Love Letters Straight From the Heart    Love Letters Straight From the
Heart by LdyWarrior

  

 Disclaimer: These characters don't belong to me, but I intend no monetary
gain, only enjoyment. 

 Warnings: M/M implied, angst 

 Love Letters Straight From the Heart 

 "Detective Veccio, I'm sorry I had to call you in on your day off." 

 'That's all right, Loo, from what you said on the phone I gather time is
of the essence." 

 "That's right, Detective. If we move fast maybe we can catch this perp
before the kid he took gets hurt. Detective Huey can fill you in on what
we have so far." 

 "Good. Huey, what have we got?" The two detectives discussed the known
clues and decided on a strategy to begin their search for the kidnapper.
Huey would interview the child's parents while Veccio went to the crime
scene to see if he could dig up any more clues or find a possible witness.
As they were getting ready to leave the 27th Ray stopped suddenly. "Damn."
He swore. 

 "What's wrong, Ray?" Asked Huey. 

 "Fraser. I was supposed to have lunch with him today, and I can't call
him to cancel because he doesn't have a phone." 

 "Well, I'm going to be near his apartment, I can stop and tell him. It
won't take long." 

 "Thanks, Huey, you're a real pal. Let me write a short note for him, OK?"


 "Sure, but make it quick." 

 Fraser opened his door to find Jack Huey where he expected Ray Veccio.
Detective Huey, what a surprise. Won't you come in?" 

 "No, I can't stay, Fraser. I just came by to tell you Ray can't come
today. He sent you a note." 

 "Thank you kindly, Huey." 

 Dear Fraser, the note read. Sorry I can't meet you for lunch today. I got
called in to work; there's been a kidnapping. You know how short-handed we
are right now. Be sure and save me some dessert. Love, Ray 

 'Perhaps Ray is * finally * learning etiquette, Benton thought as he
pulled on his boots. He put on his leather jacket and uniform Stetson and
headed down to the 27th to see what he could do to help. 

 "Constable, I'm leaving you in charge here. I'll be out for two or three
hours. I'm going to confer with Lt. Welch on next months' joint training
session, then to the caterers about the reception on Wednesday, and then
I'll be having lunch. You can go when I return. If you need me for
anything call my cell phone." Inspector Thatcher said in her usual brusque
manner. 

 "Yes, sir. Uh, Sir? May I ask a favor of you?" 

 "What is it, Fraser?" she asked in an irritated tone. 

 "Well, Sir, since you're going to the 27th would you mind dropping off
this note to Detective Veccio?" 

 "Is it consulate business, Fraser?" 

 "No, Sir." 

 "And do I look like the mailman, Fraser?" 

 "Well no, Sir, but you * will * have to walk practically past his
desk..." 

 "Oh alright, Fraser. Give it too me." She snatched the envelope from
Benton's hand and stalked out. 

 Inspector Thatchers mood had not improved by the time she reached the
27th. "Here detective, this is for you." And she threw the envelope into
the face of a surprised Ray Veccio. 

 //Gee, what got * her * panties in a wad// wondered Veccio. He brightened
considerably when he recognized Fraser's handwriting on the envelope. 

 Dearest Ray, Now that the kidnapper is behind bars I wondered if you were
ready for your dessert? I'm sure I could warm something up for you. Say,
this evening about 7:00? With love, Benton 

 //Gotta love that Mountie// thought Ray. Then he remembered a previous
commitment. Quickly he wrote out a reply to his lover. 

 My love, Ray wrote. I truly do miss your "dessert". It pains me to have
to say this, but I promised Ma that I would take her shopping tonight. You
may remember that I have a cousin getting married in a week. Can we do
lunch tomorrow instead? Please say yes. And by the way, I prefer to warm
up your delicious confection myself! Yours, Ray. 

 Ray got the envelope sealed and was writing Fraser's name on it when the
Inspector came out of the Lieutenant's office. 

 "Oh Inspector, would you mind giving this to Fraser when you get back to
the consulate?" The woman just glared at him, snatched the letter, and
shoved it into her purse. Nodding curtly to Welsh, she left the precinct. 

 "Here's your mail, Ray." 

 "Thanks, Elaine." Veccio sorted through the bills and junk mail and was
happily surprised to find an envelope addressed to him in Fraser's neat
handwriting, although with no return address. 

 My darling Ray, You were incredible yesterday. Your touch sets my skin on
fire. Your kisses leave me breathless. I ache for the time when we can be
together again. Please do come to me soon, my love. I'm waiting--- B 

 Elaine watched in fascination as Ray turned several shades of red while
reading his mail. Curiosity got the best of her, and she walked softly to
Veccio's side. She managed to read most of the letter before Ray came to
his senses enough to hide it from her prying eyes. "So, Ray's got a
girlfriend. Why didn't you tell anybody?" Elaine teased her friend "What's
her name?" 

 Panicked, Ray tried to remember with out looking if there had been
anything in the letter to identify Benny. Other than the handwriting, he
didn't think so, and no one but himself was likely to recognize the
handwriting. He began to relax. "Well Elaine, I didn't think my love life
was any of your business. Now quit snooping. Don't you have any work to
do?" 

 "Alright Ray, if you want to play it that way, fine. But I will find out,
you know." 

 "Drop it, Elaine." Ray said. He would have to warn Benny that Elaine was
watching him. He didn't want them outed, not just yet anyway. He decided
to go to sit in the Riv to compose his reply to the hottest love letter he
had ever received. He wasn't sure he could top the Mountie, but he was
sure gonna try. 

