LUCY

Little ticks. Thats all there was. Little ticks in Georges schedule that hadn't changed since probably long before I knew him, but now, there was change. Change, along with many other things, were something George truly hated.

My good friend George was never as, oh whats the word? He was never as giddy as he was that winter morning. Freshly showered and ready to go, he pranced into the kitchen. It was only I in the kitchen located in Portland Row. Lockwood hadn't yet to come down.

"Well your awfully happy now aren't you." I had said.
"Yes as it is I am. Now don't ruin the moment with your voice." He had said whist throwing water in the kettle and setting the stove to the proper heat. He whistled as he walked to the shelf that held our collection of pots and pans. I had watched him pick out the proper sized pan and set it down by the stove; next came the normal selection of eggs, bacon, and bread.

"Need any help?" I offered. His whistles stopped momentarily to in which he filled the space with his voice.
"Im alright, thank you Luce." And he was back on track. Why was he being so polite? And to me of all people! In the morning!

The best I ever got from George was a "morning". Nothing that nice had ever been shot at me from him. But, because it was only the start of this change, I over looked it. I passed it on. The morning went on as the usual. Lockwood came down shorty after and we sat and ate. We spoke of the usual, new cases and what to expect, who would do what job. Like that ever changed. George, being the best in the books, was left to himself. He would find out everything he could for the case and truth be told he never took that job lightly.

I would as usual be in charge of bagging our equipment in the old tattered duffle bags. I would fill our belts with canisters of greek fire and salt bombs galore! Candles and matches, torches and batteries. With everything in place I would polish the chains and renew the oil in our lamps.

Lockwood being the leader, would- well come to think of it what did he do? That was always a mystery. He would disappear at times and other times he would help me. We didn't bother George and with a mind like his, he didn't need help.

That night the case was normal and quite boring and again I allowed something to slip. Georges attitude that night was at the least, strange. Quill accompanied us as always. He being an adult had never been able to see ghosts after he hit 20. Now, with the spectacles by his side, he took every chance he had to snag a ghost.

All was the same, I had thought when I was listening for the Wisp. Except for one thing.
It was quiet. No crunch crunch crunch came from George and his endless supply of salted crisps. I could clearly hear and subdue the source. I let this slide along with that mornings incident, oh how I wished I hadn't.

Weeks passed and more change occurred, this time around I paid much closer attention. Lockwood had caught on as well about our little friend and his ever changing habit. Breaking wind, almost never. Burping at the table, never. Showering every day, always.
It was like he wasn't even there anymore. I hated it.

"George." Quill said one night as we were all seated at the dinner table. Thinking cloth beneath us and lights dimmed above us.
"Yes?" George spoke up, but not enough. There was a break in his voice at which he winced at. He coughed awkwardly.
"I must say, those notes you took for the screaming lady, were astonishing. How did you find that much on one ghost?" He looked across the table at George.
What George responded with was nothing but stutters and red cheeks. Me and Lockwood glanced at each other. Holly looked at me indicating that she knew too.

Quill didn't pry for more. He simply complimented George, which was rare, and was on his way. Plates were moved away and crumbs were brushed off. We made room for one of me and Georges favorite games. Yahtzee!

I won two rounds, Lockwood and Quill won one, Holly won three, and George won none.

"Well I best be off." Quill stood and stretched. I leaned back examining the clock. 11:12 it read.
"Same here." Holly stood and yawned. Gracefully of course.
"Be careful Quill. Call us when your back. Same to you Holly. " Lockwood said. He said it every night though he knew he didn't. There was an awkward exchange of good byes and he was off.

And like the flick of a switch, our good old friend was back to him self. We bid each other good night, and soon the house was all quiet. Except for the footsteps creaking towards my bedroom door.

I grabbed my rapier and stood at guard next to the inch and a half on wood keeping me safe.
"Put the sword down." I heard a familiar voice whisper. I threw it down and opened the door. Lockwood stood there. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

"Déjà vu much?" I asked. He chuckled as he slipped passed me. He sat on one end of my bed and I on the other.

