This chapter I blame partly on the fact I had a conversation with Joodiff. We talked about Boyd and Frankie having a conversation where Frankie's ribbing him over finding Eve and herself in bed together. Of course it's
light-hearted ribbing, but it was still a fun idea to explore. So, here it is, with that added in for good measure.
"Boyd, no excuses, dance with me." Frankie managed to say as she stopped mere inches from Boyd.
Boyd just looked at her, her eyes looking darker than they normally did, her pupils dilated no doubt due to the amount of alcohol she had drank. She was using the table to keep herself upright, one hand now running up and down his thigh.
"Frankie." Boyd managed to say as Frankie's index finger brushed his groin.
"Shut up and dance with me." Somehow managing to grab Boyd's hand and catching him off guard pulling him towards her.
Boyd did manage to stand up, his head feeling a little lighter than normal. Frankie kept a hold of his hand as he let her guide him through the people to the dance floor. Boyd went to look around at the others on the dance floor but Frankie stopped him.
"Keep your eyes on me, Boyd." Her words a little slurred as she leaned into him, her arms going around his waist as her head rested on his chest.
Boyd instinctively slid his arms around her waist, holding her as close as he could get without tripping over her feet. Just as he got his arms comfortably positioned the music changed, a slow romantic love song replacing the steady bang and thud of the dance music. Boyd was surprised how easily Frankie slipped into the easy swaying they were doing, letting him lead as they moved about very slowly. Boyd spotted Spencer doing a slow dance with Stella, while Eve was lip-locked with some random bloke that he had caught sight of on and off all evening. Frankie was a happy drunk, happy drunk and swaying along to some music she had no interest in. All she was certain about was that she was safe. Boyd's aftershave filled her nostrils, his warm body radiating heat through his clothes and hers. She had felt his eyes on her on all evening, his presence looming on the sidelines if needed. She knew he hated these type of places, knew he was only there because she had asked him to come. He had stayed all night, something he never normally did when nights out were planned. When Grace left he was sure to follow, it was a guaranteed cert. Now though he had stuck around, watching as she got drunk and celebrated her birthday. He didn't dance, never had, but he was up dancing now with her. She looked up at him bleary-eyed, smiling a very lopsided drunk grin.
"Thank you for tonight, for this." The words slurred as she tried to indicated to them stood dancing.
Boyd caught the jist of what she was saying, smiling at her as he placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Happy birthday, Frankie." His affectionate tone making Frankie smiled up at him. "Maybe it's time we called it a day and got you home, and you drunken comrades over there." Indicating to were the rest of the team were on the dance floor.
Frankie spied Eve still sucking face with a bloke and laughed.
"Who the hell is Eve getting it on with?" Frankie managed this say as she tried to focus on her friend.
"I have no bloody idea. Let's go save her and get you both home." Keeping his arms around Frankie as they moved in a shuffle motion across the dance floor.
They reached Spencer and Stella first, Spencer seeing the look on Boyd's face before he slowly guided Stella to the edge of the dance floor. When they reached Eve it didn't look she was in any hurry to go home, the bloke she was getting off with having managed to slide his hand up her skirt.
"Eve, let's go home." Boyd voice of authority leaving no room for second guesses.
Eve did attempt to dislodge herself from the bloke but he wasn't having any of it, his hand staying firmly on her arse.
"I suggest you let go of he now, sir, before I have you arrested for sexual harassment." Boyd bearing down on the bloke holding Eve.
"Fuck off mate, you've got your own bird. This one's mine." The gentleman still not taking the hint.
Spencer was at Boyd's side in seconds, even though Boyd hadn't said a word. Stella stood with Boyd as Spencer squared up the guy, the bloke only letting got when both men stood up for Eve and got him to let go. Frankie was still wrapped around Boyd, his arm around her as he kept her both upright and beside him. Eve watched as Stella automatically went and stood beside Spencer, Spencer offering her his arm as she stepped close to him.
"With us, Eve." Boyd taking his protective role seriously as he held out his arm for Eve to link.
Eve took the proffered arm, Boyd's height making both women beside him look smaller than they actually were. The team walked slowly out the bar, the cold night air hitting them sharply making all three women snuggle up closer to the men they were with.
"Spencer, make sure she gets home safe." Boyd saying it even though he knew Spencer would take Stella home and make sure she was safe.
"Of course, boss." Spencer locking eyes with Boyd as he spoke.
The group made their way to the road and Spencer hailed passing taxis, one finally stopping and Boyd insisting Spencer and Stella took it. Eve used her free arm to hail the next taxi, Boyd making sure both women were inside before he got in. He didn't think twice as he gave his address, Eve looking at him with a slight quirk to her eyebrow. Boyd returned the look, daring her to challenge him but she didn't, she just sat back and shifted so she was flush against his side. Frankie was slumped against him, a huge grin on her face as he put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her head.
