Disclaimer: Characters are property of Alliance This story is an alternate ending to Something Must Break Means to an End by Winston Things had definitely changed. The Ray Kowalski who filled the desk for Detective Ray Vecchio now was not the same Ray Kowalski who filled the spot before the beating. Most of the people in the squadroom thought that in some ways he was better. He was much quieter, more polite, and still a good cop. They marked it all down to the trauma of the beating and the slow recovery that followed. What most failed to notice was that when Ray did talk to them it related only to the job or an occasional conversation about something as unimportant as the weather. Ray distanced himself from anything of a personal nature. He no longer took part in any of the horseplay or idle chatter that filled the room. He would sit at his desk, do his job and survey the room through eyes that reflected the emptiness that had begun to fill his soul. If a person couldn't trust a man like Benton Fraser, what was there left in this world to trust. Trust was something that had again, only recently, become a part of his existence. Constable Benton Fraser had almost saved Ray from himself. When he first took the assignment to impersonate the real Ray Vecchio, Ray had entered the scene with a psyche that had been battered by too many years on the streets. A mind and soul that had endured too much time undercover in a world that he really didn't want to understand, and the betrayal and rejection of all the people in his life for whom he cared. From their first meeting Fraser had started to fan the small flame that had refused to be extinguished. Ray Kowalski wanted to trust someone in this life and Benton Fraser seemed to be his one hope. Fraser never missed the chance to tell Ray when he had done a good job. He had often told Ray what a good police officer he was. He had told Ray that he was honored to have him as a partner and a friend. It wasn't easy and it took time and gentle coaxing, but Ray slowly began to believe that it was true. Ray Kowalski slowly dropped his carefully guarded defenses and allowed the Mountie into his life. The Mountie's purity and goodness began to pull the true Ray Kowalski out into the light. The two unlikely partners had become friends. But like every other relationship in Ray's life it was over now. Fraser had made it plain. Ray Kowalski didn't deserve the friendship of a man as good as Benton Fraser. The short time spent in that storehouse had changed everything. The slowly growing flame had been battered out. If you couldn't trust the Mountie, whom could you trust? Now when the stress of his life became almost more than he could bear the only person to whom he could turn was Ray Kowalski; a person in which he had very little confidence. A person that he was sure deserved to be alone. There was now no one to trust at all. In outward appearances the partnership continued on much as it had before. Mr. Logic and Mr. Instinct still worked cases together. Ray still ran the Mountie around town any time he needed a ride. They continued to protect the cover of the absent Ray Vecchio. That was Kowalski's job. But the partnership had changed. There were no more after work dinners together. No more delivered in pizzas at the Detective's apartment. Very little unnecessary small talk, and even fewer laughs. The time that Ray had spent in the hospital had been torture on both of them. Fraser was forced to watch not only the physical suffering of his friend but his emotional battles as well. Fraser came to the hospital every day, but no words were ever spoken. The misery that he had seen reflected in Ray's eyes in the storehouse had remained for days after. But each day Fraser noticed the change until soon all that could be read in those once intense blue eyes was a cool detached emptiness. Fraser wanted so badly to be able to explain his seemingly inhuman actions towards his friend, but his own guilt and self-loathing had rendered him so tongue-tied that it was something of which he was totally incapable. His heart ached for Ray Kowalski, and the fact that he didn't have the courage to face his own betrayal only added more to his guilt. The silence was finally broken the day of Ray's release. Although Ray wasn't too keen on going to the Vecchio's, it was the only option that got him out of the hospital short of total good health. The Doctors refused to release him until they were assured that there would be someone to help him through the final stages of his recovery. Ma Vecchio had always made Ray feel at home in her families presence and wouldn't hear of him spending a day longer in that 'awful' hospital then need be. Fraser had insisted on driving the Detective to the Vecchio home. When they arrived Ray hesitated, and turning towards the Mountie spoke to him for the first time since he arrived at the hospital. "Benton buddy. There's somethin' I got ta say before we go inside." Fraser was surprised at the warmth in the voice of his battered friend. But he also noticed that the warmth didn't reach into those blue eyes. "We both got a job to do here. We still got to protect Vecchio." Ray lowered his eyes as he quickly continued. "Once I get back to work its got to be the same as it was....It ain't goin' to be easy for either of us....But that's the bottom line. I ain't blamin' you for what happened, so don't be blamin' yourself. Okay? You were just bein' you... ya know, and doin' what you thought was right and if I let myself get caught up inta believin'somethin' I shouldnta that's on my head not yours." Ray quickly raised his hand to silence Fraser's attempted protest and continued. "You made it plain where I stand with ya Fraser, and that's okay, 'cause we can still work together, and be friendly and all...and that'll get us through this thing 'till Vecchio gets back....and that's all I got ta say about any of it...Ya know what I mean?...I just don't want ta have ta talk about any of it again." Fraser sat in stunned silence as Ray stiffly got himself out of the car and slowly walked towards the house. For a moment he was overcome with the relief that Ray seemed not to hate him, as Fraser was sure that he did. Ray's words had even held a touch of lingering affection. Maybe there was a chance to regain the lost friendship, a loss that had torn a hole in the soul of the Mountie. Ray Kowalski had become a very important part of his life. Although there were distinct differences he was as good a friend as was Ray Vecchio. He loved both Ray's as brothers. Ray Vecchio was like a big brother. Fraser had needed him to survive in the unknown world of Chicago. Ray Kowalski was like a little brother, who had needed Fraser to survive in the unknown world of Ray Vecchio. After the beating and the betrayal Fraser had been sure that he had lost Kowalski's friendship forever. But wasn't that what he deserved? He had betrayed his friend. The knot of guilt that had been twisting in the pit of his stomach for the last several weeks suddenly tightened another notch. If Ray didn't hate him or hold him responsible for his terrible injuries, just how was he coping with the pain that Fraser had seen so plainly reflected in the younger mans eyes as he lay suffering in that hospital bed? Even before the question was fully formed in his mind Fraser knew the answer, and its realization brought the bile into the back of his throat. Ray had turned it in upon himself. Fraser had worked hard to earn the trust of the emotionally battered Detective who had stepped into the life of his friend. It hadn't been easy. Ray Kowalski had very nearly given up on his fellow man, but the Mountie had finally won him over. Benton realized the important place that Ray had given their friendship in his life. He knew now that it was that importance, and Ray's lack of self esteem that allowed him the ability to forgive Fraser and place the responsibility for his suffering on his own perceived unworthiness. Fraser's self-loathing was cranked up to a new level. He had hurt his partner twice. He had betrayed him in the warehouse, and his inability to explain it had left Ray free to reach his own conclusion on the meaning of the betrayal. Ray was so very wrong. Fraser could never have chosen one Ray over the other. He loved them both. He had to try and explain that to Kowalski. He had to try and make him understand. There were so very few people in this world that he had ever loved, and now he had lost them all. Fraser made several attempts to talk to Ray about what had happened in the warehouse, but Ray wouldn't allow it. Every time Fraser attempted to bring the subject up Ray would fix those empty cold eyes on him and remind him that he didn't want to talk about it. In Benton's final attempt he tried to re-ignite the once volatile Detective by pushing him to the point of anger. It failed miserably. The harder Fraser pushed the more Ray withdrew. The cool emptiness of those blue eyes sent a chill deep into the Mountie. It was on that day that Fraser resigned himself to the fact that he had helped to destroy the man that he had known as his friend. It was a realization that began to drive the Mountie into his own world of guilt-ridden emptiness. Time passed. The imitation partnership went on almost as before. At last into this uneasy situation stepped the one person who could save the friendship and the two tortured people it involved. Ray Vecchio's undercover assignment had ended two weeks before, but due