George Clooney
By
Rapunzle1980
One Saturday evening at the Cold Case Unit
Doctor Grace Foley looked up from the report she was just about to finish when there was a knock on her office door. This late in the evening on a Saturday – the clock had just gone nine – there were only two possible people who would come to her office. One of those two was still in his office bent over a report of his own. Which only left one other person who seemed to have no social life, very much like herself.
"Eve," she smiled as the younger woman came into her office. "Have you finished up for the evening?" Grace quickly wrote down the last few words of her report, saved the document before closing the program, and eventually turned off the computer.
The forensic pathologist sat down on the couch, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. "This has been a hell of a week, Grace," she rasped. "I`m not sorry to see it end."
Grace smiled, then noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye. Boyd had evidently caught a glimpse of Eve entering her office. "I might have just the thing to help with that," she said as she found a bottle of red and two glasses. "A glass before we go home for the evening?"
"I really shouldn't," Eve said, but her hand was extended, waiting for the glass. "I`m already too tired."
"Have a glass or two, take a cab home and forget about the case and everything else for a few hours. That's what I`m planning on doing," Grace grinned. "Actually, I believe I have a date tonight."
Eve sat up, her eyes large and curious as she looked at the older woman, taking a sip of the wine as Grace seated next to her on the couch. "Do tell, Grace!"
"Oh, it`s nothing that exciting," the older woman said with a mischievous smile. "Channel 4 is showing a George Clooney film this evening. I`m planning to have a drink, heat up some leftovers, watch the film…"
"Watch Mr Clooney, you mean," Eve teased, knowing full well about Grace`s fondness for the American actor.
"That too," Grace agreed with a wide smile and a soft chuckle. "And then I`m going to bed. And I`m not planning on getting up until late tomorrow, no alarm clock to wake me at an ungodly hour."
"So, Grace," Eve said as she took a swallow of the wine. "What would you do if Mr Clooney showed up here, or at your place, then?"
Grace laughed. "Eve, he's far too young for me." She leaned back on the couch and closed her eyes for a few moments. "First of all, I would wonder what on earth he was doing here, if he showed up at the CCU. If he showed up at my place… Now, that is an entirely different scenario all together. If he shows up at my place tomorrow, don't expect me to be back here before… Well, probably not at all, come to think of it," she grinned at Eve. The two women laughed, not noticing the man standing in the doorway.
"Going somewhere, Grace?" a deep baritone asked, making them both look up.
"Grace just told me that if George Clooney was to show up at her door tomorrow, we wouldn't get to see her anymore," Eve chuckled, getting up from the couch. "Well, I need to get going. Thanks for the wine, Grace. And enjoy your date tonight."
Grace saluted her with her glass of wine, smiling at the other woman. "Have a nice weekend, Eve. What`s left of it, anyway."
"Same to you, the both of you," Eve said as she passed Boyd on her way out.
Boyd walked into Grace's office, taking seat on the couch Eve had just left, extending his hand towards her glass. She gave it to him without a word, her eyes watching him as he took a sip, wondering what was going on inside his head. He seemed preoccupied with something.
"You all right, Boyd?" she asked as soon as she knew Eve was out of earshot.
"You have a date?" he asked quietly, dark hazel eyes looking back at her.
Grace chuckled. "Yes, I have."
"Who with?"
She studied him more thoroughly, noticed how the hand holding the glass of wine seemed to tighten around it. Not enough to break the glass, but it wouldn't withstand the force if Boyd tightened his grip further.
"His name is George," she told him, reaching out to reclaim the glass as well as refill it. "He is exceptionally handsome, striking blue eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. His hair and beard give him a distinguished, almost timeless look that has only enhanced his attractiveness as he`s aged."
"You`ve known him long, then?" he enquired, his voice sounded strange, like he had to force the words out. "I bet he's short."
Grace had to hide her smile, lifted the glass of wine and had another sip. "He`s approximately five feet and eleven inches, I believe, and has a well-proportioned, athletic build. Oh, and that smile of his! It`s just so infectious and warm."
Boyd made a sound close to a growl deep in his throat as he took her glass from her again. "I wouldn't trust him, Grace. Men like that usually only want one thing."
"Really?"
"Yeah," he nodded as he emptied the glass. "Plus, I bet he's as interesting as watching paint dry."
