At The Fair - Made in Heaven     At The Fair - Made in Heaven

 by Carol Trendall

  

 Author's Website: 

 Disclaimer: 

 Author's Notes: In the style of Douglas Adam's inaccurately titled
Hitchhiker Trilogy, I now present part four of the Mardi Gras Trilogy

 Story Notes: 

 

 

 At the Fair - Made in Heaven 

 by Carol Trendall 

 I'm taking my ride with destiny
 Willing to play my part
 Living with painful memories
 Loving with all my heart
 Made in heaven, made in heaven
 It was all meant to be Made in Heaven - Queen 

 If it hadn't been for Turnbull he would have missed the advertisement in
the newspaper. Interrupted by some Consular emergency, the younger
Constable had abandoned his desk with the newspaper spread across it, the
ad in question circled, no doubt, by the same uncapped yellow highlighter
that sat beside it. 

 Which is how Fraser accidentally discovered it as he searched for a box
of staples amidst the mess that was Turnbull's desk. Why Turnbull would be
interested in the Gay Pride Fair Day, Fraser didn't really care to think
about, but suspected he knew anyway. He was just pleased to have the
advertisement brought to his attention. 

 He hadn't realised it was that time of year again already; a year seemed
to have passed so quickly. He recalled with pleasure the day he and Ray
had spent manning the Chicago PD booth at Fair Day the year before. It had
been a day of many surprises, not the least of which the things he had
learned about his friend that day. 

 Although there had been no further discussion of the truths that Ray had
revealed to him, Fraser was keen to show his friend that he was supportive
of any lifestyle choices he might make. And what better way than to offer
to man the Chicago PD booth once again? He would visit Ray when his shift
was over and make the offer then. 

 Late afternoon in the Major Crimes Division of the 27th precinct wasn't
always quiet, so finding himself presented with silent phones and a pile
of unfinished paperwork, Ray Kowalski did what he had to. He was just
turning on his computer to make a start when Benton Fraser appeared in the
bullpen, the white wolf trotting obediently by his side. 

 "Hi, Fraser," he greeted the Mountie. "What brings you here. You spot a
litterbug on your lunch hour?" 

 "Good afternoon, Ray," Fraser said, expertly dodging the good-humoured
dig. "I am actually here to offer my services to the Chicago PD." 

 Relieved to have an excuse to avoid paperwork for just a little longer,
Ray sat back and regarded the man standing calmly beside his desk. "Offer
your services? How so?" 

 Pulling a chair from the next desk, Fraser sat down and leaned close to
Ray, his voice sounding vaguely conspiratorial. "I see that this Sunday is
the Gay Pride Fair Day and I would like to volunteer to man the Chicago PD
booth with you again." 

 "No need, Fraser," the blonde detective told his friend in the same
conspiratorial tone, "Huey and Dewey already volunteered." 

 Fraser sat back in his chair and raised an eyebrow. "They volunteered?" 

 Ray nodded, a mischievous grin making his eyes sparkle. "Yeah, after
Welsh reminded them that between them they have seventy-three outstanding
cases and it might be in their best interests to be seen to do something
that actually benefits the precinct, you see what I'm saying." 

 "Oh, I see." Fraser said, trying not to let his disappointment show. He
really wanted to go to the Fair. "Well, that's that I guess." 

 Ray hadn't achieved Detective First Grade status for nothing; he knew
Fraser was disappointed. "Yeah, I guess it is," he shrugged, stringing his
friend along just for a moment. 

 Fraser hesitated momentarily, as if trying to think of something to say,
then rose to his feet. "Well I won't take up any more of your time, Ray. I
know you have work to do. Dief." He gave the wolf a stern look as the
lupine shuffled out from under the desk where Fraser suspected he had been
sniffing for doughnuts. "Goodbye, Ray." 

 Taking pity on his friend, Ray stood and put his hand on the other man's
shoulder. "Wait, Fraser. Look, I am going to the Fair Day. You know,
socially. You can come if you want." 

 A heartfelt smile lit the Mountie's face. "I'd like that very much, Ray."


 "Good." Ray nodded. "I'll pick you up at 10 o'clock Sunday morning." 

 Just as Fraser was about to thank his friend and leave, Ray added, "And
no wearing anything coloured in your pockets this year." 

