Authors Note: Hello, as this is my very first Fanfic, I hope you won't hate it too much if it's not to your tastes, as I am no Author at all. But I hope you enjoy it anyway.

Chapter 1: I suppose this is Goodbye…. Hershel.

Another Authors Note: This may also be a prologue, I'm not to sure. Also this is a HUGE SPOILER for Professor Layton and the Lost Future, or Unwound Future as it is known as in other countries. I'm English you see, which is why it's known as Lost Future in the UK. It ends differently in my version and I think fans of the Layton and Claire paring will enjoy it more.

She felt such sadness, and regret, that she could not stay with him longer. She knew it was not her fault, but all the same, she was sad and regretting the fact she couldn't stay. Cursed Time.

"I suppose this is it Hershel, I have to go back to my own time…. back to that day when we parted."

"No Claire".

"Im sorry I can't stay." She approached him for what she was sure would be the last time, little did she know what would happen. They embraced, then she stood up on her toes to kiss him on the lips, they felt so cold, he felt so cold, despite the fact he was wearing a coat.

She turned and began to walk down the alley.

"Claire WAIT".

She turned again.

"We had so many, plans for the future, you won't forget will you?" She knew the question was not needed, how could he forget the times they spent? She knew they were far too happy and enjoyable to forget, but they may be a source of sadness to the poor Professor.

"You CANT GO".

She gasped; she was shocked at his outburst. He may have been to but if he was, he did not show it. She was sure he was though.

"I don't want to say goodbye again, I can't I won't." His body was shaking slightly, and began to do so more violently in a matter of seconds.

" I know you, and I know you'll stay strong" her next words were followed quickly with a sob," and I know you'll stay strong, after all, that's what a gentleman does, I must go now, Hershel, thank you for everything" Just as she was about to say goodbye, the warm glow around her vanished.

"What happened, shouldn't I be returning?" She asked aloud. "Why didn't I return?"

Suddenly, she realised, she was staying. And that meant…..

"Hershel!" She darted towards him. He had been watching her constantly the whole and was also wondering the same as her. Why didn't she return, but he immediately forgot as she ran to him and embraced him, holding him tight, like a child would do so if scared by an imaginary monster. Neither could have been happier at that moment, Claire was crying silently, not out of sadness, but happiness and he simply closed his eyes, smiling slightly to himself. They could have stayed that way forever, but Luke's voice interrupted the moment.

"Umm, P-p-p-Professor….." The poor boy felt somewhat nervous about interrupting the moment, but for someone reason he felt he ought to, in case someone should walk down the alley and see this odd but all the same, romantic scene.

"Yes my boy?" The Professor pulled back slightly from Claire, a blush blossoming on his cheeks, it would not be visible if from a short distance away, but from where Luke was standing, it was very noticeable. He never thought in all the years that he knew him, the Professor could be embarrassed enough to blush.

"Um-m-m-m-m" The poor boy hadn't really thought what to say, but an idea fortunately sprang to mind, "Don't you think we should be heading back now?"

The Professor checked his own pocket watch, one that looked almost identical to that which he had given Claire, except without the love heart carved into it.

"Why yes my boy, I do believe you are correct there, let us go to the- "suddenly, the Professor realised, they had taken buses to get where they needed to go around London, his car was back home, and he had no money because the buses had taken the last bit of change in his pockets.

"Something wrong Hershel?"

"The cars back home, so we have no way to get there as I have no spare change for a bus fare for all 3 of us, or any of us for that matter" Layton said.

"We could take Don Paolo's copy, that's able to drive remember Professor, or better yet, we could fly and skip all the traffic, I expect there would be loads of people about after that explosion." Luke said, excited at the idea of flying again.

"I suppose we could take the car," Layton paused, considering the idea of flying it over London, Luke is leaving soon and I want him to enjoy the time he has left before he must leave, "I suppose we could fly as well my boy. Let us proceed to the car then."

"WOOHOO!" Luke couldn't be more thrilled at the prospect of seeing London from a bird's eye view again, he hadn't properly taken in the sight earlier as they had been somewhat distracted with getting away from the Fortress Clive had built.

"Luke, a gentleman-"Layton was cut short by Claire.

"Hershel, he's excited, let him be, after all, it is quite exciting and he is just a boy may I remind you."

"All right then, let's go then, or we won't be flying at all if we keep standing around chatting" Luke said eagerly, this caused Layton and Claire to laugh, well Claire to laugh and Layton to chuckle.

A few minutes later they were back at the car, Layton started the engine, and just moments later, they were back in the air.

"Wow, it's amazing, the closest I've ever got to this was when I was exploring the Earth using Google Earth." Said Luke, clearly amazed.

"It is lovely" Claire said, just as amazed as Luke.

"It is an exquisite view I must say" Layton said. Sadly, it did not last, as just 2 minutes later, they had returned home. Luke climbed sadly out of the car, wanting nothing more than to remain inside flying. A minute later, they were inside, Luke realised it was way past his bedtime and immediately sprinted of to brush his teeth and change, giving only a hurried goodnight to the Professor and Claire. Layton decided it was late and would turn in to, Claire asked him where she should sleep and he was unsure how to answer. She said she was alright with the sofa but he simply debated that it was rude to ignore the fact that she did not have a proper bed and insisted that she take his bed and he take the sofa. She then recalled that when they had lived together 10 years ago that shared a bed and could do that. He seemed alright with that and agreed. So after a quick visit to ASDA which as usual was open to get a pair of Pyjamas for herself, Claire bade the Professor goodnight and went to sleep.

Authors Note: So what do you think. Like/Hate. Please review and point out anything you don't want me to do, I like criticism provided its CONSTRUCTIVE and NOT MEAN, because, like I said, its only my 1st Fanfic, and like I also said, I don't think I am much of an author. And I am not using that as an excuse if you didn't like it, I really am terrible at writing stuff.