The Professionals Circuit Archive - Revelations	Revelations

 

by Vesta 

 
 *Part 1 of the Revelations series; Parts 2 and 3 are Morning and Bodie's
Morning*


 Doyle stood looking down at the practise floor, back stiff and hazel eyes
snapping with fury as he watched Williams and Bodie circling each other
like stalking cats. Bodie was stripped to the waist, his smooth,
pale-skinned torso slick with sweat, and his dark blue eyes never left
those of the other man as he feinted and then attacked with deadly intent.
Williams wasn't fast enough to dodge that murderous rush, and he went down
hard; but Ray's teeth snapped together as he saw the way his hand managed
to slide across Bodie's ridged stomach and down one thigh as he twisted
out from under him. Bodie rolled lithely to his feet, dancing away easily
as his opponent took a kick at his head, and Ray's heart lurched at the
delighted grin on his partner's face as Williams scrambled up and they
faced off again. 

 *Dammit, Bodie, you stupid git, can't you see what he's doing*, he
thought furiously, barely managing to keep himself from yelling it aloud.
Sometimes he wondered how the hell anyone as inherently sensual as Bodie
couldn't seem to see what was in front of his face; he'd known the minute
he walked into the briefing room two weeks ago and seen Williams standing
beside his partner that the seconded MI6 agent had designs on him. They
had been bent over a map, shoulder to shoulder, heads almost touching...
and the surge of rage and jealousy had almost made him throw up. That was
when he finally, finally acknowledged the reality of the undercurrent in
their relationship that - be honest - had existed from the very first day
they met. Women came and went in his life, affairs and encounters he
genuinely enjoyed... but the truth was, he wanted nothing else but to be
with Bodie, any way he could have him. 

 And now this smarmy, smooth-skinned pretty boy had turned up and set his
sights on the tall, dark-haired ex-SAS sergeant who belonged to *him*. He
bared his teeth in a silent snarl that would have sent villains screaming
as Williams lunged at Bodie, getting under his guard to slam him to the
ground and pin him down bodily; but it was the way the man suddenly went
boneless, sinking his weight through his hips as they lay wedged together,
that finally made him move. He was down the stairs before he even thought
about it, blood throbbing in his ears as he clenched his fists so hard it
hurt. The pain sobered him; if he was going in there, he'd better be cool,
or else everyone in the building would hear about this, and he wasn't so
far gone that he didn't know what that could mean to their jobs.

 However, even as he opened the door Bodie was in the process of throwing
Williams off him, and there was a set to his shoulders that Ray
recognised. At some level, even if his intellect hadn't acknowledged it,
he knew he was in some kind of danger; and he reacted viciously out of
sheer instinct, rolling to his feet and backing away as the MI6 man lay
gasping for breath at the ferocity of the blow.

 "Nice move, mate," Ray said quietly, and Bodie rounded on him with the
suddenness of a striking cobra, hands curled into claws that were ready to
rip and kill. He held his hands up in surrender as he met the burning
stare levelly - and something moved in the depths of those dark-blue eyes
as Bodie relaxed and shifted his weight to stand open and vulnerable. In a
split instant, everything changed, and Ray knew he wasn't the only one
who'd been in denial - and suddenly he knew exactly what to do.

 "I think you've had enough exercise for the day, son," he purred, letting
his eyes flick over his partner's naked chest speculatively. "Come on, I'm
buying."

 "In that case, I'm drinking," was Bodie's drawled reply, and his mobile
lips curved in a lazy smile as he looked at his partner through
startlingly long eyelashes. "I'll just give Paul a hand, I think I hit him
a bit hard."

 Ray looked over at the kneeling man still clutching at his stomach, eyes
narrowing as he saw the open fury in his reddened face. 

 ""I can do that," he said softly. "Go put some clothes on, I'll meet you
in the foyer."

 "Don't be long." As he moved past, their hips brushed together, and it
took everything Ray had not to turn into the contact and press closer. He
tore his eyes away from his partner's perfect backside, turning back to
look at Williams as the man drew himself upright to stand loose-limbed and
alert in the centre of the practise mat. They glared at each other in
silence until the door closed behind Bodie, and then Williams gave a snort
of laughter.