 A wave of heat washed over Fraser's body as he recalled his near
humiliation of the Drag Races almost a year earlier. No way would he make
that mistake again. He would ensure that there was nothing in his pockets
this time. 

 Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny, just like it had a year earlier.
Fraser waved as Ray's GTO purred to a stop in front of the Consulate.
Running down the steps he ran a self-conscious hand over the t-shirt that
sat a little tighter than he would have preferred, but chided himself
immediately for his inhibited nature. On this day there was no other
choice of attire. The shirt given to him by Tom Gleeson on the day of the
Drag Races, bearing the 'straight but not narrow' legend, had been
carefully laundered and pressed and was worn with the same pride normally
reserved for his treasured red serge. 

 Ray greeted him cheerfully and Fraser noted Ray's choice of clothing had
been made carefully also. He wore a slim fitting pair of jeans, worn
dangerously thin in places, and a white t-shirt. On the front of his
t-shirt was a large rainbow striped triangle. From the folds still
evident, Fraser deduced it to be new - fresh out of its pack. 

 "No Diefenbaker?" Ray asked as Fraser slid into the passenger seat and
closed the door. 

 "No, Ray. Diefenbaker was a little humiliated by the pink bow he was
forced to wear when we won the Dog Competition last year and I don't think
he is up to a repeat performance. He decided against attending the Fair." 

 Ray chuckled, recalling the sight that Fraser and Dief had made the year
before when they reappeared at the Chicago PD booth both draped in pink
sashes and bows and Fraser clutching a bottle of pink champagne. For a
brief moment he wondered what happened to the champagne, but given that
Fraser sat blushing beside him at his own memories, Ray decided not to
ask. 

 Parking was easy at the Fair Day, arrangements had been made with the
Police Department and volunteer uniformed officers marshaled the area set
aside for the purpose. A handsome young officer waved Ray into a shady
spot, giving him a cute wink as he did. Fraser pretended not to notice and
climbed hastily from the vehicle. 

 The Chicago PD booth was the first port of call for Fraser and Ray, to
see how Huey and Dewey were fairing. Even from a distance it was clear
that the two 'volunteers' had taken to their task with differing
attitudes. Jack Huey seemed to have gotten right into the spirit, his Gay
Pride Fair Day t-shirt bearing the date, no doubt supplied to them by Tom
Gleeson, was teamed with a pair of slick black bicycle pants that left
little to the imagination. On his head he wore a black leather cap with a
rainbow flag and red ribbon pinned to the sides. His smile was wide and he
appeared to enjoy exchanging a few words with passersby. 

 Tom Dewey, however, did not seem so relaxed. His t-shirt, the same as
worn by Huey, had been hastily pulled over the top of whatever he already
wore. He seemed uncomfortable in his surroundings and kept to the rear of
the booth as much as possible. 

 "What a jerk," Ray muttered as they approached and although not normally
one to speak against others, Fraser added his agreement with the
sentiment. 

 Huey greeted them with a genuine smile, Dewey with a grudging 'hello'. 

 "You come here for a laugh, Vecchio?" Dewey asked, gesturing loosely
between him and Huey. 

 Ray opened his mouth to say something but Fraser spoke first, recognizing
the potential for a less than pleasant exchange. 

 "Actually, Detective Vecchio and I have come to browse the stalls and
perhaps purchase a few items as well as taking in Miss Pan Am's show this
afternoon and catching up with some friends. We also thought we could
relieve you for a while later if you would like to peruse the stalls
yourselves." 

 Huey was pleased by that suggestion. "Hey, Fraser, that'd be great. I saw
a guy unloading some jewellery I want to take a closer look at." 

 Fraser smiled to himself. He knew that Jack Huey had been keeping company
with Elaine Bresbriss and the jewellery would most likely be for her. He
was pleased for both of them. 

 Dewey put paid to any pleasure that Fraser or Huey might feel. "Christ on
a crutch, Huey, one day hanging out with a bunch of fags and already
you're buying fucking jewellery." 

 Huey rolled his eyes and gave his partner a look that had him retreating
further into the tent that was their booth. "Keep your voice down, you
asshole." 

 "For godsakes, Dewey, get over yourself, wouldya?" Ray said, forcing calm
into his voice, even as has hand curled into a fist. "I don't give a fuck
what your personal opinion is, but when you're here representing the
Chicago PD you do what's asked of you and today that is to give support to
the people who have graciously allowed you to be here to show what a good
fucking support the Chicago PD is." 

