The Forensics Teacher (Line of Duty AU - Steve Arnott / OFC)

The Forensics Teacher

On the first day of term, Lauren Christie woke up bright and early at 6am, the sun still not up in the sky. She smiled throughout her shower as she remembered that she would be seeing her boyfriend Steve after her lectures, for a nice curry at his place. They had only been together for 3 months, after they'd met in a bar on a night out with his workmates but she wouldn't have it any other way.

As she drank her obligatory morning cup of tea on her windowsill, watching the sun come up, a buzzing sound came from her desk. "Good luck for today dear. I'll see you later tonight – SA." She groaned at the fact that he always signed his texts, but it was one thing that she wouldn't change about him.

"Thank you. Hope I don't have any weird professors this term. Be nice to your gaffer xx" she texted back. Although other people thought it was strange that her boyfriend was ten years older than her, the couple acknowledged that Lauren was wiser beyond her years and that age shouldn't be a reason why they shouldn't have got together. Even Steve's gaffer seemed to approve of her, as the last time AC-12 had gone out, she had joined them for a pint, and the conversation turned on The Troubles and how it had affected the Irish political, religious and cultural climate. It was then that Ted Hastings had told Steve that Lauren was a keeper. She reflected upon that night as she got ready and as the 21-year old collected her things before leaving her flat, Steve Arnott was just about to drive out of his apartment complex to begin a hectic day.

___________

She walked the short distance to the campus and struggled to find the lecture hall to 'Introduction to Forensic Science'. After walking almost half the campus to find it, she was relieved to see she had 15 minutes to spare. As the room was empty, she entered and found herself a seat right in the middle of the hall. Far enough to avoid looking like a teacher's pet but near enough so that she could see what was actually written on the board, just how she liked it.

She was busy drawing on her sketchbook as the seventy other students in her course entered the hall and they were making so much noise that they failed to notice the lecturer entering the room. She didn't see him writing his name on the board until she heard him cough so that they'd begin. As soon as she laid eyes on him, her heart was in her throat. She saw the name on the board and back at him. He was wearing a checked suit that was obviously made to measure and a crisp white shirt, with the first button undone. She couldn't believe her eyes. 

"Right class," the lecturer said. "This is 'Introduction to Forensic Science' so those who have accidentally entered this room, you know the exit. Everyone alright? Does anyone have any questions before we begin?" A girl at the back, known for her reputation of sleeping around with older men, raised her hand. 

"You single sir?" the girl asked. 

"With all due respect Miss," he trailed off, waiting for her to give her name. 

"Adams, Sophia Adams."

"With all due respect Miss Adams, that is not relevant to the matter at hand. Anyone else has any questions actually related to Forensic Science before we begin? No? Great, let's get cracking."

Oh no, Lauren thought. What have I done?

___________

"Ok so after going through what forensic science covers in a nutshell, let's do a small case study," the lecturer said. "I'm going to show you an envelope with a blacked out list. This was actually from one of my cases, hence I blacked out the list. You have to tell me what the investigating team, including the forensics team, have to search for in order to uncover the evidence from the investigation. Please say your name before so that I can learn your names."

A boy in the front lifted his hand. "Michael Clover. They'd look at the blood splatter on the paper and identify whose it is." The lecturer nodded.