Mindful of people's reviews and a couple of comments from people who felt that each part should be a little longer in length, I have made this part slightly longer. Hope that you all like it.

Part 6

As she watched Lewis gently eased Hathaway down so that he was lying full-length on the sofa and draped a blanket over him. "It's going to take time," he said slowly.

"I know," Brianna said quietly, "but he's recovering well."

"When do you have to go?"

"I was hoping to leave at the end of the week," she replied.

"Can I persuade you to extend your stay?" Lewis asked. "Please?"

"In God's name, why?"

"Because I've been worried about my Sergeant for the past two weeks, ever since our last case. Yes, he was involved and he should have told me, but I think he thought that he could keep on top of it."

"So where do I come into this?" Brianna demanded.

"You got under his skin," Lewis replied, "I've seen it these past few days. He's actually laughing – I don't think I've seen him laugh for quite a while."

Brianna looked across at the sleeping figure, "Do you know that he does that to me?"

Lewis nodded, oh aye. She sighed and then sat down at the table, "This was not the plan, Robert."

"Sometimes things don't go according to plan," he replied.

She sighed, "All right, I'll think about it."

"Thank you," Lewis replied. "Do you want me to drive you to your room so you can pack?"

"Well it would help to have a change of clothes," she responded, "And you can call me Bree."

"I think I'd like that," Lewis said.

When they returned talking comfortably together, Hathaway was stirring on the couch, "I'll make us some tea," Lewis said.

He brought it across to them and noticed how Brianna and James were automatically sitting side by side, his arm around her shoulders, I bet they don't even realise it, he thought looking at them. "Well, I'm glad to see that you're looking much better, Sergeant."

"Sir," Hathaway had the grace to look sheepish, "Any news on the man who assaulted me?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you both about. It was our old friend Marcus Wareing."

"Whaaat?" both voices were raised in disbelief. But Lewis held up a hand, "He was sent down for twenty years, but he got out after five. Had a mental breakdown or s omething, then his father passed away. He came back to Oxford a year ago."

"How did that creature get out of prison?" Brianna demanded, her face flushed.

"Well for starters he was a model prisoner," Lewis sighed, "Behaved himself – did everything right. Even expressed remorse for what he had done. Then something happened and he had some sort of breakdown – a woman he'd been corresponding with refused to visit him and the prison authorities transferred him to a Mental Institution. He responded quite well to treatment apparently – so much so that they were about to transfer him back to a regular prison and then his father died and the authorities felt that if he continued to see a psychiatrist on a regular basis and continued taking his medication then everything would be fine."

"Did they know he was returning to Oxford?" Bree's voice dripped scorn.

"Even if he was, you weren't here at the time. You were miles away in Wales and he had no knowledge of your whereabouts."

"So what happened this time?" Hathaway asked.

"Well he stopped going to the psychiatrist about a year ago – said he felt so much better and even she felt that he was improving. He promised to stay on the medication but apparently he felt that he no longer needed it."

"Oh damn," Brianna said, "We caused it ourselves. He saw us didn't he, earlier that afternoon when we had tea together."

"Yes," Lewis replied, "he says that a red mist came down and he just had to try and get rid of Hathaway. Didn't even realise he was a police officer, all the old emotions he'd felt for Brianna came wallowing back up and he couldn't stop himself."

"So what happens now?"

"Well, as you know, we take a very dim view of police officers being assaulted, but in this case Mr Wareing has admitted the crime and signed a statement to that effect. He'll probably go back to the Institution – for good this time."

Lewis saw the shine of tears on Brianna's cheeks and tactfully handed her his handkerchief, "It was my fault," she said slowly, "Poor Marcus."

Hathaway pulled her closer, "It wasn't your fault. What if I'd been out with someone who looked like you – same hair, same build? What if he'd tried to kill both of us? Damnit, Bree, You can't take responsibility for this-" he uttered a word that was so unlike him that both of them gaped open-mouthed.

"Oh come on," he said, staring at their astonished faces, "I may pretend to be all high and mighty but I'm no innocent."

Bree closed her mouth but didn't respond, privately she was thinking No, I bet you aren't James.

"Well I was going to invite you both out for dinner," Lewis said, "As this case is pretty well wrapped up and Sergeant Hathaway's suspension ends tomorrow evening. Do you feel up to it, Sergeant?"

Hathaway smiled, "Actually, if you're buying Sir, that would be very nice."

"Who said I was buying?" Lewis smiled, it sounded like Hathaway was back, "Anyway, I've invited Laura along to make a foursome – do you mind?" This last was to Brianna.

"No, Robert, not at all." Brianna smiled, "It'll be nice to meet one of your work colleagues."

"Then it'll be a welcome change, and neither of you are to show us up with your intelligence."

"We wouldn't do that, Sir," Hathaway looked across at her and she could have sworn he was smirking.

Half an hour later they were sitting at a table in The Trout. Brianna had chosen to wear her azure blue dress again. James was sitting next to her, and every so often Brianna felt his hand gently rest on her leg, as if to reassure himself she was still there. Once or twice Brianna caught herself looking at him and then trying to look unconcerned.

Laura noticed it immediately and was secretly pleased. She had to admit that whoever this woman was, Hathaway seemed much more relaxed than he had in days. Brianna was absently twirling her glass when Laura interrupted her, "Penny for them?"