"Actually, he's charming and has a witty personality, and he's really quick with a quip," she said as she rose from the couch, taking the glass from him again and picking up the one Eve had left on the floor next to the couch. "At least, that's what I've read in a magazine."
"Excuse me? You`ve read about him in a magazine?" Boyd rose as well, following her towards her desk. "Which George are we talking about, Grace?" His voice told her he was now finally understanding who she was talking about. "Oh, you little tease, you. Not George bloody Clooney again?!"
"The same," she smiled sweetly at him. "One of his films is on the telly tonight. So, I better hurry home to my 'date'."
She quickly found her bag, placed her reading glasses in their case and turned to grab her coat only to find it already being held up in Boyd`s hands. She smiled at him before turning her back towards him, letting him help her into it. "Thank you," she said. "Don't stay too late, Boyd. Work isn't everything, you know."
"Says the woman who just spent most of her Saturday in the office," he said dryly as he followed her out of her office. "Enjoy your 'date' with Mr Clooney, Grace."
"I will, thank you, Boyd," she grinned at him as she walked towards the exit.
"Oh, and Grace?" he called after her.
"What?"
"If Mr Clooney should show up at your doorstep sometime during the remainder of the weekend, please don't let him take you away," he grinned at her.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry, Boyd," she smiled sadly at him. "Handsome as Mr Clooney may be, he is still far too young for me. See you Monday."
"See you Monday, Grace," Boyd echoed as he watched her leave, her slender figure moved through the double doors to the basement, around the corner and then she was gone. He walked back into his own office, sat down behind his desk, looking at the report he had not yet finished.
He found it kind of cute, Grace`s innocent infatuation with the American actor. Every time someone mentioned his name, or she talked about him, she got this look on her face that Boyd knew could only be referred to as a schoolgirl with a crush. Would she have the same look on her face if she actually met the actor in real life? And would she ever look like that at a mention of his name?
Boyd shook his head. Don't go there, Peter, he ordered himself. She`s off limits, remember?
He gave the report one last glance before he got up and found his own coat. He needed a beer. It was Saturday evening, and he didn't want to spend the rest of it in his office, alone.
B~G~B
Monday morning Grace walked into the squad room of the CCU feeling rested after a nice Sunday at home, and feeling ready for a new week and the possibility of a new case should one arise today. Otherwise, she still had several reports to finish.
She greeted Spence and Kat who sat by their desks as she walked towards her office. Casting a quick glance towards the office opposite her own, she noticed it was still dark and its owner nowhere to be seen.
"Boyd isn't in yet?" she enquired after depositing her coat and bag in her office.
"He hasn't called in sick or anything," Spence answered. "Morning meeting at the Yard, perhaps?"
"Hm," Grace answered as she returned to her office and sat down behind her desk. She turned on the computer, wondering where he could be. He usually always let one of them know if he would be late.
The sound of doors being flung opened announced the arrival of the CCU`s fierce leader a few minutes later. Grace noticed how Kat bent her head down even more in order to seem very busy, and Spence picked up his phone to give the illusion he was involved with a phone call.
As Boyd walked down the hall separating their two offices, she could see that he was clearly irritated by something. She inhaled deeply before she rose from her chair and walked across the hall, giving his door a knock as she leaned against the door frame, watching him taking his coat off.
"Everything all right?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Boyd turned to look at her, his dark eyes intense as they seemed to move over her from top to toe. Then he turned away and walked towards his desk. "Team-meeting in five minutes," he said rather gruffly.
"Good morning to you too, Boyd," she answered him, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "That bad a weekend?"
"Piss off, Grace," he hissed back at her. "Just get Eve. We have a new case."
Grace watched him as he laid the case out before them. He had been summoned to the Yard this morning, had been handed the case and told – ordered – to make significant progress on it by the end of the week.
That could explain his bad mood. Being ordered to take on a case didn't always sit well with DSI Peter Boyd. He preferred to pick his own cases to solve. Yet, Grace had a feeling there was more to it than an order from New Scotland Yard.
Throughout the meeting, he didn't once look at her, didn't even consult her. Grace noticed Eve shoot her a glance, making her lift her shoulders a fraction to let the other woman know she had no idea what was going on with the man.
