Doyle stood poised, face concentrated, slowly raised his arms and dived gracefully into the pool, whooshing into the water in one smooth glide, curly head bobbing up to the surface again straightaway. He shook his head, blinking the water from his eyes, and began a smooth, neat crawl to the other end of the pool, lean, golden brown arms flashing in and out of the water.

Skinny dipping . . . another of Doyle's crazy ideas. An apparent spur of the moment suggestion, and, like any suggestion of Ray's, once he'd thought of it, he had to have it.

Let's do it, he'd said, earlier in the day, when they'd got back to base after a strenuous run, his eyes positively sparkling with devilment . . . tonight, when everyone's in bed and the pool's empty. It's great feeling the water on your bare skin.

It was at that point Bodie'd been forced to confess he'd never done it before. Not actual nude swimming. Doyle'd been delighted by that, Bodie's shamefaced confession only making him more determined they had to do it.

Bodie had given in gracefully of course, knowing he was fighting a losing battle. He was no match for Doyle when he was in such a determined frame of mind. And why not? They were working hard on this refresher course, stuck here in the wilds of deepest Wales, miles from anywhere -- each day a back-breaking schedule of work-outs and tests and cross country runs. Why shouldn't they at least get some relaxation and pleasure out of it too in the little off duty time they had?

And Ray'd been right. It was great, having the warm, velvety water caressing every inch of your body . . . soothing . . . relaxing . . .

Trouble was, the water felt almost too good. Very sensual in fact. Which was a bit of a problem when it'd been weeks since you'd had a girl, and you were feeling the lack of it. More than a little embarrassing too, even with your partner of three years' standing.

The only reassuring thing about it was the Doyle seemed to have exactly the same problem. Bodie'd already checked on that as surreptitiously as he could, and been relieved to discover Doyle was in pretty much the same state as himself. As usual though, Ray seemed much less self-conscious about it. Well, he'd always been more at home with himself physically, Bodie reminded himself. They were complete opposites in that sense for Bodie had always been more naturally inclined to subdue his sexuality. He'd never been sure why. He just felt more at ease not drawing attention to himself all the time as Ray loved to do. Of course, there was always the possibility he simply wasn't a very sensual person, but none of his girlfriends had ever seemed to have any complaints on that score.

But Ray . . . God, Ray was something else again. Almost wanton in his sexuality at times, and so physically uninhibited he seemed to glory in it. Like tonight for example, because he certainly seemed completely unperturbed by the blatant signs of arousal his body was betraying, while Bodie . . . well, Bodie was spending the majority of his time making sure he was well submerged in the water so it didn't show.

He'd even been sorely tempted more than once to haul himself out of the pool and get dressed, but on balance remaining well covered in the water, and hoping it'd go away in its own good time, seemed the lesser of two evils. And for all Ray's apparent unconcern, Bodie was very aware that his partner was studiously avoiding mentioning the subject and keeping his eyes no lower than chin level at all times, just as he was doing.

Doyle had already reached the end of the pool, swimming at a punishing pace, pushing himself hard. Bodie watched him turn neatly, and come flashing back up the pool again in his direction, used a neat breast stroke of his own to meet up with him halfway.

Doyle had obviously found the brief swim exhilarating. He was panting, eyes shining, hair hanging in loose, dripping curls almost to his shoulders.

"Good that . . . " he said, standing up in the four feet or so of water in the middle of the pool, "water's great. Skin's all tingly."

The fine body hair was clinging to his glowing skin in wet, little swirls, tiny rivulets of water tracing a crazy path from the broad shoulders over his chest to his stomach.

Over sensitive tonight to any kind of stimulus, Bodie felt his insides flutter uncomfortably with a little ripple of excitement, knew it was his own fault for looking in the first place, and glanced away, disturbed. OK, so he found Ray attractive, and had done for a long time. But that wasn't a crime, was it? He'd always been aware of the fact that Ray was a very attractive man with a strong, almost tangible sexuality about him. You could still be into girls and recognise that, couldn't you? Didn't mean he was turning gay or anything . . . fond of Ray as he was.

"You're crazy," he said, in the over casual, almost admonitory manner he always felt forced to use whenever Ray's beauty confused or disturbed him like this, "swimmin' around like a lunatic after the kind of schedule we've had today . . . "

He sank down in the tepid water, and swam away at a deliberately casual, leisurely pace, but he was still overly aware of the sensual feel of the water caressing his skin, and so preoccupied in covering his reaction to Doyle he was completely unprepared for what happened next.

