Cohabitation 2: Dance Lessons

by Adia

Fraser had been occupying a tiny, tidy little corner of Stanley Ray
Kowlaski's apartment for the last four days. Fraser had enjoyed the
peace and quiet and Stan had enjoyed the company, even though it was a
Mountie who'd never watched a day of TV in his life. It was hard for
Fraser to keep a secret from Ray but he had successfully done it for the
past three and a half days. Of course watching Ray squirm like a worm
around Francesca to avoid any suspicion was a great incentive not to
tell Ray that he knows all about it.
It was a Tuesday night and Fraser and Kowalski had just finished up a
case. Stan had ordered in pizza and was attempting to watch a ball game.
Fraser could never find the interest in the game. At first he enjoyed
explaining the concepts of the game but after the second hour the
Mountie was feeling a tad bit... bored. He cleared his throat, "Ray, I
was wondering if maybe you would be kind enough to help me with
something."
Stan gnawed off a chunk of pizza and shrugged, "Uh, yeah, sure Fraser.
What is it?"
"Well, you see, there is an event coming up, an Embassy Ball, and the
Inspector had requested that I accompany her. However, I do have one
problem."
"You mean aside from having to spend an evening with the Ice Queen."
Fraser gave a soft half-hearted laugh, "Yes well, my point is Ray, that
I stand in need of dance lessons."
"Oh." Stanley took a swallow of his drink, "Well, hey, I know a guy
who's a real great instructor. In fact he even helped me and Stella for
our wedding."
Fraser cleared his throat nervously and licked his bottom lip, "Actually
Ray, I was wondering if you might teach me. I'm rather unfamiliar with
dancing and sometimes I can be a tad difficult while learning new things
that require large amounts of concentration and skill."
"Fraser, I thought you'd be the best at concentration and skill." Stan
seemed surprised.
"I believe you referred to my style and rhythm as, 'moving like a block
of wood.' Remember?"
Stan was starting to regret his remark, "Yeah, Fraser. I remember."
"Well, Ray, this provides the perfect opportunity for you to help me not
move like a block of wood."
Ray rolled his eyes, "I dunno Fraser."
"Please Ray, there is no one else I can turn to and I might add, it is
very important that I am able to make a good impression at the Embassy
Ball. For my sake and the Inspectors."
Finally Stan let out an exasperated sigh, "Fine."
"Good." Fraser took his and Stan's paper plates and tossed them into the
trash. Then he replaced himself standing above Kowalski who was still
sitting on the couch with his feet kicked up on the coffee table, "Now?"
"Why yes Ray. What better time than the present?" After all the Embassy
Ball is this Thursday night. I would be in need of a few days to
practice my, um..." he ran a finger under the collar of his red serge
before completing his sentence, "moves."
Stan sighed, "Okay." He got up and went to his stereo then shoved a CD
in and pressed play. He adjusted the volume and turned to find Fraser
standing starched with his hands behind his back, "Okay, first thing
Fraser, when you're dancing with a woman you have to relax."
Fraser let his hands fall to his sides. Kowalski continued, "Second
thing, ya have ta always, always pretend you know exactly what yer
doing. Even if ya don't."
"Understood." Fraser's only movement was a stiff quick nod. Both of them
stood several feet apart for several long moments. Fraser firmly planted
and Stan with his hands in his pockets nervously tapping his toes.
Finally Stan piped up, "You know Fraser, maybe this wasn't such a good
idea."
Fraser momentarily nodded and Ray moved to turn off the stereo. Before
Fraser could stop himself he latched onto Stan's sleeve and spun him
around. Pulling Kowalski close to him, "I really need to learn... It's
important that I impress Inspector Thatcher."
Ray cocked an eyebrow, "Why? Gotta thing for the Ice Queen?"
"Well," Fraser released his tight grip on the man, "not really Ray,
but..." he let his words trail off. He realized his explanation would be
pointless and that it would be better on both of them if he just let Ray
assume.
Ray smiled smugly, "Uh-huh. Sure."
Fraser's automatic blush confirmed Kowalski, "Somebody's got the hots
for the Ice Queen, and it ain't me!" Stan teased.
