Disclaimer: They are not my characters because they to belong to Alliance.


Rating : PG--- for no sex but still M/M 

Pairing: Benton Fraser and Ray Kowalski 

Thanks to: The book of love, faith and beauty. 

Authors' note: Happy New Year . . . 2001 

Dedicated to . . . Miss Review . . . you know who you are and this one is
for you. Consider the story a gift. 

jackson.maria droopy_jack@excite.com   

New Year with a bang  

"So this is how we're gonna ring in the New Year, Frase? We're gonna be
rummaging through Madam Rena's house looking fer evidence? I told the
Lieutenant that I had plans fer this evening and what does he do? He
call's me and tells me that I hafta clock in 'cause one of his nieces just
happens ta disappear and he feels that only I can do this job. What kinda
of stupid logic is that? I mean, come on, it's just a couple of hours
before midnight and . . . Hey Frase? . . .Come here and look at this. I
think the lady was a witch of some kind." 

Fraser set the papers he was holding down and strolled over to his partner
who had been gripping for quite a while now. They had been rummaging
through the missing woman's house for over an hour and Ray was ready to
explode. "What did you find, Ray?" 

"Here, look at this book. It's about how ta cast spells and interpret
dreams. You think that maybe she was a witch? Maybe one of her stupid
spells made her vanish? Oh great! Now I'm gonna hafta go and tell Welsh
that she disappeared inta thin air while all the time I could've been
partying!" 

Fraser glanced at his partner then shook his head. He took the book that
his partner offered and glanced through it. 

Ray picked up another book and glanced through it. "Listen ta this, Frase.
*A pigeon, alighting near an unmarried girl, foretells for her a marriage
within the year. * Now, that's stupid! What if she's living in New York
where they have all those pigeons? Now listen to this one 'cause it's a
beaut, Fraser, * peacock feathers attract misfortune and cause love to
grow cold. * Okay, that one might be true 'cause Stella had a thing about
peacock feathers. Wait! . .listen to this one here. * If you dream of a
bean, luck in the way of money that is not earned is coming ta ya. *
Wonder if I can force myself ta dream of beans? Whadda you think? Do you
think that I could . . . Oh wait?! Now, here's a good one, * if you dream
of a black cat, it is a very lucky sign, but if the cat is of any other
color, beware of false friends. * Sounds about right ta me. Hey Frase? . .
.Whadda ya dream of so that I can interpret the dream fer ya?" 

"I haven't had any . . . " 

"Frase."  

"Well, if you really must know . . . Last night, I dreamed that I captured
a huge, ugly man for stealing some rather ugly eggs and when I was
bringing him home, he turned into a hyena. Then this hyena ran off and hid
in a cabbage patch that was hidden behind a huge bale of hay." 

Ray glared at his partner incredulously and then shook his head. "Freak .
. . You do know that yer a freak, right? Lemme see what the eggs meant . .
. Where is it? . . .egg . . . eggs, oh here it is. Okay listen up Frase, *
to dream of eggs means that someone else is in love with yer sweetheart. *
Okay, Frase, yer sweetheart is two-timing ya so 'fess up and tell me who
she is so I can go and kick 'er in the head." 

Fraser glanced over at his partner and smiled. "You know very well that I
have no sweetheart, Ray. Maybe you read it wrong." 

"No, I didn't read it wrong, but it's just that you dreamed it wrong. Whom
the hell has dreams like that anyway? Well, then let's look up ugly since
ya said it twice, okay? Where's the word ugly? . . .hm . . . listen to
this. * To dream that you have become very ugly means that someone admires
you. * Oh really? . . .Okay. * and ta dream of meeting an ugly person
means that you will make the acquaintance of a handsome man.* Ray closed
the book and looked up at his partner. "Oh, so I got this all wrong! Okay,
Frase, who is he and what are you not telling me? I assumed that yer
sweetheart was a woman but now it turned out to be a man so who is he? And
fer crying out loud, do not tell me that the ugly man you like would
happen ta be Italian . . . , would he?" 

Fraser was puzzled. "Pardon me?" 

Ray studied those surprised blues and then repeated himself. "I asked if
this ugly person is Italian, Frase? The one that ya have the crush on, is
he Italian?" 

It took Fraser a few seconds to make the connection and he gasped. "Ray!" 


Ray only watched him. 

Fraser was stunned with the remark then looked away. He glanced back down
to the book in Ray's hands and added. "Maybe you should continue and
search for the interpretation of cabbage." 

