[[Scene: Comfort in a Girl's Lap]]
Klavier: *It’s felt like forever since Klavier’s parked his bike outside this townhouse. He smiles inwardly as he tucks his helmet under his arm, walking up the steps towards the door. He knocks, managing to look quite relaxed right now, he’s been looking forward to seeing Ema again.*
Ema: *Ema goes to the door, frowning. Klavier commented saying he'd come over today in her LiveJournal, but she didn't know when exactly to expect him, but she thought it'd be later in the evening. But when she opens the door, her frown is replaced by a smile almost instantly.* Hey! *she steps back, opening the door wider to let him in* I didn't think you'd come until later.
Klavier: *Klavier returns the girl's smile, stepping inside. He puts his helmet down and quickly wraps his arms around Ema, giving her a quick hug -- and a peck on the cheek* Oh Fräulein, you really are back... *he looks around a little, grinning* Bring home any boys from overseas? Hiding them from Lana?
Ema: *She leans into his embrace, hugging him back for a moment. She missed this kind of thing a lot, though she'd never admit it aloud to him. At his next comment, however, she gives him a smack on the arm, and shoots him a glare, but she's blushing just the tiniest bit.* No! Of course I didn't! *folds her arms across her chest* I see you haven't gained any maturity while I was gone.
Klavier: *Klavier chuckles and squats down to untie his boots, getting them off quickly* None at all. *with his boots kicked off into a messy pile by his helmet, Klavier wraps his arms around Ema's middle once more, kissing her forehead* And I know you missed me teasing you, you cannot hide it Fräulein~
Ema: *rolls her eyes* Pfft. As if. *despite this she drapes her arms around his neck, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth* What have you been up to while I was gone?
Klavier: Xeroxing my phone number to hand out to every girl in this city. *he kisses Ema's nose, grinning* You came back just in time, I have not handed them out yet!
Ema: *sarcastically* Oh, aren't I lucky. *squirms a bit, glaring at him* So if I'd been gone another day or more there'd be a line of girls waiting to take my place?
Klavier: No, they would have to submit resumes to my secretary for review... Another week, then I start making call backs...
Ema: *groans, pushing against his chest with one hand* Ugh. You're such a jerk sometimes.
Klavier: *Klavier chuckles, letting go of the girl and walking with her into the living room* Come on, tell me about your trip!
Ema: *Follows him into the living room and sits down on the couch. She brightens visibly when he mentions her trip* Oh, it was so awesome, Klav! I mean, I wasn't there as long as I was last time, but I still learned loads! And Europe has all these new high-tech forensic tools we haven't even gotten over here in the U.S. yet...
Klavier: *Klavier sits down on the couch and lays down, his head in Ema's lap. He pushes his sunglasses up his forehead, smiling up at her* Ja, Europe is pretty up to date on those things. I am real happy you got to go back -- who did you stay with? One of Lana's friends?
Ema: Yeah, she's one of Lana's friends. Her name is Sherry, and she's a coroner. That's who I stayed with when I went abroad last time.
Klavier: That is nice... *he closes his eyes* It might be nice having a sister like Lana -- she seems like she would do anything for you...
Ema: Yeah, she really is a good sister. A little over protective sometimes, but you're right -- she'd do anything for me. *her expression softens* She's really all I've got, you know?
Klavier: *Klavier nods a little; he really does know what it's like* Ja... Do you ever wonder if maybe... One day, she might... Stop?
Ema: What? *the question throws her and she looks down at him, bemused* What do you mean? Stop... what? Caring about me?
Klavier: *Klavier opens his eyes, looking up at her; he realizes quickly this was probably a stupid thing to say and tries to mask his reasons* Nein, I mean... like maybe she would... I phrased that bad. *he forces a chuckle* I mean like, stop being so... ah... I do not know the word I am looking for.
Ema: O-oh, okay. *there's a moment of silence and she looks away, then, slowly* Klavier... why did you ask that? *looks back down at him, holding his gaze* Is something wrong?
Klavier: *Klavier's quick to shake his head* Nein, nein... Just... curious about siblings.
Ema: *bites her lip, brow furrowed. She's stopped stroking his hair* You sure? You're acting kind of... weird.
Klavier: Just had rough night is all. *He smiles up to her, but the smile's more forced than his laugh earlier* Do you ever think Lana would be happier without you around? That maybe... you are interrupting her life? *the forced smile falls, his jaw locked in a grimace.*
Ema: No, no, I don't think she would ever-- I mean-- *she cuts off, and his expression is enough to cause her a sense of alarm. She stares at him hard, her concern clear in her voice now* Klavier, what happened? You know you can tell me anything...
Klavier: *Klavier sits up, shaking his head and giving Ema's jaw a soft kiss* I think I might move back to Germany...
Ema: Wh-what? *her hands instinctively reach for his shoulders* Why would you?
