-0-0-

Well I'm finally writing longer chapters although its taking me longer because I am still recovering from a minor surgery, which should have taken two days to get over. The next chapter is getting a way from me because the two of the have so much to say. Hopefully it will be up at the end of the week at the latest.

-0-0-

It took her another half an hour before she finally made her way through the crowds to speak to him, but he knew she knew he was there, Eve had made sure of that. The half smile she gave him from across the room brought forth a genuine smile of his own, reassurance that whatever she might think she was still his friend. He had raised his hand and then she had disappeared again only to reappear a few minutes later, her eyes finding his above the crowd. The room had suddenly become warm, too confining, too oppressing, but as he turned, ready to bolt, he heard her voice.

"I'm sorry, there's someone I need to say hello to. I'm so glad you enjoyed this evening."

Her voice carried from one group to another as she made platitudes, inching her way until finally she stood before him, wine glass in hand.

"How many of those have you had?" he asked casually by way of his opening gambit, his own pint glass long discarded.

"I haven't been keeping track." Her eyes were a little unfocused, her cheeks a little warm and pink and she could feel a warmth edging its way down her throat. She'd had more than enough. "Good evening Boyd."

"Evening Grace." His smile morphed into a smirk as he took note of the flush of her cheeks and the tell tale sparkle in her eyes.

"I wasn't sure whether you would come or not," she stated matter-of-factly, not in the least inhibited by his proximity, her anger muted only by the alcohol and the fact they were in a room full of strangers.

"Then why did you invite me?" His eyes drifted downwards, avoiding her eyes as fleetingly he wondered if it was some sort of punishment for past misdemeanours.

She shrugged, a little annoyed with him already and they had barely spoken. "The book, Boyd. It took me ten years to write it, ten long years of sitting in that damn interview room with murderers, psychopaths and you."

Boyd wasn't entirely sure what to make of being bundled together with the dregs of society but he thought it best to keep his mouth firmly closed, lest she become offended and decide to quantify why.

"Tonight is because of everything we did at the cold case unit. I wanted you all to be here."

"Is it any good?" he asked, holding up the book and giving her a crooked smile, hoping against hope that making light of the situation was the right thing to do.

"Read it and find out," Grace countered, downing the rest of the wine and moving to lean against the wall at his side. He was irritating her and they had only been talking for a few minutes, sooner or later they would as if by rote be at each others throats. Better, she mused, to walk away now.

"Ah, Grace."

She rolled her eyes and shrugged. "It won't kill you. Look, I'm going to get another drink and talk to people who actually want to be here." She made to walk away, knowing that he wouldn't let her go that easily. Or would he, after all she had let him walk out the door, or rather in his case run for the airport.

He groaned and reached for her arm. "Don't be like that. You know what I'm like at things like this." She had frequently told him exactly what he was like, never holding back, her turn of phrase at times not unsuited to a builders yard. He much preferred when it was the two of them.

"I do," she replied quietly, lifting her head to look at him. "But this is important to me."

There was something in the uncertainty of her voice that chastised him sufficiently for him to release her arm. "I'm sorry."

Grace couldn't suppress the grin that tweaked at the corner of her lips. "Wow. An apology?"

"I'm not going to make a habit of it." Boyd gave her a small grin, before hesitantly asking, "What are you doing after this finishes?" There was a fight in their future, it was inevitable, but he had decided as he watched the uncertainty about her accomplishments rear it's head again that they needed to talk further. If they fought so be it but at least they could clear the air and salvage something from twelve years of friendship. And he would feel better and he really needed to feel better.

"Calling a cab and going home to bed."

He arched an eyebrow, a mischievous gleam in his eye, a reflex action, flirting with her so much easier than talking about things that were important.

"No, that wasn't an invitation." Grace shook her head. A year ago she would have jumped for joy at the prospect of being one of his women, but he hadn't made the offer and she had spent months realising that he would never seriously consider her in that way, that one drunken kiss would be the only thing they ever shared.

"How about we get some food? Talk about life post cold cases, or not," he corrected at the sudden look of sadness that paralysed her features, his own grin fading.

"And pretend that you didn't drop out of my life for over a year?" she hissed, instantly regretting allowing her emotion to get the better of her.

Inwardly he groaned, surprised that it had taken so long for her to say it.

"Boyd."

He turned at the sound of his name, said with something bordering on disdain. "Hello Sarah." Unconsciously he raised his shoulders, trying for his usual intimidating posture, as he moved a fraction closer to the petite doctor, in full protector mode.

Grace rolled her eyes, wondering which one she would have to reign in first, not entirely certain that she would even try.

"I need to head off. I've got a early shift tomorrow." She laid one arm across her mothers shoulders. "Do you need a lift home?"

Grace glanced up at him, a small smile gracing her lips. "I think I'll be fine."

"Oh dear god," her oldest child muttered. They were flirting again. "Really?"

"Sarah."

"A group of us are going to grab a Chinese. I'll make sure she gets home in one piece," Boyd announced, oblivious to the silent staring competition taking place in front of him. "You don't need to worry."

"Yeah, like that's going to happen." Her mother had been hung up on him for as long as she knew. He'd hurt her once and her mother was in no state to protect herself. "I'll call you tomorrow after my shift." Lightly she kissed her mother's cheek and shot him a look that was meant to kill but was like water off a ducks back, before walking off.

"Still doesn't like me, then?" he commented wryly with a grin as Sarah turned one last time and shot him another glare.

"You share certain qualities in common." She leaned further against the wall. "A group of us are going out?"

He shrugged. "I thought she might have the urge to ground you if she found out it was just me and you."

She nodded, only too aware of the lecture that she would receive the following day. "You are probably right. I need to say some goodbyes."

"I'll wait here."

"Or you could go speak to Eve and Spence," she suggested, her head tilting slightly, a hint of a smile on her lips. "He's not nearly as mad at you as you think."

Boyd arched an eyebrow. "Not nearly as mad?"

Grace shrugged nonchalantly as timidly her fingers toyed with the sleeve of his jacket. "Maybe if you phoned once in a while, took him out for a pint." Of course there was so much more to it than that, so much more that she had carefully smoothed over, and a whole slew of things that Spencer knew nothing about. "Try starting with hello and how have you been." Lightly she patted his shoulder before heading across the room.

His eyes followed her, his thoughts drifting to the last time she had walked away and he dropped his head to the ground. She had every right to hate him, to judge him for his last action but time and again she forgave him. This time he promised it would be the last.