The Reading Room – Mere Anarchy by Rebelcat

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

The story for this Reading Room is

Mere Anarchy by Rebelcat.

And you can find it here:
http://www.thecircuitarchive.com/tca/archive/16/mereanarchy.html
http://hatstand.slashcity.net/rebel/anarchy.html
http://myrebelcat.livejournal.com/2357.html#cutid2

We will now close this post for further answers.
Please answer in the second post! And please copy and past the part of the comment you're replying to, if it's from this first post.
Thank you!
Mere Anarchy / part 2:

community.livejournal.com/ci5hq/82398.html

Why I like this story?

I think it got me from the start! We are thrown into a session with Dr.Ross and Bodie. And it's clear that Ross doesn't stand a chance to reach Bodie deep inside. He even scares her: "This man was a professional killer, and he had dropped the charming mask he habitually wore in a deliberate attempt to frighten her."
Huh! Yes! That’s the way I like him! He’s snappy, sarcastic and witty, even in THAT situation!

Well - the situation...
Bodie and Doyle live in a sort of ‘un-established relationship’. Which means that everything is new, insecure and easy to destroy.
At this moment something terrible happens and they have to deal with it – and esp.Doyle isn’t sure how their fresh love affair could survive this.

During the story we learn what has happened to Bodie – and I think in a very thrilling way – through some flashbacks of Doyle.
And what I really love in this part of the story is the characterisation of Doyle. He’s very well aware that he failed when he found Bodie, and he absolutely doesn’t know how to help his friend now after he has left hospital. Doyle is doing some kind of switching between caring for Bodie and respecting his maleness...
IMO this insecurity is a very strong part of the story, because it is human and also authentic for such a situation (although there is a big difference to the ‘weak, crying Doyle’ of some other stories!!!).
"At that time, Doyle had believed he could help Bodie more by catching the man who'd hurt him."
"Terribly eager to hand him over to the nurses, weren't you?"
And in the end Doyle is ‘just doing the right thing’, - he’s there for Bodie!
Bodie doesn’t need someone who tells him how he has to feel and what he has to do.

The next part is – let’s say Cowley’s way to comfort Bodie. Cowley expects more from him than ever before (I think). Bodie is supposed to interrogate one of his tormentors… I think Cowley is a bastard!  – but he is right! That’s exactly what Bodie needs for his hurt soul! 
"Well, Bodie certainly wasn't going to have to worry about his reputation as a hard man."

As Bodie meets Ross again she is surprised how he has changed.

I just can say: Who needs a Dr.Ross if he can have Doyle? 


^^
So... Have fun! (I hope so!)


Oh… I’m sorry for those who reject rape stories. I’m no fan of them either. But in this story there is no explicit description of the rape, the story is more about the damages and the way out - so it works for me.

Author: Rebelcat
Title: Mere Anarchy
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Length: 81K
Author on LJ: myrebelcat
Warnings: rape

Please answer in the second part: community.livejournal.com/ci5hq/82398.html

Comments

[kiwisue.livejournal.com]

I've just printed it off to read, and haven't got far enough through it for anything like a proper comment, but I just wanted to say that the opening scene is very strong. Well-drawn conflict between Bodie and Dr Ross; both are perfectly in-character imo, and the back-story comes through without the need for clunky exposition.

Will post more when I've read more!

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

First things, first........thanks very much for this rec and for your views on it. I’ve just finished reading it so I’m sort of writing as I think or thinking as I write........I’m not sure I’ve reached any conclusions about it yet but so far I thought it was well written; I thought her characterisations were excellent - as you say ‘authentic’ - and that they were that rare thing in fic, equals. And yes, I agree with what you say re Doyle:

Doyle is doing some kind of switching between caring for Bodie and respecting his maleness

though for some reason as I read the story I really wasn’t thinking about Doyle’s role in this at all, but your point is an interesting one and it made me think about his part in the story and I agree with you…which leads me on to what I *was* thinking about and, not surprisingly, I've got to admit that it was Bodie. I thought she had his characterisation perfectly drawn: his levity and ability to poke fun at himself and the counter to that, his own, homemade principles, his depth and the ability to kill without batting an eyelid. And I think she had some really wonderful lines relating to him:

He'd put a round through a hostage, if he thought it was his only chance at taking down the hostage taker.

