updated May 29, 2007
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
350,000 words
added May 29, 2007
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
As I've mentioned before, Pros is blessed with a lot of good novels. I've been waiting years for this one to be typed up and put online, because I'd never managed to get hold of a paper copy and I've been hearing about it for as long as I've been in Pros.
It was worth the wait, once I finally had time to devote to reading it (that word count isn't a typo). Rob starts things pre-series, with one AU premise: Ray's background, and why and how he was brought into CI5. From there, she builds the friendship first, as Bodie and Doyle learn to accept and trust each other, and gradually an attraction develops, in the midst of angst and hurt/comfort and plottiness. The whole thing is tremendously engaging, and well worth the read.
One minor warning, such as it is: there's a good reason the fandom's alternate name for this story is "Waiting to Fuck". *g* This moves along slowly and steadily, and the relationship happens in its own sweet time. It's just lovely if you like a slow build, but if you're used to a fast payoff it could be a little frustrating.
Of Tethered Goats and Tigers, by Tarot
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
56,200 words
added November 22, 2006
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
This is one of the best novels in Pros. It's a long, well-plotted case story that could have happened in canon, with Cowley triple-thinking rings around everyone, and Bodie and Doyle partners to the core even when they're not working side by side. Just as in canon, their work for CI5 is their priority -- their personal relationship is an organic part of that. Watching it build here in the context of the case is delightful, with on-target reactions from them both during the slow build as well as after. This one's a classic for good reason.
The link above goes to the story on The Circuit Archive. If that's down or you prefer a different layout, go here to read it on The Hatstand.
Professionals/Dangermouse crossover series, by Debra Hicks
(slash - Bodie/Doyle )
multiple stories
added November 22, 2006
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
Seriously, do you need anything more than the fact that this is a series of Pros/Dangermouse stories? I mean. Dangermouse! If that's not enough, there's also the fact that these are well-written, funny, and in-character, and some of my favorite Pros crossovers ever. And they're case stories.
The link above goes to Debra's story listing on The Hatstand, to make it easier to read them in order. Each one on the Hatstand has a link to the next in the series at the bottom, as well. There are eight total:
Mouseketeers (3,988 words)
Short Tails (2,298 words)
Of Mice and Monsters (5,165 words)
Werehamster of London (3,546 words)
Darts to You (3,943 words)
Lions and Tigers and Mice, Oh My! (3,347 words)
Kingdom of the Frog (3,851 words)
Humerus (2,700 words)
I'm not going to relink each of them again, but if the Hatstand is down or you prefer a different format, here's Debra's author listing on The Circuit Archive.
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
128,990 words
added November 22, 2006
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
I read this first as a zine, and couldn't put it down, and it can still suck me right in if I open it up. It's a circus AU - Doyle is in CI5 and goes undercover as a flyer at a circus, where Bodie is a catcher on the trapeze. It's a long novel with a plotty throughline about gun-smuggling to keep things moving as the two of them develop a relationship, with plenty of action, romance, angst, warmth, you name it. Okay, it's not the most plausible story ever -- but boy, do I have fun with it!
It's also lavishly, gorgeously, illustrated by Suzan Lovett, and all of the illustrations are included in the archived version. They're small thumbnails in the text, matching their zine locations, all clickable to the larger versions (and all worth it). There's also a set of pages with just the artwork, with larger thumbnails that again click through to full-size versions.
Note: The story is about 750kb on the archive as one file. If that's too much for your connection, go here to read it in four parts for faster/easier loading. If that's still too much, or you'd rather read a file with no images at all, you can read it on The Hatstand in six parts plus notes.
Festival of Lights, by Dorinda
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
3,382 words
added November 22, 2006
Author's summary
Written for a holiday celebration on the CI5 (Professionals slash) mailing list, 1996. There were a lot of Christmas stories; I wanted to try a different take, inspired by a different holiday.
Why you should read this
This uses a device I really like, and that doesn't get used often (and often not well): seeing a relationship through a third-party POV. In this case, we see Bodie and Doyle through Cowley's eyes, in what has to be the most intriguing take on a Chanukah menorah ever, with lights going dark instead of being lit, until everything comes to a head. Dorinda's Cowley is a delight, sharp and acerbic and exasperated and deeply, silently fond of his agents, especially these two. And most appropriately for this story, she hasn't forgotten his abiding faith, as practical as he is.
The link goes to the story on Dorinda's page. If you'd rather read it on an archive, go here to read it on the Circuit Archive, or here to read it on the Hatstand.
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
49,450 words
added November 22, 2006
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
I've been waiting, and hoping, for this to make it online -- it's one of my all-time favorite Pros AUs. It's a science fiction novel, blending a lot of canon elements into a new universe, where Doyle is a Protector (the equivalent of a policeman) and Bodie is in CI5, working for Cowley. All of the characters are a little different from canon because their background and experience are parallel but different, but they're all completely recognizable. Watching this Bodie and Doyle get to know each other under fairly trying circumstances in very close quarters, working their way from strangers to eventual lovers, is hugely fun -- and the case plot carries throughout, as well. Great stuff!
