They belong to Alliance and not to me, not any piece of them. 

NC/17 Graphic Sex between Fraser and Kowalski 

M/M 

maria jackson droopy_jack@excite.com 

This is about Mark Smithbauer who appeared with the Vecchio/Fraser team as
a pro hockey player. But be advised that this most definitely is a romance
between Fraser and Kowalski, and only contains sex between those two! 

Special thanks to Ruthie Biermann who did the beta-reading on this story
and allowed me to use her name as one of the story's characters. It was
her idea to do a *Mark Smithbauer* story. 

Dedicated to Ruthie Biermann. 

"Prove it to me"  

Mark Smithbauer moved slowly to the couch and flopped into it, looking at
Fraser through narrowed eyes. "Now why would you ask me that, Ben? You
want to know why I came back to Chicago? Is that what you're asking me?"  

"Well. . . yes, Mark, that's exactly what I'm asking you."  

"All right....but you must know the reason I'm here, I mean, it should be
very obvious, Ben . . . you know I'm bound to my yearly community service
by donating a free hockey game to the city. . . . . You thought that maybe
I returned because of you?"  

Fraser stared at Mark, shaking his head. "I didn't think you even recalled
our. . . our somewhat brief relationship, Mark. If memory serves, after
you performed your community service that first year, you vanished soon
after our. . . our encounter. You didn't even bother to say good-bye. . .
You ah. . . .you manipulated my feelings to fit your own agenda."  

Mark was startled by Fraser's accusation. "Excuse me? Are you accusing me
of using you? Because if I recall correctly, you were just as guilty of
using me, Ben. You didn't exactly turn me away, did you? I mean, this was
a two way deal," he shot at Fraser as he leaned further into the couch. 

Fraser blushed as he stared at his boots, clasping his hands behind his
back. "Mark. . .I'm not attempting to place blame on anyone. I'd just like
an honest answer. Why did you call me to come over here?" 

Mark took a deep breath, staring at the gorgeous Mountie who once belonged
to him.....this beautiful man who had been in his bed for too brief a
period many years prior. He nodded as his mind returned to the present.
"Okay. . .yeah. . .I heard you were still in town, and I made sure my
community service hockey game would be scheduled on your day off. I wanted
to see you again, Ben. I know it's been years, but I've never gotten over
you.....the truth is I'm still in love with you." 

Fraser studied Mark with a blank expression on his face. "I-I. . . .It's
over between us, Mark." 

Mark stood up and rushed over to Fraser, grabbing him by his upper arms
and holding him firmly. Reaching up, he lifted Fraser's chin as he slowly
shook his head and stared into his sad blue eyes. "No, Ben. . .it's never
been over between us. Please understand that I had to leave......I
couldn't contact you because you were out of town. I'm still in love with
you, and that's why I had to come back. Come on, Ben. . . you have to
forgive me....please....take me back. It's been four years for chrissakes!
Come on, I made a mistake! I had no idea you were in love with me until
just recently when I found that letter you had posted four years ago. My
manager never gave it to me because he knew it would've ruined my career
if anyone ever found out about us. . . you should've told me you were in
love with me, Ben. . . I was a damn fool. . . Oh God, you need to forgive
me and let me have another chance! I've never gotten over you....I miss
you so much!" 

Fraser stared into his ex-lover's pleading eyes as he shook his head
sadly. 

******************************************************** 

Ray opened the envelope for the second time, pulling out the newspaper
clippings and placing them against his open file. He examined them as he
tried to make sense of what he had read. *Okay, now lemme get this
straight in my mind. . . The Mark Smithbauer that was reported ta have
been mugged, and whose vehicle was stolen yesterday is the same guy as the
one in these clippings. Frasze said that he's a hockey player and,
supposedly, his really good friend, whatever that means. . . But this
doesn't make sense, cuz if they're the same guy, then this shit can't be
true. The Mark Smithbauer in the clippings was busted at ages fourteen and
fifteen for soliciting in gay bars on several occasions. Sez here the
charges were dropped after it was discovered he was there with an older
cousin who was arrested instead. . . Something's just not right here. . .
Could Fraser's Mark Smithbauer and this guy be one and the same? So,
Fraser's friend used to solicit gay bars, which would indicate that he's
gay. Maybe Fraser would know, I'll have to ask him about it.* 

********************************************************************* 

Fraser pulled himself away from Mark's grasp and stepped over to the
window, pushing the curtain aside as he watched reporters gather around
the parking lot. With a sad laden voice he whispered, "Mark. . . Mark, I
can't forgive your betrayal. . .I trusted you and then you cheated on me.
I can't deal with something like that. You knew how I felt about you and
still you betrayed. . . ." Fraser turned and looked at him, his voice
trailing off. "Never mind, it doesn't matter anymore, Mark." 

Mark quickly approached Fraser to embrace him again. "Ben!. . . . Ben, I'm
in love with you! You can't stand here and tell me you no long have
feelings for me, because I don't believe that!" He wrapped his arms around
Fraser's waist and leaned forward, pressing his lips to his ex-lover's.  

Fraser gasped when Mark's tongue penetrated his mouth, the emotions and
sensations of the past overwhelming him. He hesitated for a split second,
and then wrapped his arms around Mark's shoulders returning the kiss.  

****************************************************************** 

Ray parked the GTO and stepped out, locking his car. As he went in search
of Mark's trailer, he noticed a female reporter standing nearby with an
odd neon green camera hanging around her neck. He saw her give him a first
and then second glance, after which, she quickly sprinted in his
direction. He tried to ignore her, but before he knew it, she was standing
in front of him holding a microphone in front of his face. She was quickly
joined by another female reporter. 

"Hello, Detective. . I'm Ruthie Biermann, reporter with WGN Chicago News.
We heard there's new evidence on the Mark Smithbauer case involving his
mugging and recent car theft. . . or should we say alleged theft?"  

The other reporter quickly jumped in. "Is this true, Detective? Did he
stage the mugging and the theft?" 

Ray pushed the microphone away from his face, glaring at the two
reporters. "No comment, Ms....uh. . . nor you, Ms." He turned to walk away
but stopped when he heard one of reporters ask him another question. 

"Is it true that the theft of Mark Smithbauer's car could be related to
his gay soliciting days, Detective?"  

Upon hearing this, the other reporter gasped and quickly ran after
Kowalski. "Is that true, Detective? Is Mark gay?" 

Ray stopped dead in his tracks, spinning around on his heels to look at
both reporters. He quickly approached them and pushed the camera out of
his face. "Turn that damn thing off and git outta my face, lady!"  

Ruthie signaled to her cameraman who turned off his camera and walked a
few feet away.	

"Now where the fuck did you get that kinda information, lady?" Ray glared
at this Ms. Bier-something angrily. The other reporter stood next to her,
tape recorder in hand, ready to go. 

Ray angrily pushed it away and snapped. "And you, turn that thing off or
I'll confiscate it, lady!"  

She glared at him, lowering it but neglecting to turn it off.  

"My name is Ms. Martin and I'm reporting for. . . .!" 

"Save it, cuz I don't wanna know..... and as fer you, Ms. Bierperson. . .I
asked you a question!" 

Ruthie smiled slyly. "I make my living being nosy, Detective and I have
reliable sources who've informed me about this matter. . . . ."  

Ray cut in. "Kowalski! The name is Detective Kowalski, and I wanna know
where you got that information?!"  

She kept smiling undeterred by Ray's anger. "Okay. . . . I was the one who
sent you the newspaper clippings, Kowalski. . .Now, is it true that the
car theft is tied to Smithbauer being a homosexual? Could it be the work
of an embittered ex boy-friend?" 

Ray grabbed her wrist and held it firmly in his hand. "You sent me the
clippings? How much do you know about this case, lady?!" 

She looked at his hand which was clamped around her wrist like a vise, and
then looked up at him, smiling. "My, my! You do have a violent temper,
Kowalski. I sent the clippings to you because I wanted you to know that
your *hockey hero* has a criminal record. I have information that will
shed some light on the staged car theft and mugging, I also told you that
my name is Ms.Biermann, B-I-E-R-M-A-N-N."  

Ms. Martin moved in closer to eagerly trying to obtain some information. 

Ray released the reporter's wrist, stepping back. "Oh, so you have more
information, Ms. Biermann? I assume you intend to enlighten me on yer
findings? You're accusing Mark of staging the mugging and theft, huh?"	

She frowned and glared at him. "You don't believe me, do you? The man is
incorrigible and needs to be punished for all the crimes he's committed,
Kowalski!" 

Ray looked at her through narrowed eyes. "And what crimes are those, Ms.
Biermann? He's never been arrested for any crimes that I'm aware of. The
clippings you sent me claim he was released in every circumstance due to
lack of evidence." 

"Exactly my point, Kowalski! The mugging and car theft as reported by him
are false! I can prove it to you if you'll talk to me."  

Ms. Martin moved in closer to learn the time and location of a possible
meeting between the detective and reporter. 

Ray stared at Ruthie as he thought over what she had just said. "Okay, Ms.
Biermann, I'm gonna wanna talk ta you. . . you catch up to me later today
at the 2-7. It's important that we both get to the bottom of this." 

She smiled. "Oh, you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be there,
Kowalski, at which point you'll see what I'm talking about. . . . . Oh,
and by the way, your red-coated Canadian is over in that Winniebago with
Mark. If I were you I'd get my ass over there pretty fast before Mark
corrupts his morals. Go see what I mean. . . Bye for now, Kowalski!"  

Ray glared at her as she strolled away. Then he turned his glare towards
Ms. Martin. "And you? Whadda you want?!"  

She stared at him doe-eyed, turning to scurry away quickly.  

"Damn fucking reporters! Jesus, how I hate 'em!" He cooled off a moment as
his thoughts went in another direction. "Too bad she's a damn reporter
cause that Biermann chick is really hot! Oh well!" Ray quickly approached
the trailer stopping along the way to ask a group of reporters about Mark.
"Hey! Excuse me, but is Mark in his trailer?"  

One of the reporters loitering around pointed in the direction of the
Winnebago. "You'll find him right over there with that red coated
European."  

Ray smiled. "He's Canadian. . .and thanks." Ray hurried to the trailer and
was about to knock when a flash of red caught his attention. It came from
the direction of the window beside the door. The curtain was pushed back
slightly, enough for him to peer in. What Ray saw made his mouth fall open
and his heart drop to his shoes. Fraser was kissing Mark passionately, and
Mark was eagerly unbuttoning Fraser's tunic. Ray watched as Mark yanked
open Fraser's tunic and hungrily groped him, snaking his hands under his
T-shirt past his suspenders. Startled by the scene in front of him, Ray
jumped back almost stumbling off the steps. He made an about face and
hustled to his car. At first he was numb with shock as he sat in the GTO,
gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were turning white.
Then he became angry.....very angry. "That damn mother fucker! Fraser knew
Smithbauer was gay all along, and he covered it up cuz they're lovers!
Goddamn it! Why didn't Fraser tell me about this?! He told me they were
just friends!" 