"Why?" asked Ray noticing that his partner was becoming a bit nervous.	

Fraser kept glancing at his partner then looking away. Ray made him uneasy
with the ridiculous insinuation. 

The detective resumed with his grilling. "Do you think that maybe the book
will tell me more about you then yer willing ta say? Now you've made me
curious, Frase. Was the man in yer dreams, Italian?" 

Fraser glanced up and looked into those glaring blues and shook his head.
"Ray . . . there is nothing to tell. Would you please continue?" 

The detective looked away reluctantly then continued to flip through the
pages. He was now suspicious of his friend's behavior, but then again,
curiosity was part of his job and that's what made him an observant
detective. 

Fraser took in a deep breath and ran a knuckle across his eyebrow
wondering where his partner's questions were leading to. He couldn't
embrace the impressions that his partner was envisioning of him. 

Ray read the phrases to himself then his eyes darted up to observe his
partner. 

Fraser stared at him while anxiously waiting for an answer. "Well? What
does the book say?" 

Ray frowned and glared at him. 

"Ray?" asked Fraser timidly. 

Ray glanced back down into the book and cleared his throat before reading
the passage. "Okay, so we're talking cabbage here. * To dream of cabbage
denotes that a fair man is coming into yer life. * Okay, we've got more
information then we need, Fraser . . . Now, you tell me if this fair man
in yer dreams just happened ta be Italian?" Ray demanded an answer as he
shut the book. 

Fraser was stunned with the continuing interrogation and gaped at his
partner. It took him a minute to regain his posture and then he asked.
"Ray? When is this fair man supposed to be coming into my life?" 

The question upset the detective and he sneered. "Well, gee, I dunno,
Fraser . . . Why can't you tell me, after all this is one of yer dreams.
And why won't you say if the ugly man is Italian!" 

Fraser couldn't believe the coldness that was underlying Ray's voice and
it made him defensive. "Really, Ray . . . I can't control my dreams, they
just happen." 

"Oh yeah, you can control yer dreams, Frase, 'cause yer the king of
control! Or, so I thought you were until now . . . What, or should I say,
who were you thinking of before you fell asleep? Did he happen ta be
Italian?" 

"Ray!" Fraser shook his head feeling affronted by the insinuations. "I
cannot remember what I was thinking of before I fell asleep. Could I look
at the? . . ." 

"No!" Ray pulled the book out of Fraser's reach behaving like two years
old who refuses to share his toys. "First, lemme check out the word *dog*
and then you can have it."  

"The animal in my dreams was a hyena, Ray." 

"When I said dog, I wasn't referring ta yer dreams. Besides, dog or hyena
it's still the same thing!" He flipped through the pages and mumbled under
his breath. "What a coincidence that you can't remember what you were
thinking of before going to sleep, Fraser."  

Fraser stared at his partner in disbelief. He couldn't comprehend his
partner's sudden odd behavior. He watched as Ray flipped through the pages
angrily in search of the word in the book.  

The detective found the word, read the interpretation to himself then
glanced up at his partner. Blues were on blues and neither one of the two
blinked. Ray then looked back down and reread the page again then shut the
book and glared at his partner. 

"Well? . . .What was the interpretation of a hyena?" asked Fraser afraid
of the answer after assessing the scowling look on his partner's face.	

Ray bit at his lip, clutched the book to his chest and tapped his foot all
the while he stared at Fraser. "Ray?" 

"Okay, now . . . before I tell you what the book says I just want you to
answer one question for me." 

Fraser nodded. "Yes, of course I will tell you what you want to know." 

"Before I took up a certain position at the 27th did any of the people
that work with ya imply anything about you and the Italian?" 

Fraser was puzzled with Ray's questions about his previous partner. He
knew what the detective was asking but he didn't know why he was asking.
"Ray, let me assure you the Italian man in question happens to be my
friend. No implications or insinuations were ever made of him or me at the
27th precinct. Well, none that I was aware of so why are you asking me
these questions?" 

Ray nodded then proceeded to read the interpretation in the book. "Okay so
listen ta this, * ta dream of a hyena is a sign that something you imagine
to be a secret is really known to many. * Okay . . . So we're gonna stop
here cause, we're not even gonna search for the word hay. If I read this
correctly, it's saying that everyone at the 27th knew what was going on,
Frase. So how come you didn't know what was going on, or did you?" 

Fraser cocked a questioning eyebrow at his partner as he stared at the
detective before adding. "Ray? . . . What did everyone in the 27th know
and what is going on? You're acting very strangely." 