 Although Ray's voice did not raise above its normal level and he did not
make any threatening gestures, Dewey got the message and moved to the back
of the tent, dropping onto a wooden chair and muttering under his breath. 

 Huey apologized on behalf of his partner and Ray and Fraser assured him
they did not hold him responsible in any way. They told him to enjoy the
day as best as he could and told him they would return to relieve him
later in the day. 

 After leaving their colleagues, Fraser and Ray had a hasty discussion
about what they would do first. Ray decided on eating before they started
to look at the stalls, insisting that he shopped better on a full stomach.
Although still full from his hearty breakfast, Fraser followed his friend
to a hot dog stall. 

 The food area was at the opposite side of the Fair, the quickest way to
get there without going through the rows of stalls and the steadily
growing crowd was to head up onto a slight ridge that ran the length of
the park. From there Fraser and Ray had a view of the entire Fair with its
stage at one end and the rows of stalls at the other. In the middle was a
large grassed area where already several groups of people had spread rugs
and unpacked picnic lunches. Children and dogs played in the morning sun
and the sounds of laughter drifted to them. One laugh, however, rose above
the rest. A laugh that seemed very familiar. 

 Ray stopped in his tracks, his head swivelling to find the source. It
didn't take long. On the far side of the grassed area was a group of drag
queens in full regalia. In their midst was none other than Pan Am, her
head thrown back in laughter, almost toppling a brilliant crimson wig from
her head. So great was her mirth that she had to grab the arm of one of
her companions to save her from falling from her dangerously high cork
platform shoes. From their vantage point Fraser and Ray could even see her
sequined dress trembling as she laughed. Something had amused her greatly.


 Ray shook his head affectionately. He didn't see Pan as much as he used
to, but he has known her since he was twenty and was very fond of her. He
looked forward to seeing her show later in the day. "Shit, that woman's
got a laugh that could set off an avalanche." 

 "Pan is rather ... raucous ... in her mirth," Fraser agreed aware that
he, too, had grown fond of the woman who had so terrified him on first
meeting. 

 "Come on, let's go get that hot dog. We'll see Pan later." 

 A little later, when Ray's appetite was satisfied, the two men set about
making their way methodically through the rows of stalls. From time to
time they saw someone they knew, sometimes stopping to exchange a few
words, other times exchanging waves across the crowd. 

 At one point they spotted Jazz, the women Ray befriended at the Drag
Races and who had partnered Fraser in the sack race. They both waved, but
her attention was focussed on the pretty, elfin-faced girl that held her
hand and she did not see them. 

 "Ah, young love," Ray said, a warm smile making his eyes bright with
something Fraser had never seen before. 

 The day grew hotter. Fraser suggested they stop for refreshment and
pulled Ray into the shade of a stall selling freshly made lemonade
flavoured with honey and ginger. He purchased two large cups and handed
one to Ray. 

 "Well, would you look at that," Ray mused, sipping absently at the drink
he had been handed, "the things you see when you don't have a gun." 

 Fraser thanked the lemonade vendor and joined his friend, looking in the
direction Ray pointed. Less than twenty metres away he was somewhat
surprised to see Constable Turnbull holding hands with a tall, muscular
blonde man and walking with another two men who had their arms about each
other's waists. Fraser's eyes widened. He wasn't surprised to find that
Turnbull was gay; the thought had crossed his mind on a number of
occasions. What did surprise him, however, was the younger Constable's
apparel. 

 Turnbull wore a pair of tiny silver lycra shorts that barely covered his
pert buttocks and drew one's eye instantly to the neat, but sizable,
package in front. His long, tanned legs were bare; his feet covered in a
pair of thick white socks pushed down to the top of a pair of black
twelve-hole Doc Martens. On the upper half of his body he wore a
harness-type affair - four straps of leather joined by a large silver ring
that sat in the middle of his chest; two of the straps disappearing around
his sides and the other two over his shoulders, no doubt to meet in some
sort of buckle arrangement at the back. 

 "Who would have thought ... " Fraser mused. 

 Ray shot a sideways glance at his companion. "You're kidding, right? You
didn't know he was gay? All those aprons and feather dusters didn't give
you a clue?" 

