Warning
this story does contain graphic accounts of m/m sex Okay, how's this
for an intro to the list. :-) I couldn't help it, honest, Lauren mentioned
sweat and Ray and I couldn't resist!

	Catherine

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

	"So, Benny, this is what you do for fun up in the frozen north?"
	Fraser watched as a nervous-looking Ray bent and crawled into the
sweat lodge. He'd never comprehend his friend's need to trivialize anything
that he didn't understand. Ray scrambled around before 
finally settling down, cross-legged on the opposite side from Fraser,
sweat already gathering on his brow.
	"No, Ray. We don't do this merely for fun. It's a highly spiritual
activity."
	"Do you smoke anything?" Ray was looking around the dim 
interior and Fraser sighed softly.
	"Meditation, Ray. Relaxing and opening your mind. It's restful and
enlightening."
	"Whatever you say." Ray shrugged his shoulders and tipped his head
back, resting it against the wall.
	Fraser kept an eye on him for a moment, waiting for more of 
Ray's usual commentary but there was none forthcoming, his 
companion silent for once. It was wonderfully peaceful and slowly Fraser
felt the tension ease from his muscles. The dimmness and Ray's silence
lulled him. His eyes drifted shut, the damp heat coaxing him into a deep,
meditative trance, images slipping in and out of his mind. 	At first,
he saw Victoria. As always, her image brought a mixture of pleasure and
pain. He took a deep breath, the damp air filling his lungs, soothing
the anguish he felt. His first love, dark and 
mysterious, dangerous, but so beautiful. The image of her before him
beckoned, then wavered, dissipating in a swirl of fog. Almost 
immediately, she was replaced with another image.
	He saw himself, naked, standing in a bathroom. In fact, it looked
like the upstairs bathroom in the Vecchio home. He watched himself approach
the shower, opening it to reveal an equally naked, and very wet, Ray.
It was...not what he had expected. Startled, he almost opened his eyes.
He doubted that Ray would appreciate him having this vision. But he couldn't
pull himself away from it. Intrigued, he stayed with it, accepted it,
still relaxed, content enough to explore whatever he was intended to.
It was certainly an enticing vision, he looked as if he was enjoying
himself. He was inside the shower, 
plastered against Ray's back, hands around his friend's chest. Ray's
head was tilted back, eyes sparkling up at him. They were both 
smiling, one of Ray's fingers tracing over his lips. They looked so comfortable,
so happy. Fraser relaxed and went with it.

				**********

	Ray watched as Fraser's eyes drifted shut. This had been a very stupid
idea, to join Fraser in here. Hot and sweaty, Ray squirmed. It wasn't
just the temperature that was bothering him, it was Fraser. Skimpy shorts
and a sheen of perspiration were not sufficient 
coverage. Ray knew he should close his eyes, should at least pretend
to do whatever it was Benny was up to, but he just couldn't.
	He had always thought Benny attractive, an opinion shared by over
half the female population of Chicago, including his own sister. Fraser's
face was so regular, so perfect, an ideal match for his intelligence
and gentle nature. Ray couldn't help but amire him, love him, everyone
else seemed to. He didn't want to though, the memory of his father's
scorn, the pain of his anger and his own desire to please the older man,
had kept him on the straight and narrow for years. But now, with Benny's
solid body displayed before him, half- naked and totally relaxed, he
felt his resolve waver. They were alone, Fraser's attention was elsewhere,
now was the time to indulge in fantasy.
	Letting his eyes close, Ray set the scene. His family would be away.
They'd have the house to themselves. He'd be showering and Fraser would
join him. Fraser's arms would go around him, their lips would meet, tongues
twining together, teasing at each others lips. Those beautiful blue eyes
would be staring into his, water droplets running down Benny's face,
making him want to lick them off, to lick Benny all over. Ray shivered
and opened his eyes, checking to make sure Benny was still doing whatever
it was he was doing.
	Yeah, he'd kiss Benny some more, running his hands over 
shoulders and chest, kissing that damn otter scar, then the one at the
corner of his mouth, tasting him, goodness and wildness mixed. 
Benny's hold would change. He'd move, slipping behind Ray. His hands
would be on Ray's chest. Oh, that would feel so good, Benny's fingers
in his chest hair, brushing against his nipples. Unaware, Ray moaned
softly. There would be heat plastered along his back, Benny's cock rubbing
against him. "Oh, Benny," he whispered. In that moment, he wanted it
so desperately. His fingers tracing over Benny's lips, being sucked into
his...
	"Ray?" Shock snapped his eyes open. Fraser was staring at him and
Ray flushed. He knew, Ray could see it in his eyes, in their bright,
surprised look. "You called my name." He'd said it out loud. Of all the
idiotic things... His erection stubbornly refused to go away and he saw
Fraser's gaze flicker, eyes widening, before returning to his face. Ray
looked away. Fraser was so pure, so clean. It was one of the things he
loved in him and here he was sullying it.
	"I'm sorry."
	"Why?" Ray's gaze stayed firmly lowered, despite Fraser's calm tone.

