The sun was warm against her back as Laura walked along the riverbank. In the end, she'd opted not to drive - it seemed ridiculous on such a nice day - and she was enjoying the opportunity to stroll. A few brave souls were out punting, clearly determined to make the most of the last few days of autumn before it turned cold. She smiled to herself, wondering idly whether Robbie had ever ventured out in a punt. Now that would be a sight to amuse… She grinned as one of the lads in control of the pole wobbled a little. Getting out the house was doing her good. There was only ever one remedy to Laura's stress, and she knew full well that forward motion was the key. Not that she wasn't thinking about Robbie, about their upcoming evening… But first there was the slightly concerning trial by ordeal of sitting next to him in the pub - because she always sat next to him - without giving themselves away to Jean and, in all probability, James. The thought was making her slightly uneasy. Not least because the last time she was in a pub with Jean, she had a horrible suspicion that she might have said rather too much about her feelings towards a certain DI. She bit her lip unconsciously, not for the first time racking her brains, trying to remember their conversation. It was no use, they'd had far too much gin for her to remember clearly, however hard she tried. She could only hope that Jean had a similarly addled memory of the evening. There was something though, something that she'd let slip…she was almost certain of it. She sighed, resigning herself to the situation, then smiled mischievously as her mind turned to the far more exciting question of whether she'd manage to sit close enough to tease Robbie under the table.

At just after quarter past five, Jean Innocent swept into Robbie's office, swearing like a trooper. He was in the process of slipping on his jacket and powering down his computer, and he sighed, assuming it meant more work,

"Everything ok, ma'am?"

"That bloody idiot from the press board has cancelled on me for the second time in a week…he is absolutely impossible!"

Robbie smiled, pleased that she'd not found a problem in his reports, but quickly tried to look sympathetic,

"Typical…"

She perched on the edge of Hathaway's desk for a second, and checked her wristwatch,

"Oh sod it…pub?"

As they arrived at the White Horse, Robbie headed off to the bar to get a couple of drinks in, fingering his mobile nervously while he waited for them to be poured. He'd tried Laura's phone, but she wasn't answering. Not that he was really concerned, she'd probably just left it at home…but still, he didn't want her to be too disappointed that they wouldn't have any time together until later. He paid, and gingerly carried the glasses back to the table, casting a quick glance towards the door. But instead of Laura's petite figure, he saw James, carefully dipping his head to avoid the low beams,

"Oh, here he is, the boy wonder…"

Jean looked him over, obviously confused,

"I thought you had another three days James?"

Robbie grinned, amused that she had clearly ignored the details on the holiday form that he'd put in front of her that morning,

"I knew he'd be bored out of his scull…"

James raised his eyebrows, and smiled ruefully,

"Not far wrong sir"

"Here..I'll get you a drink"

In spite of Hathaway's protestations, Robbie turned back in the direction of the bar, immediately seeing Laura walk through the door. In the background, he could hear Jean making small talk,

"Well, I've enjoyed being the Inspector's sidekick…it's been alright, hasn't it?"

Laura had spotted him straight away, and from the smile on her face he knew exactly what she was about to do…he started to step towards her, wondering if he might beat her to the doorway and safely out of sight. But it was too late. He couldn't help but smile back as she came closer, and without a second glance to the table, he stepped towards her as her arms slid up around his neck possessively, pulling herself up to kiss him. For a moment he was slightly unbalanced by her, the urgency of her kiss surprising him, but as her tongue slid seductively over his lower lip, he kissed her back. She pulled back slightly, her voice husky,

"I've been wanting to do that all day"

Her breath was warm against his lips, and he almost forgot that they had an audience. Almost. But in a split second he made his decision. For far too long he'd stepped back from her, metaphorically or otherwise, and left her to wonder at his feelings. For once it was time to sod the consequences,

"Same 'ere"

He kissed her again, matching her enthusiasm, his hand slipping protectively around her waist, pulling her gently against him. As he pulled back, exhilarated by what he'd just done, he held her gaze just for a moment, before nodding to the table. As she turned, Laura felt the heat rising on her cheeks, and Robbie's hand gently sweeping across her back, his thumb stroking her, reassuring her,

"James…gosh you're sunburnt"

She wasn't sure if it was lack of oxygen or the sinking feeling of embarrassment, but Laura suddenly felt very giddy. James was staring at her calmly,

"Thank you"

Robbie's hand was still on her back, and she felt herself leaning into it, trying to steady herself. He turned slightly, his voice calm and surprisingly confident,

"I'll get the drinks in.."

"…No I'll"

They smiled at each other, her hand coming to rest lightly on his chest,

"No, we'll both get them…you can have that one" He nodded at James, and without so much as a raised eyebrow turned back to Laura and steered her towards the bar. She walked in front of him, and immediately he reached forward and caught her hand in his, his fingers wrapping around hers. Pulling himself almost alongside her, he pressed a quick kiss to her temple and asked,

"OK?"

She nodded, squeezing his fingers lightly,

"Um…I'm just going to head to the ladies…won't be a minute"

Before he could reply, she'd stepped away, moving quickly to the small door on the opposite side of the room.

To Laura's relief, the bathroom was empty, and she stood at the washbasin, leaning on her hands. Quickly glancing in the mirror she was relieved to see that her face wasn't quite as red as it felt. She swallowed quickly, and took a deep breath. It's ok, you're overreacting. She turned the cold tap, and squeezing a little soap out of the dispenser, began to wash her hands. They weren't dirty, but the ritual calmed her, gave her a moment. As she dried them carefully with the paper towel, her breathing began to settle. She looked at herself in the mirror again, checking her makeup, refusing to allow herself to worry about what had just happened. He loves you. She smiled, the nervous energy starting to dissipate and a calmer warmth spreading across her chest. She took a final glance and headed back in the direction of the bar.

Out of the corner of his eye, Robbie saw the door to the ladies swing open, and he sighed with relief. She looked fine. A bit dazed, maybe, but that was understandable. He turned to address the barman who was taking their order, and felt her arm sweep across his back, her small body tucking itself in next to him. He took her hand and gave her a knowing look,

"OK?"

She grinned,

"You already asked me that"

He smiled back, his thumb caressing the back of her hand,

"I'm just making sure"

She nodded, before looking at him more seriously,

"I don't suppose we could just do a runner now?"

He shook his head, and kissed her temple again,

"I don't suppose so…"

They shared a mischievous grin and he felt her snuggle in closer. He lifted his arm to rest across her shoulders, before leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek,

"I don't think they will be raising any objections"

She looked at him, intrigued by his confidence, raising an eyebrow to encourage him to continue,

"Well Jim's been on at me for years to ask you on a date…and last week the Chief Super told me in no uncertain terms to 'get it sorted'"

For a moment, Laura looked slightly horrified that her private life had been such a matter for discussion, but the warm smile spreading across his face and the heavy arm across her shoulders soothed her irritation somewhat,

"I had no idea that…"

He grinned, kissing her hair quickly again, before reaching out for the now-served drinks,

"…that they cared. I know…"

She grinned back, and took her glass, before giving him a sidewards glance,

"So, once more unto the breach?"

"Henry V? Act 3…scene 1?"

She shook her head with amusement, remembering the piles of books from her morning's exploration,

"Show off…"