Disclaimer- This story is for fan purposes only. The characters are used without the permission of their respective owners; neither Colin Dexter nor the show writers would ever write anything as dreadfully soapy as this one!

Chapter 1 – Beginning at the end

Laura Hobson fluttered her eyelids and had trouble focusing on the woman seated near her, knitting. She tried to crane her neck and groaned. The woman put down her knitting and got very close. "Are you back with us, Laura?" Laura blinked a few times and tried to swallow.

"Squeeze my hand if you understand, Laura." The woman took Laura's hand and Laura tried to grip it in return. She tensed her hand but wasn't able to feel her fingers. Laura was frightened by that realization, yet the woman seemed relieved. "Thank God; you gave us quite a scare. Do you remember what happened?"

"Where am I?" Laura managed.

"In hospital. The doctors and nurses are taking excellent care of you." And at that moment, said medical professionals responded to the call button the woman had pushed as Laura awoke. The woman stepped aside and several others surrounded her, poking and prodding. It was all a haze for Laura; she was just aware enough to answer the basics: she knew her name, what year it was… but she couldn't remember much else- like why she was there. She became even more confused when someone shone a light in her eyes and apologised to her by saying just a few more tests and then you can be back with your daughter…

Laura, growing frustrated with her foggy mental state and achy body, tried to ask, what daughter? Do I have a daughter? But she wasn't able to get the words out. The nurses stepped back and the woman who'd held her hand returned. "It's OK, Laura." She calmed down at the woman's soothing presence. "They just assume I'm your daughter since dad's been with you from the beginning. Do you remember me?"

Laura looked intently at the woman: mid 30's, familiar blue eyes, but she was not able to make the connection.

"I'm Lyn, Robbie's girl. We've met a few times…"

Laura closed her eyes and almost smiled, "Robbie…" she whispered.

"He loves you very much and he'll be here soon." Lyn raised Laura's hand and gave her a little kiss. "From Robbie."

"Thank you, Lyn." Laura drifted back to sleep. Lyn texted James Hathaway with a message for her dad. Tell dad he has to shower and shave before you'll let him leave!

Hathaway brought Robbie Lewis back to the hospital as soon as the latter had complied with Lyn's demands. When Lewis arrived, he was struck by how much Lyn resembled her mum as she got older. It looked like Val herself was watching over Laura. He was overcome with emotion and suddenly leaned on Hathaway for support. "Are you all right, Robbie?"

"She looks like her mum, James." Hathaway nodded, for he understood Lewis' ghosts.

Lyn looked up, "don't just stand there Dad, Laura's waiting for you!"

Lewis gazed adoringly at his daughter, "right, pet. Thank you… for watching over her." He went to Laura's side and fought the urge to embrace her with his entire being. He instead gently stroked her forehead with the back of his fingers. "I'm here, love." She opened her eyes and smiled in relief.

Lyn turned to Hathaway to let her dad and Laura have some privacy in their tender reunion. "Thanks, James. The old man looks much better. Amazing what some sleep can do." She looked over at her dad and realized that he was getting choked up. "I hope I didn't speak too soon."

Lewis babbled, "I was so afraid I'd lose you…"

Lyn put her arms around her dad's shoulders. "Don't upset her, dad. Everything's going to be OK. Just focus on that."

Seeing Lyn peering at her over Robbie's shoulders comforted Laura too. But she ached all over and didn't understand why. She whispered, "What happened, Robbie?"

"We'll have to piece that together, love. I know the police end of things, but you're going to have to fill in some of the blanks for us. Lyn's right, though. We'll talk about it when you're feeling stronger. For now, you just need to rest. I love you." He didn't want her to remember her ordeal just yet.