****************************************************************** 

Mark was enjoying Fraser's warm, wet mouth on his own when suddenly Fraser
pulled away. "No! No Mark! This isn't right! I'm not in love with you
anymore. . . . I mean. . .that was years ago and everything has changed
since then! I"m sorry to hurt you, but I don't love you anymore." 

Mark was heartsick. "Oh God, don't say that to me, Ben! Can't you find it
within your heart to forgive me?. . . I promise I'll do anything you want
me to! I swear I will, anything! Just say that you'll give me another
chance, and I'll make everything right for us!" 

Fraser shook his head as he nervously ran a thumbnail across his eyebrow.
"No, Mark. . . I can't . . I'm not in love with you anymore! Please
understand."  

Mark dejectedly stuck his hands into his pocket and bowed his head,
pursing his lips.  

Fraser was trembling as he moved away from the window and headed to the
door. He paused to pull up his suspenders and tuck his henley into his
jodhpurs.  

Mark grabbed his arm as he opened the door. "Ben. . . Ben, you're involved
with someone else, aren't you? You fell in love with someone else, didn't
you, Ben?"  

Fraser stared at him but did not reply.  

Mark looked out the trailer door past Fraser, and noticed the GTO in the
parking lot. He stared at the blond haired detective watching them from
behind the wheel.  

Ray noticed the grip Mark had on Fraser's arm, causing him to seethe in
anger.	

Mark released Fraser but kept his eyes on Ray. "You're in love with that
skinny blond detective you hang around with, aren't you, Ben? Come on, I
at least deserve to know who's replaced me in your heart." 

Fraser buttoned his tunic and adjusted the lanyard of his red serge
uniform. He then straightened his Sam Browne and carefully placed his
Stetson on his head. "My life is no longer your concern, Mark. I should be
leaving now," he commented sadly.  

Mark was furious at being rejected by Fraser. He was even angrier that
Fraser had a new lover who was here waiting for him. He growled, "So, just
leave, Ben! The bastard's waiting for you over there anyway, so you just
go ahead and run to him!" 

Fraser turned around and noticed Ray's GTO and Ray's blue eyes boring into
him. He turned back to Mark disillusioned and left the trailer. 

************************************************************* 

Ray angrily crumpled an autographed photo of Mark, dropping it to the
GTO's floor as he watched Fraser head in his direction.  

Fraser opened the passenger car door and peered in. "Ray? What are you
doing here? Were you looking for me?" 
  

"Yeah, Frasze, get yer butt inside. We need ta talk."
  

Fraser nodded as he slid into the car. He was buckling up when he noticed
the crumbled picture of Mark between Ray's feet. "Is something wrong, Ray?
You seem very upset." 

Ray stared at him through squinting eyes, suddenly peeling off into
traffic. He chuckled bitterly as he growled at Fraser. "Hmmph. . . upset
is putting it mildly, Fraser. . . . . did you know that Mark is gay? Did
ya know that he was arrested several times fer soliciting sex in gay
bars?. . . .What the hell were you doing anyway, Fraser? You look a mess
and ya need ta zip that neck shit of yers." 

Fraser quickly adjusted the velcro on his tunic and raked his fingers
through his hair smoothing it down. He looked over towards Ray but did not
respond. 

"Have ya suddenly gone deaf on me, Fraser, cause I did ask you some
questions! It sure would be fucking nice if you would answer me!" 

Fraser raised an eyebrow at the sharp tone in Ray's voice. "Ah. . .yes, I
had some knowledge of this information, Ray." 

Ray glared at him with anger and disgust in his eyes. He shook his head.
"So why the fuck didn't you tell me anything about this before? We are
investigating the man, ya know." 

"No, Ray, we're investigating the theft of his vehicle, and Mark being gay
is irrelevant to our case." 

Taking a deep breath, Ray gunned the engine, feeling the tension in his
jaw as he clamped down on his teeth. He chuckled bitterly. "Ha-a-a! Our
case?. . . No, Fraser, not our case. . . my case! Not yer case anymore,
buddy, cause I'm taking ya home. I have some leads ta check out, and I
don't need you around. Besides, new information has surfaced that Mark
possibly staged his own mugging and vehicle theft." 

Fraser was baffled by his partner's anger and questioned him. "You're
taking me home? And what do you mean he staged the vehicle theft, Ray?. .
. . .And why is this your case all of a sudden? What have I done to upset
you? Is it because I came over to see Mark on my own? I distinctly
remember you saying you were busy and didn't have time to. . . " 

"Shut up, Fraser! I don't have time ta argue with ya....I've got some real
police work to do, and you'll just be in my way. Just go home and I'll
call ya later." 

Ray swerved the car in front of the Consulate and parked. He gave Fraser a
sideways glance and then turned away.  

Fraser was staring at him totally bewildered by his actions. "Ray, what is
going on? Why are you so angry with me? What did I do or say to upset you
so much?" 

" Fraser, just get outta the fucking car! We'll talk later." 

Fraser did not budge. "Ray. .. ." 

Ray lost it. "I said git out of the fucking car, Fraser! he barked. "Don't
make me haveta haul yer ass out myself! Now git out!"  

Fraser continued to sit where he was, glaring at Ray. "No, you don't have
to haul my *ass* out of here, Ray," he shot back angrily. "But I would
like to know what I've done to you."  

Ray was trembling with rage, trying to control his temper and wishing
Fraser would get out of the car. Through gritted teeth he growled, "Fraser
git out of my fucking car now! . . . Now, Fraser! We'll talk later!" 

Fraser finally looked away and shook his head. He stepped out and gave Ray
one last glance. "Ray?" 

Ray revved the engine as a tacit warning to close the door.  

Fraser shook his head once more and closed the door. 

Ray peeled off. 

****************************************************************** 

"Oh, it's you again. What do you want now, Detective?" Mark asked as he
leaned against the open door.  

"I need ta talk to you, Mark. . . . can I come in?." 

"Well, I guess so. . . come on in and make yourself comfortable,
Detective." 

Ray walked past him and headed for the couch. He glanced toward the window
where he saw Fraser kissing Mark earlier and felt a knot in his stomach.. 

"What is it you want now, Detective? I already gave all the information to
the other two detectives." 

"Kowalski. My name is Raymond Kowalski. I just wanna know about you
getting busted at the age of fifteen for soliciting in a gay bar.....and
several other occasions after that." 

Mark sat down opposite Ray glaring at him, the glare dissolving into a
smile as he shook his head. "What does this have to do with my being
mugged and my stolen car? That shit about being busted in gay bars was a
set-up. Being at the bar was just a joke.... the whole thing was an
unfortunate accident. I was released, you know. There were no criminal
charges filed against me." 

Ray had hated Mark ever since Fraser had first introduced them, but at
this moment he hated him even more. "But you are gay, Mark. . . .I know
that you are and you're here because of Fraser, aren't you?" 

Mark stared at Ray stunned that he knew. He chuckled, "Aw man, is that why
you're here? You really do your homework don't you, Detective? You're not
here because of the investigation, you're here to protect your boyfriend,
aren't you? What did Ben do? Did he run home to tell you that I was here
to take him away? Boy, you must have him well trained!" 

Mark's cockiness and vanity angered Ray as he listened to him spout off
his mouth. He hated this piece of shit who supposedly had been Fraser's
boyfriend. He didn't want to let on that his friendship with Fraser was
platonic, but this low-life ex-hockey star angered him. Ray hadn't been
aware that Fraser was gay until he saw him through the window with Mark
that morning. If he had known, things would be very different now. Sitting
up quickly he fought the urge to to punch Mark in the mouth. "What the
fuck are you talking about?" He snarled, "you don't know shit about
Fraser! No one has ta train him to do jack shit! If I were you, I'd keep
that hole in my face shut before someone sticks a boot in it!" 

Mark smiled enjoying the fact that he had ticked off the Detective. After
all, this scrawny blonde was to blame for Ben not coming back to him.
"Well, allow me to inform you of something you don't know, Detective. I
did come back for Ben. We had some problems in the past, but I'm still in
love with him and he's still in love with me. .. .He wants to reconcile
with me, Detective Kowalski." 

Ray was totally shocked and sickened by what he had just heard. He was at
a loss for words. He didn't want to believe that Fraser would actually
desire a renewed relationship with this piece of crap. Yet he had
witnessed their kissing earlier. He struggled to control his anger. "No
chance in hell that Fraser could possibly be in love with you, Mark. . . .
yer only deluding yerself cause. . . . cause. . . . cause he's in love
with me and I'm in love with him!"  

Mark was upset because he assumed Fraser had convinced Ray that their
relationship was over. "So, what the hell do you have to offer him,
Kowalski? I'm a lot better off then you could possibly ever be, or even
hope to be. I have so much more to offer him! You have nothing over me! He
doesn't care for a piece of shit like you! He told me so earlier when we
were making out, and you were cooling your ass out in the parking lot!" 

That was the last straw....Ray pounced on Mark grabbing him by the collar.
He jerked him up till they stood face to face. "Listen to me, ya piece of
shit! Benton ain't going nowhere with you! I'll make damn sure he never
leaves here with you! I'm warning ya to keep yer distance and yer paws off
him! You so much as kiss him, hurt him or even touch him, I'll break every
goddamn bone in yer body! Ya understand me?. . . . . I mean it, ya hurt
him and I'll kill ya! I swear I will, Mark!" 

Mark glared into those cold blue chips of ice that were Ray's eyes as they
glared back at him. Then he chuckled. "Are you threatening me, Detective?.
. . So, I take it your relationship with Ben is not as stable as you'd
like it to be. Somehow that really delights me!" 

Kowalski released Mark, pushing him away. He stood his ground wanting
nothing more than to punch the daylights out of Mark, but decided this was
not the time. "Those are real threats, and I want ya to know that I'm not
scared of ya, Mark! Fuck no, not one bit! I'm gonna keep my eyes on you
and that, my friend, is a promise!"  

Ray turned away and headed for the door as Mark called out. "Well, we'll
see who ends up with Ben, Detective, cause the man's still in love with
me. We had this fantastic sexual chemistry between us. . . .and I've
returned for him...he 's glad I did."  

Ray whipped his head around glaring. "Yeah, Mark, whatever...yer a bigger
idiot then I thought," he growled. "Benton got lonely and just needed a
one night stand till I came along. S'long Mark!" He quickly exited the
trailer. He needed to get out of there before he threw up. 

Ray hurried to his car trembling with anger and disgust. Placing his hand
on the door handle, he quickly withdrew it, ran to the front of the car
and up-chucked his lunch.  

*************************************************************** 

"Good evening, Detective Kowalski. How may I be of assistance to you this
fine evening, Sir?" Turnbull smiled as he held the Consulate door open
allowing Ray to step in. 

"Turnbull, I need ta talk to Fraser. . . . where is he?" 

"Oh! Well, he is here, but he's entertaining some visiting diplomats from
Japan at the moment, Sir. May I deliver him a message?"  

Ray nodded. "Yeah, it's really urgent so give it to him right now. . .
Tell 'im Ray wants to say that he's sorry and is here to apologize." 

"Oh no! Are you two having another disagreement, Detective? No wonder
Constable Fraser was so very preoccupied that he nearly burned the. . . ."


