Disclaimer: I don’t own anything, I’m just borrowing things for a while and I promise I’ll put everything back exactly how I found it when I’ve finished. Well, almost exactly how I found it. ;)

Rating: T (PG-13)

Content: Foyle/Sam, Lynley/Havers. Romance, angst, friendship, subtext, humour.

Spoilers: Up to and including Season 6 for Foyle’s War and Inspector Lynley.

Notes: See chapter 1. One, I’m sorry if I’m repeating myself but I can’t seem to remember what I’ve already written! Two, this story has completely taken on a life of its own and it may very well not go anywhere as such, so if you’re disappointed with it by the end, I wouldn’t blame you. And this chapter might be a little OOC in places.

FW-ILM-FW-ILM-FW-ILM

Despite his bad temper, Lynley had to admit that lunch was good. Sam took them to a small café in Hastings and while the fare was meagre compared to Lynley’s standards, he enjoyed it.

The only problem, though, was that Sam kept staring at him. Eventually he dabbed his mouth with his napkin, put both his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands.

“Is there something wrong, Miss Stewart?” Lynley asked mildly.

Sam blushed magnificently. “I’m sorry, I was staring, and I know I shouldn’t because it’s rude, but….”

“Sam, it’s alright,” Lynley replied, smiling reassuringly at her.

She looked down at the table and fidgeted before lifting her head, apparently having decided something. “What’s it like?”

Lynley blinked in surprise. “Pardon?”

“If you really are from…the future,” Sam said in a whisper, “What is it like?”

“You know I can’t tell you anything.”

“Nothing at all?” Sam asked, her tone and expression disappointed.

A smile tugged at the corners of Lynley’s lips. “Alright, you ask me questions and if I can give you an answer, I will.”

“Is there rationing?”

Lynley laughed. “No, there isn’t.”

“Oh, jolly good,” Sam replied, apparently relieved. But then she grew sombre. “Are there any more wars after this?”

“There are always wars,” Lynley replied carefully. “And they all affect the world in one way or another.”

“That was a very guarded answer,” Sam stated.

“Yes, it was.”

Her expression suddenly shifted. “I’m not an idiot, you know,” she said.

“I didn’t think you were,” Lynley replied.

“No, you think I’m just a silly little girl who doesn’t know what she’s doing or talking about half of the time.” Sam pinned him with a look far older than her years. “Tell me, Mr Lynley, how many wars have you been through? How much rationing have you endured? How many sleepless nights have you had wondering if the place you’re sleeping will be the next to be bombed?”

“Sam, I….”

“I might be on the front line, but I do my share,” Sam continued regardless. “I’ve been stuck in a building that was about to blow up, with the bomb not three feet from me. I’ve had a dose of anthrax and survived, so please don’t treat me like a child.”

“If I have been doing, then I apologise,” Lynley said quietly. “It wasn’t my intention. But I’m not exactly at home here as you all might think.”

Sam smiled quickly and nodded. “I understand. So, can I ask more questions now?”

FW-ILM-FW-ILM-FW-ILM

Havers and Foyle strolled arm in arm through the streets, chatting occasionally about nothing important. Both were careful what they said for different reasons; Havers didn’t want to upset the timeline while Foyle was just being Foyle.

“What will Andrew do when the war is over?” Havers asked.

Foyle looked at her in surprise. “I don’t know if he’s thought about it or not.”

“I suppose he wouldn’t.”

“I know I didn’t.”

It took Havers a moment to work out what Foyle was talking about. “Is that why you joined the police?”

“I wanted to be useful,” Foyle replied simply.

Havers smiled. “Don’t we all?” She stared ahead. “We seem to spend a lot of time talking about the same things. Does it bother you?”

“Not really. You?” Foyle asked.

“Not when the company is so pleasant,” Havers said, and she could have sworn he blushed.

“May I ask a question?”

“Of course.”

“There seems to be a great deal of…tension between Thomas and yourself,” Foyle said. “He appears very protective of you and yet he seeks to, er, punish you at the same time.”

Havers gave a rueful smile. “I’m afraid I can’t give you a satisfactory answer. That’s just the way we are together.”

“That’s it?” Foyle asked in surprise.

“We’ve always clashed. He’s from a blueblood family, a lord who’s always had everything he wanted handed to him,” Havers replied before adding quickly, “I’m not saying he hasn’t worked, or that he doesn’t work hard, but sometimes he doesn’t understand what it’s like to struggle all the time. To have to prove your worth every single day.”

Foyle looked at her. “Thomas thinks he is…better than you?”

“Sometimes,” Havers said. “But it’s more than that. Even though he’s my superior, I won’t put up with any of his crap. I think for myself and do my own thing, probably too often.”

Foyle’s eyes widened at her language, but he chose not to comment. “You sound like Sam,” he said instead.

Havers decided to think before speaking, but it didn’t change what came out of her mouth. “You care about her a great deal, don’t you?”

“She has an unnatural, er, ability for getting herself into trouble,” Foyle replied delicately.

“So you think she needs looking after,” Havers said, enjoying teasing her companion.

“No, I didn’t say that,” Foyle protested mildly. “I just think that she needs someone to keep an eye on her.”

