Epilogue.
"Tim!"
For Tim Raynard getting accosted by CI5 agents was becoming something of a regular part of the school day. This time however he didn't mind nearly so much as he laid eyes on the tall figure striding confidently towards him with the merest hint of a smile.
"Mr. Bodie!" he said with a degree surprise as the imposing figure came to a stand still before him, "Where's Mr. Doyle?"
Bodie's smile spread wider, his eyes twinkling in amusement,
"Mr. Doyle," he began with exaggeration, "Is talking to the headmaster."
Tim nodded, he didn't need to ask what it was about. He could guess.
"How are you feeling?" he tried instead. Bodie nodded,
"Much better. Thanks to you."
Tim gazed down at his feet, embarrassed.
"Oh - well - you know," he shrugged, "If they hadn't called me - ," Tim let the rest of the sentence hang, "I think they were really worried about you."
"I can have that effect on people," the older man replied dryly.
Tim blinked up at him. If there was one thing that he knew about himself, then it was that he was never going to be a 'Bodie.' His strengths lay more in studies, political activism and theology, still, part of him envied the action-man lifestyle, dangerous though it was. He and Doyle lived out every boy's childhood fantasy, and although he'd seen first hand the sort of danger it could bring with it, he couldn't help but continue to be in awe of them.
"Thanks all the same," Bodie continued, sensing the need for something to fill the silence. Tim nodded, looking away shyly. Bodie began to cough,
"Always the last thing to go isn't it?" the boy ventured quietly.
"So I've noticed."
From across the quad there was the sound of doors banging open and Doyle strode into view, stalking across the sunlit pavement towards them, shades firmly in place, one hand in his pocket, the epitome of cool. As he drew level with the pair he paused, resting one elbow casually on Bodie's shoulder,
"All right Tim?" he questioned. The boy nodded,
"Yes thank you. I take it everything's all right here as well? Politically I mean. I take it the Sultan never got wind of what went on. That's why they called you in instead of the drugs squad. International relations, things like that."
Bodie exchanged a look with his partner,
"He's good," he muttered. Doyle grinned,
"Fancy a job when you get out of this place?"
Bodie adopted a look of mock horror,
"Don't listen to him! Run!"
Tim grinned, enjoying watching the pair bounce off one another,
"I think I'll stick to academics for now thanks," he laughed before adopting a more serious expression, "How - ," he hesitated, taking a deep breath, "How are Paula and the others?"
"They'll be all right in the long-run," Doyle informed him simply,
"First offences, signs of remorse. Judge might be lenient," Bodie continued.
"And Mr. Morgan?"
There was a long silence.
"Not such a good out-look for him," Bodie answered, sensing Doyle tense angrily at the name.
Tim blinked,
"Right," he took in the information for a second before looking up with a smile and shrugging, "Oh well, never liked theology anyway."
Both men chuckled, the class warning bell interrupting them sharply. Tim sighed,
"I'd better be going."
Bodie and Doyle nodded. As students began to stream through the area, a stampede of hormones and excited chatter Tim turned towards them,
"It was good to see you both again," he called. The pair simply nodded their goodbyes, watching as he was swallowed up by the tidal wave of students.
"Nice kid," Bodie commented. Doyle stood next to him quietly, his thoughts following the same line. Eventually Bodie sighed, clapping his partner across the shoulders and rubbing his hands together eagerly, "You buying this time?"
"Yeah all right. How much does an orange juice cost these days?""
Bodie deflated visibly,
"Orange juice?"
"Yeah," Doyle replied innocently, as if the idea was nothing out of the ordinary, "You are still on anti-biotics. It's orange juice or nothing. Come on."
He turned and headed for the car, leaving a despondent Bodie standing behind him in the sun.
"Ray!" he whined child-like. Doyle was having none of it,
"Come on!"
Bodie let loose a long-suffering sigh and threw his eyes skywards. He'd changed his mind, forget living dead, forget awful, forget better. What he wanted to feel was drunk. Still, he grinned, there was always the orange juice and vodka trick. Oh yes. Somehow he got the feeling that the evening wasn't going to be a total waste after all.
"Bodie!"
"Coming."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
So there we have it. Done and dusted. The end of my first trip into the world of CI5. I hope it was acceptable for all. A thousand thank you's to my reviewers, you were all inspiring with your encouragement!
I've got a couple of new ideas floating around in my head for the boys…so maybe you'll see me back here in the not too distant future!
Until then, give me one last review to make me happy!