Bodie squinted his eyes and scanned the busy street, pressing his back against the cool brick at the mouth of the alley. Deciding to take the chance, he quickly crossed the street and hunched his shoulders to obscure his features from any interested observers.

---

Doyle stood on the steps of the foyer that led into Bodie's building. He scowled in concentration, trying to think of where to go next to find his missing partner.

Three days ago, Bodie had disappeared. It wasn't until this morning that they had discovered who had him and where he'd been taken. When they had descended on the warehouse, Bodie had already escaped. Instead, they found two unconscious men and one dead one. Through interrogation of the two men they apprehended, they learned Bodie had been injected with an experimental drug that induced paranoia. In Bodie's case, it was deadly paranoia. Trying it out on one of CI5's own was to have been the perfect test. They had intended for Bodie to turn on his own organization, therefore proving the validity of the drug, which would then go to the highest bidder. But Bodie had made his escape before they could positively program him to turn against CI5, or so they thought. The men were unable to give Cowley a time frame as to when the drug would work its way out of Bodie's system.

Now, every CI5 agent was looking for Bodie before he inadvertently harmed someone, or possibly himself. Because Doyle was his partner, Cowley expected him to know where Bodie would go to ground if he felt threatened.

Without any better idea, Doyle gambled that Bodie would come back to his flat before bolting. After all, when Bodie had been taken, he had been relieved of everything but the clothes on his back. Doyle knew Bodie kept a hidden getaway bag of money, weapons, and clothes at his home in the event a situation occurred, and he needed to disappear until headquarters could be contacted safely. Doyle had his own breakaway bag, as did every agent in CI5.

Doyle studied the building and the immediate area. There was no way to cover every possible entry into Bodie's building and not be spotted by a trained man looking for surveillance. Doyle decided on the only option available to him.

---

Bodie ignored the pangs of hunger gripping his mid-section. Instead, he made another circuit around the block to make sure he could get inside without being spotted. As sure as he could be, Bodie slipped inside, anxious to grab what he needed and leave.

Bodie stopped inside the front door of his flat and strained to hear anything that would tell him he wasn't alone. Quickly and silently, he went to his bedroom. If someone was in the flat, he didn't want to face him unarmed.

Doyle held his breath, afraid Bodie would sense his presence and bolt. He waited until Bodie moved away from the front door and into the bedroom before exiting the kitchen. He heard Bodie rummaging around in the bedroom and moved into the doorway.

Bodie caught the movement in the reflection on the glass face of his alarm clock. Tightening his grip on the gun he had just pulled out of his bag, he whirled around.

Doyle froze as he stared down the barrel of the gun Bodie held, noticing Bodie's aim was rock steady. "Hey, Bodie."

Bodie's eyes narrowed, and his finger tightened on the trigger.

Maintaining a calm stance, Doyle searched Bodie's face for any flicker of recognition. He noted exhaustion lined around Bodie's eyes, and that his mouth was pinched into a tight-lipped scowl.

Bodie glanced quickly past Doyle, trying to detect anyone else who might be present.

"It's just me, Sunshine," said Doyle, hoping Bodie didn't perceive him as a threat in his current state of mind.

Bodie studied the man standing before him. They had been partners long enough to trust each other with their lives without thought. But more importantly, in all that time, neither had ever lied to the other. With a sharp nod, Bodie took a small step forward. "Let's go." Of all the people he had known in his life, Doyle was the only one he truly trusted, and, especially now, he needed to be able to trust at least one person.

"Go where?" questioned Doyle. He needed to contain Bodie until the effects of the drug wore off.

Bodie didn't answer. He zipped his bag closed with one hand and picked it up. He motioned with the gun for Doyle to precede him out of the bedroom. He had been concerned for Doyle's safety and had intended to try and contact him once he had taken care of his immediate needs. Now that Doyle was here, they could both get the hell out of danger and to a safe place.

Doyle backed up carefully, making his way to the living room. "You gotta trust me, mate. No one's gonna hurt you, least of all me." He kept his hands in clear view, unwilling to cause Bodie to lash out.

"Not anymore they won't. And they won't get the chance to hurt you either," said Bodie. He slipped his gun into the waistband of his trousers and did a quick check around the room for anything else he might need.

Doyle furrowed his brow at Bodie's comment, but pressed on. "Just let me get you to CI5, and they'll take care of everything."

Bodie wasn't surprised that Doyle thought the organization was safe. After all, he hadn't been the one they had turned against. Lifting his chin, he indicated Doyle to lead the way out.

