The Secret Service ~~~

8 - Googly Eyes

Chapter Eight - Googly Eyes

Petra looked at the photograph on her desk. All except two were now gone.

How had Petra and Lucas survived that explosion? How had they come out unscathed?

She touched the edge of the photo, running her fingers over the man and women to her left - the man and women who had been together but had never gotten to grow old together. Candice had been the kindest, and Lucas had had hair and no beard at the time.

Petra had been jealous of Candice at the time, and still, when she saw Lucas now, those old feelings stirred. She'd been happy for the pair, happy that they were happy, and had been devastated when the day had come that they'd been parted forever - even if they had been young and things might not of worked, they never even had the chance to see.

The feelings Petra had had for Lucas had remained and never seemed to have wandered, yet she kept them to herself. It was odd to live alongside someone you cared for so deeply, but Petra refused to tell him, even years later. She'd been too young before, and now, she felt too old. He'd never voiced anything more than friendship towards her, so why should she go there, when she only thought that it would lead to silence? No. These were her thoughts and feelings, and they were solitary and singular. Lucas would have his own life. She'd resigned to that years ago. So this would all remain Petra's little secret, and her heart seemed desperate to make it one that she would carry into her grave, no matter the time.

Three distinct knocks came to her office door. "Enter," she called.

Lucas himself stepped into the room. His beard was trimmed and the smallest growth of hair was showing on top of his head. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

She narrowed her eyes. "Fine, as always."

Lucas' eyes traveled around the office. "Really?"

She stood up from her chair. "If you have something to say, spit it out. I don't have time for games, Luce."

"Now I know something's wrong." His brown eyes shone as they found her green ones. "I know you, Petra. You only come into your office when something's wrong, or when something with you is wrong."

Petra's eyes glanced at the photo and then back to the intruder. "So you've discovered my secret," she said, dripping sarcasm into her tone. "After all these years, I'd be surprised if you hadn't noticed."

"So what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just needed space to think."

"About?" He encouraged, stepping closer.

"Comparisons," she admitted.

Lucas came closer until he was right beside the desk. His hands reached out and grabbed the photo on Petra's desk. She sucked in a breath through her teeth - if he'd heard, he said nothing. His eyes wondered over the image before replacing it back to its original spot.

"The combination of Emma and June remind me of you," Lucas suddenly divulged.

She blanched. "Excuse me?"

He turned to her, smiling kindly. "They're head strong, confident, calm until they have to turn. That's them, but also you."

She understood. That was exactly her. "And you're like Sadie," she said, and the rest tumbled out before she could stop it. "Kind, understanding, witty."

His eyes locked onto her face, then dragged up and down the entirety of her. "How sweet that you think I'm kind," he said slowly. "Especially considering the amount of arguments we've had in the past."