Story: Found in Fanon/Discovered in Canon Autumn Challenge

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

What Lies Within
by LilyK

What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson—

Doyle fidgeted under the competent hands of George Cowley. He closed his eyes and struggled to be still in spite of his nervousness, letting Cowley's fingers move as they wished. Down and around. Tug and pull. Twist and press. Doyle clenched his hands and let out a loud sigh. Finally! After days and weeks and years of wondering and thinking and planning. Years of second-guessing himself and second-guessing the man he loved, today marked "The End". Actually, he reckoned with a little chuckle, it was really a beginning. A welcomed start to his new life.

When Doyle opened his eyes, he couldn't help but grin at his companion. "Finally here, eh?"

"Stand still. God, laddie, but the ants in your trousers are doing the tango." Cowley tempered his terse tone with a smile.

Doyle reached out and wrapped a hand around Cowley's wrist, halting the slightly trembling hand. "It'll be all right. We'll be all right. Trust me. Trust us."

Cowley shook his head and let out his own sigh that was tinged with clear exasperation. "I know you'll be fine. Still, it's a huge step, even in this day and age. It's not that I don't trust you, 4.5-"

"Doyle. Or Ray. I'm not 4.5, and haven't been for a good while now. And besides, after all this time, I thought we were friends." Doyle paused before he asked, "We are friends, aren't we?"

"Of course we're friends! You needn't ask."

"I'll do my best to make this work. I swear. I'll never let you down," Doyle said firmly.

"As I was saying, Doyle, I trust you. It's this world we live in that I fear will harm you. But you're a grown man and you've made your decision. And I pray with all my soul that it will go well for many years to come." Cowley scrutinised Doyle closely before he gave the silk bow tie a final tug. "There. Perfect."

Walking to the bureau mirror, Doyle eyed the tie critically before he gave the rest of his dinner jacket a careful going-over. "This'll have to do," he said, smoothing a hand down the sleeve.

"Don't be daft, man. You're a fine looking lad. It will more than do." Cowley came up behind Doyle and held out the small jewel box.

Doyle glanced in the mirror and his gaze latched onto the black case. "I'm finally getting married. Not married I suppose, but -- what? Bonded? Pledged?" He smiled. "I like that. Sounds permanent. Sounds fulfilling. I pledge myself to you..." he quoted, remembering what he'd written only two days before. Then he laughed. "I am being a bit daft, I suppose."

"That you are, but today, I think you're entitled. Put this in your pocket. Wouldn't do to have them misplaced on this auspicious occasion."

With a smile, Doyle pocketed the box. "Mr Cowley... George, thanks."

"You always were the sentimental one, 4.5."

"Do I have to keep reminding you that I gave all that up more than a few years ago?"

"You'll always be 4.5 to me, son. Think of it as a term of affection. Wouldn't do to call you sweetheart, now, would it?"

Doyle turned, laughing lightly, and leaned on the bureau, crossing his arms. "Eyebrows would rise to the heavens. I'm the sentimental one? Thought I was tough as old boots." He smiled and waggled his own eyebrows.

Cowley smiled as well, but then he turned serious, his gaze holding Doyle's for a long moment before he said, "Bodie was the one who needed more from me. You know that, don't you? If you think I preferred him -- not that I did, mind -- you know it wasn't against you in any way. Rather the opposite, but he was the one whose heart needed reassurance. He's the one who I felt needed the guidance. You've been nothing but independent and strong since the minute I recruited you onto my Squad."

"Bodie was strong and independent as well. For years I thought he had ice water in his veins. Even when we were best mates, he still kept me outside his boundary rope for a long time."

"He was hiding everything, Doyle. Look at how he was with you. How long did it take? Eight years?"

"Eight years, four months and six days, but who's counting?" Doyle paused before he admitted, "Wasn't how I felt. Back then, you know. Mostly in the beginning of our partnership. Felt... second best at times when you were dressing me down."