Doyle didn't want to go up against Bodie physically because he'd be at a distinct disadvantage. He wouldn't want to hurt his partner, but Bodie would do his best to neutralize him if he perceived him as a threat. All he could do was stick with Bodie and try to contain any confrontations that came up until Bodie was back to normal. Exactly when that would be, he didn't know. He had turned to walk out of the flat when Bodie stopped him.

"Hold on," said Bodie. "Toss the RT."

Doyle opened his mouth to object, then shut it. He pulled out his RT and lobbed it onto the couch. He had planned to call in to update Cowley that he had found Bodie and was with him.

A sense of relief washed over Bodie when Doyle didn't question him, but did as he had said. Now they just needed to get away before any one else stumbled onto them.

They approached the glass door leading outside, and Bodie blocked Doyle from walking out. He searched the area outside the best he could without revealing himself. "Where's the car?"

"Down that way and around the corner," answered Doyle, tipping his head to the left.

Bodie slipped his gun free and held it down near his thigh. "Lead on."

Doyle pushed open the glass door and with Bodie close behind him, headed for the car.

---

Doyle was both relieved and tense as he followed Bodie's directions out of the city. In the country side there was less chance of innocent people getting hurt, but it put them further away from headquarters, where Bodie would have been taken care of by the in-house physicians awaiting his arrival. It looked like he'd be riding this one out on his own with Bodie. Yet, that was pretty much par for the course for them.

"Turn up here," instructed Bodie, sitting sideways in the passenger seat. He divided his attention, keeping an eye behind and ahead of them for any indication they were being followed.

Doyle slowed the car as he approached an unkempt dirt road lined on both sides by a wooden fence that was overgrown with brush. He drove slowly along the rough road as trees closed in on both sides, reinforcing the wooden fence to keep trespassers out. After a couple of miles, the road came to a dead end with just enough room to turn a vehicle around.

"Now what?" asked Doyle, stopping the car.

Bodie climbed out and started tugging at the tangled brush that grew along the fence.

Doyle's eyebrows shot up as Bodie revealed a gate and shoved it open. He put the car into gear when Bodie motioned for him to drive through. He watched in the rear view mirror as Bodie closed the gate and walked back to the car, climbing inside.

Bodie settled into the car seat, relaxing a little. "Follow the road on up a ways."

How Bodie could call this a road, Doyle had no idea. But he kept any sarcastic remarks he would normally have made to himself. He concentrated on steering the car on the smoothest part of the ground he could see.

They crested a small hill, and just ahead was a small cottage snuggled in a clearing, hidden out in the country and well away from prying eyes.

Doyle pulled in front and turned off the car. He had reached for his door handle when Bodie gripped his arm, stopping him.

"Wait," ordered Bodie, studying the cobblestone cottage and surrounding area. After a few minutes, he got out. His gut instinct told him they were safe, and all he wanted was to get inside and tend to his needs. He strode toward the front door, not bothering to see if Doyle was following him. He could sense his partner's closeness as he shifted his bag to his left hand and opened the front door. Since it was in the middle of nowhere, he hadn't bothered to lock it, and once inside, he could secure the place more effectively than any normal locks. It also saved his windows from being smashed in if someone stumbled across his hideaway and wanted inside.

Doyle looked around as Bodie swung the steel bar down and across the front door. He noticed the metal shutters that closed from the inside and adorned each window. He followed Bodie through the small living area, across the kitchen alcove and to the back door. It was also fitted to support a steel bar, effectively preventing anyone from breaking it down.

"We've got water, just need to prime the pump for the well," said Bodie. "Only source of heat is the fireplace in the main room where meals can be cooked and water heated for bathing." He braced himself with his hands against the counter and let his head drop forward. His ordeal was finally catching up with him now that he was safe.

"I'll take care of the pump," said Doyle, worried about Bodie. He started working on getting the water running as Bodie went back into the main room. When Doyle was done, Bodie had a fire going, and the late afternoon chill was gone from the room. But there was no sign of Bodie. He heard a noise behind one of the two closed doors that connected to the room and pushed the door open.

"Christ! Why'n bloody hell didn't you say you were hurt!" exclaimed Doyle, taking in Bodie's bare torso. His partner had stripped down to his underclothes, but his gun was still within easy reach.

Bodie stopped in the middle of cleaning one of the many cuts that accompanied a myriad of bruises. "No point until I could tend to them, was there," answered Bodie, returning to the cut on his side. "Besides, they're not deep. The bruises hurt worse than the cuts do."

