Disclaimer: I don't own 'Waking the Dead' or any of its characters, the BBC has that honour – I'm just taking them out to play for a bit.
Pairing: Boyd/Grace.
Content: Humour, Fluff.
Rating: T; for language.
Spoilers: S9 - 'Solidarity', 'Conviction', speculative (sort of) for 'Waterloo'.
A/N: This idea came to me out of absolutely nowhere (I knew S9 would distract me from 'Ebb & Flow' – apologies!) and is a complete departure from the norm for me in terms of style...so I'd be very interested to see what you all think...I hope it's not too hard to read - this site wouldn't let me format it how I wanted! Anyways, hope you enjoy...
From: Dr Grace Foley
To: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Date: Thurs, Apr 14 2011 at 09.02am
Subject: Where are you?
Boyd,
I'm getting concerned. You were removed from the Unit three days ago and we've heard nothing from you since – I've tried phoning several times but there's never a reply and/or I get your voicemail. I presume you're at home but Spence drove by your place yesterday and it was in total darkness. Seriously, Boyd, where the hell are you? I know you're pissed off but this radio silence isn't helping anyone.
Give me a ring, will you?
Grace
Dr Grace Foley, Ph.D., BA (hons.)
Behavioural Profiler
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
To: Dr Grace Foley
Date: Thurs, Apr 14 2011 at 11.37am
Subject: RE: Where are you?
Grace,
I'm fine. Not remotely pissed off. I haven't called because they've taken my phone away – apparently they trust me with that even less than with my warrant card. And you know I don't have a landline, I'm not paying through the nose for it when I'm hardly ever at home. Although I suppose there's some irony in that thinking now. I've got limited access to the Met intranet, enough to send emails although they're more than likely monitoring what I send and receive – I'm sure that applies to you and the rest of the team as well so be very careful what you say. With the exception of Sarah, I don't want the rest of you getting on the wrong side of the brass and suffering the same fate as me.
Boyd
Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Dr Grace Foley
To: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Date: Thurs, Apr 14 2011 at 1.15pm
Subject: RE: RE: Where are you?
Unless you've undergone a personality transplant, Boyd, I'm going to assume that you're still seething beneath the veneer of calm you're projecting via the magic of the internet. Don't do anything rash that'll make things worse for yourself or for us, okay? Take some deep breaths, recite Shakespeare, whatever – just don't do anything you'll regret, especially where Sarah's concerned. I'm furious with her too, Boyd, but it feels like this is going to be a long game and you don't want to peak too early. So to speak.
Grace
Dr Grace Foley, Ph.D., BA (hons.)
Behavioural Profiler
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
To: Dr Grace Foley
Date: Thurs, Apr 14 2011 at 3.16pm
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Where are you?
Give me some credit. You sound like I'm about to come charging back into the office and baying for her blood. It's been made quite clear to me I could face arrest if I even step foot in the building, at least until the hearing's over. I imagine you'll be called in as a witness, Grace, given that all this seems to have come about because of the incident with you and Murray Stewart. I guess we probably shouldn't talk about that; I don't want you accused of being coerced.
And, by the way, just for the record – I'm fully aware that slow and steady beats peaking too early every time...
Boyd
Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Dr Grace Foley
To: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Date: Thurs, Apr 14 2011 at 4.45pm
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Where are you?
I've already been approached to give evidence (not the right term – you're not on trial, Boyd) at the hearing. You know I'll be honest about what happened, even if they try to twist my words, which is almost inevitable. I agreed with the call you made and nothing that happened as a result of it can be remotely attributed to you. But you're right, we shouldn't be talking about it – I don't think you're being paranoid about them listening.
Have you heard from Sarah?
"And, by the way, just for the record – I'm fully aware that slow and steady beats peaking too early every time..."
Meaning you have vast experience of the latter, then?
G
Dr Grace Foley, Ph.D., BA (hons.)
Behavioural Profiler
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
To: Dr Grace Foley
Date: Thurs, Apr 14 2011 at 6.27pm
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Where are you?
Bloody hell, Grace – I'm surprised the upper echelons haven't kicked you out of the door for spending the working day glued to your email. Does this mean the case Spence was pushing for has gone quiet?
Sarah's sent me various grovelling emails over the past couple of days, saying how much she regrets her actions, how she was wrong about me, etc etc. Frankly I don't give a shit. She can shove it up her arse for all I care. If I was going to leave the Met I'd have wanted it to be on my terms, not someone else's.
"Meaning you have vast experience of the latter, then?"
Are you trying to cheer me up? It's not working, Grace – you're not even remotely funny.
Boyd
Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Dr Grace Foley
To: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Date: Thurs, Apr 14 2011 at 8.12pm
Subject: Check the time!
Cheeky bugger – I've been here since 8 this morning and it's past 8pm now. We're rushed off our feet and the atmosphere here isn't exactly conducive to productivity – Sarah's spending all of her time barricaded in your office, Eve's permanently in the lab and Spence is avoiding the bullpen as much as he can. I'm acting the part of go-between, particularly between Sarah and Spence...Honestly, it's worse than dealing with children.