"Turnbull! Turnbull, tell him now! . . . . .Please!" 

Turnbull smiled undeterred by Ray's impatience. "Of course, would you care
to wait in. . . . " 

"I'll wait here. . .hurry, Turnbull!" 

"Yes of course, Detective Kowalski. I'll be right back!" 

Minutes later Ray heard Fraser's voice giving Turnbull instructions as he
hurried to the front hall, stopping in his tracks when he saw Ray standing
by the door. "Ray?" 

"Fraser. . . . uh. . . Benton, we need ta talk. . . but not here. . .
would you come with me?" 

"Yes. . . of course, Ray. . . .shall we . . . . " 

Ray nodded and walked outside.	

Fraser followed....they got into the car quietly.  

Ray drove away, both men remaining silent. 

Fraser finally spoke. "Ray. . . what is going on between us? What have I
done to anger you so much?" 

Ray had been staring silently out the windshield trying to make sense of
everything. In fact, after he had left Mark's place, he had driven around
Chicago in an attempt to sort things out in his head. 

"Ray?" 

"Benton, I need ya ta be honest with me. . . .I want ya ta tell me the
whole damn truth even if you think it's none of my fucking business!" 

Fraser raised an eyebrow baffled by Ray's statement. "About what, Ray?
What are you talking about?" 

Ray glanced at him then turned back to look out the windshield. "You had
an affair with Mark Smithbauer. I don't know when or even why....and, yes,
he told me about it. Why you didn't tell me is way beyond me. . . maybe
cause ya thought I couldn't handle it? Or maybe cause you couldn't trust
me, I dunno, but I want the truth, Benton!" 

The fact that Ray knew about his relationship with Mark shook Fraser. He
didn't expect Mark to tell Ray anything about their affair. Fraser stared
at the Stetson on his lap. Clearing his throat, he proceeded to speak. "Ah
. . .now everything makes sense, Ray. Your anger, your accusations and,
yes. . . . .It is true, Ray. Mark and I had an affair when I last saw him
four years ago. You see, Mark and I grew up together in my hometown, or
should I say village, of Inuvik where we used to play hockey together. We
were childhood friends, and he was thirteen years old when I last saw him,
well that is until he made a trip here to Chicago four years ago. I was
partnered up with the real Detective Raymond Vecchio at the time, and Mark
had some problems here in Chicago with some people who were after him.
Detective Vecchio and I helped him out. . . . well, we worked the case
that involved him. After we resolved that case Mark and I went. . . . we
went out on a few occasions to catch up on old times. . . .Then we had a
brief affair, Ray . . . .I must tell you that I had been infatuated by him
for quite some time, and I . . . . I fell in love with him. Well, not
really in love. . . . .maybe it was still infatuation, I can't really say.
. . .He said he felt the same about me. . .that is, until he left town and
I found out that in my absence. . . . well, in my absence he had another
affair. And that changed my feelings about him. . . .that's all, Ray. .
.That is what happened." 

Ray was silent during Fraser's entire explanation. This information was
more than he could handle....it was more then he could bear and it gripped
his heart and gut, draining him of every ounce of energy. 

"Ray? Ray, please say something? Tell me why knowing all this upsets you
so much," Fraser pleaded. 

Ray briefly glanced at him. "Because, I thought we were friends, Benton. .
. . you said we were best friends. If you were my best friend, you
would've trusted me. . . . . you would've told me that you were gay. . .
.You would've at least told me that much. . .it could've changed things
between us, Benton. I thought you trusted me. . . . but I guess I was
wrong, wasn't I? I'll tell ya one thing. buddy, I sure as hell trusted you
with my life!" 

The accusations of mistrust hurt the Mountie. "Ray! . . .Ray, I have
always trusted you! The only reason I didn't tell you about my sexual
preference was because it was never an issue between us! Why are you
making an issue of it now? I've always trusted you, Ray! Always!"  

Ray pulled the car over to the shoulder of the road and stared at Fraser.
He felt sad and disillusioned but mostly heartbroken. His anger was slowly
intensifying inside him like a pressure cooker ready to blow its lid. His
feelings were muddled and disoriented, entangled within him. He growled at
his partner. "Goddamn you, Benton! It's an issue now cuz I'm in love with
you, ya fucking bastard! I've been in love with you since the first time I
met ya! Are you so goddamn naive? Were you so damn fucking blind, Benton?!
You hafta have known how I felt about you cause yer not that stupid! I've
been patient fer a whole fucking year, and now this. . . . this low life
slithers back into yer life, and there you are, throwing yerself at 'im
like he's some kinda hero who's come ta rescue ya! How could you do this
ta me, Benton? How could you betray me like this!"  

Fraser stared at Ray totally shocked....paralyzed by the news Ray had just
delivered. He was dumbfounded about Ray's feelings towards him. He knew
that they were very close friends, the best, but he couldn't fathom the
idea of Ray being in love with him. He had always loved Ray ever since the
first day he had met him, but he knew Ray would not return his love. Not
as long as Ray he pined for Stella and chased every woman at the station.
This new revelation could not be possible, in fact, Fraser found it
incomprehensible. It suddenly occurred to him that maybe Ray was just
being vindictive and was trying to hurt him. "Ray! Ray, how can you say
that you're in love with me?! What about Stella? What about all those
women you've gone after at the station, Ray?! I can understand you being
angry with me and feeling you can't trust me because you think that I've
betrayed you, but why are you doing this? Are you trying to be vindictive
because I cared for Mark? Ray, let me suggest that you take me home now!" 

Ray was bewildered by Fraser's rebuttal. He didn't understand why Fraser
couldn't accept the fact that he was in love with him. Ray lost his
temper. "Wha-a-a-at?! Fuck, no! Yer not going anywhere till we settle this
shit, Benton! You really think I'm trying to hurt ya by saying that I'm in
love with ya? Then yer more screwed up then I thought, cause I am in love
with ya! I've always been in love with you, Benton, ever since I met ya!
And now you do this shit? . . . That fucking bastard comes back and yer
ready to drop on yer knee's fer 'im? God, how you disgust me! You and your
fucking boyfriend totally disgust me, Benton!. . . . . Especially you! Yer
so damn fucking pathetic that it makes me wanna puke just thinking about
it!"  

Fraser felt offended and wounded by Ray's rantings, unable to digest all
the insults being hurled at him. He reached for the door handle wanting to
get away, but Ray grabbed his wrist. 

 "Where the fuck do you think yer going!"  

Fraser stared at the hand that clamped around his wrist, then looked up at
Ray. His breathing was labored, and the tears were welling up quickly in
his eyes. With a low hoarse voice he murmured, "Would you be so kind as to
release me?" 

 Ray glared at him for a few moments, and then released him.  

Fraser promptly jumped out of the car and stormed away.  

Ray watched as he walked a few yards from the car and suddenly stopped.  

Fraser was struggling to control his trembling body as he peered down the
deserted street ahead of him. He was attempting to focus on his breathing
as he ran a shaky hand through his hair.  

Ray got out of the car and approached him. "Get back in the car, Benton. .
. .I'll take ya home." Ray heard Fraser sniffle but couldn't tell if he
was crying. "Benton, get back in the car. . . .Benton?. . . . . . git back
in the car, please." 

Fraser wiped his face and returned to the car without facing Ray. 

Ray slid into his seat and stared at him, noting the glitter of tears on
his cheek as he stared out the windshield. "Why are you crying, Fraser?. .
. . Hey! I'm asking you a question." 

"B-Because you're hurting me, Ray. . . .you are. . . . hurting me." The
tears continued to stream down his face as he was unable to stop them. He
turned away and looked out the side window. 

"Well, that's just great, Benton, cause yer hurting me also. You hurt me a
hell of a lot, Benton, cause ya couldn't be truthful with me."	

Fraser turned and looked at him. "But Ray. . .that relationship has been
over for four years! He was someone in my past, Ray. . .you are my
present. . . . .why are you treating me like I've betrayed you? I never
even knew you had those feelings for me!" 

Ray stared at him through narrowed eyes. "Damn you, Benton! That's the
fucking problem with all this shit! How could you not know that I was in
love with ya?! You betrayed me by kissing him. I saw you kissing him at
the trailer, and yet you claim that the relationship is over? Somehow I
don't believe a word yer saying ta me, Benton. . .somehow you. . ." 

"You saw me? How did you see me kissing Mark?. . . .Ray. . . .Ray, I'm in
love with you! I have been in love with you since the first time I met
you."  

Ray shook his head trying to shed the confusion and pain. "Oh really? So
yer in love with me, but you're dating and kissing Mark? Oh dat sure makes
a hell of a lot of fucking sense to me, Benton, cause you've never even
kissed me before! A whole lotta fucking sense, Benton."  

The tears spilled out of Fraser again. He tried to contain the quiver in
his voice, but his trembling lip gave him away as he whispered, "D-Did
Mark tell you that I was in love with him?" 

"Goddamn it, Benton dat's not important anymore! How can you sit there and
tell me that yer in love with me after kissing Mark?! I mean, I don't get
it. You don't love someone and kiss someone else, damn you!"  

Fraser stared at him, wiping his eyes and clearing his throat. "Are you in
love with me, Ray?"  

Ray looked out the windshield. "Well, yeah, uh.. . . maybe . . . I mean I
thought I was in love with you, Benton. . .I mean, I was until I found out
you were an item with Mark. Now I don't know what the hell I feel for you,
Benton! . . . Right now I feel disgusted, that much I do know. I'm totally
disgusted by yer actions, hell I'm totally disgusted by you!"  

Fraser bowed his head at Ray's harsh words piercing his heart which ached
deep to the core, the tears flowing again. The hurt was unbearable and
Fraser covered his face and cried quietly into his hands.  

Ray watched him and became upset at the sight of his partner crying. It
completely tore him up inside. He had wanted to hurt him but he didn't
know it would tear him up in return. He hated himself for hurting the man
he was head over heels in love with. He didn't know how else to react but
to bark at him. "Goddamn you, Benton, stop crying! Don't be doing this
shit ta me, Benton! Yer fucking tears don't mean shit ta me, so just stop
it!" 

Fraser wiped his face and sighed deeply. Feeling totally heartbroken he
glanced at Ray not knowing what to say to him.	

Ray felt just as miserable staring at him. He then reached over and
wrapped his arms around Fraser's neck, holding him tightly to himself,
burying his face into his neck. "Goddamn you, Benton! Goddamn you fer
doing this ta me! Oh God, Benton, I love you so much! I love you so very
much!. . . . How could you hurt me?. . . . How the hell can you say yer in
love with me? How can I believe you?! I need proof....I need ya to prove
it to me!"  

Fraser was totally puzzled. He wanted desperately to kiss Ray, but was
afraid it might anger him even more. He didn't know how to reply to Ray's
questions. Hurting and confused, he searched for the right answers."Y-You
want me to prove to you that I'm in love with you, Ray?"  

Ray was still embracing Fraser as he then looked up at him. He stared into
Fraser's huge sad, sapphire blues in the dark. "Yes. . . prove it to me.
Convince me that ya love me more then you ever loved Mark."  