to debriefings and verifying his safety, the return to Chicago had been delayed. He got into town just before midnight. When his first stop at Fraser's old apartment had revealed only a burned out shell, and he had found no lights on at the Consulate he had headed on home. He quietly slipped in and woke up his Ma. It took some coaxing, but Ray convinced her to put off waking the rest of the family until they had a chance to set and talk. Ray was eager to get caught up on what he had missed, how his replacement had been towards his family and his job, and how Fraser had been coping with his absence. When Ma Vecchio got to the part about his replacement Ray had to fight back a bad case of resentment. It seemed that this guy had stepped into his life with ease. Ma Vecchio fairly glowed when she talked about the sweet young man who had become like a son to her. She spoke of how he made himself available to her for many things. Not just because it was his job, but because he had adopted the Vecchio family as his own. He had even helped to resolve the issue with the zoning board over Tony's miss- placed back fence. And there were the times that he would run Ma over to see her sister on Sundays, taking the kids to the park so that the two old women could talk in relative peace. Ray Vecchio was having a rough enough time fighting back the jealousy he felt towards this man that he had yet to meet, but when Ma got around to Fraser and this new guys friendship with 'his' Mountie it finally got the best of him. "Well geeze Ma." Ray stood suddenly as he spoke. "Why don't we just put this guy up for Sainthood or somethin'....He better get it through his head that I'm here now, and I want my life back!...Geeze!" Ma smiled to herself. She knew her son so well. The stage had been set. It was time to get down to the important part. The part that had kept her on her knees before God for so long now. She knew her prayers had been answered in the form of her own son. She had spent plenty of time on her knees for him as well. God had granted both wishes with one answer. God had safely returned her one trueborn son, and now he would be the one to help her other adopted sons. All of them would soon be home and whole again. "Caro. Come sit. We must talk." Ma Vecchio motioned Ray back to his chair and waited for him to set down before she continued. "Raimundo. Caro. There is something wrong that I believe you are the only one who can fix." For the next hour Ma Vecchio talked to her son about the awful beating that Ray Kowalski had endured. She told him of the terrible headaches that still plagued him. She had noticed the pain that he tried so hard to keep from showing, as had Fraser and Welsh. And that only because they were the only ones with which he had any extended contact anymore. She spoke of the emotional damage as well. Although Ray had never talked about it with her, she had seen the changes in the young man that she now loved as another son. It was breaking her heart, but she didn't know what to do. She spoke of the changes in Fraser as well. She knew that the two things were related and it was because of something that had happened in the storehouse, but other than that she was at a loss. When she had tried to talk to Fraser his response was that she would have to talk to Ray, but Ray wasn't talking. "Raimundo. I know that it is not easy for you to do this thing. I know that you resent Raymond for the way he was able to work his way into your life, but you must realize that it wasn't easy for him either. He was undercover as you were. You had no one. He had no one. I couldn't be there for you, but I could be here for him. His job was to protect my son. He did his job well, and in my own way I helped. Now I need my son to help him in return." Ma Vecchio gently slipped her hand over Ray's and gave it a squeeze. "And Benton, Caro. He needs you too. This thing is tearing him apart. It is tearing them both apart. Not just from each other but from everyone else too. They are dying inside. I had three sons who were lost to me. Now my eldest has returned to me safe. I want all my sons home safe Raimundo. Will you help me with this, Caro?" How could he not? Ray Vecchio entered the bullpen of the 27th early. He had wanted nothing more than to be able to slip back into the old routine as quietly as possible. He figured his best chance was to get in early and greet his friends as they trickled in to begin their day, rather than come in late and be mobbed by well wishers. A lump rose in his throat as he reentered the place that had been such a big part of his life. It was good to be home. Ray shot a quick look back towards his old desk. He was surprised to see someone already at work. Heck. Welsh wasn't even in yet. He carefully made his way towards the lone figure. The guy obviously worked at his desk. Could this be his replacement? The man stood at the side of the desk his back to the room studying a computer readout. As Ray approached he cleared his throat to alert the stranger of his presence. As soon as the blonde headed Detective turned to face him Ray knew that this had to be the young man to whom his mother had become so attached. It was written all over his face. Ray quickly studied the man before him. The scars from the beating were still evident on the tightly drawn flesh of the angular face. Although the doctors had done an admiral job on the many stitches that were required to repair the damage caused by the brass knuckles it was obvious that though some would fade with time there were many that would remain as a permanent reminder of the injuries. Ray had to fight back the urge to flinch at the implications of such scarring. They had really worked this guy over. As Ray approached, Kowalski laid the read-out aside and stuck out his hand. "Ray Vecchio!...Uh..Didn't know you were back....I am...was your replacement....Ray Kowalski." Ray took the extended hand and smiled. "Kind of thought so....My desk ya know." "Ya well...Its yours if ya want it." Kowalski smiled slightly as he spoke but his voice betrayed no emotion at all. The overriding image from Ray's quick study of his replacement was that this guy was nearly fried. His clothes hung loosely on a painfully gaunt frame, and his face had the drawn, haggard look of a man who hadn't seen a good nights sleep in much too long. That probably explained his early presence on the job. No one else was even here yet, and this guy looked like he had been up for awhile. The overriding feature though was the eyes. They had a guarded coolness that refused to reflect any of the curiosity or emotion that should have been expected from someone put in this position. It was almost chilling. It was a look that Ray Vecchio had come to expect from the hardened men he had been dealing with in the mob, but not from this Chicago cop that his own mother had described as 'such a sweet young man'. Ma was right this kid was in trouble. "Hell Kowalski don't worry about the desk. I ain't even sure yet how this thing is going to shake out. They keep talkin' about a promotion...but I need a little time to get myself back...hell...you know what that's like." Ray dropped his gaze to the floor and cleared his throat as he continued. "Right now I just want to thank ya...you know...for takin' care of the family and all." Ray returned his eyes to the face of his replacement. "I talked to Ma last night. She filled me in on what all ya did for her and stuff...and I just want to let you know how grateful I am." For the first time Ray saw just the slightest flash of warmth in those empty blue eyes. "You got a great family Vecchio. That part was easy. No need to thank me." "Ya well. I just want ta let ya know that just because I'm back doesn't mean ya can't come around....Ma really thinks the world of ya and...well you know Ma....She'll have both our heads if you don't come around some." "Well I appreciate that, but it's like ya said...don't know how this thing is going to shake out yet." Before the two men could talk any further Welsh's voice boomed through the room. "Vecchio" The rest of the morning was spent with a lot of glad handing and back slapping as everyone was eager to welcome home there long absent comrade. It took half of the day for the squadroom to settle down. Welsh and Vecchio had now been shut up in the office for over an hour. Ray Kowalski had been able to successfully fade himself into the background, busily applying himself to the job at hand. He had watched all the excitement as if an unaffected bystander. He was deep into his job when Fraser finally made his entrance. He didn't even realize that the Mountie had arrived until Fraser cleared his throat to gain his attention. "Uh...Hey Fraser...Good ta see ya." Ray Kowalski's eyes met only briefly with those of the Mountie before dropping quickly back to his desk. Fraser had long since resigned himself to the cool uneasiness that had defined their relationship lately. "Good afternoon Ray." Fraser shifted nervously. The first few minutes were always the most awkward. "Anybody told ya the good news yet Fraser?" Ray made no attempt at further eye contact. "No Ray. I have yet to speak to anyone." The Mountie absently played with the brim of his Stetson. "Good...That's good...." Ray quickly got to his feet with a certain forced show of excitement. "I'm glad I'm the one that gets ta tell ya..but ya got a big surprise comin' today. Vecchio's back. He's in the office with Welsh right now." Fraser couldn't hide the