DISCLAIMER: I do not own or hold any rights towards the main characters in this story, but I do have a lot of love for them, so I have tried to stay as true to them as possible. There are a few minor OCs but they are in no way connected to Lewis or Silent Witness, save for in my head.

This is an AU story, to the extent it occurs after Series 6 of Lewis but does not fit with canon leading to Series 7, and includes two crossover characters from Silent Witness. In my opinion, you don't need to be familiar with the Silent Witness characters to enjoy the story, as the main context is Lewis' Oxford. Hope you enjoy and all comments gratefully received.


Lewis had just settled in front of the television to enjoy the Saturday afternoon rugby; he'd felt the gratifying hiss of the can of lager he'd just opened and was raising it eagerly to his lips, when his mobile rang.

"Hathaway?" He sighed despondently into the speaker. He knew what was coming.

"Sir, a body's been found at Wainwrights solicitors. I'm on my way to pick you up. Be there in 10 minutes."

"Right you are." Lewis murmured, the smell of the now forbidden lager teasing his nostrils as he spoke.

In a swift, well-rehearsed routine, Lewis packed away the sad semblance of a personal life from his coffee table, consisting of a four-pack of lager, some cheap crisps and the remote control, turned off the telly and headed to his room to change into his suit.

Soon the doorbell had rung and Hathaway was lolling transiently on the sofa, waiting whilst Lewis fastened his tie and located some shoes.

"Honestly, man," Lewis grumbled to his sergeant. "Don't people have better things to do than go getting themselves killed on a major rugby weekend?" Lewis knew he shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but he had really been looking forward to that game.

"I take it that's a rhetorical question, Sir, so I shan't reply." Hathaway declared, his heart sinking: Lewis' mood did not bode well for yet another working weekend.

"Hmph." Lewis grunted and headed towards the door.