Author's note: All usual disclaimers apply.

Thomas Lynley stared longingly at the bottle of Blackadder that sat unopened on the worn, green leather insert of his desk. The whiskey was more viscous than his usual blend and as it oozed down the glass from where he had shaken it, its unfiltered rawness gave it a smoky texture that fascinated him. By rights Tommy preferred smooth whiskey free of imperfections but the detritus settling on the bottom of the clear bottle lent the golden liquid a dangerous edginess that matched his mood.

The whiskey had been a gift from Simon after he had started back at work. At the time Tommy had laughed at the irony; Simon had never known the extent of his drinking after Helen died. Lynley, in his shame and despair, had shielded everyone from the worst of it, even Havers, his long-suffering sergeant. Poor Barbara, she deserved so much more. No one had seen him in his endless cycles of drinking, passing out, waking and drinking again to avoid thought, to avoid having to feel anything. Of course it never really worked. He never stopped thinking or dreaming about Helen, their relationship, and his mistakes but there was one glorious point on the inebriation spectrum when he did not care as much. He became a neutral observer of his own sins able to function logically and to forgive himself. One more drink or a little time to sober slightly and the crushing, painful guilt returned. It had become a daily game to try to find and hold that exact point where he could bare the world.

So Tommy had hidden his gift behind his copy of The Odyssey. It seemed an appropriate spot for a man trying to avoid the temptation of the Siren. Tonight though his world had ended and any pretense had fled. He did not want to savour the taste - he wanted to get drunk, as drunk as he possibly could. That first day was always the best. He could get intoxicated enough to block out the terrible memories and dangerous thoughts before the cycle began. With luck he would pass out in a dreamless stupor. He wondered if he drank it all quickly if he would wake up at all. Worse still he knew he would prefer not to wake up. It was a dangerous mood. He knew he should stop now before it began but he also he could not resist.

The day had been difficult. They had wrapped up a gruesome murder of a child. It had appeared random but as is often the case those protesting most were in fact the perpetrators. The step-father had beaten and raped the little seven year old in the bushes of the local park. When they arrested him he had laughed and said she had provoked it by the way she used to sit on his knee. He had killed her because she had objected to him fondling her. The mother had fled from the room and returned with a knife. Barbara had instinctively stepped between them as the knife came down.

Tommy shuddered at the memory. In that moment he had consciously acknowledged something he had been feeling for a long time; he loved her. That had been a wonderful revelation but as he watched the arc of the blade swinging down his horror at the prospect of losing her had been greater. He remembered screaming out. He thought it was 'no' but he could not be sure. Barbara had turned and their eyes had locked. His feisty little sergeant's huge emerald eyes begged forgiveness and he knew his eyes had reassured her.

Every movement seemed to be in slow motion. It had hardly seemed possible that the knife would miss but Barbara had ducked away just in time. The blade had sliced her sleeve and nicked her arm but this had been enough to deflect the blow protecting the life of a child-killer. Tommy had pushed him aside and disarmed the distraught mother. He had no choice but to arrest her but he hoped she would not be charged. He had recommended that in his report.

Barbara's wound had bled more than expected so despite her objections she had been taken to hospital by the paramedics to be assessed. She had wandered back into the station three hours later just as Tommy was wrapping up his interviews and report. They had only a few minutes together for her to mutter thanks for his warning and him express his relief that she was alright before he had been summoned to the Commissioner's office.

"I'll see what he wants then perhaps we can grab a pint," he said smiling.

"I'd like that." Barbara had averted her eyes shyly and he had pondered the meaning as he had walked to Hillier's office.

Tommy cued in a CD then cracked the seal on the bottle. He poured a small measure into his favourite Irish crystal tumbler and swirled the whiskey to release the aromas. It was a woody, peaty whiskey with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. Tommy took a sip and let the flavours develop. This was a fine single malt and he regretted that he would not drink it slowly, as it deserved to be experienced. He downed the contents then filled his glass. He grabbed the bottle and sank into his brown Chesterfield chair in front of the fire he had just lit. He gulped the scotch greedily feeling the fire run down his throat. He closed his eyes and let the first wave of alcoholic warmth seep through him. The flames flickered beyond his eyelids creating mesmerising patterns into which he could lose himself. He had chosen his path.

Hillier had expected him to be delighted. He was being promoted to Chief Inspector and had been asked to head up a new team focussing on race related murders, or hate crimes as they were more popularly known. It was a murky, dark world filled with intractable bigots and and psychopaths using religion and race as an excuse to fulfill their darker desires. It was an honour and at first Tommy had been flattered.