	"You know why, what I was thinking." There was a sharp intake of
breath and Ray felt the other man's approach.
	"Yes, I think I do. I'm glad, Ray." Shocked, Ray looked up into startlingly
blue eyes. Fraser was leaning over him, so close, so dangerously close.
	"You are?"
	"Yes."
	"Why?"
	"I seem to feel the same way."
	"You *seem* to?"
	"Yes." Ray just stared, unable to believe. But Fraser seemed determined
to change that. He reached out, fingers tracing along Ray's jaw, collecting
the little beads of sweat forming there, bringing them to his own lips.
He licked and arousal tore through Ray like wildfire. He reached out
and Fraser was there. His hands rubbed over sweat-slick skin, Benny's
skin. Leaning close, he brushed his lips delicately against the other
man's, tasting himself, his own sweat, on Benny's lips. Tongue darting
out, he licked at Fraser's mouth. Benny's hands were cupping his face,
caressing then gently tugging him away.
	"What?" A stab of fear shot through him. Had Benny changed his mind?

	"Not in here. If we're going to make love, I want it to be in a bed,
my bed." Fraser's voice was calmly determined, a faint huskiness the
only sign of what they were about to do. Ray shivered. Benny's bed; Frannie
was going to kill him if she ever found out.
	"Ray?" His attention refocused on the man kneeling in front of him.
Hair tousled, curling with the damp heat, eyes bright blue, voice slightly
puzzled, Fraser was gorgeous and, apparently for the 
moment, his. It was as frightening as it was arousing.
	"I need you." Ray whispered roughly, tentitively extending one hand.
This was going to mean too much, far too much. His fingers were enveloped
in warmth.
	"I know. It's very mutual, Ray." A soft brushing of lips and he was
released to follow his Mountie from the sweat lodge. The 
apartment seemed unbearably chill after the warmth of the lodge and Ray
wrapped his arms round himself, watching Fraser pull down the bedsheets.
As he bent over, Ray sucked in a breath, Fraser's white cotton shorts
accentuating the curve of his ass. Fraser turned at the sound.
	"Is something wrong?" In a second, Fraser was beside him, 
warm skin pressed to his side. Ray chuckled.
	"I don't know whether to shrivel up from the cold or explode at the
sight of you." Fraser looked puzzled until Ray's hand slid around and
down, cupping one cheek through the thin cotton. Then Fraser blushed,
pressing his face to Ray's shoulder. Ray continued to stroke the smooth
muscular globe.
	"Beautiful, Benny." Ray murmured, lips starting to trail a series
of kisses along the side of his neck. Both hands slid beneath white cotton
and he felt the muscles tense, Fraser suddenly pressing hard against
him before pulling back. Ray's eyes were drawn down. He 
hadn't imagined it. Fraser was hard, his erection stretching the front
of his shorts. Ray reached out, fingers tracing over the bulge. Fraser
moaned, eyes closing, head going back. Ray smiled and knelt, hands on
Benny's hips. He rubbed his cheek against Benny's stomach, ventured lower
and felt hands on his head, just resting there. He pressed a kiss to
the damp spot staining the front of Fraser's shorts and hooked his fingers
into the waistband, drawing them down. He kept his eyes 
lowered until Fraser was completely naked. The heat of him rested against
Ray's cheek. All he needed to do was turn his head and... 	"Ray."
Fraser's hands grippped his shoulders, pulling him to his feet. "I want
to see you too, touch you."
	A little apprehensive, Ray pulled his undershirt over his head. He'd
always been a bit uncomfortable about his looks. Balding, too skinny,
he felt awkward next to Benny's sleek build. Awkward and irritated and
a little afraid.
	"Not much to look at, huh?" He glanced toward the bed, almost wishing
the candles that lit the room were gone. Except that then he wouldn't
be able to see Benny.
	"I have no complaints." The shirt was pulled from his hands and taken