quick show of emotion that flashed across his face. His own sense of guilt made him instantly regret it. Ray showed no signs of even noticing it although Fraser was sure that he had. "Ya better get in there ole buddy...Vecchio's been asking about you ya know." As Ray spoke he gentle shoved Fraser towards the office door a small wistful smile playing on his lips. He stopped a few feet shy of the door and allowed the Mountie to continue on alone. Fraser had his hand on the doorknob before he realized that Ray was not following him. He paused and looked back towards the thin blonde Detective. "Ray?" "You go on Fraser...You were right ya know....He seems like an alright guy....a good partner." All the weeks of practice could not keep the touch of sadness out of Kowalski's voice. But he betrayed nothing with his eyes. Before Fraser could say anything, Ray turned his back, and returned to his desk. It was like a knife in the gut for the Mountie. Those were words that he had always hoped to hear when the two Ray's met, but in the context of the events of the past months they were salt in his already open wounds. The next several days drifted into a loose but predictable pattern. Most of the morning Ray Kowalski and Ray Vecchio would review and compare notes on past and present cases. Fraser would show up around noon and Ray Kowalski would quietly slip into the background. He would suddenly get himself involved in something that would keep him busy at his desk or he would slip out of the squadroom to track down something that he felt was too mundane to bother his other 'partners' with. At the end of the shift he would beg off of any invitation to accompany Fraser and Vecchio to supper with the need to 'finish up this report' or he would just disappear. Both Vecchio and Fraser were keenly aware of what he was doing, but both were at a loss as to how to handle it. It was easy for Ray Vecchio to read the pain that this was causing his friend, but when he asked Fraser about it, his only response was that Kowalski was justified in shunning the Mountie's company. When Ray would ask Fraser to explain the Mountie would smile sadly and promise that someday he would, but for right now he just didn't want to talk about it. Vecchio was totally confused. Ray Kowalski never showed any dislike or anger towards Fraser. In fact he was always polite if maybe just a little shy. But Ray had never seen any indication from Kowalski as to what his true feelings were about anything. The cool detached expression in those blue eyes hadn't changed since the first day that they had met. That in itself had begun to tell a story. Vecchio had made many attempts to draw the younger man out into any kind of a personal conversation. Each attempt had failed miserably. The quiet Detective had become a master at hiding himself behind the shield of those empty eyes. Ray Vecchio had promised his mother that he would help this 'son' of hers, but at this point he was at a loss. Nearly a week had passed before fate stepped in and gave him an avenue towards his goal. It was early on Thursday morning. Welsh and Ray Vecchio were setting in the Lt.'s office reviewing a new case of computer theft from the docks. Welsh glanced out the side window of his office towards Kowalski's desk. The thin Detective was setting sideways at his workstation. He was bent over at the waist. One arm was draped on the desk. His other arm was tucked tightly against his side the palm of his hand pressed firmly against his temple. His eyes were screwed tightly shut in an obvious show of pain. If anyone from the squadroom had looked his way it would have appeared as if the Detective was looking for something in his desk drawers, but from Welsh's office the truth of the situation was easily seen. "Shit!" Welsh rose quickly to his feet and headed out the door. "You stay right here Detective, I might need you." Vecchio followed The Lt.'s gaze and sucked in a sharp breath. His Ma had told him about Kowalski's headaches, but this was the first indication he had of how bad they could get. His first instinct was to follow Welsh, but he decided to give the two men their space and just stay available to help if need be. Welsh hustled out of his office and was soon at Kowalski's desk. Welsh put his body between the Detective and the rest of the room, shielding the smaller man from any prying eyes that might turn their way. Vecchio watched as the older man gently laid his arm across the slim shoulders of his detective and spoke quietly with him for a moment. Kowalski straightened slightly and after what appeared to be a slight hesitation slowly nodded his head in agreement. The younger man's face was incredibly pale and even more drawn than normal. He shot a quick glance towards Vecchio and then returned his eyes to those of his boss. Welsh affectionately rubbed Kowalski's shoulder as he continued to talk. Kowalski straightened further shot his boss a sad lopsided smile and again nodded his head in agreement. As Welsh turned and headed back towards the office Kowalski quickly pressed both palms to his temples and releasing a rather shaky sigh settled back into his chair. He made no attempt to get to his feet. Welsh walked quickly back into the office. "Shit...Shit...Shit...That kid don't deserve any of this...Shit" Vecchio was just a little surprised at the emotion showed by the big man. It was obvious that he was very fond of Kowalski. "Would you do me a favor Vecchio? Would you run Ray back home...He ain't feelin' too good." As he spoke Welsh ran one of his big hands over his craggy face. Vecchio was again amazed at the emotions that the Lt. was displaying. It seemed that everyone who had gotten to know his replacement was pretty fond of him. "What gives Lt.? Ma told me about his headaches....Is it from the beatin' he took?" Vecchio shot a quick glance towards Kowalski and noticed that except for having screwed his eyes shut again he hadn't moved. "Ya well, its got ta be...he never had 'em before...but who knows." The frustration on Welsh's face was plain to read. "He don't talk about 'em...hell he don't talk about anything anymore. I set in here everyday and I watch him and it makes me sick. He ain't eaten right, he ain't getting' any sleep, he's wastin' away right in front of my eyes, but I can't get him to talk about it...or anything else. All I know for sure is that every once in a while he gets these really bad headaches. He's got this high-powered pain medication, but he don't want ta get hooked on it so he leaves it at home figuring that if they get so bad that he has to go home then he'll take it." Welsh walked over behind his desk and absently picked up a stack of reports and began to straighten them. "The bad part is...this is just a 'bad' one. I think he has a headache nearly all the time. Hell he eats aspirin like candy. That can't be doin' his stomach any good...and he sure don't need stomach trouble on top of everything else....I just wish....Ah hell." "Wish what Lt.?" Vecchio moved closer to the desk as he spoke. "Talk to me Sir. Ma wants me to help this guy, but I don't know what's goin' on. I don't know what he was like before, but from what everyone has told me he ain't the same guy anymore and it's hurtin' people....My Ma....Fraser...and you too by the looks of it. Just what did happen in that storehouse?" "Who knows...Kowalski and Fraser won't talk about it and they are the only ones who really know....Oh I got facts, but I don't think the facts are the problem...It was somethin' personal." Welsh glanced out the side window and continued. "They wanted information out of Fraser and beat the shit out of Ray to try and make the Mountie spill. The Mountie wouldn't talk, and Kowalski was nearly dead before the troops broke it up. But trust me Vecchio that ain't the problem. Ray Kowalski is one tuff little son-of-a-bitch and he would have taken it to the death with a smile on his face, but somethin' else went down and I don't have any idea what. All I know is that it's killin' him and Fraser both. Hell Fraser is your friend maybe you can get something out of him. I know I've tried to get both of 'em to spill and they won't talk to me." "I've tried. Fraser won't talk to me about it either." Ray slowly rubbed his hand through his thinning hair. A quick look towards Kowalski's desk showed that the struggling detective had again doubled over at the waist holding his palm tightly against his temple. "Shit....I better get him out of here. Don't worry Lt. We'll get to the bottom of this mess...this is ridicules...If they didn't still care about each other it wouldn't be botherin' 'em like this....Right?" Without waiting for a reply Vecchio turned and left the office. Vecchio cautiously approached his old desk. Taking his cue from having watched Welsh earlier he positioned himself between the blonde Detective and the rest of the room and gently laid his arm across the now trembling shoulders of his replacement. "Come on Ray. Let me get you out of here." Kowalski looked up into the face of the other man and after a few quick blinks to clear his tear dimmed vision slowly nodded his agreement. Vecchio was shocked at the other man's appearance. His face appeared even more pale than before and he had the distinct look of someone who was trying very hard to keep from throwing up. Vecchio quickly pulled the small garbage bag out of the wastebasket under the desk and never releasing his steadying hold on the younger man's elbow quickly ushered him out the