SECOND CHANCE   Author's disclaimer: Although the story is mine, it
is a work of fiction based on the character of Due South. All Characters
portrayed here belong to Alliance. Please do not print/copy/download or
send any part of this story to anyone else, other than for your personal
enjoyment. Thank you. 

Rated NC-17 for strong language and sexual content 
  
  
  
  

SECOND CHANCE 

By: Amethyst 
  
  

        Stella Kowalski marched out of Lieutenant Welsh's office, just as
her ex husband Ray was coming in. 
        "H..Hi Stella." He greeted timidly. 
        "Hello, Ray." She returned, surprising him by not blowing him off
as she usually did. "How are you?" 
        "Oh, I..I'm good." He stammered, trying not to let his nervousness
show. "H..How are you?" 
        "Tired." She smiled. "It's been a long week." 
        "Yah." He agreed, smiling. "Fer me too. A long week." They stood
there in silence for a moment, then Ray said. "So, umm...a..are ya hungry?
Maybe we could..." 
        "I'd love to." She replied, watching the shock register in his
face. "I still have some things here to finish up, how about Angelo's and
six?" 
        "Six o'clock, tonight?" he asked, hesitantly. He had agreed to go
to a hockey game with Fraser tonight. "Umm..well I..." 
        "If you can't make it..." she began, her usual coldness returning
to her voice. 
        "No!" protested ray, desperately. "I..I mean, yah. Yes, I can make
it. Sure." She smiled and nodded. 
        "I'll see you then." She promised as he moved out of her way so
she could continue out of the squadroom. Ray watched her go, gazing
longingly at the long slender legs, soft golden hair, perfectly round... 
        "Vecchio!" Ray jumped and turned to find Welsh staring at him from
just inside his office door with his arms folded. "Did you need me for
something or are you practicing to be a doorstop for a future position?"
Ray stared at him confused. 
        "What? Yes, no..ah I don't know." He waved his hand at the
lieutenant and started to walk away, unable to remember why he had been
going to his office too begin with. "I'll talk to ya later." Welsh shook
his head and retried inside his office, shaking his head Ray returned to
his desk to find Fraser waiting patiently for him. 
        "Hello, Ray." He greeted warmly, fitted in snug blue jeans, red
button shirt and leather jacket; his Stetson was being twirled between his
fingers. "Are you ready to go?" 
        "Oh, um..Fraser." he stalled, pulling his jacket from the back of
the chair. "I..listen, somethin's come up and...well I can't go to the
game tonight." Fraser frowned concerned. 
        "Is it a new case, Ray?" he inquired. "May I be of assistance?"
Ray glanced around the squad room, then took Fraser's arm and guided him
away from his desk and closer to the exit door. 
        "It's not a new case, Fraser." He assured quietly. "It's kinda
personal." Fraser nodded. 
        "Ah." He said, twirling his hat a few more times between his
palms, a sure sign that he was either nervous or curious but didn't have
the courage to say what he wanted to either way. Ray sighed. 
        "Go ahead, say it." 
        "Say what, Ray?" he asked innocently. 
        "Com'on I know yer wonderin' somethin' in that big brain of yers
so out with it." 
        "Well, Ray I don't mean to pry..." 
        "But yer gonna anyway, so hurry it up." 
        "Well, " began Fraser, slightly uncomfortable. "I did see you
speaking with..." 
        "My ex wife, yah." Finished Ray impatiently. 
        "I was just curious if she was the reason you were canceling our
plans for tonight?" 
        "Yes Fraser." He admitted reluctantly. "She agreed to go out to
dinner with me, but only if it was tonight." He scowled. "I know we had
plans, Frase, but this is the first time she's said yes and I..." 
        "It's quite alright, Ray." Fraser assured quickly, knowing how
important Stella was to his partner. "We'll go another time. Please go and
enjoy yourself." 
        "Really, Fraser? Ya don't mind?" 
        "Of course not." Replied Fraser with a small smile. "Have fun."
Ray didn't wait for him to change his mind, he clapped Fraser on the back.

        "Yer the best, Frase." He stated, hurrying past Francesca, almost
knocking her over. He caught her and grinned. "Sorry Frannie." Then dashed
for the door. Francesca shot Fraser a puzzled glance, as the Mountie
frowned. 
        "Be careful Ray." He muttered, tipping his hat to Francesca and
turning to leave. 
  