Fraser was bewildered with Ray's request, not able to even think straight
at the moment. "H-How? How can I prove to you that I love you more then
Mark, Ray? If my words aren't enough, then how can I prove it to you?" he
asked, his voice wavering. 

Ray dropped his face into Fraser's shoulder and allowed his tears to sneak
out. Now he was the one crying in frustration. "Fuck if I know how,
Benton. . . I really don't know if you can prove anything to me anymore. .
.Goddamn you, Benton, for doing this to us!"  

Fraser felt the wetness seep through his serge jacket onto his shoulder
and knew Ray was crying. He felt Ray's body shudder as he struggled to
contain his own tears. But they again escaped him as he encircled Ray with
his arms, pulling him snugly to his body and digging his fingers into his
shirt. He whimpered. "Oh God, Ray what have I done?! I'm so very sorry for
hurting you! I never meant to hurt you! You mean the world to me, Ray!
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for you! Why can't you
believe me? Oh, Ray, I'm so sorry!" 

Ray now pushed himself away trying to get Fraser to release him.  

Fraser refused, but was forced to as Ray pulled away. The pain of Ray's
rejection tore his heart in half as he continued to search for an answer.
He suddenly had an epiphany. "Ray. . . .Ray, let's go!"  

Ray was confused by Fraser's demand and stared at him with questioning
eyes. "What?"  

Fraser was obviously excited as he blurted out his request, "Let's go,
Ray, I have something to show you! Start the car and let's go!"  

Ray looked at him totally bewildered for another moment, then buckled up
and drove off. He hadn't gone very far when Fraser bellowed.  

"Ray, pull over. Ray!. . . pull over now!"  

Ray frowned as he looked at Fraser, but pulled onto the shoulder of the
road as requested.  

"NO! No, not here, I meant the gas station, Ray. Pull over at the gas
station there!" he said excitedly as he pointed ahead. 

Ray did as Fraser requested and drove further up the street, pulling
slowly into the gas station. He watched as Fraser quickly jumped out of
the car before he even had the chance to park.	

"Come on, Ray. . . I have something to show you. Get out and follow me!"
Fraser shut the door while Ray sat somewhat stunned, finally stepping out
of the car.  

"Fraser? Fraser, where are we going?"  

Fraser marched off towards the station. "Follow me, Ray, hurry. . . . Ray?
Are you coming? . . . . Come on, Ray."	

Ray hesitated and rushed to follow Fraser, noticing him disappear into the
men's room. Ray followed him inside, quickly turning around when he heard
Fraser lock the door behind him. "F-Fraser? What are we doing here?"  

Fraser reached over and secured Ray into his arms as he quickly plastered
his mouth to Ray's, giving him a slurpy wet, tongue-searching-for-tonsils
kiss before releasing him.  

Ray was astonished by the ravenous kiss, and would've collapsed by the
shock had Fraser not been holding him up. This was their first actual kiss
and Fraser's lips were cool and velvety soft, but his tongue was
smoldering hot, singeing the inside of Ray's mouth. Fraser's tongue was
satiny and salty with his tears, but his mouth was pure heaven. Fraser
suddenly released him, after which Ray heard the loud sound of velcro
being released*r-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-ip*, echoing loudly in the bathroom. At
this point, Ray was totally bewildered by Fraser's intentions. He stared
at Fraser completely mesmerized by the ravenous look in the Mountie's dark
blue greys. He quickly snapped out of his trance when he felt the
Mountie's fingers on his belt.	

"Benton? Benton, what the hell are you doing?! We're in the men's bathroom
fer Chrissakes, whadda ya doing?!"  

Fraser licked his lips as he unbuttoned Ray's pants and pulled his zipper
down, never removing his eyes from Ray's. "I know where we are, Ray, but
you wanted proof and I'm going to provide you with proof," he whispered
excitedly.  

Ray, stunned by Fraser's actions, quickly grabbed his partner's wrists
attempting to stop him. "Stop that, Benton! I know I wanted proof, but not
like this, I mean not here fer Chrissakes! Goddammit, Benton, stop it! I
don't even have a hard on, fer crying out loud! Benton, yer not listening
to. . ."  

But Fraser obviously wasn't listening as he pushed Ray's hands away and
dropped down on his knees, pulling Ray's pants and boxers down with him.  

"Benton, sto-o-o-op! We can't do this here! I'm not even hard and. . . .
.Oh-h-h-h-h Jesus Christ! O-h-h-h-h-h-h lord!" Ray stumbled backwards as
Fraser's hot, wet tongue slipped between his balls almost causing him to
topple over, managing to save himself by leaning against the wall . Pure
instinct made Ray reach forward to grab hold of Fraser's head, while the
Mountie delivered long, slow, slurpy-sounding licks on his balls. The
response to his cock was immediate as it sprung to attention. "Jesus
Christ! O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h God, Benton-n-n-n-n-n!"  

Fraser was all over him, taking his balls into his mouth, caressing them
with his tongue and sucking on them. He made sure Ray had a full erection
before he proceed further up to Ray's penis.  

With every passing second, Ray's body felt like melting butter in Fraser's
hands. Fraser's tongue was pure ecstasy as he licked his balls, his teeth
scraping across them tenderly as he sucked them back into his mouth. Ray
was delirious with sensation and felt he would collapse or pass out into
the Mountie's hands, which Fraser used to keep Ray's thighs apart. Ray
leaned back further into the wall and spread his legs as far as they would
go against his jeans, thrusting his hips forward to meet Fraser's mouth.
That tongue was all over the place, never giving mercy even for a moment.
The experience was indescribable, like something Ray had never felt
before, not even with his ex-wife. Fraser was doing things with his tongue
that Ray only saw on screen in the movies. His knees went weak as his body
shuddered with pure exhilaration. He tightened his grip in Fraser's hair
attempting to keep his balance as well as his sanity. Casting his eyes
downward, he caught a glimpse of Fraser's pink tongue as it made another
swipe against his shivering balls. He saw that his penis was dripping wet.
Ray moaned as he tightly closed his eyes, feeling as if he was floating
while Fraser wrapped those warm lips around his penis. "OH-H-H-H-H-H
God-d-d-d-d! Oh lord! OH Benton! Oh my God!" Ray dug his fingers deeper
into that silky, chocolate colored hair, fastening Fraser firmly to his
cock. He felt his fingernails dig savagely into his palms and his teeth
sink into his bottom lip as he tried to keep from screaming. 

Fraser licked the tip of Ray's cock clean of its juices, then sucked hard
on the mushroom head as Ray moaned loudly once more. 'Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h!
Oh-h-h-h-h! Je-e-e-e-e-esus!" Ray moaned even louder at the sensation of
Fraser's lips on his cock as he spoke in a muffled tone.  

"I love you, Ray."  

The vibration of his mouth drove Ray into a frenzy. It sent his mind over
the edge as Fraser sunk his teeth gently on the mushroom head and sucked
hard on his cock, making him erupt like a volcano. "Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h! OH!
OH! AH-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H! Oh God! Oh God!" Ray released his load into
Fraser's waiting mouth, and Fraser continued to gently lick him clean. It
was erotically mind boggling but torturous at the same time....Ray could
only compare it to a mother cat lovingly licking her kittens. Ray finally
managed to open his eyes when he heard a nagging knock on the door.
"Y-Yeah?" 

"Hey man, you okay in there? I need to use the bathroom, man!" 

"I'm busy! Go to the next station!" Ray snapped as he tried to catch his
breath panting like a dog, and not wanting to move an inch.  

Ray glanced down at Fraser who was still torturing him with his tongue and
closed his eyes, realizing that his trembling legs might give out on him
any second. He felt Fraser kissing him gently between the thighs, nearly
swooning from this passionate act. When he opened his eyes again he saw
those beautiful gray-blues staring up at him. He watched as Fraser stood
up, hearing his zipper being pulled up as Fraser gazed into his blues.
Fraser leaned over and placed a feather touch kiss on Ray's lips before
inching back. Those grays stared deep into Ray's blues. "Ray. . . Ray, I
am in love with you. . . and that is the only way I can prove it to you
for now. I can do it again if you like, and as many times as you wish me
to," he whispered lovingly. 

Ray was still trying to catch his breath and restore some sanity to his
brain. He mumbled. "M-Many times? A-All the time?"  

Fraser leaned forward and ran his tongue across Ray's parted lips before
moving back again. "All the time. . .Anytime you want me to because I'm in
love with you, Ray."  

Ray bit his bottom lip as he rested his forehead on Fraser's chin. He was
still quite shaken up. "Oh God, Benton I'm so sorry that I made ya cry.
I'm such a fucking bastard fer making ya cry! And all those horrible
things I said! Oh God, please forgive me, Benton! Please forgive me fer
being such a bastard with ya! It's just that I'm so totally in love with
you!. . . You know that I'm in love with you, don't you?. . .that's why I
got so jealous and so hurt . . . . .I've loved you ferever, Benton! Fer as
long as I've known you!"  

Fraser wrapped his arms around Ray and whispered, "Yes, I know you're in
love with me, Ray. And it was about time I showed you how I felt about
you."  

Fraser leaned back a bit and cupped Ray's chin with his hand, lifting his
face up to gaze into his blues before locking lips with him.  

Ray felt that satiny warm tongue make contact with his again, and nearly
crumpled from the lust still raging within him. His cock was already
getting excited again when he heard someone unlocking the door. 

Both men pulled away from each other quickly, adjusting their clothes
before the door opened.  

The clerk and another man stood in the doorway glaring at them.  

Ray and Fraser leaned against the sink and stared back at them with blank
expressions on their faces.  

The clerk snapped at them, scowling, "Are you two finished in here? I
mean, there are other people waiting to use the bathroom."  

Fraser blushed as he nodded in understanding, but Ray became upset and
quickly flashed his badge. "Do you mind!? I'm a Detective and so is he,
and we needed a private place to discuss our current stakeout! Do I have
to ticket you for disturbing our private meeting? Don't you know that it's
against the law to obstruct an ongoing investigation?! Do you know how
severe the penalty would be should I decide to haul yer ass into the
police station? Need I remind you that you don't make enough money in this
store to git yer butt out of jail if I should decide to arrest you,
mister!"  

Fraser stared adoringly at his angry partner and now lover as he bellowed
at the clerk.  

The clerk panicked and quickly apologized. "I-I'm so sorry, Detective! I
had no idea there was an investigation going on. I"m very sorry, Sir!"	

Ray growled in response. "Well, ya oughta be! And it's Detective Kowalski,
now will you two excuse us and let us finish our business?!" The clerk,
now terrified, nodded and quickly retreated.  

Fraser glanced at Ray and smiled. "Now really, Ray. . . .A ticket for
obstructing us?"  

Ray grinned as he put his badge away. "Of course a ticket! There should be
a law for obstructing passionate lovemaking in a men's
bathroom.....especially when I'm the recipient! Let's get outta here,
Benton. . oh and another thing." Ray reached over and tenderly braced the
back of Fraser's neck, pulling him to his lips. There was something
wonderful about Fraser's mouth....something totally captivating.  