 "So, just like that. I almost had him, you know."

 Ray's smile was feral as he drawled,

 "Oh yeah, '*course* you did. He really enjoyed having you squirming on
top of him. That's why he almost gutted you just now."

 He shrugged out of his jacket, kicking off his shoes and taking the
half-dozen steps necessary to stand just out of arms' reach of the other
man. The memory of him lying over Bodie, hips grinding, set the blood
pounding in his temples, and his eyes smouldered dangerously. 

 "I told you to back off," he said softly. "I warned you."

 Williams bared his teeth in a sneer, his eyes wandering down Ray's body
to linger pointedly on his groin, and Ray struggled against the urge to go
for his throat.

 "Looks like I went for the wrong partner," he commented, then grinned
mirthlessly. "He wasn't tagged, Doyle. There were no marks on him, in case
you didn't notice while you were eyeing him off. Fair game."

 "And just why," purred Ray, "would I want to mark that skin? I don't need
to tag him. I *know* he's mine, Williams, and so does he." He flexed his
hands carefully, watching for the opening he knew he would get as he
finished,

 "And no slimy little public school nancy boy is ever going to get
anywhere near him."

 Williams went white, launching himself with an inarticulate snarl of
fury, but Ray was ready for him; he hit him once, a hard, brutal punch
directly to the midriff, his full body weight behind it as well as three
years' worth of pent-up frustration. The MI6 agent crumpled in silence,
doubled in half with the intensity of the pain; Ray stood over him like an
avenging angel until he was sure the man was still breathing, then bent to
grab him by the hair and forced him to meet his eyes.

 "If I ever again see you with any part of your body within a foot of him,
I'll break your bloody neck. Understood?"

 He waited until the tear-filled eyes closed in assent, then released him
and stood up, retrieving his shoes and jacket.

 "Remember to turn the lights out when you leave," he said casually as he
walked to the door, "we're on an economy drive at the moment."

 He slammed it behind him, leaning against the wall for a moment and
closing his eyes in relief. It wasn't the first time he'd been that rough
with someone, but it was certainly the first time he'd ever had a personal
reason for it. And what a reason...

 Bodie.

 He arched up off the wall and all but ran for the stairs, his heart
thumping painfully. It was one thing to beat the shit out of another man
for making a move on his partner; but he'd declared himself by doing it,
and now, he had to make it work.

 *I didn't imagine it*, he told himself firmly as he took the stairs three
at a time. *I know him. I know what I saw. I know he wants it too...*

 He reached the top of the final flight, looking down into the foyer to
see Bodie standing by the main desk, chatting to Freddie the doorman;
suddenly his partner turned as if summoned, dark eyes glittering as he
raked Ray from head to foot with a searing glance that set every nerve in
his body screaming. Time without number, he'd seen him look at women
exactly like that; now, finally, he understood why they all fell at his
feet. 

 He descended the final few steps slowly, sauntering over to join them,
his eyes never leaving Bodie's; as he stopped beside him, it was all he
could do not to put out a hand to touch. They had to be alone, and
quickly, and words needed to be said before anything else happened...

 "You took your time," Bodie chided lightly, but his eyes were flame.

 "Sorry - I made a bit of a mess in the gym. Had to clean it up." 

 The flames leapt higher, and Bodie smiled slowly.

 "That calls for a drink. Come on, you said you were buying. See you,
Freddie," Bodie tossed over his shoulder as he took Ray's elbow and
hustled him gently toward the main door. He shook free automatically, but
deliberately walked close enough that their hips bumped with almost every
step, waiting until they were clear of the building before saying quietly,

 "You don't really want to go to a pub, do you?"

 "You don't really want a drink, do you?" Bodie's hand brushed the outside
of his thigh, and Ray swallowed hard against the surge of blood to his
groin. He was beginning to get very uncomfortable in these bloody jeans...

 "Oh, I think I probably do," he replied feelingly. "I think we both
probably *need* one."

