Author's note:- None episode based but there's likely to be occasional mention of events in the first few series. I love the idea of Grace being given a challenge by her peers that could make things very difficult and if a little, or in this case quite a lot, of smut can get thrown in it can only make it better! Rated for adult themes, sexual content and all the usual stuff. I own nothing.
Ladies who Lunch Ch4/?
"We're here to help. Mel and Frankie said they had what you needed covered but I'm not having that. If you need help I can do it as well, if not better, than they can." Boyd said firmly holding up a bottle of whiskey and two bottles of wine. "I brought decent booze I heard them say they were bringing it but I bet it's cheap crap they've brought."
"Grace I'm sorry I swear this wasn't my idea and I tried to talk him out of it." Spence said apologetically stepping inside seeing Boyd disappear into Grace's living room. "I only came because I told him there was a distinct possibility that you'd kill him and if that looked likely I thought I might be able to get him off side quickly."
"Kill him? Damn right I'm going to kill him and if you plan on stopping me you better be really quick or just stay out of my way." Grace snapped back slamming the door the irrational anger she felt surprising her. Who the hell did he think he was just turning up assuming he was the answer to any problem she might have?
"Grace don't he's just worried about...you." Spence groaned as she ignored him and stalked after Boyd.
"Boyd I want you to leave. I don't need your help. I have all the help I need right here and tonight is strictly a..."
"A what? I saw how you looked earlier something's wrong and these two..." Boyd continued waving his hand in the direction of Mel and Frankie. "Wouldn't tell me what it was. They just said they were dealing with it and I told them I could help with anything you needed..."
"And I told you not this time Boyd." Frankie sighed seeing Spence look at the scene around him and knew he knew there was nothing seriously wrong. It was exactly what any guy would assume a quiet night in for their female friends would be like.
"And I told you every time Frankie."
"You're being an idiot Boyd she doesn't need you to ride in on your white charger for god's sake." Mel added "You can be such a caveman at times."
"Boss I think you might have overreacted a bit I don't think Grace needs us hanging around she..."
"No she doesn't now bugger off will you we were just starting to enjoy ourselves." Frankie snapped.
"I'll decide if it's time to go or if I've overreacted I want to..."
"Shut up! All of you!" Grace shouted the volume of her voice making them all freeze and stare at her. "She is still in the room you know. Jesus just when I thought my day was actually looking up. I don't need a protection squad and that goes for you two as well Mel and Frankie. I'm quite capable to telling Boyd he's being a chauvinistic ass myself thanks."
"For the last time I'm not being an ass!" Boyd interrupted ignoring the fact his three younger colleagues had had the sense to sink back into their seats, Mel and Frankie sipping on their wine and Spence looking like a freak earthquake would be a welcome distraction.
"Yes you are. I shouted at you this morning and it has worried you because you knew something was bothering me and I didn't tell you. You're right there was but you just pushed me at the wrong moment but this isn't something you can help with. Mel and Frankie..."
"Unless it's about fucking periods or wombs or..."
"Boyd don't be so bloody crass." Grace snapped shaking her head in disbelief. This wasn't happening. He wasn't standing there. Her night was still going to plan. Yeah like that level of delusion was ever going to work. "Sometimes you make me so mad it's ridiculous. Why can't you just listen when I tell you you're not needed for this particular...look ok I'm researching a paper for a lunch thing in a couple of weeks but it's really not a topic you can help with. Leave, let me, Mel and Frankie get on with our evening and I'll meet you for lunch tomorrow if you want since you seem to have suddenly decided you're doing weekends."
"What can it possibly be about that we can't help with too? You three are accusing me of being chauvinistic but it strikes me that you're the one being sexist. You think if it's something sensitive or touchy-feely me and Spence can't be just as useful as them?"
"I am not being sexist!" Grace replied as Frankie and Mel exchanged a glance that wasn't lost on Spence. Things were about to kick off.
