No Sense is Nonsense III: Lame Trust      No Sense is Nonsense III:
Lame Trust

 by LadyAna

  

 Author's website: http://ladyan5.tripod.com

 Disclaimer: Copyright to Alliance.

 Author's Notes: Sorry for the confusion regarding the titles I have used
for this series. From now on, I will keep the main title the same and
change the individual chapters as posted.

 Story Notes: This is the third installment in my WIP. The first segment
was "No Sense is Nonsense" - 
http://www.squidge.org/dsa/archive/4/nosense.html 
The Second installement was "Blind Insight" -
http://www.squidge.org/dsa/archive/4/blindinsight.html

 This story is a sequel to:
https://www.squidge.org/dsa/archive/4/blindinsight.html 

 

 A forceful wind was blowing through the small crack in the bedroom window
above his head. The brutal breeze made it seem as if they were in the
Yukon and battling the elements for their life. Ray loved that sound. He
pulled the covers up higher and smiled, a full, lazy grin that stretched
the stiff muscles of his face. It was a tad chilly in the room, a
temperature he enjoyed because it warranted snuggling, another of his
favorite pastimes. It still was before ten in the morning, he estimated by
the light in the room coming from outside and the fact Fraser was already
awake. The Mountie was still in bed with him, probably slipping back into
sleep periodically, but never fully dozing. It pleased the Italian
greatly, knowing Fraser was simply appreciating holding him. Ray rolled
over and slipped his arm around his lover, burying his face into his
chest. Ben responded by kissing the top of his head. 

 It had been a good week. Things were going well between them and Vecchio
was looking forward to more of this quality time spent with the one he
loved. It was Sunday, a day that usually included paperwork and cleaning
out his file cabinet. Warm and fuzzy feelings filled him as he thought of
last night, how Benny had come to pick him up from work. They'd went to
dinner at a Mexican restaurant around one in the morning. Such spontaneous
times had grown unusual for them, with either man saying they were too
tired or too wired to eat out at such a late hour. The food had been
exquisite and the lowly lit, sensuous atmosphere of the establishment had
put him in the most relaxed and pleasant of moods. The Detective had
decided, even though it had been several weeks since they'd slept
together, he wouldn't get upset if Benny refused him in bed that night.
But to his shock and surprise, the Canadian relented and the evening was
made wonderfully complete with their lovemaking. 
 . 
 It was apparent the Mountie was trying, doing things to make Ray see how
important he really was in the Canadian's life. They had even worked out a
couple of compromises involving the Constable's constant need to perform
deadly, if heroic, deeds and keeping the helping hand to the community
down to a minimum. It was a good thing that their work hours nearly
mirrored each other. It made it easier to fit in time together as lovers.
All too clearly, Ben wasn't happy about altering his ways, but he conceded
after a long, calm talk between the two of them. The endless fights and
arguments had worn Ray down, especially when all Fraser mostly did during
them was look remorseful, like a child being scolded. 

 This time, however, the American approached the subject in the most
unlikely of places, while at a stakeout where nothing was really expected
to happen. It caught Benny off-guard and instead of growing quiet, they
had talked for a long time, honestly and openly, without hostility. Aware
Fraser had broken his vow in the past to not get involved, Vecchio had to
admit he was still leery, especially since the next time they'd sleep
together wouldn't be for another month. However, seeing his lover recently
making the attempt was promising. 

 His serious thinking was thwarted by a large, furry object jumping on the
both of them. 

 "Dief! Get down! You weigh a ton!" The Detective snapped. 

 "He's just saying good morning, Ray." 

 "Well, can he do it without all that wolf breath?!" Vecchio retorted
while Dief made his way to the foot of the bed to curl up. The Italian
looked up at Benny. "Hey, you." Ray whispered, smiling again, still loving
the fullbodied touch of his naked friend. 

 "Hello, to you, too." 

 "How long you been up?" 

 "Not too long. I really am glad you have today off." 

