On the Trail     On the Trail

 by Callie

  

 Author's Website: http://www.geocities.com/callinuk

 Disclaimer: Due South and all of its characters belong to Alliance
Communications

 Author's Notes: Follows Hit the Trail

 Story Notes: 

 

 

 Fraser looked up to the sky - it was a clear blue colour. The air felt
cold and crisp, and Fraser was deliriously happy, smiling to himself -
this was so like his real home. He looked around - the snow stretched for
miles clean and white. He was totally alone, and yet he felt strangely
content and at peace. 

 One of his dogs barked setting off the whole team; Fraser sighed in
exasperation, his peaceful reverie shattered. Allowing himself a moment of
pride, he surveyed his team of dogs - fourteen black and white huskies,
proudly named after Canadian prime ministers. They were good strong sledge
dogs, and so far they had raced well for him. Fraser smiled to himself -
although he was fond of the dogs, they would never replace Diefenbaker in
his heart. He decided, however, never to tell the wolf how he felt afraid
of making him even more insufferable than he was already. 

 Trudeau, one of his double lead dogs, barked again the tone impatient.
"Obviously Diefenbaker had been teaching you his bad manners," he aimed
his comment at the lead dog, his tone scolding. Trudeau woofed again
slumping down in the snow sulking. Fraser sighed to himself as he tipped
the remnants of his tea over the small fire, and set about breaking up his
camp, tidying the area as he went. 

 Although enjoying the solitude the race afforded him, Fraser missed Ray.
They hadn't seen each other since the traditional restart in Wasilla on
the 4th March, and Fraser couldn't help worrying about him. He tried to
allay his worries with the fact that Diefenbaker was leading Ray's team.
Fraser knew that the wolf loved Ray and wouldn't let anything happen to
him. He was suddenly glad that Diefenbaker had persuaded them both to let
him lead Ray's team. 

 Fraser's thoughts turned to Ray and he grinned foolishly to himself. They
were so in love and happy - even after five years together, they still
kissed and cuddled like lovesick teenagers making a home together in a
medium sized one storey house on the edge of the small town where Fraser
was stationed. They loved the town and the simple life it afforded them,
and they had spent a month renovating and decorating the house,
transforming it into their home. The house came with a small parcel of
land and a large barn where they housed their dog teams. Fraser couldn't
remember a time when he had been as happy and content as he was now,
although sometimes he still felt guilty about Ray. 

 When he had been offered a transfer back to Canada, Fraser had been torn
- he didn't want to leave Ray, but desperately wanted to go home. Ray
hadn't said a word, hadn't tried to pressurise him into staying in
Chicago, and Fraser had been thankful even though it made his decision
even more difficult. He had spent days agonising over his decision making
himself thoroughly miserable in the process. 

 He had returned to the apartment one evening to find Ray packing their
belongings into numerous boxes scattered around their living room. He had
stood with his mouth open as Ray explained that he had resigned from the
Chicago PD and was coming home with him. "If you'll have me," Ray had said
shyly, although he had a big smile on his face. Fraser had gathered Ray
into his arms kissing him all over. Fraser smiled to himself - they hadn't
got much packing done that evening as he had dragged Ray into their
bedroom, and they had spent the rest of the night making gentle and
passionate love to each other. 

 Fraser still had trouble believing that Ray had chosen him over his life
in Chicago - his career, his family and friends. But Ray proved it most
days with his gentle caresses, his warm and happy smile, and the love he
surrounded both of them with, protecting them from the sometimes cruel and
harsh outside world. 

 They had settled into an comfortable life, and even though they still
fought loudly at times, the deep love they had for each other remained
paramount. Fraser knew that he wouldn't trade his life with Ray for
anything, and it warmed him to know that Ray felt the same.
 They had decided to be honest with Ray's parents about their
relationship, and Fraser had been shocked and angry when they had, once
again, disowned their son refusing to speak to him, sending his letters
and postcards back unopened. Ray shrugged it off, but Fraser could still
see the hurt and pain in Ray's pale eyes whenever they were mentioned. 

 A memory flashed into his mind - Ray on the back of his sledge, his dogs
barking and yipping with excitement. With the sun behind him, his wild
spiky blonde hair glistened in the sunlight, and his pale blue eyes
sparkled with laughter and happiness. Fraser couldn't help grinning to
himself again, but it saddened him that Ray's parents would never see the
Ray he was lucky enough to see every day - a happy, relaxed and contented
Ray, his lonely and unhappy existence long forgotten as he settled into
his new life with a newly found confidence and belief in himself and his
abilities. 

