Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer. This is what happens when you've been listening to a whole lot of love songs, especially anything by Jim Brickman. I need a life. Anyone got one for sale cheap? Please send comments, questions, compliments, and otters to sdelcul@yahoo.com.

"I love you."

He said it often. And why not? It was true, and there was just something endearing about the way Benny blushed whenever he did.

The reply was always there in his blue eyes, but Ray understood that he wasn't ready to say it out loud yet. He didn't really care, anyway. It was refreshing for him to feel it and say it and say it often. He sometimes felt like he was making up for every time Benny hadn't heard it.

Ray didn't need to hear it; he knew it. He did need to say it, and Benny needed to hear it. So once again their biggest differences had become part of how they worked so well together. The things they had in common, a deep need to protect and love, also brought them closer.

Ray smiled as Fraser looked up and blushed. The simple things just are.