This is an AU story I decided to do because there were certain things I wanted to change for Boyd and Grace. And I wanted them to meet way earlier than the series.

I own nothing. Just having fun.

Lily

Cold. Bitter cold. February was always cold but Grace Foley couldn't remember ever feeling this frigid. The chill ran throughout her body. It went right down to her bones. As she ran gloved hands over her stomach she feared she would never get warm again.

There was a half hour until the appointment. An appointment she was dreading but she didn't know what else to do. This feeling alone fueled the self loathing she had taken on. She knew rationally she was doing what had to be done. Grace knew she could never take on this responsibility alone. Her life was spiraling out of control and she'd convinced herself this was the only way to get things back on track.

"Dr. Foley. Dr. Foley!"

Can't I even get half an hour to be miserable?

She turned to find herself face to face with a smartly dressed, mustached, intense looking man. He was taller than her with deep set brown eyes. He attempted a half smile, running his hand through his hair. She could tell immediately this man needed to be in control all the time. Stop analyzing!

"I'm sorry do we know one another?"

"Well," he hesitated and she knew she was witnessing a rare moment for him, "we met for about ten seconds at the station."

"You're a police officer?" she whispered. I can't get away from them.

"Excuse me."

"Nothing. You mentioned the station."

"I was doing donkey work on the Greene case before my promotion came in. I saw you around the office a few times."

"Is there something I can help you with?" She asked making a point to look at her watch. "I've got to be somewhere."

He smiled at her for the first time. A full smile that softened his features. Before Harry she would have told this man how young the smile made him look. There was no denying how attractive he was. Flirting with him would have been the most natural thing to do. That was before Harry.

"You needed something?" she asked again.

"If you have somewhere you need to be it can wait. Can I give you my card? I'd really like to get together and talk about a few cases."

"Cases?" she said taking his card.

He went on to introduce himself as DS Peter Boyd and she listened as he recited her latest paper almost word for word. She could tell he wasn't convinced with all her ideas but she would have to admit it impressed her that he'd read it. Grace looked at her watch again. The appointment was important but there would still be time if she didn't make it today.

The sergeant stopped as she looked at her watch. He waited a few seconds before continuing, "Sorry about that. I tend to get a little out of control once an idea takes a hold of me. Please give me a call when you have a chance I have a few other things I'd like to discuss."

He grabbed her hand, squeezing it lightly. She watched him put the collar of his jacket up and turn back towards the wind.

Would it really be a problem missing the appointment today she asked herself? The real question the voice asked is do you really want to make it?

"Sergeant." She called after him.

"Boyd, just Boyd." He said as he walked back towards her.

"Boyd." She said a bit exasperated, this one would probably be hard work. She would probably be regretting this but the tiniest hint of vanity got the better of her and Grace found herself eager to continue discussing the paper.

"Changed your mind then?" he asked.

"You could say that."

"We could grab a coffee and I could let you know how I was thinking the cases and paper fit together."

Grace looked at her watch again. She decided she would call first thing in the morning, get the appointment all straightened out, take care of things, get her life back to something resembling normal.

"I'll warn you though," Boyd said interrupting her thoughts, "I find all that psychology stuff a bunch of crap but you did help catch Greene so there must be some merit in it."

Grace rolled her eyes as he smiled again at her. Cheeky bugger.