**************************************************************** 

"Could you run that by me again, Ray? I didn't quite make the connection."
Fraser asked as he attempted to make himself comfortable in the passenger
side of the GTO. 

Ray tried to explain the situation to Fraser one more time. "Okay, I've
come across some new information about Mark....I have reason to believe he
staged his own mugging and theft of his vehicle. I also received newspaper
clippings that claim he had a history of sexual misconduct between the
ages of fourteen and fifteen. There were four separate incidents involving
him within a year. You said you last saw him when he was thirteen, and
then not again till four years ago....am I correct?" 

Fraser stared at Ray not believing what he just heard for the second time
in the last thirty minutes. "Sexual misconduct? But how can that be
possible, Ray? I've never heard that about Mark, and it's never been
reported as far as I know. And why do you believe that he staged his own
mugging and vehicle theft in the first place, Ray?"  

Ray felt a twinge of jealousy upon hearing Fraser defend Mark. He just
didn't like the man. "Are you trying to protect him, Benton? I mean, why
do you care about. . . .' 

Fraser interrupted. "No, Ray, I'm not trying to protect him. I'm merely
trying to determind a possible motive for Mark staging the mugging and
theft of his own vehicle." 

Ray still felt jealous. "I dunno, Benton. . . . maybe fer publicity
purposes? Maybe fer insurance fraud? I mean, the guy's popularity is on
the fast track downhill, and he needs all the news coverage he can get.
And he's not exactly the world's most likeable person, ya know." 

Fraser shook his head. "No, Ray . . . I think there's more to this than
meets the eye." 

Ray glared at him, squinting his eyes as he growled, "What? Can't the guy
do no wrong, Benton? Ya think that maybe he's a saint....or even a hero?
I'll tell ya what he is, he's a celebrity with a downward spiraling
popularity and an overblown ego, Benton, that's what he is!" 

Fraser heard the sharp edginess in Ray's voice and didn't want to anger
him again. He was afraid to mention that Ray could very possibly be wrong
about Mark staging the crime.....that there had to be another explanation.


"Yer awfully quiet again, Benton. . . .what's going on in yer mind? You
think I'm wrong, don't you? Go ahead, tell me and then tell me why ya
think that I'm wrong." 

Fraser took a deep breath and looked at Ray. "I think you're wrong about
this whole incident, Ray. How would Mark benefit from this kind of news
coverage? What would he hope to gain if word got out about his sexual
misconduct? As for insurance fraud, the man makes more money than the
insurance company would ever offer to pay him for his car. I'm sorry to
disagree with you, but there's no reason for Mark to commit these crimes."


Ray looked out the window and then glanced at Fraser. "Are you still in
love with him?. . . . I mean, is there some kinda love for him in you,
Benton?" 

Fraser shook his head annoyed with Ray's question. "No, Ray. . . .no, I am
not in love with Mark in any size, form or fashion. I am definitely in
love with you." 

This made Ray smile in spite of his jealousy and anger. He reached over
and caressed Fraser's cheek. "I'm sorry, Benton, I just love you so much.
. . .but I guess yer right. . . . I need to stop being so jealous and find
out what's going on here. . .. . Benton?. . . . uh, changing the subject
fer a second, can I convince ya to spend the night at my place?" 

Fraser smiled warmly. "Of course you can convince me, Ray. I would love to
spend the night at your apartment." 

Ray cheerfully returned his lover's smile and reached for his hand.
"Greatness!" 

*************************************************************** 

Ray felt the sweat run down his temples to his chin as he grinded himself
into Fraser on his bed. They had made it back to Ray's apartment, headed
straight to the bedroom, and now he was on top of a very beautiful, naked
and sex-starved Mountie. Fraser's beautiful firm body was glistening with
sweat as Ray continued the slow grinding rhythm of their engorged
cocks.....slipping and sliding against each other's sweating bodies,
rubbing unrelentingly producing enough friction to start a fire. 

Fraser encircled Ray in his arms, licking the sweat off his neck and
kissing him tenderly over the left side of his jawbone. They had been at
this for an hour and both were currently working towards their second
orgasm. The first one had been too rushed according to Ray's standards, so
he made a point of slowing down this time. It really didn't matter to him
if he did have another orgasm, as long as Fraser kissed, licked, sucked
and loved him all night long. Fraser proved to be an amorous and
passionate paramour, with so much to offer his very hungry lover.  

Ray gazed lovingly into Fraser's dark sapphire colored eyes and saw the
hunger in them, the demand and the desire pouring out from them. He was
becoming incredibly hard, and he gritted his teeth as the sweat rolled off
his chin landing on Fraser's upper lip. He watched Fraser's pink tongue
dart out of his mouth and reach up to lick the drops of sweat off his
lips. Ray reached down locking their sweaty lips together in another
impassioned kiss. He could taste the salt of his own sweat within Fraser's
mouth from when he had been licking his neck earlier. Their lips were
swollen and their mouths were hot as they took turns sucking on each
other's inflamed tongues.  

Ray lay on top of Fraser, pressing his fingers into his buttocks securing
him firmly to his crotch. Fraser flipped Ray onto his back so he was now
on top. He dug his face into the crook of Ray's sweating neck, sucking on
the pulsing vein that made its appearance as Ray strained for a better
hold of his new lover. Snaking one hand downward, Fraser secured a firm
grip on Ray's cock and proceeded to run his thumb in small circles around
the wet, slippery mushroomed tip.  

Ray was moaning deliriously, arching his hips up to thrust into Fraser's
grip."Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h man-n-n-n-n-n-n-n Ben. . . . Benton-n-n-n-n. You're
so damn fucking good-d-d-d-d. Oh lord-d-d-d," Ray cooed into Fraser's
mouth. Fraser ravished him with trailing wet warm licks, starting at the
base of his neck to the tip of his chin. Stopping at his chin he reached
over and secured his lips to Ray's.  

Ray's hand moved down to cover Fraser's hand that was wrapped firmly
around his cock, helping him pump up and down the rock hard shaft.  

Fraser released his hold and started a descent of small kisses down Ray's
body followed by licks and nips along the way. He started with Ray's
swollen lips, sucking on them causing Ray to cry out in pain, then moving
down to bite his sweaty chin, licking the sweat off. His tongue left a wet
trail as he inched his way down to the flushed skin on Ray's neck where he
sucked hard, causing Ray to arch his body up. Continuing further down he
engulfed a very sensitive nipple, sucking and nipping at the small nub.  

Ray moaned and writhed under Fraser's hot lips as he felt his lover's
teeth sink harshly into his nipple, then releasing it quickly and gliding
his hot tongue across the hardened tip.  

Fraser then maneuvered his mouth lower to Ray's breast bone licking his
way across his hot flushed skin down to his navel. He dipped the tip of
his tongue into Ray's navel, making him arch his back up yet again to meet
Fraser's mouth. He proceeded his trail of seduction further down his
lover's slender body.  

Ray moaned Fraser's name softly when he purposely bypasssed his cock and
went straight for his thighs. "Ben-n-n-n--ton-n-n-n-n,
pleas-s-s-s-s-s-se." The whispered name hissed out between his lips as if
steam were escaping his inflamed body.	

Fraser slipped his tongue directly under Ray's balls between his tensed
thighs that were closed tightly together. Once Fraser's tongue brushed his
balls, those legs spread eagerly for him. Fraser dove between his parted
legs pushing his tongue further under his balls. 

Ray moaned loudly as his knees came up immediately spreading himself even
more for his lover.  

Fraser gently dug his fingers into Ray's thighs holding them apart as he
engulfed Ray's balls in one move. He caressed them with his tongue as he
sucked on them. 

Ray clamped his lips together drowning the scream that nearly burst out of
him, not wanting to frighten his neighbor downstairs. Instead, he clawed
his fingers into the sheets pulling them off the bed, gasping out his
delirium. "Oh God, Benton-n-n-n-n-n!" 

Fraser released his balls and ran his tongue up to the tip of his cock and
stopped. Before he would capture Ray's weeping cock he looked at him and
whispered, "Ray. . . .Ray, I love you."  

Ray dragged his mind away from his lust filled euphoria long enough to
look into those love starved blue-greys that were gazing at him, and
hoarsely murmured, "I've always loved you, Benton.. . . . always"  

Fraser smiled and reached over, slipping the mushroomed tip past his
velvety lips and into his warm mouth. He delighted at the loud succumbing
cry of his lover.  

"O-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-my-y-y-y-y-y-y g-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-od."	

And to hell with the neighbors. 

************************************************************ 

Ray sat at his desk watching as Fraser read the newspaper clippings. Last
night Fraser was an unyielding and relentless sex-starved animal in bed.
But today he sat calmly primped in his wrinkle-free starched uniform
looking as charming and disarming as ever. The only evidence of last
night's sexual tryst were the love marks on Ray's neck. Ray regarded his
partner and attempted to read his expressionless face.	

Fraser put the clippings down and looked up at his partner.  

Ray nodded in anticipation. "Well? What do ya make of the clippings? They
all claim he was soliciting sex in gay bars, busted but always released
due to lack of evidence. Think he made someone angry enough to retaliate
now?" 

Fraser was trying to absorb all this new information about the hero he had
grown up with and admired all his life. He took a deep breath shaking his
head. "No, Ray . . . .I don't think he made anyone angry enough from his
past to surface now demanding restitution. Where did you say you got these
from, Ray?" 

Ray told Fraser about the reporter who had accosted him at the parking
lot. But, he left out the part where he had peeked into the trailer and
witnessed the kiss between Mark and Fraser.  

"So where is she now, Ray? You said she would be here thirty minutes ago
and she. . . " 

"Aw! Speaking of Ms. Devil, here she comes now, Frasze."  

Fraser stood up quickly and turned around.  

Ray followed his lead and rose to his feet.  

"Ms. Biermann, so good of ya to join us! I was beginning ta think you had
skipped town!" Ray smiled motioning her to a chair.  

She glared at Fraser stepping around him to avoid any contact.	

This did not go unnoticed by Fraser who glanced at Ray. 

Ray just shrugged and sat down once Ms. Biermann was seated.  

Fraser moved to the side of the desk beside Ray to study her more closely.
 

"I told you that I'd be here, Kowalski." She narrowed her eyes at Fraser
while directing her remarks towards Ray.  

Ray looked over to Fraser. "This is Constable Benton Fraser of the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police, and. . ."  

"Spare me the details, Kowalski. I'm well aware of who he is. . . .Just
didn't think he was still in town."  

Fraser frowned at her statement noting the obvious tinge of hatred in her
voice. "Excuse me, Ma-am, but how did you come across these clippings?"  

She glared at Fraser with such malice that Ray thought she was ready to
bite him. "I am a reporter, Constable Fraser. . . .I have access to all
kinds of information and materials. I acquired those clippings while
visiting Mark's hometown library. Nice little town I might add....anyway,
since he decided to show his face here in Chicago I decided to do a story
on him. Then he fakes this mugging and car theft. . . . ." 

Ray quickly cut in. "Okay, hold on a sec right there, now what kind of
proof do you have that he staged this theft? I mean, yer making some
serious accusations here, lady." 