"Civilization is over-rated."

That's my Bodie! But as I progressed through the story I was puzzled by the fact that although I really like Bodie and felt he’d been through a hellish experience, despite this I didn’t feel *for* him, for what he'd undergone and I’m wondering why was that? (Except in this excellent scene, Something cracked inside of Bodie. How much more did Doyle want from him? Turning, he said, "I wanted them to leave him alone!") I suppose part of the reason was because Bodie didn’t feel sorry for himself? The writer’s expertise is such that I’m sure she could have pulled at my heartstrings if she’d wanted to but I felt her action was deliberate and she just didn’t choose to because it was always about them and the how and the why of their relationship and why it had become physical. So...I'm still not sure it moved me as much as I liked to be moved but I enjoyed it, it was interesting, very readable, unfolded at a good pace, I felt she'd got her Bodie and Doyle 'just right' and I think it's the kind of story I'd enjoy even more on a second reading.

Thanks for the rec!

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I liked the story a lot. I can read rape on occasion (never partner rape!!!) so this one was fine. As you said, the rape itself is done off screen. The description of how Doyle finds Bodie almost had me crying.

I also liked Cowley in this. He did know what to do and he was right. I think that Cowley is very insightful, in spite of the fact that he can toss either or both of them under the bus if need be.

Really good. I'd rec it even for those who generally don't like rape stories. Give it a try.

And after reading shooting2kill's remarks below, I have to agree. I didn't feel sorry for Bodie because he was strong in spite of what had happened to him. To the point where he says it could happen again.

Thanks for the rec. Hadn't read this one before.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Enjoy it! :-)

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Uhm... Does it sound as if my focus was on Doyle? You know it's always Bodie! But Doyle was damn good for him in the story - so I had to savour it!

I agree - Bodie is just HIM!
But that you "can't feel *for* him" because he didn't feel sorry for himself" - hmmmmmmmmmm.....
That would be for me one more reason to feel pity for him, because he 'always has to be strong'.
The poor boy! Well, I was very moved! ;-)

Thanks for commenting!!!

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

A good story with lots of UST and knowing that they’ve been/are going to be together carrying them (and us)through the problems. All the time I felt reassured that they would be together as partners however their sexual relationship was resolved.

I have no problem with rape in fics in a fandom where violence and crime are part of the canon but I assume some people would want to be warned off? (I’m much less happy with rape in a fandom that has nothing to do with law enforcement e.g. Harry Potter). I like the way ‘crime’ series enable us to confront feelings about crimes such as rape and of course it would be unrealistic if the subject was never raised. I thought the reactions of both Bodie and Doyle were believable, and I liked the little look into Ross’s reactions, too. Then there were the others, typified by Murphy. And one of the rapists, at the end.

The occasional Americanisms e.g. ‘off of’ really threw me - which means, I think, that she got the language very right most of the time. I could hear them inmy head. Cowley, too.

I liked the way the story was almost totally about sexual relationships but had no sex in it. That was unusual and showed good control and understanding by the author.

Someone mentioned not feeling sorry for Bodie. I did, on a purely physical level - being terrified about the next bowel movement isn’t fun (ask anyone who’s had stitches after childbirth)! But I felt sorrier for Doyle, who didn’t know what to do.

I hadn’t read this particular story before though I had read and liked some of the author’s other pieces. Altogether satisfactory and well-written. An interesting rec!

(I’m about to go away and might not be around after tomorrow to answer any comments so you can either ignore me or risk being apparently ignored yourselves! I just wanted to join in with my opinion!)

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Well that's a perfect view on Cowley: "I think that Cowley is very insightful, in spite of the fact that he can toss either or both of them under the bus if need be." Very good! A summary of his role in all the 57 episodes - and in this story!

(never partner rape!!!)
And that's strange, but 'B/D partner rape' isn't too bad for me, maybe because there is always in my mind - "they do it for love, they will end anyway as lovers"(on the contrary to real violence in marriage, which never ends well...).

But to 'rec this story for those who generally don't like rape stories.' I don't know... I don't read death fics - and I can't imagine that anyone could convince me...

And you too didn't feel sorry for Bodie because he is so strong? But what is for example with this scene: "...but he knew a man on the edge of a breakdown when he saw one."(the scene is after Bodie tries to leave to kill Burgess)? Bodie at the edge of a breakdown! He just can't show his feelings!