After he had delegated tasks to the others, Grace expected him to call her name on his way to his office, wanting to have his customary private chat with her about the case in the privacy of his office. But he just turned away, strode across the squad room, and disappeared into his office, closing both the door and the privacy blinds.
Kat and Spence quickly left to interview someone, while Eve walked over to Grace, both women looking towards Boyd`s office. "What`s up with him?" Eve asked.
"I have no idea. He was like that when he came in this morning," Grace told her. "At first, I thought it was about the case. You know how much he likes to be ordered to solve a case he hasn't chosen himself. But now I feel like it`s something completely different."
"He didn't speak to you at all, Grace," Eve pointed out. "Have you two had an argument sometime between I left Saturday evening and this morning?"
Grace shook her head, biting her lower lip. "I haven't seen or spoken to Boyd since I left this building Saturday evening. I went home, enjoyed the movie, a glass of wine, some leftovers and had a lie in on Sunday."
"Enjoyed Mr Clooney, you mean," Eve chuckled just as Boyd reemerged from his office. Both women looked at him as he stopped dead. His brows furrowed before he turned around and went back into his office, the force used to close his door a typical sign of his anger. "What is his problem today?"
Grace turned to meet Eve`s dark eyes. "My guess is as good as yours, Eve. Like I said, I haven't spoken to him since Saturday evening either. Well, I guess we`ll know soon enough. We usually do."
"You mean, you usually do," Eve pointed out as she turned towards the lab. "I better go to the lab and start looking at the forensics before he finds something else to be angry about."
"Hm," Grace answered as she walked slowly towards her own office. She stopped between the two doors, uncertain if she should knock on his door, deciding to leave him be at the moment. Giving his door one last glance, she walked into her own office, closing the door silently behind her.
B~G~B
The rest of the week was a strange one. Even Kat and Spence picked up on the strange behaviour of their boss.
Boyd only spoke to Grace when he needed to, retreating to his office at the first chance he got. He avoided answering her questions about what was wrong with him. Not even Eve managed to find out what was going on.
By Thursday evening, Grace was both exhausted and irritated by his behaviour. She felt like she had been in some kind of battle, not knowing who she was fighting or if she really wanted to win whatever fight they were having.
She turned off the lights in her office, put on her coat and walked into the squad room. Her eyes travelled towards his office like they always did, saw that he was still there. She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply before she walked over to his door and knocked once before entering without waiting for his answer.
"I`m leaving now," she told him, her blue eyes taking in the man in front of her. He looked just as exhausted and irritable as she felt. Beaten, even. Clearly the battle hadn't been won by either of them, whatever battle it was. She placed something on his desk. "My report, finished and ready for you. And I`m taking tomorrow off. See you Monday," she added as she turned around to leave.
"Grace…."
She stopped in the doorway, waited.
"Why?"
Grace had no idea what he was asking. She turned back to face him. "Why, what?"
Boyd studied her, his dark eyes taking in the woman standing before him. He knew he was an idiot. But he just felt so angry whenever he looked at her, and he knew he had no reason to be. No right to be.
Her blue eyes, usually bright and happy, were now looking at him wearily, defeated almost. She looked tired. He had registered that the happy and strong woman Doctor Grace Foley usually was had slowly disappeared during the week. And he knew who`s fault that was.
His.
You are a bloody fool and an idiot, Peter, his inner voice told him.
"Nothing," he said out loud. "See you Monday."
Grace frowned at him, debating whether she should push him or not, deciding she didn't have the energy to lock horns with him this evening. "Goodbye," she mumbled, leaving his office, walking towards the exit.
Every day this week, she had gone through last weekend's conversations. There was nothing she could think of that she had said that would make him behave this way. So, maybe it wasn't her? Maybe he was just having a bad – terrible – week?
She stopped next to her car, the key already in her hand when suddenly someone took it from her. She turned around quickly, only to find herself face to face with…
"Boyd?" She closed her eyes, reached out her hand as she sighed heavily. "Please, give it back. What's wrong with you?"
"I can`t let you drive home like this," he told her, his voice stern. "We need to talk."
"You know what, Boyd?! You have no bloody say in what I do or don't do," she told him, her voice angry. "This entire week you've acted like I wasn't even at work, ignoring me, barely speaking to me. I have no idea what the hell I've done to make you behave like this! So, give me my keys and piss off!"
