Sky City (Chap. 21-24)

CHAPTER 21
30 minutes later, Mulligan's little townhouse was engulfed by waves of medtechs, journalists, and Ministry officials, led by Archer himself. Amidst the chaos, on the plush velvet couch in front of a roaring fire sat a freshly scrubbed James Mulligan and Lucy Devonshire. She shivered and pulled the quilt she was wrapped in closer to her body. James took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. They sat quietly in this manner until Archer finally disengaged himself from the interview he was giving the press and pulled up an armchair adjacent to them. He calmly packed his pipe and lit it. Then he pushed his eyepieces up on his forehead as he puffed thoughtfully on the sweet smelling tobacco. A minute passed by as he sat regarding the two of them in silent admiration before James began to feel a bit awkward and finally broke the quiescence.
"Sir?"
"I suppose I owe you an apology, James. I should never have doubted you. I guess it was only a matter of time before an artie snapped and went on a killing spree."
Now it was Lucy's turn to shift uncomfortably. However, like most Clockworks, she bore the insult with silent grace. James gave her hand another squeeze and said, "Indeed it would appear the murderer was a Clockwork, Sir, but it just doesn't make sense. I mean how did he get past the violence inhibitors? What was his motive? There are still so many questions..."
Archer gave a sardonic bark of a laugh. "Well I might suggest you ask him", he said as he watched two of the remaining officers lift the stretcher that carried the assassin's body draped in a sheet, "but, under the circumstances, it seems we may never know."
James nodded dejectedly but underneath the surface the gears of thought were still turning at full speed.
"What I find curious", continued Archer as he puffed on his pipe, "is why he ended up here. Why was he after your housekeeper?"
"That is something of a mystery, Sir, but I think I may be able to offer an explanation. It would appear that our Clockwork Slayer was more than just some indiscriminate butcher. There was a reason he was only killing Clockworks, and those Clockworks in particular."
"And what might that be?", asked Archer who now looked slightly bemused at the drama of this impending revelation.
"Because they all shared the same last name: Devonshire."
Archer's look of amusement faded into thought as he probed the recesses of his brain attempting identify the importance that the name should invoke.
"Devonshire." He parroted taking the pipe from his mouth. "Sounds like a common enough name. Where should I know that from? In any case, it still doesn't explain why he would be going after a group of Clockworks simply because they chose the same surname."
"It wasn't a random name, Fred. It was the name they shared with their Creator, Ayumu Devonshire, and they didn't choose it, it was given to them by Devonshire himself. The victims were the Prime Models, the original six prototypes created by Ayumu."
"So why did this Ayumu fellow give only these six arties his last name? Why not all of them?", asked Archer.
"Because those 'arties', as you call them, were his family", interjected Lucy with unmistakable ire in her voice.
Archer looked taken aback. He had obviously never been addressed in such a fashion by any Clockwork and hadn't considered the possibility of offending one. A moment of uncomfortable silence passed as the Commandant attempted to make sense of Lucy's hostile reaction. James, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for the Clockwork having stood up for herself and her kind.
"Forgive me, Miss", Archer finally said slowly. "I didn't intend to belittle you. Please, if you could enlighten me in my ignorance, explain what you mean when you say 'his family'."
Lucy gave a smile and but Mulligan couldn't help but detect a little sorrow in her voice as she began, "Ayumu used to tell us how lonely he was when he first emigrated to the Old United Kingdom. He had left his parents behind in his homeland and had a hard time feeling accepted in his new home. He never married or had any offspring. However, he was a very skilled clockmaker and made a vast fortune fulfilling his purpose by building clockwork creations to assist his fellow humans. But, in spite of his wealth, he still felt a great loneliness, and it was out of this that we were conceived. He called the first five models his children, christening each of them with his family’s name."
"And it was because of these familial ties, the Prime Models were given ownership of the coal importation collective?", queried James.
Lucy nodded.
"But according to the Clockwork historian I spoke with there were six models", said Mulligan. "He said you were the 'unofficial' Prime Model, Lucy. What sets you apart from the other five?"
Lucy seemed almost embarrassed at the question, as if the answer wasn't fit for public discussion, but she lifted her eyes and said, "Ayumu was very happy with his five children as they filled a large hole in his life, but something was still missing. I suppose all humans desire a mate..."
