THE READING ROOM - Reunited by Ashlea

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Title: Reunited
Author: Ashlea
Pairing: B/D
Link to story: Reunited at The Circuit Archive
Further story information found at prosficspoilers

An agent on the run, possibly armed, certainly dangerous now that he was cornered…



I like stories in which we don’t find out everything all at once. That is the case here. As we begin we are introduced to a Doyle who is being held prisoner in some sort of facility, which we are seeing from his perspective. But what has transpired to get him there? Where actually is he? Where is his partner? Answers to these questions are slowly revealed as we read on, and things are not as they first seem.

I can easily believe that Doyle on the loose, considered by the authorities to be mentally unstable, would be thought too dangerous to live, a threat to the public, a former agent, trained to kill...every operative's nightmare.

I do find his escape a little too easy. Could he really make a drawing of the room accurate enough to fool Security? Wouldn’t there be bars on the windows? Nevertheless, I sympathize with his plight and root for him to succeed. He seems to be perfectly logical; only later do I realize that his mind really has been affected.

We aren’t even sure of the identity of the senior instructor, though it isn’t hard to guess. I love the scene where the lads are finally reunited.

"Ray?" The low voice was hoarse, as if -- he -- had a cold.

Oh, the emotion packed into that one word by Bodie!

Doyle’s fear, confusion, and anguish are palpable. I like the little physical clues that help convince Doyle it really is Bodie, but the scene with the revelation that really clinches it and makes him take that leap of faith is very touching.

We know that the events of this story occur probably in 1990, because Bodie states that the Wall had come down while Doyle was in Repton.

I’m not sure why Bodie hasn’t been able to reach Doyle’s mind and bring him back to sanity before now. I do like the way Bodie gently but firmly stands up to his superior and takes charge of the situation while all the time calming his partner.

Finally, I think this is a great example how a writer can “show” and not “tell”. The action is driven by dialogue. There are some annoying typos and misplaced dashes. Overall I find this a good comfort read, with an ending that leaves me convinced that, though Doyle has a lot of healing to do and will never be an agent again, the lads will resume being lovers and be happy together.

Comments

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

This worked well as a disturbing piece (but with a good ending), probably more so because DiaG was on in the background while I was reading. And I like the nod to "A Man Called Quinn".

Having said that, I was thrown out of the story by being unable to accept that this situation could have happened. In canon, Bodie and Doyle never leave the UK, let alone go behind the Iron Curtain, although possibly they might at some stage.

Then, seemingly no one told Doyle that Bodie had survived, and Bodie, who knew what had happened to Doyle, had not gone to see him in Repton. Maybe Bodie had been lied to about Doyle's condition, or ordered to stay away? If so, it doesn't come across.

I just get fed up with 'Damaged Doyle', when authors cause him unnecessary suffering. *g*

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"In canon, Bodie and Doyle never leave the UK, let alone go behind the Iron Curtain,..."
Yes Bodie did! (I just forgot name of the episode.) He was the leader of a group who exchanged Bartak(?) in a wood behind the Iron Curtain. (Oh damn - those names...) ;-)

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

Ha! well spotted. Is it "Hiding to Nothing"?

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

No. I think it's DEAD RECKONING...

Scene 1: A forest on the Continent. Bodie gets out of a car and pushes Vashunin through the forest for a short distance.

BODIE: Hold it.

....

BATAK I: Thank you, my friend.

BODIE: That's all right.

:-)

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

As firle pointed out, in canon Bodie did leave the UK on a mission. I have no problem believing that the lads' duties would take them to the continent in 1990 or so. That isn't a problem for me.

I think that no matter what D was told about B surviving he wouldn't have believed them.

At no point are we told that B had not gone to see D in Repton (neither are we told the contrary). I think, again as firle mentioned, that B had tried to reach D but given up hope. I'm just not sure what has now changed to make him able to connect with D.

