Life has been pretty crazy over the Summer but now I have a little break so I'm hoping to catch up with reading and writing fic. Thank you for the feedback and the prompting.

Title: If You Go Down in the Woods Today

Pairings: Unknown at this point but probably Grace and Boyd

Summary: Team Bonding

Rating: K+

Spoilers: up to and including season seven.

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If You Go Down In The Woods Today

Part Six

Tom practically bounded as he led the team through the forest to the open clearing. Even the lack of enthusiasm from the group couldn't dampen his spirits.

Spencer groaned as he half stumbled over another log, his hand colliding with Eve's backside as he tried to right himself. "Sorry. You know there are so many other things we could be doing with our Sunday morning."

Eve turned and grinned at him. "Really? You aren't usually so enthused about my Body Farm."

He shot her a look that told her in no uncertain terms that wasn't foremost on his mind.

"I'm actually starting to miss the smog," he grumbled.

"Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Marks and Spencer's sandwiches," Stella moaned beside him.

"A long hot shower."

"Seriously, you two need to get out more," Eve interjected, thoroughly enjoying their foray into the open countryside, carefully stepping over a fallen branch. "There's really nothing like 6am on a Sunday morning with not a single soul for miles."

"Unless they're dead," Spencer offered, his lips barely quirking up into a grin.

Grace and Boyd brought up the rear, their thoughts centred anywhere but on the activity ahead. Briefly and discreetly she would glance sideways, smiling as she remembered the brush of his lips against hers. Turning away, embarrassed, almost as quickly.

Gently and as if by accident his fingers brushed hers and he suddenly felt like a teenager again. Remembering the others he would shift position, creating a gap between them until he naturally gravitated back towards her.

The rest of the team continued to stride ahead, oblivious to the 'fuzzy' moments behind them. Their whines continued as they reached the clearing and came to a halt.

"Right then, today's challenge," Tom announced with a smile, clapping his hands together. "Involves a little orienteering."

"Map reading?" Spencer asked sarcastically.

Tom shot him a wounded look.

"Looks like it's down to us, Boyd," Spencer continued unabated. "God knows where Stella and Grace may take us." He jumped voluntarily as Stella's boot made contact with his calf.

Boyd glanced hesitantly at Grace and kept his mouth shut. He was no longer sure how much he could get away with or how little would screw up the fragile connection they were building. Besides he had too much fun watching Spencer dig a hole for himself.

"Although, I suppose at least we might end up . . ."

Tom cleared his throat, "So . . . I'm going to give each team a map and a compass. As you work your way along the route you'll see the control markers. Grab a ribbon and move on," he explained. "It's a pretty mixed ramble, a few tranquil woodland paths and a little uphill scramble for you. Should take between two and three hours, at which time I'll be waiting in the pub. Now are you all familiar with navigation, using the maps and compass?"

"Yeah, no problem."

"That's good, Spencer. Let's hope you're as good at taking instruction. Eve, you're group leader. Off you go."

Eve took the map and compass and set off at pace, leaving Spencer to glance around the remaining group before setting off after her.

"Stella, you're the other group leader." He smiled at Boyd. "I trust you and Grace will . . ."

Grace placed a hand on Boyd's arm, lightly digging in her fingers. "We'll be fine."

He glanced down at her hand and pulled a face.

"Lead the way, Stella," Grace instructed, leaving her hand firmly where it was.

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The one saving grace of the day was the weather. The rain that Tom had predicted over breakfast had so far remained at bay, the grey clouds drifting in the distance. The so called tranquil paths involved fallen branches and overgrown bushes, the route apparently having not been used for some time while the uphill scramble led to long water breaks and Boyd mumbling an endless stream of expletives. Thankfully Grace had found new ways of calming him.

Stella turned around and rolled her eyes. It was becoming par the course for the little exercise that her boss kept disappearing, taking Grace with him. She wasn't sure how it made her feel, not sick exactly, nor uncomfortable, no more so than watching Spencer drool over Eve anyway, it was just . . . Strange. The fact that they both appeared grinning was enough to make her want alcohol. "Grace," she yelled once again, deciding upsetting her was more preferable.

"Coming."

She hoped they weren't, it was an image that unfortunately seemed imprinted on her brain.

"Sorry," Grace said, her cheeks tinged with red. "Boyd got lost."

"Maybe you could draw him a map," she deadpanned, turning back to the trail, mumbling, "Two to three hours, yeah right."

Boyd opened his mouth to say something but Grace's hand lacing with his stopped him. He glanced at her hand and back to her face, grinning.

"At least I know Spence and Eve won't get there before us," Stella offered, glancing back at the map and compass.

"Eve has quite a bit of experience. . ." Grace offered.

"Yeah, guess that's why Spencer's been smiling so much of late," Stella deadpanned. "Oh well, the next little bit is uphill, not so many trees."

Boyd's groan vibrated through the forest.