Doyle eyed Bodie with unabashed disbelief. ''My career is over.''
''Might as well join me then eh?''
''Bodie, we are in the middle of a job.''
''Doyle, how exactly are you proposing we do that job? We couldn't even get there on a bike by two. We're stuffed. Cowley's stuffed. Let's have a swim.''
Doyle worried at his bottom lip for a few minutes and then sat down. ''I expect you're right, but Cowley is going to kill us.''
''Eleventh commandment Doyle. He'll have to find out about it first.''
''How are you still alive Bodie?''
''Luck and charm.''
''Should I take my clothes off then?''
''Unless you want to swim in them. In this weather you might appreciate the heat transference.''
''What?''
''Take your bloody clothes off Doyle.''
''Never thought you'd ask'' Doyle attempted tentatively, uncertain of this new understanding.
Bodie had divested himself of his entire wardrobe by this time and he crawled over to Doyle and flopped down beside him under the trees on the still green and cool grass. ''I'm asking'' he said seriously ''take 'em off sunshine.''
''Feel like a bit of a berk with you looking at me like that.''
''Didn't seem to hold you back at the pub.''
''Is that going to be alright between us? What I did?''
''Are you going to pick every little incident to pieces?''
''Probably'' admitted Doyle.
''Look I wasn't happy about it at the time. But if it got us here, who's complaining.''
Doyle had already taken off his jacket. He pulled his t-shirt over his head and then reached for his trainers.
''Saving the best 'til last eh sunshine?'' observed Bodie.
Doyle felt himself blush. Bodie laughed uproariously as the colour flushed through his face. ''No chance of you making this any easier then mate?'' asked Doyle.
''Almost certainly not'' replied Bodie. Doyle reached to undo his belt and peel off his jeans. Bodie watched as Doyle was finally naked before him. Then he frowned, reaching to touch the bruises left by Doyle's fall. There was a welt that didn't seem to fit. ''What's this then?''
''Nothing.''
''Mate I know wounds. That's not nothing and that's not old.''
''Don't get mad okay?''
''Okay.''
''I went back to the pub'' admitted Doyle awkwardly.
''Why?''
''Because I didn't think you'd look at me twice and it helped before.''
''Helped? Letting some unknown bastard do you through the bruises?''
''It might not have been my smartest move.''
''No, it might not have been'' confirmed Bodie looking less than happy.
''You said you wouldn't get cross.''
''What happened then?'' asked Bodie sounding cross.
''I got more than I bargained for that's all.''
''What the bloody hell does that mean Doyle?''
''It means I got more than I bargained for.''
''Doyle...'' warned Bodie.
''Got out back with this guy and he had some mates. Nothing to write home about.''
''And you let them, all of them?''
''I was steaming. I'd had who knows how much to drink, too many pain killers and I was out of my head. I let them do whatever they wanted.''
''And you told the doctor this?''
''Don't be bloody stupid Bodie.''
''Are you alright?''
''Yeah. I am now'' Doyle stopped and looked into the pair of concerned eyes scrutinising him ''I really am now. Come here.''
''Why?''
''Because I want to kiss you and I'm too lazy to move.''
''Oh well so long as there's a reason.''
Bodie closed his eyes for that first kiss. Wanting no distractions. Wanting only to feel. He couldn't help smiling a little. Doyle tasted vaguely of peppermint.
Doyle broke the kiss to look at him unhappily ''No good?''
''Perfect'' sighed Bodie, and then remembered who he was. ''Come on Doyle. Let's get you cooled off.''
''Well that's a new approach'' responded Doyle looking just a little bit smug.
''You have seen nothing yet Raymond my old son.''
''That's nice.''
''What is?''
''Hearing you use my name.''
''Are you going to get gooey eyed at everything I do?''
''I hope so.''
''How okay are you?'' enquired Bodie thoughtfully.
''Fine why?''
''So if I wanted to...you know, after our little swim.''
''What if I wanted to?''
''We could toss a coin.''
''Well I was certainly thinking of...''
''Cheeky...''
Doyle threw himself into the water, revelling in the coolness of it. ''We're going to have to find those keys you know.''
Bodie followed him in. ''Probably turn up in a hundred years time. A rare example of twentieth century workmanship.''
''You don't seem very bothered.''
''Always keep a spare set.''
''On you?''
''In the glove box.''
''Oh very secure.''
''Is this going to be my life from now on? Hearing you nag?'' asked Bodie.
Doyle stood up in the water and Bodie followed his lead, worried he'd gone too far. Doyle looked quietly serious and Bodie's stomach knotted. ''From now on Bodie?''
''Forget I said it.''
Doyle stepped forward ''What if I don't want to forget it?''
''What if...what?'' stumbled Bodie.
''What if I don't want to forget it?'' repeated Doyle. ''What if I like the sound of it? Would that be okay?''
