Title: The Day is Closing In

Pairing: Grace/Boyd

Rating: K+

Spoilers: Up to and including season seven to be on the safe side

Authors Notes: This follows on from Season seven, probably about six months later

Disclaimer: Waking the Dead does not belong to me and I always return the characters unharmed.

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Chapter Sixteen

Grace couldn't remember the last time she had left Boyd asleep in bed while she headed off to work. As happy as the image left her she couldn't shake the thought that he was in trouble. His final promise as she had bustled around her house getting dressed had been that he would call someone and see her later. As much as she believed him it was still with some trepidation she had driven to the Cold Case Headquarters. Grace gathered her belongings from her car, stuffing books and keys and scarves into the oversized bag and walked through the building and into the office. She stopped abruptly, every muscle in her body tightening, her heart beating a little faster, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the scene.

Spencer rose to his feet and made a move towards her, his path blocked by the man in full police uniform.

"Good morning, Grace."

"Assistant Chief Constable." She nodded, her eyes moving briefly to each of her colleagues.

"Shall we take this in Boyd's office." He held out his arm and waited for her to enter before he closed the door behind them.

She tried unsuccessfully to catch Spencer's eye to find out what was happening before she found herself alone with the man who was about to ruin her day.

"Where's Boyd?" He stared at her without a hint of compassion.

Grace pondered denying any knowledge of her boyfriend's whereabouts but she knew Stella, at least, knew where he had last been. The chances were half the force now knew about their relationship. "He's out taking care of a few things. Arranging interviews"

The ACC nodded, looking totally unconvinced. "I'm going to have to suspend him, Grace."

"Why?" She knew she sounded defensive but she couldn't help herself. They were in whatever it was together and as she had lay against his chest listening to his heart beating that morning there was nowhere else she wanted to be.

"My understanding is that you were present at the interview," he said, leaning forward and resting his hands on the desk, Boyd's computer unceremoniously pushed aside and his files too neatly stacked.

It irked Grace to see someone other than Boyd sat there and to know that he wouldn't be back there for a while. A momentary thought flittered through her mind and she knew then that she didn't want to be there if he wasn't. "Collins lodged a complaint?"

His silence was confirmation enough, not that she needed it, as the team would never had said anything, not without knowing the facts. "He didn't touch him. He wouldn't and I wouldn't have let him." Grace held her bag more tightly against her chest.

"He's out of control, Grace. His tempers. His moods. His methods. Can't you talk to him?"

"He's one of the best officers I've ever worked with." It sounded pathetic but sitting there listing Boyd's plus points wasn't going to change the situation. In truth it would only serve to get them both into trouble.

"Then maybe he just needs a holiday." It was a throw away comment laced with sarcasm.

She chuckled humourlessly. "Yeah, what do you suggest? Two weeks on a sun bed reading Frederick Forsyth and Patricia Cornwell. An adventure holiday bungy jumping. . ." Grace stopped abruptly, as close to stepping over the line as she had ever been.

"I don't care if he checks into the Priory. He's suspended for two weeks. And if I decide he needs longer then . . .," the ACC trailed off, avoiding her eyes. "Then we'll see. Spencer can tie up the case and anything else that comes in. Boyd will need a psych examination before he comes back." He looked suddenly uncomfortable. "As much as I respect you, Grace, I don't think you're objective enough when it comes to Peter. And if you haven't already suggested to him to get counselling then you've proved me right."

Grace glanced up at him defiantly. "Work keeps him going."

"I hope he has more than that, Grace," he said sincerely, settling himself into Boyd's chair. "Spence would like you in on the interview. They've been waiting for you."

It was a dismissal she knew but she waited for him to look her in the eye before she turned on her heel. "Thank you, Sir."

Grace strode into her office and threw her belongings onto the couch before leaning against her desk. It was somewhat ironic that Boyd had finally asked for help and was about to lose his job. She knew he would probably see it as the world ending or his paranoia would set in and he'd see it all as a conspiracy, replaying every conversation that they'd had making it so much harder for himself.

"Spence wants to know if you're ready," Stella asked, quietly entering the room and hovering by the door. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, resisting the urge to ask the questions they all had.

Grace nodded not turning, "Just getting my head together."

"You want me to let you know when he shows up?" the young DC asked hesitantly.

There was a moment of silence and a lack of response as Grace contemplated the decision that she had made moments before in Boyd's office. "Yeah, thanks Stella. And . . . Can you fax this to the Home Office." She walked around the desk, opening a drawer before pulling out a sheet of paper. Seconds later she handed over the hastily filled in form.

Stella glanced down at the sheet of paper and back at Grace, a horrified expression on her face. "Grace?"

The Psychologist gave her a small smile before stepping past her and patting her arm. "Boyd isn't the only one who needs a holiday, Stella."

"A holiday?"

Grace paused by the door, unwilling to face her friend. "If it becomes permanent you'll be the first to know," she said, reiterating a promise she had made to the woman's predecessor.

"You understand it's snowing, right?" Boyd asked, wrapping his arms around him and stepping out onto the patio, closing the door firmly behind him.

"The night sky is clear. There's Stars everywhere," she replied, turning to him with a smile.

"The heating's on inside. There's soup on the stove, warm bread in the oven. The match on the telly," he offered, trying to encourage her inside.

"I like it out here." In truth she liked to think outside whatever the weather, it gave her a clear head and a sense of equilibrium.

"You don't have to do this." He'd been more than adamant that she didn't have to take time off when she told him. They'd debated it over lunch and he predicted would still be debating it at bedtime.

"I need a holiday." Grace turned away, confirming his suspicions.

"Grace!" His arms slipped effortlessly around her from behind and pulled her back against her chest.

"It's done," Grace said simply, leaning into his embrace and enjoying the warmth.

He smiled against her hair. "So what do you want to do?"

"You're the one who hasn't had a holiday in a decade." Her laugh was forced, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "And I think you should postpone the evaluation until we get back."

"You're gonna help me beat it?" Peter asked, surprised.

Grace turned slowly in his embrace, tilting her head to look into his face. "I'm going to ignore the small print in my police contract and help you deal with some of your issues."

"Okay." He smiled down at her, pondering whether to ask how much longer she would have a police contract but it was a question for another night.

"Okay? No argument?"

"Arguing is pointless. Besides, I have faith in you, Grace."

"Oh dear," Grace laughed for the first time all day

Boyd gently leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I also have faith in things unseen. More importantly I'll do whatever you say to spend two weeks watching you walk around in a bikini."

Grace raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Between therapy sessions and you know, when we actually get out of bed," Peter chuckled, his eyes trained firmly on her lips.

"Boyd!" she warned gently, suddenly warming to the idea, her vocal consternation dissipating as his lips found hers.

The snow fell silently around them as the kiss deepened and the phone rang somewhere in the house. Finally he broke away, his hand reaching for hers and leading her into the house, the rest of the world shut out for another day.

The End