Doyle's onslaught was well timed. Before Bodie knew what was happening the little sod had swum right underneath him and grabbed hold of his legs, pulling him down under the water. The wet, softly downed, furry feel of Doyle's firm, well-muscled calves was more than pleasant, so Bodie didn't let go, but hung on for dear life as Doyle kicked and spluttered above him.

"What the hell're you doin', you little devil?" he protested, giggling, "gerroff, will you . . . "

But Doyle took no notice. The close physical contact was dangerous, considering the state of semi-arousal they were both already in, but some little demon inside Doyle wouldn't allow him to let go. And he was enjoying having caught Bodie off guard too much to give up, so he pushed him right under the water, trying to hold him down, unashamedly using the mock fight as an excuse to feel as much of the firm, hard body under his hands as possible. Unsurprised, he discovered it was just as pleasant as he'd imagined it would be.

Bodie fought back valiantly, grabbing the skinny, giggling body round the waist, trying to push Doyle under water too, hands slipping and sliding over wet, smooth skin, both of them yelping and spluttering in a mass of tangled, splashing arms and legs. For all his efforts, Bodie soon found himself under water for a second time, and grasped frantically at Doyle's legs, trying to upend him, hands slipping to his upper thighs, not entirely accidentally . . . hearing Doyle laughing and thrashing about above him.

Loving the feel of him too much to even consider stopping, Bodie pulled the skinny body down hard, revelling in the very strength and power of Doyle's resistance, and succeeded in getting him under water at last, but as he did so their bodies brushed together as Doyle fought to reach the surface again.

It was what they'd both wanted of course . . . the hard, silky satin feel of their twin semi-erections rubbing together, and both felt an electric shock of pleasure shoot down their spines as it happened.

They drew back from each other, gasping.

Even though they'd both known they were playing with fire since they got in the pool, the strength of their response surprised them both, for the soft, fleeting touch of genitals immediately started an even stronger, throbbing arousal and the soft lapping of the water only served to arouse them more.

Bodie's feet scrambled frantically to find the bottom of the pool. He stood up, wiping the water from his eyes, opened them to find wide-spaced, green, challenging ones holding his in a hot, unmistakable gaze.

The water was eddying in little waves round Bodie's stomach, setting his nerves on edge with desire. Rooted to the spot, unable to move if his life had depended on it, he watched, mesmerised, as Doyle waded across the small space that separated them, felt wet, skinny arms slide round his waist.

Doyle looked down through the water in a very obvious, appraising kind of way, then up again to Bodie's flushed face.

"How long since you've had a girl, Bodie?"

The husky-voiced, matter of fact question shocked Bodie down to his toes, but he supposed there was nothing for it but to tell the truth.

"'Bout three weeks," he said hoarsely.

"Nah, come on . . . " Doyle persisted, not satisfied, "be more precise. When was the last time you actually made it with a girl?"

Bodie's mind was reeling. He thought back desperately, suddenly remembered Sally, the girl he'd picked up in the Crown. A one-night stand, but a good one nevertheless.

He cleared his throat nervously. "Two weeks last Thursday," he said at last, after he'd mentally counted out the days. He swallowed hard, so very very aware of their twin erections bobbing just below the surface, barely an inch apart.

"Two weeks last Thursday . . . " Doyle mused, sounding surprised, "longer than that for me. 'Bout four weeks if I remember right . . . "

"As long as that?" Bodie croaked dutifully, as he felt the loose clasp of Doyle's arms tighten imperceptibly round his waist.

Doyle nodded, wide-eyed and innocent, gave him a helpless, appealing look. "Yeah, and I'm frustrated as hell . . . " he admitted huskily, "well," with a shrug and a deprecating, crooked little smile, "let's face it, jerkin' off's no substitute for another warm body, is it?"

"No substitute at all," Bodie echoed automatically, desperate to keep the conversation going.

"Christ, Bodie, I'm so frustrated I can't work properly anymore," Doyle exploded, getting into his stride now.

OK, Bodie decided, if he can be so direct about it . . .

"Neither can I," he admitted, "don't seem to be able to concentrate on anythin' for long . . . "

Obviously encouraged by that, Doyle's arms tightened round him a little more, edging him closer, so close the troublesome erections were only millimetres apart now.

Christ, he wants me . . . Bodie thought, amazed . . . he's tryin' it on . . .

"We're good mates, you and I, aren't we?" Doyle was saying, "I mean, we help each other out a lot, don't we? We're good for each other?"

"Oh yeah, we're that all right," Bodie agreed with admirable understatement, voice cracking, hearing the blood pounding furiously in his ears.

