Work Text:
It was a normal looking house in this area of Aldham. This old Village was surrounded by Mansions big and small. And most of them had been converted into flats. So really, the only odd thing about a Gentleman coming home with the groceries, opening the door and yelling "Honey, I'm home!" and getting a faint but happy answer of "Welcome back darling." - was that it occurred an hour after curfew.
So Lucy shock off the feeling of strangeness and tried to focus on the Job at hand. Lockwood and co had been offered the cleansing of an old and overgrown churchyard on the outskirts of town which would not only later on be used to build new housing but would also stabilize the Agency's financial situation enormously and on top would allow everyone a desperately needed two week vacation in summer.
Information were sparse, so this evening it was all about observation. Lucy and George were the first Group and everything went smoothly. They encountered two whisps and Lucy heard something like scratching far away - but nothing really complicated so far. Second Group of Holly and Lockwood also had nothing really worrying to report at Breakfast the next morning.
As Holly and Lucy went to get some shopping and preparing done in the villages small and only Hardware store they were instantly rolled over with information by the older Mrs. Wilderbee at the register.
So old legend had it that an illegitimate child had been buried alive in the middle ages and that the once holy ground had been cursed by it. Their conversation was abruptly disturbed by a middle aged man buying some iron chains and demanding information on the iron curtains he had ordered. While his gaze on Holly and Lucy was Condescending at best, Lucy tried to figure out if he was indeed the man she had seen last evening returning home after curfew.
"Dennis, these two remarkable Ladies are helping to clean the old churchyard across your flat. Be good and keep an eye out for them." The old woman said.
Holly flashed him a gorgeous smile and Lucy tried her best smile as well. "Thank you so much for your concern Mrs. Wilderbee." Holly beamed " We are Members of Lockwood and co, please let us know if you have any information or questions regarding our work in your lovely town." She said while handing him a business card. Holly was so smooth at this, Lockwood would be impressed - Lucy thought and with that the man left the shop.
"Poor Dennis" Mrs Wilderbee sighted " His wife Amanda died last month, real tragedy." She shook her head.
"Does anyone live with him at the moment?" Lucy asked
After noticing the questionable looks she got from Holly and Mrs. Wilderbee she quickly added "Because it's such a difficult situation to lose someone you love, so it's best not to be alone is all.."
"poor Lad is all alone since his parents died 10 years ago. Never had it easy"
"Would you mind telling us his last name, only so we can check in with him later and ask about any disturbances from the churchyard?" Holly asked, for which Lucy was really grateful.
"Sure, it's Henriks. Dennis Henriks"
After they had left the shop with their purchases, they went back to their accommodation in silence. As soon as they had entered and closed the door Holly cornered Lucy. "So, what's going on with this guy Lucy? What's bothering you?"
"please, Holly!" Lucy cried"Let me place these heavy bags. I'll tell you, although it might be nothing really."
"What's probably nothing?" Came Lockwood's voice from the entrance to the kitchen Lucy let out a deep sigh took in a lot of breath and begann rapidly
"Last night a guy living in the flats across the old churchyard came home after curfew and greeted his wife. Which I heard answering him. But today we learned that his wife died last month and that supposedly no one is living with him at the moment. I thought it was strange in the moment but what if there is a ghost at his flat and he doesn't know..." Lucy was out of breath looking pleadingly at Lockwood.
"I'll get George and we'll go to his place this afternoon. Ask a few questions and get a look. Don't worry we'll let him know if there is any reason to suspect a ghost at his home." Lockwood sounder reassuringly.
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Afternoon turned into evening and as a restless Lucy finally saw Lockwood and George coming towards them at the old Gates of the Church instead of relief she instantly fell, that something was off.
"Luce, listen " Lockwood begann as he took her by the arm and led her away from Holly and the Gate "He knows about the Ghost, and he wants to keep it near. He kicked us out the moment we figured out that he has sectioned his flat off with iron chains and that he is keeping everything he considers could be a source of his late wife in the living room. His neighbour told us that Mr Henriks is apparently acting out his last night with his wife while she was still alive. She died in Hospital and he did not only loose her but also their -"
"Oh god, that's so horrible" Lucy heard herself interrupt him with a whisper.
"Luce, let's contact Deprac and let them handle this. He doesn't want to let go and we can't make him! " Lockwood tried to tone down his own emotions while still tugging at the sleeve of Lucy's jacket.
