"Oh, Luke. Hi." - she smiled into his direction. She always did so when they met. In her life he was certainly a safe island, come what may. He always reserved her a seat at meetings right next to him and was waiting for her outside till she arrived, even when she was a bit late. The way he helped her walking around was never assertive or showy. Occasionally he accompanied her when she was about to buy new clothes, read her from the newspaper when they had to wait somewhere. Luke even read a book about the life of blind people not so much after she was put next him as his partner. But never admitted this to her.<br/>And, of course it was mutual.<br/>She was the one who offered him a room to sleep when the landlord kicked him out of the flat he rented two years ago. The one who helped him to choose the proper gift for his parents and grandparents at holidays, the friend that prepared him for dates, after listening to his 'report' about the one he was going to meet, the one who got him all the music he liked. The list was almost infinite. She was always very protective, almost mothering when it was about Luke or his possible mistakes as an agent.<br/><br/><br/>Marsha put her hand on his arm for a few seconds, as always... but now something was<em>different</em>than usually.<em>Very</em>different...<br/>Usually Taylor was in the best shape at the beginning of a new case, like a boy before Boxing Day. Both were. But now... somehow he was...<em>insecure</em>??...<br/><em>'No, no that's not Luke...'</em><br/>But yes, he felt somewhat lost. She decided not to mention this to him. If he wants to talk about it - then he will. And if not - he will, when it's time...<br/>Instead she gave him the answer.<br/>"There was only your message that I should come as soon as I can. And the breaking news, of course. Nonsense that it happened. Sorry for being late a bit. I had to go back to the orphanage for some papers of mine."<br/>Well, that was true. At least partially...<br/>"So, what we have here?"<br/>