Fic for Thirty Years Challenge, by Hambel

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

My Discovered In Thirty Years Time! challenge entry. I had something else entirely in mind, but this just jumped out at me and I had to write it. I’m not sure it’s what you’re looking for, but hey, it’s the lads :)

Italics are flashbacks. Not beta’d so any concrit extremely welcome.

 

They Knew

 

The church service went well, as funerals go. CI5 always sent representatives when it was one of their own, former or current, and the recently deceased had been a popular choice as Controller of CI5, so many tried to make it to pay their last respects.

 

For Mark Daniels, the new Acting Controller, it was a logistics nightmare. All of these current and former operatives under one roof, not to mention the heads of various security departments, could be a terrorist’s dream come true. He pulled in help from the police force and the SAS, and made sure that operatives in the church were armed.

 

Nothing was going to turn this send off into a circus.

 

The service over, Bodie stood apart from the other mourners filing out of the church, waiting for the car that would take him to the crematorium. The cremation was to be a family and close friends’ affair, in accordance with CI5 procedure.

 

He felt every one of his sixty one years that day, saying goodbye to another valued and trusted friend.

 

It had been another funeral much like this one that had made Bodie aware of his own mortality. Eighteen years ago, George Cowley, Head of CI5, was killed with a single sniper’s bullet when he stepped out of his front door to pick up his morning milk. A simple act and a clean kill. He was dead when his body hit the ground, his blood pooling and staining the concrete that his housekeeper worked so tirelessly to keep clean.

 

 

“I’ve had enough, Ray.”

 

Ray looked up, his green eyes showing concern. “We haven’t been here long, mate. We ought to stay a bit longer, don’t you think? For the Old Man and all that?”

 

Bodie put his glass down, exasperated. “I don’t mean of this,” he elaborated, sweeping his hand through the air, indicating the other mourners gathered at Cowley’s wake. “I mean, I’ve had enough of CI5. Let’s get out, while we still have all our body parts. While we still have—”

 

They were interrupted then by Murphy, insisting on topping up everyone’s glass to drink a toast. Doyle met Bodie’s eyes after a rousing roar of “The Cow!” and Bodie knew that Doyle was aware of what was left unsaid.

 

Doyle always knew.

 

 

Younger members of CI5 eyed Bodie speculatively as they passed. His hearing was still acute enough that he could hear the whispers. He and Doyle were a legend in ‘A’ squad. The best teaming ever, some said, and they all wanted to take a look at this half of the partnership, to see what was so special about him, what was so special about them.

 

He still cut an imposing figure dressed in his habitual black, and his face betrayed none of the emotion he felt. There was time enough later to mourn in private. After the goodbyes had been said and platitudes voiced. When the curtains were drawn and the world shut out.

 

 

“They’ve offered me the position of Controller.”

 

Bodie carried on spooning the coffee into mugs. “Knew they would, sunshine. You’re the best candidate for the job. Did you tell them you’re resigning?”

 

“Yeah. But they’re giving me time to think it over.”

 

“What is there to think over? We’re both getting out.”

 

There was no answer from Doyle, no confirmation. Bodie ground out through clenched teeth, “We are, aren’t we?” He switched the boiling kettle off automatically, but made no attempt to finish making the drinks.

 

“Doyle?”

 

Murphy entered the VIP lounge and clapped Doyle on the shoulder. “Congratulations, mate. I hear you’re gonna be our new boss.”

 

“I haven’t accepted it yet, Murph.”

 

“Are you going to?”

 

Doyle looked at Bodie and Bodie looked at Doyle.

 

Bodie knew. Bodie always knew.

 

 

A black Rover screeched up the driveway, and skidded to a halt, throwing up dust and gravel and stopping with the passenger door just two inches away from Bodie. With the first smile of the day tugging at his lips he opened the door and got in, admonishing the driver.

 

“You should have a bit more respect for the dead, sunshine. Is that the way for a sexagenarian to drive?”

