Takes place after "The Purging of CI5"


It wasn't often that CI5 remembered three of its own on the same day. Cowley had received permission from the relatives of his three fallen men to hold a memorial service before the bodies of Williams, Matheson and King were taken away for private burial. Cowley had spoken of all three men, but had also allowed Lake to eulogise his partner. In a choked voice Lake had spoken of the time he had first met Williams, their closeness as partners and even one slightly risque story about Williams and a bird.

It was during the telling of that story that Bodie had looked over at the woman Williams had been seeing at the time of his death. She had tears running down her face, but she was smiling. At the end of his remembrances, Lake had winked at the woman, sharing a link that no one but someone who loved Williams could understand.

On the other side of the aisle the parents of Matheson and King sat solemnly. They had appreciated the comforting words given by the Controller. The fact that their sons had died in the service of their country had helped their grief, despite the brutal knowledge that the madness of two individuals had truly been the reason for the tragedy. Unfortunately, neither set of parents would acknowledge the other. Their sons had been lovers, but all four individuals preferred to forget that part of their relationship. Matheson and King had been partners--only partners and would be buried miles from each other.

As the service came to an end, most of the agents started towards their motors after shaking hands with the grieving family members. A select few were to head back to headquarters on standby in case of an emergency; however, most of the senior agents were planning to stop by the CI5 local. It had been Lake's idea for a farewell to the three men. He'd already cleared it with Cowley who had agreed. The Controller himself had even promised to attend for a short while if possible.

"You ready to go, mate?" Bodie looked over at his partner who looked pale and uncomfortable in the new black suit he'd purchased just the day before.

Doyle nodded. "Said we'd give Susie a ride, if 's all right with you?"

"Sure. Thought she was going with Billy?"

"Billy ran out while Cowley was talkin'. Don't think he's come to grips with his part in their deaths yet," Ray sighed.

"Yeh, little wally did seem to take it hard," Bodie acknowledged. "Least he didn't end up like Chris."

Doyle looked hard at his friend, who was dressed in a dark blue suit with slightly lighter blue shirt and tie. "Guess we did one thing right then." Hesitating, he brightened when he saw Susan approaching. "C'mon, I need a drink."

With Susan in the passenger seat and Doyle in the back, Bodie drove the Silver Capri efficiently and quickly to the local. Many of the agents were already there ahead of them with full glasses.

Grabbing a table, Bodie sat down with Susan while Doyle picked up their drinks from the bar. Making his way back to the table, Doyle nearly ran into George Cowley, who was standing with Phillips and Lake. Lake still looked ashen, but was making an effort to be pleasant.

For a time the noise level was at a minimum, but as healthy bodies adjusted to liquor and the guilty pleasure of survival, their voices rose until it was almost impossible for anyone to carry on a normal conversation.

Doyle didn't even try. He was content to drink, letting Bodie flirt with Susan Fischer to his heart's content. He knew that Bodie had asked the blonde agent out several times, but had always been turned down. Still, he understood that Bodie was not a quitter. Had he not shouted his warning while in the caravan, CI5 would have lost six men, including George Cowley.

It was at that moment that the Scotsman appeared at their table, scotch in hand. "I will be leaving in a moment or two." Glancing around, he frowned. "I do not intend to end up like you, 4.5 and 3.7, with your recent loss of hearing. I just wanted you to know that you have two days off. You too, 5.8."

"Thank you, sir." Susan Fischer was a well-brought up young woman.

"Ta," Bodie added while Doyle just nodded.

"Your flats have all been cleared by Phillips' men so you can get some rest. I highly recommend that you do, but I'm sure you'll make your own decisions. Staring straight at Bodie, he added, "You always do."

"That's good news, sir. I just hope that Phillips' men didn't tear up things too much," Susan commented.

"I'm sure they were as careful as if they were carrying a case of pure malt scotch, Miss Fischer."

Susan smiled at the older man. "I'm sure. Oh, by the way, sir, would you be able to take me back to headquarters? I left my car there."

"Of course. Finish your drink and we'll go."

Susan tossed back the rest of her white wine then stood up to face Bodie and Doyle. "Thanks for the ride. See you in a couple of days!"

Bodie just sat there, not knowing what to say.

"F-Fancy 'nother round, m-mate?" Doyle's eyes struggled to focus.

"Nah, let's get out of here." Jumping to his feet, Bodie grabbed Doyle by the arm to help him rise, inadvertently spilling the last of Doyle's drink. 4.5 didn't seem to notice as he diligently tried to put one foot in front of the other.

As soon as they were inside the Capri, Ray tilted his head back and went to sleep.

Throwing the car into gear, Bodie headed towards his own flat. He had two days off and he intended to enjoy them.

---

Pulling up at the kerb, Bodie nudged his partner. "We're here. Up and at 'em, tiger."

Doyle grumbled and then opened his eyes. "'m home?"

"We're at my place. Thought you might come in for awhile," Bodie announced.

