Author's Note: So I've noticed that I have developed the bad habit of torturing Innocent in my stories. This is a real pity, as not only is Jean my favorite character, but she suffers enough on the show without my having to add sexual harassment and/ or various husband issues to her already problematic life. So, in order to make up for my mistreatment of her, I've decided to write a nice fluff piece in which nothing terribly horrible happens. I think this will be a three-shot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Lewis.
Chapter One
" So what brings you here ma'am?" Detective Inspector Robbie Lewis asked DCS Innocent as she entered his office.
" I just wanted to check on your progress."
" Well, prepare to be disappointed," said Sgt. Hathaway from his desk. " We have absolutely no suspects and precious little physical evidence. We've yet to even properly identify the victim!"
" Well, I'm sure you'll prevail in the end; you always do."
Hathaway wasn't whether he was more flattered or more confused. The chief superintendent wasn't in the habit of dolling out such accolades and when James considered the fact that Innocent had lectured Lewis and himself about proper procedure twice in the past week alone, his bewilderment increased. For a very long moment, the sergeant studied his female superior, hoping that he'd be able to determine whether or not she was up to something.
She noticed that he was staring at her and gave him a very odd look.
" Err… those are nice earrings, ma'am," he said finally, in an attempt to save face.
She absently reached up to touch one. " Thank you, James. They were a present from my husband."
" He has excellent taste," Hathaway responded. He hoped that the compliment might persuade Innocent to elaborate. James was extremely curious on the subject of Mr. Innocent, largely because the chief superintendent so rarely mentioned her husband.
" No, err… actually he gave me the money, and I selected them. Mr. Innocent is positively hopeless when it comes to jewelry; he even made me pick out my own engagement ring."
" Ah," Hathaway said awkwardly.
" Well, I think you have very good taste, ma'am," Lewis remarked as Hathaway muttered " Kiss-up" under his breath.
Innocent ignored Hathaway's comment and continued to focus her attention on Lewis." Thank you."
" Anytime. Anything else, ma'am?"
" Yes, there is one thing," Innocent shut the door behind her and lowered her voice significantly. " I…I wanted to make sure that we're still on for tonight, Robbie."
Lewis lowered his voice as well." We are, ma'am. I'm looking forward to it."
" Me too. I'll see you after work, then." Without another word, the chief superintendent opened the door and walked thorough it. Once she had left, Hathaway nudged his partner.
" What was that about?"
" Never you mind, sergeant. It's none of your business."
" I'm sorry, sir, but I'm afraid it is my business," Hathaway replied, his voice taking on a slightly menacing tone. " I don't care how attractive you find Jean; I'm not about to stand by and let you break Hobson's heart."
" James, you're interpreting this all wrong. Innocent is just a friend, and I have absolutely no intention of breaking Laura's heart."
The sergeant was still skeptical. "Then why were you and the chief super whispering earlier?"
" Well, we were whispering, because we don't want the whole station talking. And, no, James, it isn't the sort of gossip that you're thinking about in that sick little mind of yours."
" My mind is neither little nor sick!" Hathaway protested vehemently.
" So, you're not denying that you were thinking about it just now?"
The sergeant merely rolled his eyes. " Whatever. Anyway, what exactly were you and Innocent talking about?"
" Well, we're…er…we're going shopping later."
Hathaway fought back a laugh. " Shopping?"
" Yeah, you know—when you go look over products and decide whether or not you want to buy them?"
" I'm well aware of what shopping is, sir; I'm just curious as to why you and the chief super are doing it together." A thought suddenly occurred to him. " Sir, our guv hasn't been giving you a hard time about your clothing—has she?"
" Why would she?" Lewis's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Are you trying to tell me something, sergeant?"
" No, of course not." Realizing that Lewis was not at all convinced by his white lie, Hathaway decided to tell the truth. " It's just…some people might say that you dress a bit unprofessionally at times."
" Some people…meaning you?" Lewis asked, scowling slightly.
" Well, yeah. Me and the chief super."
" So the two of you have had cozy little chats about the way I dress?"
" Little chats, yes, but I'd hardly call them cozy. After all, I don't want Mister Innocent to get the wrong idea. Speaking of which—does he know that you're taking his wife shopping?"
Lewis shrugged." I dunno; you'd have to ask the chief super. But whether he knows or not, it's not really anything he needs to worry about. My relationship with Innocent is strictly palontic."
" Palontic?"
" You know, when you're pretty good mates with someone of the opposite gender, but you're not at all interested in snogging them."
" Don't you mean ' platonic'?" Hathaway asked, still sniggering slightly at his friend's neologism.
" Yeah, that's it. Innocent and I are platonic friends who are going shopping together; that's it."
' Then, why do you seem so tense, Robbie?' Hathaway thought to himself. Then he spoke aloud.
" If that's really all it is, then why are the two of you acting like there's some big secret?"
Lewis gave his sergeant an admiring glance." You really don't give up—do you?"
" Well, I was trained by the best, sir," James replied, and Robbie beamed. "Anyway," Hathaway continued a moment later, " what exactly is it that you're not telling me?"
" Well, the real secret isn't that the chief super and I are going shopping; it's what we're shopping for."
" Which is…"
" An engagement ring," Lewis said finally. "I'm going to ask Hobson to marry me, and I want Innocent to help me pick out the perfect ring."
Hathaway's jaw dropped in astonishment. This certainly wasn't been the answer that he had been expecting! " That's wonderful news, sir. What on earth took you so long?"
" So, you don't think I'm crazy for doing it? I mean…what if Laura says "no?'"
The sergeant walked over and put a comforting hand on his inspector's shoulder. " Well, if she says 'no,' I'm afraid that you'll just have to move past it. But she's going to say ' yes,' sir; I'm sure of it."
Lewis looked immensely relieved; it was clear that this had been worrying him a great deal." You really think so?"
" I know so; she's been in love with you for years." Lewis smiled again, and then Hathaway continued a moment later. " Have you thought about where you're going to propose yet? "
" Well, we're going to London in a few weeks to see a production of The Faerie Queene, and I thought that would be an appropriate setting, seeing as it was supposed to be our first date. And before you ask, I have full confidence that Hobson and I will actually manage to see the opera this time around; Innocent's already agreed to give me a day-and-a-half off so that I can do the asking."
" I can see it now. The tenor will finish his aria and during the thunderous applause, you'll kneel down and say ' Doctor, my heart bleeds for you. I'm sure that it would heal admirably if you did me the honour of becoming my wife.'" Hathaway said melodramatically, falling to one knee and placing his hands over his heart.
Lewis pushed him slightly, and the sergeant fell on his rear end. "Can you imagine how humiliating that would be for her?"
" I don't think it's humiliating; I think it's very romantic," Hathaway teased as he rose to his feet again.
" Regardless of what you think, I'm gonna do the proposing after the performance, and I'm not say anything that ridiculous.'"
Hathaway grinned." I still think I prefer my way."
" Well, when you ask a woman to marry you, sergeant, you're free to do just that. I'll laugh when she turns you down, of course, but you can still take satisfaction in the fact that you did it your way. "
" That I will, inspector. That I will."