"What the hell is wrong with you, Doyle. You're leaping around like you got fleas or something?"

"There's nothing wrong."

The green eyes and tense expression denied the words even as they were uttered. Bodie watched his partner even closer. Yes, Doyle was definitely uptight about something. In the ten minutes that he'd been there Bodie had watched, slightly bewildered, as on three occasions Doyle had gone to say something only to change his mind at the last moment.

Was he plucking up the courage to tell him something, Bodie wondered. His heart leapt, maybe Doyle was also having trouble expressing his true feelings. He certainly knew how his partner was feeling if that was the case.

Before arriving at Doyle's flat he had promised himself that tonight he would tell Doyle how he felt. He had hidden his love for this man for too long, if he didn't tell him soon he was going to burst.

He watched with greedy eyes as Doyle fussed around the kitchen, obviously naked under his loose-fitting bathrobe. He decided to keep the conversation light, pretending, for the moment, to believe Doyle's assertion that everything was alright.

"Are you going to have a shower before we go out?" he said indicating the bathrobe. He was unprepared for the reaction his innocent question provoked.

"'Course I'm going to have a bloody shower. 'Bin working all day haven't I. If it's alright with you I'll go up in a minute. I apologise if the smells a bit strong but you can always wait out in the bloody car"

Bodie was dumbfounded by the violence with which the words had been delivered. After sending Bodie a withering glance Doyle stormed out of the kitchen and started to tidy the already immaculate living room. Bodie followed him through just in time to see the curtains being savagely pulled closed. It wasn't that dark outside yet Bodie thought as he glanced at his watch, but if Doyle didn't get a move on they were going to miss the start of the film.

Doyle was radiating nervous tension, but he made no move to explain his behavior or to go and get ready to go out. Bodie was racking his brains to find a way to ease the tension without getting his head bitten off when his curly headed scruffy partner slumped down into the armchair opposite him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bite your head off."

Bodie felt his insides melt as Doyle smiled at him. He would forgive his partner anything in order to keep on seeing that smile.

"S'Okay mate."

"No it's not okay. I shouldn't jump at you like that just because I'm--"

Doyle broke off as if he suddenly realised he might say too much.

He tried to keep Ray talking.

"Let's have it Ray. What's eating you? It's damn obvious that something is."

Bodie's mind was racing on ahead. If Doyle was suffering from the same problem maybe he could get his partner to admit it first.

"Is it really that obvious?"

Doyle relaxed slightly, a nervous laugh escaped him.

"Only 'cos I know you so well mate."

"Yeah. I suppose you do."

Doyle looked at his partner properly for the first time since he had let him in the front door. He decided that Bodie was looking quite splendid.

"Is that all for my benefit?" he added, indicating his friend's outfit. Bodie flicked an imaginary bit of fluff from his sleeve.

"Of course," he said in a voice that expressed its owners amazement that Doyle could doubt the fact. "Only the best for you Raymond. No expense spared. Now run along and hurry up or we'll miss the bus and all the cheap seats will be gone. Ooff." He grunted as a cushion hit him full on the face.

Doyle moved towards the door, then stopped and turned back to face Bodie as he reappeared from under the cushion, his face became serious.

"Bodie." He faltered, then fixing his gaze on the floor rushed on. "Bodie, if I were to tell you that I had a real... problem, you wouldn't laugh at me, would you?"

Bodie was delighted. It was all too apparent that Doyle was speaking in earnest. He knew that his feeling couldn't have been all one way, and was grateful that Ray had found the courage to speak out first. Eager to reassure his love, Bodie moved closer.

"Of course I wouldn't laugh. What d' you take me for. Anyway, like I said before, I know you, I think I know whats wrong."

Relief flooded the mobile face, lighting up the translucent eyes.

"You do? Oh Christ, I was so sure you'd laugh at me or else be really pissed off by it."

"Why do you think I'd react like that?"

"Oh yeah. Tough guy Bodie. Never scared of anything. I was damn sure that you were going to laugh your head off when you found out you had a partner was who scared to admit that he..." his voice faltered, Bodie was standing so close, in fact they were almost nose to nose. He was staring in to Bodie's eyes. Funny, he thought, never noticed how blue his partner's eyes were before. Deep blue pools held him, mesmerised, he felt as if he were drowning. Then the eyes were covered with creamy lids, edged with thick black lashes descended. He felt a rush of warm breath before Bodie's mouth closed over his own in a gently possessive kiss.

Bodie's senses were soaring. All those wasted months of pretending and trying to convince himself it was wrong and it had been so easy. He could feel Doyle melting and sagging against him. His own legs were feeling rather shaky so he pulled Doyle down to join him on the soft carpeted floor.

He was so dizzy that at first he thought he was falling, but then he felt firm hands supporting him and he knew that he was alright. Bodie was holding him up.