Doyle grimaced at the abuse that Bodie had to have suffered. "They said they had only drugged you, not tortured you."

"Who said?" asked Bodie, looking at Doyle sharply.

"The blokes that nabbed you," answered Doyle, giving Bodie a questioning look.

Bodie snorted and shook his head.

"What?" Doyle couldn't read his partner at the moment, and that wasn't good.

"Of course they wouldn't admit to taking a few stabs at me with you standin' there," said Bodie. "Cowley doesn't approve of failure, and until things are cleaned up, they need to be covered up."

Doyle blinked in confusion. "What are you gettin' at, Bodie?"

"The guys that did this to me were CI5," answered Bodie, speaking slowly as though he addressed a small child. "Figured since I ended up killing one of the bastards, the Cow is out to collect the debt from me."

"What?" Doyle shook his head. The only explanation was Bodie had been led to believe CI5 was behind this, and with the drug in his system, he'd be a formidable opponent if he went after other agents in the organization. Guess the programming had taken effect after all. He opened his mouth to try and convince Bodie he was wrong, then shut it. Bodie was watching him from beneath his lowered lashes, and one wrong move at this point, and Bodie wouldn't hesitate to believe he was part of the conspiracy against him. Choosing to change tactics, Doyle held out his hand toward Bodie. "Here. Let me see to you."

Bodie hesitated for a fraction of a second, then relinquished the washcloth. He settled on the closed toilet seat, too tired to remain standing and giving Doyle permission to invade his personal space.

Doyle wasn't about to jeopardize this obvious show of trust. He finished cleaning the numerous shallow cuts and applied a healing ointment, covering the worst of them with bandages. The sound of Bodie's stomach growling was loud in the small bathroom. "Is there anything here to eat?" asked Doyle, closing up the first aid kit as Bodie stood up.

"I stocked up on canned goods," said Bodie, leaving his shirt on the floor. The light brushing of the material over his tender skin was more than he could take right now. He just wanted to eat and get some much needed sleep.

---

Lanterns supplied what light they needed as the sun dropped below the horizon, giving way to the night.

After eating a makeshift meal, Doyle heated enough water to do a cursory wash. He eyed the small tub tucked against the wall, but was not up to heating and hauling enough hot water to make it worth while. He had kept the bathroom door open, not wanting Bodie to become suspicious if he was out of sight. He felt Bodie's intense gaze watching every move he made as he stripped down to his underpants. Finished, he didn't relish the idea of putting back on the same clothes he had worn all day, but he didn't have much choice. Picking up his shirt he shook it out and was prepared to slip it back on when Bodie spoke up.

"There're clothes in the bedroom that should fit you." A couple of years ago, after they had established their partnership through trials of fire, Bodie had included clothing in Doyle's size and doubled the food supply to include his partner's needs should they find themselves on the run together. That, in itself, was a testament to how he felt about the man that now shared his bolt hole.

Doyle blinked in surprise, then went into the single bedroom and opened the closet. Sure enough, there were jeans and shirts in his size hanging side by side with Bodie's own clothes. Selecting jeans and a heavy flannel shirt, he dressed, finding thick socks to keep his feet warm. With a resigned look, he glanced at the one bed, figuring he'd be sleeping on the couch. At least it was near the fireplace, so he would be warm enough through the night. Turning to go back into the living area, he bumped into Bodie standing directly behind him.

"Easy there," said Bodie, reaching out a hand to steady Doyle. "When I first got this place, it was intended for just me. Didn't think much about only having one bedroom, but since we're sharing everything else here, might as well share the bed. Not like we haven't done so in the past."

Doyle gave a slight nod in agreement, pushing the part of himself aside that perked up at the thought of sharing a bed with Bodie. On assignments that caused them to share accommodations, he secretly relished the closeness of Bodie's solid form, a fact he would never admit to his partner, no matter what.

"You can stay up, if you want, but I need to get some sleep," said Bodie, moving past Doyle and toward the bed. "This place is pretty isolated. I seriously doubt we'll have any unexpected company dropping in on us. Besides, what it would take to breach this place would wake us up long before they ever made it inside."

"Think I'll turn in, too," said Doyle. In truth, he didn't want Bodie out of his sight, any more than Bodie wanted him out of his. Although they each had different reasons, it still came down to the same thing, they'd be sharing the bed.

