REVELATIONS Title: Revelations Author: Welmach. Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski. Rating: Adult. Disclaimer: I don't own the main ones. Alliance does. Feedback: Is most welcomed. Notes: Vecchio did not go to Florida. He and Stella never married. Sequel: Yes, to Deception. This story will make more sense if you read Deception first. Spoilers: None. Takes place after COTW. Fraser opened the apartment door and watched closely as Ray made his way inside. He was worried about his partner. Very worried. It had been two days since Ray had been found injured and abused in a warehouse on Lake Michigan. It had been two days, and Ray had yet to look him in the eyes or speak to him in more than two word sentences. The Mountie watched as Diefenbaker greeted Ray with a gentle licking of the hand on his uninjured arm. The detective knelt next to the wolf and buried his face against his soft fur. With patience not usually attributed to him, Dief waited and let the embrace continue, as if sensing his packmate's need. Fraser found himself jealous of the wolf. Jealous of the emotion that Ray was willing to share with him. He shook his head as if trying to shake the feeling and placed a small overnight bag next to the door. "Are you hungry, Ray?" he asked. "Constable Turnbull went grocery shopping yesterday, so the kitchen is fully stocked. I could make us something..." "Not hungry, Frase," Ray replied rising to his feet. "None the less, Ray, you need to eat and regain your strength." "I'm not hungry, just tired." "Well, why don't you go lie down?" Fraser suggested. "We have some time before Lieutenant Welsh comes over." Blue eyes flashed at him, giving a hint to the old Ray Kowalski. "I told you, I don't want to talk about it." "I realize that," Fraser assured him, "However, a crime has been committed..." "Yeah, one that involved me....One that I say is over...." "Ray..." "Don't Frase!" he snapped. "Don't try to reason with me....Okay. Cause you'll just win. We both know that." "This isn't a competition," Fraser replied trying to keep his tone even. "I know," Ray admitted, all his fight deserting him. "I can never compete with you. I'll always lose." The Mountie shook his head in bewilderment at his partner. How could he think that? His eyes darkened with concern. "Do you really believe that, Ray?" "It's the truth." "No, it's not," he replied firmly. "We both know it is," the injured man argued. Fraser's lips on his ceased all conversation. It was a kiss filled with reassurance, security, and most of all love. When they parted, Ray found himself enfolded in a safe embrace, his face buried against Fraser's throat, finding comfort in the warm, living flesh. "Don't turn me into the enemy, Ray. Understood?" The Mountie whispered. "Understood." "Good. Now, you need to lie down and try to rest." He ushered his lover into the bedroom and onto the bed. He knelt down and gently removed Ray's shoes, before reaching up to unbutton his jeans. "Don't." Fraser looked into Ray's frightened eyes. "I won't hurt you." "I know, but he did," he murmured sadly. "He won't ever hurt you again," Fraser whispered as he gathered Ray into his arms and lay down with him on the bed. "I promise you that." "And you've never broken a promise to me, yet." *** An hour later, Fraser sat at the dining table with paperwork from the consulate spread out before him. The coming week would consist of meetings regarding the renovation of the Queen's Bedroom, dinner for a visiting Canadian cabinet minister, and the arrival of a new Constable. Of course all of it was secondary to his duty to Ray. A knock on the door brought Fraser quickly to his feet and to the door. He expected to see Lieutenant Welsh... "Ray, what are you doing here?" Ray Vecchio stiffened at his former, unofficial partner's suspicious tone. "Can I come in, Benny?" With a slight hesitation, the Mountie allowed him into the apartment. "What can I do for you, Ray?" "Welsh told me to meet him here," he replied coldly. "He didn't stay in the hospital too long, huh? What happen? He start harassing the nurses?" Fraser ignored the remark, "I felt it would be best if he did not stay there. Ray has an aversion to hospitals and he was not getting any rest." "You decided?" Ray questioned curiously. "Yes, I decided. I am the next of kin." Vecchio shook his head, "So where is he now?" "Sleeping." "Has he told you what happened to him?" "Not yet." Green eyes glinted. "But you're sure he will?" "Ray and I do not keep secrets from each other." Guilt washed over Ray Vecchio and he handled it the only way he knew how. He took it out on the person he blamed most for screwing up his life. "He never called to tell you what was really going on here, did he?" Ray inquired. "And I will discover the reason why." "Maybe you don't know him as well as you think," Ray shot out. "And maybe you don't fathom how close we really are," the Mountie replied coldly. Everything in Fraser's manner dared Ray to challenge him to push him just a little bit more. Vecchio wasn't ready to. He hadn't adjusted to this new Benny, and at the moment was wary of how far he could push. Instead the two former partners, just stood perfectly still, watching, daring, and waiting, as the tension in the room grew so taut that it drew Diefenbaker from the bedroom, on guard and ready to react to trouble. Lieutenant Welsh's arrival brought the standoff to an end. "I'm glad you made it, Vecchio." Welsh said. "Didn't have much choice, did I?" "Not really. How's Kowalski doing, Corporal?" "He's sleeping right now, sir." "Not any more." The men turned to Ray Kowalski who stood slumped against the bedroom doorjamb. Vecchio watched as Fraser turned to the blond man. Concern and another emotion he did not want to entertain radiated from the Mountie. "Ray, come sit down," Fraser urged, moving towards