 "I suspected, Ray, I just never thought he would be so ... " 

 "Look at those legs! Who'd've thought Turnbull was so ... " 

 "Athletic," Fraser supplied. 

 "Hot is what I was going to say, Fraser. He must work out or something." 

 "I believe Constable Turnbull came about his powerful thighs through
curling and ice hockey." 

 "Powerful thighs, huh, Fraser?" Ray grinned at his friend. "Two words I'd
never thought I'd hear coming out of your mouth." 

 Before Fraser could think of a response a burst of laughter from the four
men drifted to them, drawing Ray's attention away. 

 Under the tree where the four men had come to rest, Turnbull's companion
handed icecream cones to two of the other men and a bottle of juice to
Turnbull. Turnbull took the juice in one hand and used the other to pull
the blonde man closer. Leaning close he licked first the ice cream cone in
the blonde man's hand and then across the other man's lips. Laughing the
way that lovers do, the blonde man tucked his free hand into the nape of
Turnbull's neck and pulled him in for a lengthy kiss. Beside them their
two friends groaned and slapped at the kissing men, their cries for the
two lovebirds to get a room easily reaching Fraser and Ray's ears. 

 "Well ... " Ray muttered, his voice trailing off. 

 Fraser took Ray's arm and dragged him away, leading him towards the next
row of stalls. The less said about what they had witnessed, the better.
Besides, there was a secondhand bookstall he was keen to inspect more
closely. 

 "Fraser, look at this!" 

 Ray's excited voice drew Fraser away from the bookstall he was busily
browsing. He joined his friend at the adjoining stall, eager to see what
had him sounding so pleased. 

 In his hands Ray held a small box. Made of a deep red timber, its lid was
an intarsia design, inlaid with a stylized bear image from the Pacific
Northwest. Leaning over to admire the craftsmanship, Fraser ran an
appreciative hand over the intricate design. 

 "It could be Kwakiutl, Tlingit or Haida." 

 Ray lifted gleaming eyes to meet his friend's. "Nope, it's Gitskan. This
is Danny's work. I'd know it anywhere." 

 Spinning it in his hands, he presented the underside to Fraser, the name
Danny Eaglesmith clearly etched into the timber in fine black letters.
Fraser recalled well the Native American man he had seen embracing Ray at
the Fair Day the year before. Ray's first male lover. 

 Turning the box so that the design was once again uppermost, Ray spoke in
an excited whisper. "Wow! It's great that Danny's working again. He hasn't
carved like this since Greg died." 

 Fraser recalled the story Ray told him about how Danny's lover had died
of AIDS a year or so before and understood his friend's pleasure. 

 Ray turned to the stallholder. "How much?" 

 The stallholder, a small man of Hispanic origin who Ray vaguely recalled
from a meeting at a party sometime in the past smiled and said, "Twenty
five dollars." 

 "How much you paying the craftsmen who made this?" 

 "Ninety per cent of what I make - Danny's stuff is all on consignment." 

 Ray nodded his approval. "Good - make it thirty bucks." 

 Ray had his wallet out in a flash, handing three ten dollars notes to the
startled man before he could react. He turned to the equally startled
Fraser, who had witnessed the peculiar exchange in silence. 

 "This is for you," Ray said, holding the box out to Fraser. "I know you
appreciate fine work and you understand all this native stuff and I really
want you to have this, plus Danny would be real pleased to know one of his
pieces has gone to someone like you." 

 Fraser's hand hesitated in taking the box. "But what about you, Ray?
Surely you'd like a memento of your friend." 

 "Oh, I got one, Fraser. I got the first box Danny ever made. I'll show it
to you next time you come round." 

 Fraser's eyes wandered from Ray to the box and then back again, aware
that his friend had just shared something very important with him. 

 "Thank you, Ray," he said, taking the box reverently in his hands. "I'll
treasure it always." 

 From anyone else it would have sounded trite, but coming from Fraser it
meant exactly that. The two men smiled at each other, both storing away
the memory of this moment. 

 "Hello, Ray," a female voice came suddenly from behind Ray, bringing the
moment to an immediate halt and making the smile drop from his face. 

 Fraser looked from Ray to the source of the voice looming behind, meeting
the cool gaze of Stella Kowalski. He knew of his friend's feelings for his
ex-wife and he reached out, brushing his hand gently over Ray's wrist to
reassure him as the detective turned to greet her. 

