Disclaimer: I do not own the copyright for Waking the dead or its characters – all rights belong to the BBC

Content: Heartache, angst,

Rating T – angst

Hey everyone. I'm sorry I know that I had originally posted this as a completed work, but I had been thinking of continuing it – and with the encouragement of some lovely reviews I decided that I would. I do hope its okay and you all don't mind. Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed already. I do hope you enjoy this chapter – would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you. xx

The Right Thing

Chapter Two

The knock at the door startled Boyd. He had his head buried in Watterson's file for most of the afternoon. He had read the same passages over and over again but was unable to retain any of the information as the words danced before his eyes. He could blame it on the lack of sleep. Since Daniel arrived almost a year ago he hadn't had a solid night's sleep and knew that it was telling on him. The easiest thing in the world would be to blame it on the lack of sleep, but deep down he knew that sleep wasn't the problem.

"Yeah?" he lifted his head briefly to see Eve standing in the doorway.

"Sorry am I disturbing you, or can I come in."

Boyd motioned with his head. "Yeah, come in … have you any news on the ballistics from Watterson's gun?" he enquired.

"No sorry, we are still waiting for the database to throw something up, could be another couple of hours yet."

He nodded "So ….?" Prompting her to begin talking.

Eve tentatively moved closer to his desk and sat in the chair facing him, the sense of dread welling in her stomach. She knew that she had to tell him, that he should know. She just didn't know how he was going to take it. The subject had been off limits for a year and anyone daring to broach it were usually rewarded with an angry outburst of how the world and people in it moves on and that the team were coping very well. He never elaborated on how he was coping and no one ever dared to press him on it. Eve swallowed hard before beginning to speak.

"Can I ask you something, not about the case I mean, something … well … more personal?"

Boyd sat forward in his chair, elbows on the desk in front of him; hands linked gently tapping his thumbs together. "Well, I guess it depends on what it is as to whether I answer or not." He said smiling lightly, "But yes, go ahead, ask away."

Eve inhaled deeply stealing herself for the inevitable reaction. She looked into his eyes as she softly continued. "When was the last time you saw Grace?"

She watched as he tensed and bristled as the question hung in the air. His face immediately covered itself with an unreadable mask as he sat back in his chair. His eyes darkened and closed.

He vividly remembered the last time he had seen Grace, the last time he had held her, touched her, kissed her. He could remember her scent and taste. He had replayed that night over and over in his memory. Many times he had changed the ending and rather than leaving he had stayed with her held tight in her arms. He had often thought about trying to contact her but had convinced himself that it was easier for both of them if he didn't. When Daniel was born, it was Grace he wanted to speak to. He always told her the important things that happened in his life, but how could he ever speak to her about this? She probably would never want to see him again anyway, he had been a coward not telling her himself that Sarah was pregnant. He knew that after he had told the team he was going to be a father again Eve had gone to see her not knowing the implications. He remembered how he had exploded at her when she came to pass on Grace's congratulations. He had seen the shock on Eve's face and knew his reaction had been unjustified, he had completely flown of the handle with her because he hated himself for not being able to speak to Grace personally. That night he had picked up the phone and began dialling her number. He knew she would have put on a brave face in front of Eve, but that she would be devastated. Maybe now she would understand why he had to leave. His fingers began pressing the digits but before it started to ring he replaced the receiver, put his head in his hands and wept.

I'll tell you when I last seen her …. I see her every waking minute of every damn day and then she waits for me in my dreams at night.

"Aw come on Eve, how many times do we have to go over this eh?" His tone was harsh and raised. "Grace left over a year ago, it was HER choice, SHE decided to go. Life moves on eh, it's about time you did too." He picked up his pen, and looked back down at the file laid out in front of him as an indication that the conversation was over as far as he was concerned.

"Have you moved on, I mean really moved on?" Eve knew that she was walking on dangerous waters now, but he had to know.

"Oh Please! Yes, Yes I have moved on. Isn't it obvious? I mean I'm up to my eyes in work, not to mention Sarah and Daniel, or have you forgotten about them both. You know the sun continues to rise and set, the world did not fall off its axis just because Dr Grace Foley decided she couldn't bear to work a single second more with me!" Even in the heat of his words Eve saw for the briefest moments the hurt that coursed through him as he verbalised the truth. All the team had known was that Grace had decided to leave. Boyd never elaborated instead telling them that that they should respect Grace's decision and give her space. Like hell they would. Eve had driven straight round to Grace's house on the way home that evening.

"Oh hi Eve, come in." Grace opened her door and tried to smile warmly. She knew that if Boyd had spoken to the team Eve would land on her doorstep sooner or later. "I suppose Boyd has given you all the news then?"

Eve followed her into the living room and sat on the armchair opposite the sofa, she could tell straight away that Grace had spent most of the day crying.