        Ray straightened his navy tie against his silver colored dress
shirt, checked his hair in the mirror, he'd calmed it down somewhat
tonight from it's usual free abandon spiked look, and stepped out of the
GTO. He made a striking figure in his dark navy tailored suit and dark
dress boots, receiving quite a few admirable stares from the women he
passed on his way into Angelo's restaurant. He took no notice of their
attention, his gaze was busily scanning the dining room for the beautiful
blond that was always on his mind. He saw her wave to him from a corner
booth and he smiled, glad he had decided to run home and change, for she
had obviously had the same idea and was now wearing a sensuous navy and
white off the shoulder dress. 
        "Hi." He approached her shyly, sliding in opposite her.
"You..you're beautiful." She smiled, quite used to his compliments. 
        "Thank you." She returned politely. "You are looking quite
debonair yourself." Ray smiled, he hadn't really stopped smiling since
he'd seen her at the station earlier, and to be sitting across from her at
one of their old haunts was just thrilling him. 
        "The place hasn't changed much." He commented, glancing around the
Old World décor that had first attracted them to the popular restaurant.
"I wonder if their food is still as good." Stella retrieved her menu and
glanced over it. 
        "I'm sure it is." She assured as their waiter approached their
table, an older gentleman with graying hair and the owner of the
establishment. 
        "I thought it was you two!" he exclaimed warmly, in a thick Greek
accent as he placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Where have you
been my friends? So long you have been gone, yes?" 
        "Hello Dakar." Greeted Stella affectionately. "I've missed your
wonderful food." The older man smiled gently at her, as their waiter
approached. 
        "How are you, Da?" greeted Ray, politely, receiving a chuckle from
the Greek. 
        "Since he was a boy he calls me Da." He commented boldly to all
that would listen, causing Ray to flush. "Now a man he is and still such
respect for me." He leaned forward and kissed both of Ray's cheeks
affectionately, then Stella's. "Tonight you will feast!" He said something
in Greek to the waiter who hurried off to place the order. 
        "Now Dakar..." began Stella, knowing what the old man was up to.
He waved her words away with a flash of his hands. 
        "You will eat as my treat, my friends." He scowled and wagged a
finger at them. "No arguments with such an old man. Now, I will bring you
something to drink and you will enjoy, yes?" Stella and Ray nodded,
smiling, knowing it was useless to argue. They watched him wander off then
turned back to each other. 
        "He hasn't changed." She observed amused. 
        "No, he's the same." Agreed Ray, quietly as a basket of bread and
a wine sauce was brought to their table. Ray retrieved a piece of the
moist sourdough and dipped it into the sauce. "How have you been, Stella?"
She followed his lead and popped a piece of the bread into her mouth. 
        "Busy." She sighed. "I'm so back logged now I'll never find my
desk." Ray chuckled, he knew that feeling. "How about you?" He shrugged
and selected more bread. 
        "Okay." He replied. "Busy too, y'know how it is livin' someone
else's life." Stella shook her head. 
        "I could never understand why you took these kind of assignments,
Ray." She admitted, with just a trace of bitterness in her voice.
"Undercover work is so dangerous." 
        "So.'s being a lawyer." He returned easily. "I'm good at being a
cop, it's what I do, Stella, you know that. It's the only thing I've ever
done right." Stella moved forward as if to touch him, but sat back as the
waiter placed two shots of uzo and a bottle of wine on the table before
them. He poured them each a glass, then waited for them to try it, moving
off only after they signaled their satisfaction. Ray gulped down his uzo,
wincing as the liquid fire slid down his throat and into his belly,
watching Stella do the same with her glass. 
        "Whew!" she laughed, shaking her head dramatically. "It's been
awhile since I had that." Ray grinned, knowing the powerful drink could
probably strip the paint off walls with just its fumes, and sipped his
wine. 
        "It's pretty strong." He agreed, selecting another bread stick and
dipping it generously in the sauce provided. "I remember when we used to
drink it every weekend." 
        "We got so plastered!" giggled Stella shamelessly. "I remember you
thought you'd had to much to drive home one night, so you carried me home
on your back." Ray smiled, he'd refused to let her walk, it was
ungentlemanly and she surely would have ruined her pretty new heels. 
        "You kept smackin' my ass with yer purse, yellin' giddayap." He
reminded amused and she giggled harder. 
        "You were making noises like a horse," she reminded. "so figured
I'd help you out with some encouragement." Ray shook his head, grinning
rebelliously. 
        "I was makin' noises because you were heavy and I couldn't hardly
breath." He teased, knowing he hadn't had the least trouble carrying her,
either on his back or to their bed. The last thought sobered him. That was