"Can I pick my team Sir?"

"No Lynley, we've assembled a team for you. They're mostly from the communities most affected by this violence so understand the cultural sensitivities," Hillier replied, "we're promoting Nkata and sending him with you."

Tommy was happy for Winston. He deserved to become sergeant and Lynley was glad he was being assigned to him but Hillier had not mentioned Barbara. "And Sergeant Havers?" he asked suspiciously, fearing the worst.

"You've done your job there Lynley. She can work with others now and you know yourself we should have promoted her before but well...with what happened it was best to keep you together for a while. That's behind us now. She's going to become a DI and I think I'll post her to the Major Crime Squad for a few months. They need a hand over there. Then she can come back here."

Tommy's education and breeding kept his face impassive but it had been as if Hillier had physically struck him. He felt a hollowness he had not felt since Helen had died. Only this was much worse; Barbara was his life. Having her by his side made life tolerable. There was no logic to it, it simply was that way and he had understood today just how important she was to him. Now that was being snatched away. "I see. I think she would make a very valuable DI on my new team. I would like you to reconsider Sir."

"Sorry Lynley, I think you two have outgrown each other. You start on Monday. Your office will be in South London. It might be best if you tell your team tomorrow. Tell Nkata and Havers first of course. They should be very happy. Send Havers to me to get the details." Hillier stood up and shook Tommy's hand. "Well done Lynley and all the best."

Numbness spread through Tommy making thinking or even walking hard. He could not face anyone so slunk into his office, grabbed his coat from the hook, snuck past the squad room and fled out the door. He hoped no one had seen him leave or they would know something terrible had happened.

Barbara waited an hour before she went looking for him. She had expected him to come back from Hillier and suggest they go for the promised pint. His office was empty but his coat was missing. She frowned and tucked her lip under her tooth, a habit she had when she was thinking. After asking around she discovered Tommy had left about thirty minutes before. At first Barbara was disappointed, especially after the events earlier and his invitation but then she began to worry. This was reinforced when she overheard Hillier's secretary talking in the Ladies about Lynley having come from Hillier's office 'looking as if he had been caned by the principal'.

Never one to shy away Barbara followed her back to Hillier's office. "Can I see the Commissioner please?"

The woman smiled at her. "He's expecting you."

Barbara frowned as she knocked and entered the lion's den. Why is he expecting me?

"Ah, Inspector Havers, come in. Congratulations. I must say that was quick work. I expected Lynley to need more time before he told you."

Inspector? Barbara had a horrible sinking feeling but had learnt enough from Lynley to know never to show your disadvantage. "He was a little light on details Sir," she replied thinking it was very true.

"Well I asked him to send you to me for details. Starting Monday you'll report to Superintendent Spence at the Major Crime Squad. A DI there has retired and they need a bit of a shake up. I think you will manage that. I know DCI Lynley wanted to take you with him to his new team but I could only spare either you or Nkata to go with him and you must admit Nkata is possibly better qualified."

Havers wished she had been stabbed to death. The prospect of not working with him, not seeing him everyday was unbearable. "The DI, sorry DCI was very sketchy on details of his posting Sir but you can't split us up! We're the most effective team you have."

Hillier smiled, almost sympathetically. "I saw the same look on Lynley's face but it is unusual to be paired together for so long and probably a good reason to end it now before you become too attached to each other. You're almost like an old married couple. You deserve your promotion Havers. You and Lynley are like two stones in a tumbler, you've taken the sharp and awkward edges off each other. Look back on your time together with pride Havers but it is time to move on."

The rest of the conversation was a blur. All she could think about was Tommy and how he had left the office to avoid telling her. She wondered if he was as devastated as she felt. She grabbed her coat and started to walk to the pub expecting him to be waiting inside at their usual table. It was empty and suddenly everything hit her. She sank into the chair at their table as she tried to decide what to do. She had seen the look in his eyes when he thought she was going to die. It had changed their relationship and now Hillier had torn them apart. She had no choice.

Half an hour later she was standing on Tommy's doorstep debating whether to knock. The classical music she could hear was aggressive and mournful. He was definitely home and almost certainly in one of his moods. What had seemed logical at the pub seemed vain now; if he had wanted to be with her he would have called. She turned to leave. She was too upset herself to be his prop tonight but she needed to see him and talk to him, only him, about how she felt. He was not the only one losing their partner. She turned back and rang the bell.