She reached into her purse to search for something. When she couldn't find
what she was looking for, she dumped the entire contents onto Ray's desk. 

Ray glanced at Fraser and again shrugged his shoulders.  

She shuffled through several pens, pencils, a wallet, the odd green neon
camera, assorted pieces of make-up and all types of bizarre junk. Finally,
she picked up some papers fastened together by paper clips and handed them
to Ray.  

Ray took the bundle of papers, watched her briefly shove her belongings
back into her purse, and then proceeded to undo the bundle of papers. 

Fraser stepped behind Ray to get a peek at the papers, leaning forward and
resting a hand on his shoulder.  

Ms. Biermann glanced up when Fraser's hand made contact with Ray, scowling
at him.  

Once again, this did not go unnoticed by the Mountie. 

Fraser leaned in closer to Ray and inhaled the floral scent of the herbal
shampoo he had used that morning when they had showered together. The
combination of herbal shampoo scent, the muskiness of his cologne and the
aroma of aloe from his shaving cream were enough to send Fraser's mind
into a tailspin. He made the mistake of taking a deep whiff of these
heavenly scents, and intoxicated himself instantly. His mind played a
trick on him by converting the aromas into an aphrodisiac. He bit at his
bottom lip holding back a moan, while his mind manifested a vision of a
certain blond naked detective grinding his swollen cock onto his throbbing
one. The vision set off a chain reaction from his brain throughout his
body, producing an instant erection. Fraser knew he wouldn't be able to
concentrate on anything else until he could relieve the erection in his
pants.	

Ray felt Fraser tighten his grip on his shoulder, assuming he was trying
to rush him on to the next paper, so he complied and turned to the next
page. He actually hadn't even read the first page himself, as he was also
having trouble concentrating with Fraser's warm breath on the back of his
ear. Fraser's labored breathing reminded Ray of the previous night when
Fraser had licked and sucked on his ear. He bit his bottom lip as his cock
burst into action, swelling up quickly by the messages it was receiving.
He glanced over his shoulder and stared into those lustful, wild
blue-greys peering into his, and he knew Fraser wanted him just as badly.
He managed to grin despite his aching cock, winked at his partner and then
directed his attention back to Ms. Biermann. "Okay, so lemme get this
straight here. . . . he took out some extra insurance fer his car. . . .
so what of it? I mean the car is practically worth at least half a million
dollars and this is Chicago, wouldn't you take out extra insurance? This
isn't exactly proof of any illegal action taking place, I mean come on, is
that all ya got?" 

"Well dammit, Kowalski, didn't you read the bank statement!" She demanded,
thoroughly annoyed by his reaction.  

Ray had not read it, so he turned his attention back to the papers in his
hand and studied the bank statement. He wasn't going to ask how she
managed to acquire these items. "Okay, so the man has no money in the
bank. . . .but he was at the ATM machine to make a deposit, Ms. . . ."	

She lost her patience with the blond haired Detective and angrily cut in.
"And did he have money on him when he was mugged?. . . NO! Did he have a
deposit slip or even a wallet on him, Kowalski?. . . again, NO!. . . I
know because I was there, and I heard what was being said and what was
being put out on the police report.....the man had nothing on him but his
card!"	

Ray and Fraser glared at her as Ray continued, "He probably left the
deposit in his car, Ms. Biermann.....the car that got stolen." 

"Yeah right, Kowalski. . . . how many times do you get out of the car
without taking the deposit with you? If he was going to make a deposit,
then why didn't he take it with him?"  

Ray leaned back into his chair and shrugged. "I've done it before, lady. .
.believe me I have. . . . Maybe he didn't take it with him cause he was
afraid he was gonna get mugged? I dunno, but this doesn't prove anything,
Ms. Biermann." 

She rolled her eyes at him and became even more upset. "Look, Kowalski,
the man has a record for. . . ." 

"Fer which he his never done jail time." 

"Yes, but what about four years ago when he threw the game and . . . . ." 

"He was punished and is currently doing his community service, anything
else ya got?" 

"Look, Kowalski!. . . . Yes, as a matter of fact I do! It seems to me that
you are trying to protect him because he's involved with your friend, the
Constable. And I do mean involved, Kowalski." 

Her statement caught them both by surprise.  

Fraser straightened his stance, and Ray sat up quickly becoming very
defensive. "Whadda ya mean, Ms. Biermann? Whadda ya saying?" 

"Oh please, don't you two give me that surprised *what are you talking
about* innocent look! I was there also, Kowalski, I was there when you
played Peeping Tom in the window, and witnessed some really strange
happenings going on inside the Winnebago. My camera is equipped with a
high-powered telescope and I caught pretty much what was going on inside."


Ray was taken aback, angry that she had violated their privacy. He
growled, "Are you trying to black-mail him, Ms. Biermann? I mean, cuz
we're talking a serious offense here, lady!" 

She leaned back into her chair looking totally relaxed and feeling smug.
Smiling she replied, "Yes, we are talking some serious offenses here,
Kowalski, and these pictures could prove to be very damaging to your
Constable and to Mark's career. But let's not worry about that right now,
Kowalski, because I don't have them with me. They're in another location
for safe-keeping. Now, can we get back to the issue at hand here?"  

Ray was furious and slapped the file onto the desk. Everyone in the
bullpen looked up for a second and then went back to their work.  

Fraser stared at her intrigued by her aloofness.  

Ray leaned in closer to her. "I want those goddamn pictures you supposedly
have, cause I'm not gonna be black-mailed into doing anything fer ya,
lady!" he snarled. "You know I can have you arrested for black-mailing an
officer!"  

Ms. Biermann glared at him, not feeling threatened one bit by his
hostility. She stood up. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some real work
to attend to. The pictures are my property, and you would have to prove
that they exist in the first place and then arrest me to get to them,
Kowalski. I seriously doubt you would want to prove their existence to
your Lieutenant or the Constable's commanding officer. You know where to
find me when you're ready to listen to reason." She looked at them both
and strolled off.  

Ray rose quickly to chase her down but Fraser grabbed his shoulder and
held him back. "Don't go after her. That's exactly what she wants you to
do."  

Ray turned to face him, whispering anxiously, "But you don't understand!
She's got pictures of you and Mark being intimate in his trailer!"  

Fraser stared into his partner's worried blues, licking his lips. "But I
was never intimate with Mark in his trailer, Ray."  

Ray frowned at Fraser's misunderstanding of what he was trying to say.
"No, Fraser, not intimate like in sex, I mean kissing 'im! She was there
when you were kissing 'im and so was I! That's when she send me ta find
you!"  

Fraser noticed that Ray's anxious baby blues were nearing panic. "Please
calm down, Ray. . .we need to remain unruffled so we can decide our next
move. It's apparent we need to investigate Ms. Biermann in order to
understand what's going on. One thing we know for certain is that she
obviously does not like Mark or me." 

************************************************************* 

Ray drove as Fraser read Ms. Biermann's profile, which they had obtained
from her work place. "Well, Ray, it seems there isn't much in this profile
about Ms. Biermann. No criminal record, no children, one husband, nothing
that would help us except that she just started working at WGN two months
ago. It is odd, though, that there are no records of where she transferred
from prior to this job. Ray? . . . Ray, are you listening to me?" 

"Huh? What?. . . . oh yeah, Benton. . . . ya know, something just occurred
ta me though . . . how come we haven't seen the video from the ATM
security camera? Maybe we should check it out. Whadda you think?" 

"Well, yes, Ray, we should do that. If you recall, the only reason we
didn't have access to the video was because this was Huey and Dewey's case
before they were involved in the car accident. Soon thereafter, Leuftenant
Welsh handed the case over to you."  

Ray was not really listening to Fraser's ramblings as he was worried about
the pictures. He glanced in Fraser's direction. "Benton. . . . I'm not
gonna let anybody hurt ya. Nobody's gonna lay a finger on ya as long as I
can help it, love."  

Fraser felt his cheeks flush as he looked away smiling shyly at Ray's term
of endearment. He gave Ray a sideways glance. "W-Why, thank you kindly,
Ray."  

Ray laughed at the sight of Fraser blushing, the sight of which reminded
him of something else. "Hey, lemme tell you something, you gave me the
hardest erection while I was sitting at my desk earlier. Boy, I thought I
was gonna burst in my pants just feeling your breath on my ear!. . .
.Damm, I can hardly wait fer this evening, Benton. Just a few more hours
and I can have you in my arms again. . .kissing ya. . . squeezing ya,
sucking ya. . . licking ya. . . .m-m-m-m-m-m-m, I just love it!"  

Fraser was turning a deep shade of red, perspiring as he tugged at the
collar of his tunic. "Ray, please! You're embarrassing me!"  

Ray cracked up laughing, winked at his partner and then threw him a kiss. 


************************************************************* 

"Damn it! This had to be one of those good-fer-nothing-wasting-our-time
ideas, Fraser! Now, what the hell are we gonna do? What we should be doing
is getting our asses back out on the street to look fer that she-devil,
Ms. Biermann reporter!"  

Fraser continued to watch the video as they both sat side by side in the
darkened evidence locker room. Ray had gone to the trouble of setting up a
TV and VCR in the room so they could have some privacy, separate from the
precinct's distractions. The room was usually devoid of people at this
time of day, anyway.  

Fraser leaned closer to the TV. "Well, no, Ray, actually this was not a
bad idea, we just. . what are you doing? . . . . Ray?. . ..Ra-ay! Don't
be. . . oh. . . .OH!. . . Ray!"  

Ray giggled and continued fondling the Mountie through his pants, running
his hand up and down the Mountie's hardening cock.  

"Uh, Ray. . . we won't get much done if. . . Oh-h-h-h-h-h!"  

"What, uh. . . what were you were saying, Frasze? Did ya know that yer
kinda hard here, Frasze? Want me ta massage ya to help ya relax a little?
I could even um. . . .lick it fer ya," Ray chuckled as he slid off his
chair onto his knees.  

"Oh-h-h-h-h-h, Ray! We shouldn't. . . . .Someone might . . .Ra-ay! Ray,
look! It's her!"  

Ray jumped up quickly and scanned the room, searching for that 'her'.
"Who? Whadda ya talking about, Fraser, there's no one in the room but
us!?" Ray continued to scan the darkened evidence locker room.	

Fraser walked over to the TV pointing at the screen. "There, Ray! It's Ms.
Biermann, and she's on the video!"  

Ray rushed to Fraser's side and stared at the screen. "No it isn't,
Frasze. That woman doesn't even resemble Ms. Biermann in any way. She's
just some woman waiting to use the ATM machine....doesn't even look like
our reporter, Frasze."	

Fraser rewound the tape and then paused it. "Step closer and take a look
at this, Ray. Look at the front seat of her car as she drives off while
passing Mark. What do you see?"  

Ray stepped in closer and squinted trying to make out what Fraser was
alluding to. He reached into his shirt pocket for his glasses and adjusted
them on his nose. "Jesus Christ, yer right, Frasze. It's that loud neon
green camera sticking outta her purse! There's no mistaking that big ugly
thing, Frasze!"  