The link goes to the story on The Circuit Archive, in one long file. If you prefer a different format or would rather read it broken into two smaller parts, go here to read it on The Hatstand.
Never Let Me Down, by Shoshanna
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
56,572 words
added October 20, 2005
Author's summary
I'm taking a ride with my best friend. I hope he never lets me down again.
Why you should read this
One of my favorite slash tropes is the straight man who finds himself attracted to a male friend, and has to deal with that. This story handles that scenario brilliantly, with a bisexual Doyle making a pass at a very surprised Bodie. The connection between them is so strong that Bodie has no choice but to come to grips with the notion, because the thought of not having Doyle in his life is unacceptable. There's no sudden resolution, no easy slide into acceptance and arousal -- this is a slow, halting process that feels very real.
The link above goes to the story on Shoshanna's site. If you'd rather read it on an archive, go here.
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
15,715 words
added October 20, 2005
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
This is an unabashed hurt/comfort wallow, one of my favorites in Pros. Bodie has been tortured, badly enough to leave him catatonic for a while, and when he comes out of it, the trauma has left him mute and somewhat fragile. He's only stable when he's around Doyle, who takes it on himself to care for his partner, hoping that one day Bodie will start to recover for real. There's cuddling and hand-holding and all that good stuff, so if you don't like that, you won't like this. But if you're in the mood for a good wallow -- this is the way to go.
Where the Worms Are, by Pamela Rose
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
51,071 words
added October 20, 2005
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
Pros has a lot of good novels, and this is one of the best. It's got intrigue and tension, as Bodie and Doyle deal with living in the aftermath of Cowley's reported death, with CI-5 disbanded and both of them blacklisted. Their relationship builds slowly and naturally, as they realize that more than ever, all they have is each other. This is fabulously written, and is a classic in the fandom for very good reason.
Professional Dreamer, by Pamela Rose
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
52,060 words
added October 20, 2005
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
This is a wonderful Pros AU, one of my favorites. Doyle is a mild-mannered librarian named Raymond Dibble, who spends his days reading adventure novels written by one W. Philip Andrew about Ray Doyle and Bodie, and daydreaming about them. Then one day he gets hit in the head, and wakes up believing himself to be Doyle, and goes in search of his partner. Pam handles the premise perfectly, just tongue-in-cheek enough. If you haven't read this yet, go read it.
Cause for Concern, by the Android
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
21,759 words
added October 20, 2005
Author's summary
Bodie and Doyle are sharing everything, even their women; they're too close. Cowley decides to intervene - and his plan involves the return of Ann Holly, Doyle's former fiancee.
Why you should read this
This starts from a different POV than most B/D stories: Kate Ross's psych evaluations of their relationship. While this isn't strictly a third-person POV story -- much of it takes place from Doyle's and Bodie's POVs -- it's still a fun look at how they look to other people, and how their relationship just gets stronger the more that gets thrown at it. It's also a nice nod to Cowley's canonical touching base with his senior staff to talk about his agents, keeping up with their progress in different areas.
B and D Beside the Sea, by Sebastian
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
7,794 words
added October 20, 2005
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
Sebastian is one of the best-loved writers in Pros for good reason. She spans the spectrum from lighthearted fluff to much more complex, darker stories, and handles them all deftly. This one is one of her romps -- Bodie and Doyle have skived off for the afternoon to go to the seaside for some sun. One thing leads to another, and a wonderful time is had by all. If you're in the mood for a story that's both sweet and hot, try this one.
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
71,125 words
added June 15, 2005
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
I've loved every Pros story of Alexandra's that I've read, but this sticks out a bit more for me. It's long -- it was a zine novel -- and case-based, set a year after Doyle was shot in the heart in Discovered in a Graveyard. The original characters are well-drawn and believable, the case is interesting, and the relationship between Bodie and Doyle weaves in and out of the case, developing at its own speed.
It's a first-time story that lets you feel just how deep the relationship between Bodie and Doyle has been, and how naturally it moves further -- not without a few bumps and uncertainties, but steadily and solidly. Wonderful stuff.
(slash - Bodie/Doyle)
70,200 words
added June 15, 2005
Author's summary
none
Why you should read this
More of Alexandra's work that stands out for me. It's a first-time story again, and again is built around a case and some absolutely fabulously drawn original characters. And a house decorated in Early Modern Penis.
No, really.
But fun though that part is, it's the relationship, as always, that draws me the strongest. Alexandra manages to balance the growing relationship with just enough misunderstanding and misapprehension -- without making me want to whap them upside the head and tell them to just TALK, already.
If you have a horror of slash tropes because of how often they're done badly, fear not: this is a "going undercover as a gay couple" story, but is a marvelous example of how that sort of story should be written.
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