A/N Sincere apologies for the hiatus - I've been really sick and not up to anything much! I'm still not entirely better, but really want to get this finished. One benefit of being in bed for days is I've had some new ideas…and I have a new story (a big one!) that I want to start drafting!

Half an hour later they were all sat around a table, catching up on the events of the case. Robbie had squeezed in next to James, and Laura had rather reluctantly found herself next to Jean. James was visibly exhausted from his trip, and was struggling to feign interest in the various ins and outs of the Faulkner evidence. Robbie was insisting on a blow-by-blow account, partly to make conversation, partly to fill the lad in, but all James could muster was the occasional nod between sips. Eventually, Jean registered his boredom and abruptly changed the subject:

"So what was the mission like? Corrupt any nuns?"

James smiled ruefully, and raised an eyebrow,

"Do you really want to know?"

She attempted a glare, but ended up smiling sympathetically,

"That bad?"

Robbie drained his pint and set it purposefully back on the table,

"Sorry for dragging you back, though, lad.."

James gave him a lop-sided smirk, and took another sip from his glass,

"You didn't really…I've got a gig tomorrow night, would've been a rush otherwise…"

Jean rolled her eyes, and setting her glass delicately down on the polished oak, looked deliberately at James,

"Right, well this lovely sergeant owes me at least one drink…I'm sure he can stretch to another round"

James glared at her knowingly, trying not to smile at their shared joke. Oblivious to their scheming, though, Laura looked up quickly, catching Robbie's eye across the table. Under the table, he carefully pressed his leg against hers in acknowledgment,

"Nah, I'm sorry ma'am, but this lovely lady here is cooking me dinner, and I'm bloody starving"

Jean raised an eyebrow and sighed theatrically,

"Well, you're no fun! But fine…I'll let you off for good behaviour. I'm sure James will keep an old lady company"

James smiled slightly, trying not to process the fact that he would be drinking alone with his boss, again, and began to collect up the glasses,

"Same again, ma'am?"

She nodded, and Robbie rose to let him out of the booth.

"I'm just going to, um…" he gestured towards the gentlemans' and headed off.

An awkward silence hung between the two women, and Laura smiled nervously as she slipped her jacket back on and adjusted her scarf. Jean watched her carefully, intrigued by this new, slightly flustered Laura. She'd always rather liked the pathologist, had admired her steel and slightly warped sense of humour. Jean wasn't one to be distracted by silly female jealousies…no, she was extremely pleased to have a number of top-level female professionals in her team. Kept the boys in check. But this evening Laura had been very quiet…even for Laura. She reached out and touched her wrist, causing her to turn quickly,

"Look, I know you don't want a fuss, but I'm really pleased for you both"

Again, that slightly nervous smile. Laura clearly didn't like to discuss her personal life…at least not when she is sober, Jean added mentally.

"Thanks"

Jean smiled back, and patted her arm,

"I mean it…he's wanted this for a very long time"

For a long moment, Laura just stared at her hands. She was playing with the tassel on her keyring, neatening the threads with her fingers. Eventually she looked up and met Jean's eye,

"You knew, didn't you?"

Jean nodded, and then sat back heavily with a sigh,

"Yes…and no"

Laura raised an eyebrow, and she continued,

"Yes I knew what he was going through, but no I wasn't sure he'd ever tell you…" she hesitated, suddenly realising the hole she'd just dug for herself, "…indeed, I'm not actually sure what he has told you…shit, sorry, none of my business"

Jean emptied her glass, not sure what to say, aware she'd already said far too much. But Laura smiled, more warmly this time, and set her keys back down on the table,

"I think I've got the full picture now, don't worry. But I wish you'd told me sooner…"

Jean smiled and nodded thoughtfully,

"It wasn't for me to…"

Laura nodded slightly, interrupting her,

"…I know"

At that moment Robbie ducked his head under the low beam and lingered at the end of the table,

"Ready pet?"

He'd noticed Jean's hand on Laura's wrist immediately, and couldn't help but wonder what he might have interrupted. Laura turned and smiled broadly, picking up her keys and her wallet,

"Yep, come on then"

They exchanged their goodbyes quickly, and Jean couldn't help but notice the way his hand hovered at the small of Laura's back as he guided her out of the alcove. She smiled to herself, and shook her head a little. What a pair. Him paralyzed by fear and guilt, her only able to talk after she'd inhaled half a bottle of gin. Oh well, they seemed to be on the right track now. And in a way she was pleased that Laura didn't remember what she'd spilled that night several years ago. It hadn't exactly been pretty. She should have known better than to be subtle with a half-cut pathologist, should have just told her in no uncertain terms what to do about her not-exactly-unrequited-love. But never mind, all sorted now. And sometimes the scenic route had its benefits. She was just pondering the spoils of her labours as James ducked under the perilously low beam, cradling a bottle and two glasses,

"That's my boy…"

The 'boy' smirked, folding himself into the small booth, and setting the packet of cigarettes and his wallet carefully between them,

"Am I going to have trouble with you again this evening, ma'am?"

She raised an eyebrow and tapped her fingers on the table impatiently,

"Promises, promises…"