Disclaimer: I do not own the copyright for Waking the dead or its characters – all rights belong to the BBC

Content: Season nine spoilers, friendship, angst.

Rating T – angst

So this is this it – the last little piece of Atonement. Thank you so much for sticking with this (sorry it has taken me so long to finish) and for braving a little bit of Boyd and Frankie! I really do hope that you enjoyed it. A special thanks to Joodiff who is definitely my partner in Boyd and Frankie crime and to the entire OHT who are all just legends and will eventually come round to this! Ha! xx

Atonement - Epilogue

Six Months Later

The door to his office swung open breaking into his thoughts and causing him to look up at his intruder. "Oh come in why don't you." He said mordantly.

She gave him a sardonic smile as she threw herself heavily onto his visitors couch.

"So what you want? He shrugged questionably.

"Nothing really. I just had to escape the four walls of my office before I went stir crazy."

"And the best you could come up with was to come in here and stare at my four walls was it?"

"Pretty much - anyway this has an added bonus."

"What's that then?"

"I get to annoy you in the process." She smiled playfully.

He let out an exasperated groan. "Oh great! I take it the reports aren't going well then."

"Yeah you could say that, I just can't seem to get my head around this one."

"There are some very sick people out there Grace. Just when you think you've seen everything someone surprises you in the worse possible way. Actually while you're here …" he continued getting up from his chair and walking towards the door. "… you could do something for me." Suspiciously he looked outside his office making sure that no one was around before firmly closing the door behind him shutting the world outside.

"You alright?" Grace enquired observing his odd behaviour.

"Never better!" He smiled walking back to his desk before opening the top drawer and retrieving a small black box. "Take a look at this would you?" He asked carefully opening the box and handing it to Grace. Inside was displayed a beautiful platinum diamond solitaire ring.

Grace sighed deeply. "Oh Boyd ..."

His face dropped at her tone. "What is it? You don't like it?" He asked nervously.

"No it's beautiful, really it is ... it's just ….."

"Just what?"

"None of my business!"

"No come on Grace, you're my best friend, if you've got a problem I want to know."

"It's not that I have a problem, it's just ….. well are you sure that you are doing this for the right reasons? I mean this isn't some half-baked attempt to atone for the past is it?"

Boyd's features relaxed as he broke into an easy smile. "I'm doing it because I love her Grace. These last six months have been the happiest of my life. Everything has fallen into place and Frankie is a big part of that."

Her smiled widened, joy sparkling in her dark sapphire eyes. "In that case I am very happy for you ... for both of you." She replied throwing her arms around him and laughing deeply at his surprise towards her affectionate embrace.

"She hasn't said yes yet."

"She will! She'd be a fool not too. And anyway I have it on good authority that she has never been happier either."

"Really?" He questioned. "Who's?"

"Hers!" Grace smiled back.

"Women - you do nothing but gossip do you?" He laughed lightly.

"Yeah well at least now you know you have a half decent chance of not being turned down."

"Was that ever in doubt Grace?"

She rolled her eyes playfully at him. "So when are you going to ask her?"

"Tonight."

"Oh that's exciting!"

"So I have your blessing then?" He asked, his voice carrying a more serious tone.

"Would that matter?"

"Of course it would – what you think is important to me. You know that."

Grace reached up and placed an affectionate kiss on his cheek. "Of course you have my blessing Boyd. I am delighted to see you happy, contented and at peace."

He squeezed her tighter into his embrace. "Thanks Grace. That means a lot." He said placing a kiss gently on top of her head.

The noise of the office door opening startled them, both turning round immediately as Frankie entered the room. "Is there something I should be worried about?" She opened lightly her smile confirming her accusation was not serious.

"Oh he's perfectly safe with me Frankie you don't need to worry." Grace replied slapping Boyd playfully on the chest."

"I know he is Grace, I trust you, but you're the only other woman he is allowed to wrap his arms around." She replied moving to his side.

"Oh I'm glad you two have this all worked out, do I have a say in the matter?" Boyd asked putting his arm around Frankie.

"No!" Both Frankie and Grace answered in unison.

"And on that note I'll leave you both to it. Thanks Boyd." Grace said smiling knowingly at her friend. As she placed her hand on the door to leave Grace couldn't stop the smile from pulling at her lips as she heard him speak.

"I was just about to call you." He said lovingly.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I was just wondering what you were doing tonight?"

"Nothing, why?"

"Oh I thought I'd take you out for dinner - somewhere expensive. You up for that?"

"Definitely, sounds great, what's the occasion?"

"Oh I don't know, I'm sure we'll find some reason or other." He laughed boyishly gently nuzzling her neck.

Frankie giggled against him, "Okay, it's a date then." She replied before reaching to kiss him tenderly.

Boyd gazed at her as contentment flooded his soul. Never had he been surer of anything in his life, there was no way he was ever going to let her go again.

"Good …." He said unable to supress his smile. " … I've a feeling I'm going to enjoy tonight."

Fin