then, not now. She was no longer his wife and he no longer had the right
to ravish her throughout the night, but he couldn't help that he still
loved her, their divorce hadn't changed his feelings then or now. 
        "Will you carry me home tonight as well, then, Sir Knight?" she
asked coyly, as she sipped her wine. 
        "If you want me to." He answered seriously, knowing he would
indeed do it in a heartbeat. She sighed and slumped backwards, twirling
the glass between her fingers. 
        "Oh, Ray." She looked at him resigned. "We did have some wonderful
times together, didn't we?" 
        "The best." He saluted her with his glass, hoping she didn't
notice how his hand was trembling. Dear God don't let her see how badly
she is affecting me, don't let me seem so pathetically desperate to be
near her. 
        Their meal arrived and they ate quietly, making little small talk,
as they enjoyed the delicious food set before them. Afterwards, when the
table had been cleared and they were each on their third glass of wine and
second of uzo, the band started to play softly and people began to filter
out onto the small dance floor. 
        "Dance with me, Stella?" he requested softly, willing her to
accept, which she did. He led her to the dance floor and pulled her into
his arms. She was warm and soft and fit perfectly. They matched each
other's steps perfectly, years of dancing together giving them the
advantage, and for Ray it was as though they had never been apart. The two
singers on the small stage broke into Sony & Cher's duet I've Got You
Babe, which happened to be one of Ray's and Stella's personal favorites. 
        "I've got flowers in the spring I've got you to wear my ring."
Sang Ray softly as he twirled her around the dance floor. She smiled and
continued the song. 
        "And when I'm sad you're a clown and when I get scared you're
always around." She ran her fingers playfully over his head. "So let them
say your hair's to long, I don't care 'cause with you I can't go wrong."
Ray threw his head back and turned her in a fancy step. 
        "So put your little hand in mine." He squeezed her the hand he
held and she giggled. "There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb."
His light soprano voice carried the tune perfectly against her deeper
tone. 
        "I've got you to hold my hand 
        "I've got you to understand 
        "I've got you to walk with me." 
        "I've got you to talk with me." 
        "I've got you to kiss good night." 
        "I've got you to hold me tight." 
        "I've got you and I won't let go. 
        "I've got you to love me so." 
        "Babe. I've got you babe. I've got you babe. I've got you babe."
Ray turned and dipped her dramatically, as the other couples around them
applauded. He righted her laughing, when she blushed furiously and hid her
face against his shoulder, as he led her back to their table. They resumed
their seats, but Ray didn't let go of her, instead they held hands across
the table and gazed into each other's eyes. 
        "Take me home, Ray." She insisted huskily. Ray nodded and stood,
leaving a tip on the table and escorting her to the door, with his hand at
the small of her back. He opened the passenger door of the GTO and helped
her inside, then he hurried to the other side and slid behind the wheel.
He switched on the engine as she slid closer to him and placed her hand on
his thigh, causing him to jump nervously and floor the gas, luckily before
putting the car into gear. He grinned weakly at her and put the car in
drive, pulling out of the parking lot and onto the quiet street. He
somehow managed to make the correct turns and obey the traffic rules all
the way to her house, but how he had no idea. With her sitting so close to
him, smelling of rose water and caressing his thigh, it was a miracle he
hadn't caused an accident. 
        He switched off the engine and got out of the car, hurrying over
to her side to open the door and walk her to her porch; their porch as the
house was what she had won in the divorce settlement. She dug through her
purse for the keys, glancing at him, almost shyly. He took a deep breath,
not wanting the evening to end, but unwilling to go further without a
signal from her, then she gave it to him by handing him the keys and
smiling brightly. 
        With shaking hands, he managed to open the door and pushed it out
of the way, allowing her to enter first, as his hand snaked around the
frame to find the light switch. He knew this house better than he knew
himself, he'd loved this house, it was his home; had been their home.
Stella stepped inside, pulling him with her and closing the door. He
watched her throw her purse on the corner telephone table and kick off her
shoes. 
        "Would you like some coffee?" she asked politely. His head was
buzzing slightly, so he figured he should for the drive back. 
        "Yah, thank you, that would be nice." He replied watching her move
through the small living area to the large modern kitchen he noticed that
she had redecorated the place quite a bit and it saddened him. The muted
whites, gray, and maroons seemed more sterile then the lively patterns
they'd selected together, although it was stylish, it still left him cold.