Ray placed the book down on the desk then leaned up against the same desk
to glare at his partner. "Fraser, maybe there's something that you would
like ta share with me and now would be a really great time to do this. You
know, sort of confessing and let's start the New Year with a clean slate."


Fraser was puzzled as he gazed into those pale blues. He adjusted the
Stetson then clasped both hands behind his back and stared at his partner.
"Ray? . .. What is it that yer asking me? What do you want to know?" 

Ray nodded. "Okay, I'll put all my cards on the table. I wanna know whom
you are secretly dating?" 

Fraser's eyebrows shot upward when his eyes went wide after hearing his
partner's question. "You want to know whom I am secretly dating? Wherever
did you get such a ludicrous idea as that, Ray? Oh . . . are you referring
to the woman that we were requesting material from at the evidence lock .
. . " 

"No. . Not her, so try again." Ray shook his head. 

Fraser thought again. "Oh then . . . you must be referring to Denny Scarpa
or Luann or. . . . " 

"No, think again, Fraser, but this time do try someone of the opposite
sex. This time go with something more along the line of Italian and
undercover." 

Fraser frowned then the allegation hit him and his mouth dropped open.
"Ray!" 

"No, we're not talking about me, so how 'bout trying the other Ray. The
Italian one." 

"Oh dear! Surely you don't think that . . . Ray!" added Fraser totally
shocked by his partner's accusation. 

"Well, I mean ya can't be seeing him now 'cause the man's not here at the
moment but you do know where he's at, don't you? You received a postcard
once so you two must keep in touch with each other, am I right?" added Ray
somewhat offended. 

Fraser couldn't believe what his partner was accusing him of. He gaped at
his partner then shook his head. "No. . . . I don't know his whereabouts
and there was never anything but friendship between the detective and me
and we shouldn't even be discussing such matters here! Someone could be
eavesdropping or. . . . " 

"No one's around but you and me Frase and besides, I ain't mentioning any
names. So you two never . . . " 

"No! How could you even think that? The man is my friend!" added Fraser
somewhat embarrassed now. 

It didn't take a scientist to know that Fraser was being truthful by the
shocked look on his face and this embarrassed Ray. He realized that he
made a mistake then turned away and collected the book off the desk.
"Frase . . . I'm sorry. I don't mean ta accuse you of anything. It's just
that I had this dream . . ." Ray turned to look at his friend and then
apologized again quickly. "Look. I don't know what came over me and I'm
sorry that I accused ya of . . . uh . . . maybe we should continue our
investigation and ferget what I just said, okay? It's just that this place
is weird and it gives me the creeps and . . . " 

It was Fraser's turn to probe. "You had a dream? Was I in your dream?" 

Ray glanced up at his partner then he looked away. " Well . . . yeah . . .
It's kinda stupid and I don't wanna talk about it." 

Fraser nodded. "I see . . . and was there an Italian man in this dream?" 

Ray could not face him now. He nodded and stared at the floor. 

"Would you care to share this dream that you had with me?" 

Ray looked up to the Mountie and shook his head. "No, I don't care to
share this dream with anyone . . . It's just that you don't tell me much
about the Italian even when we're alone at my apartment and I get kinda,
you know, curious. The only things you've ever told me about him are that
the real Ray wouldn't do this and the real Ray wouldn't do that but,
that's just about it. " 

Fraser watched his partner fidget as he let out his frustrations. He gazed
into his partners blues and nodded. "I'm sorry Ray. I had no idea that
this bothered you so much. I understand where you are coming from now. Let
me just assure you that if you should ever become curious of my past, all
you have to do is to ask me and I will be forthright with you." 

Ray was embarrassed and now he turned away. "Well, yeah, I know. But you
know how it is. Men don't talk about stuff like that." 

Fraser stared at him and asked. "And why can we not discuss such matters
as my past? We are the best of friends are we not? You can ask me
anything, Ray. You do not have to fear me ridiculing or scoffing you
because I would never do such a thing." 

Ray nodded then stepped away feeling too uncomfortable now. "Okay . . . um
. . . enough said. Fraser, um . . . How 'bout we check that other desk
over there ta see if we can find anything that will help us with this
woman's disappearance." And Ray started off. 

"Ray?" 

"Yeah?" Ray looked at him. 

"Did you really believe that I was secretly seeing . . . someone in
particular?" 