Boyd looked at her, a surprised look on his face at her unusual outburst. Grace was usually calmness itself, and having her yelling back at him, swearing at him, made him realize just how much he had ruined with his behaviour this past week.
"I`m sorry," he said quietly, moving slowly towards her, still holding on to her keys. "I can`t let you drive when you're upset," he told her, placing her keys in the pocket of his coat, knew she would never dare to retrieve them from there.
Grace stared at him for a few moments, her blue eyes shooting beams of anger at him. "Piss off, idiot," she mumbled before turning around, walking away from him, not giving him another look as she walked around the corner, heading towards the nearest tube station.
Boyd closed his eyes as he leaned against her car, knew he could have handled that differently. Should have handled that differently. His mood was not really her fault, but he had made it her fault.
She`s right, Peter. You`re an idiot.
He walked over to his own car, wanting to go after her, explain why he was so angry, and yet, he knew she would bite his head off when she found out the reason. No, better let her calm down before he went over to her. Maybe he would be able to find a good way to explain the reason for his anger without revealing the real reason.
B~G~B
Grace had spent most of her day off trying to get her head around Boyd`s behaviour, but by the evening she had not managed to find a good enough answer that would fully explain it. The man was an enigma at times, and she thought she knew him well.
She had just cleaned up after her dinner, bringing a glass of wine into the living room when there was a knock on her front door.
She frowned at the sound. She was not in the mood to have company this evening, still exhausted from being at work with a tetchy Boyd.
Placing the glass of wine on her coffee table, she padded slowly into the hall and towards her front door. Opening the door slightly, her eyes grew in surprise to find Boyd standing outside. He had obviously been at home because he was no longer wearing his usually working attire. Instead, he stood before her in a pair of old Levis, a dark shirt and a thin jacket.
"Hi, Grace," he smiled shyly at her. "I thought maybe you wanted your car keys back," he added, offering them to her.
Grace opened the door further, taking them from him. "Thank you," she mumbled. "I could have got them on Monday."
"I wasn't sure if you needed your car this weekend. If you do, I can drive you to pick it up now, if you want?"
Grace shook her head. "It`s fine, Boyd. I`ll manage a weekend without my car. Thank you," she added. "See you Monday."
She begun to close the door when his hand stopped her. Lifting her gaze, she saw the intense look in his hazel eyes. "I`m really sorry for how I've been behaving this past week," he whispered. "May I come in?" Upon seen the apprehensive look in her blue eyes, he added quickly, "I would really like to explain, please?"
Swallowing hard, she nodded, moving to the side to let him in, knew he would not leave until he had been allowed to say whatever he felt he had to say.
Boyd walked past her, watched her as she closed the door, waited for her to lead the way into the living room. He noticed the glass of wine, met her eyes as she sat down in her chair. "A drink would be nice." He gave her what he hoped to be a reassuring smile.
"Help yourself," she answered. "You know where it is."
He walked over to the cabinet, found a bottle of Scotch, poured himself a glass before he walked over to her couch. He took off his jacket before sitting down. "Had a nice day off, then?" he asked her after taking a sip of his drink.
"Not particularly, no," she answered him honestly. She was just so tired of guarding herself around him that for once she simply told him the truth.
Her answer seemed to puzzle him, leaving him speechless for a moment, just looking at her. "Ehm, really?"
"Yes, really," she said, reaching for her own drink. "Considering what kind of week I`ve had, I just want to forget everything and enjoy the rest of this weekend." She took a sip, looking straight at him. "So, you wanted to explain. Go on then. Explain."
Tilting his head sideways, he took in how tired she still seemed. "Like I said, I am really sorry, Grace. And I have really no excuse for why, but I will try and explain anyway."
Grace sighed as she leaned back in her chair. "I`m waiting."
"You aren't going to make this easy for me, are you?"
"Why would I? In fact, why should I make it easy for you, Boyd? You are the one who has treated me like I have done something wrong, and I have no idea what the hell it is. Everything was fine when I left the basement last Saturday evening, and when I arrived Monday morning you gave me the cold shoulder without explaining why."
Boyd got up from the couch, started pacing. "Everything was fine Saturday evening," he agreed. "And every other day after that. It`s just…." He stopped by one of the windows. "You and Eve talked that evening, you teased me about your 'date' with George Clooney, and then…"
"Seriously, Boyd! You couldn't handle a little bit of teasing? It was just a little harmless fun."