"Have you noticed Georges odd behavior?" He asked.
"I many have been monitoring." I smiled.
"I don't know whats gotten into him. I mean some of this change is nice, but to be honest, im not sure if I entirely like it."
"I feel the same way. And why is it happening now just out of the blue?"
"I don't know Luce." He looked at me, dead in the eye. I opened my mouth to say more but was frozen for some reason. His eyes softened. I couldn't look away. He smiled, leaning forward. Of course I added Locklyle. Don't look at me like that!

That night was all a bit of a blur, but I loved it. No we didn't, do that! But my heart was full and warm when I woke up in his arms. The warmth from his bare chest fizzled through me making me a mess inside.

"Good morning Luce." Lockwood mumbled kissing the crown of my head. I sighed and sang deeper into him.
"Morning." I replied, drunk on happiness.
"I've never slept so good before." His smile gleaming as I looked up at him.
"I don't want to get up."
"Who said we have to?" His smile blinding me.
I leaned back into him, smelling his scent of tea and cologne. My hand made its way to his side, just above the waist. His breath hitched. I giggled moving my hand down to his waist. Then back towards his butt. I gave it a squeeze.
"Lucy!" He gasped. I giggled again. He looked down at me, I smiled up at him.

GEORGE
"Good morning." Quill said from behind me. I was leaning over my desk at the color coded map from our latest case. A blush blossomed through my cheeks I felt his arms wrap around my waist, head coming at a rest on my shoulder. My blush deepened even more, I turned around to face him. He smirked down on me, leaning in.

"Quill their gonna catch us. Lucy comes down at this time. What if they catch us? What will you say? What-"
"Shhhh. Hey come on! Were alone for now." He smiled.

I sighed, pulling him closer. Him. Him of all people. I fell for the one that once hated.
His lips connected with mine and my stomach flipped. I sighed with contentment and happiness. My blush blooming further throughout me. He chuckled and pressed further, deepening the kiss. I was pushed up against the desk as his body pressed against mine. My arms were around his shoulders, fingers tangled in his hair. I felt his strong arm tightened around my waist, somehow, pulling me closer.

That one stair that always squeaked when you stepped on it, squeaked. We flew apart, trying to collect ourselves. Quill was better at it than me to say the least. He straightened his shirt, smoother back his hair, coughed and leaned against Holly's desk. I on the other hand was still and blushing mess. I turned around, facing away from the door, breathing through my mouth.

"Morning George! Oh Quill, your here early." Lockwood said.
"Sadly yes," his voice calm, collected and stable " their doing construction on my apartment. Sleep was impossible last night." He lied fluently.
"Sorry to hear that Quill." Lucy said.
Oh great! Shes here too!
My face was still red, breath still gone.
"You ok George?" Lockwood asked.
"Yeah im good. Just trying to figure this out." I said. My voice was a bit shaky to begin but evened out by the end thankfully.
"What ya' lookin' at?" Lucy asked.
"A map, what else?" I replied a little too forcefully. I could hear Quill snicker.
"Ok..."
"Well me and Luce have to go, uhhh, shopping. We'll be back."
"Ok." I said.
Yes leave please.
"By the way Holly took the day off!" Lockwood called from upstairs. We waited; the front door slammed shut. I felt a hand on my back as soon as the noise echoed through the house.
"So," Quill purred in my ear "where were we?" I turned around to face hin again. He chuckled.
"Your face is still red."
"Shut up!" I mumbled. His fingers were under my chin, forcing me to look at him.
"Oh don't get mad at me darling." He came closer. His lips attacked mine and for those few seconds I couldn't think. He consumed my thoughts making me feel like I was floating. My arms wrapped them selves around his shoulders, pulling him closer. His arms made their way slowly around my waist. I pulled away.
"Whats wrong?" He asked, face suddenly very serious. 
"Well I.. I know im not the... well... thinest-"
"Oh don't you even start. I want to hear non of that. Your perfect hun." His forehead came to rest on mine. I smiled.

---------------------time skip---------------------
2 weeks later

GEORGE

A knock sounded on the door. That would be the client. Her name was Lucy Klemming. I short, thin girl with long brown hair. This I observed as I opened the door. She wore a ling grey sweater and black leggings. He hair was half pulled back and curled at the bottom. She looked up at me and stopped. She blushed a deep crimson, stuttering, trying to find words. I won't say she wasn't attractive.
"Hi." She finally said.
"Hello, Lucy is it?"
"Yes thats me. Lucy Klemming." She smiled.
"Whos at the door George?" I heard our Lucy call.
"The client." I called back. Lucy came up and looked at the girl.
"Hello!" She said cheerily. She reached an arm forward and shook the girls hand.
"Please come in." She said.
"Ill go get the donuts." I said walking to the kitchen.