 The dogs continued to bark, impatient to get going. Fraser shook his head
scolding himself for daydreaming, but over the years Ray had become his
favourite dream, and he smiled again. 

 Fraser turned his attention back to the dogs and his task - he was a few
miles out of McGrath where they had agreed to both take their 24 hours
mandatory stop-over. Ray had teased him when he had booked two rooms,
almost a year in advance. Fraser smirked - he had plans for one of those
rooms, estimating that Ray and his team were probably about three and a
half hours behind him. With the thought of Ray's lithe body pressed closed
to him, Fraser hurriedly, but carefully, hitched up his team. 

 Fraser then carefully loaded his sledge with his belongings and pack
tying them down firmly, spreading the weight along the sledge. Removing
his gloves, he found his map and spread it over his pack. "So far. So
good," he muttered to himself as he traced his finger along the Iditarod
route, one finger tapping each checkpoint. 

 "Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, Knik," he frowned glad to be away from
the more urban areas. His finger traced his route from Yentna Station
Roadhouse through Skwentna, Finger Lake, Rainy Pass, Rohn, Nikolai to
McGrath - his next checkpoint. 

 As it was a odd numbered year, the Iditarod was following the southern
route, and he continued to trace his finger along the route - Takatna,
Ophir, Iditarod. "Half way point," he murmured to himself looking towards
his dogs. Turning back to the map. "Shageluk. Anvik. Grayling. The last
village for 130 miles and then Eagle Island," he finished. All of the
towns famous in their own right for being part of the greatest race on
earth. Mushers and their teams were welcomed with cheers from the locals,
young and old alike. 

 Fraser felt privileged to be part of the race, and he looked up again at
the beautiful scenery that surrounded him - vast, white and mighty, and he
thought that Mother Nature had certainly done her job well - as only
Mother Nature could do, She had painted the perfect picture. The scenery
distracted him for a moment, and he stood in awe soaking up the beauty
surrounding him. 

 He wrenched his eyes away turning back to studying his map, a small smile
playing on his lips. "Kaltag. Unalakleet. Over the ice of Norton Bay to
Shaktoolik. Koyuk. Elim," he muttered to himself as he continued to mark
the route with his finger. "Then over the Kwiktalik mountains to Golovin.
White Mountain. Safety and then along the beaches of the Bering Sea to
Nome." 

 "Pitter patter," Fraser said out loud mimicking one of Ray's favourite
sayings as he folded the map carefully tucking it into his pack. He cast a
quick glance around his camp; satisfied that it was clean and tidy, he
stood on the back of the sledge. With a sharp whistle, he started his dogs
off in the direction of McGrath.  

 "The Iditarod. The Iditarod," Ray chanted to himself as his sledge
skimmed across the snow. Seven days out of Anchorage, and Ray was still
giddy with excitement. "I am doing it. Racing in the Iditarod," he shouted
into the air. "Yay," he yelled as Diefenbaker let out a happy bark
starting off the other dogs. They all yipped caught up in Ray's
enthusiasm. "Yay," Ray yelled again happy. 

 He couldn't believe it - here he was in the middle of nowhere, and he was
happy. So happy he was yelling with his dogs as they sped across the ice
and snow towards the agreed 24 hour stopover in McGrath..... and Fraser. 

 Ray watched as the scenery unfolded on all sides - surrounding him with
its beauty and magnificence. Clear blue lakes nestled in snow filled
valleys as majestic ice hills rose into the clear blue sky sparkling in
the winter sunshine reminding him of the skyscrapers of his home city of
Chicago. He looked ahead of him, the snowy expanse stretched out as far as
he could see, and he sniffed the air - it smelled fresh and clean. Ray
grinned foolishly to himself - this was so unlike the home of his birth,
but he loved it. 

 And the icing on the cake - Fraser was here. Ray grinned again - they
were so happy finding in each other a love they had both yearned and
waited for. They had a simple life, and for the first time in his life,
Ray was content. His small garage, in their home town, kept him busy, and
was a popular meeting place for the locals. They chatted with him as he
repaired their sledges, axes and kitchen appliances - you name it, he
repaired it as he shared his coffee and hot chocolate with them. 