At once Mulligan understood. He looked at Lucy and said, "So he made himself a wife?"
"Yes", said Lucy. "I was the sixth model and the first created with copper eyes. He said I was the most beautiful thing ever created by man or God. We were married in an illegal ceremony performed by a justice he paid. It was kept secret, for he was afraid of the repercussions if it were discovered. As his wife, I took his last name and was numbered among the other five Prime Models as a Devonshire."
"Remarkable!", exclaimed Archer. "And that's why the assassin came here tonight? Because you were the final Devonshire on his list?"
"I think so, yes.", said Lucy sadly.
"Tell me", asked James, now working on a hunch, "was it a coincidence that I hired you around the time of the first murder?"
Lucy once again looked abashed and avoided Mulligan's eyes as she answered, "I'm sorry, I didn't want to cause any trouble. After August was killed, 'Liza became concerned. She did some research and found that detective of M.C.A. was hiring for a housekeeper. She believed I would be safer with you." She looked up at Mulligan, her copper eyes begging for absolution.
Mulligan broke into a broad smile and said, "Lucy, your presence here has given me new life. I would not have traded that for anything."
A moment of intimacy and mutual respect passed between them in their smiles, before Archer broke in and said, "Indeed that is all fine and well, but none of this explains why the Slayer was so interested in the Devonshires."
"That is the question, Sir. The fact that he targeted a group of individuals who share the same name would seem to rule out random victim selection. I can only assume that it must be something else they all held in common. If I had my say, I would suggest something to do with the Clockwork Coal Collective. Though as to why a Clockwork would kill for something he already had a share in, I cannot say", theorized Mulligan.
"Is it possible he did so to increase his share, or perhaps he sought the position of the Prime models?", offered Archer.
"Actually, as Clockworks, we all receive an equal share", said Lucy shaking her head. "Not even the Prime Models are entitled to more."
"Well I shall be interested to see the speculations dredged up in the papys tomorrow", laughed Archer. "For the meantime, this investigation is officially closed." He rose to his feet and extended his hand to Mulligan. "Excellent work detective. I can't tell you how happy I am to have you back alive and well", he said as he firmly shook James' hand.
He turned to leave, then paused and turned to face the two of them once more. His face was a bit reddened as he stammered, "James, I hope you can forgive me for the trouble I gave you regarding Lucy. Seeing the two of you here together, I can see the comfort that you bring one another. Having met her, I can see now that she is a wonderful..." The commandant seemed to be at a loss for words.
"Woman?", offered James.
Archer flushed even deeper red and muttered something that sounded like, "Yes, quite" and walked to the door.
"Will I see you at work tomorrow, Detective?", he asked as he paused at the doorway.
"Well, Sir, I was thinking of taking a day off", said James smiling at Lucy.
"Of course. Very good, then", replied Archer.
"Goodnight, Mr. Archer", said Lucy in her pleasant way.
Commandant Archer turned and gave her a small bow before saying, "And a pleasant evening to you, Miss Devonshire."
Then he was gone.
Another hour passed as the few dwindling officers finished documenting the scene. The last officer bid them both 'goodnight', and for the first time in what seemed like eons, James and Lucy found themselves alone.



CHAPTER 22
From somewhere outside a small explosion ripped the sky open and the cold, heavy sleet that had been hiding in the clouds began to beat the window panes. Thick droplets of slush thudded against the glass before slowly sliding down to be replaced by another. They sat on the couch side by side listening to nature's rhythmic melody as they watched the fire die. Mulligan had never felt so comfortable yet so agitated in all his life. He deeply wanted to grab Lucy and pull her close. He wanted to feel the warmth of her body as it pressed against his. He wanted to proclaim his love and desire for the beautiful woman who sat by his side, but he didn't.
The embers dwindled to a meager glow and darkness began to overtake the room. Lucy stood up briskly and in a mildly wistful tone said, "I had probably better light a lamp. I'm sure you must be hungry. If you give me a moment, I can prepare you something to eat."
Mulligan sat on the couch and cursed himself for his irresolution as she left for the kitchen. He was losing the moment. He leapt to his feet and followed her.
"Lucy, wait", he spluttered.