 Stella's eyes flicked from the hand on Ray's wrist to his eyes, widening
then narrowing as she assessed the scene. 

 "Hi, Stella," Ray said warily, "I, uh, didn't expect to see you here
today." 

 Stella dropped her head in uncharacteristic shyness, kicking at the grass
under her feet. Looking up again, her gaze flicked nervously to a woman
hovering in the shade of a nearby food stall. Neither of the men had
noticed her before. 

 "I ... I ... guess ... I didn't expect to see you here either." 

 "Well, we're here," Ray said coolly, glancing hastily at the women at the
food stall. 

 Stella's eyes followed her ex-husband's. "Yes, I guess we are." She made
an exasperated sound and waved at the woman, who left the food stall and
crossed the path to join them, taking Stella's hand as she did. 

 Fraser's eyes widened. Suddenly concerned about Ray and how he would
react to what had just been startlingly and unexpectedly revealed, Fraser
stepped a little closer. 

 "Ray," Stella said, her eyes first on her companion, then her ex-husband,
"I'd like you to meet Anne ... Anne Howard." She glanced back at Anne.
"This is Ray ... Ray Kowalski - my ex-husband." 

 Ray and Anne shook hands, both wearing looks of mild discomfort. Anne's
eyes drifted to Fraser, who hovered protectively at Ray's elbow. For a
brief moment, no one said anything. Finally Fraser stepped into the
uncomfortable silence. 

 "Hello, I'm Benton Fraser." 

 Stella cleared her throat, mildly embarrassed by her lack of
introduction. "He's, um ... , he's Ray's ... " 

 "I'm Ray's partner," Fraser said, letting the ambiguity hang in the air
amidst them all. 

 "I'm pleased to meet you both," Anne said in a voice that held a trace of
an accent neither man could place. 

 Stella and Ray's eyes locked, Stella's eyes softening as a wave of
understanding passed between them. Ray began to smile. 

 "It's good to see you, Stel," he said stepping forward to enclose the
former Mrs Kowalski in a hug. 

 "You too, Ray," she said honestly, "but we have to rush off. We've got a
baby shower to go to this afternoon and we just stopped by to ... to ...
well, it's really good to see you." 

 After a moment they said their farewells. Fraser and Ray stood in
silence, watching the two women walk away. 

 "Well, that explains a lot," Ray said, surprising Fraser with the level
of acceptance in his voice. 

 Fraser decided there was nothing he could add to Ray's comment. He was
relieved to see a large smile spread across his friend's face, make his
eyes sparkle again. Fraser smiled, too and tucked his gift under his arm,
letting Ray lead him off to the next stall. 

 After stopping for a bite to eat at a vegan food stall, Ray and Fraser
returned to the Chicago PD booth to relieve Huey and Dewey as promised.
Huey rushed off to take a look at the stalls that had tantalised him all
day and Dewey slunk off to listen to a ballgame in his car. 

 There were few people stopping at the booth, so Fraser positioned himself
at the entrance, handing out pamphlets that gave a list of toll free
hotlines people could call for assistance. Ray sat silently on top of a
trestle table, staring into the crowd outside the tent. 

 "Is everything alright, Ray?" Fraser asked. "You've been quiet since we
saw Stella." 

 "I'm not upset, if that's what you're thinking, Frase." 

 "Did you have any idea ... ?" 

 "No, but then Stella could say the same about me." Ray turned to meet his
friend's steady gaze. "And that's the sole reason why our marriage was
doomed. And I don't mean because it turns out we both play on the other
side of the fence." 

 Fraser cocked his head, as if trying to decipher what Ray had just told
him. 

 "Don't you get it, Frase? Me and Stella, we didn't know each other. Turns
out there's a whole lot I didn't know about her and you know there's a
whole lot she didn't know about me and neither of us had the guts to say
anything. We never had a chance." 

 "I see your point." Fraser smiled at a young woman who took two pamphlets
and then turned to face the inside of the tent and his companion, trying
to decide for certain whether Ray really was OK. 

 "I guess my clock's ticking, you know," Ray said in answer to the unasked
question, "it's time I had something in my life. I don't want to be alone
forever." 

 "You mean you're ready for a relationship?" 

 Ray shrugged, his tentative smile telling more than his words. "Yeah,
yeah, I think I am." 