seldom used exit door behind them. It was a long drive to Ray's apartment. Vecchio kept stealing sideways glances at the other man and was relieved when Ray finally relaxed enough to lay his head back against the seat. Kowalski's eyes were still shut tightly against the pain that hammered against his skull, and he was white-knuckling the garbage bag that Vecchio had offered him, but at least he had relaxed some. "Bad one..huh?" Kowalski's only response was a very slight nod of his head. "Ma told me about your headaches. You've had 'em checked out I hope...Ma would kill me if I let anything happen to you ya know." Kowalski smiled weakly and again gave a slight nod of affirmation. "Well?...Don't leave me hangin' here Ray. She's your Ma too ya know and she is goin' to grill the snot outa me for information." Vecchio hoped that the last several days of close association would allow the younger man enough comfort with him to open up, if even just a little Kowalski slowly opened his eyes and rolled his head towards Vecchio enough to give him a measuring look. This whole episode was embarrassing enough without it being right in front of this guy, but he was being awfully understanding about it. Ray Kowalski felt that he owed him at least a little something for that. "I...uh... had my jaw broke up pretty bad...and well...It didn't heal up quite right." For an instant Vecchio was afraid that was all he was going to get out of him. He was relieved when the skinny blonde continued. "Its...uh...been puttin' pressure on a nerve or somethin'...but its ok...I got some stuff at home that eases it up some." "Well somethin' for the pain is one thing....but what are they doin' about what's causin' the pain?" Vecchio knew he was pressing his luck but he had at least gotten something out of the stoic Detective. Kowalski laid his head back against the seat and again closed his eyes. "They're lookin' into it." Vecchio knew instantly that that was as much as he was going to get right now...but at least it was something. The two men nearly made it to the apartment without further talk, but on the landing on the way to Ray's second floor apartment Kowalski called a sudden halt. "Ah Shit...I got ta shut my eyes a minute." Vecchio waited as Kowalski screwed his eyes tightly shut and bent over slightly at the waist. The Detective was visibly shaking and trying mightily to calm his agitated stomach by taking and releasing deep careful breaths. Vecchio knew what that was like. He had enough raps on the head to know that a bad headache could upset your stomach as well. Ray waited until Kowalski relaxed a little and then gently took him by the elbow. "Better?" Vecchio bent over slightly to make eye contact, but Kowalski never opened his eyes. "Ok..Ok..Just keep your eyes shut. I'll get ya up the stairs ok." Vecchio placed Kowalski's hand on the banister and gently wrapping an arm around his incredibly thin waist practically carried the shaking man to his door. Kowalski leaned heavily against the door jam as he dug the keys out of his coat pocket and handed them over. Vecchio quickly got the apartment door open and hustled the sagging Detective in. "Ok Ray. Where the hell is that medicine?" Kowalski motioned weakly towards the kitchen counter, his eyes still tightly shut. "Its that prescription bottle....Geeze. I'm sorry about this Vecchio....I really suck." "Na..You just shut up...don't worry about it." As he spoke Ray carefully sat Kowalski on his living room couch and hustled back to the kitchen. "Ok, Ray. Take these." Kowalski looked at the offered pills and hesitated. "Uh..I usually only take one." Vecchio shook his head sharply. "The bottle says one or two and you are definitely takin' two." He quickly understood his hesitation. "Don't worry about it Ray. Take 'em. You're at home now and takin' two of 'em once in awhile ain't goin' ta get ya hooked. And you might as well know right now I ain't goin' nowhere until I'm sure you're Ok. Capice...Now take 'em before I call Ma." Kowalski gave a resigned smile and took the offered medication. In less than a half-hour Ray Kowalski was sound asleep. Vecchio had helped him out of his shoulder holster and shoes and had settled him over onto the couch. Ray was making his way to the kitchen when he caught the phone in the middle of its first ring. He shot a quick look towards the couch. Kowalski hadn't made a move. "Ya. Ray Vecchio here." The Detective listened intently to the voice on the other end of the line. "Mr. Vecchio this is Central Hospital. I was just calling to confirm your check in time of tomorrow at noon. Your surgery is scheduled for Saturday morning at 8:00 and barring any unforeseen complications you should be going home Sunday afternoon." Ray Vecchio's jaw dropped in utter surprise. "What?...What in the hell are you talking about?" "Well excuse me sir, but this is Raymond Vecchio isn't it?" Suddenly the lights came on for the startled Detective. "No..Well ya..But..Shit." After a short pause to gather his senses Ray continued. "I'm sorry Miss. I think I understand the confusion. My name is Raimundo Vecchio. I think you want to talk to my little brother Raymond...I know...I know Ma and Pop didn't have much imagination...but that's the way it goes. What is this about surgery? That little shit hasn't said anything about it... Ma's goin' ta skin him alive." "Well I'm sorry for the confusion sir, but I'm not sure if I shouldn't be speaking to Mr.Vecci... Ah...Raymond about this." The lady on the other end of the line was beginning to sound concerned. "No, no Miss. It's ok really. Raymond's here. I just brought him home with a hell-of-a headache and he's asleep on the couch. I really don't want to wake him up if we don't have to. It's his jaw. Right? They're goin' to fix his jaw?" Ray was suddenly interested in getting all the information he could. "Well yes sir it is surgery on his jaw, but I'm afraid I can't give out any more information then that without authorization. Would you please give your brother my message, thank-you. Good-bye." The wheels in Ray Vecchio's brain were spinning a mile a minute. He had to give Kowalski credit. He was one tight lipped son-of-a-gun. He was aware that he had requested Friday and Monday off, but had just assumed he had wanted a much-needed long weekend. Now it appeared that he had planned on having surgery over the weekend and attempt to return to work on Tuesday. With what he had seen today Vecchio had serious doubts that in his already weakened physical state Kowalski could pull it off, but he had to give the guy credit for thinking he could. Welsh had said he was tough. Vecchio's resolve took a substantial leap forward. This crap had gone on long enough. This guy was worth saving, and God knew Benton Fraser was as well. He had seen the sad shape that Fraser was in. His uniform hung on him like a rag, and the worry-lines on his face were a painful thing for Ray to see. It was obvious that whatever had happened was going to have to be dragged out into the open and cleared up. It wasn't going to be easy, but if something wasn't done soon he was liable to lose not only his best friend but his newly found baby brother as well. That thought brought a smile to Ray's face. Geeze his Ma was getting' to him big time. Ray Vecchio made a quick phone call and then sat down to wait. Within the hour there was a gentle knock on the door. Ray opened the door quickly and allowed his Ma entrance. "Where is Raymond? You said he wasn't well Caro. Where is he?" The stress in her voice was obvious. As Ray led his mother to the living room he explained to her everything that had happened and what he had learned about Kowalski's condition and upcoming surgery. His Ma mumbled and clucked to herself quietly as she loving stroked the face of the sleeping man before her. She gently traced the line of one of the heavier scars above Kowalski's right eye. "Come Raimundo we must get him to his bed." As she spoke she carefully pulled the blanket off the sleeping form and began to softly rub Kowalski's chest. Ray shook his head. "Aah Ma. He's ok there. Just let him sleep." Even as he spoke the words he positioned himself to help get the smaller man up and into the bedroom. He knew it was useless to argue when his mother got into her mother hen mode. "Raymond. Wake up Caro. You need to go to bed." Ma Vecchio continued to rub his chest and with her other hand gently pat his cheek. Kowalski slowly opened his red rimmed eyes and looked into the face of the old woman. He smiled sleepily and softly spoke. "Ma?" "Si, Caro. It's your Ma. Wake up baby. You need to be in your bed." As she spoke, Ma Vecchio helped her youngest 'son' to set up. Vecchio was amazed at the difference. Those empty blue eyes were suddenly warm with loving affection for 'his' Ma. The small engaging smile that lit the haggard face was the first genuine smile that he had seen from Kowalski in the many days that they had been working together. "Come on Ray. Let me give ya a hand." As soon as Vecchio spoke he could see the change. The coolness came back into the eyes, and the smile nearly vanished. It was almost spooky. They soon had Kowalski setting on the edge of his bed. Ma gently pulled his shirt up over his head. She spoke quietly in a soothing mix of English and Italian. Ray Vecchio had to fight down the urge to flinch at the sight. The best comparison he could come up with was refugee. This guy looked like he had escaped from a concentration camp. The flesh was pulled tightly