his partner. "I'm good, Fraser," he replied, "I can walk." Slowly, he moved towards the couch and sat down. "I guess I know why you all are here." "We need to know what happened to you, Detective," Welsh told him. "From the very beginning." "A lot of it I don't remember," Ray admitted, running his hands nervously over his denim-clad thighs. "I mean, I remember getting the phone call from Veronica Winters and the letter..." Fraser settled next to him, close enough to give support, yet with the distance he needed to make it through the tale. "When I got to Chicago, I started thinking something was up. I kept being put off about Winters. I was told she was in court, in meetings, everywhere but meetin' with me." "What were you told about the Miller case?" Fraser asked. "I found out that the case had already been settled and they didn't need me. At the same time, I was told about the Dalloway investigation and needing someone on the inside." "Who was giving you all this information, Detective?" Welsh asked. "Who told you about Veronica Winters, Miller and Dalloway?" Ray gave a slight shrug and stared at his hand. Fraser answered for him. "It was Stella, wasn't it, Ray?" The lowered blond head nodded in silent dejection. "So, where do you fit in this Vecchio?" Welsh asked. "In that part? Nowhere," he replied. "You're fuckin' lyin'," Ray muttered, raising his head enough to glare at the man. "Not this time. I didn't know about the plan to get you back," he replied looking at the man who had once taken over his life. "Personally, I didn't want you back. You're more trouble than you're worth." "You're one to talk," Ray spat back. "I read your file, Kowalski," the voice was deadly cold, and the eyes glittered dangerously. "I know the trouble you caused Welsh and Benny. The trouble you caused using my name...." A chilling, merciless smile reminiscent of Armando Langostini touched Vecchio's face as he finished his assault on the younger man by saying, "The trouble you caused Beth Bottrelle..." No injured shoulder, no beaten body was going to stop Ray Kowalski. Before anyone could stop him, he had knocked Vecchio from the chair, onto the floor. He threw one solid punch to the Italian's jaw before being pulled off by Fraser. "No, Ray," he ordered. Vecchio glowered up at Ray as he gingerly touched his jaw. "You're lucky you're injured, Kowalski. Otherwise, I would've wiped the floor with you." "Go ahead and try it," Ray dared, pulling against Fraser's tight hold, "I can still beat you." "Knock it off, both of you!" Welsh ordered. Ray freed himself from the Mountie's grip and clenched his fist to keep himself from going after Vecchio again. "I ain't goin' to apologize for doing my job, Vecchio. I went undercover just like you..." The slender detective said bitterly, "I did my job. I didn't ask to come back here to this shit though. I didn't ask to be lied to...to be shot, drugged up, kidnapped by people I should have trusted. Be some sadistic bastard's toy..." His voice choked on the last words, and he turned away from their looks. Fraser led Ray back to the couch and sat him down. "What do you mean you knew nothing about the Veronica Winters' deception?" he asked Ray Vecchio. "Just like I said, Benny. I didn't know about that. I didn't want Kowalski back, but the D.A.'s office thought that would be the perfect situation. Kowalski knew undercover work and he would fit in as Luther Kraft. While I tried to figure another way to work it, Taggert and Stella came up with Veronica Winters." "What are you talkin' about?" Ray asked. "What do you mean deception?" "There is no Veronica Winters, Ray," Fraser told him. "She never existed." "But, I saw her," he argued. "She was in the parking lot heading to her car, another time she was just headin' in to court." "Did you get a good look at her?" "Not really, just her back or side...I was fuckin' set up!" "I believe who you saw was Detective Taggert, posing as Veronica Winters." "But why?" "To keep Ray in the dark as long as possible," Fraser replied matter-of-factly turning his attention onto Ray. "Was Stella with you the times you saw Veronica Winters?" "Yeah." "Did she point her out to you?" "Yeah." Uncertainty radiated from the slender form. "You mean it wasn't Vecchio." "Not at that point." "It was Stella?" "And the D.A.'s office, with Detective Taggert's help." "Stella?" Fraser was very aware of the turmoil within Ray. He was also very aware of the other men watching them, preventing him from pulling the injured soul into his arms and cradling him against his chest. Instead, he placed a hand on the uninjured shoulder and stared into the pale face. "I'm sorry, but it is all true." That was enough for Kowalski. He knew his Mountie would never lie to him, had never lied to him. He was a man of honor, a man of truth. He was a man who, because of these things, had made Ray a better person and at that moment had brought him great pain. He ignored Fraser's concerned look as he shrugged his hand away. He didn't want to be touched. He didn't deserve it, especially not from someone as good as Benton Fraser. "Why?" he asked. "We were getting desperate," Vecchio replied bluntly. "The D.A.'s office had been investigating Dalloway for months. His was the first case I received when I became Lieutenant of the D.A.'s squad. He had quiet a list: money laundering, racketeering, fraud...and plenty more. We also found someone inside his corporation willing to talk, except a week before the trial he disappeared, six weeks later the body turns up in the lake." "Edward Williams," Welsh interjected. "I remember the case." "So you also remember we couldn't tie anything to Dalloway and the D.A.s office was getting desperate. Especially Stella, who was handling the case. She demanded answers," Vecchio paused to collect his thoughts then continued. "We came