By the time the taxi stopped at Boyd's house both women were asleep, or at least Frankie was. Eve was bleary-eyed but not quite asleep. Paying for the taxi Boyd managed to get Frankie out the taxi and up the stairs to his house, passing Eve the keys since his arms were full of Frankie. Eve opened the door and they all staggered inside, Boyd finding the light switch before anyone fell over.
"Come on, bed." Boyd's voice sounding loud in the quiet hallway.
Eve just looked at him, knowing fine well there was only one bed in the whole house, even though it had at least three bedrooms. Boyd ended up asking Eve for help halfway up the stairs, Frankie's legs completely giving up attempting to keep her up. Between them they got her upstairs and into the bedroom, depositing her on the bed. Boyd went to his drawers and pulled out a faded blue t-shirt and a pair of shorts, passing them to Eve.
"Go get changed, I'll get this one into bed." Boyd indicting to passed out Frankie on the bed.
Eve never spoke just took the clothes and heads out the room. When she came back she was carrying her clothes, all neatly folded up with her shoes on top. Frankie was tucked up in the centre of the huge bed, leaving space both sides of her for more people.
"If you're uncomfortable then I'll sleep downstairs." Giving Eve the option.
"Boyd were all drunk to some level. Your girlfriend, my best friend, is passed out and will be between us. And I'm not having you complain of a bad back next week. Go to bed." Eve yawing as she climbed in the bed on Boyd's side.
Boyd went and switched the light off before walking around to Frankie's side and climbing in beside her. Even drunk Frankie sensed Boyd and moved to drape her body over his, Boyd cuddling her as he closed his eyes.
"Night, Boyd." Eve yawned as she rolled over and comfortable.
"Night Eve." Boyd realising just how absurd that actually sounded as he lay in his own bed.
Frankie had changed how Boyd looked at the world, how he saw things on both a professional and personal level. It was late, and he was too drunk to even fathom how his life had reached the point where sleeping in his own bed with more than one woman, one being his girlfriend the other his co-worker, had started to become normal. He was sure Grace would have a very insightful view on the whole matter if she ever found out, which he hoped she never did. Boyd feel asleep imagining the conversation about personal space and how Boyd thought of his role in the unit.
Boyd was surprised to wake to the smell of coffee filtering through the house, and Frankie still asleep beside him. Eve, it had to be. With some difficult,y he managed to extract himself from Frankie's grip and get out of bed. When he joined Eve in the kitchen he could help but laugh, the sight only slightly less bizarre than Eve being in his bed.
"Coffee is made. Bacon will be a couple of minutes, sausages and eggs are done. Toast is in." Eve standing flipping the bacon over in the frying pan as she spoke.
"I have no idea what the hell to say. I am concerned about when this became normal, Eve." Boyd Walking over to the bench and picking up his coffee cup.
"Frankie still asleep?" Eve glancing behind Boyd to see if Frankie was following behind him.
"Yeah, she celebrated a little hard again last night. How are you feeling?" Knowing Eve had knocked back a fair few drinks as well.
"Absolutely Fine. I didn't get that dunk. What about you? Them whiskeys went from singles to trebles rather quickly." Eve knowing as she had bought him at least two trebles.
"Mouth like a sewer but other than that great. You sleep okay?" Taking the toast from the toaster as it popped up.
"Considering I yet again smell like you, I slept well. We have a very bizarre friendship, Boyd." Passing Boyd a plate full of breakfasts as she dished up her own onto another plate.
"We do, just don't ask Grace to evaluate it." Boyd taking the plate and going to sit at the table.
Eve followed behind him and sat opposite, both of them silent as they ate.
"You waking Frankie up after this?" Eve asking after a couple of minutes.
"I could drop you home first, leave her to sober up a bit more." Boyd taking a bite of his toast as he watched Eve consider her options.
"I'm not in a hurry. I was going to the body farm today to check on Mike and the team but that's it." Eve Knowing Boyd has a slight fascination in the farm that he would never admit to.
"Speaking of Mike, how is he?" Boyd smirking as Eve stopped eating and glared at him.
"Piss off, Boyd. I get enough of that from Frankie." Picking up her coffee and taking a drink. "He's a colleague, that's it." Eve not really wanting to have this conversation so early in the morning.
"Frankie was my colleague, both times. You're my colleague." Finishing the last bite of bacon before placing his cutlery on the empty plate.
"You are, but I have absolutely no desire to have sex with you." Eve wondering how the conversation had got this far.
"I should fucking hope not." A very gravelly voice making both Boyd and Eve look to the kitchen doorway.
"Morning, Frankie. Breakfast and coffee." Eve getting up from the table and going to get Frankie her breakfast.
Frankie padded barefoot into the kitchen, taking going to take a seat beside Boyd at the table. Eve appeared carrying a plate full of food and a steaming cup of coffee.
"How the hell are you two so, so alive?" Frankie groaning as she looked at the plate of food.