across his bony rib cage. The pale flesh was peppered with several welt scars from the brass knuckles that had nearly taken his life. Ma shot her son a meaningful glance and shook her head sadly. Ma quickly had Kowalski settled in his bed and sat stroking his cheek as she continued her soothing monologue. Vecchio watched for only a short time and then returned to the kitchen. The scars told a pretty horrific story. This guy had been through one hell-of-a-beating. If that were added to whatever had happened between him and Benny it was no wonder this guy had changed. Ray just hoped they would be able to bring him back. In less then ten minutes Ma came flying out of the bedroom muttering in Italian, totally oblivious to Ray's presence. She made a quick survey of Raymond's kitchen. She checked most of the cupboards, gave a quick look into the refrigerator, and finished her search by studying the few pill bottles that were lined up on the counter. By the end of her survey she was shaking her head with a mixture of anger and concern. "Ah my poor baby. I should have known. I should have known." Ray was surprised to see the beginning of tears in his mother's eyes. "Ma?...Ma, what's the matter?" "Oh Caro....I should have taken better care of him." Ma Vecchio sat heavily in one of the kitchen chairs and turned her troubled eyes toward her son. "Look around you Raimundo. Bananas, soup, in the refrigerator only juice, V-8, nutritional drinks, milk...and this Caro...This." As she spoke Ma Vecchio hauled herself out of her chair and picked up one of the pill bottles from the counter. "Diet pills...Oh my poor foolish baby." "Diet pills?.....Ma what in the hell is that scarecrow doin' with diet pills?" Ray stepped up beside his Ma and took the offered bottle from her now nearly trembling hand. "His jaw. Caro. I should have known. He couldn't eat anything solid because of his jaw. Even when he left the house to return here he couldn't eat. I just assumed that it had gotten better with time. Oh Caro. I should have known. To watch him try to eat even soft food was painful. It was like he was chewing a mouth full of glass." Ma Vecchio shook her head sadly and looked into the face of her son. "That don't explain the diet pills, Ma." Ray laid a gentling hand on his mother's now trembling arm. "Oh if you would have known Raymond before. The boy ate all the time. Always so skinny, but always hungry and always eating...like a crazy teenager. I loved it when he came to the house. I love to put food before someone that hungry." The smile that had begun to brighten the old woman's face quickly faded. "Raymond probably used these to curb his hunger. But foolish boy...oh my foolish baby. Francesca uses these. They are all organic, and they curb hunger, but they also speed up your metabolism. What he was eating was just getting burned up quicker. Oh my poor baby." "This guy kind of got to ya, didn't he Ma?" Ray gently guided his mother back towards the kitchen chair. A small smile slowly spread across the old woman's face. "If you could have met him before all this. He was such a good boy. Never still, always going, or doing. Such a beautiful smile and when he laughed you just had to laugh with him. Always trying to be so tough, but underneath, a gentle little boy that would do anything to keep from hurting anyone. A little afraid of what life would do to him, but always brave enough to keep going. And those eyes, those beautiful blue eyes. So much life in them. You could see all of his heart in those eyes, and now they are so cold sometimes that it scares me." Ma Vecchio carefully wiped a small tear from her eye. "He was so quiet at first. So unsure of himself, but Benito was helping that to change. Benito was so good for him. Always telling him he was worth something, helping him to believe in himself. They were so good together. Raymond had a way of picking on Benito that would almost drive him crazy before he would catch on. Raymond would have him defining simple words or giving long explanations of the dumbest things. He would get him started and then just slip away and leave Benito talking to himself." Ray Vecchio had to smile. He knew how aggravating Benny's long windedness could be. Ray watched as the smile slowly left his mother's face and a lone tear slid down her weathered face "Oh Raimundo. They have both changed so much. It breaks my heart." "Don't worry Ma. This thing comes to a head today. This whole thing is ridiculous. We're going to get those two together and get to the bottom of this. I don't know if it's the right time, but I wanna get it done before Ray goes inta the hospital. He ain't goin' through this surgery alone and I don't care if it makes him mad or not." Ray picked up his coat as he spoke. "You stay here and take care of Ray. I'm goin' to talk to Welsh, and then I'm goin' after Benny. Even if I got to hit him in the head and drag him here. These two guys are goin' ta talk to each other even if it kills 'em." Ray Vecchio spent the next hour in Welsh's office. He filled The Lt. in on all he knew about Ray's jaw and the upcoming surgery. He described Kowalski's poor physical shape, and even told Welsh that he should give him the whole week off instead of just Monday. He had just completed filling Welsh in on what he had planned for Kowalski and Fraser when the Mountie finally made his appearance. "Hey Benny. I'm glad you're here ole buddy." Vecchio jumped to his feet and with a quick wink towards his boss hustled the Mountie out the door. Once they were in the privacy of Ray's car he turned and faced his friend. "Okay Benny. This is it. No more bullshit. I want you to talk to me about what happened between you and Kowalski and I want you to do it now." Fraser shot an almost angry look at Ray and then dropped his gaze to his lap. "I told you Ray. I really don't want to talk about this. It is something that concerns Ray Kowalski and myself and is therefore I believe our business." The words were spoken quietly, but Ray could hear the edge in his friend's voice. "Your business my ass." Ray not too gently took hold of Fraser's arm and gave it a small shake. "You got a lot of nerve Benny. This involves more people then just you and Kowalski. I just spent an hour with Welsh....He's tore up over what's been goin' on. Everyday he has had to watch Ray waste away, right in front of his eyes.....And Ma?...Geeze Benny...I spent most of the mornin' with her cryin' around taken care of that skinny shit..." Fraser shot Ray a startled concerned look, but with a raised hand to silence the Mountie, Ray continued. "....Ya. That's right Benny. I had ta take him home today. His head hurt so bad he couldn't keep his eyes open....Ma's with him now." The edge left his voice as Ray continued. "And what about me Benny. When I came home I wanted to be able to get back together with my friend. But you ain't been here Benny. You been off some place inside your own head and you won't let me in. I don't know what happened, but it's hurtin' a lot of people, not just you and Ray." Fraser sat quietly for some time. When he finally raised his gaze Ray was surprised to see the tears that had welled up in his eyes. "Is Ray alright?" The words were spoken so softly that Ray had to strain to hear. "No Benny. No he's not. He can't eat 'cause of his jaw, he ain't nothin' but a rack a bones, and he goes in for surgery tomorrow." Fraser dropped his chin to his chest and sighed deeply. "I didn't know...I mean I knew there was something wrong....but..I...I didn't know." Ray moved his hand from Fraser's arm up to his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "It's okay Benny. Until today nobody knew. The guy's shutin' himself off Benny. I didn't know him before, but from what Ma and Welsh have told me, and judgin' from how important he was to you the guy's worth savin'." Fraser looked up quickly. "He is still very important to me Ray. I have only had two truly good friends in my life. And they are you and Ray. He is very different from you, and I must say that he took some getting used too, but he is my friend.....I love you both Ray....And you know how hard that is for me to say." Ray couldn't stop the warm smile that Fraser's admission brought to his face. "I know Benny. I know." Ray brought just the slightest edge back to his voice as he continued. "Well that damn near makes it unanimous then. You love the guy. Ma loves the guy. Hell. I think Welsh even loves the guy. I don't know him, but I know you guys and if you all say he's lovable...he's lovable....Geeze! Listen ta me." Fraser turned a sad smile towards his friend, but said nothing. "The thing is Benny whatever happened between the two a you is killin' ya both. I don't want to hurt your feelins' Fraser, but you've been in a better position to get this thing handled then Kowalski. Now I ain't sayin' its your fault, and I ain't sayin' its his...all I'm sayin' is that you've been in a better position to do somethin' about it." Vecchio paused as he remembered the scars, and the skinny frame of the other Ray. "Ray went through one hell-of-a beatin' and since then he's been dealin' with the headaches, and his jaw, and all the other mental stuff that goes along with about gettin' killed. We've both been there Benny we know what it's like. Now I know whatever happened has been hard on you too. I mean all ya got ta do is look at ya and ya can tell that. But ya gotta admit you haven't had the shit ta deal with that Ray has." Fraser nodded slowly and