Having just finished lighting the lamp, she turned to face him. Her eyes shone brightly in the vague light.
"Lucy, I...", began Mulligan
"James!", Lucy exclaimed, "You're bleeding."
Mulligan had all but forgot the wound in his side, but when he looked down he saw that the blood had once again began spotting his shirt with crimson.
"Please remove your shirt", she said, but when she saw his startled reaction she winced at her own words and continued, "so I can wash it before the stain sets."
Mulligan complied by slowly unbuttoning his shirt. Lucy took the soiled garment and quickly laid it on the counter before asking, "May I see the wound?"
Mulligan turned his injured side towards her to allow her a better look. She carefully unwrapped the gauze material that Otto had used as a bandage until the laceration was exposed. The ragged edges of the gash were purple and bruised, and there was swelling around it, but the tissue inside had begun to heal. Lucy's fingers softly palpated the contusion around the cut causing Mulligan to wince.
"Does it hurt?", she asked.
"A little", he answered truthfully.
"Just a second, I need to fetch some things", she said.
She returned shortly carrying a wash cloth and some bandaging materials. She drew some warm water and began to gently cleanse the wound.
"I'm sorry you had to go through so much pain because of me", she said quietly as she wrapped his lower torso with gauze.
Mulligan slid his finger under her chin raising her face towards his until he could look into her eyes. "Believe me when I say, you're worth it", he said feeling the intensity in their gaze multiply exponentially.
It happened so slowly, almost unconsciously. He pressed his lips to hers, and she responded without hesitation. They held the kiss for a long moment, overtaken by the fervor of it all. Still kissing her, he backed her against the kitchen counter. He slid his hands around the back of her silk clad thighs and lifted her onto it. She parted her legs and pulled him into her, wrapping herself around him.
Mulligan hesitated for a second. It had been a long time, and his uncertainty regarding potential differences in Clockwork anatomy made him feel like a fumbling teenager, but as his hand moved up her leg he sensed her femininity and his confidence returned. His fingertips traced the length of her leg gliding up the silky stockings till they reached smooth, warm flesh. She quivered with delight as his fingers traced the edge of her panties before slipping under the garment and slowly exploring the slippery softness they concealed. A gasp of pleasure escaped her lips driving him to the brink of madness. She seemed to understand. She took his hand and led him up the creaking wooden stairs to his bedroom.

Lucy lay on the bed, her hair arrayed about her head like a black halo. She looked like a Cimmerian goddess, dark and beautiful to behold. Their eyes were locked in a gaze that proclaimed more passion and desire than words could ever express. He crawled from the end of the bed until he sat between her legs. They tore at one another’s clothing throwing it aside carelessly. Her hand found his erection and began to caress its length. James felt it stiffen to the point of pleasure spilling over into an aching pain. He brusquely tore open her bodice and took one of Lucy's small round breasts in his hand. He leaned forward and gently sucked on the pink nub causing Lucy to moan in delight and stroke him faster.
When he couldn't take anymore, he slipped her panties down, and, much to his relief, found everything appeared to be as he remembered it was. A jolt of pleasure ran through his body as his swollen member pushed against her silken, slick labia. Lucy bit her lower lip and grasped James' wrists as inch by inch he slid inside her. Waves of ecstasy crashed over them as they began to thrust against each other. As they languidly drew to a crescendo, unfettered moans and exclamations of desire burst from their lips.
James hung from the precipice of orgasm, unsure of how much longer he could hold on. Mercifully, Lucy gave an final, elongated cry and bucked her hips frantically against him. He let go and they both crumpled into a twisted heap on the bed. They lay still for some time, panting and basking in the post-coitus rush as it slowly ebbed from their bodies.
Lucy rolled onto her side and lay her head on James' chest.
"Oh my dearest, that was wonderful", she said before kissing him softly.
He smiled at her and gently ran his fingers through her hair. He reflected how had not felt so content in such a long while. He had found a well of happiness in Lucy and he knew he could not let it go.
"What are you thinking about, James?"
"Hmm?', he replied, trying to put his mind into words. "Oh not much, the future, I guess."
"Haha", Lucy laughed softly, "I was wondering about that, myself. It seems we have much to discuss, but if you don't mind, I need some water. I think I might overheat after that."
