Reading Room Theme IV - Older Lads Fic - Fire Held High and Away by Miriam Heddy

[starlite876.livejournal.com]

Title: Fire Held High and Away
Author: Miriam Heddy
Link to story or zine/ProsLib info: at the Circuit Archive or at the Hatstand Archive or on the ProsLib CD or in The Bisto Kids zine
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle

The title of the story is explained in the first couple of paragraphs which describes how the person who holds the Olympic Torch must to strike a balance when running and holding the Olympic Torch - that the torch must be held high and away or else the torch bearer would be burnt by the fire.



The story is written entirely from Bodie's POV and begins right after Involvement when Ann has left Doyle. The story then skips forward a couple of years and now the lads are no longer part of the 'A' squad but still with CI5. Doyle is being groomed to be Cowley's successor, while Bodie is working in the training centre, having taking over Macklin's job.

Although the lads are no longer partners on the streets, there are still best friends and rely on each other both at work and off work. When Doyle is stressed and frustrated with dealing with the bureaucracy it is Bodie who tries and cheers him up. Most of the time off work they spend together in each other's company. Although Bodie is bisexual in this story, they are not lovers (at least not at the start of the story).

We see the day-to-day lives of the lads both at work and off work, and the sneakiness of Doyle to orchestrate them into sharing a flat together. The move from friendship into something more is well written and I love the fact that Bodie had absolutely no idea of what Doyle was up to.

But what works for me best in this story is the banter between the lads - sharp and witty, and seem so true to what we see of the lads on screen.

Did this story work for you?

Do you think it is possible that either one or both of the lads would/could be groomed to takeover from Cowley? This seems to be a common premise in many Older Lads stories - for example, the story in last week's review had Doyle second-in-charge of CI5. In other Older Lads stories both Bodie and Doyle are "co-controllers" of CI5. Do you think it would take both lads to do Cowley's job? Or would one lad be more successful than the other, and if so who would be more successful as controller of CI5?

I will most likely not be able to access my computer for the next 24 hours due to the time zone differences and work commitments (I'm on a training course to learn about the thrilling subject of Project Management Life Cycle *snooze* ) so please discuss amongst yourselves and I hope to be able to come back to the LJ and read everyone's comments soon.

Comments

[merentha13.livejournal.com]

I did like this story, mainly for the banter and I'm a sucker for first time stories. It was well written and had some good ideas. But I did have one problem with it. I don't see why, characterized as they are here, Bodie loves Doyle. I don't find much very 'likeable' about the Doyle in this story. He's selfish, sarcastic, quick tempered and self absorbed. (I understand the reasons as discussed above by BSL.) But I don't think the author ever gives us a clue as to what Bodie sees in Ray that makes him love Doyle. Did I miss it?

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I think it's just a fandom thing, that we know they love each other for everything we've seen in the eps. We're not told why Doyle might love Bodie either, after all... (though obviously it's in Bodie's pov, so that would have been tricky!) I actually believe it more without any declaration of love from Bodie though - after all, we don't exactly sit around thinking "the reason I fancy Such-and-Such is..." (we just do love them, and appreciate their outward moments/looks etc) and we're so closely in Bodie's head that we're thinking his thoughts with him...

I do see hints of it in the proud-sounding way Bodie thinks about him sometimes:
And, when that failed, the fact that I could put the weight behind a blow aimed with a good deal more training and skill than most didn't hurt any. Ray was still quicker on his feet than me, and, although he wore spectacles to read now, he didn't to shoot, and he was still the best shot on the squad.

or He was muttering and on the floor, sweat on his brow and a charming smear of dirt picked up from his bloody boxes and wiped across his cheek. He looked a sight, and I tore my eyes away before he caught me grinning like a fool. (Why's Bodie grinning if he's not really enjoying himself just being there with Doyle? And having to tear his eyes away?)

or He'd thrown the tie off at the first opportunity and had unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt. The hair peeking out was grey, and I looked away, realising I'd started to stare. - Staring again... Bodie fancies him... *g*

...and just... just the way that Bodie so obviously wants to spend time with Doyle, and that his focus is on Doyle - they're comfortable together, they enjoy being together, it's natural... If MH had Bodie list the reasons Bodie loves Doyle for us, then it would have been explanation rather than "showing us" and we wouldn't feel so closely inside Bodie's head as we read...

[merentha13.livejournal.com]

Oh I have no doubt that Bodie does love him. That is real clear in this. I just don't see any reason written as to why he should! You're right, based on fandom we know that Ray does have a few redeeming qualities (*g*). But in this story, he just doesn't show any of them.

(This is when I really hate the time zone differences! I have to run off to work, where I can't access any of this, while you all get to keep 'talking!
Later!

[starlite876.livejournal.com]

I think BSL expressed really well – it just a fandom thing! Even though this story is from Bodie's POV we don't see all of his thoughts process, so yes it is conceivable that we don't get a list of why he loves Doyle. Also I think Bodie has always loved and cared for Ray, first as partners, and then as best friends.

Now I'm really late for work and must run! Thank you for your comments.