Authors Note: This was born out of a songfic that I started and will now, most likely never finish. I want to add a chapter for Lewis and maybe other characters but I have yet to hear a song that sparks off any ideas.
I would like to leave this city
This old town don't smell too pretty and
I can feel the warning signs running around my mind
It sounds a romantic notion, a soundtrack to your life. The reality is, you tend to notice music at the times when it effects you most. When you're angry, when your sad, when you feel like the world is closing in. That's when the the lyrics hit you, tug at your hearts strings. It either makes you feel better, or a whole lot worse.
James Hathaway knows this. He knows it all too well. There's nothing better than sitting on his sofa with his guitar when he feels like shit. He's fully aware that it doesn't always help, doesn't always make him feel better. But he doesn't know what else he can do. Cases like this always make him feel like shit. Kiddie murders. He just wants to run, to go somewhere where he isn't a policeman, somewhere where he doesn't recognise anyone or anything.
He wonders if its worse for Lewis. After all, the man has had children. He must be reminded of his family when they work this sort of thing. James himself was upset a the injustice, he had no children, no siblings to torment his mind when faced with the sort of crap they saw in their job. He wondered whether Lewis goes home and listen to something soothing. Or something angry. Or something mindless. He smirks then, imagining the Lewis house filled with something like "Agadoo". The thought is so absurd, he shakes his head.
The he realises he can't stop. Suddenly he's shaking his head at so many things. Death, injustice, sorrow, life. He needs to get out. Somewhere safe, somewhere comforting. His radio switches tack for the third time in 10 minutes. This is the first time he's noticed a difference in the song playing though. He smiles slightly, the ghost of a smile, as if he feels guilty for feeling any happiness after what he's seen today. Guilty for being ok, after leading a mother to identify her dead son, after watching the suspect slip through their fingers. He needs respite and reassurance and the radio has just given him the answer.
If you're drinkin' well, you know
That you're my friend and I say
I think I'll have myself a beer.
He picked up his phone from where he had flung it in rage when he had first come through the door. Dialling the familiar number, he briefly hoes that he's doing the right thing, that he isn't screwing up his friends own way of coping. He's somewhat reassured when the phone is answered.
"Hello Sir...No sir, it isn't another body...I was just wondering sir...Do you fancy a pint?"
The songs are "Half The World Away" By Oasis and "Beer" By Reel Big Fish.