The silver Capri parked at the curve, just as Murphy came out of the front door. Both doors flung open and Bodie and Doyle emerged from it.

"So mate," Bodie announced, "Here's the birthday boy, back in one piece." He grinned "Are you sure you don't want me to come and help eat the birthday cake?"

"Not tonight, mate," Murphy grinned back. "I've got plans that don't include you."

Bodie wolf whistled and walked back to the car again. "Enjoy yourselves, you two, don't do anything I wouldn't do," he said while opening the car.

"No worries, mate," Doyle replied, "that leaves plenty for us to get busy with."

Bodie looked at him, then nodded while stepping into the car. "There is still a lot I can teach you Raymondo, but for now I think you'll be just fine with handsome over there."

Burning rubber while driving off, Bodie's laughter still sounded in their ears.

Doyle and Murphy looked at each other and then dissolved into laughter as well. "If he only knew," Murphy said.

"So where were you off to…handsome?" Doyle looked at his lover with mischief in his eyes.

"Oh don't you start," Murphy looked exasperated. "Some last minute shopping, love. You go and have a shower while I'll go over to the off license. I'll be back before you know it."

Looking quickly up and down the street Murphy leant forward and planted a kiss on Doyle's lips, before walking to his car. With a wave he was gone.

Doyle went inside and took the stairs two at the time. He opened the door to their flat, a generous two bedroom flat, courtesy of George Cowley after they had told him about their relationship.

Shedding his clothes quickly he went into the bathroom, stepped in the shower cubicle, adjusted the taps and revelled in the warm water that sluiced over him. That felt much better. He quickly washed his hair, rinsed off and stepped out of the cubicle.

In the bedroom he walked to the wardrobe, pulled out his newest jeans and cream silk shirt. Leaving four buttons of his shirt undone he was ready for whatever the evening would bring.

Sitting on the edge of the bed he pulled his socks on and thought about his life as it was now. So much had changed since he joined CI5. First of all he had a great partner and friend, one he trusted to watch his back without any doubt and who he could rely on at all times. And then there was Murphy.

Ray's eyes softened as he thought about the first time he laid eyes on Michael Patrick Murphy.

---

There was a function at the Spanish Embassy, attended by the Prime Minister, and CI5's security was requested. They all had to be attired in tuxedos, including some of the new recruits, one of whom was Murphy. Doyle hadn't met Murphy yet because he had been on a long-term undercover job.

Bodie had taken him over to meet some of the new agents, including Murphy. While Bodie introduced him to three younger agents, beaming in their tuxedos for being involved in such an important operation, Doyle's eyes strayed to the tall dark man who stood with his back to Doyle, engaged in an animated conversation with Ruth Pettifer.

"Ray," Bodie said, "I'd like you to meet the belle of the ball, Michael Patrick Murphy." Murphy turned around and Doyle held back a gasp as he looked into the man's grey-green eyes. Belle of the ball wasn't how Doyle would describe him. Handsome devil would be a much better description. The man looked so cool in his all black attire, while everyone else was melting on this hot summer night.

"I've heard a lot about you," Murphy said while shaking Doyle's hand.

"From him?" Doyle asked pointing at Bodie. "Won't be much good then." They both laughed at Bodie's pouting face.

"As if I would trash you, Raymond, my son." Bodie grinned smugly.

"Yeah you would." He smiled affectionately at Bodie and caught Murphy's glance that was directed at Bodie, a flash of…jealousy… in his eyes? Doyle shook his head, his curls bouncing, just wishful thinking on his part.

The evening had progressed without any problems and afterwards Doyle had run into Murphy while he was waiting for Bodie to finish up.

"Fancy a drink?" Murphy had asked, looking at him with an unreadable expression on his face.

"That sounds good. But we'll have to wait for Bodie, we came together in his car." Doyle explained.

"Why don’t you tell him you're getting a lift from me, I've got my car just round the corner." Murphy seemed genuinely pleased at his own idea.

Doyle thought for a minute if it was wise to take Murphy up on his offer, then he shrugged his shoulders, Murphy was just being friendly.

Informing Bodie of his plans, he was back within minutes and together he and Murphy left the Embassy.

Lost for words for the first time in his life, Doyle silently walked along side Murphy, wondering if he had the same problem. Murphy looked sideways at him and laughed.

"What?" Doyle asked suspiciously. "Have I got a smudge on me nose?"