Fraser stared at the screen. "So, she was involved in this all along, Ray.
She must've been watching Mark for a few minutes before driving around and
parking somewhere nearby. She then apparently walked back to the ATM and
struck Mark on the head with the nightstick they found beside him, and
stole his car. But no one noticed anything unusual because she returned
and blended in with the rest of the reporters who had already arrived.
Once it was safe and the commotion had died down, she returned her vehicle
and drove away."  

Ray had been so engrossed by Fraser's explanation, he jumped, startled by
the shrill ring of his cell phone. "Shi-i-it! Hello? Yes, this is
Kowalski. . . .Hello, Mark, whadda you want?. . . you got what?. . . .What
kinda pictures? . . . . Of you and Benton, huh?. . . . . Where'd ya get
'em?. . . . . Someone delivered them to you?. . . . Okay, just give me a
minute and I'll be right over. . . yeah, he's here with me, and? . . . .
course he's coming with me. . ... we'll be right over. . . . .I don't care
what you want, he's coming too, bye!" Ray pocketed the cell phone and
called out to Fraser. "That, of course, was Mark, and he says someone
delivered some pictures to his house, Benton. . . .whadda you think is
going on? You think Ms. Biermann is trying ta black mail us?"  

Fraser pulled the tape out of the VCR and shook his head. "I don't know,
Ray, perhaps we should get over there and find out."  

"Yeah, and maybe I should just shoot 'er too while we're at it, Benton."  

Fraser glanced at Ray shaking his head as he followed him out. 

******************************************************************* 

Mark opened the door and looked at Fraser, moving away to allow him and
Ray access into the trailer.  

Ray noticed the large manilla envelope lying on the table and headed
straight for it.  

Fraser noted that Mark was glaring at him and not saying a word or even
moving from his spot.  

Ray had just picked up the envelope when Ms. Biermann suddenly appeared,
pointing a gun in their direction, specifically aiming at Fraser. "Well,
hello, Detective Kowalski and Constable Fraser! So good of you to rush
over!"	

Ray automatically raised his hands waist high. "Whoa! Hold on a minute
there, Ms. Biermann! What the fuck is yer problem?"  

Ray noticed she was training her gun on Fraser, which greatly unnerved
him. "Hey lady, come on, he ain't packing a piece. Make nice and put the
gun down."  

She glared at Ray as if he had interrupted her. 

Mark leaned into the wall and began to explain. "She's got this thing
against Ben, Detective . . .blames him for interfering with me and Sammy."
 

Ray heard Mark's voice behind him but didn't attempt to turn around,
keeping his eyes riveted on the gun. "Who the fuck is Sammy, and why is
Benton involved?" he snapped. 

Mark fidgeted nervously as he leaned against the wall when he noticed
Fraser carefully observing him.  

Ms. Biermann snarled at Mark."Well? Aren't you going to tell him, Mark! I
mean, you were practically bragging about it at one time!"  

Mark glanced up at her and then looked down, taking a deep breath. He
mumbled, "He was the one I had the affair with when I was seeing Ben. . .
Ben made a trip to Canada and this young man, Sammy. . . . propositioned
me and I went for it. Biggest mistake of my life, wasn't it Ben?" 

Ray glanced over his shoulder and locked yes with Fraser, who did not
respond to Mark's comment.  

Ruthie became upset with Mark's choice of words and screamed at him. "YOU,
LIAR! It was you that propositioned him, and you used him, you bastard!
You deliberately went after my cousin and ruined his life! His wife left
him after she found out about you, and she took their small child with
her! He was devastated when she left....he started drinking and it ruined
his career! You destroyed his career, you bastard! You dumped him right
after this . . . this Mountie waltzed back into your life....you went back
to your happy life with your Canadian lover and forgot about Sammy!"  

Ray, his hands still up in the air, turned around slowly to look at
Fraser. He then glared at Mark, wanting nothing more than to reach over
and strangle him. He directed his attention back to their captor. "Look,
Ms. Biermann, this isn't gonna solve anything. What do you think yer gonna
do? Kill the three of us? And then what? Spend the rest of yer life in
prison? Come on, yer not that stupid, are ya?"	

Fraser stirred. "Ms. Biermann, you're not. . . "  

Hearing Fraser's voice irritated the reporter. "YOU SHUT UP!" she
screamed. 

Ray couldn't agree more, he sure as hell didn't want Fraser to get shot..
"She's right, Benton. . . . just stay outta this. . . .Come on, Ruthie,
gimme the gun. . .ya don't wanna go down fer murder, do ya?"  

Ruthie was trembling with anger as she shook her head. "I'm not going down
for anything, Kowalski. . . but that one and his red coated lover are! I'm
gonna make sure Mark Smithbauer pays his dues this time around!"  

Ray made a sudden move causing her to panic, pointing the gun in his
direction. "Hey! Don't do anything stupid or I'll shoot you, Kowalski!
Drop your gun!. . . I said drop it, Kowalski!"	

Ray reached to his shoulder strap and removed his gun, dropping it to the
floor. "Hell no! Not me, no way I'll do anything stupid!" he muttered. 

"Okay. . .Kowalski, you get into that bedroom there! These two are coming
with me!"  

Ray bristled at her request. "No way, lady! They're not going anywhere!"  

Ruthie became furious that Ray would not do her bidding. "Look, Kowalski,
you either move it or I'll shoot them right where they stand! Go on! NOW!"
she snarled. 

Ray braced himself, still refusing to go into the bedroom. "NO! If they
go, then I go with them! Cuz I'm not letting them go anywhere without
'me!"  

The wailing of approaching police sirens caused her to panic. "Damn you,
Kowalski, you called the police, didn't you!? I oughta shoot you instead!
Okay, fine! You three get your asses into the bedroom and do it now!. . .
. I SAID NOW 

All three did as they were told and stepped into the bedroom. 

She shut the door behind them, propping a chair under the doorknob. Before
running out she grabbed the manilla envelope and hightailed it to her car.
 

Ray heard her gun the engine. "Hey! She's getting away! We gotta get out
of here!" he yelled. 

He kicked at the door but it wouldn't budge. "Shit! She's braced it from
the outside." He pulled out his boot gun, and fired enough shots around
the doorknob to loosen it, causing it to fall through. Once the knob
dropped, it was easy to kick the door out and shove the chair away. All
three then sprinted from the trailer to the GTO, Ray immediately calling
for backup on his cell phone. 

Mark jumped into the back seat while Fraser hopped in front with Ray. They
sped off in search of their captor. "Okay, Mark. . . start talking and
tell me what the fuck is going on here! And I wanna know details!" Ray
screamed, totally upset with Mark.  

Fraser glanced at Ray. "Ray? We heard sirens. Had you notified the police
prior to our being held captive?" 

Ray was speeding down an alleyway attempting to reach a main street. He
shook his head. "Nah, Frasze, lucky fer us the police were heading
somewhere close by and spooked her. . . . Mark! I'm waiting to hear what
ya have ta say!" 

Fraser turned around and glanced at Mark, who couldn't face him in return.
Fraser looked away. 

Mark stared out the passenger window, exhaling loudly. He proceeded with
his story. "Fine. . . . Ben and I had a short term affair which lasted
about a week, because he was suddenly summoned to a convention in Canada.
We didn't have time to settle anything about our relationship, whether it
would continue or not. While he was gone this young man who claimed to be
a fan came to visit me, and uh. . . . propositioned me. So. . . . while
Ben was gone for the week, we went out a few times, and before I knew it,
we um. . . . .we. . . ummm. Look, Ben, it was a horrible mistake! I
thought that you only wanted a . . . .Ben, I had no idea you wanted a
relationship!"	

Fraser forced himself to turn around and glare at Mark	

Mark noticed the stunned, disappointed look in his face and could not go
on 

Ray was zig-zagging around in traffic, listening to Mark's sorry excuses
and resisting the urge to turn around and strangle him. "You're nothing
but a fucking bastard, Mark!" he snarled. "You mean ta tell me Benton was
supposed to be yer one-night-stand? And what happened next, Mark? Ya go
and have sex with this Sammy guy fer another joy ride? God, yer so damned
pathetic!?. . . . . I can tell ya what happened next! Ya dump this Sammy
guy and hop right back inta bed with Benton! Decided ya made a mistake
with Sammy when Benton came back looking for yer pathetic ass, didn't cha?
And you didn't even tell Benton, didn't cha?. . . . Well, Mark, am I
right!?"  

As he listened to Ray interrogate Mark, Fraser looked away, attempting to
focus on his Stetson. He didn't want to hear confirmation from Mark that
he was only meant to be a one-night-stand. 

Mark didn't utter another word. 

Ray was too furious with Mark for hurting Fraser to let him get off this
easy. He yelled at him again, trying to force him to respond. "I asked ya
a fucking question, Mark! Did you tell Benton the fucking truth?" 

"NO! No, I didn't, Kowalski!! Ben returned and we went on as if . . . .
NO, I didn't tell him! I had to leave town two days later, and. . . . . .
Are you satisfied, Detective!? Does it make you feel good to hurt him? Is
that what you intended to do!?"  

Ray was now enraged and swerved the car onto the shoulder of the road. He
figured there was no time like the present to kill the conceited bastard
in the back seat. "I hurt 'im!? I'll show you hurt!" he bellowed. 

Fraser was baffled at the sight of his lover groping at his safety belt.
"Ray? Ray, what are you doing?" 

Ray fumbled with his seat buckle finally squirming free, and jumped out of
the car. "I"ll tell ya what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna kill the bastard,
Benton!" he snarled.  

Fraser sprinted out of the car and ran around just in time to stop Ray
from opening Mark's door. He situated himself between the door and his
enraged lover, holding both hands against Ray's chest. "Ray! RAY NO! Ray,
wait a minute, please! You can't do this! Please, Ray, think about your
career! 

Ray snarled trying to get around Fraser. "Fuck my career! Move aside,
Benton!" " 

Fraser reached up and cupped Ray's face into his hands. "Ray! Ray, if you
injure him, you'll be arrested, and I'll loose you! Please, Ray, think
about the consequences!"  

"I'll get a fucking lawyer! Move aside, Benton!" Ray barked in response. 

Fraser held on to him. "Ray, please! Are you willing to spend all your
time in court and jail? Are you willing for us to be separated after we've
waited this long to be together, because that's what you'll accomplish!" 

Ray saw the fear in Fraser's eyes as he held on to him, attempting to stop
him. He stared into those beautiful gray-blues, fighting to control his
anger and erratic breathing. He knew Fraser was right.....they could lose
everything he had waited so long to possess....he could lose Fraser, the
thought scaring him. He forced himself to calm down as he reached up to
gently remove Fraser's hold on him. Cupping Fraser's face, he leaned in
for a 'I'll-do-anything-you-want-me-to-do-kiss'. 

Fraser felt the heat radiating off his lover's tongue as it slipped inside
his mouth, and he let out a sigh of relief. He accepted the kiss as a
token of love and assurance that Ray understood what was at stake here. 