After I picked this fic to rec I thought about how we were now doing "Damaged Doyle" 2 stories in a row. I guess we need a break from it!

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

I'm just not sure what has now changed to make him able to connect with D. Seems to me that it is the process of Doyle gradually recovering his mental capacity - enough to form a plan to escape anyway, even if he is still confused.
I'll buy that Bodie had tried to visit him at Repton (maybe did and Doyle didn't remember) and it just isn't mentioned in the fic.

I agree, the 'slow reveal' is what makes this interesting, and maybe even more information that just doesn't get revealed at all because it isn't really necessary. As you say, a good example of showing without telling.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"I'll buy that Bodie had tried to visit him at Repton (maybe did and Doyle didn't remember) and it just isn't mentioned in the fic. "
I think there is no need for that to be mentioned. Nothing could have kept Bodie away, we know it! ;-)
Bodie's distance at the beginning of the op is IMO just explicable with years of trying to reach Doyle's mind and with one disappointment after the other.

That's the way Bodie feels: "...a strange thrill in his belly -- excitement, apprehension, expectation...". Maybe because this escape from Doyle is his first sign of life since he came back to England?

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

I don't know. Can we ever have too much damaged Doyle? *g*

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Speaking for myself, no! ;-)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

As firle pointed out, in canon Bodie did leave the UK on a mission.
To be honest, I'm never convinced that was where Bodie was. Certainly there were "Russian" guards around a compound where Batak was being held, but need it have been behind the Iron Curtain? It could quite well have been some Russian embassy building here in the UK - after all, the exchange was obviously pre-arranged and it would make far more sense for the UK government to expect Batak brought into the country if it was an official exchange.

Okay, the transcript says "A forest on the Continent", but where's that information come from? Presumably just from someone watching the ep ("Transcribed in 2002 by PJHR.") and making assumptions, as we're all doing. CI5's remit is domestic, not international - so the only reason for Bodie to be involved would be if it all took place on domestic grounds, otherwise it would fall to MI6 which had the international remit...

On the other hand, if the exchange took place for political reasons secretly within Russian embassy grounds in the UK, then Bodie would absolutely be there - and if the ambushers were really the Russians not wanting to let Batak go, then they would have diplomatic immunity on their own grounds but not anywhere else - hence having to be sneakier about knocking Batak off when their ambush didn't work... All very twisty, I know, but to me it makes more sense than suddenly sending Bodie on a mission that's outside CI5's remit of "domestic security"...

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

from Dead Reckoning -
COWLEY: When Bodie picked him up at the border, he was already as good as dead. She didn't kill him.

Are you convinced now?

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Much better evidence, yes! (I do like a good piece of proper evidence *g*) Although then CI5 doesn't make much sense... but we knew that already. *g* Plus I'd forgotten how pretty the lads are in this one... *sighs happily*

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Now what I'm wondering is why Doyle wasn't with Bodie on that mission.

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

In canon, Bodie and Doyle never leave the UK, let alone go behind the Iron Curtain, although possibly they might at some stage.

In the novelizations there are references to them both having been out of the country at various times and on various missions. And there are certainly plenty of fics stories where they leave the country, so that's not a problem for me.

The story does bother me, though. I often have difficulty with stories where one or the other of them cracks -- I mean, really breaks down. Not that it couldn't happen, just that it's not how I see them. Especially for such an extended period of time. I guess I could see one of them snapping, but then pulling himself back together (maybe not very realistic of me).

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Catch A Fallen Star? Heat Trace? Both are favorites of mine.

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

Catch A Fallen Star? Heat Trace? Both are favorites of mine.