Ray looked up into those blues and then nodded. He went on to say. "Yeah,
I did believe that, Frase because . . . well, because there are times when
you take off and I don't know where ya go or who ya go see. I know that
yer with me most of the time but there are days when yer gone all evening
and I don't see you until the next morning and I wonder if . . . Look,
it's none of my . . ." 

"No Ray. If you want to know what I do, I will tell you." 

"No! Maybe you shouldn't tell me, Frase." Frowned Ray suddenly afraid to
find out where or what his friend did when he was away from him. 

"But, I want you to know what it is that I do, Ray. Most of the times,
when I'm away from you, Dief and I walk over to the park and we sit close
to the lake where I meditate. I spend hours reflecting on my life, my
dreams and my desires. Even though the city of Chicago is overcrowded with
people and crowds sometimes, I feel alone. But, then I remind myself that
I have you . . . and then I do not feel alone anymore. I am very fortunate
to have you in my life. But that is what I do when I am alone and away
from you." 

Ray gazed into those blues and then he blushed. He nodded and looked away.
He then looked at Fraser again and added. "Do you ever think about . . .
him . . . Ray . . . the Italian? Do you ever reflect on him and . . . miss
him?" he asked feeling somewhat embarrassed. 

Fraser regarded his partner for a second and then he shook his head. "No,
I really do not miss him. I did, at first when he left Chicago but then
you came along and now you preoccupy most of my time. You make it
difficult to concentrate on anything else." 

Ray liked the way that sounded and a corner of his mouth inched upward
ending in a lopsided grin. "So I make it difficult to concentrate, huh?
Frase, I think it's you that make it difficult on me. Yer not an easy
person to push out of my mind, you know. I mean . . . You do keep me on my
toes and you keep me thinking all of the time." 

"I do?" smiled the Mountie. 

Ray's eyes twinkled and he blushed. "Okay, lemme rephrase that 'cause that
sounded kinda corny. What I meant was that you are an outstanding man with
strange traits and that keeps me on my toes." 

Fraser nodded. "Ah, so now you're talking about my characteristics, am I
correct?" 

Ray laughed and reached over slapping Fraser on the shoulder. "Okay, look
so I'm not good with words so let's just get back ta work and enough about
this, okay?" 

Fraser smiled and nodded. "Yes, of course we should continue our search,
Ray." 

Ray turned away and headed for the desk. 

"You know, son. That yank's really got a good head on his shoulders." 

Fraser glanced at his father and whispered. "You think so? Why would you
say that?" 

Ray was across the room already and pulling out drawers to the desk at the
far end of the room. 

"Well, for one thing the man was worried that you and that other Italian
detective were . . . a bit more then just friends and to be quite honest,
I was worried too. If you two had entered into a. . . . an alliance then
there was no way that you would have given me grandchildren and . . . " 

"Grandchildren?" Fraser gaped at his father and murmured. "You must
remember that you are dead." 

"Well, that doesn't change anything and I can still be a grandfather if
you would just give me a chance! Anyway, your partner here doesn't like to
discuss *feelings* which is a good thing because most men don't . . .
except for you sometimes and . . . Benton?" 

Fraser glanced at his father after he had been staring at Ray. "Yes dad?" 

"You have certain * longings * for the yank, don't you? I can tell because
it's written all over your face. What you need to do is to find yourself a
wife, because you are lonely. You need to find someone who will surround
you with love and children just like . . . just like your mother did for
me." 

Fraser looked away and stared at his partner who was squatted at the far
end rummaging through papers. He then murmured. "I need to find someone
who will surround me with love?" 

Robert Fraser noticed the faraway look in his son's eyes and continued.
"In less then an hour the New Year will ring in and I think you should
make a resolution to start the year right. You should resolve to find
yourself a wife, and get yourself settled down." 

Fraser watched his father and smiled. "Were you and my mother happy?" 

Robert stared at his son and then looked away feeling uncomfortable with
the question. "Of course we were very happy together, what kind of
question is that!?" 

"And did she make you happy?" 

Robert felt uneasy discussing things like feelings with his son. "Uh . . .
Yes, she made me very happy. The happiest I've ever been which is why you
need to get yourself a wife and stop asking me all these silly questions!"


"I am only asking these questions because I am trying to understand what
you expect of me. What you're trying to say is that you want me to be
happy. Well, Ray makes me happy. He makes me very happy and I am very
fortunate to have him. " 

Bob Fraser looked to his son then he looked to the detective who was now
sitting on the floor reading some papers. He turned back to his son.
"Benton, the yank is not what I was talking about when I said that I
wanted to see you . . . Do you think he knows?" 

