Robbie was finishing his first cup of coffee at breakfast, looking pensive after Laura had told him about James' new academic venture a few days previously, with James' permission. It was a good fit with James' skills and background. Robbie thought the whole idea was a good idea, unlike most ideas that were handed down from above Chief Inspector Moody's level. So often, Chief Inspector Moody got stuck between what he knew would be effective on the local level and what was dictated to him as being necessary from higher up.

Robbie could find himself getting enthusiastic about the program, thinking up certain places where he could help out by consulting on the project. Maybe he should call up Moody later in the morning and offer to help out James' efforts? Robbie stopped himself; no he would be treading on toes if he took that approach. He would offer to help James directly; he did not want to undermine James in any way. If James wanted his help, then they would go to Moody and see what he thought about Robbie working with James on the project.

Then there was Laura. His dear, beloved Laura could be fiercely protective of him and loved having him out of harm's way from things like bombs, even small ones. Laura could possibly go ballistic if she found out that he was helping James, if James even wanted his help. His little Laura packed quite a punch when she "thumped" him hard after that little bomb incident before they went to New Zealand. If he was going to even think about offering James some help with this academic project of his, he better discuss it with Laura first. Or she might thump him as well as James.

Laura watched Robbie for a moment, and thought he seemed to be percolating some intense thought processes. She offered him more coffee which he accepted. She asked Robbie, "Are we still meeting for lunch today?" He smiled and looked up to her from his customary seat at their breakfast table, answering a hearty "Yes, I would not miss it.", before she kissed him and left for work. They planned to meet up for lunch, if her schedule permitted.

Laura liked her Robbie in a casual shirt and jeans. The attire enhanced the warm, familiar and comfortable feeling of home that she always liked when they were together, or even when her thoughts just wondered towards him, which was often. Laura and Robbie were meeting at one of their favorite park benches by the river for lunch. He was bringing a picnic lunch for them to enjoy, but he was not dressed for a casual picnic when he came into view. Laura was surprised when she saw Robbie smartly attired in one of her favorite suits of his. He was wearing one of his blue ties that brought out his handsome blue eyes. He was also wearing that cologne of his that she loved. These details, combined with that disarming smile and gentle greeting kiss of his brightened her mid-day mood considerably and put a broad smile on her face. This all pleased Robbie, because he had something to ask Laura that might make her smile less broad. She might even shove him in that scenic river, without the benefit of a canoe, depending on how she felt about what he was going to propose.

Robbie kept one arm around Laura, leaving one hand free to partake of luncheon nourishment. He had kept it simple while preparing their lunch with sandwiches and a salad that he had made, just the way Laura liked it. It was a healthy but tasty combination.

As they finished up their lunch, Robbie offered to walk Laura back to the mortuary, which she thought was a bit unusual, but very sweet. It was not the most romantic of locations, but when you're a retired copper and your best girl in the world the head of the forensic lab, sometimes things get peculiar. While they walked slowly towards Laura's office, they held hands. Robbie had the now empty small cooler he had brought their lunch in, in his free hand. He loved Laura with all of his heart, and even soul, if he thought he had one. But he also loved being a copper and had been finding himself falling into boredom when Laura went back to work after their return from New Zealand. It was time to find out if he might be spending the night sleeping on James' sofa tonight.

"Laura, would you mind if I offered to help James out with his academic project?" Robbie asked her as they walked along. He figured he might as well be direct. Laura did not respond immediately. They were still holding hands, and walking. He was not getting thumped by her, yet. Laura had wondered if Robbie would want to return to work, in some manner. He had said nothing about it, so she started to hope he had started to enjoy the idea of being retired. She loved the idea of him being safe, at home, but if it did not make him happy, she knew it would eventually spill over into their relationship. They had experienced that before, and neither of them was happy at the point in their relationship.

Robbie stopped walking but kept holding her hand, in a gentle but firm manner. Laura stopped, too. Robbie was looking down, not at Laura. She reached up with her spare hand and gently guided his chin upwards so that his eyes would meet hers. Laura chose her words gently; she did not want to be angry with him. He was asking her permission to do something he loved.

"Robbie, you are not a puppy that I can keep on a leash and safely confined to our home or yard. No matter how dearly I wish that I could. It's not a control issue, it's that day, that bomb, it scared me, it ripped out my heart, even though you were alright." Laura was looking at Robbie in a serious manner, no trace of her lovely smile crossed Robbie's line of vision. Yet, she did not seem angry with him. She continued, while he listened to what she had to say.

"You are asking me permission to do something that you love – to be a copper, again, in some manner. Before you broad-sided me and did not tell me you were going to be working again after Innocent asked you to help James and Lizzie become a better team. That hurt me. You did not think enough of me to even mention it to me, to me, before you went and did it?" Robbie could see that Laura was getting angry, remembering his lack of communication and taking a unilateral action, after they had become a couple and were sharing their lives and home. Robbie decided that it was best to remain silent and let Laura state the rest of her case.

Robbie and Laura were still holding each other's hand; it was a connection between them that helped keep them together, while they discussed events that almost severed their relationship.

"Robbie, I want you to be happy. And you are asking me and discussing this openly with me." Laura closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She looked down at how comfortably their hands fit together. She raised his hand to her lips and kissed it. "Yes, Robbie, talk to James about it, if you want to. But promise me to stay safe, my heart is in your hands, as is my happiness. Please remember that. No bombs, promise?" She tried to laugh and smile a bit, but she was scared for his safety and the love of her life when she did.

Robbie put down the container that had held their lunch, and he put his hands on Laura's shoulders and pulled her into a hug. He then stepped back a bit, still keeping his hands on her shoulders and looking her directly in the eyes telling her, "I promise you to stay as safe as I can. And thank you for allowing me to pursue this with James. It probably won't come to anything, anyway. James is all grown up and probably doesn't need a retired copper who never went to "uni" to give him advice. Thank you, Laura."

Robbie continued to escort his Laura to her forensics offices and labs. Then Robbie decided to go and find out if James was available to discuss a few ideas he had about a certain special project that James was working on.