Up Close	Up Close

 by d.c.

  

 Author's Website: 

 Disclaimer: Alliance is a bitch for owning them, so I made a non-profit
request to feature them.

 Author's Notes: I thank the slash gods (or more specifically, Linda and
Sandy) for 
the email groups TwoAxes! 

 Story Notes: I can't keep track of the spoilers I use, so beware! 

 

 

 "Close Up"
 by d.c. 

 Blue-grey eyes surveyed the prey on the sink. It seemed lethargic,
unaware of the scrutiny it was being subjected to. Or maybe it was dying. 

 "I can't seem to discern the specific type of parasite." the Mountie
stated. 

 "Outta' my way!" shouted the Italian as he pushed his friend aside and
began to strip himself of the soiled clothing that had been tainted in the
dumpster. 

 Fraser, however, was too busy analyzing their specimen to take much
notice. "I have a pretty good idea, but I can't be certain under these
conditions." 

 Vecchio's jacket landed next to him, and the removal of cloth began to
grow exponentially. "Off! off! I must get it off!" Ray was shouting. Bare
feet padded over to the tub and the water was frantically turned on, not
having bothered to judge the flow of hot and cold. 

 The Canadian was becoming more curious of his findings. "I'm going to
need to see this at a closer level. Ray, do you have a magnifying glass?" 

 The sound of wisping silk flowing down lank arms. Ray was taking off his
shirt. Fraser dug his nails into his palms to concentrate on the pain
instead of the scenario playing out behind him. 

 "You're outta' luck, Fraser." a hurried Vecchio replied. "Maria's kids
have probably hidden it to avoid doing their science homework." 

 Fraser remembered his grandmother teaching lessons. "How about a pair of
reading glasses?" 

 It took a second for the Mountie to realize the silence that had overcome
the other side of the room. Still mostly absorbed in the writhing maggot
before him, he said, "Ray?". He turned to see a quiet, naked Ray Vecchio
wrapping a towel around his waist with his head down. The sight shocked
the demure, blue-eyed man speechless. 

 "Just a minute." the Detective somberly remarked. The tall Italian left
the room and returned a moment later, reaching a pair of eyeglasses to his
friend. "Here." 

 Benny regained his ability to move and checked the clarity of his sample.
He smiled as he examine the worm. "Yes, these will do quite well. I'll
return them to your mother as soon as possible." 

 Ray, however, was still looking away lost in thought. The Mountie could
not figure out what could be causing such a down mood in his best friend. 

 "They're not my mom's." Ray blandly replied. "They were my father's." 

 The spectacles seemed to burn Fraser's hand at that moment. He truly
looked at them for the first time and not as a distraction from the pure
form of his partner behind him. "I see." he retorted, just as vanilla. 

 Vecchio wrapped his arms around himself. "I went with him to get them.
Jeez, I must've been about ten. He hated getting bifocals. Said it made
him look old. Of course that meant he could get something to drink." 

 The Mountie continued to look at the white porcelain, but was not
honestly seeing a damned thing except a hurt, confused, ten year old boy
with the most gorgeous eyes that he would have done anything to comfort.
Fraser fell back on the only thing he knew which could defuse the
situation, but it wasn't without a certain amount of grief. "I don't
remember if my father wore glasses. I guess he did, after a while." 

 He took the chance of looking to catch once last glimpse of the object of
his desire in the mirror. With a shock, he locked eyes Ray, who was
slipping the towel off near the shower stall. They held that look for a
few seconds too long. The Mountie took the chance and let his eyes drift
downward...and then a little further...until the message was clear. 

 *BAM!!BAM!!BAM!!* came the sound from the bathroom door. "Let me in, Ray!
I know he's in there!" shouted the predatory, female Vecchio. 

 The man with the hazel-green eyes adjusted the temperature of the shower
and resumed the intense stare with his best friend. 

 "I'll let you in when it doesn't matter, Frannie." Ray barked while
undoing the lock. Benny paid no mind to Francesca's tirade as Vecchio
jumped in the shower. 

 **Too bad I'm not taking a shower as well.** he thought. 

End