"Think we might be able to help each other out with this too?" Doyle ventured with another appealing look, and a discreet nod at the bobbing surface of the water. The green eyes were now distinctly hopeful with growing confidence.

Bodie took his time replying, not because there was any doubt left in his mind about what his answer was going to be, but because he was desperately trying to control the almost dangerous state of his arousal. He was aware that he was fighting yet another losing battle too, for Doyle's soft toned invitation had filled him with such a sweet, tender yearning, he hardly knew what to do with himself. He'd never wanted anyone so much in the whole of his life.

It felt like minutes before he spoke, but he knew it could only have been seconds.

"Why not?" he said eventually, and so softly Doyle could hardly hear him, "what're friends for anyway?"

Doyle, as if he'd always known what Bodie's answer was going to be anyway, was already thinking ahead, eyes darting round the silent, deserted poolside. "Where then?" he asked insistently . . . urgently, "not here in the water . . . too open . . . "

Bodie looked round too, caught up in the force of Doyle's urgency, even though he could scarcely believe this was happening.

"The showers . . . " he said hurriedly, "we can draw the curtains. Even if someone comes down to the pool they'd never know . . . "

A dangerous, reckless suggestion, but Bodie was beyond caring.

Doyle reached for his hand, already wading to the side of the pool, Bodie's heart hammering with excitement at the thought of what they were about to do. It had all happened so quickly he believed it was quite possible he was dreaming.

A game in the water . . . the deliciousness of the physical contact . . . the luscious feel of the water against his skin . . . his desire for Doyle, suddenly no longer at a subconscious, controllable level . . . and now this. Doyle, his wilful, self-contained partner, agreeing to . . . what? To becoming his lover? Bodie supposed it was the right word, whatever they did or didn't get up to in the shower.

That made him start to wonder just what Ray'd want to do . . . how far he'd want to go . . . and not knowing made it all the more exciting. A quick kiss and cuddle? A few furtive strokings? Maybe just enough to bring them both relief? Or was Ray perhaps experienced in this kind of thing? Remote as that seemed even the possibility of it, made Bodie's scalp tingle with excitement. Was Ray maybe thinking of trying everything there was to try? Not beyond the bounds of possibility at all, when Bodie reminded himself how sexually confident and sure of himself Ray always seemed.

God, the thought of discovering how he'd feel in his arms, how he'd kiss . . . what he'd enjoy doing and having done to him . . .

He hauled himself shakily out of the water, pulled Doyle roughly out behind him, drinking in the sight of the slim, hard-muscled, yet somehow strangely vulnerable little body, his eyes irresistibly drawn downwards to the hard erection bobbing near Doyle's stomach.

And that wasn't vulnerable at all, but all hard, proud, masculine arrogance . . .

He kept a tight hold on Ray's hand as they padded, dripping, over to the shower area, revelling in the identical strong grasp of Doyle's hand on his own.

"We're crazy . . ." he whispered unsteadily, needing to say something . . . anything, to break the electric, anticipatory silence between them, "doin' this. Need our heads examinin' . . ." not really expecting a reply, astounded when Doyle said hoarsely, his voice thick with desire, "could only be with you, sunshine . . . no one else . . ."

They'd reached the neat row of blue-curtained cubicles. Bodie chose the nearest one, ushered Doyle inside, pulling the curtain across behind them, making it completely private.

They stood facing each other, not touching, watching each other, breathing hard.

Doyle was leaning back against the tiled wall, wide, green eyes holding Bodie's in what suddenly seemed a very calm, speculative way, looking for all the world as if he was undecided about exactly what should happen next.

Aroused as he was, Bodie found the apparently calm appraisal unnerving and disconcerting, as he carried on looking straight back at the probing, sea green eyes, searching out the mingled curiosity and excitement in their depths . . . but he was suddenly afraid, feeling he was on trial here, that he had to prove himself in yet one more way to the so coolly assessing, independent minded creature who was his partner. Not so surprising, for wasn't he nearly always doing that in their day to day working lives anyway? Ray so often giving the impression he was merely sitting, waiting for life to entertain him and excite his interest.

Even as the desire had started to overtake him, he'd half suspected Ray was allowing this to happen between them out of sheer frustration . . . settling for him because there was no convenient female around . . . merely curious and fascinated by the idea, excited by the challenge and novelty of it.

Bodie felt deep, bruising pain at the realisation, suddenly knowing that he wanted and needed more from Ray, acknowledging the full extent of his feelings for him for perhaps the first time.