        "Why don't you put on some music?" she suggested from the kitchen.
Ray moved to her expensive stereo system and glanced over the CD's finally
deciding on Cher's Greatest hits, what the hell, that type of music was
doing great so far for the evening. A moment later, 'If I could Turn Back
Time' piped through the speakers. He turned to find her directly behind
him, with their coffee. She smiled and handed him a cup. He took a sip and
grinned. Chocolate mint, his favorite. 
        "Thank you." He offered as they moved to the large corner sofa and
settled beside each other. 
        "I had a good time tonight, Ray." She admitted quietly and he
chuckled. 
        "Don't sound so surprised." He remarked and she frowned. 
        "Don't ruin it, please?" she requested underlying his sarcasm. He
lowered his eyes and stared at the dark brew swirling around in his cup. 
        "I'm sorry." They drank their coffee quietly for a few minutes,
Ray taking as long as possible to finish his, but the he finally set it on
the table and stood up. "I guess I should go." She nodded pulled herself
to her feet to walk him to the door. Ray traced the dead bolt wistfully,
not wanting the evening to end. 
        "Thank you for dinner." She offered softly, watching him swallow
with indecision. 
        "Thanks fer comin'." He returned, now playing with the doorknob,
but not turning it enough to open it. "Stella....?" 
        "Yes, Ray?" she waited patiently and he wondered if she could hear
the heart seemed deafening to his own ears. 
        "I..I don't want to go." He whispered, wishing he could be more
mature, more eloquent in his approach, but she always made him feel like a
child neglecting his punishment. She reached her hand up to caress his
pale cheek and turned him toward her. 
        "Then don't go." She whispered leaning into a kiss that was
exquisitely soft and almost shy, as he tangled one of his hands in her
hair while the other cupped the small of her back gently, as though afraid
she might disappear if he held her to tightly. She moaned, as Ray's tongue
touched hers and began a leisurely exploration of her mouth, and she
pressed her body against him, already feeling the undeniable state of his
arousal. His mouth continued it's exploration down the pale column of her
throat and across her neck, he gently nibbled her bare shoulder and she
arched against him. 
        "Oh Ray." She sighed wantonly, all their past problems were pushed
into the background in the sudden heat of their desire. His lips returned
to hers, imploring a sweet surrender, as though he was committing their
kiss to memory. Ray struggled to keep his tender ministrations light,
afraid to let her know how very much his heart and body demanded having
her. He didn't want to scare her away, didn't want to blow this second
chance she offered by showing his need so openly. 
        She pulled at his suit jacket, sliding it down over his thin
shoulders tossing it to the floor. His tie met the same fate, as she
turned her attentions to his throat and neck, knowing he was particularly
sensitive there. He sucked his breath in through his teeth in a painful
hiss as she nibbled the joint just above his collar, while she started to
unfasten the buttons of the shirt. She pushed him up against the door
savagely and with a frustrated gasp, wrenched the uncooperative shirt
open, scattering a few of the buttons over the floor around their feet.
She pulled one of his nipples into her mouth and she heard his gentle cry
of desire. She used to tease him about sounding like a kitten in bed,
mewing and purring his delightful responses. She smiled and began to suck
on his other nipple as her hand drifted down to rub against him. 
        "Stella." He whimpered against her, pulling her lips back up to
his. He lifted her into his arms and headed for the bedroom, never
breaking the sweet suction of their lips. He gently lay her on the bed and
hovered unsteadily over her, staring into eyes that were darkened with
desire. "Tell me." he pleaded shakily. 
        "I love you, Ray." She whispered seductively, pulling the hesitant
detective down to lay beside her. "Make love to me, baby." Ray released a
cry of relief and wonderment as he pulled her into his arms, the soft
moonlight filtered through the bedroom window giving their exposed skin an
iridescent glow. Stella loved him and wanted him to love her in return, he
was finally home. Ray pulled two of her fingers into his mouth and suckled
them gently, as though they were the sweetest candy, while Stella arched
against him. He rose on his knees above her to pull his arms free of the
suddenly annoying shirt, as she pulled at his belt buckle. She pulled it
swiftly from around him and tossed it behind them to the floor on the
other side of the bed, then caught his shoulders and rolled him over so
she was straddling him. 
        She smiled and reached into her nightstand, retrieving something
shiny and Ray felt her pull his hands up toward the headboard. He watched
her shadowed face curiously, until he felt the cold metal of the cuffs
click around his left wrist. He yanked his hand down. 
        "NO!" he exclaimed, hating the idea of being bound in either way.
He wanted to touch her while they made love, not be chained, when had she
gotten into this stuff. She smiled slowly and leaned down to deliver a
breath-taking kiss. 
        "Please, Ray." She whispered huskily, running her tongue over his
jaw line. "You'll like it I promise. I'll take them off when you say to,
just try it." She kissed him again. "For me?" 
        "If I don't want to?' he asked hoarsely, watching her pretty
features grow still. 
        "Then we can forget it." She replied quietly, though he was unsure
if she meant just the handcuffs or the whole idea of them being together.
Not willing to take the chance, he swallowed his fear and nodded,
receiving a brilliant smile from the woman he adored. She pulled the cuffs
through a loop in the brass headboard and secured his free wrist. 
        "You'll take them off as soon as I say, right?' he reminded
wanting her to confirm her own words again. She nodded and began to pull
down her dress, exposing herself to his full view, for she wore no bra or
panties. She smiled at his expression and reached for the button of his
slacks. He raised his hips to help her ease them off him, then watched her
crawl upward over him, kissing and licking a path of desire from his
stomach to his throat. He heard the clang as the metal bracelets strained
against the headboard, he wanted to touch her, wanted to taste her and
hold her. He pulled at his captured hands and felt himself loosing control
as she captured his mouth once again. God she tasted so sweet, he thought
deliriously as he hand reached down and curled around his heated arousal
and began pumping furiously. He arched against her hand, pulled at his
shackles and groaned into her warm, moist mouth. 
        "Off!" he croaked when she released his mouth finally. "Please
take 'em off, Stella!" He was straining so hard against them now he was
afraid he was going to pull his arms out of their sockets as it was. 
        "Not yet." She teased trailing another wet path down along his
ribcage, over his washboard stomach and below to his abdomen. She heard
his harsh intake of breath as she deliberately kissed the inner thigh of
each leg followed by one of his soft cat cries 
        "Y..you promised." He closed his eyes ecstatically as she finally
lowered her mouth over him. "Ah! Stella! God please, baby!" She ignored
his cried for only a few moments longer, then she crawled up and released
him from his bonds. He ripped the cuffs from his wrists and threw them
across the room, then grabbed her and rolled her under him, kissing her
hungrily. His hands, like liquid fire, were touching her everywhere and
she pressed hard against him. 
        Ray felt he might explode if he didn't get inside her soon and was
surprised when she supplied a condom out of nowhere for him to use. His
hands were shaking so badly that Stella ended up rolling it over his
swollen penis for him. He tried to be gentle, to go slow and make it last,
but his need for her was surrendering his senses to oblivion as he
penetrated her. Stella rose to meet each of his thrusts eagerly and soon
Ray could only feel the pulsing of their bodies combined and the sweet
sensual haze that was enveloping him. He felt the pressure climbing within
him and wrapped himself around her, wanting them to stay linked forever,
to never be apart again. 
        "I love you." He cried as they both climaxed, then collapsed
against each other exhausted. 
  