 The Detective kissed the other man's chest, then rolled over out of bed.
"So am I. I gotta' go into work for a bit, but not long." 

 "That's fine." 

 "I'm gonna' hop in the shower and then we'll go to breakfast, okay?" 

 "Sounds good." 

 Ray went in to turn on the shower and let it heat up. He glanced in the
mirror and grimaced. He'd cut himself shaving yesterday and the sores were
still healing. 

 Great. he thought. That's all I need - something else to make me look
even worse. 

 Pushing the depressing idea away, he came back in the bedroom and plopped
back down on the bed, facing Fraser. "I really want you to help me go over
this case that I've been working on." 

 "Okay. What's it about?" 

 "You heard about the death of the security guard at the mall a couple of
weeks ago, right?" 

 "Didn't they label it a homicide and turn it over to you?" 

 "Yeah, they did. No suspects, though. I'm more concerned with the
security company itself. Seems there's more going on than what's on the
surface." 

 Fraser began playing with Ray's hands while he spoke. "Like what?" 

 "Oh, the mall has accused it of not protecting them against burglaries. I
was scheduled to meet with the owner of the company, but I had to help a
crazy Mountie uncover an Internet scheme to illegally sell flags of
Canada." 

 "That was an important case, Ray." 

 "Of course it was. I'm just glad I was able to reschedule before I was
waist deep in red and white fabric." 

 Blue/gray eyes smiled at him. "The Queen appreciates your efforts." 

 "I'm sure she does. Now, come on. I'm starving."  

 It was the end of September, but the weather was getting colder by the
day. The wind held a sting that left Ray gasping. He looked over at the
Mountie as they went towards the Riv. Fraser wasn't phased by the climate,
of course, but still was eager to get in the car, with the wind nearly
knocking them both off their feet. It reminded Ray of the last time he
went to the Vecchio household to do a few repairs. Frannie was there, but
the animosity between them had lessened considerably in the last year. She
had went a little crazy upon learning who the Mountie was truly in love
with. However, she was quickly reprimanded by her circle of girlfriends
who had figured it out long beforehand and called her silly for not seeing
what was highly evident. Ray guessed she thought it best to keep her
naivete under wraps and spare herself the humiliation of chasing a taken
target. 

 The hot water heater in his mom's basement needed the pilot light re-lit,
which Ray was trying to do, when Francesca had come down to do some
laundry. After seeing there was no hot water to wash clothes and after
several of Ray's futile attempts, she impatiently suggested that maybe the
Mountie could help. The Detective responded that he could do this on his
own, thank her very much, and that he didn't need a Mountie for such a
simple task and the last thing he needed was the thing blowing up in his
face, which just might happen with the Mountie around. She went away in a
huff, saying the Mountie was a much better person than her brother since
such little things didn't affect him. Heck, she said, hardly anything
affects him. Why couldn't he be as unruffled as the Mountie? 
 part two... 

 It was a proper assessment, and very unsettling. Things did affect
Fraser, they could disturb him deeply, but it usually had to be on a life
or death level. When Ray was truly hurt by Ben, his getting angry just
drove the Constable further away. Vecchio had tried just talking with
Fraser, but the Canadian would stop communicating upon detecting that
seething caldron of pain and wrath the cop would be hiding. Or Benny would
spout facts in monotone, like he was reading a news report aloud and his
emotionless exterior would nearly make Ray erupt. The Italian shook his
head to clear his macabre contemplation. It was becoming unhealthy,
harping on the bad things about their relationship, especially on a day
like today. The Mountie was on his best behavior and Ray could sincerely
say it had been a few weeks since the last time they'd fought over
intimate matters. This was a typical Sunday off for them, having
breakfast, then the Detective trying to get Ben to nap for a while.
Eventually, Ray would doze while the Canadian did repairs on the apartment
or went shopping. In return, the Italian would cook dinner. Who wouldn't
be thrilled to have this kind of life with someone as wonderful as Fraser?
He owed Benny this time free of such a grudge and therefore, dismissed the
grievous events from his mind. 