Brianna looked up, "Oh I was just thinking about the paper I presented. The Flood Epic In Religion. Not sure if they liked it or not, I was rather worried about the Sergeant so I didn't stay for comments."

"Robert said that you were a Doctor of Theology, were you planning on being ordained?"

"More interested in the historical growth of religions," Brianna replied, "I mean we have the Bible – although there were books that were excluded. Interestingly enough the part in the Gospel of John where Jesus forgives the prostitute would fit better in Luke, but the Church excised it because they did not forgive that sin and didn't want Jesus to be seen to be doing the same. Sorry, I'm on my soap box again."

"No," Robert smiled, "But I think Hathaway's got a real bundle on his hands this time."

"Of joy or trouble?" Laura asked and then when neither of the pair answered burst into delighted laughter. "Oh dear, I'm sorry but your faces were a picture."

Eventually they parted and Hobson noticed that Hathaway took the young woman's free hand and she didn't pull away.

"I'll see you Monday, Sir," Hathaway said.

"Yes, Sergeant. Have a good weekend, both of you." Lewis smiled as he helped Laura into her coat. She half-turned to watch the couple walk down the street, "Does she know what she's getting into, Robbie?"

"I think she's stronger than she looks." Lewis replied, "We have to leave them to it, Laura. Make their own mistakes."

"I know, but they seemed so right for each other, Robbie. I just want it to work."

"Well if they want it to work, they'll have to work." He smiled down at her, pleased with the pun and then laughed when she rolled her eyes, "Come on. Fancy a coffee at my place?"

"Why not." Laura Hobson smiled up at him and they began walking in the other direction.

Hathaway slowly climbed the steps to his flat and let them in. He closed the door behind them and leant against it. Brianna turned to look at him, "Are you all right?"

"Yes," he nodded, "a bit breathless but that's not the problem."

Brianna stared blankly at him for a couple of moments and then her gaze travelled down his body and to the rather obvious bulge in his trousers, "Oh," she said, raising her eyes to meet his, "I see."

He stepped forward and gently taking his face in his hands bent to kiss her, she didn't resist and as her mouth opened he gently probed with his tongue, someone moaned, was it him or her? She stepped away and smiled, "Come on, James, I've never been a fan of floors, too uncomfortable."

"Wha-" he croaked, "How?"

"Well, if you want the euphemism," she said, matter-of-factly, "I can always ride the horse all the way toLondon."

"C'mere," he said, half-laughing, half-choking and suddenly they were on the bed. He never remembered how they removed their clothes but suddenly she was on top of him and he was inside her. She bent her head and kissed him fiercely, and suddenly his whole body exploded.

Reaching up he wrapped his arms around her and together they fell onto the bed, he pulled the duvet up around them and stroked the hair away from her face, "Been a long time?" she asked softly.

"A while, yes," he said, "I'm sorry. I couldn't hold on, I wanted you the moment you put that glorious dress on, I should have taken my time."

"It's all right," she said quietly, and then somewhat cheekily, "Anyway, how do you know I wasn't seducing you?"

"I think it was mutual," he said sleepily.

"So do I, James," She sighed, "I'm going to turn over."

"Want a cuddle?"

"Always."

He wrapped an arm around her waist and then said, "Do you want to know about that awful case I was working on?"

"Only when you can tell me," she replied, "why, are you going to be tarred and feathered for it?"

"Metaphorically speaking," he yawned, "I have to go and speak with the department shrink."

"Ah," Bree replied, "do you know what you'll say?"

There was no answer and she heard a soft snoring coming from the man behind her. Sighing softly, she snuggled closer and drifted into sleep.

When Hathaway woke up the next morning he was alone. He sat up slowly, his leg and side still pained him, but not as much, "A side effect of loving, I believe," Bree said from the door. She set the tea down on the bedside table. "It's nine o'clock, thought you might want a shake."

"Mmm," Hathaway smiled and reached out to take her hand, "This has been a bit of a whirlwind, hasn't it?"

"For both of us, I think," Brianna replied. "The question is, is this it?"

"I don't want it to be," he responded, "I'd like it to be something more."

She sat down on the bed, "So would I. But is it something more – or is it just two sex starved individuals who couldn't keep their hands off each other?"

"There is that," James smiled, "but I was hoping that we could build on that. We get on quite well, you know that."

"Yes, I suppose we do," she mused, "but to find intelligence sexy is peculiar."

"Not to me," he said, grasping her around the waist and pulling her onto the bed.

"What about breakfast!" she gasped as his hands moved inside her dressing gown, and then her head bent to seal his lips with her own. This time he took his time, gently drawing her back onto the bed. Tenderly he bent to seal her lips with his own and then unable to hold on any longer he entered her.

She arched towards him and he gasped as she tightened around him, he moaned, buried his face in her shoulder, thrust once, twice and shuddered to a standstill. Slowly he came back to himself, raising his head to look into her face. She smiled softly and he bent to kiss her again.

"Good?" she asked gently.

"Yes," he murmured. "Lord, woman, you unman me."

"Oh I wouldn't say that," Brianna smiled. She looked down to where their bodies joined and James laughed, "It has taken me so long," he murmured, slowly lifting himself from her.

She reached up to lay a hand along the side of his face, "So long to do what?"

"Reach safe harbour," he said.

"Is this safe harbour," she asked softly.

"Yes," he nodded, "I think so."

Brianna took his face in her hands, "Oh, James."