his main agenda.

"That would be correct," she chuckled. "But he appears to be a nice young man from what I've seen when she brought him over for dinner. Charming, polite… if it wasn't for your father I possibly would have flirted with him myself."

"More then you already did?"

"Don't be cheeky now," she chided lightly.

"Sorry. Erm, there's actually another reason I'm calling" Already, Elaine could tell her mother was suspicious. And she hadn't even said a word yet. It was just a sense that tended to be developed when you are around her long enough.

"Oh? And what is it?" And there's that, 'and it better be a good reason'-like tone.

"I… Sort of signed up for an archaeology trip going around the world and I'm not sure when I'll be back" Elaine said it quickly in one breath and waited. There was no immediate response. But soon, Elaine's mother said in a calm voice,

"You just come back after being kidnapped from a psychopath who held your cousin hostage and made you do things against your will. What on earth, makes you think I'm just going to let you go so easily again."

"Erm…" Elaine bit her lip, trying to think fast. Even hinting to Targent or Aurora would not help her case. Not to mention it probably would be best if her family knew less. Still, she had to come up with a good explanation. Eyes landing on Descole in the kitchen through the archway, Elaine's eyes lit up briefly as an excuse came to mind. "Well, last time I didn't exactly, 'relax' like you were all telling me to, right? And this is the perfect opportunity since it's also going to be with my current romantic interest!"

"… Current…? Where did this come from?" Elaine's mother sounded confused.

"You see, I was rescued by Descole by an archaeologist called Desmond Sycamore and, well… He's cute, interesting intelligent. His jokes are awful but other than that, 'e's good."

"… He rescued you from Descole?" Her mother sounded calmer. That was a good sign. "And you want to go on an archaeology trip with him?"

"You know how much I love archaeology. It's hardly going to be work."

"I suppose… Oh, I don't know… It seems os spontaneous…"

"Please…" Elaine tried to use the same tone that worked on her father and brother. Maybe it might still work on her mother.

"… That only works on your father and brother, Elaine." Elaine pouted. " But I…" she sighed. "If you promise to try and call us whenever you can, then I suppose there's no reason not to go. You probably would have done so anyway, no matter what."

"I would have," Elaine agreed with a smile. "But thanks for saying yes anyway."

"Also, one more thing."

"Yes?"

"I expect you to bring him over for dinner when this trip of yours' is over. I'm certain your father will be happy with one of your boyfriends for once seeing how he actually rescued you." Elaine almost snorted at that. If her father knew the full details of Elaine's current boyfriend… Well, he would be far from happy. Actually, he would likely use this as an opportunity to try and go through with killing Desmond with her brother's help.

"I'll talk to him about it. Just don't try to steal him away from me."

"Me? Steal away your men? Never!"

"So you say," Elaine chuckled. "Look, I 'ave to go now mum. I'll try to call you soon."

"Okay. Be safe. I love you, sweetheart."

"Love you too, mum." Elaine placed the receiver down before going into the kitchen where Desmond was leaning against the counter with a glass of water in hand.

"So how did it go?"

"Mum was reluctant, but I twisted the truth a little to convince 'er," Elaine shrugged. "As far as she knows, you rescued me from Descole and gave me a chance to go on a round-the-world archaeology trip as part of me actually taking a break after my kidnappings. Also, when we're finished with this entire trip, we're going for dinner at my parents 'ouse."

"… And you didn't think of asking me?"

"I think after everything you've put me through, you can 'andle dinner with my family," Elaine said with a shrug. "You've can't really blame anyone but yourself. Besides, they'll probably like you since you saved their only daughter and sister from a madman."

"Can't be any worse than meeting Lucy's parents," Desmond muttered after a sigh.

"Why didn't they exactly like you anyway?" Elaine asked. It was a question that had come to mind once or twice but she hadn't exactly found a way to bring it up without it being out of the blue.

"I'm not sure exactly," he admitted. "I think it might have been our choice of careers. Lucy's father was a business man of some big company and her mother was a stockbroker if I'm correct. I think they thought my career didn't make me totally worthy of their daughter. Also, I'm can't remember how it came up, but I mentioned I was adopted and I suppose they weren't too keen on that for some reason. I never bothered to find out why. I think it was the inheritance I received from my adoptive parents that made them tolerate me enough."

"I'm guessing it must 'ave also been a blessing to see the last of them after the custody battle for Johanna."

"It was actually," Desmond admitted with a light smirk. Possibly feeling smug about that day.

"Did you ever tell Johanna?" asked Elaine, and Desmond's smirk dropped.

"I… told her the necessary parts. That her mother's parents didn't like me too much and wanted to take her away from me. She's never shown an interest in visiting them so I haven't really brought them up since she asked about them when she was five."

Desmond finished his glass and gave it a quick wash before putting it back in the cupboard it was in. "Did I ever say you have a nice home? Nicely decorated."

"I'm 'appy to 'ear you appreciate my taste in 'ouse decoration." Elaine replied back with a shrug before she went back into the living room and picked up the house keys she had left on the coffee time last time she was here. "And 'ere I was thinking you would see it too simple for your taste."

"You make it sound like I decorate my home with gaudy 'treasures'."

"More like showing off what you 'ave." Elaine turned to face him. "So, shall we 'ead?"

"Yes, lets." Elaine had Desmond step out first before she herself went out and locked the door behind her. They then began their brisk walk.

"And if it's worth anything to you," Elaine began. "Assuming my father and Philippe and Madeline buy the story of you rescuing me, you probably shouldn't 'ave too much trouble aside from my mother's slight perversion."

"Slight perversion?" Desmond raised a brow.

"Indeed. For instance, she said that Monsieur Jack Kennedy was 'andsome and 'ad a cute rear," Elaine explained, resisting the urge to smirk lightly. Desmond frowned at first as he looked thoughtful. But then his eyes widened as he remembered he had used that name while in her parents' home after Ambrosia.

"She… actually said that? If it was just that I was handsome, I would be flattered. Even if I was wearing a disguise. The latter part though…" Elaine stifled a giggle. Oh, how she loved to catch him off guard on occasion.

Arriving back at the airfield, the cart was already ready to go, and Johanna was petting the horses on their side as she smiled at them as Raymond stood nearby.

"Do you like the horses, Johanna?" Desmond asked as he knelt down by her. Johanna was startled but smiled when she saw it was just her father.

"They're cute. Are they yours, papa?"

"Indeed they are. They rest in a stable not too far from home, which reminds me. We've actually moved somewhere quieter now." Johanna's smile faltered a bit.

"We have?"

"Yes, but I'm sure you'll like it. There's more space and trees." Johanna thought this over and nodded.

"If… If you say so, papa." Desmond patted her head before he picked her up.

"Want to pet their heads?" Johanna gave a nervous smile and looking back to the horse she had been petting, moved her hand out to stroke its nose.

"I think it likes it," Desmond commented.

"He likes it," Johanna corrected.

"Oh? And what makes you so sure it's a boy?"

"His voice sounds deeper than hers," Johanna explained as she pointed to the other horse.

"Well, I suppose that does make sense," Desmond agreed. "So shall we head home now?"

"Yes please," Johanna agreed.

"Then let's." Elaine let Desmond get on first before moving on herself while Raymond got in the driver's seat. Johanna sat on her father's lap, lightly clinging onto his suit jacket though not as tightly as yesterday. She did however avoid looking at Elaine, but Elaine brushed it off as shyness. At least, that all she hoped it was.