"Yes, I think Ray knows how I feel about him but we just can't verbalize
it to each other. Maybe I will take your advice and began the new year by
enlightening Ray about my sentiments about him. What do you think?" 

Robert shook his head. "I don't know about things like that, son and that
is a decision that you will have to make on your own." 

Fraser nodded then turned to his father. "Did I disappoint you?" 

Robert looked to his son then back at the blond-haired detective and
shrugged his shoulders. "No. . . . you do not disappoint me. I would like
very much to see you content." 

Fraser smiled and nodded as he watched Ray. "Understood." Then he looked
to his father. "Do you think that I could convince him to give you
grandchildren?" 

Robert gasped. "Good lord, I should hope not!" 

"Hey Frase! Quit talking ta yerself and get over here! I think I found
something!" 

Fraser looked to his father, smiled and then started over to his friend. 

Bob Fraser called out. "Um . . . Son?" 

Fraser stopped and glanced at him. "Yes?" 

"Tell the yank to look up the interpretation of hay. It might prove
interesting if not entertaining." 

"Hay?" 

"Yes hey! Now come here, Frase!" 

Fraser turned to his partner and hurried over. "What did you find, Ray?". 

Ray patted the floor beside him and the Mountie joined him. "Now, take a
look at this and tell me what ya think. Isn't this kinda queer here?" 

Fraser took the envelope Ray handed him and skimmed through it. He then
glanced up at his partner and added. "Well, there is a receipt to a plane
ticket and a receipt to a hotel reservation in Italy. So what's wrong with
them, Ray?" 

"The dates, Frase . . . look at the dates!" Ray pointed to the receipts as
he glanced over at his partner. "You know Frase, fer a brilliant man
you're not too bright right now." 

Fraser studied the receipts then looked up at Ray. "The tickets were
purchased three weeks ago but the departure is dated two days ago. You
don't think . . . " 

"Yeah, I do, now gimme a minute here." Ray grabbed the pamphlet to the
hotel resort then grabbed the telephone close to him and dialed. He waited
for the amenities from the other end of the line before he spoke. "Hey
there, this is Detective Raymond Vecchio from the 27th precinct of the
Chicago P.D. and I would like ta talk ta someone whose in charge . . .
Yeah, I'll hold." 

Ray looked over to Fraser."She's gonna get the manager fer me." 

"That was brilliant of you, Ray." 

Ray's blues glimmered when he smiled. "Well, thank you, kindly Mr.
Mountie." 

Fraser grinned as he gazed into those shimmering blues.  

Ray turned away. "Hello, this is Detective Raymond Vecchio calling from
Chicago, 27th precinct and we are investigating the disappearance of one,
Miss Rena Amber. I need to know if she registered herself into this hotel?
If you need to check my references I can give you the number to the 27th
and . . . What? . . . .Yes, I'll hold."  

Ray turned to look at his partner again and realized that they were
sitting shoulder to shoulder. He gazed into the Mounties blues as Fraser
stared back at him. Neither spoke as they stared at each other. Ray then
noticed that Fraser was staring at his mouth and then started inching in
toward him. His heart speeded up suddenly when he realized that the
Mountie meant to kiss him and he too inched forward to those parted lips. 

Ray jumped when the girl came back on the line.  

"Hello? Are you still there?" . 

He fell back into the wall and exhaled. "Uh . . . yeah, I'm still here . .
. Oh, she did register into the hotel? Can I speak with her? . . .I can't?
. . .okay, then lemme leave a message fer her. First thing I want ya ta do
is ta write down my name. It's Detective Raymond Vecchio. Now tell Miss
Rena ta contact Lieutenant Welsh in Chicago because her uncle is very
concerned for her safety. He's my boss at the 27th and he would be greatly
relieved to hear from her. Could you also tell her that because of her
disappearance I missed a fantastic New Year's party that I've been waiting
ta attend only all year long?! I've been planning this great night out,
hoping that I was gonna be able ta . . . " 

"Ray." 

"Never mind on that last part. Just tell her ta call her uncle the
Lieutenant in Chicago A.S.A.P.! And I mean that! If she doesn't get my
message then I'll make sure the entire Italian police department will be
knocking at yer hotel and while we're at it, could I get yer name please?
. . .Hold on, write this down, Frase . . . Loani Allen? . . .Okay, Ms.
Allen you get her this message as soon as possible because my badge
depends on it! . . .What? . . .Oh, yeah, a happy new year ta you too.
Bye." 

