Case Closed

• Eight •

Bang!

Lucy shot off the sofa as if she had been electrocuted. Potty Prof had stormed through the door and slammed it behind him. "Morning Prof," Lucy yawned, stretching her arms up above her head. He didn't reply. Lucy smoothed out her top and yawned again before going over to the desk and picking up a stack of files. "Hilda sent these up yesterday. I did those-," she pointed to a smaller stack, "-and these are for today."

The Prof grabbed the top file and spread the paper out in front of him. "Talk me through it then Lucy. I want to see how you do it these days."

"Um- ok. Well..."

As Lucy went through each detail of the case, the Prof occasionally suggesting new theories, her mind wandered back to what Hilda had said earlier in the week. "People say he lives for his work, and I don't doubt it... I was hoping you could make him see sense?"
There was that office party coming up on Saturday. It would be difficult, but she would try and convince him to go with her. Best to catch him at a good time though.

Throughout the rest of the morning, the pair worked together, sharing ideas, techniques and theories. Prof remained Placid, Lucy remained sane, and all-in-all it was an enjoyable few hours well spent. It was rare that they actually spoke during work, both as they were so focused on solving their cases for the day. It made a pleasant change.
When the old clock in the corner - a 'souvenir' of sorts from one of Lucy's first cases - chimed 1, she dragged the Prof out of the Mystery Room and down to Scotland Yard's cafe. By some sort of miracle, she managed to convince him to sit with her, Dustin and Hilda's new assistant, Iselien, who whilst quiet had some interesting stories of the Buero d'Investigateur to share.

After eating a slightly soggy BLT and a slice of treacle tart, Lucy stood up. "I'd better be getting back upstairs. Coming Prof?"

"What? Oh yeah- lead the way."

She waited until they were in the elevator alone before casually posing the question. "So, you 'eard about that party this weekend?"

"Yes."

"You gonna go?"

"Are you?"

This was more than she had expected, at the least.

"If you do," she laughed.

"It appears we've reached a stalemate," he smiled in return. "And a gentleman always respects a lady's wishes." Suddenly he sounded bitter, and his hair reddened. It disappeared in a second though. "So yes, Lucy, I will accompany you to the party. I assume that's what you're requesting of me?"

Lucy was stunned into silence for a moment. Cheeks flushing, she said,  "Well... yes."

"I look forward to it. Excuse me, I need to go speak to the Commissioner. I'll be back in a couple of hours."

So Lucy went back to the office, and worked. As promised, the Prof returned later in the afternoon. It almost seemed like everything had gone back to normal, as it had been in the quiet months after Forbodium Castle. The next day, and the next, followed suit, just ordinary days. They would have been boring if not for their lunchtime - often heated - discussions downstairs at lunch. It was like before, Lucy thought, but better.