Free! Free at last!

That was about my first thought after I'd closed the door to Cowley's office firmly behind us, silently praying that the old man wouldn't come up with a reason to call us back. My partner, one Raymond Doyle, was already tearing down the corridor while I followed him at a bit more of a sedate pace. I have my reasons for usually walking behind him; one's the rather enticing view, that beautiful ass in those so tight jeans.

Doyle and I've been partners for over four years now and we've been lovers for more than a year, but I'm still as much in lust with him as the day when I first saw him. Love came later, but with a vengeance. Right now I yearned for him, for his touch, the feel of him and his kisses. The last ten days had been more than tedious. We spent most of those days in an empty and cold warehouse watching another warehouse, waiting for terrorists who never put in an appearance.

I hate sitting around and doing nothing, somehow it's much more exhausting than spending the whole day running around. At night we were much too tired to do more than kiss, cuddle and go to sleep - and we both needed the sleep. Not really being able to touch except in the most superficial way was horrible. One of the worst kinds of torture if you ask me. I wanted to feel his skin against mine.

All my life I'd prided myself about being independent and relying only on myself, but Ray somehow managed to wriggle his way into my life. And after several weeks of getting used to him, I didn't mind trusting my life and later my heart and soul into his keeping. Oh, don't get me wrong, it never was easy between us. We're both stubborn and temperamental, and we had our fights but we always managed to solve our problems with each other.

And on the job we never had a choice but to leave the personal stuff behind. It's not very healthy to be distracted while someone's shooting at you. We managed to be partners as well as lovers and never gave the Cow a reason to split us up. We're still his best team.

I watched Doyle bouncing down the streets, and smiled slightly when he turned and grinned up at me. Being released from Cowley's tender mercies had restored Doyle's spirit and his good humour. His grin lightened up his whole face and turned him into a seductive, impish street-urchin. Way too tempting if you ask me.

According to the old man, we had the next two days all to ourselves with an express order to rest and relax as much as possible, although we were supposed to be on stand-by as well. I already knew what I wanted to do those next two days and moving far away from the bed was not in my plans. But first I needed something to eat, right now I was starving not only for my lover but also for food. And Ray would wait but not my stomach.

"What do we do now?" Ray asked me.

"Well, how about food? I'm starving."

"You're always starving." He gave me one of his disgusted glares and snorted. I tried to look hurt and disappointed. As always it worked perfectly. He shook his head, causing his curls to dance, and threw up his hands. "Okay, okay. Food first. Any special wishes?"

"How about Indian?"

"Indian?" he questioned with a suspicious look in his eyes. He knows me too well.

"Hm, Indian. You know what they say about curry, don't you?" I projected an air of innocence.

"Curry?" His tone became even more suspicious. It was hard not to grin.

I nodded and explained. "Aphrodisiac, almost like oysters. I thought an old man like you...."

The look he gave me can only be called murderous but then I got one of his sweet smiles and knew I was in trouble. "Aphrodisiac? Taking all the help you can get, eh Bodie?" He chuckled filthily.

For a second I felt at a loss for words but then I grinned and shrugged my shoulders. "I was just thinking about you. After all it can't be easy to keep up with me." I wouldn't allow him to best me.

Ray's only answer was a snort while we got into his car and he started the motor. It didn't take us long to get to my current favourite Indian restaurant which was not too far away from our flat. I'd lately discovered that I liked Indian food, especially the mix of spices and fruits, and found several good restaurants in London but this one I especially liked. Not only was the food exceptional, but some of the tables were placed in secluded niches which created a very private and intimate atmosphere, very practical if you ask me.

We were lucky and found a free table at one of those niches and ordered our food. The great service was another reason why I liked this place. I started to wolf down my food, all the while aware of Doyle watching me. I have and always had this suspicion that he actually enjoys watching me eat, now matter how much he grouses about my eating habits. It's just that sometimes, when he thinks I'm not looking, he has this almost parental look about him, especially when I'm enjoying my food.

Dinner was dealt with rather quickly and for dessert I enjoyed something decadent with lots of chocolate and a whisky for both of us. I was only too aware of the way Ray was watching me the whole time, his intensity deeply arousing. We were flirting, teasing each other. Anticipation was building and we were drawing it out, taking it slow and loving it. That's one of the pleasures and advantages of being long-time lovers. The urgency of the beginning is gone replaced by a certain knowledge about your partner. And by a feeling of security in loving and being loved.