She grinned and gave James a longer kiss,
"Wait...", James implored.
"I won't be long", she laughed as she hopped from the bed and put on James' robe.
She turned once more to flash him a smile and disappeared into the hallway. James could hear the stairs creak softly as she descended them leaving him alone once more to roam the corridors of his mind.



CHAPTER 23
From somewhere on the first floor, Mulligan heard a small but distinct thud.
"Everything all right?", he yelled, but was met with no reply. He pulled on his pajama bottoms and stepped into the hallway. It was deserted.
"Lucy?!", he yelled again, and again no answer came. Growing alarmed, he grabbed his pistol.
It was dark downstairs. The only source of light came from the kitchen. As James stepped off the last stair, something hard connected with the back of his skull. An explosion went off in his head and his vision went white before fading into blackness.


The light assaulted his eyes. He squinted them against the pain trying to make out his surroundings. He heard noises like someone was rummaging through the silverware drawer.
"Lucy", he said aloud but quickly stopped and as yelling sent shoots of pain through his head like hot needles.
"I'm sorry, James. I was hoping not to involve you in this", came a familiar voice.
His eyes finally focused. Doctor Drakolisk sat beside Lucy, who lay on her back unmoving. The doctor's hands shook as they searched through his black medical bag.
"Joshua? What are you doing here? What's happened to Lucy? Ahhh...", James cried out as the pain assailed him once more.
"Don't try to move, James. You've had a nasty blow to the head. Just relax.", said the Doctor in his customary bedside manner. Then his voice grew tremulous as he continued, "James, listen to me. I'm afraid Lucy won't be with us much longer."
"What?! No! Doc you've got to help her...", Mulligan cried ignoring the agony. He tried to stand but found he couldn't move. He looked wildly about him and found his hands and feet were bound by rope.
"Joshua, why am I tied up?! What's going on here?"
The doctor stopped searching his bag and wiped the sweat from his brow. "The less you know the better for you, James", he said admonishingly. "Just know that I am sorry. Really this is all your fault, when I think about it. If you hadn't destroyed my Clockwork, then I wouldn't have even had to have been here."
A fit of terror thrashed about like a wounded animal inside James chest as he asked, "'Your Clockwork'?! You mean the assassin?! That was you?"
"Yes. I built him myself. It took months, but all that's gone now", replied Drakolisk sadly.
James could only stare at his friend, dumbstruck by disbelief.
"Now, James. Don't look at me like that. It's not as if I had much of a choice", said the doctor angrily. "Though, I must confess, building a Clockwork was one of the greatest triumphs of my life. An opportunity that a medical professional such as myself could only dream of. Even if it wasn't a fully functional model. But it's not like you can just grab any Clockwork off the street for the job, what with their violence inhibitors..."
The Doctor's cryptic ramblings only incensed the growing anger and confusion in Mulligan.
"Damnit, Joshua!", he yelled, "Just tell my why you would hurt Lucy? She's your patient, for godsakes!"
"Calm down, James. You'll aggravate your injuries. I never wanted to 'hurt Lucy'. But I'm here because she's my patient."
"I don't understand..."
"You brought her to me, James, remember? You don't know how happy he was, once he found out that I was treating the 'Unofficial Prime Model'. He had lost track of her whereabouts after the first Devonshire was killed, and then, out of the blue, you come and dump her right in our laps", the doctor said with a bitter laugh.
Suddenly, a brief flash of movement caught Mulligan's eye. He wasn't sure if he really saw it so he waited for a moment till Lucy stirred again. Relief and hope drove out some of the despair that had filled him so completely. Quickly he turned his attention to distracting Drakolisk.
"You keep talking about 'he'. Who the hell is he?", asked James.
"I told you, James. The less you know, the better. If you were wise, you'd keep your mouth shut and you may yet live a long, fulfilling life."
The doctor found what he was looking for and pulled a long, thin blade from his bag. Mulligan immediately identified it as being nearly identical to the one the assassin had used to murder Eliza Devonshire.
"To hell with that", yelled James, "I'm going straight to the press. You're just going to have to kill me."
Drakolisk turned and looked Mulligan in the eyes. He gave the detective a look of pity as he said, "No, James, not me. You don't know how high all this goes. Honestly, I'm not even sure. But I imagine they will deal with you quite harshly should you try anything like that. No, I just have to deal with poor Lucy."