 "Good, Ray." 

 Fraser smiled warmly, trying to ignore the niggle at the back of his mind
that reminded him he was not getting any younger. For a brief second his
thoughts turned to his one, disastrous attempt at romance. Victoria
Metcalf had left a hole in his soul that he had begun to think might never
be filled again. He well understood Ray's reluctance to admit the need for
love in his life. 

 Nothing more was said. The two men remained silent, lost in their own
deep thoughts until Huey and Dewey returned to take over the booth. 

 After leaving the Chicago PD booth in the hands of Huey and Dewey once
again, Fraser and Ray headed back to the main grassed area to stake a
place from which to watch Pan's show. They had only just sat down when Pan
appeared from the side of the stage, teetering on her cork platforms. Ray
rose as she approached and let her hug him to her pointed bosom. Fraser
held out his hand for her to shake before he suffered the same fate. 

 "I'm so glad you both came," Pan told them. "Stay here, there's someone I
want you to meet." 

 Pan dashed back to the stage area as fast as her platforms would take
her. Seconds later she came back, this time accompanied by an attractive
young woman with curly shoulder length hair, bright green eyes and a smile
that warmed the hearts of both men. She wore small denim shorts and
t-shirt that showed a picture of a heavily made up drag queen with the
words, 'can somebody tell me why my brother stole my mascara?' written
underneath. 

 "This is my sister, Susan," Pan said to the two men. 

 Fraser and Ray said hello and shook hands with the smiling woman. 

 Pan flapped her hands and glanced at the stage and a woman in black who
made 'come here' motions to her. She hugged her sister around the waist
and said hurriedly, "Susan hasn't seen my show before. Is it OK if she
sits with you?" 

 Fraser straightened, immensely pleased to be charged with the task of
taking care of this delightful woman. "Of course! We would be honoured,"
he said hastily, pretending not to see the look of surprise Ray shot him. 

 "I have to run off and get ready, honey," Pan told Susan, planting a kiss
on her cheek, "these two big hunks will look after you." And with those
words she was gone. 

 Fraser, Ray and Susan all looked after Pan as she ran off to prepare for
her show. Fraser gestured to the ground, fervently wishing he had a coat
he could spread for Susan to sit on. Ray flopped onto the grass,
regardless, resting back on his elbows with his legs spread before him,
crossed at the ankles. Susan settled beside him, one leg bent at the knee
so she could prop her elbow on it. Finally, Fraser sat cross-legged on her
other side, giving the impression that he was trying to stand at attention
whilst in the lotus position. 

 Ray grinned inwardly at Fraser's instant discomfort, but obvious
attraction, to Pan's sister. He knew the conversation would go nowhere
unless he started it. He asked Susan if she had been nervous about seeing
the show. 

 "Oh, no," she hastened to inform them, "Richard ... I mean, Pan ... is
just a little protective. I don't know what she thinks will happen to me,
but thanks anyway for letting me sit with you." 

 "You're welcome," Fraser said, shyly, unsure what to say next. He was
relieved when Ray began asking Susan questions. 

 By the time the drag show started, Ray had extracted enough information
from Susan to know that she was a straight, single, veterinarian with a
practice in a suburb not too far from the Vecchio family home. He even
managed to get a business card from her. After all, he had a pet turtle
and Fraser had a wolf. Who knew when one of them might need a vet? He knew
that his friend would never have the courage to ask for her number and
this was the only way he could think of at short notice. 

 After the show was over, Pan returned to take Susan backstage. She
thanked the two men for their company and invited Fraser to call her if
his pet wolf ever needed any special treatment. 

 Ray stared knowingly at Fraser as he watched Susan and Pan depart. It was
clear to anyone within a five-mile radius that he was interested in this
woman and Susan did not seem to mind his attention. 

 "Here," Ray said, tucking Susan's card in Fraser's back pocket, "that's
for you." 

 "What is it?" he asked, pulling the item from his pocket, then blushing
furiously when he saw what it was. 

 "Who knows when you might need a vet, Fraser? You heard Susan. She said
she wants you to call." 

 "You mean for Diefenbaker, of course?" 

 "Of course," Ray assured him. 

 For a moment the two men were locked in some strange staring contest that
was only broken when Ray laughed heartily. 

 "For gods sakes, Fraser, she's just a woman, not a monster. If you like
her, call her, ask her out for dinner." 

