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Chapter 35 - Purpose

A few hours later, L and I were accompanying Jude to St. Sebastian's Abbey outside of London. As Peter whistled cheerfully driving the car through the high wrought iron gates, Jude's entire demeanor changed. Instantly he sat up straighter in his seat between us and stared forward, almost rigid. I glanced over his head to L wondering once more what exactly Jude had endured in this place. His behavior was certainly not making it seem a warm and nurturing home. He pursed his lips together and sighed. It was apparent even he didn't know.

"So, are you guys going to stop bickering for five minutes?" Jude then asked crossly as the car pulled up in front of a centuries old stone property on the grounds.

"Who said we were bickering?" I asked him in surprise.

"It doesn't have to be out loud," he muttered his eyes locked on the tall doors on the left side of the car. "The stony silence is enough."

"I assure you that Grace and I are once more the best of friends," L answered him calmly.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," I disagreed. "Now that you've alienated yourself from half of Liam's family, even after I asked you specifically to make an effort not to do so."

L was miffed. "Well then, I ask you, how must one respond to being called a 'git' within the first five minutes of introduction?"

"There is such a phrase as 'turning the other cheek.'"

"Why, so the other man could insult me, as well? No thank you." L crossed his arms, his expression petulant. "It's not as if you defended me at all."

"There was no need to defend you. You're a grown man who's capable of defending himself. Usually without physically fighting, although that has changed in the last week. Just ask Andrew Hargrove."

"Be that as it may, I never made actual contact with the one called Wood."

"No, but you did call him a cur and shook your fist in his face. Actually, I admire your bravery doing that in front of someone as threateningly built as Jamie. You're rather lucky that it ended there."

"Are you implying that I could not hold my own in an altercation?"

"Against those two? L...I'd rather not think about it."

He leaned over Jude, annoyed. "I don't just sit pretty working on cases, Grace. I do get my hands dirty as well. I am prepared to fight, if needed."

I smiled to myself. "Oh yes, I know you don't just sit pretty on cases; you get to dress up pretty as well."

His eyes were alive with fire. "Grace Deacon... give me one good reason I shouldn't silence you this second..."

"Enough!" Jude groaned, covering his ears. "Just both of you go back to being silent. Sheesh!"

L glared at me over Jude's head, and I smiled winningly back at him. "It's not like Jude doesn't know, L."

"Oh yes, I know too damn much," Jude growled. "But I still don't know how you two are friends."

"We aren't merely friends. We're married, remember?" L replied with a smirk that received a cold look from my direction.

"Very very thin ice, Louie..." I warned under my breath as a portly, balding man in a long black cassock emerged from the double doors and stood expectantly on the top step. "Careful you don't fall in."

"Ah my dear Cassandra, I'm only getting started."

"You two have way too many names for each other." Jude rolled his eyes and groaned. "We'd better get out."