Mulligan glimpsed Lucy's hand slowly creeping along the ground towards the doctor's medical bag. The movement must have caught Drakolisk's peripheral vision as he started to turn his head.
Playing the only card he held, Mulligan blurted, "Gregory Irons is behind this, isn't he!" . Though he had little evidence to support his suspicions, his act of desperation worked at refocusing Joshua's concentration on himself.
"My my, James!", exclaimed the doctor, his eyes filled with surprise. "You are quite the detective. Yes, it seems that our Minister of Energy is a very ruthless man..."
"And what does that make you?!", asked James angrily.
"Oh, James, you think I am part of this of my own free will?" Drakolisk now sounded sincerely hurt as he went on, "I never wanted any part of this. It was Irons who approached me. Said he needed my 'professional expertise'."
"You could've refused!"
"Don't you think I tried!", retorted Drakolisk vehemently. "He threatened me. He threatened to ruin me, my career, everything I've ever worked for. He threatened to hurt my family, James....Maybe you'll never worry about having to lose someone you love, but I do! He's an evil man. I've learned a lot about our beloved Minister since all this began. Did you know he used to be the head of a crime ring before he moved into the rosier field of politics? His organization specialized in fencing pilfered Clockwork parts. It was he who devised this plan, and provided everything I would need to assemble the 'Clockwork Slayer'. Rather ingenious, using a Clockwork to kill other Clockworks. Who would ever suspect..."
"But why?", asked James, who was fairly sure he already knew the answer, but was still trying to buy some time.
"Ha, I though you were a detective, James", laughed Joshua. "It's pretty clear, isn't it? Kill all the Devonshires, the Crown gets control of coal production. He gets a promotion, raises, accolades and such. And humanity doesn't care, because there are a few less Clockworks in the world and everyone is paying lower energy prices. You know what, James? The real problem isn't Irons or the Clockworks, it's people like you and me who only give a damn if something is interrupting our little lives." The fire in Drakolisk's eyes died down and he regained some composure. "To hell with it all." said the Doctor with a wave of his hand. "I'm sorry, James, I'm rambling. Tell you what: After I have finished with Lucy, I will set you free, seeing as how we're old friends."
Drakolisk gave James a grim smile, but Mulligan wasn't having it. He had found someone to love and he wasn't about to lose her.
"Finished with Lucy?", he snorted with rage, "You mean kill her!"
The doctor gave a short laugh at the detective's outrage and said, "Now, James, you know as well as I that you can't kill that which was never alive to begin with. I don't see why you're getting all worked up about this. I mean after all, she is only a machine... huh?"
Drakolisk jumped with a start as Lucy pushed the barrel of the Sakai into the side of his head.
"Lucy!", he said in a shaky voice, "What a surprise. I was certain I had rendered you incapacitated."
Lucy gave a small cry of anger. Her hands shook as tried to keep the weapon steady.
"What are you going to do now, Lucy?", asked Joshua, his voice becoming more even. "Kill me? No. Of course not. We both know that you can't."
"No", Lucy's said in a voice quavering with enmity and fear. "You're right. I can't. But he can!", she yelled as she tossed the pistol towards James Mulligan.
It slid across the floor coming to rest about a foot away from the detectives bound hands. He quickly reached for the gun and clumsily aimed it from his prone position. The doctor still knelt immobilized in bewilderment for a second, but as he saw James take aim he recovered his senses and swung the long blade towards Lucy's breast. James pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the doctor square in the back, just as his blade slammed home into Lucy's chest. Their screams came in a chorus of terrified agony that tore into Mulligan's heart. James struggled to his knees and ungracefully crawled towards his fallen love.
Steam and fluid burst from the small hole in her chest. Her whole body shook. James pressed his hands over the wound trying to staunch the flow, but the pressurized vapor poured out around his hands and in between his fingers. Though it painfully scalded his palms, he dared not remove them.
"Hang on, Lucy, please!", he cried. "It'll be okay. It’s...."
"J...James, I.....I....", was all Lucy could say before she lost all pressure and fell still. Her copper irises dilated till they were small black holes, devoid of the one who once resided there.