---

The room was pitch black with the metal shutters firmly in place. Doyle reached out and assured himself the small flashlight was exactly where he had put it next to his gun on the small bedside table. He listened to the slow breathing as Bodie slept behind him. They were lying back to back, a standard position for them in their line of work. Doyle couldn't think of anyone he trusted like he did Bodie, and he was certain the sentiment was equally returned. The fact that he was here with Bodie now, was proof of that.

Bodie dreamed of being back in the dim warehouse, being taunted by the men that held him. He had no memory of how he came to be there, but they claimed they were only following orders that came directly from Cowley himself, a statement that was supported when three days passed with no sign of help. It became obvious they had no intention of letting him leave still breathing, insinuating that Cowley had decided Bodie had become too dangerous and too unpredictable to follow orders. Therefore, he was to be eliminated and put down like any rabid dog that threatened to turn on its master.

Doyle snapped awake from his light doze to Bodie's thrashing and mumbling. He turned over, careful not to jostle his partner while he was caught up in the nightmare. "Bodie. Come on, mate. Wake up. You're safe, Sunshine, no one's gonna hurt you any more."

Bodie heard Doyle's voice and struggled to find him in the midst of the faces of the men hurting him. He curled up, trying to protect himself, crying out for Doyle to stop the men from striking him.

Doyle instinctively reached out for Bodie when he heard the desperate plea of his name. The moment his hand touched Bodie, he found himself grabbed and rolled until he was pinned beneath Bodie's larger frame. He blinked, straining to see in the pitch blackness. He felt Bodie's hot breath caress his cheek, while strong hands tightened on his arms. "Bodie, it's okay. You're safe."

Bodie shook his head and blinked, waking from his nightmare. At first, he had thought he had gone blind, until memory of where he was and who he was with returned. He loosened his grip, but continued to blanket Doyle, needing the close contact to finish banishing the remnants of the nightmare. "Doyle," he whispered, slowly relaxing, still on top of Doyle.

"You alright?" asked Doyle, feeling the tension slowly flow out of Bodie. He slipped his arms out of Bodie's hands and wrapped them protectively around his partner, welcoming the press of his weight.

"Yeah." Bodie's voice was breathless as he absorbed the security his partner offered him. As much as he wanted to stay exactly where he was, he knew he needed to move. Neither were in a position to defend themselves should someone managed to break in. Reluctantly, he rolled off Doyle and settled onto his back, staring into the blackness.

Doyle relinquished his hold around Bodie's back the moment his partner moved. "Want me to light a lantern or candle?"

Bodie shook his head, before remembering Doyle couldn't see him. "Nah, it's fine."

"You sure?" asked Doyle. He wanted light so he could see for himself whether or not Bodie was okay, but didn't press the issue.

"I'm sure," answered Bodie. He shifted and turned once again on his side, his back to Doyle.

Stifling a sigh, Doyle returned to his own position of facing the other way. He finally dozed, still feeling the solid body covering him.

---

There was enough firewood already inside, but Bodie wanted to take advantage of the quiet to add more to the already large supply inside. He carried the already chopped wood through the doorway and stacked it with the rest. His movements were slow and stiff, the bruising and lacerations making themselves known.

Doyle set about heating enough water to make a decent bath in the tub. He had noticed Bodie's stilted movements and knew he was suffering, albeit stoically. When he was satisfied with the level of hot water in the tub, he went outside to tell Bodie they had enough firewood to last them over a week and he should go soak and loosen up his muscles. He also hoped the hot water would help purge some of the drug from Bodie's system, but even if it didn't, it would help ease Bodie's soreness.

Bodie looked up from the woodpile as Doyle walked toward him. A snapping of a twig off to his right had him moving before it fully registered. He dropped the wood he had picked up and dove, tackling Doyle to the ground and rolling. He had his gun out and pointed in the general direction of the noise, scanning the wooded area for movement.

The unexpected sound, accompanied by Bodie barrelling into him, had startled Doyle. He gasped as the air was knocked out of him, and Bodie's weight landing on him didn't help. He lifted his head and followed the line of sight along Bodie's gun and spotted the culprit that had intruded. "It's a bloody deer!"

Bodie clicked his gun back onto safety, satisfied that the deer would have high tailed it out of there if someone was sneaking around the cottage. As it was, the deer's head jerked up, and it bounded back into the thicket.

"Get off me," grunted Doyle, needing to take a deep breath.

Bodie scrambled to his feet and offered Doyle a hand up. "I think we need to get back inside." He scanned the immediate area, suddenly uneasy being outside in the open.

