Title: Anniversaries and Other Disasters, part 4

By: lbc

This concludes the story.

Three weeks . . . the undercover assignment lasted three weeks, but in the end, the animals who had been preying on homosexual couples were under arrest, and the wide spread organization was broken up.

William Bodie and Paul Stuart had worked well together, under difficult circumstances, but now the assignment was done - - the two men could return to their normal duties. For Paul Stuart it was simply a matter of going to his flat and starting the next day working solo. For William Bodie, it was much more complicated. He had to mend fences with a certain moody, snarky, curly-haired, slender urchin who Bodie loved to distraction and had hurt in some way that he did not understand.

Finished with his report on the recent undercover case, Bodie left headquarters, breathing a sigh of relief. He had been given two days leave, and he intended to spend the time, in the company of the person he loved best - - if the bionic Golli would have him. He smiled with the knowledge that just being with Ray Doyle made life better.

The tired ex-Para would have been less elated if he had known that his partner, instead of doing the usual duty in Records or on an obbo, was sitting in a CI5 interrogation area, questioning one of the many individuals involved in the efforts to humiliate homosexual couples and even injure them if they "failed to get the message".

Ray Doyle was hearing some really grim information as one individual spilled his guts about others who were involved, in hopes of a lesser sentence. Having been a copper for several years, Doyle had heard and seen worse . . . much worse, but then what he had been exposed to then had not contained graphic memories of his partner's intimacy with another CI5 operative. Both CI5 men had been doing their jobs, but it wasn't easy for Ray Doyle to hear the details about the man he loved.

The interrogation was finally finished. Cowley had taken all of the "revealing" photos away. They had been used to blackmail various couples and among the graphic photos were ones showing the supposed affair between Stuart and Bodie. Doyle's stomach had churned when he saw the photos, but he had remained professional and somehow made it through the questioning.

It was very late at night and yet Doyle did not feel like going to his flat. His mind was in chaos. He knew that Bodie had done nothing that Doyle himself had not done, on orders from Cowley, except that that had been with a female agent. Doyle was exhausted. He decided to bed down at headquarters since he always kept extra clothing there. He couldn't face the drive or the possibility that Bodie would try to see him. He readily admitted to himself that he was being stupid, but he also recognized that he was still heart sore from the hurt, inflicted over their anniversary and no matter what else he told himself, seeing those pictures had hurt.

Doyle only slept a few hours, though he was exhausted. As he lay on one of the single beds, set aside for agents his green eyes stared into the darkness. He knew that he had made too much of the partners' fourth anniversary. Bodie didn't pay much attention to things like that. Doyle should have been grateful that Bodie had gone along with the other three anniversaries. They had been good years, but maybe he was trying to tell him something, but didn't know how to approach his sharp-tongued partner.

William Bodie had chosen Linda over himself. If the truth were told, he was still bothered by the piece of wire Bodie had offered, but then he remembered the two figures with Ray and Bodie printed on their chests and the piece of that ribbon. The ribbon kept haunting his mind, until suddenly the slender figure sat straight up in bed - - that ribbon, now he remembered it. Doyle had given Bodie a blue cashmere sweater that matched those brilliant blue eyes. They had joked about it - - how sentimental Doyle was for remembering Bodie's birthday, and yet . . . the crazy sod had kept the ribbon from the gift!

Sighing heavily, Doyle laid back down with his head resting on his arms. A small smile crossed the handsome face as he remembered the grand party that the two of them had had - - all alone as they celebrated Bodie's 33rd. At that time, they didn't need anyone else . . . and then Bodie had to ruin it - - first, with Linda and all those other birds and then with . . . Stuart.

Finally, Doyle's eyelids slid shut and a vague, uneasy sleep arrived. The next morning the curly-haired man quickly showered, ate breakfast and began his seemingly never-ending interrogations of the men involved in the homosexual harassment case. He saw nothing of his partner, but figured that was because Bodie had been stood down in recognition of the weeks of undercover work.

It was a long, lonely day with not even a call from Bodie. Finally, it was time to go home. For one brief second, Doyle contemplated staying overnight again, but by this time, he could not stand to see the interior of CI5 any longer.

His mind, his body, and his emotions seemed drained. He was running on empty so he failed to notice the telltale silver Capri sitting a few spaces from his own gold Capri. Thankfully the lift was working because Doyle wasn't sure if he could even crawl up the stairs as exhausted as he felt.