"I dreamt about you," he blurted out. "I dreamt about you and him."
"'Him'? What are you on about? Which him? You're not making any sense, Boyd." Grace placed her hand on her forehead, gently massaging her temple, trying to ease the tension she felt building up. "Please, just tell me so that you can go home and leave me alone."
"I dreamt that you had married George Clooney, after you had divorced me," he spat out before turning around to look at her.
"You what?!"
Boyd inhaled several times, trying to calm himself. "I dreamt that you and I were married, and at some point, you divorced me to marry George Clooney," he said again, slowly. "And I was actually OK with it!"
He watched her, saw the shock on her face before it was replaced with anger as she rose from her chair, walking up to him. The slim figure stopped right in front of him, her blue eyes once again shooting daggers at him. This time followed by a sharp finger poking him in his chest.
"You mean to tell me that you have given me the cold shoulder, refused to talk to me for almost a week because of a stupid dream in which I married George Clooney?! That is your excuse?"
"My explanation," he corrected her. "A terribly stupid one, I know. But when I woke up Monday morning, I was just so angry that you had divorced me for him! And I realised…" He stopped talking abruptly. "Well, I'm sorry for putting that on you when it was just a stupid dream."
He walked around Grace, picked up his drink, emptied the glass before he walked towards the hall.
"What did you realise?" she asked softly.
Boyd stopped, didn't turn around, knew he would never win this fight. "I realised how much I wanted it to be true. The first part of that dream."
"Where we were married?" Her voice was right behind him, still soft.
He nodded, didn't dare to voice his answer.
"Peter?"
A gentle hand was placed on his back before it moved to his arm, taking a grip around said arm, forcing him to turn around to face her. He wondered if the situation would go away if he only held his eyes shut, but he knew better.
"Like I said, a stupid dream," he whispered.
"Maybe the last part of it was," she smiled carefully up at him. "Do you dream of me often, then?"
All the time!
"From time to time."
She nodded before looking down, taking hold of both his hands. "I dream of you, too. From time to time," she told him quietly.
"Not George Clooney?" he asked.
"Oddly enough, never about Mr Clooney," she chuckled. "I have, however, never dreamt that we were married, though. Together, yes. Never married."
Boyd swallowed as he placed his hand under her chin, forcing her gently to look up at him, meeting her blue eyes. "Together? Like a couple?"
"Friends, couple," she whispered. "Lovers," she added, her stare intensified, her body telling him she expected him to jolt away, to take his flight at her words.
"Lovers," he echoed as he slowly bent his head down, his lips only inches away from hers. "Like to find out if reality could live up to those dreams?"
"I`d like that very much," she barely got to whisper before he kissed her.
B~G~B
Saturday morning. Grace woke up gradually, feeling warm and rested for the first time in a week. In fact, she was more than warm enough.
A soft snore behind her and a strong arm pulling her closer to a very naked male body explained why she was more than warm enough. The man`s presence would also explain the soreness she felt in muscles she had not used for ages.
She lay perfectly still, enjoying the feeling of being held, of waking up next to someone else after spending half the night getting to know that person in a very primal way. Gently she placed her hand over his where it was placed on her stomach, remembering the feel of his strong hands on her, knowing exactly how capable he was of using those nimble fingers to push her to the limit, and keep her there for as long as he liked before finally allowing her to come.
Inhaling deeply, she felt him stir behind her, his fingers interlocking with hers as his lips nuzzled on her neck. His goatee tickled her, making her shiver. "Ticklish?" he murmured against her skin.
"Not usually, no," she giggled. "But that goatee of yours…"
She felt him smile as he continued to nuzzle on her, making her shiver even more. "Remind me never to shave it off," he whispered in her ear. "So?"
"So?" she answered, even though she knew what he was actually asking. But she also knew that Boyd`s male pride didn't need her to pamper it. The fact that he was still in her bed – and she had no plan of throwing him out of it in the near future – should tell him what he needed to know.
"Which is it? Dream or reality?"
Grace bit her lower lip as he pulled her over on her back, leaning on his arm to look down at her. "Do I really have to tell you?" she asked with a mischievous smile. "I thought you were there. All three times."