"So you can see I need your help, Ray. Show me what to do."
Stan took an awkward step closer towards Fraser. He dodged his arm back
and fourth between Fraser's waist and shoulder then in complete
frustration spat out, "Okay! I'm gonna be the guy!" and then took hold
of Fraser. One hand on his back just above his waist and the other
extending both their hands out to the side of them. The wool fabric of
Fraser's red serge felt slightly scratchy under his fingers but, for
some strange reason, not entirely uncomfortable.
Fraser was still starched. Knees locked. Stan tried to get him to relax,
"Remember Fraser, relax. This is weird enough anyway."
"Indeed Ray, but I do appreciate this." Fraser and Stan were standing at
least a good foot apart.
"Hey Frase, I got the perfect song." He'd been searching his brain for
the perfect song. Something that had a beat that would most likely be
used at an event like that. He released Fraser and put on another CD. He
pressed play then came back to awkwardly resume his position with the
Mountie. A soft drum beat and piano took hold of the room. Stan waited
untill the melody joined in and Sarah McLachlan's beautiful humming
voice filled the apartment before he took a step. When the tempo changed
and her voice began to sing Stan took a step forward leading Fraser.
"Yoooouuurrrr love, is better than ice cream. Better than anything else
that I've tried... yoooouuurrrr love, is better than ice cream..." Her
smooth voice melted and made the room fill with warmth.
Stanley was sailing on his feet, "Get it Fraser?"
Fraser nodded, "Yes, the pattern does seem rather simple, yet eloquent."
Stan shook his head, "No Fraser. The song. Get it?"
Fraser stilled sharply, "Your love is better than ice cream?" he asked.
"Yeah, get it?" Stan shrugged prompting an answer by lifting his
shoulders.
"Oh dear." Fraser began to release himself from Stan, "Ray, there's
something you must understand. I-"
Fraser was abruptly cut off, "Geez Fraser!" Stan sounded outraged, "Get
your mind outta the gutter! The title of the song is Ice Cream, I just
thought it'd be funny."
"How?"
"It makes sense. Get it? Ice Cream... Ice Queen?" Ray him gave an
impatient Well Duh look.
Fraser shook his head, "Oh yes, indeed you are right Ray. That is quite
ironic."
"Isn't it though." Ray rolled his eyes, "Man, Fraser, what were ya
thinkin'?" Before Fraser could answer Stan took it back, "Nevermind.
Don't wanna know."
"Understood. Can we continue?"
They both awkwardly connected. Rejoined and back to dancing. The steps
and patterns getting easier as Kowalski explained them. The Mountie was
a far too logical man so dancing had to be broken down into a science.
Stan had liked to think of it as more of an art. However, when it
occurred to him that the Mountie learned better by a logical explanation
of how and why it had gotten things moving along much smoother.
They swayed in the tiny apartment to the voice in the air, "Yoooouuurrrr
love, is better than chocolate..."
Stanley helped Fraser ease into dancing. To go with the beat of the
song, "You know, Fraser, your pretty light on your feet."
The Mountie nodded, "Thank you kindly, Ray."
"Bet the Ice Queen's gonna be surprised."
Fraser smiled lopsidedly, "Surprised indeed."
Nearly an hour had passed and Stanley had taught him different steps to
different tempos. They were actually enjoying themselves. Stan had
cranked the stereo up a notch. He decided to teach Fraser how to twirl.
It would add a large amount of class to the dance if Fraser could
elegantly pull it off. With the way he's been dancing, he should have no
problem, "Hey Fraser, I'm gonna teach ya how to do a twirl. See ya lift
yer arm like that and gently nudge her at the waist indicating yer gonna
twirl 'er."
Fraser nodded and Stan sent him spinning. He spun three times out and
Stan reeled him in, "That's quite refreshing, Ray." Fraser was smiling.
An actual happy smile.
"Wanna try it again?"
Fraser nodded, "Certainly."
