Today Put On Perfection Chapter 10
So sorry that this has taken me so long to post up – I haven't finished it yet but I plan to work on the last chapter over the next week and finally complete it. Thanks for all your reviews, I really appreciate them. As usual I don't own Lewis or any of the characters, I've just taken them out of the box to play with for a bit.
"Why do you think I'm a bitch sometimes?" Bree replied, "I've waded through enough shit to fertilize a field, James. I know how cruel people can be so I've developed a shell. You will have to cultivate yours if you want to be seen with me."
"I have no problem being seen with you," Hathaway retorted, "in fact I've stopped seeing you as being disabled."
Brianna flushed and then looked away embarrassed. Laughing Hathaway bent his head and kissed her lips. He lifted his head and smiled, "What do you want for lunch?"
"You're cooking?" she raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not totally helpless!" He grinned, "I too can cook omelettes!"
She raised an eyebrow at him and laughing he turned away and walked into the kitchen.
She finished typing her e-mail and then shut her laptop down. Ten minutes later
Hathaway set the plate in front of her, "Eat," he ordered.
"Yes, sir!" She poked her tongue out at him and he laughed.
She was buttering a slice of bread when he set his own supper down on the table and sat down, she smiled across at him offering him the slice, "Bread and butter?"
"Thank you," he replied taking it from her.
She buttered another slice and laid it on the side of her plate, pausing for a moment and looking across at Hathaway. "This is very domestic," she mused.
"I rather like it," he replied smiling.
"How's the side?" she asked gently.
"Still sore." He grimaced, "But it will get better in time. Do you still want to come see me play?"
"Absolutely," Brianna insisted. "Although I can't promise to like it."
"That's all right," Hathaway smiled, "I don't mind if you don't like it as long as I can still do it."
"I'd never stop you playing with your band," she said quietly.
He smiled and then bent to his food. When it was over he rose to his feet and began gathering the plates. "Why don't you go and lie down," Bree suggested, "I'll do the washing up."
"Thanks sweetheart,"
She washed up and then taking her crutch from where it was leaning against a drawer handle she limped across to Hathaway. He looked up and took her hand, drawing her down beside him on the couch.
She linked her fingers with his and sat down next to him, "Thank you for a lovely supper," she said.
"That's all right," he smiled, "it was nice to cook for someone other than myself."
"Well I'm cream crackered," she said, "Come to bed with me?"
"Now there's an offer I can't refuse." He laughed and let her lead him to bed.
She was on her laptop and headphones when Hathaway returned the following day. She looked up briefly as he entered the flat and motioned for him to keep his voice down, she laughed and then he heard her say, "Yes, Simon, I know I'm a week overdue. Didn't Dr Forrester tell you? Something came up and I had to stay another week. I witnessed an assault on a police officer so I had to come forward and the police asked me to remain in Oxford for an extra week while they investigated. Term doesn't start for another two weeks, and I'm sure that you can manage some of the more arduous administrative tasks yourself. I shall be back Sunday."
She removed her headphones and pressed a button on her laptop. "Everything all right?" Hathaway enquired.
"Yes," She smiled, "I think they're missing me."
"Or they've realised how much they rely on you," Hathaway replied.
"Silver tongued cavalier," she replied, a smile lighting up her eyes.
"Absolutely," he replied, bending down to kiss her. She laughed and kissed him back. Then she looked up at him and said, "What are your plans for supper?"
"Thought I might take you out," he said, "for a quick bite."
"And you think we'll get a table? In Oxford?" She raised an eyebrow and he laughed, "Well I do have an invitation to Dr Hobson's. She thinks I need feeding up."
"She wants to vet me." Brianna smiled, "give me ten." She disappeared into the bedroom and then true to her word emerged 7 minutes later, her hair brushed and wearing a touch of lipstick.
Hathaway smiled, "You look gorgeous."
"Liar," Brianna replied. He laughed and took her hand.
To her surprise it was Inspector Lewis who answered the door, he smiled when he saw Hathaway standing behind her, "Good evening, James. Glad you could join us."
Brianna half-turned to catch Hathaway's eye, "Have I been set up?" she asked wryly.
"Partly," Hathaway laid a hand on her shoulder, "We thought you might like a home-cooked meal."
"Ah-hah," Brianna replied.
"Come on in," Lewis said stepping back.
Brianna smiled and limped into the house, "Has Sergeant Hathaway been behaving?" Lewis asked as she eased herself down onto the sofa.
"Yes, sir." Brianna smiled, and then looked up sideways at Hathaway sitting on the arm of the settee. He caught her eye and a genuine smile curved his lips. Lewis looked from one to the other and nodded, he knew he'd seen something when he'd found them chatting in The Dew Drop Inn.
"I'm serving up," Laura emerged from the kitchen, "come on through."
Brianna smiled and getting to her feet limped after Laura into the dining room. Hathaway stood up and Lewis said softly, "She's quite a lady, James."