"Humour me, woman!" he rumbled as he quickly found the right spot in her side that he had discovered during the night would make her squirm underneath him, giggling. "Not usually ticklish, my ass, Grace," he laughed at her. "Come on, give. I won`t stop until you answer the question: dream or reality?"
"All right!" she finally called out, making him stop, but his fingers didn't move away, ready for another assault if needed. "Reality, of course, you annoying man!"
"That was not what you called me last night," he pointed out as his hands started to wander.
Just as he was about to cup one of her breasts, they heard a loud knock on her front door. Their eyes locked. "Oh, God, I forgot!"
"What did you forget?" He watched as Grace got out of bed quickly, finding her dressing gown. She quickly tied the band around her waist, looking at him with her deep blue eyes in fear.
"It`s Eve," she whispered. "I promised her that I would go dress shopping with her today."
"I know Eve hears well, Grace, but you don't have to whisper," he smiled at her as he got out of bed as well, which stopped Grace in her track as he stood before her naked. "She can`t hear you from up here, I`m quite sure of that."
"Ehm, could you please put on some clothes?" she asked, still in a whisper. "And it is probably best if you stay up here until…"
"Grace, my car is parked at the kerb outside your house," he smiled down at her, gently placing his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. "And Eve didn't get her job because she couldn't put two and two together. So, I`d said it`s a fair chance she already knows I`m here. And she probably also knows I`ve spent the night."
"Peter, I…" she begun, but was cut off when her phone started to ring. Before she managed to stop him, Boyd picked it up, answering it.
"Good morning, Eve," he said into the phone, watching Grace`s eyes grow even larger in her beautiful face. "She`s right here. Just a second." He handed Grace the phone with a smug smile on his face. "I`ll go have a shower," he told her, loud enough for Eve to hear over the phone.
"Hello, Eve," Grace rasped as she watched Boyd walk across her bedroom towards the hall. She heard the sound of the bathroom door before she registered that Eve was talking. "Sorry, what did you say?"
"Grace! What the hell!? Do I want to know?!"
"Probably not," Grace answered as she walked out into the hall herself. "I`ll come and lock you in. We… I… Eh…"
"You overslept," Eve chuckled. "You completely forgot that we had plans today, didn't you?"
Grace reached the front door, unlocking it, feeling her cheeks blush as she opened the door and met Eve`s smiling dark eyes. Both women hung up their phones as Grace let Eve inside. "I didn't forget, per se."
Eve held up her hands. "I really don't want to know, Grace. But I am happy for you, though." The younger woman followed after Grace through the house and into the kitchen. "Because you are happy, right?"
Grace started to prepare some coffee, finding three mugs in the cabinet. "Yes, I am," she smiled as she met Eve`s dark eyes. "Still a little surprised, perhaps, but mostly happy."
"When did you two…?"
"Last night," Grace said. "It`s not like it was planned, or anything. He showed up here with my car keys, and an explanation for his behaviour the past week." She handed one mug to Eve who took it and sat down by the kitchen table.
"And what was the explanation?" Eve asked as they heard the faint sound of the shower being turned off upstairs. Both women looked up at the ceiling.
"He had dreamt that I had married George Clooney," Grace smiled. "After I had divorced him."
Eve`s eyes grew large at Grace`s words before she chuckled loudly. "So, no George Clooney for you, then?"
"Not if she knows what`s best for her," a deep baritone said from the doorway to the kitchen. Boyd looked straight at Eve, their eyes locked. "Dress-shopping?" he enquired as he walked over to Grace, taking the mug she offered him. He then made a point at standing right behind her, as close as possible.
Possessive and predatory, Grace thought as she felt his body heat through their clothes. He was wearing yesterday's clothes; she was still in her dressing gown.
"Yeah, I`m going to a friend`s wedding next month, and need a new dress," Eve explained as she watched them. "Not that I`m in any hurry, Grace, but maybe you ought to get dressed too?"
"Oh, sorry." Grace felt her cheeks blush again. "I`ll just…" She made a movement with her arms upstairs before moving away from Boyd and out into the hall. Oh, God, I`m acting like a bloody teenager in love, she thought as she hurried upstairs, the voices of Eve and Boyd following her until she closed the bathroom door.