"Nonsense. You were my first pick. You were my best, and you brought out the best in Bodie." Cowley reached out and patted Doyle's arm. "I was always proud of you, and I still am. But now it's time we find our way. Your other half will be pacing a hole in the carpeting."

"I'm nervous," Doyle admitted.

"Aye. But you'll not be sorry you're taking this step."

"No," Doyle said softly. "Never sorry. Never will regret doing this. It's the best thing I've ever done. And I appreciate your understanding."

"Ach, I always knew I'd never marry, but I don't begrudge you the fulfillment of that sort of dream. Of course, it's still frowned upon, what the two of you have. But I've always hated prejudice of any kind. Did you think this would be the exception?" At Doyle's head shake, Cowley said, "Come on, then."

"Did you bring your lines?"

"No need. I might be old, but the memory's still sharp." Cowley tapped a finger against the side of his own head, making Doyle laugh as he clamped a hand on his boss's shoulder.

"That it is. Bodie and I couldn't have asked for a better friend to read our vows with us. Might not be the legal sort, but having you give us your blessing counts even more."

"We'd better hurry. We'll be late, and if I know Bodie..." Cowley gathered up his woollen coat and opened the front door while Doyle set the alarms and locked up behind him.

"I do know Bodie," Doyle said as they walked side by side down the pavement to his car. "Quite well, I might add. And that champagne that's on ice? If we don't hurry, he'll have already started the celebration without me." He opened the car door for his friend. "And God only knows what he's doing to the food our mates have laid out, not to mention a towering chocolate cake with custard filling that I happen to know Murphy's wife is making."

"Then step on it. My throat is parched from the 'father and son' we just had."

Doyle started the motor and pulled out onto the street. Shifting into second, then third, he glanced over at Cowley. "Ta for the advice, Father."

Cowley tossed him a dangerous look. "Don't think for a moment, 4.5, that I don't know all the names you lot had used on me the past twenty years. It's a good thing I'm retired or you'd find yourself on report for insubordination. As it is, for your smart mouth, you can skip the champagne. You, laddie, owe at least a glass of the finest Scotch."

They laughed, and Doyle had to admit later that night, when he lay in bed with a very sated Bodie slumbering in his arms, that Cowley was on the right track. Pledging himself to Bodie in front of their friends and family was the third best thing that had ever happened to him. First, of course, was loving Bodie. Second was having Bodie love him in return. And he didn't need a fourth to die a happy man. But if he had to pick something, it would be meeting George Cowley, the person who had brought Bodie and him together.

Bodie snuffled in his sleep and shifted. Doyle's arm tightened and he kissed the top of the dark head. His partner settled after a few seconds and he smiled at the rightness of being with this man who shared his bed. As he drifted to sleep, the last thing he thought as that maybe he should move Cowley up to first place, after all.

The End


Title: What Lies Within
Author: LilyK
Word Count: approx. 1,400
Genre: Slash
Archive at The Circuit: Yes, please
Notes: Written for the Discovered in a Live Journal Autumn Challenge: Found in Fanon/Discovered in Canon. My prompts were: Doyle lets Cowley try and tie his bow-tie in "Wild Justice" (canon) and Cowley likes Bodie best (fanon).

Thank you Nik and Chris for your help.

Comments

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

This was a nice little scene between Ray and Cowley. I like that they remained friends even though they are no longer part of CI5. And the vision of Ray and Bodie getting married puts a big smile on my face :D

Great job, Kat! Thanks for sharing!

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Chris. I knew your romantic little heart would be happy. *g*

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww! :D

You just couldn't resist playing with us in that opening paragraph, could you? I guessed it was the tie, having seen that so recently, but oh how that could be read otherwise... Eeep!

In fact, the use of Cowley really offsets the sweetness nicely.

Still, sweet and lovely and I'm going to have to awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww again, for good measure.

Thanks! :D

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

You just couldn't resist playing with us in that opening paragraph, could you?

Who, me? I'm innocent, I tell you! I'd never... Well, maybe I would.