Ray glanced over at Fraser. "Can you believe that, Fraser?! Miss Rena is
vacationing in Italy! I got called in ta investigate her disappearance
because Welsh is concerned and the lady's vacationing in Italy! You do
know what that means, don't you?" 

Fraser shook his head. "No, I don't know what it means. . . .What does it
mean, Ray?" 

Ray smiled. "It means that she's with the Italian and here I was, all
worried fer nothing!" 

Fraser didn't understand what Ray was talking about. Then he asked. "What
do we do now? Do we call Leuftenant Welsh and notify him of our findings?"


"No, not yet because. . . ." 

The telephone rang and Ray looked at it then he looked to Fraser.  

Fraser added. "Well, go ahead and answer the telephone, Ray. It could very
well be the Leuftenant." 

Ray reached over and answered the telephone. "Hello?" 

"Hi! You must be Detective Vecchio?" 

"Yes, and who are you?" 

"I'm Rena and you are looking for me. Look. I'm sorry to ruin your New
Year celebration. I didn't tell anyone about my plans because I didn't
think I had too. I just want to apologize for ruining your holiday plans,
Detective Vecchio." 

Ray nodded. "Well, that's okay 'cause this is my job. You will call your
Uncle won't you 'cause it might cost me my job if you don't?" 

"Yes, I will call him and just to show you how sorry I am, I would like
for you to have a bottle of champagne that I stashed in my china cabinet.
Take it and celebrate with the one that you love." 

Ray smiled and added. "And, what if I don't have someone?" 

Rena laughed and responded. "Of course you do. Everyone has someone that
they love. You just have to look right in front of your nose and you'll
find that person looking back at you!" 

Ray glanced up and saw Fraser and he smiled.  

Fraser smiled in return. 

Ray resumed the conversation. "And how will I know that this is the right
person?" 

"Oh, you'll know. You'll hear blasts and booms bursting in the air and
you'll see lights raining and dancing in those eyes when your love looks
at you and you'll know that this is the love of your life! You'll know you
have just plummeted head over heels in love! Well, I must be off now, and
again, my apologies and have a happy new year!" 

"Happy new year to ya too." Ray hung up. He glanced over to his partner
and smiled. "She's a real looney, Fraser, but at least we found her." He
clapped Fraser on the lap before getting up. "Well, guess what Frase? We
solved the problem and it's not even midnight yet! The new year will be
here in about 15 minutes so you and I are gonna celebrate it here. Hold on
a minute cause she gave me a surprise." Ray walked off. 

Fraser was curious and got up off the floor and waited for Ray. 

Ray returned with the bottle of champagne in one hand and two glasses in
the other. "You and I are gonna welcome our New Year in with a bit of
bottled happiness." Ray set the glasses down and pulled out a champagne
cork to open the bottle. 

Fraser added. "Ray . . . you know very well that I don't indulge in
alcoholic . . . " 

"I know that ya don't drink but seeing that this is a special occasion you
can make an exception and take a sip, Frase. Just a sip and I won't make
ya drink any more then ya hafta, okay?" Ray poured the champagne into the
glasses and handed one to his partner. "Hey! . .how bout we toast in the
New Year?"  

"Hey? . . .Ray? Ray, would it be too much to ask if I could look up the
interpretation of *hay* in the book?" 

Ray frowned. "What? Why would you wanna do that? . .Oh, it's about that
crazy dream of yers again, right?" 

"I would appreciate it if I could read up on it really quickly." 

Ray nodded. "Sure, knock yerself out. The books right there on the floor."


Fraser walked over to the book and picked it off the floor. He flipped
through the pages and read the passage to himself. 

Ray was curious and asked. "Well? Go ahead and read it out loud, Frase." 

Fraser glanced up at him and his face was flushed. 

Ray saw the redness in his partners face so he reached over for the book.
"Here, lemme read it." Ray skimmed the page looking for the word *hay*
then found it. "Okay, here it is . . * dreaming of hay indicates that a
shy man is in love with you and needs encouragement if he is to speak of
his love to you."* Ray lowered the book and stared at his partner.
"Fraser? This doesn't hafta do with . . . " 

"No. . . . no Italian's are involved, Ray." Fraser smiled then stepped
over to collect his glass of champagne. He turned to his partner and
continued. "Did you say that you would like to propose a toast?" 

Ray nodded and set the book down. He took his glass and raised it to
Fraser never removing his eyes from the Mountie. 