But his feelings obviously weren't reciprocated, not if that cool, speculative look was to be believed, in which case . . . he was going to be hurt here . . . he should push Ray away . . . stop it now before he was beyond stopping it . . . but he knew he wouldn't . . . couldn't do that. He wanted this too much . . .

He pulled the slim, damp body into his arms, sighing as Doyle sank against him, his head dropping to Bodie's shoulder, kissing him there.

Their erections met, brushed together, Doyle rubbing tantalising, hard, insistent heat over Bodie's with an abandoned animal sensuality that took Bodie's breath away.

"S'good . . ." Doyle whispered huskily, still rubbing against him, "knew it would be . . . soft and hard both at the same time . . . and so hot . . . His arms circled Bodie's back, pulling him closer, Bodie drowning in the sweet scent of chlorine-tinged, damp skin.

Doyle pushed his knee aggressively, forcefully between both of Bodie's, pressing him back against the wall, and nuzzled a soft mouth into his neck.

"Cold . . . " he shivered.

"Let's have some water on then," Bodie said shakily, but much more capably than he was feeling, instinctively taking the same protective attitude towards Doyle here as he did in their working relationship, "it'll warm us up a bit . . ."

He turned the shower on, adjusting the temperature till it was hot without being scalding, loving the force of the heavy jet of water cascading down on them.

"You like that . . ." Doyle whispered, with the air of having discovered a guilty secret, drawing back to look at him, "love seein' you like this . . ."

The soft huskiness of his voice, the intimate, confiding tone, and the words themselves, heightened Bodie's need, making him lift in sudden, almost painful urgency.

"Oh yeah . . ." Doyle sighed admiringly, feeling the rigid erection pushing against his own, "you really want me, don't you, Bodie . . ." almost triumphantly, ". . . knew you did . . ."

"Water feels so good . . ." Bodie gasped by way of excuse, unwilling even now to be made more vulnerable by admitting to the extent of his need.

"Lean back and enjoy it then," Doyle encouraged throatily, "I'm goin' to . . ." keeping hold of Bodie's hand as they faced each other under the shower, revelling in it.

Bodie threw his head back, closing his eyes, and jutting his hips forward so his sex caught the full force of the water, hearing Doyle chuckle triumphantly as he did so.

"Let me . . ." Doyle whispered, sliding his hands down over Bodie's smooth, glistening chest, brushing at taut, eager nipples, his mouth nuzzling over them as his hand slid further down, Bodie's every muscle rippling and spasming at his touch.

Doyle's hand finally rested over the wet, silken cock, stroking over it lightly, making it bob and sway towards him.

Bodie moaned deep in his throat, his hand automatically clamping down hard over Doyle's, pressing it against himself roughly. Still pressing on Doyle's hand, he pushed him away a little so he could slide his own warm, wet hands between their bodies, and run them up and down the fine, soaked hair on Doyle's chest, then right down to the heavy, dripping bush at his groin, moaning again as Doyle took a hissing, indrawn breath and pushed forward to him.

"Yeah, go on . . . want that . . . love it . . ." Doyle whispered demandingly, as Bodie buried his fingers in the curling, wet hair, his other hand cupping and stroking the straining cock.

Doyle thrust rhythmically into his hand, found his mouth for the first time, almost savagely, pulling the dark head down for a deep, all consuming kiss, mouth working hungrily, Bodie so eager for it, it nearly took Doyle's breath away. Bodie deepened the kiss, keeping it going, a hot, wet, tongue twining round Doyle's, little rivulets of water from the shower running down their faces into their mouths as they kissed.

"Want you . . . want you . . . want you . . ." Doyle was whispering feverishly over and over again, pushing Bodie's hand away and pressing up against him, thrusting and rubbing unco-ordinatedly.

Bodie spread his legs, leaned back against the wall, drawing Doyle in tight and close, fingers sinking into firm/soft buttocks, rubbing and kneading them with his palms . . .

"Crazy . . ." he gasped, "crazy I should be wantin' you so much . . . oh Ray . . . harder . . . harder . . . don't stop . . ."

"S'happenin . . ." Doyle sobbed, feeling Bodie start to spurt against him, "yeah . . . come for me . . . come for me . . ." jerking and spasming too, the hot jet of water from the shower finally washing away their mingled sperm, as they collapsed, trembling, in each other's arms . . .

There was silence except for the sound of the still dripping shower . . .

Bodie slid weakly the rest of the way down the wall, drawing Doyle to lie with him in a hot, wet, abandoned heap. He spread his legs, cradling Doyle's curled up body protectively between them, stroking heavy, drenched curls back from his face . . . totally fulfilled, totally drained, overwhelmed by love.

