I apologise if any of you were hoping for a continuation of the previous Take a Risk chapter. This story is the same moment, but a different could have been.
As she listened to Alan talk, Laura allowed her mind to drift. She thought it funny how all his tales centered around him. Such a difference to sharing tales with Robbie. He was always quick to turn the attention away from himself, preferring to talk of other things, but then so did she. For all the time they spent together, some things had still remained unsaid. Finally a few weeks ago she'd invited Robbie to dinner, knowing they needed to talk - not about the future but about the past. The case with Ligeia had broken them for a while, leaving a distance between them they weren't used to. 12 months earlier and Robbie would have known about Franco in advance, she would have made sure the ex part of old boyfriend was understood before he even arrived. So she had used that dinner to talk about Alec and Franco, Ally and Val. Clearing the air so they could clear a way forward. It had been hard, but it worked, and they were back to being friends. Best friends who knew they were heading towards something more. Laura figured that their recent argument was because they now knew there was something possible. They had each reacted to the other seeming to question their results, each taking the doubt personally instead of just professionally. So she'd asked Robbie to meet her at the pub tonight, expecting to apologise and have to explain her reasoning. But Robbie's quick insistence of his part of the blame proved they were on the same page, and so they put it quickly behind them. Laura had just said doesn't mean you shouldn't take a risk, and was contemplating adding with me when Peterson arrived.
At first Alan's attempts to impress her made her smile; Robbie's eye rolling at those attempts had made those smiles widen. But as the evening wore on, his attempts became less subtle and she began to feel annoyed. By the time Alan leant forward - excluding Robbie with body language if not with words - to suggest a meal in another of his favourite pubs, Laura had had enough. This guy had come across the two of them, alone, for the second time in as many days and yet never considered there could be anything going on. He obviously didn't see Robbie as any kind of competition. Laura decided it was time he knew better.
Robbie's hand lay on the table and Laura reached out to cover it with hers, stroking her fingers across the back of his hand as she looked at him saying "sorry Alan, but it's time we went, Robbie promised me a romantic walk along the river, didn't you?" She grinned as Robbie turned his hand over, gently squeezing hers as he replied "so I did, I believe there's a bench near here with our name on it".
Laura stood up, reluctantly letting go of Robbie's hand. As she shrugged into her jacket Robbie came to her side, holding it as she slipped her arm into the sleeve. As she glanced sideways to thank him, she felt his hand stroke lightly down her arm until his fingers curled around hers, and everything stopped. She didn't see Alan's stunned expression, barely registered Robbie's farewell and mumbled her own as Robbie turned them towards the door to the garden. As they moved around tables and people all Laura could think about was Robbie's earlier touch on her arm, the feel of his thumb stroking the back of her hand right now. She'd only meant to wind Alan up, instead it was her that was wound tight, all of her attention focused on their joined hands. When they made it outside and Robbie let go of her hand, she had to bite her lip to stop the whimper escaping, her eyes half closing at the sense of loss. But it didn't last long. She almost flinched with pleasure as she felt Robbie's arm slide over her shoulders, his hand tugging her closer as they walked towards the river path.
As they walked Laura struggled to make sense of what was happening. She had touched Robbie before, had held onto his arm numerous times. So why did him taking her hand have this reaction? Was it just that simple? This time Robbie had initiated the contact, was her reaction just her subconscious seeing that touch as a first step? And now that they were well out of sight of Alan, and there was no need to keep up the pretence, why was Robbie still holding her close? She couldn't resist tilting her head so it lay against him, or reaching her arm around his back, slipping her hand under his jacket. She felt his skin twitch beneath her fingers as they found a home on his waist, his own fingers flexing against her shoulder in response. His arm felt wonderfully heavy across her shoulders but she wanted him to stop walking, wanted his arm to fold her into him so she could rest her head on his chest, wrap her arms around him and hold on to this moment.
Instead she heard him murmur "what are we doing Laura?" "Honestly..." she said, scuffing her cheek against him "I don't know. Do you want us to stop?" Robbie's answer was swift, tightening his grip as he said "no". Laura laughed, relief rushing through her. Using her free hand to take hold of his jacket she tugged him round, bringing him to a stop in front of her. "Thank god for that" she said, before doing what she'd imagined and wrapping her arms around him, burying her face in his chest and breathing in the scent that was pure Robbie. She felt his arms pull her closer, felt his breath against her face as he dipped his head to rest alongside hers. It didn't take much effort to move so she could press her lips against Robbie's jaw, repeating the gesture when she felt him lean into it. She heard Robbie say her name, then he turned his head so her lips found his.
They kissed, and kissed again. Months of longing had Laura pressing against him, holding on tight as the emotions of the moment threatened to sweep her away. She could feel the heat as their bodies pressed together, her relief mixed with desire as he returned her kisses with increasing passion. "Robbie," she whispered against his mouth, "are you really ready to take a risk?" She felt him pull away slightly, and she raised her eyes to see him smiling at her. Then he said "this doesn't feel like a risk, not with you".
I started this with the idea of Laura being annoyed by Alan's flirting in front of Robbie. I expected her to either get cross with Robbie for just sitting there, or else get cross with herself because she had hoped Robbie wouldn't just sit there. Instead I turned them into teenagers suffering from that first crush, sorry. They are much too grown up and world weary to act like this but the story wouldn't change. I hope its not too disappointing. (And for those who know every detail of the show - yes, I'm conveniently ignoring Miranda's case file being left on the table...)