Fraser raised his own glass to his partner's glass. "Go ahead, Ray." 

Ray cleared his throat and whispered. "Okay, lemme think of something . .
. Okay, here goes. To you and me, Frase . . . may our friendship be one
that will last forever." 

Fraser smiled and clicked his glass to Ray's. "Here, here." They both
sipped at their champagne.  

But then the Mountie raised his glass and Ray cocked an eyebrow. He hadn't
expected Fraser to propose a toast and to take another sip of champagne.
He raised his glass to Fraser's. 

"Go ahead, Frase." 

"To our friendship, Ray . . . May our friendship always be anchored in
truth." 

Fraser clicked his glass to Ray's and sipped at his drink.  

"I agree, here, here!" smiled Ray. He then stared at the Mountie as he
took a sip of his drink. "Fraser? . . .Speaking of truth . . . can I ask
you something?" 

Fraser set his glass down. "What is it, Ray?" 

"Are you the shy man that the interpretation is talking about, or is it
me?" 

Fraser didn't understand the question at first. "What interpretation?" 

"The interpretation about the hay . . . Is there something that you would
like ta tell me?" Ray gazed into those blues. 

Fraser stared at his partner and then swallowed. He didn't know how to
respond to the question being asked. "Ray . . . yes, there is something
that I would like to tell you but it's . . . it's a little difficult to
say this." 

Ray gazed into those beautiful grey blues and waited for the rest. He
needed to know if Fraser had feelings for him just like he had for the
Mountie. He had fallen in love with Fraser nearly a year ago and had kept
it well hidden ever since. He had promised himself that he would never let
the Mountie know of his secret emotions because it might ruin their
friendship. He vowed to keep his feelings hidden until last week when he
dreamed that Fraser ran off with the real detective Vecchio and the dream
had scared him. In the dream Fraser had run off to be with the Italian and
Ray had remained behind nursing a broken heart and the feeling had
devastated him. 

They gazed into each other's eyes with Ray hoping that Fraser loved him
and that by some miraculous chance the Mountie would tell him so. 

Fraser wanted to tell Ray how he felt about him but he was too frightened,
about his partner turning him away. 

Ray sighed and knew that he was going to have to ask. "Fraser?" 

"What is it, Ray?" 

Ray was nervous as he stared into those blues. "I need ta ask ya something
and I don't know how ta. . . ." 

Fraser nodded. "Just ask me." Fraser too, was nervous and wished that he
could express how he felt for his partner. 

"Okay . . . This is gonna be hard, Frase so bear with me . . . I had this
dream about ya. I dreamed that you ran off with this certain Italian that
we both know and it tore me apart. I couldn't understand how you could
abandon me after all we've been through and. . .." 

"Oh Ray, I would never do . . . " 

"Hold on Frase." Ray cut him off and looked down. "Lemme, finish please.
When I woke up from this nightmare, I vowed ta myself that I would never
let that happen. That I would do everything ta keep . . ." Ray glanced up
and continued. " Fraser, what I need ta know . . ." and he froze when he
looked into his partners' beautiful grey-blues only they weren't
grey-blues anymore. He froze when he saw the lights dancing in Fraser's
eyes. There were blue flashes and red ones and then followed by white ones
that streaked then bursted in the Mounties eyes like stars bursting in the
sky. Ray stood there openmouthed gawking at the array of colored lights
that danced and rained in his partner's eyes. Then he heard it. He heard
blasts and booms coming to him from all directions and it staggered him.
The explosions in the air and the lights of many colors rained in Fraser's
eyes and then Rena's words came back at him."Oh, you'll know. You'll hear
blasts and booms bursting in the air and you'll see lights raining and
dancing in those eyes when your love looks at you and you'll know that
this is the love of your life! You'll know you have just plummeted head
over heels in love!" and Ray was stunned. 

Fraser watched his partner as the detective stood there open-mouthed. He
murmured. "Ray? . . .Ray, are you all right? Ray, it's midnight and the
new year has arrived. Do you hear the fireworks?"  

Ray snapped out of his reverie and whirled around to look outside and saw
the rockets bursting in the sky. They left long white streaks as they shot
upwards into the sky then burst in the air raining down in brilliant
colors of red, blues and whites. He turned back to look at Fraser and saw
those same lights dancing in his partner's eyes and knew that this was the
love of his life. Laughing out loud he took hold of Fraser's hands and
whispered. "Oh, Fraser . . . I'm in love . . ." 