  

        Ray picked up the phone at his desk and quickly dialed the
florist. He ordered another dozen red roses to be sent to Stella
Kowalski's office, his third for the day, then hung up as Fraser, dressed
in his traditional red serge, approached him. He stood and gave Fraser an
affectionate hug, surprising his partner, as well as the ones in the
precinct that witnessed it. 
        "Hey, Fraser, buddy." He greeted cheerfully, grabbing his jacket.
"Let's do lunch, my treat." Fraser turned and followed curiously. 
        "Certainly Ray.' He agreed, watching the young detective crouch
beside Francesca and swing her chair around to face him. He handed her a
piece of paper as she watched him warily. 
        "Would you be a sweetheart and use your incredible talents to
retrieve information on this person for me?" he requested. Francesca
glanced up at Fraser, as though wondering what the joke was. 
        "Er, yah, okay." She replied cautiously. Ray reached up and
dropped a kiss on her forehead as he rose to his feet again. 
        "You are a dear, thank you." He responded winking, then indicated
Fraser follow him. Fraser glanced back at Francesca, who was still holding
the paper and staring at Ray's retreating back bewildered. 
        Fraser climbed into the GTO beside his partner and watched him
silently as they pulled onto the busy street. 
        "Whatcha want, Frase?" he asked, entirely too happily for Fraser's
tastes. "Chinese, Pizza, burgers..what?" 
        "Pizza is fine, Ray." He assured mildly. 
        "Pizza it is then, ol' buddy." He pulled into a local pizzeria.
"Hey, where's Dief?" 
        "At the vet." Replied Fraser as they got out of the car and Ray
held the door open for the Mountie to proceed him inside the restaurant.
"He was due for his yearly vaccinations, though he was quite upset with me
this morning for even making the appointment. He refused to come out of
the consulate of his own volition, I had to carry him." 
        "You shouldn't have told him where you were taking him." laughed
Ray as they selected a booth by the window. 
        "Well, I'm not going to lie to him, Ray.' Determined Fraser as the
waitress brought their menus and drinks, being regulars she knew what they
preferred. 
        "Better than carryin' him ain't it?" commented the detective as he
ordered a Hawaiian pizza to split between them and an order of
breadsticks. 
        "I suppose so." Agreed Fraser grudgingly. Ray seemed more, bouncy
than usual, and Fraser was curious as to the cause of his partner's over
zealousness. "You seem in good spirits today, Ray." 
        "The best, Frase." He insisted grinning. "Things are finally goin'
right fer me." 
        "Oh." Responded Fraser, trying to ignore the bad feeling in the
pit of his stomach. "Does this have anything to do with..." 
        "Stella?" finished Ray almost gleefully. "Yah. We've been seein'
each other for about two weeks now and I think it's gonna work this time,
Frase." The bad feeling turned to dread as Fraser observed him quietly. 
        "What will work out, Ray?" he asked, praying he was wrong. 
        "Me an' Stella." Confirmed Ray, pulling something out of the
pocket of his coat and producing it for Fraser's inspection. Fraser
swallowed and gingerly folded his fingers around the beautiful solitaire
diamond ring. 
        "It's very beautiful, Ray." Was all he could say as he handed it
back to his friend. Ray smiled and nodded, staring at it ecstatically. 
        "I couldn't afford a very fancy ring when we were first married."
He explained, tucking the ring back inside his pocket. "I figure she'll
forgive me for that when I show her this one." Their pizza arrived and ray
dug into his slice heartily as Fraser stared at him silently. Oh, Ray, he
thought, she's going to say no. Stella won't marry you again and you'll
look like a fool and feel even worse. He considered telling him this, torn
between not wanting to see him hurt and not wanted to pry into Ray's
personal affairs without being asked. 
        "Perhaps you should wait, Ray." He suggested gently, giving into
what was best for his friend. 
        "Why?" Ray asked surprised. "Things are goin' great, what better
time to ask her?" 
        "I..." began Fraser. I don't want her to rip your heart out again
Ray, he finished silently. "I...hope it works out for you then." He
finally said. Ray grinned. 
        "It will." He assured confidently. "I've changed, Stella sees that
now. She's giving me a second chance." Fraser tried to smile, but
couldn't, instead he picked at the toppings of his pizza and said a quiet
prayer to God that He might protect his friends heart form being shattered
once again. 
  

