The bullet streaks by Doyle's cheek, so close that he can feel the searing heat of its passing. He smiles at the death missed by mere inches and moves further into the fray.

Adrenaline burns through his veins and transmutes fear into a fierce joy. There is calm in the midst of the violence, beauty in the chaos, peace in the uncertainty of this instant.

Loading a new clip, he embraces this fleeting moment and savours the vicissitudes of battle, when all depends on skill and luck and the presence of the tall, dark and beautiful man at his side.

-- THE END --

10 August 2004