to Benny's face. Amazed, Ray watched him rub it against his cheek. "It
smells like you."
	"You like the way I smell?"
	"I like almost everything about you." Copying Ray's earlier 
gesture, Fraser went to his knees. Hands stroking at Ray's hips, he pressed
a kiss to his navel. "I like the way you smell." He rubbed his nose against
the soft hair on Ray's belly. "Taste." A tongue plunged into his navel
and Ray squirmed.
	"Benny, please." His hands found Fraser's shoulders and pushed him
back. Blue eyes looked up, questioning. Ray bit his lip and nodded as
Fraser's fingers tugged his boxers down and away. He was half- proud,
half-mortified. Fully erect and already damp, his cock was rosy-red with
desire. Fraser's fingers traced over the shaft, thumb circling the tip,
spreading the moisture over the head, around... Ray moaned and Fraser
stopped.
	"Bed?" There was a slightly smug expression on a certain 
Mountie's face.
	"That's a very good suggestion, Benny." Fraser took his hand, rising
gracefully. They stood beside the bed for a moment and Ray gave Fraser
one more chance to back out.
	"Are you sure? You want this?" The 'me' remained unspoken but Fraser's
mouth curved in a smile.
	"I am sure. I want you." Fraser's arms went round his shoulders,
Ray's wrapping round Fraser's waist. So unbelievable that Benny 
would want him but so good that he apparently did. The warm skin under
his hands was silky smooth until they roamed further, brushing against
puckered scar tissue left by a bullet, his bullet. He froze, heart pounding
in his chest.
	"It's all right, Ray." Hot, moist air whispered past his ear. "It
really is." Ray pulled back to look into Benny's eyes and it was all
right, a smile on Benny's lips, desire in his eyes and in the pressure
of his cock against Ray's thigh.
	"I love you." Ray whispered helplessly, hopelessly.
	"Then love me, Ray." Soft lips pressed down, a flickering tongue
encouraging his own mouth to open, his tongue to explore. Ray 
moaned into it, cupping Benny's face in his hands, kissing his eyes,
his lips, everything. Tumbling them both onto the mattress, Ray rolled
on top, leaning over Fraser.
	"How do you want me to love you, Benny?" He pressed his hips down,
felt the answering nudge of Fraser's erection. Fraser's head lifted to
lick at the tiny nipples hidden in the light dusting of hair covering
Ray's chest and belly. Ray trembled, surprised at how good it felt, Benny's
tongue curling, teeth pulling. He gasped at the sudden sharp pain, moaned
as Benny's wet tongue laved the small hurt, 
sending shivers down his spine. He wanted all of Benny, but this was
not the time for that. Too eager, too desperate, rushing was not how
he wanted Benny to experience that kind of love.
	Ray felt himself pushed over, Fraser kneeling astride him, hand reaching
to capture his cock. Delicate touches teased him 
unmercifully.
	"I want you to love me like this." Fraser spoke clearly, staring
deep into Ray's eyes before lowering his head.
	Ray closed his eyes, head pressed into the pillow as the warmth of
Fraser's breath coursed over his aching cock. Another second and there
was a cautious lick at the head. Ray groaned, hands clenching into the
sheets. Licking and sucking, Fraser was exploring every inch of his cock.
He was so close already, like a randy teenager. Ray looked down and stiffened
at the sight of his cock slipping in and out of Benny's mouth. Shakily,
he rested one hand against Fraser's cheek, feeling it hollow, pleasuring
him. It was too much, too fast. He tried to warn Benny, gasping a warning
just before he cried out, a strangled shout as he came, pouring himself
into his lover's throat.
	Dimly, he was aware of Benny's weight resting against him, of the
hot hardness still prodding at his thigh. Fraser's fingers were tracing
patterns in his chest hair. He captured the wandering fingers. Fraser's
lips found his and he tasted himself there.
	"I'm sorry," he whispered. Fraser smiled slightly and shook his head.