across Luther Kraft's name in connection to Dalloway; it caught our attention. Why was Dalloway associating with a small time criminal? This guy's rap sheet was a mile long: petty theft at thirteen, to grand theft auto, liquor store holdup..." "And so you bring him in for questioning." Fraser stated. "Was it then you noticed his resemblance to Ray Kowalski?" "I never noticed it. Stella did," he replied matter-of-factly. "I think her brain started ticking then." "Where is Kraft now?" "Dead. Two of my officers were going to ask him some questions on Dalloway. They found his body. A neighbor of his was an addict and needed a fix. He broke into Kraft's apartment thinking he might find some money. Kraft surprised him, and they guy laid him out with a baseball bat to the back of his head. He was still in the apartment looking for money when they arrived." Fraser interrupted him. "Tell me Ray, was one of the officers Detective Taggert?" "Yes." "Who was the second?" "Nash." Ray refused to meet the hard stare of the Mountie. "And what happened to the perpetrator?" "He came at them with the bat, and they were forced to shoot him," Ray replied hesitantly, knowing what was forming in Fraser's mind. "So they called you and Stella," Fraser said refusing to give her the name of so honorable a man as his lover. "And, you used the example of Langoustini to decide what to do." "Took the body out and got a patsy in," Ray Kowalski mumbled. A look of guilt passed over Vecchio's face. "As usual, you got it in one, Benny." "And I was clueless as a nun in a whorehouse," Ray stated bitterly. "Stella came to me saying she needed my help, and I went right along." "There was no reason for you not to trust her," Fraser reminded him. "I should've trusted my gut." "What did your gut tell you?" Welsh asked. "To get on a plane and go back to Canada," he said shaking his head. "I didn't though. I took over Luther Kraft's life." "Why didn't you tell anyone?" Fraser asked. Blue eyes met blue eyes. "I didn't have time. I tried to reach you, but you were already out on patrol. I left a message with Henderson..." "I received it, but all it said was you were fine and not to worry." "Couldn't go into detail." He shrugged, glancing at Welsh. "I wanted to talk to you, but I was already undercover." "How long were you under?" pressed Fraser. "Not long, a couple of days. As soon as word was out that Luther Kraft was seen out and about, I got a phone call from someone who said he had to met me, that Mr. Dalloway had important business with me. I got to the place and this guy is there. The minute he sees me, he yells that I'm not Kraft. That it's a set-up. I go for my gun, but someone is already shooting. That's the last thing I remember except for small bits and pieces." "Do you remember calling Turnbull at the consulate?" Fraser asked. "A little. Most of it is like a dream, really fuzzy...I remember someone telling me I was dead." The Mountie turned a hard stare to Vecchio. "Would you care to tell us why you reported that Ray Kowalski was killed?" Ray tried to be nonchalant about the situation, but Fraser could see his discomfort. "Kowalski had back-up. The minute shots were heard; they went in and found two people down. Kowalski and Jerry Hawkes, who had set up the meet. Hawkes was dead, Kowalski badly injured. I made a decision, in order to protect him. We'd announce he was dead before the shooter found out otherwise and came after him." "You lied," Fraser stated severely. "Sometimes you have to in this job." "That is not a good enough reason." "That's all you're going to get, Benny," he replied coldheartedly, turning to Welsh. "You told me that what happened on your watch was ultimately your responsibility. I took that as my motto." "You should have included my motto of do unto others as they do unto you," Welsh told him with disappointment in his gray eyes. "I'm not saying it was the best choice, but it was made and I lived with it." "And you made me live with it too," Ray whispered sadly. "It kept you alive," Vecchio reminded him. Once again Kowalski was on his feet, eyes blazing, "Fuck you! You didn't do anything for me. Fraser is the reason I'm here! He kept me alive. He found me....He saved me." "Ray," Fraser reached out to touch his arm, but he pulled away. "No...it's true. You didn't protect me Vecchio. You let him walk out with me. You let that bastard come in and take me!" he yelled. Vecchio stood up and countered, "Don't put all the blame on me, Kowalski. Your loving ex-wife made sure we got you into River Oaks. She signed the forms as next of kin." Ray turned away, dejected. "Enough Ray," Fraser warned with a steel edged tone to match the steel of his eyes. Vecchio shook his head, as he watched the slumped shoulders of Kowalski, and threw his hands up in disbelief. "I told you, Benny. He's a fuckin' waste!" Welsh stepped between the two men, stopping the impending battle. "We've done enough here, Corporal," Welsh told the Mountie. "We're going to leave." "I think that might for the best," he agreed, letting them show themselves out. Ray sat at the dining table; his face buried in his arms. He tensed as Fraser's hand gently stroke his head, but the Mountie didn't stop. Instead, he knelt next to the detective's chair and wrapped his arms around the thin body, whispering words of comfort into his ear. "Stop," Ray ordered pulling away and standing up, his back to his partner. "Just don't do that now." "Do what, Ray? Love you?" The bony shoulders slumped even more, "Yeah. Love me." "Ray..." "Not now, Frase, okay..." he implored refusing to look at the other man. "You should take Dief for a walk. He hasn't been out all day." "As you wish." As Fraser opened the door, Ray turned around, his blue eyes beseeching the Mountie's for understanding. "You're coming back, aren't you?" A gentle loving smile graced