As the doors to the older model lift opened, however, he saw an absolutely amazing sight. Sitting on the top step of the stairway, with his back to the lift was William Andrew Philip Bodie, and it looked like he had been waiting for a considerable time. As Doyle approached, the handsome man turned around; his face indicating his surprise that Doyle had not used the stairs.

Before Bodie could say anything, however, Doyle demanded, "What you doin' here, mate?"

"Can't a partner come visitin' without a third degree?"

"Oi, that's rich, my son. I haven't heard from you or seen (here Doyle hesitated remembering the pictures that had been on display) you in several weeks."

"Well, you know how an undercover op goes some times? You goin' to keep yappin' or invite me in?"

Doyle opened the door with a grimace on his face that his partner failed to see since he was looking at Doyle's back and amazing bum.

Bodie flopped on the sofa, seemingly enjoying the coolness of the flat. He looked around as casually as possible, but his stomach was churning as he realized that the two porcelain figurines were not to be seen. From the small kitchen Bodie heard Doyle mucking about and then saw the much loved man enter with two cans of lager. Sitting on the steps, waiting for Doyle had been hot work so Bodie was grateful for the gesture, but his mind was still contemplating what Doyle had done with the two figures.

The tension in the room was thicker than some of the "delicacies" that Bodie had tried to make at various times. Doyle slurped his lager while Bodie drank little and watched his partner a lot. Why'd I ever stage a sit in and wait for the moody sod? He's never goin' to forgive me. 'Sides, what did I do that was so bad? I told him that I made a mistake. He's been undercover; he knows how days get all mixed. As the word undercover crossed his mind, Bodie almost groaned out loud. He leaned over, holding his head in his hands.

Doyle's curls bobbed as he looked as his partner. The underhanded sod can't even be honest enough to tell me that he's unhappy with . . . me. Green eyes glared at the bent head. Doyle noticed how long the wavy curls were becoming. Bodie had always maintained a strict military cut, but the recent undercover op had obviously demanded a longer hair fashion. The thought of the undercover op with Bodie and Stuart raised Doyle's blood pressure. He stood up quickly, heading for the bedroom, yelling at the top of his lungs, "Since ya obviously got nothin' to tell me, let yourself out."

Bodie stood just as rapidly, intending to do just that, but he had to regain some of his pride; he couldn't just let that accusation stand. "Oi, you should talk, mate. I told you I got mixed up on the day; I didn't mean to forget our anniversary. You were the one who went off like a bat out of hell . . . and just over some tiny, nothin' piece of wire - - so don't go accusin' me of not tellin' things."

Bodie felt as if he could barely breathe. He was gasping as if he were hyperventilating so tied up in knots was he after his outburst. Heading towards the door, he stopped when he saw the slouched, scrawny figure of Ray Doyle exit the bedroom. Doyle was so pale that even his curls seemed less auburn. The slender body was trembling, but Bodie didn't know if it was from anger or emotion.

"Sunshine . . . I . . . I'm sorry; I'm always sayin' somethin' to hurt ya."

Doyle continued to shuffle towards Bodie. The pain in those magnificent green eyes was so vivid that Bodie felt the hurt all the way across the room. He started towards his friend but stopped mere inches from the shivering body. Fearing Doyle's reaction if Bodie touched him, the ex-merc just stood attempting to give comfort with his facial expression and his soothing words.

"It's all right; Sunshine. Ssssshhh, tell me what is it? What happened? You got to believe me I didn't mean to hurt you with that wire. Please, won't you tell me?"

After a moment, Bodie reached forward and gently put his arm around Doyle's convulsing shoulders. Leading the older man to the sofa, the two sat down with Doyle's body continuing to tremble. Pulling his friend into his arms, Bodie used his other hand to gently caress the shaking body, waiting until Doyle could recover his control.

The two sat like that for several minutes, but finally Doyle whispered the entire story of that horrible day when his brother tied his wrists with wire and locked him in a closet.

"Jesus, Ray, I'm so sorry. I didn't know; forgive me."

For several minutes the shivering went on, but finally Doyle seemed to return to the present. "'M sorry too; wasn't yer fault. Me brother didn't mean to do it, but I just can't seem to forget it. You'd think it would be the dark, but it's always the wire . . . you know, it sort of acts as the trigger. I've tried to fight it, but when you pulled that out of your pocket, it was the same thing all over again. I was six and Danny was shovin' me into the closet. I couldn't help yellin' at you. I don't know how long I yelled that day . . . even with that gag blockin' me."

