[A/N - Yay, finally just dialogue... This is what I love best! Things are going to go a bit AWOL from the episode for a few chapters, for obvious reasons, but don't worry, it will all fit. Like I've said before, this is just what they had to cut from the screened episode, obviously... ;) Also, apologies to the Americans for the Radio 4 references...I just think it fits Laura very well.]

Laura was just heading over the Orwell bridge when the hands free device began to vibrate and flash. She didn't need to check the display on her phone to know who it would be,

"Hey Robbie…you've get excellent timing"

She turned the radio off and adjusted the earpiece.

"Hmmm?"

"Yep, the News Quiz has just ended and you've got fifteen minutes until Front Row…"

She heard him laugh, and something creak…presumably him swinging his legs up onto the desk,

"Not a fan of the Archers then?"

"God no…please tell me you aren't?"

The cheeky bastard actually paused for a moment before replying sarcastically,

"Aw….you're breaking my heart…"

"Seriously?"

"Gettaway woman, do you really think I've got time to listen to a radio soap opera about farming?"

She hesitated, signalling to overtake a clapped-out Beetle,

"But you had time to call me"

She heard him chuckle, and she smiled to herself,

"No…I made time to call you. Entirely different. So where are you?"

"Just driving past Ipswich…"

He tutted, and she shook her head, wondering not for the first time why he always asked about her driving if he didn't want to hear the answer,

"I won't ask how fast you've been driving to be there already…not too tired?"

"No…I'm fine. Under an hour to go now, and I can guarantee that Ellen will already have the dinner on. Speaking of which, have you remember to get something other than kebab?"

"Don't you dare criticize the holy kebab…"

He did indignant surprisingly well, and she made a mental note to tease him about his kebab addiction on future occasions,

"Ok, ok….just asking"

"I went home for a bit, fed Monty…managed a sandwich"

"Just promise me you'll have something decent when you get home."

She paused, wondering idly what he was planning for the weekend,

"You are going to go home, aren't you Robbie?"

"Don't you worry about me…just what I'm like at the end of a case…all goes a bit nuts"

"I guess it's something I'll have to get used to."

She'd said it without thinking, but he quickly replied, the warmth in his voice obvious,

"I hope so…"

"So am I allowed to ask what happens on one of these girls' weekends?"

"As much as I'd love to tease you horribly by saying drunken snogging and giggling about boys…" He groaned audibly. "Generally as little as possible… I plan on a long lie in tomorrow, then a decent walk in the country, hopefully followed by a delicious meal, lots of expensive wine, and curling up by the fire."

"Sounds like my perfect weekend. Though we'd need to watch the football though, of course."

"Of course…"

It was too easy to imagine…far too easy. Long weekends, not being on call, maybe they could borrow Ellen's cottage sometime…Slow down, Laura, you don't even know how he likes his toast yet.

"So…case coming together?"

"Aye. Innocent and I are going to start the interviews tomorrow…could be a long day."

"What's she like?"

"Jean?"

"Yeah…she's one of those people who I've always thought I'd get on with…were she not, you know…"

"Yeah…I know…"

They both chuckled.

"She's good. Direct, but fair. You always know where you stand with her…actually quite a rare thing these days…she's old-school"

"You like her, don't you?"

"What can I say, I'm feeling more charitable these days…she seems to be looking out for me. She's offered to do Cornish with Gray, which has taken a lot of the pressure off"

She sighed, wishing again that she hadn't left him alone this weekend,

"He was a good friend, wasn't he?"

"Aye…I thought so, once. We weren't exactly close, especially not since Val died, but back in the day, yeah, we saw a lot of each other."

"Are you going to try and talk to him, when he's brought in?"

"Nah…what would be the point? I know it's a cliche but people change, friendships change…"

"Not always for the worse, though…"

She smiled, hoping he'd see her point,

"You're right there, pet."

The traffic was beginning to clear, and she hung back in the left-hand lane, relaxing into the seat.

"But I will try to see a bit more of Louise…if that's ok with you?"

"Of course…I think you should…and Robbie, you really don't need to ask me first"

"I know, pet…it's just"

"I know"

She hesitated for a second, wondering if she should say anything, not wanting to worry him…but decided that honesty was the best policy,

"And in the interests of transparency, I guess I should mention that Alec might well appear when I'm at Ellen's"

"Ah…my old friend"

"Hmm…"

"Should I be concerned?"

"Only that I might find myself facing an assault charge if he tries it on again…"

They laughed, and she felt the tension easing in her shoulders,

"Don't worry, pet, if the worst came to the worst, I'd get you off."

"Thanks Robbie, always knew there would be perks to seeing a copper"

"Seriously though, if he gives you any bother, I'll…"

"You'll what? Pop over with your handcuffs? Honestly Robbie, don't worry…I can more than handle Alec"

"OK…just call me though, if you need me…"

"I will. And don't worry, it's only a chance. Last thing I heard he'd decided he wanted to move on…part of the reason for visiting Ellen was to check she was ok now he's finally dumped her again"

"She's a good friend, isn't she?"

"Mmm…well, she's an old friend. There's not many people who stick the course these days. We wind each other up a lot, we're very different in some ways…but we do still make the effort."

"Are you going to tell her about us?"

She was momentarily distracted by a large van pulling up behind her, its lights dazzling her in the rear view mirror, and she hesitated before answering,

"I'm not sure…"

She heard his sigh, and instantly she regretted the change in mood. Deliberately lightening her voice, she tried again,

"Not because I'm embarrassed Robbie…just..well, I'm not sure she'll approve…and I'm not sure I can be bothered with the argument"

"Ouch…and she seemed so nice when I met her!"

She laughed, pleased that he obviously found it as amusing as she now did,

"Well…you hadn't suspected me of murder at that point, or left me in a shallow grave. She tends to fly off the handle a bit, makes assumptions. Last time I saw her, after she saw us together after the funeral, she seemed to think it was her duty to tell me to move on, find someone else"

The laughter drained from her voice as she realised he'd gone quiet. The silence was immediately awkward.

"I see."

She swallowed. Damn. She should have know not to make fun of it, not to push him too far, too quickly. He was tired, he was stressed, the last thing he needed was her making light of the horror of that night.

"Well, I'd best let you get back to driving…and your programme will be starting in a minute"

No, Robbie, no…please don't…

"Robbie…I…" her voice faltered a bit, unsure whether she should apologise or try to unpick what she'd said.

"I don't think we should be talking about this while you're driving, Laura…just do me a favour and concentrate on the road, pet"

He didn't sound angry - when did he ever? - just tired, and she knew better than to argue,

"OK…but…"

She bit her lip, suddenly frustrated by the lorry in front of her, and pulling back over into the fast lane, put her foot down.

Another awkward pause, and then he spoke again, his voice low, placating,

"Let me know when you get there? I'll probably still be here, but just let me know that you've got there safely"

"Of course"

It was slightly more curt than she intended, but never mind, if he didn't want to talk, fine.

"OK, take care"

He hung up before she could, and she removed the earpiece, flinging it onto the passenger seat.

Forty minutes later, she swung the car into Ellen's drive, probably scattering more gravel than was strictly necessary. She took a deep breath and closing her eyes for a moment exhaled carefully. Why does he does this to me? She smiled to herself, the tension in her shoulders beginning to dissipate. You know why. Reaching for her phone, she decided to risk him figuring out just how fast she'd driven the last stretch, and keyed in a quick text,

"Got here. Managed not to kill anyone. Can I call you later?"