the handsome face as he promised, "Always." The door closed, leaving Ray alone and empty. He was lost, and all he knew was he had to find a way to the stop the pain- the pain of injury and disappointment. How long he would have stood staring at the door, he didn't know, but the phone brought him out of his reverie. "Kowalski." "Hey sweetheart. Miss me?" His slender frail body froze, and his heart dropped to his stomach. "You too choked up to talk to me?" the gruff voice asked with amusement. "I was goin' to visit you at the hospital, but your Mountie boyfriend was always around." "You shit," Ray whispered hoarsely. "Didn't I teach you about respect?" Holmes barked. "You need another lesson, bitch?!" Ray's eyes closed as he fought to control the trembling that overtook him. This couldn't be happening. "Now I didn't call to fight. I called because I have a present for you." "I don't want anything from you," Ray replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "But this is special," the voice argued in honeyed tones. "And, I brought it special delivery." A scraping sound turned Ray's attention back to the door. A brown envelope was pushed underneath into the apartment and was followed by a light knocking on the door. "That's for you, sweetheart." This time the voice came not through the phone. It came through the wooden door. Holmes was here, in this building, not even twenty feet away. Ray's reaction was immediate. He threw down the phone, ran for the bedroom, and yanked open his top dresser drawer. He pulled out a loaded gun hidden in the back and returned to the living room. "I'll shoot you, asshole!" he yelled. "Tsk. Tsk. After all the time we spent together." Ray took one step towards the door and froze as the image of Holmes came to him. He found himself backing away, banging into the table and knocking the lamp to the floor, leaving the living room in darkness. He didn't stop though; he merely kept retreating until his back hit the wall and he slid to the floor with the laughter of his tormentor echoing in his ears. *** Dief slid past Fraser into the apartment building. Immediately, he was on alert as an odor pervaded his senses. It was that human; the one who had harmed their packmate. He knew the man was gone but the scent lingered. A low growl rose in his throat as he looked at the man beside him. No words were needed between the Mountie and the wolf. Their shared look told them that all was not right with their Ray. Dief slowed and allowed Fraser to lead. It was his right, for he was the alpha male and it was his mate in peril. He followed behind and continued his low growl as the scent grew stronger. Yes, this human was dangerous. They reached the apartment door and found it locked. Fraser unlocked it and knocked once before entering, calling out, "Ray, it's Ben." There was no response. They entered the apartment and quickly assessed the situation. They took in the toppled table, scattered Polaroid pictures, a shattered lamp and a broken man, who sat against the wall, knees bent to his chest, arms outstretched holding a gun in their direction, watching them with blank eyes. "Ray, it's Ben," he repeated. He heard the gun cock. Cautiously, as he would and had approached injured wild animals, he approached his lover. "It's all right, Ray. I'm here," he whispered, his voice at its most soothing. As the gun shook in the slender hands, the Mountie grasped the muzzle with his right hand and pulled it away. Finally, the blue eyes saw him and the recognition came, bringing with it tremors to the fragile frame. Within seconds, he was pulled against the red serge chest and held tightly. "Fraser," he whispered. "Yes." "He was here." In his mind, the Mountie knew that was true; he knew it when he entered the apartment building. Now though, his emotions reacted and he relied on all of his training to hold his anger in check. "He's gone," Fraser assured him. "He was here," Ray repeated, tightening his hold on the lanyard and trying to pull himself closer to the hard body. "He's been watching me...watching us..." Fraser laid his cheek against the blond head and gently massaged the nape of the long neck. With his free hand, he reached towards the ground. "No!" Ray cried in panic as he reached out to grab his lover's arm and pulled against his secure hold. It was too late. Fraser picked up a Polaroid picture and saw the image; it was instantaneously burned into his mind. He would never forget Ray strung up, chest bare, with whip marks on his stomach and chest, blood on his face and lean form. He closed his eyes against the rage that swept through him, that threatened to overtake him. He forced himself to take deep breaths and calm himself. When he came back to himself, he found his arms empty. Ray lay a few feet away trembling in a fetal position and whispering to himself, "So sorry...sorry..." Fraser reached for the broken figure and pulled him against his larger form. He laid gentle kisses against the spiked hair and bruised fevered face. That brought an immediate reaction from Ray who cried out and began struggling against him. The Mountie's hold tightened, and he refused to release his lover. "It's all right," he soothed. "You hate me," Ray whimpered pushing against the larger man. "No, Ray," "You hate me...you have to..." he argued breaking free, only to be tackled by and pinned on his back to the hardwood floor. He was forced to look up into intense determined face of his lover. "I do not hate you. I love you," Fraser stated firmly. Ray squirmed and struggled beneath him. "You will...I cause that in people," he cried. "I did to Stella..." "Ray...Ray...Ray...RAY!" Fraser snapped. "Listen to me!" "Look what I did to her!" he yelled, his face wet with tears. Enough was enough! Fraser held the squirming figure still with his body and caught Ray's face between