Chapitre 13: Experiments

Mar 2012, 7 Eastbourne Rd.

Marco ran up to Levi's flat and pushed the door open in a hurry.

"LEVI!" He yelled, his jaw dropped instantly when he saw his best friend tied to a wooden chair in the middle of the living room, eyes close and unmoving. His legs were taped to the foot of the wooden chair, arms fastened on the armrest, and another tape over his mouth forcing his silence.

Panic enveloped Marco in a heartbeat.

Was he still alive?

He is not moving.

Who did this?!

He leapt towards Levi, ready to give him CPR if needed.

When his hand reached Levi's shoulder, the criminal psychologist's eyes snapped open in annoyance. He mumbled under the tape covering his mouth.

'Hmm hemsm hwmmm smff!' Levi tried to say, earning a confused look from Marco.

"Oh, hey Marco!" Sam greeted from across the kitchen. A syringe in hand, she waved at him--she was in the middle of examining Levi's blood, which she extracted just moments ago.

It was her bargain with Levi in exchange that she would allow him to use her private Laboratory in Guy's, and he in exchange will allow her to do her experiments on him. Nothing inconsequential, of course. She was trying to prove that his 'no eating' during case choice, was disadvantageous in the long run.

Thus, he was required to eat during her study/experiment; which Mrs. Whitehall was more than happy to participate in cooking for him. The experiment had been going for two weeks, and Levi had noticeably looked better, gaining 2 pounds and 5%muscle. On a regular basis he wouldn't be coerced to do anything he didn't want, but since it was for 'research' and his mind was kept entertained with her around, and the obvious advantage of her private laboratory he was inclined to do so.

From monitoring his food and fluid intake, sleep pattern, and physical activity.

Marco waved back at Sam awkwardly. "H--I... what's happening?" Marco asked, confused.

"Oh, I'm challenging his theory about a case he's working on," Sam explained, transferring the blood to a test tube, then placing a right amount on a microscope slide. She put the Slide under Levi's microscope and adjusted the Diopter as she peered through the Head.

"What? --case?" Marco asked, turning to Sam then back to Levi, waiting for an answer.

"Shor an hmmdot mmmhko! " Levi mumbled under the tape, glaring at him. Sam cocked a brow in amusement, while Marco looked at her, confused. "I think he said, 'You're an idiot, Marco.'" Sam explained.

And Marco glared down at Levi, accidentally kicking him in purpose in the leg.

"Psssht!" came out of Levi's taped mouth.

"And it's not really a real case, more like a game. I am reviewing a case file sent to me by a colleague from overseas, and he's trying to help me solve it. Right now, I'm challenging his theory that it's the son that planned both his and his father's kidnapping for the ransom money."

Sam explained.

"Isht da shan" Levi insisted. "Then prove it." Sam retorted, sticking her tongue at him.

"What does that have to do with the tape?" Marco asked, earning an eye roll from Levi, who found his lack of brain cells annoying. "The son was found strapped in that same state. I'm testing if he could get out of it like he claims the son did." Sam said, now approaching Levi and smiling down at him in a sinister manner. She walked around him as a predator would to a prey, stopped behind him while Marco watched. She sent the doctor a playful look, as she leaned in draping her arms around Levi from behind, over his shoulders...painfully slow. Her chin rested on the top of his slick blonde hair. Hands were playfully tugging on his crisp blue suit.

Marco watched as Levi's eyes changed to shock for a second, then returned to its usually calm facade just as fast. Yet his cheeks turned slightly red. She leaned in even closer, her front pressed against his back, she nestled her chin now on his left shoulder, so close that he could feel her warm breath fan over his neck, his body responding involuntarily.

Eyes dilated.

Bronchial tubes constricted.

Heartbeat increased.

He could smell the faint scent of her shampoo, and a hint of burnt gas from the Bunsen burner.

Marco pressed his lips together in pleasant surprise; he'd never seen anyone invade his best friend's personal space before.

Sam shot Marco another look, as she stifled down her laugh, at Levi's state; his body turned rigid the second she touched him. She whispered seductively against his ear, milking his rare state, of him almost rendered completely helpless. Her lips brushed the tip of his ear when she spoke.

"Dear..." She trailed seductively, and the two-man listened. "...do you need to use the loo?" She finished, and Marco cackled like a hyena holding his gut as he laughed. Levi glared up at her in annoyance. She giggled down at him, thoroughly amused, and gave him a chaste peck on the cheek.

"Shoo!" He huffed in response. "Really? It's your Urinary Tract Infection!" Sam interjected.

"He's been there for the past 3 hours" Sam shared, and Marco laughed more if it was even possible, holding his gut. Not commenting on the fact that Levi did not protest when she kissed him, nor when she invaded his space. The look on Levi's face resembled a 6-year-old on the verge of a tantrum.

"Whas em in her?" Levi huffed at Marco, trying to change the subject. Marco looked at Sam and asked 'what?'.

"I'm not sure," Sam replied and started to pull the corner of the tape over his mouth gently. "Brace yourself." She warned kindheartedly, but her eyes held another meaning. A meaning that says, I'm going to enjoy this. And she pulled fast.

"Ow." Levi said, glaring at Sam, then he turned to the bearded man "What's the craic, Marco?" He asked, stretching his jaw.

Marco's eyes widened remembering why he was there in the first place,

"Oh! Yes! Davies called for a case! He said you didn't respond to his texts."

"He was obviously tied up." Sam cracked a joke. Marco laughed with her.

Levi snorted at the two, glaring. "Do you give up?" Sam asked him, knowing the two would be leaving soon.

"No. We will continue this after." Levi proposed, Sam nodded, pulling a pocket knife from her boot she cut the duct tape releasing him.

"Okay--" Sam replied, walking back to the Laboratory kit in the kitchen. Levi gave her a look as he pulled his black coat hanging on the rack. Marco watched the two's silent exchange, both sending each other a 'what' look. "Well, aren't you coming?" Levi asked Sam.

"Okay," Sam replied, a small smile grazing her lips.

Marco walked out first, Sam next, and Levi closed the door of his flat.

On their way out, Levi walked in the 'Jackson Detectives' Office. They're sitting at the table with a client opposite him was Michael, typing on the computer getting the details of the case the client was giving.

"Afternoon. Michael, Marco and I are stepping out for a consultancy case." Levi informed one of his employees,

Michael nodded, "Okay, boss. I'll lock up." he replied. "Do tell Mrs. Whitehall I need dinner when I get back," Levi added as he stepped back out and closed the door after him.

And the three drove towards the scene of the crime in his blue Shelby cobra.