LUCY (carlyle of course)
"Who's that?" Lucy Klemming asked.
(I really didn't think this through by naming her Lucy but im too lazy to go and change it so..)
"Oh thats George. He's our researcher."
"Oh." I looked at the girl. Her cheeks were a dark crimson. Oh no.
"Oh im Lucy by the way!" I said trying to change the subject.
"Oh. Im Lucy too."
"Yes I know." We smiled at one another.
The interview commenced quickly. Lockwood came down the stairs, followed by Holly who came out of the basement and Quill who was in the bathroom. We took our seats and started the usual. Well, we tried for the usual. Lucy (K) kept looking over at George, she would smile, blush and look away. Quill sat next to me, became tense after awhile. This was an odd morning to say the least. Lockwood had to keep redirecting her attention. We looked at each other. The interview took longer than it should have and I ended up falling asleep on Holly's shoulder. She leaned he head on mine.
"Lucy!" Lockwood said. I jumped.
"No not you." He said to our client. He looked at me.
"I wasnt sleeping."
"Mmhhmmm." Lockwood smirked at me.
"So Ms. Klemming, Ms. Klemming?" She was again looking at George.
"Thats it!" Quill hollered. I jumped onto Holly who initially jumped on me.
"Answer Lockwoods questions and stop flirting with George!" He bellowed.
"Quill-" that was Lockwood. His face was pure surprise and shock. Actually we all looked like that.
"Leave George alone and get back to your story."
"If I didn't know any better I would say that you liked him." Lucy said.
"Of course I like him-" he stopped. Quills face flushed. "We work together we have to like each other." He said quickly but the damage was done.

QUILL
I can't believe I said that. George was going to kill me I knew it. I quickly got up and left the room. I was in the kitchen, sitting in one of the old chairs, head in my hands when I heard the door open. I didn't bother to look up.
"Hey." I was Lucy. Our Lucy.
"What?" I asked a tad bit to harsh.
"I get it now. All those moments when George would get flustered around you or his changes in appearance. They were for you. Because of you." She put a hand on my shoulder.
"I ruined everything." I said. Lucy put her hand under my arm, pulled me up and hugged me.
"Nah. You just said a tad bit too much." She laughed, pulling away.
"What if he left me for her-"
"He would do that. I've seen the way he looks at you." She smiled at me.
"Im sorry for the outburst." I blushed.
"Its alright. Hey, I do it all the time. What you pulled is nothing like what I do." She laughed. That brightened me up a bit.
"But still don't worry about her. George loves you." And she left. I scratched the back of my neck, I let out a long sigh.
20 minutes later Lucy Klemming left and everyone pilled into the kitchen. Lockwood slapped me on the back. I refused to look him in the eye. Holly hugged me. George went upstairs. He didn't even look at me. They watched him go up and then turned to me. I laughed, and by laughed I mean I groaned.
"Im going home." I said
"No your not." Lockwood said taking me by the shoulders and pushing me towards the stairs.
"Go." He said.
"But-"
"GO!" They all screamed at me. I turned and dashed up the stairs.

I stopped in front of his door. I gripped the handle and pushed the door slightly open.
"George?" I called out.
"Why would you say that?" He asked. I could see him. The lights were out.
"Im so sorry." I paused. "Can I come in?"
"Of course you can." I slid in and closed the door. I took one step forward and was pushed back against the door. Fear gripped my heart. Then I relaxed as I felt his lips on mine. They were there for only a second, then they pulled away. I jumped at him, pulling him into a hug. He gasped obviously not expecting that.
"Im sorry!" I said before nuzzling into his neck. He chuckled.
"Its ok." He led me to his bed. We lay there for some time. I became a puddle of mush in his arms. Our legs were intertwined, his arm was around my waist whist mine were around his neck. My nose was nuzzled into his neck.
"I love you George." I said. I was half asleep and judging by his voice, so was he.
"I love you too Quill."