his hands. He forced his head up until their eyes met. Fear and guilt met anger and love. "Look at me, Stanley Raymond Kowalski," he ordered in a voice he reserved for the men in his command. "I am not Stella. I am nothing like Stella. I could never hurt you. I could never leave you." "But..." "But nothing. Do you understand? I love you and I will not lose you ever again." Ray saw the truth written on that handsome face, that face he loved more than any other. He wrapped his arms around the strong neck and pushed himself against Fraser. "I love you, Fraser." "And I you." *** Ray awoke and reached out to find the space next to him empty. He sat up slowly and grimaced against the pain that shot through his shoulder. "Fraser?" he called out hesitantly, half expecting not to hear a response, but it was there. "Good morning, Ray," Fraser replied, entering the room with a coffee mug in one hand and medication in the other. It always amazed Ray how his partner never looked bad. Even after a night of little sleep, most of it spent comforting Ray through his nightmares, there he was. Dark hair perfect, dressed in a clean uniform, with eyes bright and smile present. "Mornin'," he answered taking the offered mug and a long sip of coffee. "How do you feel?" Fraser asked sitting on the side of the bed and handing him the pills. "Pretty good. I don't want the painkiller. It knocks me out." "Is that a bad thing? You are in need of sleep, Ray." "Not like that. I wake up all confused. I don't like the feeling," he argued. Reluctantly, Fraser nodded. "All right, but take the antibiotic. You still have an infection." "You going to the consulate?" The Mountie watched and waited while Ray took the medicine. "Yes. I need to go in for a few hours. There's to be a banquet for a visiting dignitary next month and plans still need to be finished." "Is your new constable here yet?" "I'm surprised you remember I told you that," Fraser admitted. "You were not very conscious at the time." A small embarrassed shrug accompanied the response, "When I was in the hospital, the one thing that kept me remembering I was safe was hearing your voice. Some of the stuff you said stayed with me." The Mountie leaned towards the smaller man, and his blue eyes gleamed mischievously. "Such as how much I love you?" Ray nodded, "I kinda remember that." "Well, just to reinforce it," he kissed the corner of the mouth, "I love you." A slight smile played on Ray's lips that countered the confusion in his eyes. "You're a lot more dem...demo...lovey dovey than you used to be." Fraser raised a single elegant eyebrow. "Demonstrative?" "Yeah." "Do you not like it?" "It's not that..." "Do you think it's because I feel sorry for you? Or perhaps I feel guilty?" Fraser asked. Another shrug. "Maybe." "Neither. However, I do feel some degree of guilt." "You got nothin' to feel guilty for," Ray began, but was stopped by a finger on his lips and pain filled blue eyes. "I shouldn't have let you go. Or, I should have come with you," Fraser said, "But, I let my duty as a Mountie come first..." Ray took his lover's hand and kissed the palm, "And you should have. There was no reason to think anything was wrong." "I should have come with you." "You had other obligations," Ray argued. "Being a Mountie means everything to you, Fraser..." "No," he interrupted. "That's what I realized. When I heard you were dead, I thought my life was over." "Frase..." Ray began as he ran his fingers through thick dark hair. "I know. You have never heard me talk like this before, and I haven't. But after everything that has happened, I know I have to...for you and myself...Please, let me finish," he entreated. Ray ran a finger over the Fraser's lush lips and nodded. "Go ahead." "I wondered how I would go on without you. I knew I could function. That my life would go on as a Mountie, but my feelings, my emotions, my happiness were all gone. Then suddenly, Lieutenant Welsh called and told me you were alive. I was granted a reprieve. At that moment, I swore I would find you and would tell you how much I love you...I realized my first obligation is and will always be you. Perhaps a Mountie is what I am, but you, Ray Kowalski, help make me who I am." Amazed blue eyes stared at him, "Jesus Fraser, when you confess your feelings, you fuckin' confess your feelings." Fraser smiled and admonished gently, "Language, Ray." "I thought it was just me who felt like that...I always knew I liked myself more when I was with you..." "And the same is true for me." "You're somethin', Mountie," Ray murmured wrapping his arms around Fraser's neck. "As are you," Fraser whispered placing feather-light kisses along the bruised temple and moving his lips over the bruised cheekbone, towards the waiting lips. Ray eagerly sought his partner's lips. He needed to feel those lush lips on his, needed the taste of that perfect mouth, the caress of that tongue as it slipped into the warmth of his mouth. How long had it been? A day was too long. An hour too long. God, Ray couldn't get enough of being teased and tasted by his Mountie. He couldn't control the whimpers that escaped him. He pulled closer to the hard body of his lover. He reminded himself of his lover's taste, as his own tongue found a home in the Fraser's warm, succulent mouth. He urged the larger man on top of him, aching for the feel of the muscled body on his. "Your arm..." Fraser cautioned holding himself up on his elbows away from the slighter body. "It's fine...I need you...need to feel you," Ray begged trying to pull him down, "Please, Frase...It's been too long." "It's too soon." "It's fine...I'm fine..." Ray argued, running kisses along the strong perfect jaw. "And, you're perfect." "Ray, my Ray," he whispered leaning closer to kiss the pale bruised neck. "So beautiful." Ray's response was to thrust his hips into