AN: Hello and welcome to my newest one-shot collection! This shall be (when it's finished) a collection of 100 one-shots/short stories about the life that Claire and Layton could have had together, if Claire had not died in the time machine experiment. A bit like my one-shot Of What Could Have Been only it's not just Layton's mind.

Also, the one-shots in this fic will all be based off of one word, which can be given in by you lovely readers! That'd be great if you could review/PM a one word request for this story!

Obviously, I don't own Professor Layton and that belongs to Level-5. I wouldn't have had it in me to kill Claire.


A Hundred Snap Shots Their Lost Future

1- Almost

Hershel Layton was now a Professor. Nothing could be better. The goal he'd been striving for his entire life... After five years of hard work (not including the three year degree in archaeology) he was finally a Professor. He could not be in a better place. After all, not only had he reached the top of his career, at the young age of 27, but he also had the beautiful Claire to share this achievement with. Nothing could be better.

Only moments ago, Claire had rushed off to work. She was a scientist and worked at a nearby research facility as a lab assistant. Hershel had always taken a deep interest in Claire's work life, and not just because she was his sweetheart; he had a deep interest in the world of science himself. This was particularly helpful within the communication in their relationship, as Hershel had always been able to discuss Claire's work with her, with interest, knowledge and the occasional friendly, ethical debate. However, in recent months Claire had been rather quiet about the experiments that she had been assisting in, in the laboratory. Hershel had taken no offence to this, as Claire had explained to him that the work going on in the laboratory was top secret and government funded and protected. She had reassured him that the work was nothing dangerous or any type of weaponry, yet was still top secret and she couldn't disclose any information whatsoever about the research and experiments. But, of course, Hershel understood completely.

Besides, Claire had rushed off to the research facility in such a frantic way, with the words "very important experiment" that he suspected the research would be complete and released for the public very soon.

Thought it was true that Claire had rushed off to work that morning, she had given Hershel a gift just beforehand. A gift to commend and congratulate Hershel on his new position as a Professor. A new hat. A top hat, to be precise. Claire had pointed out that it "wasn't his usual style" and she was certainly right there. The newly appointed Professor of archaeology's normal attire was a red waistcoat and black trousers. The new hat was a dark brown with a orange rim- it clashed rather heavily with his usual outfit. Not replacing the top-hat with his current red cap was unthinkable, considering that Claire gave it to him. He would have to buy a new outfit soon.

After all, as Hershel looked at himself in the mirror, his hat standing proudly, he realised that (not to sound vain, of course) that Claire was right; he did look like a true gentleman.

The sound of the phone ringing abruptly stole Hershel from his thoughts on his new appearance. He expected it to be his parents, phoning to congratulate him on his new position. He'd phoned yesterday, and had left a voicemail.

"Hello, this is Hershel Layton speaking," He said into the receiver.

"Mr Layton? This is the reception from Gressenheller hospital speaking," The voice on the opposing end responded. "We understand that you are the emergency contact for Miss Claire Marie Foley?"

Hershel froze.

"Yes..." He felt the world stop turning. A road accident on the way to work, perhaps? After all, she had been running extremely fast as she was in such a hurry... "Why? Has Claire been admitted?"

"Unfortunately, yes, Mr Layton," the receptionist, it sounded to be a woman, said. "I'm unable to give you much information as the incident's still being investigated, but an explosion at the Institute for Polydimensional Research has resulted in Miss Foley being severely injured and has been admitted to this hospital."

"Right, thank you," Hershel responded half-mindedly before hanging up the phone. His mind only scanned over the words, searching for the implications to Claire's condition. For now, he only knew one thing: she was alive. That was all that mattered for now.

The next step was to get to the hospital. Taking the car seemed rather illogical, since there had been an explosion along the street that lead to the hospital. No, it was much more logical to run.

-X-

The Professor arrived at the hospital in little less than twenty minutes. He ran, of course. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, his hand holding onto the brim of his new top hat as he ran. He didn't want to lose it to the wind so suddenly- not when it was Claire who gave it to him.

Upon bursting into the hospital entrance, which was much more busy than usual- simply explained by the circumstances of the nearby explosion. It was the closest hospital to the source of the explosion by far. He'd pushed his way, not caring that it was ungentlemanly to do so, to the front of the reception and demanded to know where Claire was. After being told by a rather frustrated receptionist that Claire was on ward 3 on the ground floor, he hurried straight there, and was shown by a nurse which curtained section was where Claire was.

Bursting through the curtains, Hershel finally stopped and found himself in a state of paralysis. He looked down at the bed and saw Claire. By just one look, it appeared that a savage burn down the side of her neck was the most painful of her injuries, but taking a step closer he could see just as many bandages and stitches the redheaded scientist had been given. Her arms, the top of her chest, her face... Not one part of her body had been left unharmed,he suspected; whether it be a bruise or a burn like the one on her neck. But she was alive...

"Oh, Claire..." Hershel sighed rushing over to her bedside and gently taking her hand, not wishing to cause her any pain by squeezing it too hard. "Thank goodness..."

"Mmm..." A small noise came from her throat and she her eyes halved open. "Hershel..."

"Claire..." He sighed deeply again, now brushing her auburn hair with his fingers. "I almost lost you..."

Almost. Not quite.


AN: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!

So this story can continue, a one word request would be greatly appreciated. Anything. Any word will do. Literally; the item sitting next to you; what you had for dinner; your favourite colour. Anything. But some words would be great, thank you! :D

Nikki~