 "Probably," was the amused response. " Look, we've got an early start
tomorrow. Come on, my place is closer, and I just bought a new bottle of
Scotch."

 "Both cars?"

 "Is there any point?" 

 Bodie's voice was a purr of sound, and Ray looked sideways at him,
holding his challenging, heavy-lidded stare unblinking for a long count of
ten.

 "I suppose not," he finally replied, and the full, pouting lips curved
slightly.

 "My car, then." He started to move down the stairs, and Ray followed
thoughtfully. They got into the silver Capri without another word, driving
in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again.

 "You're taking this very calmly."

 He watched that secret little smile twitch his partner's mouth again as
he concentrated on his driving.

 "I think I've been expecting it for years," he said quietly. "Haven't
you?"

 He glanced over briefly, his eyes intent, and Ray propped his chin on one
fist and stared out the window.

 "Yeah," he murmured. "Yeah, I suppose I have."

 They drove the rest of the way in comfortable silence, occasionally
glancing at one another, and it wasn't until they were climbing the stairs
into Bodie's apartment building that Ray finally said what he was
thinking.

 "Cowley's not going to like this."

 "He's not going to know, is he." Bodie pressed the button for the lift,
turning to face him square on, barely three inches away; Ray just looked
at him, half-strangled by the roiling in his stomach as he reacted to his
sheer animal magnetism. God, he was beautiful...

 "Besides, the cunning old sod probably suspects anyway. He's known us for
a long time, Ray, and he's had a fairly chequered past himself. Nothing
surprises him."

 "It surprised me," muttered Ray, following him into the lift as the doors
opened.

 "Is that why it took you two weeks to admit it?"

 "You *knew*?" Ray's voice climbed a notch.

 "I knew you were pissed off about something," was the calm reply. "I
wasn't sure *what* until you turned up in the gym, and then the penny
dropped."

 The lift reached his floor, and as they walked side by side down the hall
he added softly,

 "It surprised me too, mate. Really." He touched the back of Ray's hand
lightly, almost in apology. "I've been telling myself I was imagining
things."

 "Yeah. Me too."

 Bodie unlocked his front door and went in, leaving him to close it as he
moved into the living room, and Ray watched intently as he shrugged out of
his jacket and shoulder holster before going to the sideboard and fishing
out two crystal tumblers. He had to bend over to do it, and Ray's breath
caught as close-fitting pants stretched to tearing point over the tight,
rounded backside. He'd never let himself notice before how long Bodie's
legs were... and that rollneck jumper showed off more of the sleekly
muscled torso underneath than it hid. A bottle of Cowley's favourite
Scotch sat on the silver tray - well, the old bastard had good taste, he
thought, amused, no wonder Bodie drank it - and he grinned as he walked
over to the window, removing his jacket and holster as well before opening
the blinds and staring out at the lights while he listened to the clink of
glasses. 

 The well-appointed apartment was quiet, double-glazing blocking any
traffic noise that might have been present, and to his own ears his
breathing sounded loud, harsh. His heart was thumping so hard it seemed
impossible Bodie couldn't hear it; but his partner only came over silently
and handed him the drink, then leaned against the windowframe facing him.
His dark blue eyes were brilliant, the powerful body loose and relaxed,
and eventually Ray said,

 "So. What happens now?"

 Bodie shrugged fluidly, his pantherish grace making the movement a work
of art as he pushed his sleeves up to his elbows.

 "Depends. What do you want to happen?"

 Doyle's hazel eyes were intent as they bored into his.

 "You've done this before." 

 It wasn't a question, but Bodie shook his head silently, taking a swig of
his drink before answering.

 "No, but I've seen it happen. In the merchant navy, and then the army.
It's surprising how easy it is to get really attached to another man, even
if it isn't the way you're wired. It happens more often than the brass
care to admit, and anyone in the services knows it. Most times, it never
goes beyond really close friendship, but for some that isn't enough - and
even then it's totally exclusive, one to one. It's only when you get
bullies or perverts happening that things get out to the public, and then
everyone suffers."

 "You were only a kid when you joined the navy," Ray observed shrewdly.
"You don't exactly crack mirrors now, but you must've been a pretty young
thing. Did no-one ever try it on with you?"

