TOSCA by Brenda K and Birgit (NC-17)

[doylebaby.livejournal.com]

Fandom:The Professionals
Pairing: Doyle/F Other M/F
Author on LJ: brenk
Author Website: www.geocities.com/brenkuebler
Why this must be read:

This is an absolute great case story. Wonderful character descriptions and good use of other CI5 agents besides Bodie and Doyle, with a nice part for Ruth Pettifer.

Doyle goes undercover in an Italian Ristorante, there is suspicion of drug running. He finds evidence about the drug ring, but discovers something even worse going on.

The story is told partly from Doyle's pov, and partly from Murphy's pov. Doyle has entrusted Murphy with the 'looking after' of his girl friend, because he doesn't trust Bodie not to make a pass at her.




So now I've got the job and am polishing glasses. My boss is happy with me, the other waiters are friendly, and mamma Maddalena likes me – a good start, and I hope that over time they'll trust me enough to let me get a glimpse of their other activities as well.

***
"Idea?" I say in mock innocence. "Like I told you, Ray asked me to keep an eye on you while he's away.

And he trusts you? You married or gay or something?"

***
Things improve after a while though, and when Doyle comes over to ask if everything's all right I cheerfully tell him it's excellent. Ruth says the saltimbocca is perfect too. Doyle grins and shimmies off to another table.

"Looks like he's enjoying himself," Ruth mutters. "Oh, and you seen the vampire queen over there?"

***
Ray…" I study his face, and the bruises on it, and definitely don't like what I see. "Drop it – we'll get it out of them when we move in. We'll have it all set up for when that special consignment comes in, thanks to the film you took."

***
"So he's all right?"

"He says he is," I tell Bodie honestly, like Doyle's made me swear to do but I'm not entirely easy with the whole thing.

***
I get Cowley, whose temper hasn't improved one iota and who says that Bodie and Khan are to go and replace Mac, and I'm to inform Bodie that if he puts one foot inside the restaurant he's fired: he's there to hold the fort if Khan goes in, and under no circumstances must we create an uproar at the restaurant before the consignment comes in. As for me, I'm to go back to the archives once the police and forensics people arrive.

Tosca

Comments

[kiwisue.livejournal.com]

Okay, I quite liked this one. Although I much prefer slash, I don't have antibodies to het. This had a solid plot, although the way the revelations about Cindy were handled was a bit contrived. There was also a bit too much repetition of basic information. The Murphy/Ruth aspect was well done, probably the best part of the story for me (I usually like any story that puts CI5 women in the frame in a good way).

[doylebaby.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it. I usually prefer slash too, but it's a great case story, well enough to do without the slash for once.

There are a great many really good gen stories out there and it's only fair to draw the attention to some of them as well.

[minesapint.livejournal.com]

This story looks interesting. Thanks for recommending it.

[doylebaby.livejournal.com]

I hope you will enjoy it. My pleasure!

[the-cornettist.livejournal.com]

I read this, and although I prefer slash, I have no objections to reading het or gen too. I felt it was quite a long haul to the end. The beginning was good and strong, enough to keep me gripped, but it didn't maintain what it had started.

[doylebaby.livejournal.com]

At least you liked it well enough to finish it! *g*

[the-cornettist.livejournal.com]

That I did!