Ray stepped back, briefly caressing Fraser's cheek. Grinning, he playfully
snapped at him. "Damn you, Benton! Am I always gonna back down fer ya?
God, I hope not! Let's get outta here!"  

Fraser smiled that beautiful *I-plan-to-reward-you-all-night-long* smile,
and Ray already knew that he would do anything for Fraser. 

Once they were situated back in the car, Ray glanced at Mark, sitting
quietly in the back seat, through the rear-view mirror. "No wonder this
reporter wants ta see yer ass in prison, Mark," he muttered. "You must've
really done a number on her cousin!" 

Ray heard the dispatcher and quickly responded. "Yeah, it's me, Kowalski.
Have they heard anything?.. Where? . . . . Who arrested her? Okay, we're
on our way!. . . . Okay, Mark this is yer lucky day! They caught Ms.
Biermann at the airport and it seems she was ready ta board a plane
overseas. They got 'er at the precinct now. . . . .let's head over there.
. . . . . .Benton? Are you okay? You haven't said much." Ray reached over
and clasped his hand, giving it a tight squeeze. 

Fraser glanced at his partner and smiled. "I'm doing fine, Ray." 

Noticing Fraser's sudden silence intensified Ray's anger towards the
low-life in the back seat, the one who had hurt his lover. 

*******************************************************************  

Ray strolled over to Ms. Biermann who was sitting on the jail bench,
watching him enter her cell. "Hello, Kowalski, so good of you to come
visit me." 

Ray was still upset with her and walked to the opposite side of the cell,
glaring at her. "You wanna tell me why you did this? The only thing you
accomplished was to git yer ass in here instead of Mark's."  

She continued to stare at him and smiled. "Oh, I did some damage,
Kowalski. It'll be a long time before he hurts some other innocent young
man again. He'll think twice about it if it ever crosses his mind. . . .
You know, you ought to thank me for rescuing your Mountie, because Mark
would've destroyed him like he did my cousin. I'm curious, how did you
guess it was me?"  

Ray observed the reporter through narrowed eyes, trying to understand her.
After a few seconds of hesitation he spoke, "Benton figured it was you all
along, Ruthie. He figured it out when he first met ya at my desk. As fer
thanking ya for saving Benton. . . . . well, let's just say Benton can
take care of himself. He could've handled this situation without yer help.
. . . You don't know what gave you away? The mistake of carrying that
hideous neon green camera with ya, cause it stood out like a sore thumb in
the bank video. What worries me are the pictures you have, or supposedly
have. . . What do you intend to do with 'em? Ya wanna ruin the Mountie's
career?"  

She gazed at the blond haired detective for a moment before responding.
Leaning back into the bench she shook her head. "No, Ray, I don't want to
ruin the Mountie's career. . . I thought I was angry with him for hurting
my cousin, but it was Mark's fault, not his. Get me a property release
form, and I'll give you the key to the locker that holds the pictures. I
want nothing to do with the Mountie. . . I just want Mark to pay."  

Ray studied her for a moment, nodded in understanding and exited the cell.
 

He did return with the property release form and obtained the key. 

********************************************************** 

The two of them sat quietly in the GTO, which was parked way out in the
boonies away from town. 

Fraser looked at Ray as he sat staring at the manilla envelope in his
hand. He kept looking at the envelope as if it contained the most vile
contents one could imagine. He turned to look at Fraser. "Well? Do you
want me ta look at 'em?"  

Fraser fiddled with the Stetson, clearing his throat before responding.
"Uh. . . .you should inspect them to see if they are the pictures that Ms.
Biermann promised to give to you. We do need to know, Ray." 

Ray took a deep breath. Again he turned his attention to the envelope.	

Fraser held his breath as Ray opened the envelope, and watched him start
to pull the 8x10 glossies out slowly. Suddenly Ray stopped midway and
froze for a few seconds before shoving them back into the envelope.
Without looking at his lover he passed the envelope to Fraser. "Here, you
check 'em and tell me if they're the pictures she promised us. I really
don't wanna see 'em."  

Fraser stared at Ray for a moment and took the envelope. He pulled the
pictures out and studied each one carefully. He then pushed them back into
the envelope. Next, he removed the roll of film and the negatives and
inspected those. "Yes, Ray, these are the pictures she promised you. What
should I do with them?" 

Ray stared at Fraser for a few seconds and took the envelope from his
hand. He stepped out of the car and walked a few yards into the open
field, letting them drop to the ground. 

Curious, Fraser got out of the GTO to watch him.  

Ray knelt and placed a lit match to the envelope, watching it burn. When
he was satisfied that everything had burned sufficiently, he returned to
the GTO. "Benton, there's one more thing we hafta take care of. Let's go."


They both got back into the GTO, and buckled up as Ray drove off.  

*************************************************************** 

It was getting darker by the minute when Ray and Fraser arrived at Mark's
place. It was late evening and Ray wanted to get this over with. 

Mark held the door open as Fraser and Ray stepped in and sat down on the
couch. Mark sat opposite them and stared at Fraser.  

Ray scowled at Mark totally disgusted by the way he seemed to be devouring
his ex-lover with his eyes. "Okay, Mark, yer gonna get yer car back and
Biermann's gonna do some time for the theft, the mugging, holding us
hostage, threatening us and heaven knows what else." 

Mark shifted his eyes off Fraser, leaned back in his chair and turned to
look at Ray . "Well that sounds fine except for the fact that you assumed
it was me all along, Detective. Why are you here, Kowalski? The other
Detective already informed me about this."  

Ray sat back, crossing his legs and casually reaching over placing a hand
on Fraser's lap, as if to proclaim ownership.  

Mark noticed the possessive gesture and looked at Fraser. "Guess I was
right with you two being an item, Ben?"  

Fraser, still upset by Mark's lies and betrayal, stared back at him. Mark
had nearly caused him the loss of the one man who truly cherished and
loved him. "Yes Mark, Ray and I are together," he responded. 

Mark looked away from those beautiful gray-blues, looking at the floor.
Seeing them together hurt more then he realized it would.  

Ray continued. "I came to let ya know that I destroyed the pictures and
the film she had on you and Benton. She wanted to hurt you, and in her own
way she did. She figures she scared you enough to keep you away from other
innocent men. . . . Now, when did ya say you would be leaving town, Mark?"


Mark glanced at Fraser and Fraser looked down at the Stetson in his hand.
"Well, it seems that I'm all finished here, Detective. Guess I'll be on my
way tomorrow then."  

Ray got up and Fraser followed. "Well then, just make sure you let us
know, cause we might need some further information at the precinct. We're
gonna be leaving now, Mark. Let's go, Frasze." 

They started to leave when Mark spoke. "Ben. . . . can I talk to you for a
few minutes, please?" 

Fraser glanced at him then looked to Ray. "Ray. . . . I really need. . .
." 

Ray cut in. "Sure. . .I'll be in the car waiting fer ya. S'long Mark,
can't say that I'm gonna miss ya." 

Ray exited the trailer.  

Once they were alone, Mark reached for Fraser's hand and held it. "Ben. .
. .please hear me out! I'm really sorry that I hurt you before and that I
hurt you now! I wish you would've told me how you felt Ben, I mean, how
you really felt! But all that I can say now is that I loved you then, and
I love you now. I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me."  

Fraser stared at the pain in Mark's eyes but did not respond.  

Mark continued. "Sleeping with Sammy was a mistake, and I really regret
it. I know that I'll regret it for the rest of my life. I just want you to
know that I'll always keep you in my heart, Ben."  

Fraser's face displayed no emotion as he stared at Mark. "Mark . . .we
used to be . . . friends. And as far as I'm concerned, we'll always be
friends, but that's all we can ever be. I'm in love with Ray and,
fortunately for me, he's very much in love with me. We belong together,
and we were lucky to have found each other. I'd like to wish you well in
your future, and I hope you find what you're searching for." Fraser turned
to leave but Mark tugged at his hand.  

"Hold on. .. . .I need to know, were you ever in love with me, Ben? Did
you mean what you wrote in that letter you sent me four years ago?"  

Fraser could only stare at him not wanting to reply. "That was a lifetime
ago....in another era, Mark. I can tell you that I'm in love with Ray. I
must leave now, he's waiting."	

Mark released Fraser who stepped back while putting his Stetson on. He
turned and walked away.  

Ray watched as Fraser approached the GTO, climbing in quietly. 

They drove away in silence.  

Minutes later Ray glanced at him. "Benton. . . .are you still in love with
'im? Are you gonna miss 'im? I mean, I gotta know the truth, Benton. . . I
don't wanna be second best to anyone. Tell me now, and I'll let ya go back
to 'im if that's what you want. But I gotta know fer sure." 

Fraser looked at Ray and couldn't help but smile at the traces of jealousy
sneaking out of Ray's questions. He reached over, running his fingers down
Ray's cheek. " Ray. . . . I'm being honest when I say that I'm not in love
with him. You will never be second best with me, never! I'm definitely in
love with you, and I want to be with you....if you'll have me. . . . .Will
you have me, Ray?"  

Ray grasped Fraser's hand and kissed his knuckles. "Damn right I'll have
ya, Benton. . . .you've been mine from the first time I laid eyes on ya,
and you'll always belong to me." 

Fraser smiled as he unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning over to rest his head
on Ray's shoulder. "Thank you kindly, Ray."  

Ray smiled and wrapped an arm around Fraser's shoulder, kissing the top of
his head. "I love you, Benton."  

"And I you, Ray."  

Ray squeezed Fraser's shoulder. "Oh yeah? Just like that? Yer gonna
believe me just like that? You mean, you don't want any kind of proof,
Benton?"  

Fraser chuckled as he peered up into Ray's blues. "And how do you propose
to prove your love to me, Ray?"  

Ray grinned and kissed his nose. "Well? I mean, I could always pull onto
the shoulder like this."  

Fraser smiled as Ray maneuvered the car to the side of the road and parked
under the trees. "Well, yes you could pull over, Ray, but what does that
prove?"  

Ray grinned as he leaned over and captured Fraser's mouth in a passionate
kiss, slipping his tongue past Fraser's soft cool lips and into his
mouth's warmness.... wanting to devour every inch of his lover's mouth.  

Fraser felt Ray fiddling with his zipper and broke the kiss. "Uh. . .
.Ray, what do you intend to. . .OH-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!"  

Ray snaked his hand past Fraser's boxers and gripped a semi-hard cock that
begged for attention. He kissed Fraser and cooed into his mouth. "Thought
you might want some kinda proof, love." 

Fraser moaned as Ray sucked on his mouth, tightening the grip on his
swelling cock. Fraser murmured, "Oh-h-h-h-h, I do approve of this kind of
proof, Ray."  

Ray grinned mischievously, whispering, " Well, I hope you like this also,
love."	

Fraser moaned loudly as Ray swooped down and engulfed his rapidly
hardening cock. "OH-h-h-h-h-h, Ra-a-a-a-a-ay -m-m-m-m-m-m! I do love how
you prove your love to me.. . . M-m-m-m-m-m, Ra-a-a-a-a-ay!" 

The end. 

Comments, you know where to find me. droopy_jack@excite.com  

.