Chapter 2

The words somehow angered James. How could Robbie do it with such ease? He'd been away from the job for almost a year and simply by putting the suit on he slid back into the role.

He stalked away from the house knowing Robbie would follow. Angrily he lit a cigarette. Once sure no one would be able to hear them he turned to Robbie, "I thought you had lots of plans for your retirement."

Robbie nodded looking across the land, "I did; I do."

"Are you not enjoying it?"

Leaning against the small wall Robbie shrugged, "Of course I am, just taking a bit of a break."

James blew out smoke, an angry stream. "You're taking a break from your retirement?"

Pointing at James he nodded, "Yeah, that's the one." Even Robbie knew how awkward he sounded, "Anyway look, I remember the transition from sergeant to inspector. It's not easy. So I'm glad you asked for me help."

James couldn't stop the shocked expression, "I wasn't aware I had."

Realization that he has been had by Jean bloody Innocent dawned on Robbie, "Jean Innocent made out…"

Almost laughing that Robbie fell for the machinations of the Chief Super James shook his head, "No, I've been asking for manpower, we all have."

With a small voice, "But not asking for me."

James shook his head with wonder, "Well you're retired."

Accepting his fate, Robbie throws himself at James' mercy, "Right! OK, well it's your investigation so I'll just help out where I can…"

Surprise washes over James along with the first genuine smile he's had in a long while, "You'll be alright with that are you?"

Nodding, "Yeah, yeah, don't worry." They turn to walk, in perfect sync, "We should go for a pint later. You can bore me with tales of your traveling."

James bristled thinking of his trip and how it ended, "I wasn't really traveling. I went for a walk."

Robbie looks questioningly at him, "To Spain?"

Smiling at the simplicity of Robbie's question, James shrugged, "A long walk." Seeing Sergeant Maddox, James uses her as a way to change the subject, "Sergeant Maddox, this is DI Lewis. Will you bring him up to speed please?"

She looks at him quizzically, "Sorry?"

James found himself suddenly enjoying the situation, "Yeah, he's joining the investigation."

Robbie, noticing her discomfort, tried to smooth things over, "Well just helping with the legwork."

She smiled at Robbie for at least attempting to help her understand, "Right, well the family liaison officer has been in touch and the victim's wife has them to leave."

Robbie looked to James, "Want me to have a word with her. Or whatever is most useful. I await your instructions."

James had been so caught up in the moment he wasn't really sure what to do. He nodded at Robbie, thankful for his guidance, "That'd be great, thank you."

"Right then." Turning to Lizzie he pointed to the boot of her car, "Do you want me to give you a hand with those?"

She nodded, eagerly, unaccustomed to an offer of assistance, "Sure, there's more inside."

James watch them walk back to the house together. His emotions conflicted, he was both grateful and resentful of Robbie's presence. The ease at which he stepped into the investigation was annoying. However, he couldn't deny feeling calmed by his presence.

Anger flowed through him, he didn't need Robbie. He could do this job without him. Why the hell did Innocent feel he needed any assistance much less Robbie Lewis. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he scrolled through the directory looking for her entry.

A medical examiner's car stopping at the end of the drive drew his attention. Laura exited the car and walked toward him. An idea bloomed in his mind. Let's see how Robbie liked having his nice orderly world upset.

"James, I'm going to do my best but…"

With a knowing smirk James rocked on his heels, "He hasn't told you has he?"

She shook her head in confusion, "Sorry, who?"

A quick tilt of his head directed her attention to Maddox's car where Robbie was helping her put two long guns in the boot. With a satisfied smile he saw the color drain from Laura's face. Leaning slightly over her shoulder he deadpanned, "Once a copper, eh?" Feeling much better about things he headed back to his car. Robbie couldn't disrupt his life if things at home were disrupted.

Laura stared at Robbie. Why was he at a crime scene? Turning she ran back to the car. Climbing into the back seat she directed the driver to leave. Fumbling, she dug into her pocket finding her mobile. She checked, no messages of any kind from Robbie. He was back on the job and hadn't bothered to even call her. It was only her iron will that kept tears from falling down her cheeks.

Jean walked past James only half listening to his complaint. She'd known it would come but had hoped being back with his former DI would ease the transition. Finally she had enough of his whinging, "Don't be such a bloody diva. He's been brought in to assist everyone. He just happens to be with you first because you've got a dead brain surgeon on your hands. How's that going by the way?"

Knowing he'd been dismissed he launched into the case, "Well still waiting on ballistics but it was definitely a shot at close range because the bullet didn't leave the skull."

She nodded, "See what the lab says but bullets aren't always consistent." Seeing Robbie at the board she smiled, "If it's consistency you want I refer you to exhibit A." She pointed to Robbie, "Feared extinct now back in its natural habitat."

Raising an eyebrow and still a bit miffed at the con she'd pulled he turns to her. "A little respect for the elderly."

Jean rolled her eyes, "Not likely." She moved closer to the boards, her eyes taking in all of the details, "What's all this?"