Fraser's and smile at the man's groan. His smile grew as reason flew out the window and Fraser lay on top of him, nipping at his neck and laving the small bites with his tongue. "The best...so good...so hot...." All sound stopped and Ray froze in his arms as the phone rang, unable to hide the fear on his face. Fraser sat up bring Ray with him and held him in his arms as he lifted the receiver. "Detective Kowalski's residence. Corporal Benton Fraser speaking." "It's Stella Kowalski. I need to speak to Ray," was the response, with a stressing of the last name. "Ray is not yet up, Ms. Kowalski," he replied evenly. "May I help you?" "No. I need to speak to Ray," she repeated. Fraser was not disturbed by her icy tone. He was well trained in dismissing people; he had served under Meg Thatcher for three years. "And, as I said, he is not yet available to speak to you." His curt tone, bordering on rude, was not missed by Stella. "I'll talk to her," Ray said reaching for the phone, but Fraser moved it to his other ear, away from his grasp. "Tell me Corporal, do you get off on having someone be so needy?" she inquired. "Does it do something for your rather large ego?" "Perhaps I should ask if you, as you put it, get off, hurting someone who trusted you?" Ray had enough. He reached across the Mountie and pulled the phone away. "What do you want, Stell?" "So the Corporal was lying. I thought he never lied." "He wasn't lying, Stell. I wasn't up yet, but I was getting there," he replied crudely. "I'm glad to see you're recovered from your traumatic experience," she told him, the double entendre going over her head. "It means it shouldn't be so difficult for you to be in my office at one." "Why?" "Because the D.A.'s office has some questions for you. You do remember how it works, don't you? A crime happens, it's related to a case being investigated by my office, my office asks questions..." "Jesus, Stell, what'd I do to ya?" he asked sadly. "I'm doing my job, Ray," she replied. "Now, I expect you at one." "All right. One o'clock. I'll be there," he promised and hung up. Fraser reached for him, but Ray avoided his touch and moved out of the bed. "I gotta go to the D.A.s office...." "So I gathered." "And you gotta get to the Consulate." "I can call Turnbull..." Ray cut him off. "Nope. You're the head honcho, now, Frase. I always knew you could do the job better than the Ice Queen, so go prove me right..." "But..." A slender hand rose against his argument. "No buts...now move yours and get to work...." "As you wish," Fraser relented as he watched Ray enter the bathroom and close the door. Dief whined at his feet and he nodded. "Yes, Diefenbaker. I might just let you tear her throat out." *** Despite the morning's occurrences, Fraser managed to enter the Canadian Consulate at exactly nine a.m. Turnbull met him as he made his way down the hall towards his new office. The younger man held a cup of tea in one hand and a report in the other. "Good morning, Corporal," he greeted. "Good morning, Turnbull," he replied, taking both the tea and report and entering his office. "How is everything progressing today?" "Fine, sir." "I'm expecting a telephone call from Inspector Pierce regarding the posting of the new Constable." "Yes sir. As soon as she calls, I will inform you." Fraser sat behind his desk and watched as Turnball stood at attention before him. "At ease, Constable." "Yes sir, thank you, sir." "I suppose you will be relieved when the new Constable arrives," Fraser commented. "I'm sure the additional help will be appreciated." "Yes sir, but I am quite willing to ensure whatever needs to be completed is," he assured him. "That I do not doubt in the least, Turnbull," Fraser replied, turning his attention to the folder. "That will be all for now. I'll call you if I need you." "Yes sir," the Constable opened the door then stopped. "If you don't mind me asking sir..." The dark head rose. "Yes. What is it, Turnbull?" "How is Detective Kowalski today, sir?" Fraser softened slightly at the young man's genuine concern for his partner. "He is holding his own. I want to thank you again for preparing the apartment for us." Turnbull reddened slightly under the recognition. "I was very happy to help, sir, and if there is anything else you need please feel free to ask." "We will Constable. Thank you," Fraser lowered his eyes once again to the folder and heard the door close. He tried to read the report, but his mind kept drifting to the apartment. It will only take a moment to ensure Ray is all right. He dialed the familiar number and waited. "Kowalski," came the hesitant voice. "Good morning again, Ray," he replied. "Hey Frase," he could hear the smile in the voice. "How's things goin'?" "Well, considering I have just arrived, it is a little early to tell," "Yeah, I guess so. Did you thank Turnbull for me?" "I did." "Good. He's a little weird, but he's a good guy," Ray said. "Of course, all you Canadians are a little weird." Fraser smiled, pleased his old Ray was returning. "Well, we Canadians might say the same for you Americans." "Nope. You see, Frase, we're unique." "Ah, I see." "Glad you do." "So what have you and Diefenbaker been up to?" "Breakfast. Found some powdered donuts in the cabinet. Who knew? I figured Turnbull had your same weird idea about food." "My weird idea? Do you mean the one that food should be nutritious?" he inquired warmly. "Yeah, that one." Fraser heard Dief bark in agreement. "Ray, you have not been giving Diefenbaker donuts again have you?" he scolded. "You know he shouldn't have too much sugar..." A wide-eyed innocent voice answered. "Me, Frase? Would I do that? Would I give Dief donuts when we got some good old yummy dog food here?" Dief whined and barked in the background. "Hush wolf," Ray ordered. "Ray," Fraser warned. "What, Frase?" He shook his head and