        Ray arrived at Stella's house later that evening, with a bouquet
of flowers, a magnum of champagne and the ring in his pocket. He wore his
best suit, a tailored black two piece, with a crisp white shirt. He jogged
up the stairs and wrapped on the door. The light of his life answered it,
wearing a red silk evening dress and clasping a dangling ruby earring to
her left lobe. 
        "Ray!" she greeted surprised. "What are you doing here?" Ray
smiled, allowing his gaze to travel intimately over her clinging attire. 
        "I thought we could celebrate." He suggested holding up the
flowers and champagne to her. "I wanted to ask...." 
        "Hey, Babe, have you seen my shoes?" inquired a male voice from
behind her. Stella glanced backwards, long enough to tell the person his
shoes were in the bedroom by the bed, then returned her gaze to Ray, who
had stumbled backwards in shock. 
        "I'm sorry Ray I...." Her words halted at the stricken look on her
ex-husband's face, the bottle had fallen from his hand and now lay
shattered on the steps, broken into pieces like his heart. 
        "Stella...." He starred at her agonizingly. "What's goin' on? I
thought...I thought..." 
        "I'm sorry, Ray." She repeated. "I never meant to...you seemed so
lonely I..." 
        "What?" exploded Ray furiously. "Decided I needed to get laid? Is
that what it was Stella? A pity fuck?" Stella averted her eyes, without
responding and Ray felt his heart twist painfully in his chest. When she
finally met his eyes again, the anger had left him as quickly as it had
appeared. 
        "W..what did you want to ask me?" He stared up at her dazed,
taking another step backwards, and his foot almost slipping on the steps
that were now slick with champagne. 
        "I...I wanted to ask..." he glanced down at the flowers in his
hand, then back at her, the pain reflected in his eyes almost unbearable
for her to look at. Oh Ray, she exclaimed silently. I'm so sorry. "I
wanted to ask if you liked yer flowers, Stella." She bit her lip. 
        "The roses were lovely, Ray." She assured gently. "Thank you." Ray
held the bouquet out to her. 
        "Take it." He demanded quietly, when she refused to reach for
them. She wrapped her hand around the pretty bundled flowers and pulled
them against her chest. "Thank you, Stella." She stared at him bewildered.

        "For what Ray?" she asked confused. 
        "For giving me the best week of my life." He admitted, his voice
trembling ever so lightly over the words. "I...hope you enjoy yer
evening." With that he turned from her and returned to his car. He thought
she called to him, but his mind was in a painful fog as he slid behind the
wheel and started the engine. In his anguish, he didn't even glance back
to see Stella Kowalski being held by a tall, dark-haired man, as she
sobbed agonizingly against him, the beautiful flowers still crushed to her
breast. 
  
