Ad libitum

Author Note: For disclaimer and introduction, please see chapter one. This story is not a continuation of the previous chapters. Robbie and Laura reboot!

Laura Hobson sat at a table in a cosy pub, checking her face in a compact mirror. Robbie Lewis- her colleague and chum- had asked her to lunch as he often did. Or had she asked him out, but expected him to pay? That was the more likely scenario, but Robbie would never complain because he loved any meal that didn't come from a microwave just as much as he did Laura's company. He'd gone to wash up before their food arrived, and she took the opportunity to reapply her lip gloss. She pursed her lips in a satisfied way, put the mirror down, and was stunned to see an old flame, Alec Pickman, standing in front of her.

Laura and two girlfriends had once shared a house with Alec and another lad when they were at university. It seemed that everyone in that house was amorously involved with each other at one time or another, but as the years went on, Laura really only kept in touch with her friend Ellen. Their group was reunited when one of their former flatmates was murdered several years ago. Robbie had investigated the murder and sensed that Alec harboured feelings for Laura. Alec was an artist and had always been quick with a poem. Some women found that irresistible, but Laura knew him to be a drunk and a louse. Needless to say, Laura did not reciprocate his feelings. Against Laura's counsel, Ellen had invited Alec to join her and Laura for dinner the most recent time that she was passing through Oxford. When Ellen had to cancel at the last moment, Laura was surprised to find herself quite enjoying the company of a sober and clean Alec. One thing led to another, and while Laura's creed was "no regrets," in the morning light, Laura realized that she did not want that to happen again.

So now here was Alec, standing before her at the pub. "Hello, Laura." She stood up and let him kiss her on the cheek. "You should know that a woman as beautiful as you doesn't need to check her make-up. You don't need make-up at all, as I recall."

She was not impressed by his charm and somewhat anaemically offered, "how have you been, Alec?"

"I've been missing you, but other than that, I have been on an even keel." She knew he was referring to his continued sobriety.

"I'm glad to hear it; the even keel part, I mean." Just then, a waitress arrived with lunch for two.

"I gather you're waiting for someone," he surmised. She nodded and indicated to him Robbie Lewis, who was emerging from the men's room. "So that's why you stopped returning my calls!"

Laura knew she had two options. First: let the truth play out and have Alec humiliate her- or worse, humiliate Robbie. She knew that Robbie would then wall himself off and not speak to her no matter how much he wanted to. This would in turn lead to the two of them staring mournfully at one another across crime scenes for months until he was ready to talk to her again. She shuddered at the thought of his forlorn look. The second option? She could ask Robbie to ad-lib a bit… but dare she? She said a silent prayer that Robbie would understand. She went to head Robbie off before he reached the table and whispered something in his ear. Alec saw the inspector mouth, "what?" then watched as Laura put her arm around him.

"Alec Pickman, you remember Robbie Lewis."

"Of course," responded Alec. "Fear not, Detective Inspector, I'm sober and have been for the better part of a year."

"Congratulations, mate." Robbie said congenially, albeit with a hint of sarcasm. While Alec Pickman did seem clear-headed, Robbie was not unaware of the pint in his hand. The two men shook hands.

"I see that congratulations are in order for you, too. Fair Laura's heart is a prize worth the winning."

Robbie was not at all clear on how exactly Laura wanted him to handle this, but he would not be outdone by Pickman's treacle. He had let Pickman brand him as a milquetoast lover once before, and Robbie was not going to let that happen again. "I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I am honoured that such a worthy woman has chosen to be at my side." Laura made a pleased little noise, so Robbie raised the stakes. He gave her a little kiss on the top of her head. She nuzzled her head on Robbie's shoulder to confirm that he had indeed done what she needed- and desired.

"Mind if I join you two lovebirds for a drink?"

"Go ahead." Robbie said gallantly and pulled up a chair for Alec.

"Robbie, I don't think…" Laura protested as he did so, but Robbie cut her off.

"It's all right, love." She saw the vestigial grin of the impish sergeant she'd known years ago. Let's see where this goes, your little farce, he expressed with his eyes. She positively melted into those blue eyes, which did not escape Alec's notice. "It's all right, love" echoed in her mind. She wondered if that was his casual luv or love? Regardless, she cherished that moment.

"This looks serious, Laura." Alec interrupted Laura's reverie. "Forgive me if I seem a bit surprised. Been a long time, or is this a recent development?"

