The next morning found Laura and Robbie in a good mood after the romantic interlude the night previously. Robbie was pleased to see the smile that he had put on Laura's face the next morning. While Laura would give all of the credit to Robbie, if he asked her about the origins of her glow and smile the next morning, there was a small part of her plans for the next day or so that also contributed to that smile.
Laura had gotten up first and transferred the bag containing the parts of the skeleton that James had scared Nell with from Robbie's car to her own vehicle. That done she sauntered into breakfast to give Robbie a big kiss and hug while he made them both a hearty breakfast.
"What are you up to lass?" Robbie asked Laura while he set the table for her. "You have a faraway look on your face."
"Robbie, I'm fine. Last night was wonderful, I'm savoring it. The afterglow is half the glory, and I have you to thank for that!" Robbie grinned and said "Laura, I thank you for the credit, but I'm not that wonderful at performing."
"Robbie, stop right there, yes you are. You make me happy. Make me feel loved and desired. Robbie you are wonderful in and out of the bedroom. " Laura said it like she meant it and she did.
"Very well lass." Robbie kissed and squeezed her hand as he got up to leave for work.
Laura arrived at her office and lab facility with a determination to figure out how to make a lifeless plastic scull talk, light up and whatever else she could do it to surprise a certain DI. She'd made a few sketches and spoke with a friend of hers who knew a bit about electronics. By the time she got done with it a few days later, thanks to the help of her technical friend, she had a skull that spoke a few phrases of Latin admonishing one to be good to others. It was recorded by Ellen so Hathaway would not recognize Laura's voice. The skull also now wore long fake eye lashes that framed the skull's recently installed eyes that not only it up, but also changed colors in a kaleidoscope pattern.
Laura had lunch with Ellen at her place and showed Ellen her latest creation – the electronically enlivened skull. They took pictures of it, recorded it speaking and got a good digital record of the skull's improved state, just in case the DI for whom it was meant destroyed it in anger.
The next day, Laura left early for work and was able to get into the office before Hathaway did. She knew that he kept one draw of his desk unlocked, so that's where she put it. Then she quickly went to her office. To her surprise, she found Robbie there, with a cup of coffee for her, that he sweetened with a kiss or two.
"You left early this morning and I had to eat my breakfast alone. Laura, is everything alright? Have I done something to upset you? You've been distant the past few days. No, not distant, just not around as much, I guess. You'd tell me if there was something wrong between us, wouldn't you?" Robbie had handed her the coffee he got for her, and followed her into her office. He looked at her expectantly, waiting for an answer. Laura was completely surprised by his question. She started to respond "Robbie…" but stopped briefly. She was about to ask him if he had gone completely insane to ask her such a question, but she saw the look of sorrow and fear on his face and instead leaped out of her chair and kissed him on the lips several times. Then she told him "Robbie, I love and adore you and there is nothing wrong with our relationship. I've been working on a special project. One you will probably find out about sooner than later. Let's just say the project is a surprise for someone."
Laura watched relief overcome Robbie's tense concern. He was relaxed and smiling slightly after her reassurance. Yet Robbie asked her, "Laura, if there was something wrong between us, you would tell me, wouldn't you? I'm not always good at reading relationships where I'm concerned. I…" Laura reassured Robbie "Robbie, you are the dearest, most decent man I know. And you're a man of deep feeling and thinking, even if you try and hide it. And yes, I would tell you if there was something wrong between us." With that, Laura kissed him one more time and sent him off to his own office.
Laura had not mentioned the upgraded skull to Robbie, Lizzie or anyone else, not even Nell. So she waited with great anticipation while she did some paperwork.