Twenty minutes later she came back downstairs, found them both still in her kitchen, talking. Boyd had obviously taken it upon himself to make them a quick breakfast. There were two plates with toast on them on the table. When Grace looked at Eve, the other woman just shook her head.
"I had breakfast before I came here," she clarified. "But you should eat before we go."
Grace seated in the chair next to Boyd, felt their knees touch under the table, sending sparks up her thigh. Grace looked at him in the corner of her eye, noticed a slight twitch in his jaw before he continued his conversation with Eve.
Not in her wildest dreams had Grace ever imagined that she would be sitting in her kitchen having breakfast with Eve and Boyd one Saturday morning. And especially not after one night of unbelievably good sex with the latter.
"So, when will you finish your shopping?" Boyd asked as he finished his coffee. His plate was already empty.
"Could take a few hours. Then, of course, we need to have some lunch," Eve said. Her dark eyes looked straight at Boyd. "Girl-talk, you know," she said deadpan.
Boyd didn't even flinch at her words. "Of course," he nodded. "Would you mind dropping Grace off at the CCU? Her car is still in the car park."
"Sure," Eve smiled. "And what are you doing today?"
"Oh, I have to finish going through some reports, so I`ll be at the CCU for a few hours. Then I plan to make Grace dinner this evening."
Both women looked at him. One pair of blue filled with surprise, the other pair dark brown with a large smile in them.
"Sounds like a nice plan," Eve agreed. "I`ll make sure she isn't lost during our shopping trip, then."
Grace got up from her chair, taking their empty plates with her. "Why are you two talking like I can`t manage anything on my own?"
Boyd was suddenly next to her. "Well, do you have any other plans this evening?"
"Maybe I do," she said curtly. "Maybe I have another date that I forgot to tell you about."
"That better not be with Mr Clooney, Grace," Boyd growled to Eve`s great amusement. "The only man you are allowed to date now is me. Besides, I`m just as tall as Mr Clooney, I`ll have you know," he added before stealing an all-too brief kiss from her. "Make sure she stays out of trouble, eh, Eve?"
"Will do, Boyd," Eve chuckled as Boyd stole one more kiss from Grace.
"I have to go home for a change of clothes before going to the CCU." He moved his head, his lips close to her ear. "Make sure to have an overnight bag with you. You're not going home tonight," he whispered to her before he turned around and walked towards the hall. "Goodbye, ladies. Have a nice day, and Eve: don't believe a word she tells you," he added with a smirk before he left Grace`s house.
Both women watched him leave. After the front door had been closed, Eve turned towards Grace. "Any dates with Mr Clooney in the future?"
"None whatsoever," Grace whispered. "Who needs Mr Clooney when there is a DSI Boyd eager to go on dates?"
"And the sex has nothing to do with it, right?"
Grace grinned back at her. "I think I'll manage both. Besides, I can`t help but love the wretched man."
Eve watched the older woman. "And he can`t help loving you back. That much was clear when he answered your phone. You know what that means?"
"He has no plans of hiding this. From you or anyone else."
Eve nodded. "You OK with that?"
"I`m not the one with a lot to lose. Workwise, that is." Grace walked into the hall closely followed by Eve. "Boyd is a law unto himself. I was sure he would hide when I told him you were at the door this morning. He made it perfectly clear that he wouldn't when he answered my phone, knowing it was you calling me."
"He does love you. He has for a long time," Eve stated.
"He does," Grace agreed. "And we both have. A very long time."
Eve smiled at her. "Well, Grace, I know exactly what you need to buy today," she smirked. "Let`s start at New Bond Street."
"Why?" Grace inquired, her voice sceptical.
"Victoria`s Secrets, Grace. Victoria`s Secrets. You think last night was fantastic, just you wait until he sees you in something from Victoria`s," Eve chuckled as they left Grace`s house.
"Oh, Eve," Grace smirked back. "You have no shame, do you?"
"None whatsoever," the younger woman agreed. "And neither should you! Come on, Grace. Let`s go shopping!"
Grace locked the door and followed Eve towards her car. "Victoria`s Secrets it is, then," she mumbled as she seated in the passenger seat.
She really begun looking forward to this Saturday evening. She didn't have a date with a certain Mr Clooney. But that was all right. The only person she wanted to have a date with was Peter Boyd. And this evening she had just that.
The End