Robbie and Laura answered simultaneously- Robbie: Long time. Laura: It's recent. They looked at each other and giggled nervously. Laura composed herself first and sought to explain. "What we mean is that we've had these feelings for a long time, but this-" she held up her and Robbie's intertwined hands- "is very recent."

Now it was Robbie's turn to be blown away. She knows, he realized. She knows how I feel, and she makes it seem perfectly natural. No, not seem- it is- perfectly natural to be with her. He squeezed her hand.

"I'm pleased for you, really I am." Turning to Robbie, Alec said, "what took you so long, man? I recall you were keen on her back when there was that whole ghastly business with Ligeia."

Robbie shrugged. "The important thing is that she knows now."

The three of them made innocuous small talk, but there were several awkward silences as they ate and drank. Alec started in again. "Looking forward to the holidays?"

"Aye," Robbie answered. "We're going to see my family in the north." Laura nodded enthusiastically as if that had always been their plan.

"I thought you had planned a ski trip, Laura. Klosters, didn't you say?"

"Plans change, Alec." was her simple response.

Robbie's mobile began to buzz. "That's me daughter now, actually. Excuse me a moment." Robbie stood up to leave but was still within earshot of the next exchange.

"Oh God, Laura, he's got kids? I can just picture you as the wicked stepmother."

"His kids are grown. People do grow up, you know." Laura scoffed.

Robbie did not stray very far. "Listen, pet, can I call you back? I've got me eye on a situation here." He hung up with his daughter and approached the table again, coming up behind Alec surreptitiously.

Alec had leaned in towards Laura. "I don't understand what you see in him though. Does he make you feel safe or does he put you in handcuffs?"

Laura knew Robbie was right behind Alec. She was suddenly very nervous as she saw the expression on Robbie's face change from light-hearted to offended. Robbie was justifiably indignant at the suggestion of handcuffs; it wasn't the notion of sexual bondage between willing partners that bothered him, but rather the sanctity of his job. When he had to make an arrest and lead someone away in cuffs, he always tried to do it in a way that maintained the person's dignity. Laura bit her lip and gave Robbie a worried glance. Alec turned around. Laura braced herself for Robbie's reaction.

Robbie was clearly fuming, but he composed himself before speaking. "I've had it with your assumptions, man. I am not one of Laura's old boyfriends, just as Laura is not my late wife. We're just Robbie and Laura, and we enjoy being with each other." He stopped and drew in a deep breath.

"You're right about the safe part though; no harm will come to her while she is with me." Laura got up from her chair and stood next to Robbie, putting her hand on his shoulder.

Alec snorted in response.

"And I don't know where you get this idea that our life together would be dull." Laura piped up. "It's one crime scene after another. There are enough lowlifes in this town to keep us busy." She did not mean to imply that her one-time boyfriend was a "lowlife," but that is how it came across. She did have an unfortunate habit of letting extremely blunt statements fly from her lips without considering how they might be received.

Alec downed the rest of his brew. "Best of luck, then." And with that he turned around and left the pub.

Robbie looked at Laura, and once again they spoke simultaneously. Laura: "I'm sorry I put you in that position without asking." Robbie: "I'm sorry I got carried away. I should have let you get rid of him in the beginning like you wanted."

"It's all right." They answered in unison, laughed nervously, and breathed a sigh of relief together.

"You were wonderful, Robbie." He beamed and gave Laura's shoulder a little squeeze in response.

"My pleasure." Robbie paid their bill and hustled her out of the pub with his arm around her protectively. He was afraid that if he let go of her, the farce would be over and they would go back to their single lives.

She knew exactly how he felt and answered his non-verbal plea. "If we're pretending, I don't want to stop."

"I'm not pretending, Laura."

"Neither am I. Look, about me and Alec- it was three months ago, and while I don't apologize for things that happen between consenting adults, I do admit it was a lapse in judgment. I was lonely. When you're lonely, Robbie, you shut yourself off from the rest of the world and brood. When I'm lonely, I seek out… "

"Shhhh." He put his fingers over her lips. "It doesn't matter. The important thing is that neither one of us has to be lonely anymore. Am I right?"

"Oh, Robbie." She tilted her chin up to meet his mouth, and he moved his fingers from her lips to caress her face as they kissed. "Let's go somewhere we can be alone. Together."