 Fraser frowned and looked at the card in his hand, remembering his
earlier thoughts about his appalling track history in the romance
department. Did he dare call Susan? He made a huffing sound and tucked the
card into his pocket, then let Ray take him back towards the stalls. 

 A few minutes later with thoughts of Susan pushed to the back of their
minds and as the two men were deciding whether or not it was time to
leave, Tom Gleeson, the Fair organiser appeared through the crowd,
accompanied by another man. 

 "Hi, Tom," they both greeted him. 

 "Ray, Ben, it's good to see you here again this year. I've been looking
for you all day. Detective Huey told me you were both here." Tom gestured
to his companion, a tall, handsome man with a shock of thick, dark hair
and an easy smile. "This is my friend, Nick." 

 Ray and Fraser both said hello and shook hands with Nick. Fraser noted
that Nick and Ray held eye contact a little longer than was strictly
necessary. 

 Tom, it seemed, noticed also because he added, with an emphasis on the
last word, "Nick's a very old friend." 

 Nick smiled, his eyes returning to Ray. "Tom and I have known each other
for twenty five years. We grew up in the same town and came to Chicago
together." 

 "I'm surprised we didn't meet you last year at the Fair Day when we first
met Tom," Fraser said. 

 The smile left Nick's face for a moment. "Well, last year wasn't a good
one for me. Alex, my lover of eight years, died the Christmas before last
and I lost the plot for about a year after that." 

 An all too familiar feeling of sorrow filled Ray's heart. "I'm so sorry
for your loss, Nick," he said. 

 "Yes, please allow me to express my sympathy," Fraser added. 

 "Thank you both," Nick said, his easy smile lighting his face once again,
"I'm feeling much better now, though. I'm learning to live with the
memories and just waiting to see what part I play next. It's kind of like
taking a ride with destiny. That's what I'm doing here today. Tom has been
dragging me out to every function he can think of and making sure I rejoin
the world." 

 Tom smiled indulgently at his friend, "Well you know that Alex would have
told you to get your shit together long before I did." 

 Nick rolled his eyes and jerked a thumb in Tom's direction, his voice
full of affection as he said, "He keeps trying to set me up on blind
dates." 

 The four men all laughed, having experienced blind dates that went
disastrously wrong for one reason or another. Ray and Nick exchanged a
look that said they were both trying to think of something to say, but
couldn't. Tom noticed and drew Fraser away ever so slightly on the pretext
of asking him about the box under his arm. 

 As Tom and Fraser talked about the box, they noticed that Nick and Ray
instantly struck up a conversation. Tom smiled. 

 "I think this was a fortuitous meeting, Tom," Fraser said as he glanced
at the other two. 

 Tom looked at Ray and Nick for a moment before smiling at Fraser. "This
is the first time I've seen him show the vaguest interest in anyone since
Alex died. You know, Nick's my oldest and dearest friend and there's
nothing I'd like more than to see him with someone like Ray. They're both
good men and I get the feeling that Ray has had his share of rough times,
too." 

 Fraser agreed, thinking that what little he knew of Ray's love life did
seem to be filled with extreme ups and downs. 

 "Have they had long enough, do you think, Ben?" 

 Fraser smiled, remembering how deftly how he extracted Susan's phone
number only an hour earlier. 

 "Ample time, I would say, Tom." 

 Fraser and Tom rejoined their two friends, pretending not to notice that
Nick's smile had grown impossibly wider and Ray, rocking on his heels with
his hands tucked into his pockets, looked like the cat that had swallowed
the canary. 

 Tom spoke first, "It was great to see you again, Ray and you, too, Ben. I
hope we get to see you at some of the other events we've got planned." 

 "Count on it," Ray said without hesitation. 

 "I look forward to it, Tom," Fraser agreed. 

 "It was great meeting you guys," Nick said, "I'm really looking forward
to the Drag Races this year, so maybe we'll see you there." 

 Fraser looked at Ray, who smiled enigmatically. After handshakes and hugs
all round, the group separated, heading in different directions. Tom and
Nick disappeared in the direction of the stage to oversee the wrapping up
of the day's events and Ray and Fraser headed towards the car park. 

 Neither man spoke, each seemed lost in their thoughts of the day. Both
men knew that today marked a turning point in each of their lives and
there was nothing to be said about that. 

