That's When I Knew
The medics wheeled the woman out of the college. Her husband following close behind. Laura walked behind them as well, moving to join Jean, standing alone in the courtyard. "Well?"
Laura nodded, "She'll live."
Jean's face was a mask of concern as she saw her two detectives walking by, "Thanks to Hathaway." The pain, so clearly etched on his face, worried her. He wasn't one of her detectives who shook things off easily, "James."
Robbie looked back, raising his arm, stopping her from further inquiry. Laura felt her heart clench, knowing James was in good hands. Sensing Jean might not understand, she tried to reassure her, "Robbie'll sort him out."
The two women stared after the men. Alone together, neither really comfortable with the other. Jean pulled her coat tighter. "You make a good team."
Laura laughed, "That was my first and last foray into being a detective. I'll happily go back to my dead bodies."
Jean rolled her eyes, "I wasn't referring to the case." She nodded her head to the departing backs of the two men. "You and Inspector Lewis, quite the double act."
Laura glared at the woman, at the implication. "Robbie and I are just friends."
Jean met Laura's glare and somehow managed not to laugh, "Whatever lets you sleep at night." She paused for a moment then decided to dive in, "I don't know about you but I need a drink and I don't feel like drinking alone. Care to join me in a glass of something?"
"First round is on you and I'm going to need my own glass."
It was late, she was tipsy, no make that drunk. Giggling to herself she unzipped her dress letting it fall to the ground. She'd picked this dress specifically, expecting he would take her out for celebratory drinks after. Perhaps he would notice the dress and comment on how she looked.
Just her luck, another crime stood in her way. Leaving the dress in a pile on the floor, she staggered up the stairs. In her bedroom, the flashing light called to her. Fumbling, she pushed the button then his voice filled the room.
"Laura, just wanted to make sure you made it home safely. And I wanted to apologize for missing your concert. This was not how I planned on this evening ending. Anyway, at least text me and let me know you made it home."
Grabbing at the phone on her nightstand, she scrolled through the caller ID information and found his name. Without a second thought, she pressed the talk button and heard the call connect.
"Hello."
His voice was sleep filled, she almost panicked and hung up then remembered he would see her number and call her back, "I'm sorry, Robbie. I wasn't thinking about how late it was."
Rolling over in bed, he looked at the clock, "You just getting in?"
She could hear the covers shifted, imagined him in bed, wondered what he wore. Smiling to herself, she climbed into her own bed, "Yes."
"Are you drunk, Dr. Hobson?"
She giggled, "Perhaps a bit. It's your chief super's fault."
His laughter swept through the phone line, warming her. "You went drinking with Innocent. Since when are you friends?"
Laying back, she slid her legs beneath the covers. "I took one for the team."
"What?"
"I knew you could take care of James. I didn't want her to interfere."
Silence crackled over the phone, "Thank you."
"You don't have to. How is he?"
"He'll be OK. He's going to take a few days off." He paused, listening to her breath, "Is Innocent as drunk as you?"
"She is. I would strongly suspect she might be late for the office in the morning."
"Something to look forward to."
"I should let you go, make sure you are rested enough to beat her in."
Suddenly Robbie wasn't sure he wanted her to go, "I'm glad you called."
She smiled, excited, "You are?"
"I had planned on taking you to dinner after the concert, even had reservations."
"What was the occasion?"
He laughed, "Celebrating your success, of course."
"What if I was complete rubbish?"
"Something tells me, Laura, you aren't rubbish at anything." She inhaled deeply, unsure what to say. Robbie filled the silence, "And I have a question to ask you."
"What's that?"
"I'm not sure I should ask you, in your condition."
"In my condition?"
He laughed, "You're a bit worse for wear. What happens if I ask, you say yes and then don't remember in the morning?"
"Then you would have to ask me again."
"What makes you so sure I would have the courage twice? How would I ever know if you were just pretending not to remember?"
Her eyes widened, pulse quickened, "This question of yours, it requires courage?"
"It does."
"Do you think you might have courage again tomorrow?"
"Only if you agree to have dinner with me."
"Yes."
"Tomorrow night it is." He paused, then chuckled, "Any chance you could wear that dress again?"
She smiled to herself, "Good night, Robbie."
She walked into the restaurant, smiling when she saw him already at the table. He stood walking around the table, he helped her off with her jacket. It wasn't the black dress but a much sexier blue dress. Helping her into her chair, he had to take a few deep breaths to calm his nerves.
They ordered and fell into easy conversation. Laura relaxed into the evening, equal parts excited and confused. As she watch him talk animatedly about a football match, Jean's words from the prior night floated through her mind. "You and Inspector Lewis, quite the double act."
She sat back in her chair and it was all suddenly crystal clear. How had Jean known when she hadn't known herself? She wracked her brain, trying to pinpoint the exact moment she'd fallen in love with him.
"Laura, did you hear me?"
She looked up at him, stunned, "What?"
"I asked if you would like to go away with me. Bank Holiday weekend?"
Right there
In a middle of a conversation
Wasn't anything special you said
It was just there
Right then
I didn't have time even over think it
I looked at you and all of a sudden (haha) I was all in
It's like my knees are all weak and them butterflies
They were dancing taking all of my air
From that moment on it was very clear
That's when I knew I fell in love
That's when I knew you were the one
And that is how Robbie asked Laura to go away with him. Alicia Keys – That's When I Knew