 Ray shivered despite being wrapped up in several layers of clothing. He
chuckled to himself glad that Fraser had insisted on buying him some red
longjohns for the journey, although he doubted that Fraser had meant him
to wear both pairs at the same time. He remembered that his first year had
been hell spending two months in a small local hospital battling with
pneumonia. He had lost a tremendous amount of weight, and Fraser had spent
the time looking increasingly worried. Ray had been terrified that Fraser
would send him back to Chicago so he had battled hard to get well and fit.
The worry in Fraser's face had gradually disappeared as he slowly regained
his strength although despite Fraser trying to feed him up, he had never
regained the lost weight. The cold still bothered him though, and he was
prone to suffering from bad chesty coughs, and regularly had to submit to
Fraser fussing over him like a Mother Hen. But Ray loved Fraser, and he
knew that Fraser loved him. 

 His one regret of his new life was that his Mum and Dad had decided to
disown him because of his relationship with Fraser. They had been
horrified voicing their disgust at both men. At first, Ray had a hard time
dealing with the hurt and pain, but he had finally decided that he wasn't
going to give Fraser up for anything or anyone. And he had never regretted
his decision. 

 Diefenbaker barked, and Ray turned his attention to his beloved dogs. He
had hand picked each one. Fourteen beautiful husky crosses, all different
colours with various markings, each dog with its own unique personality.
Ray grinned as he remembered the look on Fraser's face as he introduced
the dogs by name - all named after a Disney character. 

 They were good dogs - Diefenbaker, of course, led the team alone, making
sure that he and the dogs were going in the right direction. Tucked in
behind Diefenbaker were Cinderella and Mickey, his swing dogs - together
they ensured that he and the team swung smoothly into the curves and bends
on the trail. Dopey and his brother Sneezy were his sturdy wheelers
harnessed by the sledge itself - the two dogs made sure that the sledge
made the corners or avoided the odd tree. Sandwiched between his swing
dogs and wheelers were ten other dogs, all equally important, and despite
Fraser's scolding that they were working dogs, Ray loved them all sneaking
them treats when Fraser wasn't looking. So they wouldn't win any prizes
for neatness and beauty, but they were certainly the noisiest team on the
trail. "Yay," Ray yelled again, and his dogs joined in barking and baying
as they sped along. 

 It still amazed him that here he was, an ex-Chicago flatfoot with
experimental hair, on the back of a sledge, responsible for a team of 15
dogs and a sledge measuring 80 feet in length from the tip of
Diefenbaker's nose back to himself, with a pulling power capable of
dragging a pick-up truck with its brakes set. "Wow. Go figure," he had
teased when Fraser had told him. 

 Ray couldn't help feeling proud of himself, and wished with all his heart
that his Mum and Dad could see him. He dismissed the sad thoughts with a
shake of his head, turning his mind back to the task in hand. 

 He had memorised the names of all the checkpoints on the southern trail
route, and he whispered them to himself as he concentrated on the trail
ahead. Fraser had teased him because he couldn't say half of them without
sounding like he was being slowly strangled. But as with everything he
did, Ray had persevered learning the correct pronunciation from his friend
Anirniq over cups of coffee and hot chocolate while he repaired Anirniq's
sledge. He grinned remembering the look of surprise and delight on
Fraser's face when he had managed to recite all the place names correctly
one night when they had been studying maps of the route. 

 Diefenbaker barked again, and Ray looked ahead - the rivers of Kuskokwim
and Takotna seemed to be merging, and Ray guessed that he was about half
an hour away from McGrath, a hot shower and Fraser. He grinned at the
thought urging the dogs forward.  

 An hour later, Ray had checked and signed into the Checkpoint informing
the race officials that this was his 24 hour stopover. He had then fed and
settled his dogs down into their allocated quarters. Diefenbaker moved
forwards nudging his arm whining. "I know Dief," Ray sighed stroking the
furry head. "But yer know it's the rules. Ya have to stay here with the
team." Diefenbaker barked in protest, his expression becoming sulky. Ray
sighed. "We've been over this before. Ya have to stay here," he patted the
wolf again. "And anyways. I need ya here. To keep the team in line. OK?" 

 Diefenbaker cocked his head to one side looking directly at him
considering. He yapped a reply licking Ray's face. Ray grinned hugging the
wolf close him. God he loved this wolf. With a final hug, Ray shrugged his
back pack onto his shoulder and started in the direction of the small
hotel. 