whipped a tear from the corner of his eye. Ray had to swallow hard before he could go on. "Now from everything I've been able to find out about you two, you were kind of the leader in the partnership. Ray kinda depended on you ta take the lead...Am I right?" Fraser again gave a sad nod. "Okay then Benny. I know this kind of personal stuff ain't easy for ya. But ya got ta step up and take the lead, cause I don't think Ray can. And believe me Benny he needs ya now more than ever, and I think we need ta do it before he goes under the knife, cause you just never know what can happen....Ya know what I mean?" Fraser sat in silence for a moment. Ray knew to give him some time. "You're right Ray. But I have tried to talk to him and he just won't. What I did hurt him terribly, and he is just so afraid that what I have to say will be worse." Fraser absently rubbed his thumbnail along his brow. "I even tried to get him mad enough to talk, which at one time was an easy thing to do...but now...I just don't want to be the cause of anymore hurt. Ray is...well...very important to me." "Okay Benny. I believe ya. That's why I wantta know what happened. Ma and I are goin' ta be there with ya. Not just for you, but for Ray too. It's goin' to be hard for both of ya, but better to hurt a lot now and get over it, then ta let the hurt kill ya slow...Ya understand Benny." Ray again reached over and squeezed his friend's shoulder. Fraser spent the next hour telling Ray all of the details of what happened in the storehouse. He described the terrible beating, and how brave and defiant Ray had been. He spoke of how hard it was to watch his friend suffer so terribly. Fraser then explained what he had done to betray not only Ray Kowalski, but Ray Vecchio as well. The hardest part was the fact that because of his inability to explain his betrayal, Ray had been allowed to draw his own incorrect conclusions and thereby be hurt again in an even worse way. By the time Fraser was finished both men were drained. Fraser from the painful memories and Vecchio from both the awful facts of the story and the obvious pain it was causing his friend. They sat in subdued silence for several minutes. At last Ray gave himself a shake and started the car. "Okay Benny. You and I are goin' ta go get some coffee...or somethin'...give ya a chance ta recoup a little...then we got ta go talk to Ray." Vecchio carefully pulled the car out into the afternoon traffic. "This isn't going to be easy." Fraser's words were so low that Ray almost missed them. "I know Benny. I know. Just remember Kowalski needs ya." When Fraser and Vecchio opened the door to Kowalski's apartment they were met with the unmistakable aroma of Ma Vecchio's cooking. She had slipped out of the apartment just long enough to get some groceries from the local market and had a hearty soup stock boiling on the stove. She eagerly ushered the two men in and by placing her finger to her lips let them know that Raymond was still sleeping. "Has he been asleep all this time, Ma?" Ray was busily checking out the soup as he spoke. "Si, Caro. I've looked in on him many times and I don't think he's even moved." Ma slapped Ray's hand away from her cooking. "My poor baby. I don't think he has been sleeping. I counted the pills in that prescription and he has taken very few. He was never good at taking his medicine." "He doesn't wanta get hooked on it Ma." Ray watched as Fraser made his way to Kowalski's bedroom door. The Mountie stood motionless his Stetson held tightly in his hand. He studied his sleeping friend closely. Even in sleep Ray's face looked drawn and tired. The light from the window played across the angular features accentuating the shiny patches of scar tissue. Benton had to blink back the tears that welled in his eyes. Vecchio had been right. Fraser knew now that he should have been the one to force the issue. He should have made Ray listen to him, but he had been afraid to face the misery that he had once seen in those blue eyes. Once again he felt that he had added another brick in the wall of pain that was threatening to cut his friend off from a world that had offered him nothing but heartache. Fraser suddenly felt the guilt that had been twisting in his gut for months calmed by an emotion even stronger. He suddenly realized that he loved the battered man before him enough to face his own shame. This whole mess had been killing them both slowly. The partnership may not survive, but Fraser was now fiercely determined that Ray Kowalski, and Benton Fraser would. Fraser's reverie was broken when Ma Vecchio laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Come Caro." She carefully led Fraser back towards the kitchen. "We will let Raymond sleep just a little longer. I called his doctor today. I want to tell you boys what he said and then we will wake Raymond and do what we must do." For the next half-hour Ma Vecchio explained what she had been able to learn about Ray's upcoming surgery. She had learned from the doctor that they were going to have to re-break Ray's jaw and put in a plate to stabilize the bone. They were also going to have to dislocate the right side and scrape away some calcification that was putting pressure on a nerve. The operation was going to require that his jaw be wired shut for at least four weeks or possibly longer. The doctor seemed very pleased to at last talk to a relative, and had suggested the need for his Ma to be in the recovery room. Through past experience with her 'son' the doctor was aware of Ray's tendency to fight the anesthetic as he was regaining consciousness. Because of his jaw being wired they didn't want him to panic and risk the chance of his choking. Ray and Fraser sat in silence as Ma told of what she had learned. Benny repeatedly ran his thumbnail across his brow. He was ashamed of himself for not being more aware of what his friend had been dealing with. There was also however a fierce sense of pride in the toughness of his partner and friend. It was obvious now that Ray had been dealing with a lot of pain. He had handled it in such a way that very few people were aware of it, and even those who were didn't know how severe it had been. The three friends sat in silence for several minutes. Ray Vecchio was surprised that it was Fraser who finally broke the silence. "Ray is not going to go through this alone." Vecchio noticed the new resolve in his friend's voice. "I think it is time that we get him out here and...." As if on cue, Kowalski made his way slowly out of the bedroom. He stopped short when he saw the small group that was gathered around his kitchen table, and then again began his approach. The blue eyes showed just a flash of angry bewilderment, and then quickly returned to their now normal withdrawn coolness. It wasn't lost on the three friends. Ma Vecchio shot a quick glance towards her allies. "Come Raymond. Caro. Sit. We must talk." Kowalski froze in his tracks. "We ain't got nothin' ta talk about." "Oh ya buddy. You and Fraser got a lot ta talk about." Vecchio couldn't stop the slight edge in his voice. "Listen we found out about your surgery an all....and we figured you guys need ta get the air cleared before that happens." "Ray's right..." Fraser stood slowly and faced Kowalski. "I need to talk Ray...and you are going to listen." "Ain't got nothin' ta say Fraser. If you guys want ta talk go ahead." Ray shrugged his shoulders as he spoke and then turning walked back to his bedroom. Ray Vecchio jumped to his feet, but was stopped by his mother's gentle hand on his arm. "I will talk to him Caro" Ma Vecchio quickly followed Kowalski to the bedroom. For the next several minutes Ray and Fraser heard nothing. Gradually Ma Vecchio's volume increased. They couldn't hear well enough to understand the words, but the tone was obvious. Ray Kowalski was getting a butt chewing from his Ma. There would be long moments of near silence and then Ma would wind herself up for another go at the stubborn Detective that she loved as a son. Either Ray Kowalski was able to keep his cool enough to keep his voice down or he was making no effort to argue with the older woman. Ray Vecchio couldn't help but poke Benny and smile. He had a pretty good idea that the skinny blonde was smart enough not to talk back to his 'Ma'. After an extra long moment of silence Kowalski flew out of the bedroom and shot down the short hall towards the bathroom. Ma Vecchio followed him out at a slower pace and headed toward the kitchen. By the time the old woman had reached the kitchen counter Fraser and Ray could hear Kowalski loosing whatever he had managed to consume for breakfast. Ma Vecchio spoke, as if to herself. "Ah..My poor baby....scared to death, and yet so brave." She snagged the pain medication off the counter and then turned to join Ray in the bathroom. After several minutes Fraser stepped to the bathroom door. Ray was setting on the edge of the bathtub. His face was buried in a wet towel. A light sheen of sweat covered his forearms. Ma Vecchio stood beside him gently rubbing his back and speaking softly in his ear. "Ray?" Fraser had to fight down the lump that rose in his throat when Ray finally looked up. All the pain and misery that had been present in the warehouse was again filling those incredibly blue eyes. "Ray. It's going to be all right." Fraser stepped closer to his friend and laid a hand on his thin shoulder. Ray again buried his face in the damp towel. "I know I don't deserve it Ray, but I need you to trust me. It 