smiled, "Nothing. I'm just glad to hear you sounding so well. I was worried..." "I know. I was upset after Stell called, but I ain't gonna let it worry me. I've got you and Dief and that's what matters." "I'm glad. Now, I better return to work. I will meet you at the D.A.'s office." "I already told ya..." Ray began. "I want to be there," Fraser stated. "All right. I kinda want you there myself..." Ray admitted, "I'll see ya later, Frase...Love ya." "And I you, Ray." *** Stella Kowalski was on the warpath, and Fraser unknowingly stepped in her way. He had been detained on the phone by Inspector Pierce and did not arrive at the D.A.'s office until nearly one thirty. He knocked on the door of Stella's office and was met by her brisk voice. "Come in!" He removed his Stetson and entered the office. "Great," she complained as she saw the handsome Mountie. "Let me guess, you're here for Ray because you think his coming here will cause him too much stress." "Ray isn't here?" Stella stood up and looked around her office. "I don't see him. Do you?" Fraser's mouth tightened and his blue eyes narrowed. "I spoke to him at noon. He was getting ready to leave the apartment to come here." She looked at him in mock shock. "Do mean to tell me you actually let Ray go outside by himself?" "Unlike you Ms. Kowalski, I have never attempted to control Ray," he replied coldly. "That's where you are wrong, Corporal. I was never interested in controlling Ray." "Really? That's all you've done since he returned to Chicago," he told her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to find Ray." He turned around and opened the door. "He probably got scared and ran back to the apartment. Or, maybe he went running to the Consulate for your protection. It wouldn't be the first time." She watched as the red serge figure stiffened. He turned and she saw an expression she had never seen on the Mountie's face -- disgust. "Where Ray went does not concern you," he stated in a deadly tone. "It will never concern you again, do you understand?" Stella Kowalski was never one to be easily intimidated, but the Mountie was leaving her very wary. She steeled herself against his glare and stared back. "Who the hell do you think you are, Corporal?" she demanded. "I'm his ex-wife. We spent ten years together. You spend three years as his partner and you think you can order me around? He cocked an eyebrow and smiled coldly. "I am his partner, Ms. Kowalski...In more ways than you realize." Realization began to dawn and Stella felt her legs turn to jell-o. "What does that mean?" "It means I am Ray's friend, his official next of kin, his lover," Fraser replied, satisfied with the shock that crossed the woman's face. "Now, I have to find Ray." He left the office and made his way down the hall. As he stepped outside, he was stopped by Stella Kowalski's voice. "Corporal!" He considered ignoring her. However, something in her voice stopped him. He turned around and waited for her to reach him. "Lieutenant Welsh just called. He's at Ray's apartment..." "What's happened?" Fraser demanded. Momentary guilt passed over her face. "He's gone. He's been kidnapped again." *** Fraser entered the apartment where just a few hours earlier he had been holding and loving his Ray. "Corporal," Welsh greeted him with a dour expression that grew more severe as Stella Kowalski followed him in. "What are you doing here?" Ray Vecchio demanded leaving the bedroom and entering the living room followed by a disconcerted wolf. "I gave Corporal Fraser a ride, Lieutenant," she replied defensively. "What's happened, Lieutenant?" Fraser inquired and turned to a whine from across the room. "Diefenbaker. What's happened?" The wolf sat at his packmate's feet and released another low whine. "I came by to talk to Kowalski before going to the D.A's office," Vecchio began. "When I got to the door, I could hear Dief barking, so I got the landlady and she let me in. Dief was locked in the bedroom. The landlady said she saw Kowalski leaving with a dark-haired woman. From the looks of it they were arguing." Fraser knelt beside his wolf and looked him in the eye. "It's all right. It's not your fault." Dief whined and shook his head. "I didn't suspect Detective Taggert either," he admitted and stood back up. "Taggert?" Vecchio asked in disbelief. "Yes. She was here and took Ray." "Why?" Welsh demanded. "Why the hell would she do that?" "The same reason she has been involved in everything since the beginning, Lieutenant. I suspect she is on Mr. Dalloway's payroll, the same as Officer Nash was." "Jesus Christ!" Vecchio exploded. "That's ridiculous." Stella argued. Fraser shot her an icy glance. "I don't believe so." He told her. "Detective Taggert and Nash were the one's to find Luther Kraft's body. I believe if you reexamine the case, Ray, you might find evidence that Officer Nash swung the baseball bat that killed Luther Kraft. They were lucky enough to find a scapegoat with the next-door neighbor. The one person who was a threat to Mr. Dalloway was gone. However, a complication arose when Ms. Kowalski decided to use Ray in Luther Kraft's place." "Something Taggert made sure she was involved in from the very beginning," Ray added. "Yes. She was involved in everything at that point. If you recall, Ray, she was the first officer on the scene when Ray was kidnapped and Officer Clark killed." "I remember, Benny. I also remember she wasn't too happy about you snooping around." "But why, would she take him now?" Welsh asked. Once again, Fraser's glance shifted to Stella. "I believe she knew about his meeting with the D.A.'s office. Am I correct, Ms. Kowalski?" "Yes, she was suppose to be there as well," she replied defensively. "All right, we need to get out an A.P.B.," Welsh said. "Where in the hell would she take him, though?" All eyes turned to Fraser. The Mountie