In her defence, I actually think Sarah's genuine in her regret. She's told me repeatedly how guilty she feels, how badly wrong she read you, how much she wishes she hadn't gone running to the DCC...Eventually you're going to have to speak to her, Boyd, at least to hear her out. She really thought you'd acted dangerously with the Murray situation but in retrospect she realises you're just committed to justice. Single-mindedly, even bloody-mindedly sometimes, but always with integrity. I'm sure the hearing will bear that out, even if they block Sarah from appearing.
"Are you trying to cheer me up? It's not working, Grace – you're not even remotely funny."
Hmm. Avoiding the question, Boyd? Have I touched on a sensitive spot there?
G
Dr Grace Foley, Ph.D., BA (hons.)
Behavioural Profiler
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
To: Dr Grace Foley
Date: Thurs, Apr 14 2011 at 10.07pm
Subject: RE: Check the time!
It beats kicking your heels at home, Grace, believe me. And there's nothing new about you acting as a go-between, must be a maternal thing...
I told you. She can stick her apology up her arse. Does that woman have no idea what it means to be part of a team? After our experience in the warehouse, I thought I'd make a breakthrough with her but apparently not. It seems even in the midst of all that she'd already gone to the DCC about me. I can't forgive someone who was so quick to stab me in the back – she judged me without bothering to look beneath the surface. I know I'm quick tempered, hot headed, bullish even at times (I'm sure you've called me a prick on more than one occasion behind my back) but I do it all with the right intentions. It's fundamental to me, to my moral universe that justice is served, however that justice comes about.
"Have I touched on a sensitive spot there?"
Sensitive spot? Christ, that's seriously below the belt, Grace. No pun intended.
Boyd
Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Dr Grace Foley
To: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Date: Thurs, Apr 14 2011 at 11.48pm
Subject: RE: RE: Check the time!
Maternal thing? Are you calling me mumsy?
That's twice you've referred to Sarah's arse, Boyd – should I be inferring something from it? Something Freudian maybe? I should probably delete that but I just can't be bothered; it's nearly midnight and I'm not sure my brain knows what my fingers are typing anymore. In all seriousness, she is absolutely distraught about what's happened and the part she played – she's come to me several times, desperate to talk, to explain herself...I don't know if she's looking for some kind of forgiveness or absolution in abstentia. But only you can give her what she needs and it sounds like it might be a long time coming. Which I can understand, I just think you need to try and see it from her perspective a bit.
FYI, I've never called you a prick behind your back – I might have thought it but you can't persecute someone for their thoughts, you know. Thank God.
"Sensitive spot? Christ, that's seriously below the belt, Grace. No pun intended."
It's only just below the belt, isn't it? At least always in my experience. And you absolutely intended the pun, as did I.
G
Dr Grace Foley, Ph.D., BA (hons.)
Behavioural Profiler
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
To: Dr Grace Foley
Date: Fri, Apr 15 2011 at 1.32am
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Check the time!
"Are you calling me mumsy?"
For God's sake, you say one little thing (which, incidentally was meant to be a compliment about how good you are as a peacemaker, which presumably is a skill you acquired over your x years as a mother...) and it immediately gets taken the wrong way. Bloody women. And before you start accusing me of not answering the question, of course that's not what I think of you. Don't put your own (ridiculous) insecurities onto me.
"That's twice you've referred to Sarah's arse, Boyd – should I be inferring something from it? Something Freudian maybe?"
Freudian? Are you bloody kidding me, Grace? That's the one plus about effectively being under house arrest – no Freud, Jung, no bloody psychologists of any denomination whatsoever. For what it's worth, I'm only a man...but she's about twenty years too young for me. I'm not a bloody pervert, contrary to popular belief.
"It's only just below the belt, isn't it? At least always in my experience."
Is that right? Should I take that to mean you've been around the block a few times, then?
Boyd
Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Dr Grace Foley
To: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Date: Fri, Apr 15 2011 at 1.46am
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Check the time!
"For what it's worth, I'm only a man...but she's about twenty years too young for me."
Really? And I thought you had a penchant for the younger woman? I only mentioned Freud because your relationship with Sarah feels (or at least, felt) very father-daughter...and if you're fancying your daughter, I'd be a bit remiss as a psychologist not to bring Freud into the discussion, don't you think? Still, it's good to know that's not on the cards...
"Should I take that to mean you've been around the block a few times, then?"
Boyd, I'm almost sixty five. Make of that what you will.
Anyway, I'm knackered – I need to go home and sleep. You need to get to bed too – I bet you haven't been sleeping properly since this all started. And probably not eating properly either; I'm half tempted to bring you round a casserole, I cook a mean one.
Right, lecture over. I'll email you in the morning.
Sleep well,
G
x
Dr Grace Foley, Ph.D., BA (hons.)
Behavioural Profiler
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
From: Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
To: Dr Grace Foley
Date: Fri, Apr 15 2011 at 1.54am
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Check the time!
"Still, it's good to know that's not on the cards..."
Were you seriously worried that it was? Please. I lust after much more age-appropriate women these days...
You don't need to mother me, Grace. Takeaways are nutritionally balanced, aren't they? Casserole sounds tempting though...but I'm sure the DCC's spies will stop you if you even come within fifty yards of my house. Still, if you want to try it and risk the consequences...I'm game if you are.
Don't rush into the office in the morning. Make Sarah sweat a bit.
Good night, Grace.
Boyd
x
Det. Supt. Peter Boyd
Cold Case Unit
8-10 Glenthorne Rd.
London W6 0LP
TBC