For so long Bodie had dreamt of holding his partner like this. He slipped his warm hands inside the bathrobe, eager to touch the substance of his dreams. Doyle shivered in response to his touch, then he gasped himself as nimble fingers moved to undo his shirt and slipped inside.

Doyle didn't question the reason for the fire that was building up inside him. He had to touch the cool skin, had to taste that exquisite mouth again. He'd never known that anyone could turn him on so quickly. It was incredible. Bodie's hands finally touched him there and his collapse and surrender was complete.

Their senses were so overloaded it was only minutes before they each reached a noisy desperate climax and they fell exhausted and breathless into a tangle of arms, legs and half discarded clothing.

Ray Doyle could feel the tight band of Bodie's arms around his chest, his own arms were holding Bodie in a similar embrace. He was completely amazed at what he had just done and what he was feeling. He knew that he cared for his partner and that perhaps his feeling for him had been going a little deeper than he cared to think about, but the sudden unexpected need to have, taste and touch that body had taken him by surprise. It had felt so right. Why it hadn't happened before he still didn't know, why it had happened now was even more of a mystery. Still too breathless to speak he tried to convey his joy and love by squeezing the warmth held safely in his arms.

"Mmm. I love you too."

Bodie responded with a return hug and deposited a kiss into the curls under his chin.

Once the euphoria died down Bodie became acutely aware of the awkwardness of his position. His legs were tangled up by his trousers which were at half mast, and his shirt was also cold and wet, having been caught in the middle of their passion.

"Have you got a spare bathrobe?"

"Back of the bedroom door. I'll get it for you."

Doyle began to pull away but Bodie caught his hand.

"No rush, leave it a moment. I think we could both do with a shower then we can get straight into bed. Let's forget the film tonight, shall we?"

A look of near horror settled on Doyle's face. Bodie was shocked. He hadn't thought Doyle had wanted to see the film that badly.

"What's the matter?"

Doyle wouldn't look at him, and he pulled away from the offered embrace, and wrapped his bathrobe around him. He drew his legs up and wrapped his arms around his knees and sank his head down, hiding in the circle of his arms. Bodie could barely hear the shaky voice.

"Bodie I can't," he whispered. "I thought you understood. I'm sorry I just can't."

Bodie looked on in amazement as the huddled figure began to rock to and fro. What the hell was he talking about? Can't shower or can't go to bed with him?

"Can't what Ray?" he implored. "For christsake Ray, what can't you do?"

Worried green eyes fixed on him.

"I can't go in there," he nodded towards the closed bathroom door. "It was up too high and I've run out of spray," he said as if that explained everything.

Bodie was desperately trying to catch up with the conversation. Had he missed something? What was wrong with the man, hydrophobia, vertigo, no deodorant -- what?

"Why can't you go in there? Tell me what's wrong Ray."

Doyle hadn't felt so embarrassed since the time his mother had caught him playing with himself in the bathroom. He was almost begging Bodie to understand.

"It must be a least four inches long."

Bodie glanced down in horror, surely it was bigger than that! Reassured, he then looked at Doyle where his robe had fallen open. Relief coursed through him. Doyle was still explaining.

"There were two of them but I managed to get one before you came."

Doyle did look a bit flushed. Maybe he was delirious. He was still rambling on.

"You go in first and get it. I know I'm being stupid but I just can't stand them."

Bodie's confusion was total. Had the strain of the last few years caused his partner to crack up?

"I really hate this time of year. I usually manage to hide it when I'm out or with other people, but when I'm home or alone I just can't bear them. I have to kill them, but I've run out of spray and it's sitting on the ceiling waiting for me. I can't reach it!"

Light was beginning to dawn.

"That's what you were trying to tell me. There's something in your bathroom?"

Doyle nodded. He knew Bodie understood.

"It's enormous Bodie. I've never seen one so big. You will kill it for me won't you. I was trying to work out a plan of attack when you turned up."

"That's the 'problem' you were trying to tell me about?"

Bodie had to get this right in his mind. What had he done? Maybe he was the one cracking up.

The green eyes widened slightly as they registered Bodie's shock.

"You mean, you thought that my problem was -- was US?"

Bodie was beyond speech, all he could do was nod. Doyle threw back his head and laughed. When he finally grasped what had happened, the humour of the situation also got through to Bodie and they laughed together until tears ran freely down their cheeks.

Eventually Bodie went into the bathroom, and, with great ceremony, formally assassinated the source of Doyle's fear with a rolled up newspaper. They shared a glorious shower, after which they adjourned to the bedroom, not before the ex-para, ex-SAS, bold fearless hardened CI5 Agent had checked that there were no more kamikazi craneflies lurking in the shadows.

Much much later that night, as Bodie held the sated sleeping body of his love, he thanked his stars that Ray had chosen tonight of all nights to run out of fly killer.

-- THE END --