"Yeah, he told us this afternoon, what the hell's going on Grace? Are you okay?"

Grace could see that her friend was deeply concerned and trying to make sense of what must seem so senseless. Both she and Boyd had taken the decision to keep their relationship from the rest of the team so that they could never be compromised if ever asked about it. It wasn't that they didn't trust them, just wanted to protect them. Even now Grace would not betray the commitment she had made to Boyd and knew that in the midst of everything he wouldn't have betrayed her.

"I'm fine Eve, honestly." She lied.

"So why leave? Did you and Boyd have a fight? You know you always sort it out in the end. He's an arrogant bad tempered asshole, but he'd be lost without you."

"Evidently not." Grace said almost inaudibly before continuing. "It wasn't like that Eve; I just have some other stuff I want to do. It was my decision, not Boyd's."

"But he had something to do with it right?"

Grace diverted her eyes and sighed deeply. "Don't blame Boyd; this is all down to me. If I didn't go now I never would. He tried to talk me out of it, but my mind was made up."

"What are you not telling me here Grace?" Eve stared at her intently. She knew that there was more to this than Grace was saying. She could see the tears pool in her eyes as she fought to hold it herself together.

Grace shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just tired Eve. I need to move on. CCU holds so many memories for me and I guess I'm just tired of having to face them every day, a new opportunity came up and I decided to take it."

"I don't understand. We're your friends Grace, yet you left without even saying goodbye."

Grace felt guilt overtake her emotions. In her haste of knowing she couldn't be near to Boyd she hadn't even considered the impact it would have on the other members of the team if she didn't work out her notice. All she could focus on was how much it would hurt to have him be so close but not be able to touch him.

"I'm sorry Eve; I didn't mean to cause offence. I would have been in touch eventually, but you know how much I hate goodbyes. I guess I thought I would be able to just quietly slip away without making too much of a fuss."

"Or avoid the inevitable showdown with Boyd in the office." Eve smiled knowingly.

"Well there is always that too." Grace allowed herself a slight smile and noticed that the features on her companion had softened.

Eve rose from her chair and moved to the sofa beside Grace taking her hands. "Promise me you'll stay in touch Grace, you can't just disappear on me you know."

Grace allowed a tear to fall as she saw the tears well in Eve's eyes. "Of course I will Eve and you know you are welcome here any time." She said as she reached over and hugged her. The two women held each other as they said their quiet goodbyes. Gently squeezing the older women's shoulders Eve broke the silence. "I should go and leave you to get on with the rest of your evening."

"Thank you for calling Eve, and please tell the rest of the team that I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offence and I send my love."

"I will of course." Eve replied reaching over and kissing her gently on the cheek. "Take care Grace, I'll be in touch." As Eve turned to leave Grace grabbed her by the hand.

"Keep an eye on Boyd will you? He's not as tough as he likes everyone to think he is and he is going to need someone to watch out for him."

Eve squeezed her hand and nodded, giving her a warm smile as she did.

Eve had always known there was more to it, though over the course of the last year she never pressed the matter any further, but hearing Boyd admit that Grace couldn't bear working with him made her want to push him further. Quickly weighing up the consequences of pursing the conversation she continued.

"What happened between the two of you?"

Boyd slowly set down his pen and removed his glasses. His intense gaze met hers and she could see the anger rise from his depths and rest in his eyes.

"I don't think that is any of your business Eve. What gives you the right to come in here and question me over something that happened over a year ago that had damn all to do with you then and has even less to do with you now. Now get out" His tone was raised and forceful and Eve could tell that he was fighting to keep it under control.

"It is my business when I see how it's been affecting you ….. both of you. You are my friends and you have both been miserable since Grace left. I know you have Sarah and Daniel, and I don't doubt you love them, but when Sarah comes in to the unit your eyes don't light up like they did every time you saw Grace. There's something missing Boyd, you're half the man, there is no life behind your eyes anymore. It's like you are going through the motions, existing rather than living." Eve knew that she had said too much, but he had to know.

Boyd steadied himself. Am I really that transparent?

"Didn't you hear me Eve GET OUT." His heart was racing. He missed Grace desperately. There wasn't a day, or an hour that he didn't think about her. He had tried so hard to bury his feelings, but they tormented him day and night. He had wanted to love Sarah, and at the beginning had done everything he could to make himself love her, but nothing changed. He wasn't even sure he was trying now. He knew the only reason he was staying was for Daniel. What a mess.

Eve stood up to leave "You need to speak to Grace Boyd." She said forcefully.

"I don't NEED TO DO anything Dr Lockhart, and anyway, why now huh? Why after all this time do you think I need to speak to Grace eh?" Eve held his gaze as his eyes searched her face daring her to answer.

He needs to know.

"Because she's sick Boyd okay. The cancer, it's come back."

TBC