"This could get really scary." Mel whispered.
"Or really interesting." Frankie whispered back. Neither of their colleagues reacted well to being challenged especially by the other. The next few minutes would result in one of two things. Either Grace would throw Boyd out or he'd goad her into telling him everything and then who knew what would happen.
"Yes! You are! Seriously what even is this lunch?" Boyd shouted back as Grace paced the room grabbing her wine glass and draining it.
"It's my annual "women in psychology" lunch I go every year and..."
"Oh well that says it all "women in psychology" see totally sexist there's no way we couldn't help you just..."
"You really want to know?"
"Here we go. Hold on to your hat Spence." Frankie whispered handing him a shot off the tray in front of them which he downed as she and Mel did the same.
"Would I be here if I didn't? You just don't want to tell me because..."
"I have to present a paper on the psychology of sexual fantasy and masturbation." Grace snapped causing Spence to choke on the handful of peanuts he'd just thrown into his mouth as Boyd shook his head.
"Yeah right you're just..."
"Girls?"
"I've seen the email Boyd that's what we were talking about in her office this morning." Mel confirmed as Frankie nodded.
"Still think you can help?
"Yes!" Boyd said firmly standing his ground not sure why he wasn't listening to the booming voice in the back of his head shouting RUN! RUN! RUN! As he stared at her. "What you are only interested in female fantasies? I didn't hear that in the title. Aren't you supposed to have...what do you call it...a representative sample."
"Boyd now you're being ridiculous you do not what to spend the evening listening to us talk about sex anymore than you want to talk to us about what goes through your head when you masturbate you just don't want to back down. We had just said you can't see past us as a team to us as human beings who have desires and..."
"You really think that's the way I look at you all? That somehow they can talk to you because you're a colleague and a friend and I'm just their boss..."
"No! Different people are comfortable with different levels of knowledge about the people in their lives it's ok to not want to know every detail of..."
"Grace let him stay if he wants." Frankie said firmly ignoring the astonished look from Spence and the small smile from Mel. She knew Mel was thinking the same thing she was. Right now Boyd would either run the minute things got to explicit or they may actually finally get to the bottom of the relationship between the two people standing toe to toe in front of them.
"Yeah." Mel added "But the rules for the night have to stay the same. Complete honesty, no awkwardness we're all adults. We've crawled around together in the worst thing one human being can do to another we should be able to talk about anything. If he starts acting all...all Boyd we expect you to throw him out."
Looking around the room for a second Grace sighed smiling as Frankie handed her another shot of blue liquid. How could she say no now without having to explain why? Downing the drink she took a deep breath turning to Boyd again.
"You want to stay? Mel's right those are the rules for the night if you don't think you'll be able to handle that..."
"I can handle that. What is that stuff you're all drinking?" Boyd asked the voice in his head screaming at him that he was mad. He was going to ruin everything. He could not sit a room with the woman he loved and talk about the things he saw when the frustration of never being able to touch her got too much. He couldn't stop himself though as Frankie handed him a shot and he downed it grimacing at the taste. "But if I am I need a decent glass for this scotch that stuff is disgusting."
"Ok then." Grace replied getting him a tumbler from the cabinet. "Spence you don't have to stay for this I won't kill him now and you didn't asked to be dragged into it."
"You know what it might be fun." Spence smiled "Assuming everyone is happy with me staying."
"Only if you stick to the rules or I'll throw you out too if you don't."
"I'll stick to the rules."
"Good." Mel smiled "Now we have a real party and you should easily be able to get all the information you need for your lunch Grace."
"Umm hopefully." Grace replied handing glasses to Boyd and Spence before leaving the room to get more snacks.
"We what do you reckon then? Very scary or very interesting?" Spence asked why Boyd followed her to hang his and Spence's coats up in the hall.
"Very interesting." Frankie and Mel both said laughing at their joint reply as they settled back for what they were now sure was going to be a very entertaining evening.