stood silent, as he considered Detective Taggert's options. "She would want to take him somewhere safe, until she decided what to do with him." "Her place would be too dangerous for her," Vecchio said. "I agree. It would have to be a place where no one would pay attention..." he nodded once as the answer came to him. "She has him at Luther Kraft's apartment." *** One day. Can I have one day where I'm not shot, beaten, threatened or kidnapped? Ray leaned his head back against the wall and tried to keep his eyes open. He sat on the floor of Luther Kraft's apartment with his right hand handcuffed to the radiator. He watched as Taggert spoke to someone on her cellphone. "He'll be out of here in a few minutes," she told the person. "Then, I'm on my way over...No, he told me he would finish his job this time." A sense of dread engulfed Ray. He knew who would be coming to get him. Stupid. Kowalski. Stupid. Taggert had thrown him completely off guard. One moment he was letting her into his apartment and the next thing he knew she had a gun pulled on him and Dief. She ordered him to lock the wolf in the bedroom, or she would shoot him. Once that was done, she led him out to her waiting car and had him drive them to Kraft's apartment. He was still too weak to physically stop her. He knew he wasn't quick enough to get the gun away from her, but he refused to go down easily this time. No, he would bide his time and fight at the first good opportunity. Taggert hung up her phone and turned her attention back to Ray. "Don't worry Detective Kowalski. You won't be here much longer." "You won't get away this," Ray told her inwardly cringing at how clichd he sounded. She graced him with a satisfied smile. "I'm getting away with it just fine." "Someone had to have seen us leavin' my place together," he argued. "Maybe so, but it won't matter. By the tonight, I'll be on my way out of country and you'll be...wherever," she told him as a hard knock sounded on the door. "Here we go." Ray forced himself to take a deep breath to steady himself as Chester Holmes entered the apartment. The large man grinned wickedly at the detective. "Did you enjoy the pictures?" "It ain't happenin' again, asshole," Ray swore. Holmes shook his head in disappointment. "Detective Kowalski, when are you going to learn?" Taggert holstered her gun and handed Holmes a key. "That's for the cuffs. They're mine so make sure you get rid of them," she ordered and smiled at Ray. "Goodbye Detective. It was fun." "Yeah, a barrel of laughs." He watched as she closed the door behind her and prepared himself for Holmes. The larger man unlocked the cuffs and pulled Ray to his feet. As soon as he stood, Ray attacked. Unfortunately, because of his position, he had to use his injured arm. He elbowed Holmes in the gut, forcing the man to release his hold. Ray turned and hit him in the jaw with his right hand. He would have loved to have kicked his head all over the room, but he didn't have the strength. Instead, he ran for the door and out of the apartment. He made it down the hallway and to the stairs before Holmes caught him. Ray tried to throw another punch, but lost his balance toppling them both down the stairs. The man landed on top of him and knocked the air out of the smaller man. Before Ray could react, large hands were wrapped around his throat squeezing tightly, taking his life from him. Ray tried to fight, but he was descending into darkness and all he could do was call for Fraser in his mind. *** "I really screwed up this time, Benny," Vecchio admitted as he raced his Rivera through the city to Kraft's apartment. Dief growled in the backseat in agreement. Fraser could hear the underlying remorse in his former partner's voice. "I mean I thought I was doing the right thing, I really did." "I realize that Ray, but I hope you realize that the end does not justify the means," he replied. "I know. I have to tell you though it made it easier considering I was dealing with Kowalski." "I know." "I never wanted him dead, though." "I know that as well," Fraser assured him. Ray pulled the car to the curb. Seconds later, they were running into Kraft's apartment building. They arrived just as Ray Kowalski descended into darkness. Fraser was blinded by rage. He knocked the man off of his lover and with one solid punch broke his nose. It wasn't enough though. Ray had been put through too much pain because of this man. He had been terrorized and tortured. No, it wasn't enough, Fraser decided and landed another punch, followed by another, then another. Fraser knew how many times his fist landed in the man's face. He counted each one until Vecchio and Welsh pulled him away. He also knew he didn't hit him near enough. "Let him go, Corporal!" Welsh ordered. Fraser released Holmes and the man feel at his feet. He turned away and moved over to where his Ray was struggling to sit up. "Frase," he whispered. "Jesus, you keep comin' in like the friggin' army." "Language, Ray," the Mountie replied gently putting his arm around his lover. "Taggert...She's gone..." Ray began. "Don't worry, Detective. She was picked up a mile from here," Welsh assured him. "And now we have you, asshole," Vecchio stated putting cuffs onto Holmes and forcing him to his feet. "So it's over," he whispered leaning against Fraser. "It ain't over sweetheart," Holmes promised. "I ain't lettin' you go." Fraser stiffened and began to move, but Ray wouldn't let him go. "It's over, fuckface." "You want to bring him down to the station with me, Lieutenant?" Vecchio asked his former boss. "Yeah, I would," Welsh agreed giving Fraser his car keys, "Take care of your partner, Corporal. I'll come pick up my car later." "Thank you, Lieutenant," he replied and helped Ray to his feet. "Shall we go home, Ray?" The blond head nodded and a smile lit his face, "Yeah, Frase. Let's go home."