"I could go to London first thing in the morning and get Skull. Maybe he could tell us if her ghost is really there?!" Lucy pleaded
"You said you heard her answer, didn't you? So there is something there. Please let Skull and Kipps stay in Portland Row, they both deserve to look after the house this time and - anyhow, please Lucy, don't go there. I know you want to, but please.." Lockwoods tone grew softer and after taking a long look at Lucy who looked at him with big sorrowful eyes, he finished with "Alright, we can go once this job is done. But we go together!" "Yes!" Lucy excitedly exclaimed and made a little jump while grabbing his free hand in both of hers. Lockwoods hand, which was still holding onto her sleeve, lazily Trailer down to her hands clasping his and gently rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. He gave a little chuckle and opened his mouth to speak as they both heard a breathless Holly shouting at them from the Gate.
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This evening a total of 6 sources including an old buried barrel could be secured and so all participating members of Lockwood and co were not only proud of a job well done but also tired and therefore allowed to sleep in the next morning. All that was left to do was Paperwork and an evaluation of the place the next night.
It was discussed in the team that while George and Lockwood would tend to official busines while Lucy and Holly would try figure out in which room Mrs. Henrik's Ghost was most likely to be. But just after 2 Minutes of observation they heard the boys coming after them.
"So, change of plans." George stated "Deprac is on it's way to officially evaluate our work and maybe clean out Mr. Henrik's Flat if it's true that his neighbours reported him. Holly and I get everyone out of the building to the save rooms on a ruse so you two get inside and try to locate Mrs Henrik's source before Deprac does it. " While looking at Lucy and Lockwood.
A lot of nodding was exchanged and then Holly and George went off.
The clearing of the building went on smoothly and so Lockwood and Lucy had no difficulties to get into the Henrik's Flat. Just as soon as they had closed the door behind them they saw Amanda Henriks ghost in the living room.
Lockwood drew his rapier while Lucy simply said "I understand. But you can go, it's alright. It's not your fault you know." Hot tears ran down her face. Lockwood looked between the ghost and Lucy and made sure that Lucy and him were still secure in the iron chains Mr. Henriks had laid out. As Lucy began to lift her arm as if to reach out to the Ghost of Amanda Henriks, Lockwood took her Hand with his left and squeezed it once before firmly holding it down and putting both their hands in the pocket of his Trenchcoat. "What is her source?" He gently asked.
Lucy, as if in a silent conversation shook a bit in surprise at Lockwoods voice. She looked at him, still crying and said with a shaky voice : "She wants to leave but he's still so, so sad. He mourns not only her but also the future they never had. She feels so guilty - I feel it all, Lockwood." She now sobbed uncontrollably.
Lockwood pressed her onto him while still holding the Rapier and also squeezing her hand which was still in his pocket "Luce" he murmured into her ear "her source, do you have any idea?" "Yes" Lucy gulped, "probably her wedding ring." She whispered and then buried her face in his shoulder not daring to look again in fear of being overwhelmed once more.
Lockwood scanned the site and decided at the distant flashing of red and blue light he saw that there was no time to solve this on his own. He needed to get Lucy to safety too. "We are out of time we need to go." he decisively remarked and guided them slowly backwards out of the flat onto the street. There he leaned his rapier against the fence and took Lucy's free hand which had clung to him and softly whispered to her "this are not all your feelings. Now's your chance to let them out - I won't judge."
Lucy tried to brave it up. "Or you can cry later with Holly or to George while he takes notes and pictures of your crying face" Lockwood teasingly said and simultaneously drew circles on her hands with his thumbs.
Lucy looked up at him and while her demeanor was seemingly gaining back power and good posture while she slowly let go of him she stubbornly begann "Don't be so s-" her voice broke the moment she had let go of his hands and was trying to get her right hand out of his damn coat pocket - she shook it in frustration. Lockwood let out a small laugh. "Looks like it caught something again" he said with a grin. As he took a look at Lucy his grin faded and his features softened. He released her hand from his coat and held it softly in his while he put his right hand on her shoulder. He looked at her patiently, warmly, with soft appreciation and waited till she had sorted her inner turmoil. Without words he understood. He took her in for a hug and placed his head on hers. She silently sobbed onto his shirt "Don't leave me" Lucy mumbled and didn't know why she was saying that but before she could react she heard a low whisper from Lockwood simply stating "Never."
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Deprac reported on the supreme performance of Lockwood and co regarding the cleansing of the old churchyard and even praised the handling of the Henrik's Ghost - " because it was turned over to them!", George huffed.
Lucy sometimes though about Amanda Henriks and had to face the reality that she couldn't help every Ghost or Human. But thanks to her she had found another thing to make her happy and get Skull in the weirdest moods when they were about on a case. Whenever a case was over, Lucy would sometimes find a way to sneak one or both hands in a pocket of Lockwoods Trenchcoat, stating that getting cold hands was stupid while grinning brightly. Everyone grinned knowingly, except for skull who demanded "GET YOURSELF SOME GLOVES!!"