 Ray started the Riv and cranked the heater up to dispel the February
cold. While he was thinking about his reply to Benny's note he listened
absently to the radio. The DJ introduced a Sweet Adeline quartet that was
promoting their chapter's Valentines Day fundraising event. They announced
that for $30 anyone could hire a quartet to deliver a singing Valentine to
their loved one at their home, their job, or a restaurant. They sang a
couple of old fashioned love songs that could be ordered with a credit
card. Ray pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number. 

 "Valentine Central" said the woman who answered the phone. 

 "Can I send a Valentine anonymously?" 

 "Of course, sir." 

 Four women dressed all alike in black blouses and pants with red vests
decorated with white hearts entered the Canadian Consulate. Constable
Turnbull greeted them. "Welcome to Canada, ladies. May I help you?" 

 "We're here to see Benton Fraser. Is he here?" One of the ladies replied.


 "Please wait here, I'll see if he's available." Turnbull said. He went
into Inspector Thatchers office where Constable Fraser was helping her to
move some furniture. 

 "Excuse me, Sirs, but there are some women here to see Constable Fraser."


 "Are you expecting anyone, Constable?" 

 "No, Sir." 

 "Well, I suppose you should go see what they want." She followed Fraser
to the reception desk, Turnbull bringing up the rear. 

 "I'm Constable Fraser, ladies. May I help you?" The sound of a pitch pipe
was his immediate reply. Then the four women began to sing. 

 'Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you. Let me hear you
whisper that you love me, too. Keep the love light glowing in your eyes so
blue. Let me call you sweetheart. I'm in love with you. Let me call you
sweetheart. I'm in love, so in love, with you.' 

 "This is from your secret admirer." Said one of the women as she
presented Benton with a card and a flower. 

 The Mountie blushed furiously, while the Inspector burst out laughing and
even Turnbull grinned at his hero's discomfiture. With trembling hands
Benton opened the card and read Wishing you love on this special day. It
was signed simply 'V'. 

 Fraser suddenly went white, and reeled. He thrust the card into his tunic
pocket, and asked if he could be excused. 

 "What's wrong, Constable? You look like you've seen a ghost. Didn't the
song agree with you? I thought it was very cute. I didn't realize that you
were seeing anyone." 

 "Please, Sir, may I just go now?" 

 "It's obvious you won't be of any use this afternoon, you may as well
go." 

 "Thank you kindly, Sir." 

 Benton went to his office, and sat at the desk with his head in his
hands. 'Why did she return', he wondered. 'I love * Ray *, I won't hurt
him. Oh god, * why * did she come back now? Ray! I need Ray.' Benton
picked up his hat and rushed out of the consulate to seek shelter in the
person of Ray Veccio. 

 He burst into the 27th in a near panic. He had run all the way from the
Canadian Consulate as if the very demons of Hell were on his trail. Fraser
truly thought they were. 

 "Ray! Ray, thank god you're here. Where is your gun, Ray? I may need you
to shoot me again." 

 Ray didn't know whether to laugh at the odd comment or to be concerned
over the stark panic on his lover's face. He knew that it was past time
for his Singing Valentine to have been delivered, and assumed that the
Canadian was somehow referring to it. He knew that Benny would be
uncomfortable with women singing him a love song, but this was too much,
even for the Mountie. He decided on an oblique approach. 

 "So, ah, Benny. Anything interesting happen at the consulate today?" 

 "Yes Ray, That's why I'm here." Ray looked smugly at his Mountie and
waited for him to continue "Victoria's back." 

 "WHAT?" yelped the detective. "SHE was at the consulate?" 

 "Well, no Ray. But she sent this." Benton pulled the card out of his
pocket and handed it to Veccio. "Four ladies delivered it, and sang to me.
I'm frightened, Ray." 

 The Mountie was astonished when the detective burst into gales of
laughter. Ray didn't even look at the card. 

 "Ray, I" the Mountie lowered his voice and started again, leaning toward
Veccio. "I * thought * you loved me. I truly am frightened by the prospect
of seeing her again, Ray. She tried to kill us * both *, remember?"
Benton's tone grew more indignant with each word. 

 "Why do you think Victoria sent this, Benny?" Ray asked just as softly,
still chuckling at his friend. 

 "Look at the card, Ray. Its signed 'V'. Who else could it be?" 

 "I can't believe it, Benny. You, the perfect Mountie? You, misread a
clue? Oh, this is * good *. This is * rich *. * This * I'm gonna remember
for a long time. And I'm not gonna let * you * forget it, either. Who else
could it be, Benny? Veccio, that's who." 

 Relief flooded Benton's features as he realized the truth. He threw his
arms around Ray, and almost sobbed as the tension leached away. 

 "Jeez, Benny, don't do that here, you'll * out * us big time." Ray
shrugged Benton's arms off and looked around to see who was nearby,
relieved that they seemed to have gone unnoticed in the usual bustle of
the bullpen. "Come on, I'll take you out somewhere nice, try to make it up
to you for scaring you like that." He leaned close to Fraser for a moment
to say softly, "I really * do * love you, ya know." 

 "Thank you kindly, Ray." Benton said as Jack Huey passed within a few
feet of where the two men were standing. "Yes, dinner would be wonderful."


 As they walked out of the precinct together, Ray asked "So, how did you
like the quartet, Benny? Were the girls pretty?" 

 Finis 

 Feedback welcomed. LdyWarrior@aol.com