Doyle brushed at the dirt and grass that clung to him, resisting the urge to tell Bodie he was being ridiculous. "Fine. I've got the tub ready with some hot water," said Doyle, seriously considering taking the readied bath for himself now that he had been forced to roll in the dirt. "Might as well take advantage of it while the water is hot." He followed Bodie back inside.

Bodie secured the door and turned, eyeing Doyle's appearance. "Why don't you go first? Just don't dally and let the water go cold so I can take a fast turn."

Doyle shook his head. "You need the heat to help with the soreness. I'll just put another pan of water to boil to reheat the water enough when you're done so I can wash up." Doyle moved toward the kitchen to fill the pan, effectively ending the conversation.

Bodie shrugged and headed for the bathroom, stripping as he went. He eased into the hot water, sighing as screaming muscles finally started to relax.

Doyle sat beside the fireplace, watching the water slowly heat. He thought about their situation and figured it could be worse. If Bodie's programming had been more complete, he'd be actively searching out CI5 agents, including Doyle, instead of just being on the defensive.

The water started to boil, and Doyle rose to his feet. If they had a decent water heater, it wouldn't be any problem to let Bodie soak as long as he wanted, but Doyle was not up to the whole process of refilling the tub when he could make use of the lukewarm water after Bodie took advantage of the heat.

Opening the bathroom door, Doyle couldn't help looking his fill until Bodie stirred.

Bodie was reclined in the small tub, his knees bent and spread. He opened his eyes and looked back, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Feeling any better?" asked Doyle, forcing himself to look only at Bodie's face.

"Some," answered Bodie, noncommittally. He gripped the edges of the tub and pulled himself up, not even attempting to hide himself from Doyle. He reached carefully to the side shelf and snagged a towel, drying himself slowly. He lightly patted his injured flesh, then continued to dry his legs as he stepped out of the tub. "All yours."

Doyle shook himself and turned to collect the pan of water he had left boiling over the fire. He missed the way Bodie stared after him.

---

Once again, Doyle found himself sharing the bed with Bodie. His mind turned to how things must seem to Cowley. With Bodie on the loose, and Doyle now missing, the Cow must be madder than a wet hen. There was no way to contact him now; all that he could do was wait it out with Bodie.

The quiet was broken by the steady breathing of the two men as Bodie feigned sleep, his mind racing at the mixed emotions that were raging inside him. He started to question his reasons for hiding out, but nothing was making any sense. He had always trusted his feelings, which had saved his life more than once, and he still felt threatened by unknown adversaries. Who they could be, he couldn't say, but his sole focus that they were CI5 now rang false. In fact, he couldn't clearly justify why he felt hunted. Being held and pounded on wasn't a new occurrence. In their line of work, it was sometimes the norm, but this time it had a different feel to it.

Confused, Bodie turned to the only sure thing in this whole mess. Doyle. The fact that his partner was riding this out with him, spoke a great deal of their relationship. Granted, they were partners, but how many partners would follow when explanations were sketchy at best? His train of thought had shifted to his partner since Doyle had walked into the bathroom while he was soaking. He saw the hunger and the wishful look cross Doyle's face before it was covered up, and it had started him to thinking.

Doyle felt the bed shift and was concerned that Bodie was having another nightmare. He was carefully reaching out for the flashlight when a strong arm encircled him and pulled him back against a solid chest. His heart skipped a beat, afraid that Bodie was reacting to his dream and thought he was the enemy. He tensed, waiting for Bodie's next move so he could counter it without harming either of them. When Bodie's hand started to rub in small circles up and down his chest and stomach, Doyle caught his breath. It wasn't a nightmare, then. Bodie must be dreaming of some bird, and he just happened to be the warm body within reach.

Bodie felt Doyle tense and wanted to soothe him. If he had read the situation wrong, he could always claim he had been half asleep and didn't know he was cuddling with his best mate. But as he continued to caress Doyle, his hand wasn't flung off, and he took that as encouragement to go further.

Doyle tried to decide what he should do. Common sense told him to stop Bodie before things progressed too far, yet his body had yearned for such a touch from his partner for too long. A sudden thought struck him. What if Bodie was only reacting to the drug that had been introduced into his system? The aftermath that would follow would rest solely on his shoulders, and the repercussions to their partnership would be his responsibility.

Bodie's fingertips encountered the waistband of Doyle's undershorts and skimmed along the edge. He was about to delve underneath the elastic when Doyle's voice stopped him.