Klavier: *Klavier sits up, sitting next to the girl now.* I can think of a few people who would be much happier if I did.
Ema: *And then it clicks. All those questions about Lana... A vivid image of Kristoph hitting of Klavier at Thanksgiving flashes in her mind, and her grip on the fabric of his shirt tightens. When she speaks her voice has a hard edge to it, a mixture of anger and disbelief* Klav, he didn't-- Did Kristoph-- Did he... hit you again?
Klavier: Nothing like that! *he winces inwardly, remembering the girl has witnessed such an incident in the past -- he didn't think she'd figure it out so quickly though. She really is a lot smarter than he gives her credit for* Just... a bit of a fight.
Ema: *Her eyes glint, it's clear she doesn't buy it* If it was just a bit of a fight, you wouldn't be upset like this.
Klavier: *Klavier looks over to her; he hates lying to people. He hates lying to Ema especially -- but it's for her own good. She'd just worry if she knew the whole truth* You get upset over small arguments with Lana -- am I not allowed to be upset after having a bad day and arguing with Kris?
Ema: *A little thrown, she blinks* W-well, of course you are! *Her eyes lose their glint for a moment, and she searches his eyes, trying to tell if he's lying or not* But Lana has never hit me, Klav.
Ema: *She reaches up to hold his chin in her hand. Her voice is gentler now, genuinely worried, but she doesn't want to push him* Why would a fight make you want to move back to Germany?
Klavier: *He glances away from her but lets her keep holding his chin* I spent... what? Twelve years wishing I had my big brother back. Twelve years with him an ocean away... And when I finally can be with him? He...*he bites his lip a little, trying to word this* ... I am just a burden to him. He is not the same person I remember... *he sighs and shakes his head, pulling away from Ema's touch*
Ema: *Even though he didn't actually say it, her suspicions are confirmed. She reaches for him again, her voice serious, but there's a hint of desperation in her tone* You've got to tell someone, Lana or Jake or Mr. Edgeworth even. Please, Klav-- *she cups his cheek in her hand, making him look at her* -- you cannot keep letting him do this to you. You deserve so much better than that.
Klavier: *Klavier turns to rest his forehead against Ema's own* Calm down... It is okay. Do not be so worried about me... I can handle this. *he reaches over, taking Ema's hand in his. He gives it a gentle squeeze*
Ema: *She presses back against him, and squeezes his hand in return. She sighs* A-are you sure? If he's hurting you-- I don't... *she swallows, running her thumb along his palm* I trust you, okay? But, please, if it gets too bad... you have to tell me. I don't want to see you hurt.
Klavier: *Klavier never intended to let the girl in on so much but he feels a sense of relief washing over him now that she does know.* Fräulein... *he smiles, a genuine one this time* Thank you. I promise I will tell you if anything else happens.
Ema: Al-alright. I believe you. *wraps her arms around him, leans her head into his shoulder and breathes deeply* I'm glad you came over today, you know. It's good to see you again.
Klavier: *Klavier brings his arms around Ema, hugging her a bit tighter than he probably should* I am glad too... I should probably get out of here in a bit, ja?
Ema: *doesn't even wince when she's squashed even farther into him* Only when you want too...
Klavier: *Klavier nods* I will stick around a bit longer... But I do not want Lana chasing me off when she gets in. *he gives a small laugh -- like his smile, it's also genuine. Just being around Ema has improved his mood considerably*
Klavier: *Klavier slinks back down to his original position; laying down across the couch with his head in Ema's lap* I guess we can just stay like this for a while then, ja?
Klavier: *A little more than an hour passes, the two just relaxing in each other's company; watching television and generally just being close to each other. Finally, Klavier decides it's time to make a retreat before Lana shows up; moving over to the door with Ema and getting down to tie his boots up* Thank you again, Ema. I really missed spending time with my pretty Fräulein~
Ema: *grins* And I really missed spending time with you, you jerk.
Klavier: *Klavier rises to his feet, picking his helmet up.* I am only a jerk because you like when I am a jerk.
Ema: *tugs at his hair* Well, maybe, but only once and awhile.
Klavier: *Klavier laughs and gives Ema a quick kiss* You have been gone for, what? A month? I have a lot of catching up to do.
Ema: Yeah, well, when you're not busy, give me a call and maybe we can go get lunch or see a movie or something. *gives him a peck on the lips, then pushes him towards the door* Now, get out, before Lana comes home.
Klavier: Of course, of course~ Tschüss! *he steps outside, looking over his shoulder and waves to Ema, heading down the driveway to where his bike is parked*
Ema: Bye! *she grins and waves, shutting the door as she does so. Her smile slowly fades away from her face, giving way to a concerned frown. She leaves her hand on the doorknob as she watches him mount his bike and disappear around the block*