The couple stares at Sniffer and Sniffer stares back at them. No one moves. The tension around the entire situation is as thick as a London fog.

"Why hello," Sniffer says way too cheerfully.

"Wot… are ya doin'?" Lucy asks warily.

It takes Sniffer a moment to come up with a plausible answer, "...weeding?"

"Why?" Alfendi's tone is menacing. His hair is dark red. The potty side of him is furious that Sniffer has ruined his moment with Lucy.

"Oh, I am just volunteering..." Sniffer lies, hoping they'll go away.

"I see." Lucy still doesn't understand, but this encounter is very awkward, "I s'pose we'll see ya tomorr-"

"One more question," Alfendi interrupts. He glares at Sniffer. He knows he is being lied to.

Sniffer waits expectantly in sheer terror.

"What is Flo doing here?" Alfendi points to Florence sitting on a bench behind Sniffer. Florence jumps realizing she has been spotted, but she has nowhere to run to. All she can do is stay seated there and know that they have been discovered.

Dustin sees everyone else has been found out. He walks towards them surrendering, ready to join the party.

"Eh!? Wot is e'eryone doin' 'ere!" Lucy feels Alfendi grab her hand. Alfendi wants Dustin to see she is his. She grips his back, simply startled that their coworkers have been following them.

"How long have you been stalking us? What do you think you can gain, Dustin? You thief! I've met many criminals, but few are as conniving as you!" Alfendi spat.

"Al!" Dustin sighs exasperated, "I ain't tryin' to steal Lucy from ya. I never 'ad actual feelings for her!"

"WOT!" Lucy shrieks at him.

Al's hand is crushed by Lucy's white knuckled, shaking fists. Placid Prof returns and he backs away a step feeling a bit concerned about Lucy's reaction. Her teeth are clenched and her red eyes are locked on Dustin's ghostly paled face. She has never been so angry that she wanted to hit someone. Until now!

Lucy dives to beat up Dustin, but Al wraps his arms around her abdomen, struggling to hold her back.

"Nooo! Lemme at 'im! I can't believe you! Yer dead!" Her legs kick wildly and she reaches forward trying to claw at Dustin.

"It's not what ya think, lassie!" Dustin says holding up his hands defensively. Alfendi would really love to let Lucy lash out at him, but they are in a public park. He really doesn't want Lucy to get herself arrested.

"It's true," Sniffer spills all the beans now. He feels so guilty he rushes to explain. "We planned the whole thing! Dustin only courted Lucy to make you realize you liked her. Then there was a surprise! We had to know what it was! We also couldn't figure out if Lucy had the same feelings-"

"What are you trying to say?" Alfendi says evenly, wanting to understand the point. Lucy stops trying to kill Dustin. Her attention is on Sniffer as well, demanding an explanation.

"We just thought you two were perfect for each other, but you didn't seem to see it. We were trying to get you together." Sniffer confesses. His smile is sincere, but it is strained with worry about not being forgiven.

Alfendi reminisces in the weird events from this week. 'It all makes sense now.' He recognizes in retrospect. 'I can't believe they were able to hide it from me this long. Some detective I am.'

Lucy looks up seeing him in deep thought. She reaches her hand up to his cheek. Her soft touch brings him back. Alfendi holds her closer, but uses one of his hands to hold the one caressing his face. They both smile at one another dotingly.

Dustin clears his throat, reminding them they aren't alone, "Now, I'll tell ya wot. I think wot we've done was a good thing. If we hadn't helped, it coulda been years before you kids figured out wot ya were missing. That... Woulda been a real crime" he says directing that last line at Alfendi. Alfendi finally realizes how stupid he was acting. He smiles apologetically.

Lucy smiles seeing that they had their best interests at heart. "Ta Dusty. Ta Sniffer. Tell Flo too! Yer all the best." She pulls away from Alfendi to give the boys a big group hug. They all join Florence and she is relieved that everything worked out.

It is early evening when Lucy and Alfendi return to her flat. They both sit on the steps exhausted from such a crazy day. Lucy rests her head on Alfendi's shoulder while Alfendi's left arm drapes behind her.

"Wot a birthday," Lucy says in admiration.

"That reminds me. You never told me if your wish came true. Did it?" He asks mischievously. He tilts his head to see what Lucy's response will be.

Lucy's face reddens, "Eh. It sorta did. Well, technically... no." She frowns slightly disappointed.

"Hmm," he brings his right hand to his chin to ponder what she means by this.

"It didn't 'ave to come true today." She assures him with a shrug. She knows it will come true soon enough.

"May I guess?" Alfendi teases.

"Aye, sure," she says indifferently. What she doesn't know is that he has solved the case of Lucy's mysterious birthday wish.

Alfendi takes her face in his hands and before she can react he lightly kisses her lips. He can feel her smile as she returns his kiss. The Placid Prof is so gentle. The hovering lips tingle when they touch.

He pulls away for one moment so Lucy can see Potty Prof smirk in victory before smashing his lips to hers again. She gasps at the sudden change in intensity. She loves it. She clutches his face to hers with so much force, it surprises him.

He reverts to his more hesitant nature again and is overcome by the passion of Lucy's kisses. Lucy notices he has altered personalities again. They both pull away at the same time only to be lost in one another's eyes.

Placid Prof gulps and brings his hand behind his head, "Should I..." He pauses, "Head home now?" The thought instantly depresses him. He knows he'll have to go eventually, but... he never wants to be away from Lucy.

"Wot are ya talking 'bout! You 'aven't eaten since this mornin'! Ya really need to take better care o' yerself ya'know." She says refusing to let him just kiss her and depart. She stands up and throws open her door in invitation.

"What are we having for dinner?" Alfendi asks. He is very famished.

"I don' know!" Lucy says excitedly, tugging on his hand. He grins happily, allowing himself to be pulled into another one of Lucy's unpredictable antics.

I'm not sure how to say this... but that was the last chapter. This pretty well sums it up. I go back to school and I wanted to finish it before then.

However this displeases me. I have a lot of ideas I didn't get to use. So I will tell you what will happen. There shall be bonus chapters! This way I can update at my leisure... if I have any. If you want to keep this story going you can tell me an idea.

Thank you for everything. I mean that. From the bottom of my heart. Your comments meant a lot to me.