"Bodie?" Doyle couldn't speak above a whisper, but in the silence, his voice sounded loud.

"Hmmm?" Bodie forced himself to stay relaxed, wanting to give the impression he was still swaddled in sleep. All the while, his hand continued to move back and forth, teasing the jumping muscles of Doyle's lower abdomen.

Bodie's unrelenting hand never wavered, and it gave Doyle pause as to the theory that Bodie was mistaking him for someone else. Someone female. "Do you know what you're doin'?"

"I would bloody hell hope so," murmured Bodie. He wanted to push this as far as Doyle was willing to let him go. Nuzzling Doyle's neck through his curls, he slipped his hand beneath Doyle's shorts and brushed lightly over the crown of Doyle's stiffening erection.

Doyle couldn't stop the muffled gasp as Bodie touched him. He grabbed Bodie's hand through the soft cotton of his briefs and stilled the questing hand. No further, his mind screamed silently. If he allowed this encounter to continue, there'd be no turning back.

Bodie froze, waiting for the outburst that was sure to follow, but Doyle remained silent, his breathing fast. He slowly raised his head, hoping he wasn't about to ruin the one ally and friend he counted on. Taking courage from Doyle's obvious physical response to him, he tipped his head until his lips brushed along the side of Doyle's face in the darkness.

"Bodie," gasped Doyle, when strong fingers encircled his cock and lightly squeezed. Anything else he might have said was stopped when Bodie's lips found his and silenced him. He couldn't help but respond to the demanding kiss, losing himself to the sensation.

Shifting so he could roll Doyle onto his back, Bodie continued to ravage Doyle's mouth while removing both their shorts. Needing to feel Doyle as much as possible, Bodie manoeuvred them until he was lying on top of his partner, their hard, throbbing cocks nestled side by side.

Doyle widened his legs to cradle Bodie between them and wrapped his arms around his broad shoulders. Before he could figure a way out of the situation, Bodie started thrusting against him, sending waves of pleasure coursing through him.

"Yessss," hissed Bodie, increasing the speed and force of his thrusts as Doyle matched him.

Too soon, they both cried out, and their essence mixed and mingled between their pressed bellies. The silence following was broken only by their harsh gasps as lungs demanded oxygen, and their hearts pounded in their chests.

Sliding off, Bodie tugged Doyle close and curled against his side. The sense of danger was muted as he succumbed to the first restful sleep he'd had in days.

Doyle remained awake, listening to the soft, steady sound of Bodie's breathing as sleep claimed him. What the morning light would bring, he was afraid to know.

---

Drifting up from a dreamless sleep, Doyle stretched and grimaced. Dried semen pulled at the hair it caked, and he bolted straight up in bed. He was alone.

Morning light drifted into the bedroom from the outer room, evidence that Bodie had been up long enough to open the cottage to the new day. Unsure what state of greeting awaited him, Doyle swung his legs off the bed and sat there, his head in his hands. Forcing himself to get up, he searched for his underpants that had been tossed aside during last night's fray.

He walked out of the bedroom, but there was no sign of Bodie. A fire burned and crackled in the fireplace, along with a steaming pan of water. He took a side trip to the bathroom to relieve himself, and halted as he saw the tub filled with warm water.

"Figured you'd want to clean up," said Bodie, suddenly standing behind Doyle.

Jumping, Doyle whirled around and found himself face to face with his partner. He couldn't read anything behind the closed expression on Bodie's face, and that only caused him to fear the worst. Before he could think of anything to say, Bodie turned and went back into the main room, retrieving the pan of boiling water from the fireplace.

Dumping the hot water into the tub, Bodie quickly left the bathroom, leaving Doyle standing there. He had woken early this morning, the events of the past few days clear in his mind. He had been lucky he hadn't acted on his distorted impression of CI5 being out to get him. For that, he had his partner to thank. Doyle. The memory of what had transpired last night had flooded him, and he had bolted from the bed. He must have been berserk to have pushed things like he had, and now he'd have to face the consequences of his actions from the one man that meant the most to him.

Doyle quickly bathed, washing off the evidence of the previous night. Clean, he continued to sit in the tub, wondering how he was going to handle things with Bodie. He didn't want what had happened to trigger Bodie into turning on him, especially until the drug had run its course. Then, they'd have to see whether or not their partnership could be salvaged. He cursed himself for his lack of discipline, but there was no changing things now. Taking his time, he dried off, then darted into the bedroom to dress.