 

Doyle turned twinkling eyes his way. “You looked it up,” he crowed, grinning. “Did it mean what you thought? Anyway,” he went on, placing a gloved hand on Bodie’s thigh and squeezing, reassuringly, “Murph would’ve appreciated it. You okay?”

 

“It could’ve been you we’re burning today,” Bodie answered, returning the gaze.

 

Doyle shook his head. “Nah. Cowley didn’t realise it, but Murph was always the better man.”

 

“How do you work that out?” Bodie sounded indignant on his partner’s behalf.

 

“Murph was like Cowley. There was no-one at home to worry about. No-one to distract him and get in the way of the job. Whereas I always had you.”

 

Bodie covered Doyle’s hand briefly before buckling up ostentatiously and winking outrageously.

 

“Come on then. We’ve got a mate to say goodbye to.”

 

 

~End~

Title: They Knew
Author: Hambel
Slash or Gen: Slash
Archive at ProsLib/Circuit: Yes
Author's Name for Archiving (if different to above): Hambel
Disclaimer:No-one belongs to me. I’m only playing.
Notes: Written for the  discoveredinaljDiscovered In Thirty Years Time! challenge. I had something else entirely in mind, but this just jumped out at me and I had to write it. I’m not sure it’s what you’re looking for, but hey, it’s the lads :)

Italics are flashbacks. Not beta’d so any concrit extremely welcome.

 

Comments

[probodie.livejournal.com]

Oh this is lovely, actually. A moment in time captured really well. I like all of it but this part is my favourite:-

Doyle turned twinkling eyes his way. “You looked it up,” he crowed, grinning. “Did it mean what you thought? Anyway,” he went on, placing a gloved hand on Bodie’s thigh and squeezing, reassuringly, “Murph would’ve appreciated it. You okay?”

“It could’ve been you we’re burning today,” Bodie answered, returning the gaze.

Doyle shook his head. “Nah. Cowley didn’t realise it, but Murph was always the better man.”

“How do you work that out?” Bodie sounded indignant on his partner’s behalf.

“Murph was like Cowley. There was no-one at home to worry about. No-one to distract him and get in the way of the job. Whereas I always had you.”

Bodie covered Doyle’s hand briefly before buckling up ostentatiously and winking outrageously.

“Come on then. We’ve got a mate to say goodbye to.”

It's just - them!

Thanks for sharing.

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

*bounces*

Thank you. I love writing their banter. It's such a great part of them.

Thanks for reading :)

[schnuffi.livejournal.com]

Hm, nice one but older lads still doesn't work for me... And you had to kill Murph :( I like Murphy! That's almost death fic you know *glares* But hey, well written nevertheless *G*

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Mwahahahahaha. I got you reading an older lads fic :D Thanks for trying them anyway.

Hey, I like Murph too. But you know, sacrifices have to be made, and it was his turn *g* I'll just go chuck him in that locked room with B & D and see what happens, shall I? ;)

[schnuffi.livejournal.com]

Oh, I do read them sometimes but I always feel there's something missing. I just can't explain it.

[bistokids.livejournal.com]

*sighs with relief* I thought you'd killed Doyle! Just waiting for my heartbeat to come back under control...that's better.

Lovely - I liked the flashback parts especially. And Bodie looking up 'sexagenarian' had me giggling!

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Ah, misdirection, how I love thee *g*

Glad to raise a giggle. They can't be serious even at a funeral, can they? Bless ♥

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Oh, nice! I had no problems with you killing Murphy since he's rather (sorry!) insignificant in the series. My apologies to Murphy folks. I like him as a minor character.

Anyway, good story. I happen to love older lads and this is well presented. I didn't even read the end first which is something for me, let me tell you.

Loved this line: “Murph was like Cowley. There was no-one at home to worry about. No-one to distract him and get in the way of the job. Whereas I always had you.”