Doyle shifted a little in his arms, sighed, rubbed a hot knee in an unconsciously sensual way over Bodie's limp, sensitised sex. Bodie's head fell back as he lifted himself to the wonderful, pleasuring friction.

Still revelling in the afterglow of the most shattering sexual experience he'd ever known, Bodie was nevertheless coming back to earth too . . . abruptly . . . worriedly . . . fearfully . . .

Madness. The whole thing had been complete madness. Like some crazy, erotic dream. Christ, what had they done here? How the hell would they cope with it . . . live with it?

He looked down at the wet, curly head nestled on his shoulder, at the almost childishly small hand curled on his chest, at the almost too lean, long thighs curled between his own, touched by Doyle's vulnerability.

Then he remembered that before the desire had overtaken him completely he'd believed Doyle might only have been playing with him . . . relieving a temporary frustration . . . merely whiling away bored, empty hours.

And he still had absolutely no idea what Doyle's feelings were for him, or what his motives had been in allowing this to happen. He was as unattainable and unknowable as ever.

He put an uncertain hand under the round chin, lifted Doyle's head, looked into dilated, smoky green eyes, heavy lidded with fulfilment.

"Why'd you do it, Ray?" he asked, angry his voice wasn't quite steady, "why'd you make it happen?"

The smoky green gaze never wavered, but Bodie caught the sudden anxiety that showed in their depths.

"Wanted you, didn't I?" Doyle answered, "and I couldn't think of any other way of makin' it happen. Knew you wanted me too, but you'd never have done anythin' about it. Had to be me . . ."

Bodie didn't dispute that point. He was far too busy coming to terms with the fact that Ray had wanted him enough to plan all of this in the first place. "You might have landed yourself with more than you bargained for though," he warned, becoming embarrassed, as he always was when forced to speak of his feelings. "What if this isn't enough? What if I want more of the same? I can be very persistent."

"No problem . . ." Doyle said softly, snuggling his head back on Bodie's chest, "that was the general idea anyway. Not gonna give you up now you know," tightening his arms around Bodie's waist.

Astounded by what he could only take as a roundabout admission that Doyle wanted him too, it occurred to Bodie then, that Ray's pointedly casual manner might be a way of covering a very real doubt and uncertainty . . . that Ray might not feel sure of him either . . .

He felt his heart beat wildly at the possibility that Ray hadn't been playing with him at all. That he might really want him . . . permanently? For ever? As Bodie now knew he wanted Ray? God, if that was only true . . .

The water was starting to run cold. Only half aware of what he was doing, Bodie lifted a still weak, sated hand to the controls and turned the shower off, then looked down again at the motionless curly head on his chest, suddenly very aware that in this position it was easy for Ray to hide his face from him.

"Can't stay here all night you know," he whispered, "too risky . . . someone might come in, and it's gettin' cold . . ."

"Mmmm . . ." Doyle agreed with a loud, sleepy yawn, but made no attempt to move. Instead he stretched his legs out in front of him between Bodie's, and curled and uncurled his toes a few times, making even that simple movement seem sensual and erotic. "Only on one condition though . . ." he added after a while.

"What's that then?" Bodie asked indulgently, sliding a possessive hand down a silken buttock and flank, and rubbing it absently over the half dry, fluffy down at the top of Doyle's thigh.

Doyle ran his palm over a damp, responsive nipple, making Bodie shiver. "Wanna sleep with you," he murmured softly.

Bodie's heart was beating so wildly out of control he was amazed he was even able to speak, for the whispered, almost pleading request was finally telling him everything he needed to know, however hard it might be for Ray to admit to it directly.

"What about security?" he asked hoarsely, burying his face in sweetly scented curls, "never manage it. They'd see us."

"Oh, I dunno," Doyle whispered back, "piece of cake compared to makin' love in a public swimmin' pool . . ." with another loud yawn and an appealing upward glance at him, "besides, like I said, not lettin' you get away from me now. Might change your mind in the mornin' if I don't keep you with me."

The words were spoken in the same, casual, teasing, almost flippant tone, but the look that accompanied them wasn't in the least flippant. It was filled with love and wistful longing . . . and a trace of remaining doubt . . .

It took a little while for Bodie to banish that doubt -- for good, or so he hoped, and just in case there were still any lingering uncertainties in Ray's mind, he made very sure he got past security into his room that night, so he could be there by his side when he woke in the morning . . .

-- THE END --