His final day in the French capital dawned clear and fair, much like the previous day. It was a Sunday, so both Sandra and Max were able to accompany him to the airport, to see him off on his 9.30 flight to London Heathrow. He had mixed feelings about leaving; a part of him wanted to return to London as quickly as possible, to put all this behind him and resume his dull yet familiar position in the Met. Yet another part of him wanted to stay here, to start a new life in Paris, just as Sandra had had done, to escape the bureaucracy of the police force and the loneliness of his bachelor pad. He tried his best to dismiss that tempting idea. Anyway, it was too late for that now- an announcement came through the PA system that his flight was boarding. It seemed disappointing, somehow. He'd been through so much with Sandra over the past week, but now he had to return home, just as though he'd come over for a holiday.

He sighed, standing up slowly. Both of his companions mirrored his action, chuckling when none of them could summon the words to express what they wanted to say.

"So, this is it then," Sandra summarised, a sad smile crossing her features.

"For now," he replied, the same expression mirrored on his face. "If the case is handed over to the UK courts, then you can come and stay with me for as long as you like, both of you."

"Likewise, if it stays within the French system," Max promised.

"Thank you. I honestly don't know what I would have done with you."

Sandra beamed at him, yet there were tears forming in her eyes. She flung herself into his arms, holding him tightly. He watched Max chuckling in front of him.

"I'll go get us some coffee," he suggested awkwardly, yet there was a smirk on his face. "Have a safe flight home, Rob. And thank you for looking after Sandra when I wasn't there. You're a good friend, to both of us."

He nodded. "Thank you. Anytime." He looked on as Max walked away, disappearing into the throng of people. The airport was busy, the morning rush not quite over yet, although the sunlight streaming in through the large windows made the space feel airy and calming. Sandra had pulled away from him, and was watching him intently, a serious expression on her face.

"What is it?"

"Sometimes I think I want to come back to London with you, but most of the time I want to stay here. I don't know what to do, to be honest."

He sighed, momentarily closing his eyes. He was tempted, but it just wasn't the right thing to do, at least not for her. "I'd love you to come back, Sandra, but I honestly think you should stay here. You've got a great partner in Max, a brilliant job doing what you love and getting to travel the world, a lovely home…I hate to say this, but there's nothing for you in London. UCOS isn't the same, you wouldn't be able to see Max very often, the Met is as bureaucratic as ever, I mean…"

"You're right," she nodded, the debate that she was currently conducting inside her head appearing to be swayed by his words.

"And hopefully we'll all be able to keep in touch better from now on, you, me, Gerry and the Lanes."

"Yeah, we should make more of an effort. Anyway, it's not as if I'm in Australia, just a short hop across the Channel," she smiled ruefully.

"Exactly. Anyway, I'd better be going," he said as another announcement that his England-bound flight was boarding sounded throughout the airport.

She pulled him into another tight hug. "I'll miss you."

"Me too."

"Safe flight."

"Thank you." Despite his desperation to prolong the moment, he released her. He had to leave now, or he'd never go.

"Bye," she whispered simply, the tears returning to her eyes, exaggerating their already captivating blue.

"Bye," he replied quickly, before his voice cracked. He picked up his suitcase and turned away, walking towards the departure gate and only looking back when he was just about to disappear through it. Sandra was stood with Max, holding hands. They both waved, smiling. A final farewell from France.

A/N: Sorry this isn't to my usual standard- it was one of those chapters where you can envisage it in your head but can't find the words to portray it on the page.