True enough. And mine. And you can include All These Years in that.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

I agree! With the liking of the story, with the 'nothing is as it seems'.
But I would even go further that the author isn't just holding back things - she deliberately confuses her readers. It's a story of wrong traces.
Right at the beginning - why shouldn't we believe that Doyle is 'punished severely'? But why let they draw him? What is it with the Wall? We maybe suspect that there is something wrong with Doyle, but then he steals a BMW of all things.
Then Bodie... Even he seems to be 'wrong'. Why would he have to "made his decision" to try getting Doyle out of the house without weapons? Of course he would do everything to save Doyle - or not?
And why does he say "Doyle, this is CI5. Surrender your weapons..."?

And we very quickly learn what has happened...

I think this is a story to 'think', to pay attention, to fasten onto. I like that! :-)

But I interpret Bodies behaviour in a way that Doyle must have been a very long time in Repton, that Bodie has given up hope, that he really wasn't sure if Doyle could ever come back. And there are many hints that years have gone by, not only months.

And I'm sure that Bodie has visited Ray very often in Repton! That Doyle doesn't remember anything - well I'm not so optimistic about his prognosis for the future... - but I want to believe!!!

Thank you for the rec!

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

The wrong traces, as you say, make the story interesting to me.

that Bodie has given up hope, that he really wasn't sure if Doyle could ever come back....
Yes, I interpret it this way too. I don't know about years, but certainly months.

I choose to believe that with B's love and help D will regain his right mind.

I'm glad you read and liked the story. :-D

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

I thought it was all right... I read to the end, anyway (and I don't always though I usually do for the Reading Room). I quite liked the concept and the red herrings (like the BMW)but I found it too short, too unbelievable for reasons others have already mentioned, and not terribly well written, with lots of clumsy constructions (such as the way she shows thoughts simply by changing tense) which threw me out of the story. Not awful but ultimately forgettable...

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Despite the potential plotholes, I actually think it's fairly well written and didn't notice any clumsy constructions. Ah well, to each his own. Thanks for commenting!

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

It was definitely readable due to it's shortness. I like the faith Bodie has when he goes into the house alone and how he tells his boss that Doyle is his now to care for. I also liked the idea that we really don't know what's going on, that it's revealed bit by bit.

I have a feeling some of the formatting came from being scanned from typewritten pages when words were commonly hyphenated.

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

I figured after last week's fic we needed something short and relatively undemanding. Also because of the short notice. Agree about the reasons for the typos.

I think the slow reveal is what makes this fic stand out from the ordinary.

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

I think the slow reveal is what makes this fic stand out from the ordinary.

I much prefer a slow reveal too, and I thought that Ashlea did that fairly well in this.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

I liked it for what it was, but it was kind of unsatisfying too. I want to know what happened before and after the events in this story!

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Yes, me too.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"I liked it for what it was, but it was kind of unsatisfying too. I want to know what happened before and after the events in this story!"
To be true; I'm glad that I don't have to read all the 'breaking' of Doyle behind the Iron Curtain! And I'm also not fond of the political games that were probably necessary to get him out of there... No! *shivers*

But the events 'after' - Yes! That's something I would like to know!

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

To be true; I'm glad that I don't have to read all the 'breaking' of Doyle behind the Iron Curtain! And I'm also not fond of the political games that were probably necessary to get him out of there... No!

I don't necessarily mean that stuff. I want to know why Bodie hasn't visited Doyle in Repton, how long Doyle's been there, how such an asshat got to be CI5 controller, and that kind of thing.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Well in my Pros world it is impossible that Bodie hasn't visited Doyle there, that he hasn't done everything to 'bring Doyle back'.
That leads to the other 'knowledge' that many years must have gone by...
Just look at the new CI5 numbers.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

Exactly! That's the stuff I want to read.

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

I'm generally a big fan of h/c with Doyle as hurtee and Bodie as comforter, and this story works all right on a number of levels. The writing is a little clunky and the reality factor is pretty much out the window (along with Doyle). It reminds me a great deal of the pool house scene in WTF, and that might be why it didn't do a lot for me.

I do think she does a good job of showing rather than telling, and I like the fact that she doesn't spell out the obvious for us.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

What do you mean with the 'reality factor'? What's different to other stories?

