Title:Torn in Two
Author:lucy_roman
Rating:Mature
Summary:Doyle wants to look after Bodie but Cowley has other ideas
Pairing:Bodie/Doyle
Word Count:893

Bodie stretches out in his bed and turns his head so he can appreciate the long, lean, and naked form of his partner Ray Doyle. Ray is carrying two cups of coffee and sporting a considerable erection. Bodie licks his lips.

"Is that for the coffee or something else?" Doyle smiles. It's good to see Bodie so relaxed. Recently he has been far too tense and irritable for Doyle's liking. And then there is the small matter of Bodie's injury, acquired during their last operation. Healing now, thank god, but Doyle had overheard Cowley talking to Bodie's doctor and so knew just how serious it actually is. He has a whole weekend of gentle activities planned, all designed to help Bodie relax.

"Come on, sunshine, I'm gasping."

Bodie's complaint turns Doyle's smile into a grin and he hurries his steps. He is just thinking about sliding back under the sheet with Bodie when the telephone rings.

"Don't answer it," Bodie says.

Doyle gives him a look. "Of course I'm not going to bloody answer it. It's your phone."

"Well I'm not going to answer it." Bodie turns onto his side, facing away from Doyle, cursing whoever it is on the other end of the line.

"It might be important." Doyle places the coffee cups on the bedside table and puts a gentle hand on Bodie's shoulder.

He wants to shrug it away but none of this is Doyle's fault. "It's Cowley. It's always Cowley when we think we've got some time to ourselves."

"Better answer it then. Here." Doyle holds out a cup to Bodie. "Caffeine first, Cowley second." Bodie scowls so Doyle adds, "And then me."

"Chance'd be a fine thing," Bodie grumbles, sitting up so he can take the cup. "Thanks." He gulps the coffee down as quickly as possible despite the heat. Then, somewhat reluctantly and doing his best to hide a wince of pain from Doyle, he reaches for the telephone.

"Bodie here," his words come out in a growl. Cowley, if it is Cowley, wouldn't like that, but Bodie is rapidly getting to the point of not caring.

"It's Doyle I want to speak to."

Bodie holds the receiver out to Doyle. "He wants you."

"Who is it?"

"You're seriously asking me that?" Bodie shoves the telephone at Doyle and lies down, pulling the sheet up over his head. He isn't going to listen. He doesn't want to know.

He may have dozed off because the next thing he is aware of is the bed dipping under Doyle's weight and his lover's body pressing against his.

Doyle slides one hand around Bodie's waist as he moves close enough to kiss Bodie's neck.

"Just tell me," Bodie growls.

"He wants me to go undercover. A place called Starlight Labs."

"A laboratory? Since when were you a scientist?"

"I've got an o'level in biology." Doyle can feel Bodie, feel the stress in his body. He doesn't like being the cause of that stress. "It won't be for long."

"How long?" Bodie does his best to keep his voice level. He is hurting in ways that he hasn't told Doyle about and he has actually been looking forward to spending some time together.

"As long as it takes." Bodie's pulling away from him is like a knife through his heart. "I'm sorry."

"No apologies necessary, mate. Not your fault." No, none of this is Doyle's fault. "Bloody Cowley."

"I could call him back. Tell him to give it to someone else."

Bodie likes Doyle's optimism but they both knew that Cowley doesn't like his agents to decline assignments, not unless they have a bloody good reason. But just for a moment Bodie lets himself believe in the fantasy.

"What would you tell him?" Bodie rolls over so he can look into Doyle's eyes. He can see concern, love. He doesn't deserve any of that.

"That you need me more than he does. Just say the word."

Bodie closes his eyes and sighs. It was a nice fantasy while it lasted.

Doyle waits in silence. In that moment he wants to touch Bodie so badly his body aches. But he holds back. Waits for Bodie to speak.

"You know what Cowley would do." There is flat acceptance in Bodie's voice. He knows as well as Doyle does that Cowley owns them body and soul. His for the duration.

"We could resign."

"But you're not ready for that." Bodie hopes that Doyle isn't about to proffer a denial, because he won't believe it if he does. "It's fine. Go do your science experiment. I'll wait."

Doyle pulls away from Bodie. He needs to shower and dress and then report to Cowley for a briefing. The old man had sounded irritable on the telephone, probably not a good idea to keep him waiting too long. But Doyle stops. Bodie is watching him, an unreadable expression on his face. Just say the word, Bodie. He doesn't say it out loud. He doesn't want to ask Bodie to make a choice. And if Bodie asks you to make that same choice, what would you say? Doyle's not ready to go there yet even though he knows what the answer would be.

Don't leave it too long. The dressing on Bodie's shoulder is enough of a warning. Doyle shudders. Next time Bodie might not be so lucky.