If Ever I Would Leave You

by


Author's note: While looking at songs to add to my iPod I came across Camelot, whose music I know well from listening to the movie soundtrack on the record player(yes I'm admitting to my age today!) as a child. That put me in a whimsical mood, and the story pretty much wrote itself from there.



Ray Doyle was beyond bored as he sat in the small, cramped seat in the West End Theatre. His latest bird had talked him into actually purchasing tickets and attending a revival of the musical, Camelot. What he had been thinking -- after all she wasn't THAT good looking. But here he was, in a tie no less, and compacted into an uncomfortable seat.

He wondered what Bodie was doing about now. He snuck a peek at his watch and smirked. If he knew his partner as well as he thought he did, the lazy bastard was likely sprawled on his settee, scotch in hand, watching his beloved cricket on the telly. He'd much rather be scrunched in a chair beside his mate, nursing a lager and grousing about the game. Sarah was pretty and smart and came across nicely -- still he'd give about anything right now to be tucked away in that small, tidy flat halfway across the city.

His thoughts wandered as the play moved forward. His partner would have fit right into Arthur's England, he decided. He certainly had the legs for the tights...where the hell had that come from? He shook his head and repositioned himself in the seat. Sarah grabbed his hand, and he slumped down a little before returning his attention to the stage.

"If ever I would leave you"...lovely song really and the bloke had a nice voice. "Your hair streaked with sunlight; your lips red as flame; your face with a luster that puts gold to shame". That had been Bodie in July as they'd run the training course. For once they had been sent back to serve as an example to the new lads, instead of for punishment. His partner had definitely been feeling his oats that day and had turned to him at the finish, a brilliant smile, blue eyes full of joy and life. He had thought at the time that Bodie was the most handsome man he'd ever seen.

"I've seen how you sparkle, when fall nips the air; I know you in Autumn and I must be there." Bodie was a warm weather fellow, probably due to his years spent in Africa, but in October, there had been just a nip of cold in the morning air when they'd relieved Anson and Lewis at a stakeout. His partner had recited a line or two of poetry to commemorate the beauty of the day, and that poem had haunted him as he sat in the waiting room outside the operating theatre while doctors dug around in Bodie's chest looking for a bullet.

"Could I leave you running merrily through the snow..." Bodie had been bundled up on Boxing Day looking more like he was heading up a polar expedition then casing a neighborhood. Thick, bulky jacket, scarf, gloves -- looked a bit like that advert involving the tire man...and he remembered being wrapped in that jacket, strong arms holding him close, a soft voice whispering in his ear, begging him to hang on just a bit longer and the ambulance would be there. "Just hang on, Sunshine, it's all I ask...please."

"How could it be in spring-time? Knowing how in spring I'm bewitched by you so?" Just last week they'd gone for a run in the park as the sun was rising. While his partner was not a normally a morning person, that day he'd been in rare form and had been bouncing on the balls of his feet before he'd even finished his stretching. It had been a lovely day, and they'd seen no one on their run unless you counted the ever present pigeons. Bodie had run, head up, a smile on his pouty lips and a twinkle in his eye. It had been special for reasons he wasn't entirely clear on. Perhaps it had been the slight greening of the trees or that first hint of a spring breeze but his partner's mood had been catchy, and he couldn't remember a run he'd ever enjoyed quite so much.

As they prepared to burn Guinevere at the stake, he realized he wanted...make that needed to be with his best mate. Another wiggle and Sarah was holding his hand tighter so he returned his eyes and mind to the stage...Lancelot was a lot like Bodie -- showing up at just the right moment to save the damsel in distress. He huffed a laugh at the thought of himself in a long flowing gown -- and could hear his partner commenting that he certainly had the hair for the part. Bodie had made a habit throughout their partnership of showing up in the nick of time to get him out of trouble. He just wished he had that knack as well. It seemed he was always showing up just a tad too late to save his partner from harm.

As soon as the show was over he hustled Sarah through the crowd and onto the pavement. Making an excuse about work, he put her into a cab before jogging off to the car. When he pulled up in front of the row of flats he took a moment to wonder what his partner would say at his late night appearance but shook it off as he jogged up the walk. Using his key, he entered the building and took the lift to the third floor. His knock was answered quickly, and he smiled at the confused look that flashed across the handsome face as he was ushered in.

He headed for the lunge, leaving Bodie to deal with the locks, and allowed his self-satisfied smile to grow as he saw the remains of a sandwich, chips and swiss role crumbs alongside a glass with just a smidge of scotch left in the middle of the small coffee table.

"Something wrong, Ray? Thought you and Sarah were going to the theatre?" Blue eyes shared the worry evidenced in the tone.

"Everything's fine, Sunshine. Sat through the bloody musical then sent Sarah home in a cab." The dark head canted slightly, clearly confused. "Really, everything's fine. Just...just needed to see you." He enjoyed the pleased smile that flitted across the handsome face. "Have a question."

"And this question couldn't wait til morning?"

"No...Bodie-mate, would you ever leave me?"

"What the bloody hell...No!" The answer was loud as confusion and outrage battled for dominance in the bigger man.

"That's all I needed to know, Sunshine." Ray stepped forward, moving into his partner's space, stopping only when they stood with chests nearly touching. He raised a hand, slender fingers hesitating briefly before cupping a cheek. He smiled as he felt the sigh released from the bigger man as he rubbed his cheek against the hand. "Twill be alright, love," Ray whispered as he leaned forward and brushed their lips together.

Strong hands wound around his waist and pulled him tight against the broad chest. "Don't tease, Ray. Couldn't handle that."

"No tease, pet, promise. Just finally figured out that I didn't want to be without you and could never leave you. You okay with all this?" A surprisingly gentle kiss was his answer.

-- THE END --

March 2008

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