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

What do you mean with the 'reality factor'? What's different to other stories?

There's a suspension of disbelief required for most stories -- no argument here -- but most of the details in Reunited ring false for me. Nothing that hasn't been pointed out: the ease with which Doyle escapes -- from the bar-less windows to the perfect drawing of the room (say what?!). And then the bigger issues of his breakdown and miraculous recovery. To believe in those things, I need a little more from the author.

I don't think Ashlea set out to write a believable story, though. I don't think that was her aim. The details of the story are just window trappings for the big emotional payoff of Bodie coming to Doyle's rescue and their being reunited. Everything else is window trappings.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Oh yes! I was very fond of the drawing too!
But you've forgotten: ""He's the best," replied the instructor reverently." ;-)

No seriously. The whole scenario works for me, so I'm content with little exaggerations. And considering the fact that Repton is no KGB high security prison, we can assume that the nurses/doctors/whoever just take a superficial look at the observation screen.

That 'Bodie coming to Doyle's rescue' is IMO the special part of the story - let's say the most disturbing act of the tragedy. If you read the little bits of the background story it really is a tragedy! Doyle seing Bodie shot, captured, broken, back to England. Bodie trying everything to get Doyle out, then the sight of his broken lover, the shut away in Repton...
That's something I wouldn't want to read in detail - but these short snippets are enough for me to suffer for both of them...
And Bodie is obviously too disillusioned to 'ride alone and rescue' Doyle - he is acting by the rules - but then he makes his decision for a last try.

And he isn't disappointed in the end! :-)
Well, the 'miraculous recovery' is a problem for me too - but that's what we all want to read...

But - yes the story works for me! :-)

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

That 'Bodie coming to Doyle's rescue' is IMO the special part of the story - let's say the most disturbing act of the tragedy. If you read the little bits of the background story it really is a tragedy! Doyle seing Bodie shot, captured, broken, back to England. Bodie trying everything to get Doyle out, then the sight of his broken lover, the shut away in Repton...

Well said.

[krisserci5.livejournal.com]

The writing is a little clunky and the reality factor is pretty much out the window (along with Doyle).

Writing does not have to be top notch, nor does the reality have to be believable. . . .just the characterization. So I can accept those oddities. . .In this story, short though it is I'm worried for Doyle too long. . . .

I do like the way it unfolded!

I want to know what happened before and after the events in this story!

This I want as well.

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

Yes, I feel for poor D in his plight. He seems to prefer being killed by a sniper than going back to the facility. And when he places all his trust in Bodie I melt every time I read it.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I rather enjoyed this, although as you mention in your review above and others in the comments, reality's taken rather a back seat. The drawing? High enough security for a camera, but no locks/bars etc? And I'm with those above in wondering why Bodie doesn't seem to have tried to make contact with Doyle while he was in Repton - he's obviously been there for quite some time, "the senior instructor" doesn't seem at all thrown that it is Doyle, but nor does he say anything to suggest that Doyle might have seen him every week since then and forgotten him - and if he planned the escape long enough to make such a perfect drawing, hide it and remember where he put it and then what he was going to do with it, his memory can't be that bad... Blotted Bodie out, perhaps? Okay, but then if seeing Bodie had such a big impact this time, why not on other occasions if he's been visiting...

I love the misdirection, the BMW, the show-not-tell (the Prosfic I like best is always show-not-tell) but I think just a couple of words more that would have shown us a slightly more realistic situation might have made this a perfect little fic... And I can live with an awful lot of damaged-but-still-tough-and-competent-Doyle-and-comforting-Bodie, so yeay, and thank you! *g*

[metabolick.livejournal.com]

I agree with all you say. Despite its flaws, I enjoy this fic.

Okay, but then if seeing Bodie had such a big impact this time, why not on other occasions if he's been visiting...

Yep, this was my main question.