So Laura's story still doesn't want to be written, but Robbie's version of Blow The Cobwebs did.
Robbie lay in his bed, amazed at the difference a day could make. Yesterday, if anyone had asked, he would have said he was sure that he'd blown his chance with Laura. Tonight, he was sure he was dreaming as she lay against him, her head and arm resting on his chest. As he let his hand trail slowly up and down her back, he let his mind drift to earlier that day. They had talked for the first time since that fateful night. He remembered his anguish as Laura tried to apologise to him, and he was pleased that he had been quick to stop her. None of this had been her fault and yet there she was trying to take the blame. The look on her face as she'd said James was the brains had finally erased the memory of how she'd looked when he asked for her alibi. As he recognised the phrase, he'd laughed and pulled her close, realising just how much he loved her smile and her sense of humour. As he lay in bed, he realised something else too. He loved her.
Laura had been there when he returned to Oxford. Keeping him anchored in the present when memories threatened to pull him back into the past. Over time they had gradually become each others best friend. Knowing which cases needed loud nights out in the pub, and which needed quiet nights in. There had been moments over the years where he had imagined Laura's touch or comments were a sign of something more, but alone in his flat afterwards he would always convince himself he was wrong - what could she possibly see in him? That was until she said "people don't know how you feel unless you tell them" and followed it with that look. He could have doubted one or the other, but both together made it clear - she wanted to know how he felt. He had thought long and hard before buying the opera tickets. He had wanted to go somewhere new, do something different, away from people who knew them. He had been so relieved when Laura had said yes, and had been looking forward to their weekend away. They had both been disappointed when murder changed their plans but maybe the simplicity of chips on the bench was more his style.
He was brought back to the present as Laura whimpered, her hand clenching as she pushed against him, as she fought against her dreams. Robbie rolled slightly sideways so he could wrap both arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest even as she struggled. He talked softly to her, saying "its ok, I've got you" over and over until he felt her body relax into him. He heard and felt the deep breath she took, before she said "you're here, you saved me". Under the relief in her voice, Robbie could sense the fear lingering from her dream and it took all his strength to stay relaxed against her, saying "I always will" when he really wanted to shout, to lash out at those who had caused this. Laura was always so sure of herself, so feisty that he was constantly surprised by how small she was when they stood side by side. He'd seen her reduce burly detectives to small boys with her temper or sarcastic wit, and yet twice today she had pressed into him to feel safe. He wanted to say more to her, but he could feel her breathing settle as sleep claimed her once again so he kept quiet, he could wait.
James had waited today too. He had waited in The Trout, while they had blown the cobwebs away. Laura had suggested that they keep their changed relationship to themselves, letting them carry on working together without colleagues watching their every glance and touch. Robbie would have agreed to anything to keep that smile on Laura's face. So when they both entered the pub, and joined James they had acted normally, but James was the brains, and Robbie had watched as he put it together. Eventually, when Laura was away from their table, James had just grinned at him saying "I said you were good together!" The three of them had shared a simple lunch and Robbie figured James had needed their easy, teasing conversation just as much as he and Laura had needed their more serious talk earlier. Jumping into a grave to rescue someone being buried alive was bad enough, adding guilt to the equation because you'd doubted that persons integrity would make dealing with it harder still. They had all needed to put this case behind them. Eventually James had left them, saying he had plans, but Robbie knew he hadn't. Laura must have seen through his excuse too because she got up to kiss his cheek before he left, saying "thanks for talking him round".
They had spent the rest of the day together. With no plans they had simply enjoyed being close again. Eventually they had ended up back here, in his flat. Time had passed as they talked, kissed and talked some more. Robbie lay there amazed at how right it had felt. It was almost like nothing had changed, and yet everything had. He thought back over the kisses they'd shared, and how each time he had been the one to ease back when they were getting swept away. Until Laura had lost her patience. "What the hell, Robbie?" she had said. "I want you, and I can tell you want me", to prove how she knew, she had pressed herself firmly against him "so why do you keep backing off?" He remembered his struggle to explain "you've had a rough time, I don't want it to be why we end up in bed..." She had let him go, eyes sparking as she stepped away from him "so you think I want sex just because I've had a bad day? How dare you..." He had just about fallen over himself, pulling her back against him saying "god no, that's not what I meant. Its just that I feel like we've missed a few steps. If this hadn't happened we would have gone out, rearranged our weekend away. I want us to end up in bed because its the right time, not because circumstances have rushed us into it. I don't want to miss out on any part of this". Laura had looked up at him, raising her hands to his shoulders "oh Robbie, we haven't missed anything. How many times have you taken me out? How often have we shared good or bad times? You're my first call, and I know I'm yours. We were together before today, we just hadn't realised it". She had pulled herself up onto her toes and he had to close his eyes as he took in both her words and the feeling of her body sliding over his. He'd still wanted to ask, to make sure this was what she really wanted. Taking a deep breath he had opened his eyes, but was rendered speechless by the look in Laura's. Just like earlier on the bench, he stopped thinking and just acted.
That kiss had been the starting point. Neither of them holding anything back had their hands rushing to touch, tugging on clothes, fumbling with buttons and zips. They'd bumped into furniture, tripped over each others feet as they tried to make it to the bedroom without breaking apart. In the hallway, they'd been lucky to end up falling against the wall instead of to the floor. Robbie had sworn as he pushed off the wall, sweeping her up into his arms and carrying her to his room. They had fallen onto his bed, the need to have nothing between them had them reaching for the last pieces of clothing. Despite the urgency, as they undressed they had found time to laugh as fingers found ticklish places, found time to tease as mouths found pleasure points, building their desire until at last he had slipped inside her.
Robbie took a deep breath as he remembered that moment, remembered how everything had seemed to stop. Laura had looked up at him, eyes full of desire and he had realised how much he meant to her. Her words from earlier tugged at his subconscious, and lowering his head he had pleaded "say it again". For a moment Laura had looked confused, then she smiled, her hands moving to frame his face. The possessive tone of her voice was sweetened by the adoration on her face as she said "I'm yours, and I know you're mine".
Afterwards, Laura had sprawled across him, falling asleep as they lay recovering. Robbie's mind had been too busy to drift off. Thinking about today, and all they'd been through over the years. Laura was right - this wasn't new. He had been falling for her all along. Every look, every touch, all that time spent together had led him to this moment. He loved her. Lying there, with her wrapped up in his arms he made a decision. No more messing about. He needed to tell her how he felt, needed to hear how she felt. Robbie gently tightened his hold, he couldn't wait for Laura to wake up, he had to say it out loud right now "I love you Laura Hobson". He felt and heard her gasp as she pulled slightly away from him. "I love you too" she replied before kissing him. This kiss was short and sweet, the need to see the happiness on each others faces forcing them apart. As Robbie spread his hands across Laura's back, meaning to pull her back where she belonged he felt the shiver run through her. He paused "are you cold?" When she nodded her reply, Robbie reached down, pulling the rumpled covers up from the bottom of the bed. As he tucked them around her, he started to laugh - "its true, you really are my undercover clarinet".