 It wasn't until they were half way across the city that the silence was
finally broken. It was Ray who spoke first. 

 "Frase, just so's you know, I asked that Nick guy out for a drink." Ray
gripped the steering wheel and stared fixedly at the road ahead. 

 Fraser nodded, absorbing the information. "He seems very nice, Ray." 

 "It doesn't mean that ... it doesn't mean anything. I mean, his lover
just died, right? He's probably not ready ... and I ... and ...you know
how things are with me." 

 Fraser's answer sounded to Ray like he had completely ignored his last
sentence. Had he forgotten their conversation at the Chicago PD booth? 

 "I like him, Ray. I think you could be good for each other, even if it's
only just a ... if it's only just companionship." 

 Ray sneaked a sideways glance at Fraser, smiling inwardly at the blush he
saw stealing up his friend's cheeks. 

 "You telling me I should sleep with him?" he teased. 

 "Ray!" Fraser sounded almost scandalized. "I'm merely saying that you
could do worse. It could be a match made in heaven. He seems like a nice
person and ... and ... he's a very attractive man." 

 "You think so?" 

 "Yes, I do." 

 "You're not just saying that ... like that time I asked if you thought I
was attractive?" 

 "No, Ray." 

 "Like it's a chance if I'm willing to take it?" 

 "Yes." 

 Ray fell silent, contemplating the blessing Fraser had just given any
potential relationship with Nick. Maybe he was right, maybe the
companionship would do him good. And if it led to more than that, was it a
bad thing? 

 Unlike many other men his age, Ray had only ever had two great loves.
Danny Eaglesmith and Stella. He had shared his bed with others, of course,
but none of them had touched his soul they way Danny and Stella had. So
why was he scared now? Why was he scared of the very thing he longed for? 

 It was easy for Fraser to observe the unguarded parade of emotions across
Ray's face. He had no doubt as to the thoughts in his friend's mind. The
unexpected revelation of Stella Kowalski's new female lover was bound to
cause much heartache and soul searching. He prayed that Ray was really as
OK about it as he said he was. 

 The day had held bright moments as well. He glanced down at the small box
on his lap and recalled the sheer delight on Ray's face as he presented
the box to him for inspection. It touched him greatly that Ray had chosen
to give him this gift and, as he had told Ray, he would treasure it
always. 

 He would also remember with great affection the moment that Ray had met
Nick. Ray's shy smile had warmed his heart and made him a little bit
hopeful. For what, he couldn't say for sure, but Fraser knew he only
wanted happiness for his friend. But what of his own happiness? 

 Naturally enough, Fraser's thoughts turned to his own love life. In the
aftermath of the traumatic changes wrought to his life by Victoria
Metcalf, he had never dared hope he would meet a woman who could stir his
frozen heart. As his mind recalled the firm fit of Susan's tiny denim
shorts, he had to admit that she had stirred more than just his heart.
Heat rose on his face. He hoped Ray didn't notice. Clearing his throat,
Fraser willed his mind to think of his duty roster for the coming week. 

 A short time later Ray pulled the GTO up in front of the Canadian
Consulate. He turned to Fraser, a thoughtful look furrowing his brow. 

 "Frase, did you ever get the feeling that some things are meant to be?
Like it's all decided already?" 

 "Sometimes I do," Fraser answered honestly. 

 "I mean, first of all I see that box and know that Danny is working again
and I just know he's OK, even if he's living with memories that are
painful. Like Nick. He's feeling the same pain that Danny did a couple of
years ago and he's getting back into it, you know. And maybe I can play a
part in that. Then seeing Stella. Man, I know I should be blown away and
maybe that'll come later, but it felt good ... " 

 "Even if she did think I was there as your date?" 

 Ray laughed heartily. "And whose fault is that?" 

 Fraser coloured and looked down at his hands. "I didn't like the way she
spoke to you, Ray. I wanted her to think you weren't mooning over her -
that you were over her." 

 "I don't moon over her." 

 "Not any more, but you used to." 

 Ray could not refute the truth in Fraser's words. He had mooned over
Stella - for a long, long time. 

 "So do you think maybe that today was all meant to be?" 

 "I think you're taking a ride with destiny, Ray." 

 "And you, Fraser?" Ray asked. 

 "I'm willing to play my part, Ray." 

End