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Murph is lovely, but he had to go for the sake of the fic ;)

Glad you enjoyed it. And well done for not reading the end first. Very restrained of you :D

That part - yeah, I wanted to explain why Doyle didn't take the post, and I think it summed it up nicely.

Thanks for reading :)

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

*Swallows hard*

This is really excellent.

Very moving and poignant.

I like older lads stories and this is one of the best I've read.

Even though I'm not a huge Murphy fan this was really touching and a great testament to him.

And you managed to get some humour in too, that takes some doing in this kind of story.

Very well done.

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

One of the best? Wow, thank you :)

It's my first time with the older lads, so I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[andreathelion.livejournal.com]

You got me worried for a moment ...
Lovely written, the lads spot on and I liked the flashbacks you wove into the story. Thank you for sharing :D

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

You were worried? My work here is done *eg*

Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed it. Older lads stories don't bother me, as long as they're together *g*. I think you did a good job. Thanks for sharing!

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

They should always be together. And if they're not, they should want to be *g*

Thank you!

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

*bounces* More Pros from Hambel! *bounces some more*

I had faith that you wouldn't have killed Doyle. :D

I think this is really well done, right down to Bodie having to look up the word. So in character!

Thank you! ♥

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

*bounces on Drayce* Yay, you made it over here!

Faith is a wonderful thing. Maybe I'll surprise you one day ;)

Thanks ♥

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

*bounces on Drayce*? And I thought I was excited! ;D

You are full of surprises! It's what makes you a good writer! ♥

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

“You should have a bit more respect for the dead, sunshine. Is that the way for a sexagenarian to drive?”
Doyle turned twinkling eyes his way. “You looked it up,” he crowed, grinning. “Did it mean what you thought?

A very typical exchange in a lovely moment-in-time fic. Thank you, I enjoyed this, and the way you kept the identity of the Controller hidden till the end was excelent.

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

It's quite difficult keeping someone's identity a secret without making it obvious that's what you're doing. I'm pleased you enjoyed the fic.

Thanks for commenting :)

[windrain10.livejournal.com]

This was wonderful. Older lads fic is my favorite. I was really concerned that Doyle was the person who had passed but I am proud of myself that I hung in there to the end anyway :)

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Hey, well done. I'm a Doyle fangirl myself, so I won't let anything really bad happen to him. Well, not until I've written a few more fics anyway ;)

Thanks :)

[saintvic.livejournal.com]

Lovely fic - great the way you use the flashbacks to show the connection between the boys. I actually think my fav lines were:

Doyle looked at Bodie and Bodie looked at Doyle.

Bodie knew. Bodie always knew.

But the whole thing was great. : )

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

I wasn't sure about that line, wasn't sure if it said enough. But seeing as 'subtle' is my middle name *cough, splutter* I left it in. ;)

Thanks Vic ♥

[duckyone.livejournal.com]

I loved the twist at the end of this. And knowing that Bodie and Doyle stayed a team after all these years is very satisfying. I love that you don't change the basic nature of their relationship. Still snarky, still men's men and still devoted to each other.

Thank you!

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Twisty fic is good fic *eg* Thanks for commenting, Ducky ♥

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Ah, that's nice. I like it that there was that moment of doubt about Doyle's choice. Controller of CI5? The lad is ambitious. But, yeah, he had Bodie to consider. *g*

Lovely story. Thank you!

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Doyle would no doubt make a good Controller. But not in this fic. *g*

Thank you :)

[sunray45.livejournal.com]

I really loved that. All the way through I was thinking 'Oh no! Not Doyle'. You really did put a great twist to the end. It's lovely to think our Lads are still the same and together.

Thank you.

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

I hope the worrying about Doyle's fate didn't distract you too much. *g*

Thanks for reading :)

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Nice! And ever so glad it wasn't Doyle whose funeral Bodie was attending. Very well done.

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)

[asymphototropic.livejournal.com]

Back to back scenarios ending in the "he always knew" phrase. Like Bodie and Doyle bookends, it made for a very pleasing symmetry.

[hambelandjemima.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it :)