"We didn't get smashed last night, you on the other hand did." Eve pointing out the obvious as she took both her cup and Boyds to refill them.
"It's my birthday, and I know you were both drunk as well. Christ, why do I keep doing this to myself?" Frankie asked as picked up her coffee and started to sip the hot liquid.
"Because you enjoy it, and so does everyone else." Eve telling her friend as she returned from the kitchen carrying fresh coffee for herself and Boyd.
Eve put the cups down on the table and went to stand behind Frankie, wrapping her arms around her shoulders she hugged her friend.
"Happy official birthday, Frankie." Eve kissing her friends head as she gave her a quick squeeze.
"Thanks, Eve." Tilting her head towards Eve as Eve cuddled her. "Eve, if you don't want to shag my boyfriend why do you smell exactly like him?" Frankie looking across at Boyd as she asked Eve the question.
"Oh, sod off Frankie. You can see I'm wearing his clothes, and I yet again slept in your bed, on his side. I do not want to shag Boyd, that's all up to you, Sorry Boyd." Evil grinning at Boyd as she let go of Frankie and sat back down.
"That's okay, I have to admit you're not my type either, Eve." Boyd taking a drink of his coffee as he watched Frankie start to eat her breakfast.
"So you never even considered it?" Frankie looking straight at Boyd as she chewed a piece of sausage.
Boyd choked on his coffee and Eve just sat grinning like an idiot.
"What the fuck makes you ask that?" Boyd having that deer in headlights look on his face.
"Well, Eve has stopped over twice now, in your bed no less. Last time she was nearly naked, we both were. And you never thought about it?" Frankie Knowing she wasn't playing fair but enjoying the look on his face a little too much.
"I am not having this conversation, not now, not ever. Eve is just Eve, even in black lace underwear." Remembering what Eve was wearing when she had been in his bed that first time.
It was Eve's turn to start laughing now.
"He went there, if only briefly." Eve looking at Frankie as she spoke.
"Oh yeah, he went there." Frankie giving Boyd that impish cheeky grin as she saw his turn a lovely shade of red.
"For fuck sake. Eve, next time you're pissed I'm dropping you home, or you get the settee. I'm going for a shower." Putting his cup on the table and going to stand up.
Both women watched him leaving before bursting out laughing.
"You really are evil, Frankie. Poor bloke is traumatised now. He'll never let me stop over again now." Still laughing as she saw Frankie laugh.
"I'll make it up to him, somehow." Knowing she did have to kiss and make up with him. "Back in a minute." Frankie getting up from the table and following in the direction Boyd has went.
Frankie caught Boyd just as he went to enter the bathroom, taking his hand and pulling him to her. Standing on her tiptoes she kissed him, her hands going to his neck and head to hold him in place. When they broke apart Frankie rested her head on his chest as she hugged him.
"You know I was just winding you up." Frankie looking up at Boyd as she settled back to her normal height.
"That was unfair, especially in front of Eve. Even if I did briefly picture a threesome last time." His comment earning him a sharp dig to the ribs. "You started it, evil woman. Truce?" Brushing Frankie hair off her face as he saw her smile.
"Truce." Frankie agreed, reaching up for one last kiss before she let him go.
Frankie joined Eve in the kitchen as Eve cleaned up after breakfast.
"Did you kiss and make up?" Eve grinning as Frankie smiled.
"Of course. You want me to take you home or the farm?" Knowing Eve had mentioned checking in at the farm.
"The farm. You think it would be acceptable to turn up in Boyd's clothes?" Looking down at what she was wearing.
"Give Mike something to think about and Oggie." Frankie evil grinning again as she mentioned Mike.
"Shut up, Frankie." Eve ignoring her comment as she dried her hands on the tea towel.
"I'll go get a quick shower and drop you off at the farm. You know where everything is." Frankie leaving Eve in the kitchen as she went to get a quick shower and get ready.
Frankie was washed and ready in less than twenty minutes, her hair still damp from the shower.
"Come on then." Sticking her head around the living door and seeing Eve sat with Boyd drinking coffee.
"Thanks for last night, Boyd, and the clothes. I'll drop them back off next week." Eve said as she put her empty cup on the table and stood up.
"You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow bright and early." Boyd not getting up but turning to look at Eve as she headed for the door.
"Bright and early. Bye, Boyd." Eve stopping at the living door and looking back at Boyd.
"Bye, Eve." Boyd Watching Eve leave the room.
When Frankie returned from dropping Eve off Boyd was lay on the settee watching sports. Frankie joined him, lying down beside him as he shifted to make room for her.
"Thank you for last night. I know it wasn't your thing." Frankie voice a mere whisper against Boyd's arm.
"Glad you had fun, but I'm not doing it again in a hurry." Kissing the top of Frankie's head as spoke.
"You're never too old to party, Boyd." Frankie yawning as she snuggled closer to Boyd.
Boyd didn't answer, just hugged Frankie as she fell asleep while he watched the sport.