 They went to their usual breakfast nook. Ray ordered an omelet with
ground beef, American cheese, broccoli and jalapenos, which he had to
admit was rather good. The Mountie had his favorite, oatmeal with banana
slices. They chatted about Dief, a little more about work and Vecchio
naturally put down the city and his coworkers. Tentative plans were made
to go see a movie and the Italian talked about a sale they had at his
local clothing outlet. It was near the end of their morning meal and Ray
started to psyche himself up to go into the precinct. Not only would he
have to endure the place, but he'd have to concentrate heavily to get the
work done quickly. Hopefully, with the Mountie along, it would go faster. 

 "Oh yes, Ray. There is something else I must let you know." said Fraser
after taking a sip of his tea. "My work hours are changing. You won't have
to drive me to work in the morning anymore." 

 "That's fine, Benny. Still want me to pick you up?" 

 "Uh...no, Ray, but thank you all the same. It will be quite late." 

 Vecchio knitted his brow. "How late?" 

 The Constable looked away, around everywhere but at the man before him.
Then, he plowed ahead, fearful, determined. "I...uh, don't come in until
late, but I work until ten each night." 

 The American was dumbfounded, utterly stupefied. "What?! What kind of
silly crap is that? What is the Dragon Lady thinking?! You don't even stay
up that late!" 

 "I know, but Inspector Thatcher deems it necessary." 

 "Tell her no!" 

 "I can't, Ray. She's my superior. She's leaving and I have to-" 

 "What do you mean you can't? All you're doing is making sure Turnbull
cleans the kitchen to her specifications!" 

 Now Fraser looked insulted. "I am learning more than that, Ray." 

 The Italian closed his eyes. The waves of pain were making his head swim.
He began to come to the most hideous conclusion, only he wouldn't believe
it unless he had proof. "How long have you known about this?" he asked,
keeping his voice even. 

 "Almost a week." 

 The Detective could see where this was going. At this rate, taking into
account their combined work schedules, the new treaty that had been made
between them would be void. They'd never get to see each other, unless
they were, once again, fighting crime or volunteering at the soup kitchen.
Ray let his head hang down. He refused to think it. The Mountie couldn't
be that devious! He insisted Fraser was beyond such traitorous planning.
Benny would not, he told himself, devise the amicable settlement they'd
made with one another, take the Italian to bed and keep from helping the
world for the last two weeks, not because he wanted to, seeing how much
his actions had harmed Ray, but because his work hours had changed and
could see that the Italian would blow up and get pissed as Hell. 

 "Ray?" 

 Vecchio held his head in his hand and squeezed his eyes shut. He was a
Detective...and a cop of that stature did not act without verification. He
had no direct evidence Fraser did this to dupe him, to get away with
anything. So, without any definite reason to suspect his lover, he did not
voice his concerns. "I'm okay, Fraser. I just hate it when she treats you
that way." 

 "I know, Ray. I'm sorry. We'll work something out, I promise." 

 "Come on. Let's get to the station."  

 The bullpen was active, but on a much more subdued level. It still had
officers coming to and fro, except that the pace wasn't nearly as crazy as
any given Monday. The Constable wasn't far behind as Ray slipped off his
sleek overcoat and hung it on the rack near the door. Ray tried his best
to keep his spirit up and not focus on his paranoid assumptions regarding
his partner. He was still pushing around the fog in his head, the dense
cloud keeping his 'feel-good' sensations away, when the pretty face of his
sister came into view. Her expression was one of exasperation, restrained
frustration. 

 "I can't stand you!" she snarled and walked off. 

 The Armani-clad individual was not in the mood for such games. "Join the
club!" he snapped back. 

 "What was that for?" Fraser asked, as he removed his own navy jacket. 

 "I have no idea and right now I don't care." 

 The grumpy, hazel-eyed man sat down in his chair, pulled down a stack of
paperwork and started the laborious task. Fraser, who was in causal
clothes this time, sat in his normal spot and, at first, said nothing.
After a short span of silently contemplating the cop, the Canadian said,
"Would you like for me to help, Ray? Perhaps I can look at the case we
discussed earlier." 