  

        Francesca pushed open the door to Ray's apartment and helped him
inside. She kicked the door shut and managed to get him over to the small
sofa, where he dropped like a puppet whose strings had just been cut. She
had been in the area buying a bottle of wine for her sister's anniversary
party, when she had spotted him in the alleyway of a local bar, getting
pulverized by three tree trunks that distinguished themselves as men. They
claimed the young detective had provoked them beyond reason, like he
wanted to get killed, but she soon had the three giants obeying her
demands to help her get Ray into her car, each suddenly chagrined in the
face of the hot tempered sprite of a woman before them. She shook her head
and went to look in his kitchen for some coffee so she could get him
sobered up. By the time she had the coffee made, Ray was beginning to feel
the results of his impulsiveness and was sitting with his head in his
hands. 
        "Here." She ordered, pushing the cup under his nose to give him a
good strong whiff of the hot brew. He took it from her with trembling
hands and took a sip, grimacing. 
        "God that's awful!" he exclaimed setting the cup on the table and
shaking his head. 
        "It's your coffee." She reminded picking the cup back up and
pushing it into his hands once more. "Now drink it." Ray growled at her.
Yes it was his coffee, but he never drank the stuff black, no milk, no
sugar, no M&M's, yuck. Tastes like liquid tar. He took anther dutiful
gulp, made another face and set it back down. 
        "Go 'way, Frannie." He requested spitefully, putting his throbbing
head between his hands again, as though hoping to squeeze the pain out of
it like you'd wring the moisture from a wash cloth. 
        "Not until you tell me what the hell is wrong with you." She
insisted firmly. "You're arrogant, pushy and thoughtless sometimes, but
you're never stupid, Ray. What in heaven possessed you to get wasted and
pick a fight with someone who looks like a bleeding lumberjoe?" Ray
snickered. 
        "Lumberjack, Frannie." He corrected mildly. "And he wasn't the
problem, I coulda handled him." He winced as he went to sit back and the
bruises around his ribcage caught his attention. "It was his three friends
that I hadn't counted on." Francesca snorted in disbelief. 
        "It was still a dumb thing to do." She informed. "So what
happened? Why'd you want to get piss eyed?" He glared at her. 
        "Maybe I like getting' piss eyed, Frannie." He declared angrily.
"Why don'tcha just go home an' leave me alone?" Francesca continued to
stare at him, making no move to leave until she had found out what she
wanted to know. "I'm a looser okay? I'm a freakin three time looser and I
finally got sick of it, okay? Happy?" 
        "You're not a looser, Ray." She protested. "You're a little
freakish, but not a looser." Ray laughed. Oh that was a good one, she was
calling him a freak, when she had the hots for the biggest freak going. 
        "I am a looser, Frannie." He sighed defeated. "I screwed up again
and blew my last chance with Stella. I thought..." He shook his head, then
regretted it as the room started to spin. "I don't know what I thought.
I'll never get her back." Francesca put an arm around his shoulders. 
        "Why would you want her back, Ray?" she asked quietly. "She treats
you like dirt and you follow her around like a lost puppy. Move on." 
        "I love her Frannie." He croaked, cursing himself that the tears
were starting again. "I..I need...I need to be with her." He choked back
the sob that rose in his throat. "She's part of me..part of my soul. I
can't live without her." He sniffed, uncaring now that the tears were
rolling freely down his pale cheeks. "I...we...when we made love I
thought...but she...and now I can't..." He broke, heart wrenching sobs
racking his body as Francesca pulled him into her embrace. She cursed
Stella Kowalski for hurting him, cursed Ray for having such a tender heart
and letting it get trampled on so often, and cursed herself for not being
able to stop him from crying. His arms were wrapped tightly around her,
and not for the first time, she wondered what it would be like to be
adored by someone who gave his heart as freely as Ray did. 
        She pulled away just enough to lean down and kiss his tears away.
His lashed fluttered upwards and stared at her, vulnerable and confused,
but there was something else there as well, something that Francesca
believed to be desire. Without pausing too consider her actions, she
leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, tasting the salt of his tears
mixed with a hint of the alcohol he had consumed earlier. He still tasted
wonderful as he responded to her kiss, his tongue slipping tentatively
across her lips, waiting for the invitation she readily gave him by
opening her mouth to his delightful invasion. She sighed against him, as
his hand came up too stroke her hair while the other moved on her back in
soft languid circles. Her hands snaked up under his T-shirt, spanning the
smooth muscled torso beneath as the hand on her back moved under her to
pull her almost into his lap. She straddled him and pressed against him as
his fingers glanced across her bottom, the started to unbutton her blouse.