Alone once more, James fell across her chest and wept bitterly.



CHAPTER 24
Mulligan looked out the window and watched the mechanical gargoyle perched outside on the corner of the building's facade ratchet its head upwards to receive the offering of precipitation as it fell from the cold, iron sky. The little room in Saint Eligius Medical Repair Center was dark and gloomy, but not nearly so much as the dimly lit operating theater James had spent the last 4 hours in.
When he had first arrived at the multistory, stone-crafted building carrying Lucy's limp body, they had immediately tried to separate them. They told him they "would get to work right away on her". That "she would be fine", and he "should wait in the reception lobby". But James knew he couldn't let her out of his sight. Joshua's words still rang through his mind in an ominous echo.
"You don't know how high all this goes", he had warned.
So veiled, it seemed to the detective. So ugly and threatening. Danger now seemed to lurk in every corner, and be hiding in every shadow. Driven to the brink of paranoia, James had refused to relinquish her, so they finally placated him by allowing him to observe the procedure from one of the center's theaters that they typically reserved for teaching.

The surgical auditorium was large and ovular in shape. Rows of wooden seats ran up its side in a graduated fashion to allow proper viewing from all angles. The only source of light came from the reflecting lamps in the theater's center which illuminated the still form of Lucy as she lay naked on a surgical slab. Tubes ran into her mouth forcing black powdered fuel and water into the necessary receptacles. She looked so vulnerable, Mulligan found it hard to not run to her aid. Initially Mulligan thought himself alone in the observation seating. But as he scanned the room, he was dismayed to find a dark, silhouetted figure seated on the top row of the theater's opposite side.
The operation seemed gruesome in and of itself, but the effect was multiplied in the mind of James, who was reminded of all the horrific slaughter he had witnessed over the past few months. Still, his hand steadily rested on the grip of his pistol as his tired eyes wavered between Lucy, and the mysterious spectator.
The Surgical Repair Technician pulled on his thick leather gloves, while the machines stationed around him hissed and belched. For a moment, the tech turned, and (it seemed to Mulligan,) inclined his head giving a quick nod before turning his attention back on his patient. When the Tech pulled a long thin blade from the tray at this elbow, Mulligan had felt his blistered hand tighten around the Sakai stowed in his jacket. With jaw clenched, he watched for any sudden movements as the procedure began with the S.R.T. making a long incision over Lucy's sternum. He fought the urge to look away as the tech probed about Lucy's open chest, searching for the wound in her boiler.
The steam billowed forth and blinding sparks flew from Lucy's metal heart while the S.R.T. manipulated the metallurgy instruments around him to seal the puncture. Then, using a sparker from the tray, he ignited Lucy's combustion chamber. Satisfied with the job, he closed up by melting the edges of the incision together with a hand-held hot iron to seal and cauterize the surgical site. Mulligan watched anxiously as the orderlies rushed her off to the room in the Clockwork recovery ward. Then he rose and made his way to the other side of the theater hoping to confront the dark stranger, but when he reached the opposite end he found his unknown adversary had gone. Shaken, he made haste to follow Lucy, nervously watching for signs of any impending attack.
An hour passed and nothing nefarious happened, but Lucy lay yet still. James sat by, holding her hand, willing her to move. To open her eyes. To say something.
The Surgical Repair Tech strode into the room smiling and nodding at Mulligan as he removed his goggles and mask. He looked surprisingly young and affable to the detective, given his occupation. He shook Mulligan's hand and introduced himself as "Doctor Whitlock".
"The procedure was successful, I believe", he had said, smiling with his twinkling grey eyes.
"She's still not moving, Doc", replied James, who didn't share the Doctor's confidence.
"Relax, Detective. It will take some time for her boiler to regain the necessary pressure to allow function."
"I see", said James softly, his eyes locked on the immobile Lucy.
Whitlock sighed and looked upon James piteously before saying, "I've patched the hole, but the scar will always be a defect in her boiler from here on. If you had given us more time, I would have recommended leaving her out of commission until a transplant boiler could be found. As it stands, I strongly counsel against any situations of stress or exertion where her internal pressure may exceed normal ranges. Understood?"
