Chapter 1

This one is set at the end of Counter Culture Blues as our lovely threesome wander the streets of Oxford in search of a drink.

Robbie, Laura and James are walking the streets enjoying their chips. Robbie and James are telling her about their case. Robbie smiles at Laura. "So at least Hathaway got a glimpse of the rock and roll life. That's educational."

James smiles. "Yes, now I know what it feels like to be Britney Spears."

"Will it stop you dressing like her on your days off?" Robbie asks.

"Probably not. That's another thing I shall need counseling for. I spent all afternoon in a lake full of crap with knives in it saving your presents, doctor. I haven't begun on the matter of compensation."

Robbie looked at him. "Would you settle out of court for a pint?"

James looks at him confused. "What do you think I am?"

"Thirsty?"

"Two pints!"

"Done."

James' phone rings. "Excuse me."

Laura and Robbie keep walking. She lightly hits his arm. "Oh pull yourself together Lewis. You're only young once and that was a long time ago. I'll buy you a drink and you can bang on about how perfect everything was in your day. Now when I say buy you a drink I should point out that I don't actually have any cash."

Laura took his arm and they walked to the pub with James trailing behind them. As James ended the call, he watched the two chatting amiably. He'd often wondered if there was something there. He'd even hinted at it to his DI but he'd always been rebuffed.

He watched Laura laugh at something Robbie said and the look of sheer joy on her face made her breathtakingly beautiful. He wondered for a brief moment if she was single. He'd never really seen her with anyone other than Robbie.

Robbie opened the door for Laura and she ducked under his arm spinning gracefully before smiling up at him and lightly touching his chest. James saw Robbie lift his free hand like he was going to touch her hand on his chest. At the last second he stopped and turned back to James, "Come on clever clogs, I owe you two pints."

James tried to look around Robbie to see Laura's face but she had already turned away from him. He couldn't tell from her body language if she was upset or calm or well anything. He closed the gap between himself and Robbie and walked in behind her.

Robbie started walking to the bar and called back to them, "The usual?"

The both nodded as they looked for a table in the crowded pub. Once settled James sat a bit closer to Laura than normal. They both looked back to the bar and realized that Robbie was going to be awhile. James sat back in his chair and looked at her, "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question Dr. Hobson?"

She cocked an eyebrow at him, "You can always ask James. Whether or not I answer is something entirely different."

James laughed. She really was the perfect woman. It wasn't often he met someone who could match wits with him. For a moment he thought maybe he should take a run at her. He risked one more look at Robbie and instantly thought better of it. No woman, no matter how perfect was worth risking his friendship with Robbie, "Is there something going on between you and the Inspector?"

"Why would you ask that James?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "Just rumor around the station, you know how I like to be aware of everything."

Laura looked at James for a long moment, blinking. She wasn't sure what to say, how to answer. She cast a quick glance at Robbie to make sure he was still safely away from the table, "James." She paused and took a deep breath, "You might not be old enough to believe this but once you reach a certain age, men and women are perfectly capable of being friends."

He smiled at her, "So you two are just friends?" She nodded at him, not quite looking him in the eye. He leaned closer to her, invading her personal space, so that he couldn't possibly be overheard, "So then it wouldn't be out of line for me to ask you on a date?"

For the second time in as many minutes Laura was speechless, "James, I am much too old for you."

Pushing even closer to her he breathed into her ear, "I know exactly how old you are Dr. Hobson and it's nowhere near too old. Plus something tells me that like a fine wine you only get better with age."

James smiled to himself as he heard her sharp intake of breath. Before she could respond Robbie was at the table with their drinks, "Sorry it took so long." He handed them their drinks and seemed somewhat surprised when Laura drained half of hers in one go, "Thirsty Laura."

She looked up at him somewhat guiltily but tried to smile, "Those chips were a bit salty."

Robbie sat at the table and watched the two of them, "Are you two alright?"

James nodded working diligently not to smile. He took a deep sip of his drink, satisfied with his conversation with Dr. Hobson. The three settled into a superficial conversation. Finally, James drained his glass and stood, "Dr. Hobson, sir, you will have to excuse me. Not that you aren't excellent company but that call earlier was a better offer. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

Robbie watched James leave not noticing the slightly insulted look on Laura's face. She fumed for a moment. What was James about? Fine wine and getting better with age and better offers. She felt a touch on her arm and realized that Robbie was talking to her, "What?"

He looked at her lost somewhere between amused and concern, "I asked if you knew who he was off to meet. But after seeing that look on your face I am more concerned about you."

She blinked at him trying to clear her head, "Why do you think something is wrong?"

"You look like someone walked over your grave. Did something happen between you and James while I was at the bar?" She shook her head looking everywhere but at Robbie. He touched her arm again, "Laura, tell me."

Looking over his shoulder, she exhaled sharply, "He asked if there was something between us. Then when I assured him that we are just friends he asked if I would mind if he asked me out."

Robbie took a deep sip of his drink. Suddenly he was the one looking all around the room, "Well, of course, we are just friends. Why would he…what would make him think otherwise? I mean why would we…"

"Station gossip," Laura answered. She took another sip of her drink hoping this awkward conversation would pass. Finally his last words registered with her, "Wait, what do you mean why would we? Is the idea of going out with me so repellant?"

Robbie choked on his drink. Laura mistook his coughs for laughter and stood to leave. He grabbed her arm slightly more forcefully than he intended. He countered the force of his grip with the softness of his words, "Not you Laura." She looked down at him and slowly sank into the chair. "I meant why would you want a broken down old man like me?"

She furrowed her brow as she reached across to wipe the beer from his chin. Their eyes met and she smiled, "You aren't so old. Besides, some things get better with age."

The stared at each other for a moment, her hand cupping his chin, his hand lightly stroking her arm. His heart pounding in his chest he ventured a question, "So you wouldn't go out with him if he asked?"

She shook her head as she reached up to brush his hair back, "No, I like experience far better than youth."

She dropped her hand and covered his. He looked down at their hands and intertwined their fingers, "Experience often comes with baggage. Baggage that it takes time to unpack."

Laura leaned forward so that her forehead was touching his and whispered, "That makes it ever so much more worth the wait."

They sat that way for a few more moments. Neither said a word, they just enjoyed the comfort that can only come when two people suddenly realize they are talking about much more than their words actually said. Finally Robbie looked at her, "Dr. Hobson, can I walk you to your car?"

She smiled at him and nodded. He helped her from her chair and they left the pub arm in arm. Her head rested lightly against his arm. So lost in one another and the peaceful calm that surrounded their moment, they didn't notice James Hathaway leaning against the wall watching them. He let them round the corner before he pushed away from the wall. He whistled a happy tune as he headed home. Perhaps he couldn't push the Inspector but Dr. Hobson might be more easily pushed along the right path.

Robbie and Laura finally made it to her car. Neither was sure how they wanted this moment to end. Laura didn't want to push and Robbie wasn't sure what he wanted just yet. He looked down at her shy smile and everything seemed to settle, "Dr. Hobson, do you think we could maybe do this again sometime?"

She looked at him skeptically, "Robbie, we have drinks together all the time."

He shook his head and rubbed at the skin under his eye, "I don't mean drinks and I definitely don't mean with James." He paused for a moment then looked down at her, her shy smile had returned and suddenly he felt more sure, "Maybe we could have dinner, just the two of us."

Laura took in a deep breath as she chewed on her lower lip. She nodded then looked up at him, "That would be nice."

Robbie smiled as he reached around her to open her door. He whispered in her ear as she moved to get into her car, "I look forward to it, Laura."