'is' going to be all right." Fraser gently squeezed the shoulder of his partner. "Come on out when you feel up to it. We need to talk, and I'm not going anywhere until we do, but we aren't in any hurry." Ma Vecchio gave Benton a reassuring smile and then again began to speak softly to her 'son'. Fraser slowly walked out to join Ray and wait. It was nearly fifteen minutes before Ma Vecchio returned to the kitchen alone. "Raymond will be out in just a bit." She shook her head and smiled. "He does not want to do this....but when I told him he must think of you Benito he agreed." She gently reached over and squeezed Fraser's hand and clucked to herself. "You two?...Raimundo?...What are we to do with these two foolish boys?" "Right now Ma I'm all for knockin' 'em both in the head." Ray shot a quick glance towards the bathroom. "Well. Fraser anyway...Is Ray all right?" "Si Caro." Ray was surprised at the almost wicked little laugh that escaped from his Ma as she continued. "That one can be so stubborn, but I'm afraid that he only today discovered that I can be 'more' stubborn. Poor baby...So sick....His head still hurts him and I think between that and me....Well I made him take another one of those pills. I hope that will not only help with his pain, but help him relax a little as well." "As long as ya didn't give him two. He went out like a light last time and....." Ray Vecchio stopped in mid-sentence as Kowalski slowly made his way to the kitchen. Ma Vecchio stood at his approach and motioned him to a chair. She placed Kowalski and Fraser across the table from each other with her facing her son. The cool reserve was again present in the blonde Detective's eyes. As Raymond gingerly lowered himself into the chair he shot a quick glance at the Mountie seated across from him. Vecchio noticed that in that instant the coolness cracked just long enough to show a flash of pain-filled panic. Kowalski dropped his gaze to the tabletop and began to nervously twist his slender fingers. It wasn't until Ray looked at Fraser and caught the pain and fear in his eyes as well that he came to total realization of just how important the next few minutes were going to be in the lives of this small group. Ma Vecchio quietly cleared her throat. "Raymond, Caro, I believe that Benton has something he needs to explain to you." Kowalski only glanced quickly towards Ma before he again dropped his gaze to his ever-moving hands. Fraser rubbed his thumb across his brow before he began. "Ray. I owe you so much more than just an explanation. I have hurt you more then I can ever expect you to forgive. But I want you to understand that I didn't 'mean' to hurt you....I..." A flash of anger jumped into Ray's blue eyes as he interrupted "I told ya along time ago Fraser...I ain't blamin' you for nothin'...You were just bein' you.....doin' what you thought was the right. You think I can't understand that or what?" "Ray. Please. I'm not talking about the right that 'we' did in regards to the criminal situation. I'm talking about the wrong that I did to you....both during and after the warehouse." Fraser gazed steadily at his friend. His voice grew stronger as his conviction to do the right thing was again re-ignited. "I want you to look at me Ray." It seemed to take him forever, but Ray slowly raised his eyes to meet those of the Mountie. Fraser returned his gaze evenly although the look of pain and uncertainty reflected in the other man's eyes was hard to bare. "I betrayed you in that warehouse Ray....and not just you but Ray Vecchio too...." Kowalski couldn't help but throw a quick puzzled glance towards the other Ray. "I want you to listen to me Ray, and I want you to understand. A long time ago I did something that hurt Ray Vecchio very badly. He was hurt because of my selfishness. I put what was important to me in front of any thought of how what I was doing was going to affect him. It nearly killed us both. After I had come to my senses I made a vow to myself, and to Ray that I would never again risk the life of my friend to satisfy my own selfishness. And yet, in that warehouse I did just that. I let them very nearly kill not just my partner, but a very dear friend, someone who had become very important to me...and someone who deserved my faithfulness...not my betrayal..." Fraser's voice caught as he tried to fight back the tears that were scorching the inside of his eyes. Ray Kowalski was fighting back tears of his own. "Fraser...You don't need ta..." Ma Vecchio quickly reached out and gathered both Ray's and Fraser's hand into her own. "Yes he does Raymond...Benito needs to do this... and you must let him." Fraser cleared his throat and smiled weakly at the old woman. "Ray...I allowed them to do to you, what you would have never allowed them to do to me. I was so blinded by my own selfish desire to fulfill 'my' duty and defend 'my' honor that I was totally blinded to any alternatives. You are as honorable a man as I am, Ray. Your duty is as important to you as mine is to me, but you wouldn't have allowed that to blind you to the life of a friend. You would have found an alternative. I on the other hand was so focused on my own selfish interpretation of duty that I would have allowed them to kill you for it...and they almost did." Fraser took a ragged breath and gazed forlornly at the table. "It wasn't until they mentioned Ray Vecchio that I was suddenly reminded of my vow. I had almost been responsible for his death because of my selfishness, and suddenly I was faced with the realization that I was doing the same thing again. I was risking the life of my friend to satisfy my own selfish needs. That is why I lied to them, Ray. It was because I suddenly remembered my promise, and in so doing, my mind was opened up to realize that there 'were' alternatives. It wasn't because I valued his life above yours. You are and have been as good a friend to me as Ray Vecchio. I could never have put one of you above the other. Kowalski lowered his head to rest it on his arm. Vecchio glanced from Benton to his Ma, and then carefully laid his hand on the thin shoulder of the younger man and gave it a gently squeeze. "Why didn't you tell me that Fraser?" The words were spoken quietly but the blonde head never raised. "You know it wouldn't have bothered me to die for what you thought was right....but ya just went ahead and let me think...." "Because I was a coward Ray." Fraser gently removed his hand from Ma Vecchio's grip, and reaching across the table took Ray's hand from hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I was so ashamed of what I had done that I couldn't even put it into words in my own head. I know that I hurt you even worse by not being able to explain. I was so blinded by my shame that I allowed you to form the wrong conclusion, and then when I realized what you thought I was even more ashamed. It wasn't until I saw what it was doing to you that I found the nerve to face the terrible things that I had done. By that time you had turned everything back onto yourself and you wouldn't let me talk to you. I wanted to explain it but you wouldn't listen. I know now that you were afraid of what I would say. You were afraid that I would confirm what you were thinking, and believe me Ray I know what it's like to think that you have lost a friend. It's not something that you want to 'hear'." For several long moments the four 'friends' sat in an almost relieved silence. The storm was now passed. The only thing remaining was to assess the damage. Ma, Fraser, and Ray Vecchio exchanged meaningful looks. Ma was smiling warmly, as she watched Fraser self-consciously wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. Vecchio loudly released a breath that he had been holding much too long. The only one who didn't move at all was Ray Kowalski. He still sat with his face buried in the crook of his arm his hand still enfolded in the Mounties' big grip. Ray Vecchio again placed his hand on the slender shoulder of the blonde and gave it a gently shake. "Yo?...Kowalski?...Ya still with us?" The only response from Kowalski was a very slight nod. "Geeze...That's good ta hear. I was startin' ta think that pill had knocked ya out or somethin'" Vecchio couldn't help but chuckle. "It'd be a damn shame if Benny had ta go through all that again just cause you fell asleep or somthin'" Ray rolled his head towards Vecchio and peeked one eye over his arm. "And he says he don't like long expositions....or whatever ya call those long winded things he does." Ray Vecchio laid his head back and laughed. "You know him too well buddy." Ray clamped his hands on the shoulders of his friends, one old and one new. "I know it ain't been easy, but I think you guys are goin' ta be all right. Which will save me knockin' ya both in the head." "Oh Raimundo." As she spoke Ma Vecchio hurried towards the stove and began to add her special ingredients to the soup stock. "Was there ever any doubt?" Fraser sat for a moment longer. He then gently intertwined his fingers with Kowalski's. "Ray. I want you to look at me." Fraser was relieved that when those blue eyes reached his, the pain and panic had been replaced by a weary uncertainty. It was a start. "I am so sorry Ray. I'm sorry that I hurt you. I am sorry that I couldn't explain it. I'm sorry for letting you believe that it had anything to do with who you are. And I think right now I am the most sorry for having let this go on so long." Again the Mountie's eyes welled with tears. "You've been through