"Do you want me to check it out?" Murphy asked with a sultry voice.

Doyle blinked a couple of times, then looked up at Murphy, feeling that his answer would be important to the other man. "Yes, I think I'd like that."

They had reached Murphy's car and he held the door open for Doyle. Ray felt just the faintest of brushes over his bum, as he climbed in. "Where do you want to go?" he asked Murphy when he got in the car as well.

"Do you mind if we go to my place?" Murphy looked at him expectantly. Doyle shook his head, a sudden thrill going through him.

The drive to Murphy's place was virtually done in silence, but not an uncomfortable one. Doyle recognized the flat as one he had been in two years ago and said so to Murphy.

"Hmm, I quite like the place." Murphy fished his keys out of his jacket and ushered Doyle inside. "What do you like?" He asked after shedding his jacket, leaving him in a pristine white shirt and black bow tie.

Doyle's eyebrows flew up after the question, than Murphy elaborated with a grin, "I meant the drink."

Grinning himself Doyle answered "A lager ta. Have had enough of the bubbly stuff to keep me floating on air the rest of the night."

Murphy came back from the kitchen with two ice-cold lagers. He handed one to Doyle and turned on the stereo, which immediately supplied some instrumental background music.

Doyle seated himself on the battered sofa, noticing it was still the same one he'd had when he lived in the place. Murphy sat next to him leaving a couple of feet between them.

Again there was silence except for the music, but Doyle didn't mind, he'd never felt so relaxed with someone he'd only just met before. He took of his own jacket, removed his tie and loosened a couple of buttons.

Next to him he heard a sudden gasp and a cough and splutter. When he looked at Murphy, it was obvious he had inhaled his lager and was trying to get his airway free again. Doyle took the can from his hand to stop him from spilling even more and pulled out his handkerchief to wipe Murphy's hand and face.

About to wipe the liquid from Murphy's lips and chin, he didn't know what made him do it, but he leant forward and licked the lips and chin of the taller man clean. With a sudden groan Murphy pulled Doyle in his arms and covered Doyle's lips with his own. For just a few heartbeats Doyle was startled, but then he threw all caution overboard and opened his mouth to Murphy's adventurous tongue.

Breathless Doyle pulled his mouth away from Murphy's after a while, to get some much needed air. Murphy's lips fastened immediately on his throat. Doyle was a little overwhelmed by the passion radiating from the other man, although he couldn't deny his own aroused state, which was just getting a bit uncomfortable.

"Michael?" he mumbled, exposing his neck further to the investigative lips.

"Hmm, prefer Patrick meself" came a muffled reply.

"What?" Doyle had lost all coherency, and found it difficult to concentrate.

Murphy released Doyle's throat and said panting slightly, "It's Michael Patrick Murphy, but I prefer Patrick to Michael."

Doyle looked at him with glassy eyes. "As I'm about to strangle meself here, I don’t really care whether it's Michael, Patrick or Murphy, I just want to get out of these trousers."

Murphy looked down at the indicated area, then up at Doyle and gave him a brilliant smile. "I can help you with that." He cupped Doyle's chin "Bedroom?" he asked.

Doyle nodded and let himself be helped to his feet, walking very carefully to the bedroom. There Murphy's hands removed his trousers with care and started to undo the remaining buttons on Doyle's shirt.

"You're so gorgeous," he mumbled. "Couldn't keep my eyes off you all night. Never had this before, this feels so…" Here he stopped as if he was embarrassed by what he was going to say.

"It feels so right?" Doyle asked, Murphy looked into his eyes and nodded. "I've had the same feeling, I've never felt like this before."

They had made love that night and every night since.

---

Doyle came out his reverie when the front door slammed shut. "Ready to celebrate Sunshine? Ray?" He heard Murphy's voice.

"In here," he replied.

Murphy walked into the bedroom, took one look at Doyle's face and kneeled in front of him. "What's wrong?" he asked concerned.

Doyle looked into the worried face and smiled. "Nothing's wrong love. Just thinking about when we first met."

"Any regrets?" Murphy wanted to know.

"None whatsoever Patrick, you know that. I was reliving happy memories. Like the first time you took me in your arms."

"And how did that feel?" Murphy asked pulling the smaller man up and into his arms.

Ray didn't hesitate and answered, "Like I finally had come home."

-- THE END --

March 2006