"And, you were only six? Hell, I don't know how you've done as well as you have."

Incredibly sad green orbs looked into Bodie's sympathetic face. "Wasn't easy. I idolized me big brother, but after that, I stopped followin' after him. Two years later, he was dead in an accident. Never got to tell him how I felt."

Bodie pulled his partner closer, smelling the fresh clean scent of his partner mixed with the well-recognized smell of fear and sweat. "Christ, what a story, and then I add to it by trying to hand you the wire."

Doyle heard the regret in the well-loved voice and that, more than anything helped settle Doyle's thoughts. "S'okay, Bodie. How come you had the wire, anyways?"

For a moment, Bodie remembered the idiocy that had brought on the whole episode, but he had upset Ray enough so he tried to explain. "Well, we had exchanged pad locks and chain links before so I was trying to use the wire to show the bond between us. I was goin' to wrap those figurines with the wire to show you show strong our partnership was."

Bodie dropped his head as he realized how much damage his gesture had done. Instead of pulling away, Doyle pulled his partner closer to him, leaning his forehead against the dishevelled hair. "'M sorry, Bodie. I didn't think; I just reacted. I've missed you, and here I threw the picture, across the room."

Now Bodie looked up; fear in his eyes. Had Doyle destroyed that memory of them? "Was my fault, Sunshine. I was just so scared to be with you before our anniversary that I didn't think . . ."

Doyle pulled away as Bodie realized what he had said. The scrawny body was bristling with anger. "Am I so threatening . . . am I so obnoxious that you don't want to me with me?"

Bodie knew that only the truth would do, and that would probably destroy what remained of their partnership. Trying to hold onto Doyle's hand, Bodie whispered, "No, Angelfish, just the opposite. I wanted to be with you so much that night, instead of Linda, but I was afraid . . . afraid of what I might do. I wanted it to be so great on our anniversary. I had everything planned. I was going to tell you . . . well, I was going to tell you the truth, and then I messed it up. 'M sorry."

Doyle's beautiful face frowned, "Tell me the truth; what you talkin' about?"

Looking directly into the mystified green eyes, Bodie's deep blue ones radiated his feelings for his partner to see. "The truth is Ray that I wanted to celebrate our partnership, but I also wanted to tell you how much I love you."

There was utter silence in the room, except for some heavy breathing then Doyle smiled and laughed gently.

"What's so funny, you berk. Not every day I declare myself like some fool female."

Doyle quickly wiped the smile off his lips, but he raised his hand, gently caressing the beloved face. "Oh Bodie, we are really a pair. The reason I was so upset was that I was hoping to tell you that we were celebratin' two anniversaries that night - - four years of partnership and two years of me lovin' you."

Bodie must have blinked his eyes a hundred times before he said anything. His beautiful, long lashes almost causing a small breeze as they fluttered in surprise. Shyly, almost agonizingly, Bodie whispered, "So you loved me for . . . two years, did ya?"

Doyle's keen ears heard the agony in the question. Looking into the depths of those anguished eyes, he immediately read the reason for his partner's concern. Curls bobbing, he nodded as he replied, "Ta, mate. No doubt about it. I loved you a lot for those years before that night."

The incredible sadness that entered those beautiful blue eyes, immediately made Doyle sorry that he was teasing his partner. Leaning over to nuzzle the luscious lips of his friend, Doyle smiled and said, "Yeah, but it's nothing compared to how much I love you now."

The quirky left eyebrow immediately shot up. "You sure?"

Doyle frowned, "What you natterin' about now? Don't think I know me own mind?"

Bodie pulled the slender man into his arms, "It's not that, Sunshine, but I heard that you been talkin' to some of those sickos on that harassment case. Thought you might be wantin' to ask me about . . . well, about me and Stuart."

The sadness in the blue eyes spoke of such deep insecurity that Doyle held his breath then he dropped his eyes to the attractive chest that blocked most of his sight. Finally, Bodie sighed and raised Doyle's chin. "You did see the picture; dint ya?"

Doyle merely nodded his head. "I was jealous at first, but I told myself that you were doin' your job. I was just so scared that you might have found . . . Stuart, more to your taste - - that's all."

