He gazed out over the roof-tops one last time, and sighed. From behind him, like an echo, he heard his partner.

"Was just thinking," he whispered hoarsely. "Sundown... daylight fading... like ember-glow those roofs...Poetic -- and ironically perfect. Just for us..." He turned to face the man who had entered the kitchen, still damp from the shower, hair crisply curling.

"Still time, if you don't want to go through with it..." he murmured. A smile, lit by the last of the daylight in answer.

"I want to. I've decided. Nobody's going to keep us apart. Bugger Cowley, sod CI5."

The darker man's face, in half-shadow, creased into a grin.

"Rather not, given a choice between them and you... Have I got time for a shower?"

"Make it a quick one," advised his lover. "I might decide to start without you."

"You do," threatened the younger man, "and I'll kill you." The both laughed at the irony of the words.

---

The call from Control came in at 08.30 hours. First into the office, he and his partner were dispatched to investigate.

The door of the flat was double-locked but unchained, the windows all secured: there was no evidence of a break-in or foul play. They searched the place systematically; bathroom, toilet, lounge, spare room...

"BODIE!"

Doyle holstered his weapon and knelt by the bed, fingers lightly brushing cold flesh.

"Christ Almighty," breathed Bodie. "Why...?"

His eyes lighted on the letter at the bedside. The envelope was unsealed. He picked it up, took out the solitary sheet of paper and scanned it before handing it to his partner, and staring at the two bodies, still holding each other on the bed.

Doyle looked up at last, and met his partner's eyes. He hauled his radio from his pocket.

"4.5 to Alpha. We're at McCabe's flat. He and Lucas are both here. Looks like a straight-forward suicide, no signs of a break-in. Ah, yeah, send forensics over... There's a note on the bedside table addressed to you. Would you like us to bring it over, or do you want us to leave it with the evidence?"

Cowley's instructions were concise. Nothing was to be touched, and they were to wait until Malone arrived.

Bodie cocked an eyebrow at his partner, and then at the two men on the bed.

"Reassignment..."

Doyle shivered, and Bodie put his arms around him for comfort and support. He kissed the parted lips gently.

"That could be us, you know," he said softly. "If the Old Man ever finds out -- "

"Don't say it, Bodie," Doyle warned. "It's too damned close to home...

There but for the grace of God, go we..."

-- THE END --