The Professionals Circuit Archive - Aftermath       Aftermath

 

by Mahlia Belonn

  
 Doyle sat in the car beside Bodie, steeling himself to go back in to see
June Cook. The last time he had seen her, it was to tell her that her
husband had been killed by Ulrike and her gang of terrorists. She had been
understandably upset, and had attacked Doyle verbally. He needed to see
her again to see if she was all right, and to tell her that she was wrong.

"You sure you don't want me to come in with you sunshine?" Bodie asked
while placing one hand on Doyle's knee.

"I need to do this alone, but it will be good to know that you're here
waiting for me." He smiled at Bodie squeezed the hand on his knee.

"I'll be here waiting Ray. If we get a call I'll come and get you, but
other than that, I'll just wait."

Doyle just gave Bodie another smile as he climbed out of the car to face
June again.

******

When the door opened, Ray looked down into the face of June Cook. Her eyes
were red and puffy, and it was obvious she had been crying. "Hi June. Can
I come in?"

She didn't answer, but stepped aside so that he could enter. When they
reached the lounge, they sat down.

"How are you coping, June?"

"Not well. I keep thinking of things to tell him, and then realise that
he's not going to be here ever again. I miss him so much."

"I miss him too. He was a good friend to me."

"I know, and I want to apologise for the way that I yelled at you the
other day. I should never have said that to you."

"Look June, it's perfectly understandable. You were hurting and I just
happened to be there. I can't blame you for that, but you were wrong about
me having nobody to worry about."

"What do you mean I was wrong?"

"I may not have a wife and kids, but there is someone who I love more than
anything else in the entire world. If anything ever happened...I don't
think I could survive."

"I never knew. How long have you been together?"

"We've known each other for three years, and have been together for two
years."

"Then how come I have never met her? Any time I see you the only other
person who is around is...." June trailed off as she realised just who Ray
meant. "It's Bodie isn't it? You're in love with Bodie."

She looked at Ray while trying to come to terms with this revelation.

Ray didn't say anything. He just nodded his head in agreement.

"But you're not gay!"

"Neither of us were. Bodie is the only male I'm interested in. He is the
other half of my soul. He makes me happier than anyone else ever could,
but we have to keep our love hidden as long as we want to keep our jobs."

"What would happen if they found out?"

"We would be sacked...we would be considered to be a security risk just
because we love each other."

"That isn't fair. What can you do about it?"

"Nothing. We just have to wait and hope for things to improve in the
future."

They sat for a moment in silence until it was broken by knock on the front
door.

"That's probably for me." Ray spoke softly.

They both headed for the front door where Bodie was waiting.

"We got a call sunshine. Have to go to HQ straight away." Bodie stated.

"OK. I'll just say goodbye, and be in the car in a minute."

Bodie patted Ray's arm briefly and then headed back out to the car. Before
he could say anything, June grabbed his arm.

"Make sure that you take advantage of every moment you have. You never
know when you won't have any time left. It could happen any time."

"I know...we both do. Thank you. It feels good to be able to finally tell
someone about this. I hate not being able to share my happiness with
others."

No more needed to be said. They both understood that.

******

When Ray entered the car, he immediately reached for Bodie's hand.

"June knows about us." Ray said quietly. "She said to take advantage of
every moment we have, no matter how short.... Love you so much Bodie."

"Love you too Ray...more than I can ever say in words."

The partners continued on to HQ in silence. The hands joined together on
the gear stick said all that needed to be said.

-- THE END --

*3 June 2000*

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