Cowley watched his two best agents in the roles for their current case. They were working undercover as a gay couple in order to flush out a gang of gaybashers with links to a respected Member of Parliament. Cowley knew that Bodie and Doyle would be able to do this job well as they were always very good at undercover work, but he was starting to realise that they were a little too good this time. It was almost as if they weren't acting for this job. Cowley thought back to the beginning of the partnership. Neither Bodie nor Doyle had liked each other when they were first paired, but Cowley had a strong hunch that they would be good together. Sure enough they proved him right. As the months passed, their friendship and working partnership strengthened. They seemed to work as if they were one person, and had whole conversations without saying a word. They unconsciously knew where the other was at all times. Except for the times that they were sent off on solo ops, they almost seemed to be joined at the hip. If you saw one, the other was sure to be nearby. They even double dated regularly. That thought caught at Cowley's mind. Now that he thought about it, Bodie and Doyle hadn't been seen with any birds for a while now. Suddenly Cowley saw the answer and couldn't believe that he hadn't seen it before. Many small gestures and words now made so much more sense. They had always been his best, but about eight months ago, they had gotten even better. Their awareness had heightened, and now nobody understood their conversations as they talked mostly in gestures and their own personal code. It was now obvious that Bodie and Doyle had fallen in love with each other!

Cowley watched the two men together on the dance floor. A slow song was playing and they had melted into each other's arms. Now that he was noticing, he could see the love shining in their eyes. They were looking into each other's eyes and sharing small gentle kisses. It was as if they were the only two people in the room.

Why didn't they tell me? Cowley asked himself. Immediately he knew the answer. It was obvious that they were scared that he would split them up, or worse still, kick them out of CI5. If their relationship had affected the partnership, then he would have split them, but there was no way he could split them now. They were too good! As for kicking them out, he loved these two men like the sons he never had. Not that he would ever admit it though. He had been grooming them to take over from him when he finally retired from CI5. Not that he would ever admit that to them either. He knew that together they would be able to keep CI5 running the way that Cowley intended it to be run. Either Bodie or Doyle would have been able to run CI5 on their own, but together they would be unstoppable.

No, their relationship would not be an issue here. In fact next time they moved, he would suggest that they share a two bedroom flat. He would avoid telling them outright that he knew and approved, but they would know. The flat would be proof for them.

He turned his attention back to the two men. They had abandoned the dance floor now, and were enjoying a drink of one of the lounges. They were snuggled together and Bodie had his arm around Doyle. They were so comfortable together, that it was not at all hard to picture them like that in their flats. This was a love that would last forever. It wouldn't always be perfect...they were too different not to fight, but they would be able to get through the rough spots. It was nice to see that that sort of love still existed, while at the same time it saddened him because he was alone.

I must be getting old if I'm thinking like that!

He saw one of his agents give a signal and his mind was instantly back on the job. A small corner of his mind made a mental note to tell housing as soon as this op was over that it was about time that Bodie and Doyle were moved. If this case went well he might even give them two days off. All extra thought then ceased as the op completely took over every part of his mind.

-- THE END --