"I know that, Sir," Hathaway replied, "I've been extraordinarily lucky."
"Yes, James," Lewis nodded, "I think you have. Take care of her."
"I will, Sir." Hathaway promised.
"Are you two coming?" Laura's head poked around the door, "your food will get cold."
"Come on James," Lewis laid his hand against the younger man's back, "let's go eat."
"You're returning to Lampeter on Sunday," Laura said as they ate.
"Yes, back to the grindstone," Brianna replied, a smile curling her lips, "My administrative assistant is having a conniption fit so I should really go back."
"But she's promised to come and hear me play," Hathaway looked up, a smile lighting the blue eyes.
"I can lend you a pair of earmuffs if you want," Lewis teased.
"He can't be that bad, Robert," Brianna laughed. "I'm looking forward to it."
Lewis laughed softly, "Then I think that my Sergeant is a very lucky man." He looked across at Hathaway and saw how relaxed his Sergeant was looking. "What will you do with your guitar while you perform your set?"
"Oh he can trust me with his instrument, Robert," Brianna replied, a wry grin curling her lips.
Hathaway suddenly coughed and nearly choked on his steak.
When they'd finished Laura banished Bree and James to the front room. "Robbie and I'll stack the dishwasher."
"Come on," James offered Brianna his arm. He settled her in a chair and said, "Be right back – I'll just fetch us some refills."
When he returned he handed her a glass of wine and settled himself beside her, "Bree, I've been thinking," he began, "what if I was to take the day off and drive you back to Lampeter on Sunday."
"I think that a marvellous idea," Lewis had just entered the room. He seated himself opposite the couple, "I can certainly give you the time off, Sergeant."
"I don't want to put you out-" Brianna began.
"I'd like to do it," Hathaway interrupted.
Brianna turned to him and opened her mouth, intending to protest, but finally she said, "I'll be asleep in ten minutes."
To her surprise a soft smile curved his lips, "That's all right, sweetheart."
Brianna flushed suddenly, going crimson from her neck to her hairline. James chuckled softly again and slipping an arm around her, pulled her towards him and kissed her forehead.
Laura came in to the room, her drink in her hand. Hathaway looked up at her, "Need any help, Dr Hobson?"
"It's all done, thank you, Sergeant," Laura smiled, "Dr Talbot, may I ask when you're returning to Lampeter."
"I was planning to get the train back on Sunday," Brianna replied, "but Sergeant Hathaway's offered to drive me back."
"I think that's a splendid idea," Laura replied, "I'm sure that Inspector Lewis can let you have the day off."
"Absolutely, Laura," Lewis smiled at the blonde haired woman.
"I've been set up," Brianna grumbled.
"Oh, only with the best of intentions," Hathaway responded. His hand tightened in Brianna's and Laura noticing it smiled.
They left half an hour later, Lewis noticing how his Sergeant stayed close to the young woman sitting next to him. When they left, although Brianna was leaning on her crutch, Robert also noticed that almost unconsciously, Hathaway's hand was gently resting against the small of her back.
Brianna was quiet on the drive back to his flat and Hathaway noticed, "Are you all right, Sweetheart?" he asked softly.
"Just wondering if you're sure about taking me back Sunday."
"Absolutely," Hathaway replied firmly. "Don't argue, Bree, I'd like to do this."
"All right, James," she responded, "no more complaints."
She was sitting on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair when he limped into the bedroom. "Those bruises still look awful," she smiled weakly, "are you sure you're all right?"
"I will be," he smiled, "it looks worse than it is."
"When do the stitches come out?" she enquired gently.
"Another twelve days," he smiled, "I'm surprised I haven't pulled any."
"Luck," Brianna replied dryly.
"Oh definitely." Hathaway smiled.
They lay quietly together that night, Hathaway spooned up behind her, his arm over her waist, his hand curled around hers. "Saturday tomorrow," he murmured, "still want to come and hear me play?"
Brianna smiled sleepily and snuggled closer, "Definitely, Darling," she replied, "after all, someone has to guard your instrument."
He could have sworn he heard her chuckle as he dropped into slumber.
Saturday dawned and to her surprise, Hathaway had taken the day off and when she got up he was cooking scrambled eggs in the kitchen. She stumbled into the kitchen still rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Hathaway looked up and smiled, "Morning, Sweetie, breakfast's almost ready."
"Scrambled eggs too!" Bree laughed, "you're full of surprises, James."
"Oh I hope so," he grinned and brought the plate across to her. "Tea?"
"Please," she smiled at him and watched as he limped across the kitchen to the teapot.
When he returned Brianna looked up at him and said, "So, Detective Sergeant Hathaway what are we doing today?"
"I was hoping that we could just zen out," he replied. "You don't mind do you?"
"No," Brianna shook her head, "I think that's an excellent idea."