Stan raised his arm and spun Fraser again. He was really getting into
it. At the end of his third spin Fraser was grinning ear to ear. When he
paused before Stan would reel him in he'd even shoved his arm out into
the air and tossed his head back slightly.
Just then the sharp click of the door opening was too fast for Fraser to
react. They both froze. Motionless. Expressionless.
Francesca stilled also. Eyes popped wide open and jaw dropped. The key
slipped out of her hand and came crashing to the floor. She didn't
bother to pick it up or close the door behind her. She gasped loudly at
the sight of Stan and Fraser dancing. Together. It wasn't just that,
that bothered her, it was the fact that they were so obviously enjoying
it.
No one said a word for what seemed like a full five minutes. Finally
Francesca turned and slowly walked out of the room her hands still
clasped over her mouth. As she walked further down the hall Stan could
hear her muttering something like, "Well, that's the second man who
likes Fraser more than me." She gave a short laugh, "Huh... both my
brother, both Ray's."
Stan chased after her, "Frannie!" He finally caught up to her while she
was assaulting the elevator button. Pushing it a million times a second.
Unable to make it come fast enough, "Listen Frannie."
"No Ray. I have to go," she sputtered and charged down the stairs.
Impatient with waiting, "I have to go." She mumbled and raced down the
stairs. After a moment of standing in silence the elevator door opened
with a ding. Kowalski raged and kicked the side of it, "Damn!"
He stomped back into the apartment and slammed the door shut. A big eyed
Fraser stood, looking part surprised and part fearful, "Is she upset?"
"Oh yeah. She's pissed!" Stan paced the room angrily.
Fraser sat down on the sofa, "Oh dear."
"Yeah, no shit!" Kowalski snapped.
After he calmed down and regained his temper he apologized to Fraser who
was exhausted with worry. Both decided it best to call it a night.
In the morning Fraser had duty at the Consulate so Stanley was alone at
work. So far, Frannie wasn't giving him the time of day. In fact she was
even going out of her way to ignore him. By lunch some progress had been
made. Thanks to Welsh, "Look you two, whatever it is, leave it at home,
understand? The way you two are bouncing off the walls makes it look
like you hate eachother. Even more than a normal brother and sister.
Straighten it out! That's an order."
Francesca realized how unreasonable she was being for not letting Stan
explain. Calming herself into a rational mood she let Kowalski give her
his side of the story. The truth. After all was said and done, their
conflict resolved, Frannie felt more secure than before. Stan suggested,
"Hey Frannie, why don't we go take a vacation. I got relatives in New
York. We could go and see the sights this weekend."
"This weekend?" Francesca was unsure.
Stan shrugged, "Yeah, why not?"
Frannie smiled tossing her worries out the window and pummeling
Kowalski, "Okay!"
"Break it up you two, you have reputations to uphold around here." Welsh
reminded them while passing by.
"Yes sir," they echoed eachother.
Welsh stopped and pointed at Kowalski, "And you, this is your new case."
He slapped the file down on the desk, "Go get the Mountie, you're both
assigned to this thing."
Kowalski let himself into the Consulate and ran into Thatcher in the
hallway, "Hey there Inspector."
"Detective. How'd you get in here?" She looked unpleasantly surprised.
"Let myself in." He perched upon the front desk, "So you excited about
the ball?"
She looked confused, "Ball?"
"Yeah, the Embassy Ball."
She began to walk away, "Detective, you're delusional."
"Am not."
Suddenly Kowalski and Thatcher's attention was distracted by noise. A
music. Coming from the Consulate kitchen. Stunningly, Fraser emerged
from the kitchen and danced halfway down the hall before noticing the
two sets of eyes glued to him and his dancing partner.
Stan's eyebrows climbed halfway up his forehead. Carrying a feather
duster and wearing a fluffy apron over his red serge Turnbull gasped in
shock at seeing Kowalski and his superior with their mouths hanging
open, watching them dancing merrily through the Consulate.
Fraser stopped dead still, "Oh dear."

The End
(~MDK~)
October 1998
Disclaimer: Same old, same old, using DS characters, no money...
Also: No copyright infringement intended by using Ice Cream by Sarah
McLachlan