The first thing he noticed on entering the bedroom was that the bedding had been stripped and replaced with clean sheets. Bodie must have done it while he was in the bathroom. Slowly dressing, he stood staring at the freshly made bed, reluctant to go out and face the ending of their partnership. A thump from the other side of the closed door forced him out of the bedroom.

"We need to be headin' back," said Bodie, stowing the few items they had used during their stay.

"Back?" Doyle eyed Bodie's back, wondering what exactly he meant.

"Don't want Cowley any more angry than he already is at our disappearance," said Bodie, standing but not turning around.

"You're yourself," said Doyle, swallowing hard.

Bodie snorted and shook his head. "Depends on your perspective, Sunshine." He moved to the fireplace to douse the fire and clean out the sodden ashes.

Doyle stood rooted to the spot, waiting for the accusations to start flying. He watched Bodie methodically clean the fireplace, then prepare it for the next time.

The silence that hung between them was heavy, each waiting for the other to start placing the blame of last night where it belonged, each believing he was responsible for what happened and unable to find a way to repair the damage.

"Um, Bodie?" Doyle couldn't take the silent treatment any longer. "I'm sorry. When we get back to headquarters, I'll put in a transfer for a new partner if that's what you want. I don't have any excuse for letting things go as far as they did last night, so all I can say is I'm sorry."

Bodie couldn't believe Doyle was apologizing. He had been the one to instigate things between them. He could only stand there and stare at Doyle, who took his silence as agreement.

Striding toward the front door, Doyle had his hand on the knob when he was spun around by Bodie.

"I don't want another partner!" shouted Bodie, fuelled by the real threat of losing Doyle completely. He saw the flash of anger in Doyle's eyes and backed up a step. "I mean, unless that's what you're wanting. But don't go askin' for a transfer because you think that's what I want. Last night, I knew exactly what I was doing, and if there's blame to be placed, it's on my head. Not yours."

Doyle's emotions were running high, and when Bodie physically stopped him from leaving, he resisted the urge to strike out and bolt. It took a few moments for Bodie's words to sink in. Bodie didn't want a different partner? Confusion warred with hope, and Doyle could only stare back at Bodie.

"Look. If any one should be apologizing for last night, it should be me," said Bodie, his voice softening. "I promise I won't ever let my feelings come between us. Last night was the first, and last time, I'll ever let how I feel slip. We've got a good partnership going, and I treasure your friendship. In our line of work, friends are a very rare thing, and I don't want to lose you. Please, Doyle. Don't let last night's mistake ruin what has taken years to build between us."

Doyle shook his head in wonder. Bodie had feelings for him? Those kinds of feelings? How in the hell had he never noticed before? Probably the same way Bodie had never caught on to his, each too wrapped up in hiding that part of himself to notice the other was doing the same thing.

Bodie took a step back, putting distance between them. "It's alright. I understand. We'll talk to Cowley about reassignment of partners when we see him." He picked up his bag, sidestepped Doyle, and walked out the door. He should have known Doyle wouldn't be able to get past him taking advantage last night. The man couldn't even speak his refusal, only shake his head in answer.

"Wha...?" Doyle was taken by surprise at Bodie's words. He hurried after him, grabbing him by the upper arm to stop him from climbing into the car. "Wait a minute. We're both putting words into each other's mouths. I never said I wanted a new partner. I suggested it because that's what I thought you wanted. But for us to be able to continue working together, we need to be completely honest with each other. Then we'll decide if we can still be together, or if we need to separate."

Bodie's lips thinned as they pressed tightly together. "Fine. You want me to be honest? I can be honest." He tossed his bag into the back seat and slammed the car door shut. "Last night had nothing to do with my fucked up state of mind, okay? Copping off with you wasn't a spur of the moment thing for me. I've been wanting you in my bed for a long time, and I won't deny that I took full advantage of you. I've been going through birds like the end of the world was coming, all because I couldn't have you. Now that I allowed myself to cross the line, my world is ending, and it's all my fault. If you want someone else watching your back, if you need it to be comfortable, I'll go along with the change of partners. But know this, I will never stop feeling for you what I've felt for a long time now. Can't help it, and I wouldn't stop even if I could."

Doyle's eyes got rounder as Bodie spoke. "Same here, love." He held his breath waiting for Bodie's reaction. "Don't want to change how I feel for you either."

Bodie had taken another lungful of air to continue when Doyle spoke up. At his partner's admission, he exhaled loudly but was still wary of exactly what Doyle meant. "Just how do you feel about me?"

