The dangers of Smoking.

The dangers of smoking are widely known, by smokers and non smokers alike. Detective Sergeant James Hathaway knows them, accepts them and lives with them. Except one. No one thought to warn about that one did they?

Prologue – Shortly after season 7 ends.

Front desk officer, Robert Lewis sighed as he shuffled papers back and forth.

"Really not cuttin' it" he huffed "This lark"

"You say something Sir?" Detective Sergeant James Hathaway did what he did best, appeared from nowhere, with a smug half a smile.

"I've told you" Lewis replied "I'm retired now, it's not Sir any more. Just plain old Robbie"

Hathaway frowned at the despair in his voice "Pint later? Plain old Robbie?"

"Yeah, if you've got time?" Robbie said "Innocent appears to be working you harder in revenge for handing your resignation in"

"I think she's trying to prove something" Hathaway replied.

"That you'll miss it?" Robbie surmised "Maybe she's right"

"Maybe she is" James shrugged "Doesn't mean that I'm going to stay, like I said, I need a change"

"That's what I thought" Robbie sighed.

"Second thoughts?" James pounced on it.

"No, not really" Lewis replied "This is OK, on this desk, keeps me out of trouble, and stops me sittin' at home just waiting for Laura to get in"

James smiled, a sarcastic smile "You are bored out of your brains"

"Good job you're not" Lewis quipped back "There's a lot to be bored out of"

Hathaway laughed as he went upstairs to his office.

…...

Jean Innocent steepled her fingers and rested her chin lightly on them, glaring at the two before her. There were times when she'd wished that Lewis would retire and Hathaway bugger off to some back water church project or whatever ticked his boxes. Then it had actually happened, and now she realised that she was losing not only two fine coppers, but two of the people here she trusted. She would miss them in a professional and personal way. Or thought she would.

"So" she sighed "You mean to tell me that after all the stunts you two have pulled, after I have spent ages sorting out your HR 'issues' regarding retirement and resignation, that you now want to stay?!"

"Well, in a nutshell Ma'am, yes" Lewis replied.

"What's brought this on?" she glowered at Hathaway.

"Well, front desk, not my thing" Lewis started.

"I was talking" she snapped "To Hathaway"

"I reconsidered" James replied "Ma'am"

"And now you want me to wave my magic wand and make it all better?"

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble" James smiled.

"And if I said that I will?" she replied "I'll speak to HR again on your behalf, and give you your jobs back?"

"That'd do very nicely Ma'am" Lewis beamed.

"Wasn't finished" she held up a hand "If I did, how long Lewis? How long before you want to retire for good?" she turned to Hathaway "And you? If he goes, are you going to jump ship again? Or are you thinking promotion this time?"

"I have a few more years before I have to retire" Lewis said "And that might go up, you know, with the government keep putting the age of retirement up"

James coughed "I'm happy as DS" he said "For now"

She nodded "OK, I'll do it" she watched them smile before bursting the bubble as only she could "Lewis I'll assign you a DC on Monday, Hathaway, you can continue where you are"

James mouthed slightly and then clamped his jaw shut, they hadn't considered this. Lewis looked startled.

"But Ma'am..." he protested.

"Oh I see!" she stood and confronted them "You only want to come back if you can work together? That it?"

Put in those terms, both men felt slightly uncomfortable, and it showed.

Then she smiled "I'm kidding" she said, walking forward and shaking hands with them both "Nice to have you back, not that you ever left"

"Thank you Ma'am" James said.

"Thank you" Lewis beamed at her.

"I'd better not regret this" she warned them as they left.

"Wily old cow" Lewis chuckled as they walked along the corridor.

"Yes" James nodded in agreement "She almost had us there"

"Would you have stayed?" Lewis asked him.

"Probably not" James pulled a face "You?"

"Nah" Lewis laughed "You need someone to keep that ego in check, and I need your brain"

James laughed "I wasn't aware I had an ego, Sir"

"Who you kiddin'?" Lewis clapped him on the back laughing.