Thanks so much for reading and for the nice comment. It was kind of an awwww story, so I'm sure we've just scared off a bunch of people. *beg*

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

I don't mind a little sweetness as long as Bodie and/or Doyle don't start behaving like Mills & Boon heroines. Ack!

I mean, everyone is entitled to their softer moments. My little brother, the very tough 6'3" Karate black belt instructor was a bit teary on his wedding day and my cousin Ken, who was SAS, bawled like a baby at the altar -- the minister took him out of the church for a few minutes to calm down. Sorry, I'm rambling as is my wont. I don't know if I could have handled Doyle getting sniffly, particularly in front of Cowley, but I didn't mind the sentimental edge at all. :D

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Nah, Doyle was happy and nervous, but not sniffly. Thanks again!

[saintvic.livejournal.com]

Yay this was lovely. There were some nice misleading little moments as well which just made it even more adorable. I like how you have mixed these two prompts together as well. : )

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Why thank you. I had a choice on the prompts but I kept both as you can see. I'm happy you enjoyed it.

[cyanne]

Awww, I love wedding fics and this is a really sweet take on it. I haven't seen much Cowley and Doyle friendship and this was especially nice.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool. I've rarely written one so this was a test to see if I could do it without hearts and flowers, but still that touch of Pros romance. Thanks! I'm glad you liked the friendship too.

[sunray45.livejournal.com]

You really had me going 'Oh! Nooo!! at the beginning there. Sneaky sod!!
Really a lovely story with Cowley standing by them for all this time.

Such a lovely idea pledging themselves to each other.

Yes, and awwwww! from me too, I really enjoyed that.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

LOL! I admit, it was on purpose. I'm thrilled it actually worked and for just those few paragraphs you wondered where I was taking you. And thanks for not running off and finishing the little tale. I appreciate it.

[schnuffi.livejournal.com]

You got me there for a moment with Cowley's hands on Doyle and I almost stopped right there. Then I scrolled down and thought, hmmmm. Good thing I kept reading *G*

I always thought B&D don't need anyhting like this to prove what they are to each other. And yet if feels right the way you wrote it. So thanks for posting!

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the confidence to look ahead and then read. That means a lot. I think since I hinted they're older and times are changing, that they've decided to do this for themselves and yet, to let others know it's okay to be in love.

[heliophile-oxon.livejournal.com]

I seem to have a soft spot for their getting Cowley's support in the end - they would certainly like to have it, I think - and I can just hear Cowley's voice in this; lovely! (but v. reprehensible of you to play tricks on us like that! *g* ;D )

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Soft spots are good! Thanks for reading. I would apologise for playing tricks, but then, I was a bad girl, so I'll just thank you for your nice remarks. *g*

[andreathelion.livejournal.com]

Awww, that was absolutely lovely. Thank you :D
I don't need to add, that you got me worried in the beginning, do I ?! ;)

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reading. I'm tickled you enjoyed it. Me? Worry anyone? Never!

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

You rotter! You had me panicking for a moment there... lovely and sweet, thank you - a perfect fic to settle my nerves after a dodgy day *g*

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry! Well, not really. *snicker* Thanks so much for reading it even though you were panicking. And I hate hearing you had a dodgy day but I'm happy my little fic helped.

[asymphototropic.livejournal.com]

I adore the canon scene in which Cowley fastens Doyle's tie, one of my favorite bits of Pros. Nice to have it polished and placed in fanon now, well done.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Why thanks so much for reading my little bit and letting me know you liked it.

[loyseofverlaine.livejournal.com]

Very nice. I was wondering a little at the beginning, but it all worked out well in the end. I agree with Cowley's assessment, that Bodie needed more from him - you can always see that little glow in him when Cowley approves of him.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Thanks, V. I appreciate you reading the story.

(How are you doing, hon?)

[loyseofverlaine.livejournal.com]

Doing much better, thanks. My cough's pretty close to cleared up and I've been able to sleep through the night for a few days now. I'm even getting a little fandom energy back.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Do take care! Glad to see you back to fannish pursuits.