Maddox joined them at the board bringing them all up to date on the details of the case. At the end she turned to Robbie, "There was also a message from Dr. Hobson. I didn't quite understand it. But she said that your dinner was in the canoe."

Robbie grimaced understanding the message. Jean smiled, "I suggest you buy some flowers on the way home."

He gave her an annoyed look, "Yeah thanks." James and Maddox walked away busy with their own follow up. Robbie smiled down at Jean, "Flowers might get me out of the dog house but what are you going to do?"

Jean looked up at him, "What do I need to do?"

"I assume you didn't talk with Laura before you called me. Don't think I won't throw you under the bus."

She flinched slightly imagining Laura's anger, "She will get over it. Clearly you were miserable being a house husband. In the long run she will thank me."

"You keep telling yourself that. But until that happens, she's drinking red wines these days."

He'd taken Jean's advice and stopped for flowers. The lateness of the hour meant there wasn't a great selection but beggars couldn't be choosers. Inserting his key into the lock he opened the door, sticking his head in hoping for the best.

Laura was on the sofa, back to the door. He could just make out the head phones in her ears. He walked in, flowers in his left hand. The change in the set of her shoulders told him she'd heard him. He pulled gently on the cord, looking over her shoulder, "Chapter 8 already? I thought we were supposed to be learning this Italian together?"

Annoyance washed over her face, "Funny I thought you were supposed to be at home. So we both had a day of surprises." Standing she stood and picked up her glass. With a cold smile she repeated one of the phrases she had been practicing in Italian.

Robbie looked at the phrase book, "You wish to complain about my level of service?"

She walked off, leaving him to contemplate how angry she actually was. When she didn't return he followed her. She wasn't in the kitchen, the patio doors were open. He looked onto the patio expecting to find her standing outside. He looked around finding her empty glass in the sink.

He stepped outside and noticed the other set of doors open. She had gone through the patio to the other entrance to avoid him. Walking over to the canoe he found a covered plate with a note, "Clean up after yourself."

Picking up the plate he carried it into the house. He ate standing over the sink, reminded of all of those years alone. The last year with Laura had helped erase all of those lonely years. As much as he might want to be back to work, it wasn't worth their relationship.

He washed his plate and her glass then placed them both in the dishwasher. Turning out the lights he checked all of the locks and set the alarm. Slowly he climbed the stairs, trying to figure out a way to explain to her why he'd done this.

The lights were off in the bedroom when he pushed the door open. Laura was already in bed, her back to the door. He walked into the en suite, changed into his pajamas and brushed his teeth before returning to the bedroom.

He pulled back the covers and slid into bed behind her. She didn't move although he knew she was still awake, "I'm sorry Laura."

He waited hoping she would respond. When she didn't he lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He listened to her breathing for a long time. He knew the moment she fell asleep by the change in her breathing. Briefly he contemplated wrapping his arm around her and pulling her to him then thought better of it. He closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. His last thought before drifting off was he'd talk with her in the morning.

Robbie woke to an empty bed, not an altogether unusual occurrence. Laura was often awake before him. On Saturdays she was usually up early, out for a walk, then she would come back and wake him with a lovely fry up. He inhaled deeply longing for the smell of bacon or coffee. There was no such smell.

He climbed out of bed, went to the bathroom then went in search of Laura. She wasn't in the house, there was no note. The flowers from the previous night were still on the table where he'd left them. He picked them up, put them in some water, hoping they would perk up. Carrying the vase upstairs he placed them on her nightstand.

His phone started ringing and he reached across the bed to grab it, hoping it was her. It was James, calling about the case. After a brief conversation they agreed to meet. He made the bed, no use in leaving it to annoy her more then went off to shower. Fifteen minutes later he was out the door to meet James.

It wasn't until he was digging into his fry up and telling James about how Laura normally cooked on Saturday mornings that he realized he hadn't left her a note. His joy at breakfast dissipated as he realized again how badly he had failed her.

A/N - I thought my note that the first few chapters would be mostly from the episodes with my editorial comments was self explanatory. Clearly it wasn't enough for one of you. So I will say it again. The first few chapters will be true to the story line with editorial comments from me. I am setting up a few things.

Additionally, while I was happy to have Lewis back, it was not their best work. There were too many things not addressed. If you thought the series was perfect as it was then this is not the story for you.

But to clear things up, I thought the film quality was poor by comparison with other series. Most of the scenes look as if they were filmed in front of a green screen. The murders were contrived and not very compelling (all of them I had figured out very early on). I wanted more about Robson to let me know how they resolved their issue with him going back. He made a LIFE ALTERING decision that affected both of them and didn't even think to drop her a text. Additionally, how did Laura not notice how miserable he was staying at home? I want to know why James didn't finish his "long walk". Why was he so angry throughout the series? And WTF did Robbie bring kiwi to the hospital?

I was happy to have the show back but they could have done so much more. This show has never been great about character development but this was a time when they would have been well served in developing the characters more. If they are truly setting it up for both Laura & Robbie to retire and the series to shift to James & Lizzie then they damn well need to make me care about them as characters. At this moment in time I don't.