James nodded, but still didn't take his eyes from Lucy. "Doctor Whitlock? I couldn't help but notice that before you started the surgery, you motioned to another man seated in the observation area. Could you tell me, who was he?"
Whitlock gave Mulligan a quizzical look, before responding, "You know, I'm not exactly sure. I was told there would be a Senior Surgical Technician monitoring the procedure..."
Mulligan gave a sigh of relief and felt his body relax a bit.
"You look like you could use some rest, Detective Mulligan. And...", Whitlock broke off his diagnosis, having just noticed James' blistered palms. "Bloody hell! What have you done to your hands? We need to get you treated immediately!"
Mulligan shook his head and said, "Sorry, Doc. I can't leave her."
"Please don't take offense, Detective, but you're as stubborn as you are crazy!", said the doctor with an exasperated sigh. "Have it your way then. We will have someone up here in a few minutes."

With Lucy on the mend, James’ mind was free to dwell on the other problem: Namely how to stop any further attempts on Lucy's or his own life. Drakolisk’s remarks had effectively put Mulligan off going to his own Ministry. If, as Joshua had suggested, there was no telling how high up the chain this went, he certainly couldn’t take any chances with M.C.A. A letter to her Majesty? This also seemed out of the question as perhaps it was she who set this plot in motion. In summary, James was left with little recourse.
When attendant had finished bandaging Mulligan’s hands, the detective requested access to an in-room pneumagraph.
“But, Sir”, the attendant had countered, “We have a public pneumagraph in the lobby.”
“I’m sorry”, said Mulligan, “but I just can’t leave her.”
The attendant gave Mulligan an inquisitive look and said, “All right, Mr. Mulligan, I will bring one up, but promise me you’ll get some rest. You look like hell.”

The next day, the sun poured into the little room. Dark circles rimmed James’ eyes as fatigue took its toll after his night long vigil he had held over the unresponsive Lucy. He gave a deep yawn and was making his way to the door to summon an attendant to bring him some coffee when Lucy sprang upright in bed. It happened so suddenly that James leapt back with a start. For a few seconds Lucy stared through the dumbfounded detective. Finally she blinked and looked around the room in wonder as she attempted to make sense of everything, before her eyes resettled on Mulligan and she smiled.
James quickly recovered and ran to her side. Being overcome with emotion, he found himself unable to say anything so he simply took her hand and tearfully kissed it.
“James! Oh!? Where are we?”
Mulligan knew he had to answer her, but was afraid if he barged ahead too incautiously he may push her into a state of high stress.
“We are at the Medical Repair Center”, he began as delicately as possible, fearful of shocking her into a life threatening state. “I’m afraid you were…”
“Stabbed!”, cried Lucy her eyes wide with the sudden recollection. “Dr. Drakolisk…Why did he…?” She asked clutching her hand to the cautery line that ran down the right side of her left breast.
Mulligan took her hand gently in his and said, “Don’t worry about that, my love. The surgeon said you will be as good as new. As for Joshua, it’s….” James trailed off in mid-sentence as his memories commandeered his emotions.
Lucy squeezed his hand and her brown knit in concern. She searched his eyes for the answer as she asked, “James, are we going to be okay?”
James gave her his most reassuring smile and said, “I think so.” He handed her a copy of the Early Edition. She flipped the papy' over to the front page and read the first headline out loud:

MINISTER OF ENERGY LINKED TO CLOCKWORK SLAYINGS

She looked up at Mulligan, her eyes wide. Mulligan smiled again and pressed her to “read on”.

"Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, announced today that the Minister of Energy, Sir Gregory Irons, has been released from his post and that an official investigation of the M.O.E. is currently underway. The alleged problems began just over a year ago, shortly after the enthusiastic Sir Irons took the Minister position. Although no official explanation has been offered, a source from inside the Ministry has revealed that Sir Irons sent an envoy to the Clockwork Coal Collective requesting that they relinquish ownership to the Crown. Upon their refusal, Sir Irons allegedly ordered the assassination of the so-called ‘Devonshire Clan’ by way of his own illegally constructed Clockwork. Clockwork fabrication was declared unlawful over 100 years ago.
In a related story, Dr. Joshua Drakolisk, Chief Medical Examiner of M.C.A. and wanted for questioning in connection with the construction of the illegal Clockwork, was found dead late yesterday evening at the house of M.C.A. detective, James Mulligan. The cause of death is, at press time, unknown.