 Typical Benny strategy. When in doubt, help out. Ray closed his eyes.
"Yes, Fraser, that's fine. I would like for you to help." 

 The dark-haired man reached for the file being handed to him and was
about to open it, when Elaine turned the corner and walked over to
Vecchio. "What is it with you, anyway? Did you find your visitor?" 

 "What are you going on about?" Ray basically barked. 

 "Hey! Don't get upset with me! All I know is there a 'Pretender'
look-a-like around here somewhere, looking for you. But you know what?
With your little attitude - you can find him yourself!" 

 Thoroughly tired of this entire city block, the Italian was highly
tempted to walk out and saved this garbage until tomorrow. Except the last
thing he wanted to hear was Welsh demanding an update. So he called after
the pretty civilian aid, "Whatever. Thanks. Really." and went back to
reading. 

 A pounding headache was on the horizon and the Detective was nauseous
from the stress. There were too many days in the week when he felt like
this at work; did it have to happen on the weekend too?! It wasn't very
long, however, before he heard the strangest, yet most familiar voice from
behind. "Well, I see some things never change. Still here on a Sunday,
doing paperwork that's two weeks old. But what the Hell have you done to
your head?" 

 Ray spun around, half enraged, half afraid. His gaze travel up to the
smiling face of a man removing his sunglasses. A joyful thrill ran through
Vecchio as he exclaimed, "JAMES!" and grabbed the other man in a bear hug.
The Italian backed off, but still held on to the other man's arms. "You
old fool! What in the Hell are you doing here?!" 

 The brilliant smile hadn't let up. "You invited me." 

 "What are you talking about?" 

 "I believe you are investigating the security company I run." 

 Vecchio's jaw dropped open. He closed it only because he needed to ask
something. "But you're not the guy I made the appointment with." 

 "No, that's my boss. He's away on an unexpected business trip and when I
found out who he wanted me to talk to, I just had to see how things around
here have gone to Hell since I left. So, my old friend, you are looking at
the CEO of 'Aegis Security'." He ended his statement with a mini bow. 

 Quite stunned at the news he was hearing, Vecchio could only grin and
say, "Well, if that ain't something! Congratulations, man!" 

 "It always hasn't been fun, but I'm just glad I made it." His voice
lowered and he looked directly at the beaming Italian. "It's been five
years, Ray. What say we go get a drink and catch up?" 

 Vecchio took one look at the stack of papers and called it quits. "Oh,
Jeez! You always were temptation incarnate! Benny, I'd like you to meet an
old friend of mine. Benny Fraser, meet James Pace." 

 Fraser was standing, and the Detective could tell he'd already sized up
and performed a surreptitious profile of the man being introduced to him.
"Pleased to meet you." 

 "Same here." Pace responded. 

 The adrenaline was pumping in the Italian now, hyped up that he'd ran
into a peer from the past. It was so good to see someone who knew him from
back then. There was fun to be had in catching up! Vecchio was just a step
away from running out the door. "Come on, man, I know of a great place we
can go talk." 

 "Um, Ray?" 

 The Detective turned around, confused, only to see the Mountie blushing
and holding the case file on the security guard. 

 Ray smacked his forehead. "Of course! Bring it with you, Fraser. It's not
like we can avoid talking about it." He quickly turned his attention back
to his new/old friend. "So, tell me what's been up? What been going on?" 

 "Whoa! Slow down, Vecchio, you're going to give your tongue a cramp." He
slipped back on the black shades and said, "Well, I guess I should start
at the beginning. You first, sir." 

 As they made their way out, Ray could overhear Benny talking to James.
"Your name, 'Pa-kee'. That's Italian, right?" 

 "Yes," the second Italian confirmed. "It means 'peace'." END 

End No Sense is Nonsense III: Lame Trust by LadyAna: LadyAna5@aol.com

Author and story notes above.