Disclaimer: This story is for fan purposes only. All the characters are property of their respective owners (not me!) and are used here without permission. Enjoy!
Lewis: Hathaway wouldn't know fun if it smacked him in the gob.
Hobson: oh, and you would?
Lewis: Sure, I've had me share.
Hobson: Yeah, in the distant past
-The Ramblin' Boy
Part I, Chapter 1- James assesses the situation
The times, they are a changin', Hathaway hummed to himself as he dried his hands on marine dream green towels in the loo at Robbie Lewis' flat. The loo had a pedestal sink- which meant no counter top or drawers for hidden storage. James sighed as he accidentally kicked a wicker basket tucked under the sink. With its pretty floral fabric interior, it was a cornucopia of makeup, skin care products and hair supplies. How does someone with such short hair need so many products? James wondered as he pictured Laura Hobson, Oxford's forensic pathologist, standing in front of this very sink.
Lewis and Hobson were moving on with their lives together, but Sergeant James Hathaway was biding his time. He'd taken policing to heart is if it were his vocation, but now he'd grown so jaded against the profession and his own abilities that he knew he had to leave. A person of interest in their last case- Adam Tibbit- had commit suicide after a rough interview with Hathaway. Yet Chief Superintendent Innocent had convinced him to take a sabbatical instead of resigning outright. So here he was, a merely one week after Adam Tibbit's suicide, ready to start a new case with his governor Robbie Lewis- though Hathaway had made it clear to Innocent that he would stay just long enough to give Innocent the time to process the paperwork for his request of the sabbatical. He'd driven to Lewis' flat and was using the loo as the Inspector was finishing his preparations for departure.
As Hathaway emerged from the loo he met Lewis in the hall coming out of his bedroom. A quick glance revealed a new duvet and full complement of throw pillows with a powder blue and purple paisley motif. "Have you redecorated the bedroom as well, sir?" He asked cheekily.
"It's just a duvet cover, man. You can change them easily."
Hathaway stared, prompting Lewis to ramble.
"Laura, erm, bought some new sheets too because she likes a higher thread count."
"Absolutely. Thread count makes a huge difference in quality." Hathaway said smugly. "And the throw pillows?"
Lewis dodged the question. "Right, you cheeky git. Where are we off to this morning?"
"Montrose Court- feuding neighbours."
"Hmm, that's near Valdemar Close where Laura used to live."
"Ah yes, before she moved into your flat."
"No, before that bloody Halloween when we almost lost her. She moved after that. And she most certainly hasn't moved into my flat."
"Hasn't she? Is that your pink yoga mat in the corner? And this must be yours as well," Hathaway said, picking up a women's magazine off the coffee table. Lewis just glared.
"I know, you think we're moving too fast, but when you get to my age…"
"Too fast?" Hathaway's eyes bugged out of his head and he laughed at Lewis' assumption. "Hardly. You and Dr. Hobson should have done this years ago. I just find it odd that she's moved into your tiny flat rather than you moving into her more… capacious… house."
"Early days, James."
To Lewis, their cohabitation was reminiscent of his days as a young copper still in uniform, when he was so proud of his first flat without flatmates- a flat where he could bring Val and they could be alone. He liked the idea of providing a home and it hadn't yet occurred to him that Hobson was, well, slumming it.
Hathaway noticed a shift in Lewis' expression and sought to clarify. "But it's clear that you make her very happy."
"Ta, James. That reminds me, I'd like to stop at the chemist on the way to Montrose Court. Have to pick up a prescription."
Hathaway found it odd that Lewis' tone perked up at the thought of the chemist. "Sir, you hate taking medication. Surely you're not ill.."
"It's Robbie, how many times do I have to remind you, lad? And it's nothing really, just something that Laura suggested. Better living through chemistry, as she always says."
"Quite," Hathaway said. But he remained sceptical of a cheerful Lewis.