The office of Her Majesty has issued the following statement:
'It is our deepest regret to discover such travesties committed against Mecha-kind may have been perpetuated by any representative of the office of The Crown. We wish to clarify that such actions were never sanctioned by Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, and want to extend our most sincere condolences to all Clockworks regarding their loss. As a show of good faith, Her Majesty, declares that the Coal Collective be turned over to all Clockworks, and that from this day forth all Clockworks shall be given equality including all rights, privileges, and opportunities enjoyed by any citizen of this great land…'"

Upon reading the last sentence, Lucy paused as if the breath had been stolen from her. She remained silently still for so long that Mulligan began to grow fearful, until he heard the light tap of the tears as they fell from her eyes to the paper in her hands. James had never seen a Clockwork cry before, but at this moment he found it incredibly endearing. He smiled and caressed her hand with his. She looked up from the periodical with a tearful smile and nodded her happiness to James as she was still unable to speak. He took her in his arms and held her tight against him. Through his chest, he felt her elation pour from her metal heart into his own and fill him.
"Thank you, dearest James. You have brought me such happiness. For the first time, I feel as if I have my own life. It's hard to explain, but it almost feels as if someone has handed me the key to my future", Lucy whispered.
"And I thank you, Lucy. I think I can see now why purpose is so important to Clockworks. Everyone needs to be needed, and you have given my life new purpose. I want you in my life now and for always."
Lucy grinned and said, 'I was hoping you would say that, but aren't you worried about what other people will say. They will surely look down on you for taking part in a so-called 'artificial romance'".
Mulligan smiled at the expression. It was an unflattering name given by those who could not understand such a love. To them it was no different than a modern-day version of Pygmalion. Perhaps there was a time when Mulligan would have been numbered among them in their ignorance, but things had changed.
"I'm sure they will, my dear, but it doesn't matter. There is nothing 'artificial' about the love I feel for you", he replied.
If Lucy could have blushed, she surely would have. "Love...", she repeated the word as if it were a piece in a curio cabinet that she was admiring. "Ayumu used to talk about it. He said it was 'the greatest of all human expressions', but he always had such difficulty describing it. I don't know if a Clockwork even has such a capacity, but I think...I love you, James."
"You don't have to say anymore, Lucy. Ayumu was right, love is a word that encompasses many feelings and has countless meanings. Volumes have been written about it, and though its various parts have been defined, it still remains elusive. All I can add is if you feel that you love someone, then you do. And that's enough for me."
Lucy's eyes shined as she said, "And for me as well. So what do we do now?"
James had been thinking a lot about their future but still didn't feel fully prepared to answer this question. The past days events had happened so quickly that he wasn't sure just how radically their relationship had been altered. "Well", he began uncertainly, "I would say we take it one step at a time. Starting with you getting better and then we can go home."
Lucy looked slightly crestfallen. "I know that we are now 'equal', but what if the courts reject the idea of a Human-Clockwork marriage? Can we no longer be together?"
"You're right, Lucy. No doubt such a wedding may be denied, but I don't need some court approved formailty to validate my love for you. I will stay by your side, come what may."
This cheered the Clockwork considerably. She beamed and said, "Then there is only one other thing that concerns me. Please, be honest: Does it bother you that even though you will get older, I will not physically change?"
James laughed heartily at this and replied, "Bother me? Of course not, rather I'd think it might bother you having a doddering old man on your arm."
Now they both laughed, but before Lucy could say anything to the contrary, a knock at the door interrupted them.
Without waiting for an invitation, Frederick Archer poked his head in the door and said, "I hope I'm not interrupting you."
Mulligan looked at Lucy and grinned as he said, "No of course not, Fred. Please come in."
"Thank you", replied the commandant who's grim expression caused Mulligan's own smile to falter. "How are you getting on, Miss Devonshire?", queried Archer.
"Wonderful, thank you for asking, Mr. Archer", said Lucy who's mystified look was mirrored in Mulligan's.
"Good!", said Archer nervously, "That's good."
Unable to take the suspense any longer, Mulligan demanded, "Is something wrong, Fred?"
"I'm afraid I have some bad news."