 He checked in and made his way to his room. Comfortably furnished with
heating, the room also had a small en suite bathroom with a shower. Ray
stripped off his many layers of clothing discarding them onto the floor.
Entering the bathroom, he turned on the shower. Holding his hand under the
water, Ray waited until it reached exactly the right temperature. As soon
as he was satisfied, Ray stood under the jet of warm water revelling in
the feel as it bounced off his skin. "Oh yeah," he sighed turning full
circle lifting his head up towards the spray. He grabbed for the cloth and
shower gel and began to wash away the long days on the trail. 

 Thirty minutes later, Ray emerged from the bathroom rubbing at his blonde
hair. He was clean shaven, and had a towel wrapped around his slender
hips. Looking up, he beamed - Fraser was sitting on the bed, completely
naked, smiling up at him. 

 "Good afternoon Ray," Fraser said politely. His dark eyes glinted with
desire and love. Jumping to his feet, Fraser opened his arms towards Ray. 

 "Hi handsome," Ray grinned moving towards Fraser's outstretched arms.
"Did ya miss me?" he asked as Fraser enfolded him into an embrace. 

 "No," Fraser said deadpan as he stroked his hands down Ray's silky skin.
"Who are you?" he breathed as his hands reached down snatching the towel
from Ray's hips discarding it untidily onto the floor. 

 "Freak," Ray murmured as he leant forward claiming Fraser's lips in a
kiss. Fraser moaned returning the kiss. Ray pressed his body closer to
Fraser deepening the kiss. He slipped his tongue into Fraser's willing
mouth, and their tongues duelled and caressed. The kiss seemed to go on
forever, each man wanting to show the other how much he had been missed.
Drawing back slightly breathless, Ray grinned at Fraser. "Remember me
now?" 

 "Mmmm," Fraser murmured pulling Ray towards the bed. The collapsed on the
double bed in a tangle of arms and legs. Giggling they rolled until they
were laying on their sides facing each other. 

 "So ya didn't miss me huh?" Ray whispered, his breath hot on Fraser's
skin, as he ran a finger idly along Fraser's shoulder, down his arm to his
waist, tracing a path over his hip, thigh and legs. "I missed you," he
traced his finger back up along Fraser's body. 

 Fraser shuddered at the sensation as he took Ray's hand in his bringing
it up to his lips. "And I missed you," he said as he gently kissed each
finger. "And I intend to spend the next 24 hours here with you," he thrust
his growing arousal at Ray's hips. "Just you and me. Alone." Ray groaned
in pleasure rubbing his erection against Fraser's skin. 

 "I can so do that," Ray leaned forward capturing Fraser's lips in a
gentle kiss. They wrapped their arms and legs around one another as they
began to grind their hips together in a perfect rhythm, practised over the
years they had been together. 

 "You feel good," Fraser moaned as he ran his hands down Ray's back
towards his ass. Ray squeaked in pleasure as Fraser dipped a wetted finger
into his body. 

 "Oh God Ben," Ray shivered in anticipation as he moved his hand down
between their sweat sheened bodies grasping Fraser's penis firmly in his
hand. He stroked up and down the hardness delighting in the moans that
Fraser was making in the back of his throat at his touch. "Do that again."


 Fraser slipped his finger back into Ray's body as the two men kissed,
their tongues thrusting in and out of one another's mouths as they stroked
and caressed each other. Removing his finger, Fraser pushed Ray over onto
his back spreading his legs wide. Settling himself between Ray's spread
thighs, he leaned forward kissing Ray gently as he rubbed his penis and
balls against Ray's penis and balls. The sound of their love making echoed
around the small room as they murmured each other's names. "Make love to
me Ben," Ray whispered spreading his legs wider drawing his knees up.
Moving his hand, he grasped Fraser's penis pushing the tip, leaking with
precum, towards his opening. "Do me now Ben." 

 Fraser groaned in ecstasy at Ray's request, his cock aching to be inside
his lover. Shifting slightly, Fraser took hold of his own penis and pushed
the tip gently up into Ray's body. Ray arched his back off the bed moaning
loudly as he thrust his hips upwards to meet Fraser's initial penetration.
Even though they had done this often, Fraser stopped pushing forward
letting Ray get used to the initial feeling. "Alright," he asked softly. 

 "Oh yeah," Ray sighed wriggling his hips against the penetration as he
got used to the feeling of Fraser's penis inside him. "Do it," he wiggled
his hips impatiently. 