Thanks for your thoughts!

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

It was a while since I'd read the story, but it stood up very well to re-reading. It's a very powerful story, and that first scene totally grabs you. What worked for me was that the writer had really nailed the lads -- I could totally 'hear' them (some Americanisms such as "I could use . . ." notwithstanding). She'd also made Cowley believable, and I often think he's a tricky character go get right.

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

No, it didn't sound as if your focus was on Doyle but you mentioned him early on in your analysis and it was an interesting, valid point, which made me feel guilty for not thinking that much about him at least in the early part of the story.

But that you "can't feel *for* him" because he didn't feel sorry for himself

I didn't say I 'can't' feel for him, but that I 'didn't' feel for him - slight difference - believe me I *wanted* to but something just failed to move me! And I was suggesting that perhaps the absence of self-pity on his part was influencing me, that he was making light of his situation to the extent that I, the reader, also 'bought' the act. Which I think is clever writing. And I think you're right in that normally the lack of self-pity would be one more reason to feel for him because usually it's self-pitying people I normally don't feel for because they're doing the pitying for you, so I *should* have felt more for Bodie.....that's what's so strange - his plight failed to move me as I think it should have done.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Given the men here, they weren't supposed to show emotions. I think that we've seen that in many episodes. Of course, I felt sorry for what happened to him. He did need help getting through this ordeal, but he was strong. I didn't feel pity like he was some poor whiny creature. He came out stronger in spite of the awful circumstances.

(never partner rape!!!)
And that's strange, but 'B/D partner rape' isn't too bad for me, maybe because there is always in my mind - "they do it for love, they will end anyway as lovers"(on the contrary to real violence in marriage, which never ends well...).

I'm totally confused by your thought here. How can anybody rape another person for love? Rape is never for love, only violence and domination. *shudder* I sure hope nobody ever "loves" me enough to rape me. Are you saying because it's fiction, it's okay? That doesn't make sense to me at all! I could never condone violence in a relationship, make-believe or not. I don't want them together after one rapes the other. In fact, I don't see how the victim wouldn't put a bullet in his partner's head. I just can't believe either would accept that sort of treatment from the other. Call me stupid, I suppose.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Well after all Bodie and Doyle have just gone through, I think I can take the risk to be ignored... ;-)
Occasional Americanisms? I'm lucky that I wouldn't remark it... (but I know what you mean - I wouldn't like it if in a story about Hamburg there would be some Bavarian idioms!).

And I know that some people don't like rape stories, as much as I never would read a death fic! It's maybe not always easy to explain, but you can't change it.

"being terrified about the next bowel movement isn’t fun..." That's something I really appreciate in Pros, and also in this story, that such intimacies are often mentioned. No super heros, but real men...

Thanks for your opinion!

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

As with death fic, I almost never read rape stories (I'm not being in the least judgemental here, it's just not my thing personally). So, first of all, thanks for suggesting this one, because I might not have read it otherwise, and I'm glad I did.

I enjoyed the blokiness of their reactions; they both coped with the situation in totally believable ways - Bodie in denial, Doyle not knowing how to help, how to put it right. And that feeling of nothing ever being the same again that gradually eased as the story progressed and they gradually pulled themselves and each other back together.

I also like their toughness all the way through - there's never any feeling that either of them is about to do the bushbaby clinging thing... I like the lads rough and tough *g* There's only one moment where it doesn't ring true for me - when Doyle suddenly announces that Bodie needs a cuddle. That kind of made my brain spin a bit. *g*

It felt as though Bodie was orbiting Doyle the whole way through the story, pulling away from him, but then being pulled back, especially towards the end in the hallway outside the interrogation room - I loved Doyle standing still, waiting for Bodie to come closer again, confident that he would.

Thanks again for the rec and encouraging me to read something I might otherwise have passed over.

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the rec, I've not read this story before and I found my interest engaged from the first paragraph - always a good sign.