        "It's okay." She murmured to herself, swallowing the doubts that
momentarily rose inside her. She felt him grow suddenly still, then he was
pushing her off of him and rolling off of the couch, a look of angry pain
flashed in his eyes. 
        "Not you!" he cried, stumbling backwards against the wall as she
stared at him confused. "I don't need that from you!" He felt the nausea
rise in his throat and rushed for the bathroom. Francesca adjusted her
blouse and scrambled off the couch after him, finding him in the bathroom
emptying the contents of his stomach. She retrieved a cool wash cloth and
had it ready for him, when he weakly pushed away from the toilet. She
wiped it over his flushed face, as he leaned against the wall. 
        "Better?" she asked gently and he nodded shakily. She rinsed the
cloth again, then knelt beside him once more. "What did I do?" He stared
at her, shaking his head helplessly, his throat dry and sore from his
vomiting. 
        "I..I'm sorry." He rasped. "N..Not you." She retrieved a Dixie cup
of water for him, and waited until he finished the drink before
continuing. 
        "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." She offered
gently. "I seem too have a habit of doing that with people, don't I?" He
shook his head, not wanting her to blame herself. He reached out and
grasped her hand. 
        "Not you.' He said again, a little firmer this time. "I..I didn't
want..." He could tell from the fallen expression on her face that she
thought he was saying he hadn't wanted her. "No, no." he began again.
"I..I wanted you, Francesca." He caressed her cheek and offered her a
small smile. "Who wouldn't want you?" She blushed prettily and lowered her
eyes shyly. He waited until she had the nerve to look up at him again
before he continued. "I didn't want...I couldn't handle it if you..felt
sorry for me." He finally said finally. He'd had enough pity for one week,
he thought bitterly. 
        "I would never..." she started to say shocked. 
        "No, I..I know that." He assured. "I'm..I'm not thinkin' straight.
My head's all messed up. I'm sorry." She nodded, though he wasn't sure if
she understood what he was trying to say or not. She helped him to his
feet, and together they returned to the sofa. She sat down in one corner
and pulled his head down onto her lap, smoothing his hair with gentle
fingers. 
        "I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better, Ray." She
admitted sincerely. "But, if you really wanted to, we can..I mean not
because I feel sorry for you, I..I want it too." He smiled up at her and
reached back to take her hand and kiss her palm affectionately. 
        "You're my sister, remember?' he teased and she sighed
dispiritedly. 
        "Yah, I know." She played with his hair thoughtfully. "Ya know,
sometimes I really hate my brother, my real brother that is, not you, I
mean Fraser won't come near me because he's afraid it would upset Ray and
you can't..well, y' know because yer supposed to be him." She sighed
again. "It's not fair." 
        "Yah." Agreed Ray with a wry grin. "Life sucks doesn't it?" She
giggled and nodded. He shook his head. "We're a hellava pair ain't we,
Frannie? I'm obsessed with my ex- wife, who won't give me the time a day
and yer in love with Fraser who's afraid to ask you what time it is!"
Francesca laughed and nodded, though they both held a resigned sadness in
their eyes. 
        "I guess we've both been hurt pretty bad." She admitted quietly.
"We never learn, just keep going back for more." Ray released a long
breath and sat up. 
        "You want me to take ya home?" Francesca shook her head and rose
from the sofa. 
        "Nah, I got my car, I'll be okay." She placed a tender hand on his
shoulder. "Will you be?" He  kissed the back of her hand and nodded. 
        "Yah." He promised. "Thanks fer bringin' me home, Frannie." She
nodded and moved toward the door. He waited until he heard the door close
behind her, then moved to the window to watch as she got safely into her
car and drove away. He turned away and walked over to his stereo, pulling
out a Meatloaf CD he placed it in the player and pressed play, then moved
back to the window. 
        The phone rang and Ray ignored it as he let the words of the song
flow over him. On the third ring, his machine picked up. 
        "Hi, your dime's worth my time so leave a message." He only half
heard his own voice, but the caller's voice caught his attention. 
        "Ray, its Stella. Are you there?" Ray rushed over to the phone,
almost tripping over his small coffee table as he went. "Okay, well,
listen. I'm sorry about earlier. Call me tomorrow and we can talk, okay?"
His hand froze over the receiver, as the words from the song penetrated
his brain. 
        I remember how she left me on a stormy night, 
        oh she kissed me and got out of our bed 
        And though I pleaded and begged her not to walk out that door 
        She packed her bags and turned right away 
        And she kept on telling me, she kept on tellin me, she kept on
tellin' me... 
        I want you I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love
you 
        Now don't be sad, 'cause two out of three ain't bad. 
Ray stared at the flashing red button that indicated his waiting message,
his second chance was a phone call away. 
        I want you I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love
you 
        Now don't be sad, 'cause two out of three ain't bad. 
With a shaky finger he pressed the erase button. Two out of three wasn't
so bad. Not to bad at all, he thought as the machine whirled the tape
backwards. The music picked up and the heavy strums of Paradise by the
Dashboard Light filtered through his speakers. He smiled and started to
dance.