Deciding actions spoke louder than words, Doyle wrapped his arms around Bodie's neck and pulled him close, covering his mouth with his lips. After a moment, he felt Bodie's arms encircle him and return the tight embrace.

The scratching of Doyle's morning beard sent a quicksilver thrill through Bodie. He probed the soft lips pressed against his with his tongue, slipped inside the hot, moist cavern, and explored all the textures and tastes that belonged to his partner.

Reluctantly, they broke the kiss, but neither relinquished his hold on the other.

"Now, what?" asked Bodie, resting their foreheads together.

"Guess we need to go back and let the Cow know everything is fine," answered Doyle.

"Is it?" asked Bodie, lifting his head to look into Doyle's open face.

"Yeah, it is," assured Doyle. "I'm not sure where this new aspect of our partnership will lead, but I'm willing to gamble on trying for forever, if you are."

"With you, Sunshine, I'll shoot for eternity," smiled Bodie, drawing Doyle in for another deep kiss.

---

"Well, now, Bodie," said Cowley, standing off to the side as the doctor finished up his examination. "It seems there are no lasting effects of the drug that was administered to you."

Bodie slid off the examination table and pulled on his turtleneck. For the last two weeks, he had been given every possible test and then some more he would swear they were making up as they went along. "Could 'ave told you that myself," mumbled Bodie under his breath.

"What was that, Bodie?" asked Cowley, not bothering to hide the grin that appeared.

"Nothin', sir," said Bodie, smoothing his hair then donning his shoulder holster and jacket.

"Good," said Cowley. Turning to the doctor, he smiled. "So what is the verdict? Is he fit to go back on duty?"

"I can't find anything out of the ordinary," answered the doctor. "I'll release him from medical leave, and he'll be all yours tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Cowley arched his eyebrows. "What's wrong with today?"

"He has just been put through a battery of tests," answered the doctor. "If you want him to be in top condition, then I suggest you wait until tomorrow after he's had a solid night's sleep."

"Fine," said Cowley, obviously not pleased. He dismissed the doctor and turned his attention back to Bodie. "I expect you and that partner of yours to be in my office first thing in the morning. Do I make myself clear?"

"As glass, sir," answered Bodie, struggling not to grin.

A knock on the door interrupted Cowley from continuing, and Doyle popped his head inside. "All done?" He continued into the room as three sets of eyes watched him. "So, are you going to live?" He grinned at Bodie, then straightened as Cowley cleared his throat.

"The two of you are back on duty," said Cowley. He was still miffed at Doyle for taking off with Bodie, instead of bringing him in for observation.

"Tomorrow," injected the physician, ignoring the daggers of Cowley glare. He was the one responsible for patching up the men that followed Cowley's orders, and Cowley depended on him to see they were in good health. It was an old stand-off between the two, but one they had both come to accept.

"Really?" Doyle's grin was back. "Great."

"Enjoy your evening, both of you," grumped Cowley. "Starting tomorrow, I've got an assignment that will take up quite a bit of your time for the next few weeks." The matching smiles from his two agents wasn't the reaction he had been expecting. The usual groans about missing or cancelling planned forays with the fairer sex were missing. Shrugging to hide his confusion, Cowley bid them a good evening and left.

Bodie and Doyle followed a short time later, wanting Cowley out of sight as they made their way out of the building.

"You think he knows?" asked Doyle, tossing the keys to Bodie as he rounded the car to climb into the passenger side.

"Who?" asked Bodie.

"The Cow," said Doyle. "Do you think Cowley knows about us?"

Bodie started the car and pulled out of the parking garage, giving Doyle's question serious thought. "No. Even if he did, I don't think it would matter much to him."

"Why's that?" asked Doyle, letting his hand fall naturally onto Bodie's thigh.

"As long as we are capable of doing our jobs, he doesn't care what we do," smiled Bodie, driving a little faster than necessary to get them back to his flat.

"Guess you're right," said Doyle, tightening his hand on Bodie's thigh as they took a corner.

As Bodie drove down the street toward his building, he broke the comfortable silence between them. "What do you think Cowley has planned for us?"

"Does it really matter?" asked Doyle.

Bodie parked the car and turned off the engine. "Guess it doesn't."

"What matters is between us, Sunshine," smiled Doyle, opening his car door.

Bodie got out and joined his partner on the sidewalk. "And right now, there's too much space between us."

They laughed conspiratorially and raced each other up to the flat.

-- THE END --

Originally published in It's Raining Men 2, AngelWings Press, 2001