Havers stared at him incredulously. “That’s the same thing!”

“Is it?”

Havers shook her head and laughed. “Are we going to eat lunch today or just walk about?” she asked.

“We’re eating lunch today,” Foyle replied. “In fact, we’re here.”

Havers smiled as she looked around the café. It wasn’t much, but she was certain the company would more than make up for any hardships she would have to endure. But suddenly her face fell and her expression became hard.

“Is something wrong?” Foyle asked, looking at her in concern.

Havers yanked her arm away from his and glared at him. “Did you plan this?” she retorted hotly.

Foyle looked uncomfortable, not at the argument, but at the amount of attention they were drawing to themselves. “What do you…?” he started, then spotted a familiar face over Havers’ shoulder. “Oh.”

Foyle quickly motioned for Sam to carry on as though she hadn’t seen him as he could tell she was just about to notify Lynley of their arrival.

“Barbara, I didn’t know,” Foyle told her.

“I know. I could tell with your expression. I’m sorry,” Havers replied sheepishly before smiling ruefully. “Now you know why me and Lynley argue so much.”

“Well unless he turns around, he won’t know we’re here. Come on, let’s sit in the corner.” Foyle led her to a table and pulled out her chair like a proper gentleman; Havers was surprised to find she could get used to the treatment given time.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You seem surprised.”

Havers laughed. “I can’t remember the last time someone pulled a chair out for me. In fact,” she said with a frown, “I don’t think anyone ever has.”

Foyle looked horrified. “Doesn’t anyone have any manners in your, er, time?”

“Not like here,” Havers replied.

“Do you have, er, family back home that will be worrying about you?” Foyle asked.

Havers shook her head and looked down at the table, so she missed Foyle‘s expression when she answered. “No family, no husband or boyfriend…no friends either, really. The only people that might miss me - and Lynley, for that matter - are Winston and Lafferty.”

Foyle’s eyebrows rose. “Lafferty?” he repeated.

Havers smiled and nodded. “He’s a…scientist that works with us in the police station, and Winston is another officer.”

“I see. Well, what would you like? The menu is somewhat limited, I’m afraid.”

“Why don’t you choose for me?” Havers suggested.

Behind her, Lynley seemed quite oblivious to Foyle and Havers’ presence, as Sam continued to chat animatedly. But his keen policeman’s senses had detected a change in the driver’s behaviour due to something he couldn’t see, so he waited for the opportune moment, then when’s Sam’s attention was diverted, Lynley turned round.

“No, wait!” Sam exclaimed.

Her cry was loud enough to alert Havers and Foyle to what was happening. Lynley stared for a moment, jealousy whipping at him like a winter wind in a blizzard. Very calmly and slowly, he wiped his mouth again with his napkin, put it on the table and stood up.

Havers heard the cry but did her best to ignore it. However, when Foyle’s expression changed - already she had name that one his ‘oh dear’ look - she turned to see what was going on.

Lynley was striding towards them with a look Havers recognised all too well and she wasn’t very impressed to have it directed towards her.

“I thought I told you to stay in the house,” Lynley said to her quietly when he was within earshot.

“You did, sir, but I was invited to lunch and it would have been impolite to turn it down,” Havers replied.

“Just because we’re not at home, Sergeant, doesn’t mean you can use any tone you want with me,” Lynley chastised her. “Go back to Mr Foyle’s house immediately and stay there. Do you understand?”

“Thomas, Miss Havers is my guest. You cannot just dismiss her,” Foyle said, stepping up to Havers’ side.

Lynley looked surprised to have his order challenged. “This is none of your business, Christopher. I told you that earlier, but you obviously decided to disregard what I said.”

“Only because I think you’re being unreasonable, as I told you earlier,” Foyle replied calmly.

“You would do well to remember that she is my subordinate,” Lynley snapped, taking a step closer to Foyle.

The older policeman seemed unperturbed. “And you would do well to remember that you are my guests, both of you. If I wanted, I could have you thrown in prison for being German spies, and then it would be a very long time before you saw the light of day again.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Lynley said scornfully.

“You’re right,” Foyle replied, nodding. “I wouldn’t throw Miss Havers in jail. As far as I know, she hasn’t done anything wrong. You, on the other hand….”

“What about me?”

Foyle made a face. “You irritate me.”

Lynley swung for Foyle, a solid punch that would have knocked the older man unconscious had he not anticipated the move. Instead, he just stepped to the side, causing Lynley to overbalance and stumble. Sam looked ready to hit Lynley, but she remembered it was not proper behaviour for a lady and so managed to refrain herself with great effort.

Havers, on the other hand, felt no such restraints and as Lynley righted himself, she swung her fist, connecting smoothly with his jaw and sending him flying onto his back.

“What is the matter with you?!” Havers shouted at Lynley’s prone figure.

Sam stared at her open-mouthed while Foyle put a hand tentatively on Havers’ arm. “I think we had better go back to the station,” he said quietly. “Sam, help me get him up.”

Lynley groaned groggily as Foyle and Sam hauled him to his feet. “I have to say,” the driver murmured to Havers as they walked off, “That was an awfully good thump.”

TBC