"No p-point. Can't do anything." Doyle rubbed roughly at his groin. "See, n-nothin'."

"I'll make some coffee," 3.7 offered.

"Okay. Can't h-hurt to t-try." Doyle staggered out of the car with Bodie trailing along behind until they were both inside the flat.

Doyle flopped on the couch whilst Bodie made the coffee. By the time the ex-merc was there with two mugs and a bottle of milk, Ray had already removed his tie, jacket and had the sleeves of his shirt shoved up to his elbows.

"'S hot in here."

"It'll be better soon. Drink this." Bodie handed over one of the mugs.

Doyle did as ordered, burning his tongue on the hot brew. After several sips, he looked up at Bodie. "Somethin' the matter?"

"You downed three doubles in less than an hour. 's not like you to be legless in the middle of the day."

"'m not legless. Just m-mellow. 'Sides today's not like any other d-day, is it?" Doyle drank some more coffee.

"I guess you're right. Three dead CI5 agents. Could have been more too."

"Yeh, you for instance," the green-eyed man accused. "If you hadn't seen that piece of wire...." Doyle's slim body shuddered.

"But I did 'n you handled it perfectly." Bodie patted him on the knee.

"Why'd you call me on the R/T, 'n not Phillips?"

Bodie sat there, puzzled. "Dunno. You were closer I guess. Knew you could take care of it."

"No other reason?"

"What are you tryin' to say, Ray? You think I wanted to put you in jeopardy too?"

Ray stood up, swaying only slightly. "Dunno what to think anymore. I was fine whilst we workin' on the case, but now 'm havin' dreams. Can't handle 'em or losin' you."

"'S that why you haven't wanted to stay over with me?" Up until the Wakeman/Catrell case the two lovers had spent most nights at one flat or the other.

"Partly. I keep seeing you there at the desk, but instead of waiting for me to disarm the bomb, you let loose of the dial. You...you're just gone and I'm left standin' there on my own. Scares me to death it does. I wake up shiverin'." Doyle admitted.

Bodie moved to take Doyle into his arms. "Do you really think I want to leave you?" He whispered into Ray's ear.

Doyle's head rested against Bodie's chest. Just listening to that reassuring heartbeat made him feel happier. "Don't want to think so. 'd prefer to think you wanted me in there so if something went wrong, we'd go together. Just like in the car outside Billy's place. When you said, 'Stick it in!' me cock jerked with lust 'n happiness knowin' you wouldn't leave me."

Bodie caressed his lover's cheekbone with his thumb. "Sometimes you're daft, sunshine. Do you think I could stand across the street and watch you take all the chances? First and last, I'm your partner. Bein' your lover is just the icin' on the Swiss roll."

Ray chuckled when he heard that. "Knew you'd find some way to bring food into it." Then he sobered. "'s just that I've been thinkin' 'bout Matheson and King. Didya see how their families were? Couldn't even admit that the two of them loved each other."

Bodie ruffled Ray's auburn curls. "Don't have to worry about that, do we? Neither of us have families to worry about."

"No, but you still have Joanna and the other birds you date."

Bodie's sapphire eyes narrowed. "'m not the only one who dates. We agreed that it was necessary for both of us to keep seein' women from time to time."

"I know, but I just keep seein' me at your memorial service and a bevy of birds are sittin' there cryin' whilst I have to pretend we were just friends."

Bodie could hear the fear in this lover's voice. Rubbing Ray's back gently, he let touch speak for him.

Doyle responded. He needed his lover's comfort. He knew there was no solution unless both men chose to leave CI5 and that wasn't an option at that moment. "Sorry, 'm such a gloomy Gus. Tried not to think about losin' you 'n then I heard all them lovely words the Cow was talking. All he'd have to do is change the names 'n he could be talkin' 'bout you 'n me."

"Do you think I haven't thought about that? When we went to bed the first time, I knew it was going to change things between us. Tried to keep it light, no commitment, but we've gone past that, sunshine," Bodie tried to assure him.

"So what are you sayin'? Can you handle it if I go first?"

Bodie dropped his hands from Ray's shoulders. "Do we have to talk about this now? We have two days off. I thought we could spend them in bed."

"Just tell me you can handle it and I'll drop the subject. I need to know."

"I can handle it. Wouldn't be easy, but I'm a survivor. You know that. Done more in my life than most people can imagine, but lovin' you has been the best part of it."

Ray took a deep breath. "'m glad. Feel the same way 'bout lovin' you."

"So can we go to bed now?"

"Lead the way. I've been thinkin' of something new to do."

"New?"

"C'mere, you'll like it. Been savin' it for a day off." Doyle grabbed Bodie's unknotted tie, holding onto both ends with one hand while lithely picking up his own from the couch "Let's go," he grinned evilly.

Bodie trotted along. He wasn't sure what was going to happen; but as long as he was with Ray Doyle, he knew he could handle it.

-- THE END --