But Fraser reached up quickly and pressed his fingers to Ray's lips. "No.
. . . don't say it! There's something that I need to say to you first!
I've been waiting a long time to say this . . . I'm in love with you, Ray
and I have been for a very long time now and I need for you to know that I
need you and love you." 

Ray stopped laughing and was stunned. 

Fraser saw him freeze up and that scared him.  

Ray was shocked because this is what he had waited to hear from his
partner for so long and Fraser had finally said it. 

"Ray? . . did you hear me?" asked Fraser unsure as the detective stared at
him in shock. 

"Oh God, Yes, I heard you and I just can't believe that you finally said
it, Fraser because I've waited so long to hear it! I'm in love with you
too." 

Fraser exhaled sharply, deeply relieved that Ray wasn't offended. He
stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his partner and pulled him
close to his body holding him tight. 

Ray buried his face into the Mountie's shoulder and pressed his body even
tighter into Fraser wanting to stay in this embrace forever.  

They held each other indulging in each other's arms. Fraser pressed his
nose into Ray's soft blond hair breathing in the mixture of shampoo, gels
and the essence of Ray. 

Ray breathed in Fraser's scent off his tunic that was a mixture of starch,
clean material and Fraser. They held onto each other too afraid to move
and too afraid to release each other. 

Fraser then whispered. "Ray?" 

"M-m-m?" 

"Ray?" 

Ray finally looked up. "Yeah?" 

And that's when the Mountie reached over and captured Ray's lips into his
own. 

Ray felt those soft lips on his and reached up for more. He clung onto
Fraser attempting to taste much more of the Mountie's lips. Fraser ran his
tongue across Ray's bottom lip and the detective moaned.  

He then probed the detective's inner warmness with his tongue and that's
when the real kiss began. 

Ray uttered a loud guttural moan when Fraser's tongue caressed his own and
he pushed upward seeking more . 

Fraser gave him more. Kissing Ray fervently he backed the detective into
the desk then onto the desk sending papers and books scattering to the
floor as he climbed on top of Ray. 

Ray wrapped both arms around Fraser's neck and pulled him in closer
devouring his mouth. Both of their lips slid and pressed, tongues probed
and searched, and mouths clung desperately to each other. 

Fraser was straddling the detective and was now pumping into him
disregarding everything around them. 

Ray reached down and cupped Fraser's butt to pull him closer to him as he
moaned. "Oh God, Ben!" 

Bob Fraser cleared his throat to make it known that he was in the room. 

Fraser froze then looked up. 

Ray was gasping as he glanced up at the Mountie. 

Bob Fraser looked at his son then added. "I see you and the yank have
decided to start on the grandchildren?" 

Fraser stared at his father for a second and then he looked down at his
partner. "Ray?" 

Ray was still trying to catch his breath. "What?" 

"Maybe we should do this in your apartment. We don't want to mess up Miss
Rena's paperwork." 

Ray gazed into the Mounties eyes then nodded. "Yeah, I think yer right.
Doing it here is not the way ta do it for our first time. I really prefer
doing this on a bed." 

"Right you are." And Fraser started off. 

Ray stopped him. "Wait! You do promise that we're gonna do it at my
apartment right?" 

Fraser nodded. "Oh, most certainly!" 

Ray smiled. "Okay . . . you can get off me now." 

The Mountie nodded and jumped off his partner. 

Ray got off the desk and adjusted his clothes. "Okay. Let's hurry ta my
place." 

Fraser nodded. "I agree, so I'll follow you." 

Ray started out then came back and picked the book off the floor.  

"What are you doing?" 

"We're taking this with us. That way if ya decide ta have another one of
those bizarre dreams, we'll know what ta do." 

Fraser smiled. "Right you are." The Mountie held the door open for his
partner and waited till he walked out and added. "Ray?" 

"Yeah?" 

"I need to know something?" 

They both headed down the hallway of the building. 

"And what do you need ta know? It's not concerning the Italian is it?" 

"No Ray. No Italian's are involved in this question." 

"Very good, then you can ask me." 

"Do you think you could give me children? I mean, they're not for me,
they're for my father who insists on wanting grandchildren." 

Ray stopped and stared at his partner. He flipped open the book and began
his search. "And just how many times did you make me pregnant in this
dream? Gimme a minute ta look up the interpretation of children, Mr.
Kowalski-ta-be. "  

The end. 

* to dream of a crowd of children indicates exiting news.* 

Now, the end. 

comments, okay. .  droopy_jack@excite.com