After dinner, with Ray driving, I had a hard time keeping my hands to myself. The tension and anticipation was high. I wanted to touch him, taste him, feel him. And I knew that he felt the same way.

He knew how I felt and was revelling in it. And he was teasing me. Staring ahead most of the time, his hands wrapped firmly around the steering wheel, he occasionally looked at me. Smouldering looks full of promise and passion.

With his green eyes flashing and this special smile lighting his face, he was beautiful. Handsome is a word that sits badly with my lover, his features, especially with this broken cheekbone, are much too unusual for that. I guess, it's his body that most people notice at first, slender, looselimbed and very graceful. And of course this incredible ass in those tight jeans. I know that it was one of the things I first noticed. And, as I said before, it's the reason why I enjoy walking behind him so much. The view is very nice indeed.

But what attracted me the most is the fire in him, his passion and intensity.

Finally we reached the house where we shared a regulation flat. I could barely wait and chased him up the stairs, his laughter echoing behind us. He was laughing like a child, high-spirited. It still surprised me how easy it had been to persuade Cowley to allow us to share a flat. Almost as if he was in favour of our relationship. I'm still waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop. the Cow doesn't do anything without a reason, does he?

The moment we were through the door and had it safely closed and locked behind us, I reached for him but he danced away, laughing, teasing. "Oh no, not on the hard floor, Bodie. We've got a perfectly comfortable bed."

Silently I agreed, the bed definitely was better than the cold and hard floor but I still had to tease him. "I just knew you're getting old. Way too old for wild passion on the floor. Now you need your soft bed and maybe a nice cup of cocoa before you fall asleep."

His laughter lit up in his face, turning him into my very own version of Puck. He poised in the doorway to our bedroom, seductive and beautiful.

I couldn't resist and drew him close, kissing him hungrily. For one brief moment he seemed to consider resistance but then he melted against me, his kiss wild and demanding, making me hungry for more. My hands wandered over his back down to his ass, drawing him closer. He was already tugging at my jacket.

Somehow we managed to get undressed and even found the bed. I had my face buried in his neck, deeply breathing in his warm, familiar smell and was slowly kissing my way up to his earlobe when suddenly the phone started ringing.

Every movement stilled and we both listened to the shrill sounds of the phone. neither I or Ray moved and we even had stopped breathing, waiting for it to stop. Praying for it to stop. I looked up at Ray. He looked resigned, I guess we were both dreading the worst.

"Let it ring, sunshine." I said and tried to draw him back into a kiss.

He shook his head and pushed me away. "It might be important. Remember, we're on call."

I groaned and rolled to the side. "Okay, okay, but I really hope for the old man that the end of the world's near."

Ray was already out of bed and answering the phone and from his responses I knew that it was indeed Cowley, as I had feared. After he'd put down the receiver Ray threw me my shirt. "Come on, sunshine. Get dressed. We're needed. Our terrorists have resurfaced."

His face showed clearly that he didn't like that any more than I did. And I was quite angry and annoyed. Couldn't these damned terrorists have waited for some time, at least until tomorrow? We spend most of the day waiting for them and now, when we were finally having some free time, they had to put in an appearance. It was almost as if they wanted to annoy us.

Although we spent most of our time together, we rarely have enough time for each other. There never seems to be enough time to simply be lovers. Guess that's part of the job. At least for us it's easier than for those who are married to someone outside the organisation.

Cursing softly I somehow managed to get out of bed and redressed.

At the door I stopped Ray and took him in my arms. For a long moment I just held him and looked at him, studying his face. Eventually I kissed him softly on his wonderful mouth. "I love you."

When was the last time I'd told him that? I don't remember but at that moment it seemed important. He simply returned my gaze, staring at me, before he took my face between his hands and brushed my mouth with his lips. "Oh Bodie." His voice sounded husky. "I love you, too."

That cleared I was ready to leave and one look at Ray told me that he felt the same. We smiled at each other, understanding absolutely clear between us. I opened the door and bowed slightly. "After you, mate."

-- THE END --