 "A few times." His grin was wolfish. "I'm Liverpool Irish, mate. How far
d'you think they got?"

 Ray blinked, then laughed helplessly, taking a large swallow of Scotch as
Bodie continued,

 "I like women, I always have, I like the way they feel and smell and the
way they move. But I spend more time with you than I do with any woman...
and I like that too."

 Ray's breath caught as one big, gentle hand reached out to flatten
possessively on his belly. 

 "I don't want that to change, Ray. I've got no problem with this. It goes
one way, straight to you... but I know it needs a major change of
perspective. Whatever you decide is fine with me."

 Ray looked deep into the dark blue eyes with their incredibly long
lashes, feeling the blood pounding in his gut, and managed to grate out,

 "That little shit Williams was all over you like a rash, Bodie. How could
you not *know* he was after you?"

 "I suspected. You know me, Ray, I'm a bit touchy-feely myself, so I tend
not to get over-concerned when someone else is. I realised you didn't like
him, but you didn't say anything, so I let it go. I wasn't really sure
until he started groping me in the gym - and you saw what I did to him.'

 Bodie's fingers moved subtly; a wicked smile curved his mobile lips as
Ray twitched in reaction, and he continued,

 "What did *you* do to him?"

 "Nothing he didn't deserve," Ray growled. "I'd already warned him what
would happen if he didn't stay away from you. I left him lying in a heap
with tears streaming down his face."

 "You warned him off me?" Bodie's smile was beatific, and he flexed his
hand suggestively.

 "Three days after I got back. I saw it straight away..."

 He lifted his free hand hesitantly to stroke his partner's face, and
Bodie nudged into it like a cat, his eyes closing briefly.

 "It just took me that long to accept it. I couldn't stand the thought
that he might touch you," he admitted huskily. "Or worse, that you might
actually want him to..."

 Bodie's hand slid firmly around his ribcage to the small of his back,
drawing him closer with easy strength until they were touching from chest
to hip, and his eyes were almost liquid with emotion.

 "No-one but you, Ray," he whispered. "Not ever."

 It was so easy to lean closer, to curl his fingers in the hair at the
back of the dark head and draw him into a tentative, almost delicate kiss;
but Bodie had ideas of his own, and Ray shuddered in reaction as the
sensual mouth opened under his, tongue darting urgently against his lips.
So many times, he'd seen Bodie kissing girlfriends either hello, goodbye
or with serious intent, and never let himself think about what it would be
like to be on the receiving end... but now all the memories came crashing
back, and he responded passionately, pushing his aching groin against
Bodie's hard thigh and wrapping one arm around his neck to hold him close.
It was so easy...

 When the kiss finally broke, they were both breathing heavily; Bodie's
eyes were huge and glittering, and he said huskily,

 "Ray. I need to know something." He shifted his weight, letting their
hips notch together intimately, and Ray was immediately and intensely
aware that his darkly beautiful partner was as aroused as he was. *Just as
well*... *God, why does this feel so* right...

 "What," he growled, trailing a finger from Bodie's ear to the corner of
his mouth, smiling fondly as he made a nip at it with his teeth. 

 "What upset you so much that you still went after Williams, even after
I'd already flattened him?"

 Doyle's jaw hardened at the memory of the spiteful, jealous tirade
Williams had thrown at him, and it was with an effort that he kept the
tension out of his hands.

 "You were fair game, he said, because you weren't 'tagged'. Like you were
some kind of pet."

 "Oh yeah," drawled his partner sarcastically, "I'm just a fluffy
shivering rabbit, that's why *he* ended up groaning on the floor."

 "He said if you were mine, I should have marked you. Shall I?" 

 He ran his fingers across Bodie's pouting lips, then hooked them in the
neck of the lightweight jumper to draw it away from his throat so he could
fasten his teeth in the firm white flesh; Bodie made a noise halfway
between a gasp and a groan, and he shuddered from head to foot.

 "Whatever you want," was the whispered reply. "Just do it soon... "

 -- THE END --

 *April 2005*

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