Robbie wakes up the next day unsure what on earth he is supposed to be feeling. He is frustrated to have been pushed into this. He's excited about once again trying out his ability in that beautiful room. He's tickled by the cheeky grin James had given him across the office as he got up to leave. 'Home and practice, I'm looking forward to tomorrow.' He'd said with just a hint of a smile and those blue eyes sparkling with mirth. More than anything though, he is terrified. Terrified of looking like an idiot, of forgetting his steps, of people laughing when they see his photo, but more than anything he is terrified of making James think less of him, of somehow losing his respect.

It is with trepidation therefore, that he makes his way to the office with his suit carrier. He drops it off in the office and heads off to get coffee for himself and James. There are a lot of giggles in the break room about the photo shoots going on during the day and plenty of the DS's are exchanging gossip and trying to figure out ways of sneaking their way onto the shoots. Maddox is thankfully remaining tight lipped about the mess she is, more or less, solely responsible for getting them into, well her and Moody jointly really. Strangely, despite the embarrassment he isn't really sure that he is angry with them for doing so.

They manage almost a full day's work before Robbie has to pick up DI Ann Lovett and head over to the shoot. They can both tell that they aren't really as sharp as usual. Both of their minds are drifting toward what they are going to be doing this evening and tomorrow afternoon. It's a good thing therefore, that they're just doing research and paperwork rather than trying to tackle a serial killer or something equally dramatic. Although if that happened, Moody would probably have to pull them from the unofficial calendar assignment.

Eventually with butterflies in his stomach Robbie stands and gathers his things up. 'Right.' He sighs.

'See you in an hour.' James promises with a small nod toward the door.

By the time James arrives at the shoot Robbie is dressed in a neat dinner jacket and a woman with a gigantic makeup arsenal is applying something to his face. They have smoothed his hair down with something that is making it look slightly glossy but to James' relief they have not tried to hide the grey highlights. They give Robbie a distinguished dignity, lends him gravity and to lose them would have been a mistake. His face looks smoother than usual though, as if the girl in front of him has managed to take ten years of worries away with the aid of her brushes. But that's not really right either, Robbie is much less weighed down by worries now than he had been ten years ago when James had come to pick him up at the airport.

Maybe that is why Robbie looks so at peace in that chair James thinks. Today has got to be a reminder of happier times, of swirling his wife round a ballroom floor. James stays there watching as the makeup artist finishes and then as Robbie stands up scanning the crowd he crosses to him.

'Is that eyeliner sir?' James quips before he can help himself. Robbie looks good so why must he always take the piss out of everything.

'Oi, it's your turn tomorrow so keep it in unless you want to be paid in kind.' Robbie warns, but he's smiling as he looks around for his partner for the evening.

She comes toward him with her hand extended, looking exquisite in a blue two tone ball gown which perfectly complements the blue details of the room's décor. She is slim but not skinny and as Robbie leads her out into the empty room James can do nothing but stare.

He doesn't notice anything that is going on around him any more, not the photographer getting his camera ready and starting to take a few trial shots, not the crew gathering up behind him to watch, not even the little crowd of students that stop to peek through the door.

The music starts up and with a fluid motion Robbie takes his partners hand and first spin her away from him slightly only to pull her in again, wrapping a strong arm around her back and guiding her into a classical waltz.

It isn't the dancing of the above fifties cruise with ageing men sedately moving their slightly clumsy partners through rarely practiced steps, nor is it the flashy ballroom dancing of the kind that they do in competitions. No, this is exactly what it was always meant to be, pure romance. If the dress had been white they could have been an advert for a school offering lessons to make that first dance at the wedding perfect. It's Cinderella not Strictly Come Dancing and James can't help but stare.

Robbie leans forward and whispers something into his partner's ear, she gives him a brilliant smile and a small nod and then suddenly they are spinning at nearly twice the speed. Robbie is a solid pole of strength around which the young DI spins with skirts swirling and if James could form a coherent thought he would have registered that they have just gone from a classic waltz to a Viennese one.

He can't think though, all he can do is feel and to his horror, what he feels is longing and jealousy. He's fumbled around the dance floor with girls at enough functions through his life. With Scarlet as a child when she needed a partner for lessons, then when his boarding school had held mixers with the neighbouring girls school, at Cambridge far too often even if he had tended to try to avoid it. Never has a girl looked at him with the same admiration that Ann is looking at Robbie with now. She is so safe in his arms, so trusting, so happy, her smile could brighten the hall all by itself. He's never caused anyone to feel that way and what is somehow worse and more confusing, no one has ever made him feel that either. Yes he would like someone to look at him with that kind of trust, but more than anything he would like to be held in a way that made him feel that safe, that happy, that loved. When the music slows Robbie catches Ann in a low dip, leaning her back and making her giggle.

James doesn't realise he's crying until the music fades and everyone around him starts to clap enthusiastically. It's the most romantic thing he's ever seen and the couple dancing aren't even in love. He wipes frantically at his eyes as the two dancers stand panting and Robbie turns to the photographer to ask if he needs another go around.

James wishes desperately for a repeat, regardless of how painful it was to watch, it was so beautiful. But he is disappointed, the photographer shakes his head, obviously as stunned as the rest of the audience. 'Give me a minute to check these, but I'm pretty sure I got what I need.' He assures Robbie.

As Robbie and Ann make their way back to where James has been waiting he steels himself and tries to plaster a non-emotional face on. He's not sure how well it works but Robbie just grins at him and he manages a weak smile back.

'So, how did we do?' Robbie asks.

'You might just give Peterson's kittens a run for their money.' James tries for the only form of compliment that he feels won't give away just how fast his heart is still beating.

Robbie beams at him, face flushed after the dance. 'Well if nothing else, that was more fun than I expected. Never thought I'd do that again after I lost Val.'

'You should do it more often. I'd be up for an evening out any time, my fiancée has two left feet.' Ann smiles and gives Robbie a quick hug and a peck on the cheek before sauntering off to ask the photographer for a sneak peek at the photos. She's too late as the man is already heading toward them with the hugest grin on his face. 'That's a wrap guys, great work.' He beams at them and after shaking Robbie's hand he leans into Ann placing a hand on her hip and in what can by no means be considered a whisper he mumbles into her ear, 'You were beautiful out there'

'Thank you.' She says curtly, pulling off her long gloves to flash the engagement ring on her left hand. 'Ready to go Robbie?' she asks holding out said hand to him. The request is hardly subtle but Robbie is quick to pick up on the desire to be rescued and like the knight in shining armour that he is he takes her by the hand.

'Always. See you tomorrow James, and thank you for coming.' Robbie gives James' shoulder a quick squeeze before turning and guiding Ann away toward where they have left their clothes.

James watches them as they go, as they pick their bags up without going to the changing rooms and head out towards Robbie's car in which they had arrived together. When they turn out of the hall and out of sight he sinks onto one of the wooden benches piled against one wall that have already been started to be put back into place by student helpers. He puts his head in his hands, closing his eyes. His mind is oddly blank considering how many conflicting emotions are warring for attention in his chest.

'I feel with you mate. He's far too old for her, no matter how good a dancer he is. Must be hell working with that every day.' The young photographer places a heavy and unwelcome hand on James' shoulder where Robbie had squeezed it moments before.

James angrily shrugs him off and stands. 'You have no idea.' He snaps bitterly before stalking off.