	"Don't. You were beautiful." Ray felt his face heat.
	"Can I...?"
	"I would like that, Ray." Fraser rolled over onto his back, Ray moving
to kneel between his legs, hands stroking at the sensitive inner thighs.
He liked the way Benny shivered at his touch.
	"Ah, Benny." Ray lowered his head, kissing the thick column of Fraser's
throat, moving lower to nibble at the pink, erect nipples, moving on
to his navel and below. The body beneath his squirmed, arching under
the mastery of his hands and mouth. It was wonderful, amazing, unbelievable
to be able to do this for this man.
	Reaching the rigid column of flesh, Ray ringed the base with his
fingers, letting his tongue lap at the head, map out the path of the
big vein from root to tip. He licked round the flared head, enjoying
Benny's panting breaths, his little gasps at each new sensation. Hands
caressed Ray's head, rubbing at his hair, the curve of his ears.
	"Ray, please." Benny's breathing was rougher now, legs 
trembling with strain. Ray sucked harder, swallowing him as deeply as
he could, one hand caressing his balls. The cock in his mouth hardened
just a little bit, Benny whimpered, and then he was coming, hot spurts
of fluid filling Ray's mouth faster than he could swallow. He pulled
back finally, hand still at Fraser's groin, a last few gentle soothing
strokes, the way he handled himself. He lay down at Benny's side, hand
stroking across the still trembling abdomen. Benny's eyes were closed
and Ray longed to see them. Afraid that this was it, that Fraser didn't
really want him, but almost more afraid that he did. He stared at his
own hand, watching it caress the man he called his best friend. 	A
hand tugged at the back of his neck and he turned his head. Benny's lips
met his, tongue darting out to lick at the corner of Ray's mouth, his
cheek. He looked enquiringly at Benny.
	"Semen."
	"There you go again." Ray grinned. "Tasting everything."
	"I've never tasted mine before. I like yours better." 
	"That's disgusting."
	"No, it's not." Farser paused. "You don't want to do this again?"
	"That's not what I said!" Ray blurted out. Fraser smiled again and
Ray glared back in disgust. "You're harassing me!" One hand 
slipped across Ray's chest, pulling him firmly against Fraser's more
solid frame.
	"You want me to stop?" Fraser's face was very serious-looking and
Ray swallowed hard. Was this Benny's way of asking for a 
commitment? Ray never even considered his answer.
	"Don't ever stop, Benny."

				**********

	Fraser stared down at the dark head laying against his chest. So
unexpected, so different from Victoria, but so right. Ray just felt right
laying naked against his skin, skinny and hairy and, despite that, all
that Fraser wanted.
	Ray grumbled in his sleep, shifting, and Fraser thought again about
his dream and the sweat lodge. Had Ray been having the same dream? A
similar one? He'd have to thank Eric somehow, though he doubted this
was the use Eric had intended. He stroked the thin skin of Ray's back,
feeling muscle and bone beneath the surface. It might not have been a
spiritual experience but it had certainly had its revelations. 
	He felt a yawn from the area of his armpit.
	"Want a shower, Ray?" He held his breath as Ray shifted again, sitting
up and glancing down at the growing erection between 
Fraser's legs. His eyes gleamed.
	"I thought you'd never ask."