A snippet/missing scene for the ending of "Involvement."

Thanks to Max and Vermi for beta and research.

Characters from "The Professionals" are the property of Mark-1 Productions Ltd. I am simply borrowing them temporarily – without fraudulent intent or anticipation of monetary gain.

A Measure of Friendship

By e-pony

"Ray… wait," he calls so softly I can barely hear his voice over the scuff of my trainers on the tarmac.

"Bugger off!" I warn 'im. Course he doesn't listen. Instead, he moves closer, to that familiar place by my side.

I turn half-round to meet him – defences raised, angry words set to fire – expecting a sarky comment or some crude joke about blokes and birds. But, again, the bastard surprises me. A casual arm settles 'cross my shoulders.

For a second, it feels good, a steady point in a world turned arse-upwards. Then, the resentment returns, in a rush of fury, disappointment and… loss. I shrug 'im off, hard, and walk away. This time, he doesn't follow.

Sometimes the whisky glass of life isn't half-empty or half-full. It's just plain empty: empty of Ann, empty of trust – as bloody empty as me pocket and holster felt two days ago… as empty as that place by my side feels right now.

"Come on, mate," Bodie speaks the usual words, but his tone is strangely gentle. "Buy us a drink, eh?"

The emptiness eases a little. I turn again, and this time, I meet his eyes. What I see there warms my gut like a swig of Cowley's best. What Bodie sees in mine is anyone's guess, but he walks over to join me… like always

Silently, I reach out to rest a hand against my partner's back, and we move into the sunlight together. As we head for the nearest pub, I can't help but think that while my whisky glass may be nowhere near half-full, the first few drops have just been poured.

The end