 Fraser grinned at Ray's impatience. He pulled back slightly before
thrusting his cock forwards revelling in the feeling of being inside Ray's
ass as he ran his hands gently up the outside of Ray's thighs. He would
never get used to this feeling of oneness when they made love. Fraser had
never felt so complete as he plunged his penis in and out of Ray's body,
his balls connecting with Ray's soft ass everytime he thrust deep inside.
Ray was holding onto his shoulders lifting his hips slightly as Fraser
lunged forwards. Releasing one hand, Ray grabbed his own erection and
stroked himself in rhythm with Fraser's thrusts into this body. 

 They moaned in unison, their climaxes approaching. Ray's stroking became
urgent and he arched his back again as his penis pulsed, his semen
spurting between their bodies. He jerked uncontrollably as his climax
overtook him, his eyes closing as the wonderful sensation coursed through
his body. With a last twitch of his cock, Ray slumped back onto the bed
panting hard. 

 His penis still inside Ray, Fraser leaned forward licking at Ray's skin
until he got his breathing under control. Opening his eyes, Ray smiled up
at Fraser mouthing words of love as he wrapped his long legs around
Fraser's waist drawing his lover closer. With a final kiss, Fraser began
to move his cock slowly in and out of Ray's body. Ray whispered words of
encouragement as his hands caressed Fraser's back. Fraser's toes began to
tingle as he felt his orgasm approaching. He moaned as his thrusts became
urgent plunging deeper and deeper into the body he loved, his penis
hitting Ray's prostate with each thrust. Ray squirmed beneath him, his
soft moans joining Fraser's as both men lost themselves in the ecstasy of
their love making. With a loud cry, Fraser propelled his penis up Ray's
ass hard releasing his semen into the warm waiting body. He jerked at each
spasm as he filled Ray with his creamy release as Ray chanted his name
over and over. With a final thrust and a contented sigh, Fraser slumped
forwards onto Ray. 

 Ray continued to caress his back whispering his name as Fraser's
breathing calmed. Raising his body, Fraser reached down between their
still joined bodies and pulled his penis carefully free of Ray's body.
With a groan, Fraser rolled them until they lay face to face again. They
scattered small loving kisses over each other's faces expressing their
love by touch as they cuddled close to one another. 

 "Ben," Ray murmured. "How many miles is it to Nome?" 

 "748 miles," Fraser answered automatically as he drew the blankets up
over them. "Why?" he asked curious as he wrapped his arms around Ray's
body drawing him close. 

 "Ya mean I gotta go... gotta go 748 miles before we can sleep together
again?" Ray wriggled out of the embrace balancing himself on his elbow
looking down at Fraser. 

 Fraser could see Ray's frown in the dimming light, and he touched the
skinny arm. "Yes I am afraid so Ray," he replied not being able to hide
the yearning in his own voice. "But it's only for another five days or
so," he continued to gently stroke his fingers down Ray's arm. 

 "It's just that I kinda.... kinda miss you at night," Ray admitted shyly
as he settled himself down on his side snuggling close to Fraser, his head
resting on the strong shoulder. "And Dief snores." 

 "Oh Ray," Fraser chuckled moving his head sideways kissing Ray on the tip
of his nose. "I love you. Don't ever stop being you." 

 "Love you Ben," Ray murmured. "And you can be you as well," he grinned
into the darkness. 

 "Thank you kindly," Fraser teased. 

 "Ben?" 

 "Yes Ray," Fraser asked. 

 "About the next 21 hours or so?" Ray breathed rolling on top of Fraser,
his pale eyes glinting with mischief. "Wanna fool around? Give ya a taster
of what you can expect in 748 miles time? Something to remember me by on
the trail? Don't want ya running off with any lady polar bears or
something." 

 Fraser grinned up at Ray. "Have I told you that you have the most
wonderful ideas Ray?" he teased. "I can't think of anything I would rather
do than fool about with you for the next 21 hours or so," he wrapped his
arms around Ray's back. "But of course we will have to get out of bed at
some point to feed and water the dogs. As well as ourselves. And we need
to check on our provisions. And make sure we know where we are going to
next. And..." 

 "Ben," Ray interrupted sighing in exasperation putting his fingers over
Fraser's mouth to silence him . "At this rate, you'll use up the 21 hours
to tell me what we gotta do. So shut up and kiss me." 

 "Understood." 

 THE END 

 Views to: Cal18@usa.net 

End