The way Bodie handled the situation rang so very true. I felt that Bodie and Doyle were very much in character. While feeling angry (not pity since Bodie neither wanted it nor needed it) on Bodie's behalf, I also felt strongly for Doyle trying not to walk on egg shells with him and somehow managing to get it almost right! Cowley was his magnificent self while Ross' thoughts were a great way of focusing the story and providing a more objective view of Bodie. The B/D element was beautifully and subtly done and I loved the ending.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

But as I mentioned below for sc_fossil - how about:
"...but he knew a man on the edge of a breakdown when he saw one."(the scene is after Bodie tries to leave at night to kill Burgess)?
Bodie at the edge of a breakdown!!!
He just can't show his feelings!

[constant-muse.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much for reccing this week, and for your post this evening.

Just briefly (for now at least), I really like the economy of Rebelcat's style, it's terse and fast-paced like the eps, and this among other things makes it feel very canon.

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree! Bodie deserves my sympathy but for some reason the story doesn't inspire it (in me) as much as I would expect. And the only reasons I can think for this would be that either: a) it's my fault and I'm unfeeling;
b) the writing doesn't succeed in making that emotional connection with me; or, c) the writer doesn't want that reaction from me.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

No I don't call you stupid - you're all right in real life! I haven't read many rape stories, but one of them was Rough Ride by ... - must look -.
And Bodie rapes Doyle to prevent him from gang rape from some villains... and that convinced me IN THIS STORY. As I mentioned before - this has nothing to do with real life or how I see Bodie and Doyle! Me too I don't want them to treat each other in that way!!!

I didn't feel pity like he was some poor whiny creature... I can't feel pity if for example Doyle is such a 'poor whiny creature" in some stories. But I get the impression that this is more a problem of earlier Pros stories!? Or am I wrong?

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"and that first scene totally grabs you." Yes I was caught right from the beginning! Certainly because we all see Dr.Ross before our eyes... :-)
And 'powerful' is a good word for it!

Thanks for commenting!

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Oh, you're much tougher than I am when you read something you fear don't want to...

But I'm glad you liked the story!!!
"I like the lads rough and tough..."
Yes! Me too! I don't know if it's the English way - but the way for example Starsky and Hutch act is much too - what did you say: "a bushbaby clinging thing..."! :-)

And the cuddle... Well why not? Sex isn't possible, so why not? And it's IMO just a metaphor for "being there for each other". No it doesn't disturb me. But I'll read that passage again.

Thank you!

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

"to walk on eggshells..."
:-) I was looking for such a phrase but couldn't find it. That's exactly my thought about Doyle.
But that you all don't feel pity for Bodie...

Of course you are right - he is strong! But...

Thanks!

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Nah - the cuddle thing only bothered me because it seemed to come out of nowhere - I'm all for the lads cuddling! - it just seemed a bit clunky, and I only mentioned it because for me it was an otherwise perfectly written story, especially the characterisations... I forgot to say how much I liked this version of Cowley too.

Oh, you're much tougher than I am when you read something you fear don't want to...

LOL - I'm a big wuss - I need to be tempted out of my comfort zone occasionally, so ta muchly again *g*

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I read Rough Ride. It was horrible. I hated Bodie in this story. It's exactly the sort of story I dislike. But that is purely personal. I don't like the "fuck or die" scenario anyway and this is a good example of why I don't. While any sort of story like this could be well done, it's just not for me. I felt awful when I read it and the end didn't make me feel any better, only very sad, and angry at Bodie.

Really, it's fine what other people read. I just can't personally separate my feelings from a story and look at it impartially. It's just me. I understand that about myself. My feelings from a story don't change to a real life situation, if that makes sense. I can't read say, incest in a story and think it's okay there and not okay in RL. I know a lot of readers can partition their feelings and thoughts that way, but I just can't do it. So I try not to read stories that make me feel either awful or plain angry at the characters accepting less than respectful treatment from their supposed friend, husband, wife, or partner.

I didn't think you were calling me stupid. I was calling myself that for not being able to accept the idea that Doyle would accept Bodie's rape as a sign of love.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

No, thank YOU for your fantastic idea to revive common recs! It's fun to see different points of views!

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

I feel that Bodie would reject pity with heartfelt anger and scorn! He was after revenge, which he got, not tea and sympathy. So it's a good job Doyle didn't offer it, although I felt the hot milk was rather pushing it. ;-)

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Could be a) and b) and c)!

No, - just a joke! Don't know what it is. Maybe Rebelcat finds her way here and can help...