Bodie shook his head. "You, berk. What am I goin' ta do with you?"

Doyle smiled his toothy grin, showing his chipped tooth. Taking his friend's hand, he pulled him towards the bedroom, "Come on, mate; I've got two friends who might give you an idea."

Frowning, Bodie was confused. Two friends? As the two men walked into the bedroom, it was obvious that the bed was its usual less than neat self, but Doyle walked past that to the dresser near by. Sitting on the dresser was a box the size of one that shoes would fit in, lying in the box with a small towel which covered the two figurines that Bodie had left. They were still wrapped in their ribbon, hugging each other tightly.

Bodie laughed. "Well, it seems that your friends certainly know what to do in bed."

Doyle smiled luminously, "Well, they do, do you?" With that question he winked at his soon-to-be lover and began to undress the magnificent body.

Two hands quickly stopped his wrists from doing any more. "Mr. Doyle! . . . . not in front of the children!"

Where upon the gentlemen adjourned to the bed to celebrate their anniversary.

Several hours later, both men lay huddled together, doing an excellent imitation of the smaller Ray and Bodie figures. Ray's auburn curls were lying on Bodie's chest and even though the curls were soaked from the sweat of two exhausting orgasms, Bodie was inhaling the still alluring scents of his lover. Pulling his partner even closer, the ex-merc and "least romantic and sentimental man in the world", whispered in his partner's ear, "Ya know, Ray, that it's really several days past our partnership anniversary?"

Doyle nuzzled Bodie's right nipple, murmuring, "Ta, I'm not a dimwit, Sweet Bum," whereupon his own delicious bum received an appropriate caress.

"I'll, 'Sweet Bum', you; Sugar Lips!"

For the next several minutes two luscious and hungry mouths vied for supremacy over their mate's, but finally order was restored with Doyle taking the initiative as he wrapped the covering around himself.

"Ta, now what was that all in aid of?"

Suddenly, the man whose mere glare could overwhelm homicidal maniacs, was extremely shy as he voiced his idea. "Just thinkin'; maybe yesterday could be the beginning of anniversaries showin' the real beginnin' of our . . . relationship."

Doyle sat staring at his beloved partner for a moment while said partner's heart fell as he saw the doubt in the green orbs. "Don't have to; if you don't want, Sunshine."

Doyle wetted his lips as he asked hesitantly, "You willin' to give up birds, if we do?"

Pretending outrage, Bodie leered at his partner. "You willin' to let me see you, if I do?"

"I will . . . how about Stuart?"

The blue eyes turned cold until he noticed the twinkle in the green eyes. Dragging his partner into his arms, he whispered in Doyle's ear, "You're goin' ta pay for that, Doyle."

"Already have."

"What's that mean?"

"Father was not amused that several extra sets of a certain op's evidence were destroyed in the clean up afterwards."

"What? You destroyed evidence?""

Doyle's handsome face grimaced as he lightly punched his lover's arm. "'Course not, but there is now . . . positively, absolutely only one copy of each print from that op. Cost me a bundle, but it's done."

Bodie smiled affectionately at him. "Never knew you were so fond of me."

"I'm not."

Bodie's eyes dropped. "Oh!"

Raising the gorgeous chin, Doyle looked into the magnetic blue eyes and said, "I'm absolutely, positively, stark-staring crazy in love with you, mate, and if you ever take a look at another man; you're in big time trouble."

"Oh well, that's okay then. We'll have to tell the Cow though."

"Already have." Doyle looked so smug with himself that Bodie couldn't believe it for a moment.

"Without me, there?"

Now Doyle looked slightly guilty. "Well, I was havin' a little bonfire with some photos when the Cow walked in. I had to explain and somehow it came out how I felt about you . . . and so on."

"What'd the old man say?"

"Took it calmly enough, but as he walked out, he said that when the creeps have had their day in court that he expects to receive the same goin' rate for his copies as all the others got!"

"Crikey; you just never know with Cowley!"

"Enough about him. Since you could say that last night was our weddin' night; how about making this the day after?"

"Amen to that, my slender, green eyed beauty!"

As Ray Doyle pulled the duvet over both of them, he giggled in a slightly high voice and said, "Oh, Sweetie Pie, you do say the nicest things! Happy Anniversary to come, my great big, tall, dark, and handsome Angel lips!"

The next several minutes were censored.

The End