so much, and I haven't been there to help. I'm sorry Ray." "Sokay Fraser. You can't help it if I was bein' a bull-head." For the first time since Kowalski had found his kitchen full of people, a ghost of a smile creased the haggard face. Fraser couldn't help but shake his head in amazement. Okay was a simple word, but he knew without a doubt the meaning that it conveyed. After all he had done, it was hard to believe that Kowalski was able to forgive him with such ease. "I was afraid that you wouldn't be able to forgive me Ray...I don't see how..." "It ain't hard Fraser. You're the best friend I ever had." Ray smiled shyly across the table towards his friend. "Not 'had' Ray...have. Now and as long as you can put up with me...Okay?" The rest of the afternoon and part of the evening the three men spent watching a baseball game while Ma busied herself in the kitchen. After she had served her boys the hearty soup she placed what was left in a Crook-Pot and gave Raymond strict instructions to eat as much of it as he could before his hospital check-in time tomorrow. As the Vecchio's and Fraser were preparing to leave they all assured Ray that they would be at the hospital on Saturday. Although he insisted that it wasn't necessary, and he found their overwhelming concern more than a little embarrassing, he was secretly glad for their support. He had always hated hospitals, and had been truly dreading the surgery. As they filed out the door he got two firm handshakes and one incredible hug. Ray Kowalski suddenly felt better than he had in a long time. He knew that things between him and Fraser may never be the same as they once were, but at least there would be something there, and for now that would have to be enough. The pain in his head was still pretty intense, but he had already decided that at bedtime he was going to take another pain pill so he could get a good night sleep before checking into the hospital. Ray had just gotten himself settled down on the couch when he heard a rather timid knock at the door. "Ray?" Kowalski was more than a little surprised to find Fraser standing out in the hall. "Ya forget something Fraser?" As he spoke Ray shot a quick look around the kitchen in the hope of spotting what the Mountie had forgotten. "I hate to bother you Ray ....but...I was wondering..." Fraser's nervousness was almost comical..."Ray. Would it be all right if I bunked here tonight? I would feel much better if you would let me go to the hospital with you tomorrow." "Geeze. Fraser there ain't no need in that." Ray moved absently over towards the sink as he continued. "All they're goin' ta do tomorrow is stick me in a bed, run a bunch of tests, and not let me eat anything." "I know Ray but you have been through so much of this by yourself, and I would just feel better if you would let me accompany you." The Mountie's contriteness was obvious. "I told ya earlier, it's okay Fraser." Ray was surprised by the sudden anger he felt. "I've kinda gotten used ta the 'alone' thing, If ya know what I mean?" Fraser dropped his eyes to the Stetson he held in his hands. "As you wish Ray." Suddenly all of the emotion that Ray had held in for so long began to seep out. He turned and leaned heavily against the kitchen counter and held both hands tightly over his face. "Shit. Fraser. I'm sorry...I didn't mean ta..." Fraser quickly stepped over beside his friend and laid a gentling hand on Ray's bony shoulder. "It's all right Ray. You have every right to be angry with me." Fraser could feel a shudder run through the gaunt frame of his friend, as Ray fought to regain control of his nearly runaway emotions. "Na Fraser it ain't alright. You coulda given up on me... but ya didn't...Shit... I can be such an ass..." Ray began to tremble as he fought to keep from breaking down completely. "Ya shoulda made me listen Fraser...a long time ago....ya shoulda just knocked me in the head and made me listen." Fraser stepped in front of the trembling man, gently taking a hold of his wrists. Slowly he pulled Ray's hands away from his face. "You are not an 'ass' Ray. And you are right I should have made you listen a long time ago. But the bottom line is that I should have never hurt you like that in the first place." The tears were flowing freely down Ray's face as the Mountie continued. "You trusted me Ray. And I know it wasn't easy for you to do, but you did trust me once. All I want now is for you to be able to trust me again." As another powerful shudder ran through Ray's slender frame Fraser could feel his friend's knees begin to buckle. Benton carefully gathered his now sobbing partner into a tight embrace. Ray took a large shuddering breath and mumbled into the Mountie's tunic. "I want that too Fraser...I do...I just..." 'I know Ray. I know." It was late Saturday morning. Ray Kowalski had been in the recovery room almost two hours. The doctors had assured Ma Vecchio that the surgery had been a success. Once the doctors had gotten Ray's jaw dislocated the problem was much more obvious then the x-rays had revealed, and the necessary repairs were easily taken care of. Ma was assured that once the irritated nerve had a chance to calm down and the obvious affects of the surgery were past that there should be no more pain for her 'son'. Ma Vecchio for her part reassured the doctors that although Ray's jaw would be wired for at least four weeks she would not only keep him from loosing any more weight but with the help of a good blender would put some weight back on his skinny frame. Ray lay still against the white sheets. The side of his face was puffed and bruised from the effects of the surgery and the stark white of the bandages accented his sallow complexion. Ma Vecchio and Fraser sat quietly at the side of his bed. Fraser had voiced his concerns of upsetting Ray by his presence. Although a lot had been accomplished to mend the relationship all of the emotions of the last few days had been difficult for both of them. "No...No Benito. You stay." Ma Vecchio smiled warmly and gently took Fraser's hand in hers. "I swear...you two...I know you both better than you know yourselves. I sometimes think I should do as Raimundo suggests and just knock both of you in the head." The first signs of motion from the silent form before them brought any further conversation to a halt. Ray reflexively drew his legs up in the bed and slowly raised the arm that wasn't hooked to the IV. He slowly rolled his head from side to side and a slight low moan escaped his lips. As his motions became more agitated Ma stepped up to his side. Gently rubbing his chest she began to whisper soothingly into his ear. Fraser stood and gathered Ray's hand into his own. He was suddenly struck by the ambiguity of the delicate features. Fraser had seen that 'delicate' hand in action and was fully aware of the hidden strength that it contained. But now the slim hand was so pale that it seemed almost transparent. As Fraser sensed Ray's rising panic he instinctively slipped in between Ma and his struggling partner. Benton watched as Ray attempted several times to open his mouth. The pain, confusion, and fearful feelings of restraint were reflected in his now tear stained face. Ma smiled to herself as she stepped away from the bed and slowly circled to the other side. Although Ray's struggles were not easy to watch Ma had total confidence in the Mountie's ability to calm 'her' Raymond. "Ray. Ray. Ray. RAY!" As always it was the fourth one that got through to the stubborn blonde. The Detective instantly ceased his struggling. Although his breath was coming in uneven and ragged gasps the look of panic had been replaced by a look of puzzlement. As he struggled towards clarity Ray tightly grasped the hand of his friend. His eyes fluttered slightly but had not yet opened. "Frasuh?....Although a mere croak from an incredibly dry throat it was music to the Mountie's ears. "Yes Ray. It's me." Fraser gently stroked Ray's forehead as he continued. "Listen to me Ray. You're in the hospital. You had surgery...remember? They have your jaw wired shut Ray, but everything is going to be fine. Ma's here Ray. You need to wake up. Everything is going to be fine." Using Fraser's hand for leverage Ray attempted to pull himself into a setting position. Fraser couldn't help but smile as he gentle pushed his partner back against the pillow. "No Ray. Be still. You're not listening. I said you need to wake up, not get up." As he continued Fraser took the flat of is hand and not too gently popped Ray on the chest. "Ray open your eyes!" Instantly Ray's blue eyes flew open. His brow was creased in confusion as he slowly took in the facts of his situation. He was indeed in the hospital, he had definitely been through surgery, and he absolutely could not open his mouth. Ray carefully studied the face before him. His initial expression of uncertainty slowly melted into a small smile at the realization of the presence of his 'friend'. "Frasuh!" No longer a question but a statement of fact. Fraser happily looked up into the face of the old woman that had been so instrumental in the patching of the torn friendship. Tears of joy ran unheeded down the weathered face. Ma Vecchio reached across the body of one 'son' to take the hand of her other 'son'. She gently laid her free hand on Ray's chest as she spoke. "His heart has 'always' known who it can trust." She carefully removed her hand from his chest and gently laid it along his bandaged face. "It is only his head that forgot for awhile."