Flood Gates	  Flood Gates by Caffre

 Author's disclaimer: DISCLAIMER: The characters in this story aren't
mine, they belong to Alliance. Alright, technically they belong to
Alliance, but seeing as they put them on the screen for us to fall in love
with them, then I reckon they should expect us to borrow them every once
in a while. 

 Author's notes: This is for Tina

  

 Title: Flood Gates 

 

 "We're going to die, aren't we?" 

 Fraser looked over to worried eyes and tried not to feel anything. But he
couldn't. Especially when he looked into those eyes. 

 "I'm sorry Ray." 

 "Sorry!" 

 Ray looked over to where his glasses had fallen in the struggle, before
turning back to look at Fraser. 

 "You're not meant to say that Fraser, you're supposed to say..." He
changed his accent, a strong English one replacing his own. "Do not worry
Ray, the loyal forces of her Majesties RCMP will track us in no-time and
release us from our bonds!" He shook his head, his own accent coming back.
"Not, sorry Ray!" 

 Fraser decided not to mention how wrong his accent had been. 

 "I am sorry Ray." 

 Ray looked over at Fraser, looking deep into those wolf cub eyes. He let
go of the tension that had been building within him with a long drawn out
sigh. 

 "No no. It's me. It's not your fault we're here. How ya doin' anyways?" 

 Fraser had taken a nasty blow to his face, a dull red mark showing the
outline where a bruise would develop before long. 

 "It's nothing Ray." Fraser noted the look on his friends face and
shrugged. "Alright, it hurts a little, but I'll be fine." 

 "I don't think so Benton. We're going to be dead in 3mins." 

 "Yes, well... Apart from that then." He tried to smile, the pain of it
turning the attempt into a small, quick grin. 

 They where silent for a moment or two, before Ray got up the nerve to say
what had been playing on his mind. 

 "Fraser?" 

 "Yes Ray?" 

 Another deep breath. 

 "Well, its just that...I don't really want to die, but if I have to, I'm
kinda, well, glad that it's with you." 

 Fraser took a moment before he replied. 

 "Really?" 

 A slight blush rose on Ray's cheeks. 

 "Yeah." 

 "Ray, since we've known each other, we've almost died 15 and a half
times..." 

 "15 and a half?" 

 Fraser ignored this and carried on. 

 "And, well, I sometimes think that it would be better for your health if
I where to leave and go back to Canada." 

 "Whoa! Now just hold your little Canadian horsies there Frase...." 

 "It's true. I don't want to be the cause of your death Ray." 

 Ray shook his head in despair. 

 "Fraser if I die during the Line of Duty, then it'll be by the hand of
some scumbag with a gun or a knife." 

 A pained expression, which had nothing to do with the mark on Fraser
face, showed itself to Ray. 

 "Don't Ray." 

 "Well, its true." 

 Silence again for a moment. 

 "It's just...." 

 "Just what Fraser. Just that Mounties rush in where Angels fear to
tread?" 

 "Yes Ray, something like that." 

 "Tut tut tut." 

 Puzzled eyes turned to him in the growing darkness of the room they where
being held in. 

 "You still don't get it do you Fraser?" 

 "Get what Ray?" 

 "Fraser! You're my best friend! I'd give my life for you in a heartbeat.
Before I met you I honestly..." Ray could see the look of puzzlement in
Fraser's eyes. He hated to see him hurting like this. He sighed again.
"Honestly? I thought I'd end up either dead or corrupt." 

 "Ray! Don't you dare say that! You have more courage and honesty than
anyone I've ever had the privilege to meet." 

 Ray just smiled at the anger in his friend's voice. "That's my point
exactly Fraser. You didn't know me back when. When Stella and me broke up,
I was down so bad. I just didn't care anymore at all. I took on being Ray
Vecchio in the hope that it would wind up with me dead. But it hasn't. Its
wound up with me alive and with a sense of decency never thought someone
like me would own! And I have you to thank for that!" 

 The smile was at Fraser's lips again. "For the next minute or so anyway
Ray." 

 Both sets of eyes turned to the bright red digital clock that was their
own personal countdown. They both looked back to each other. In another
part of the house they could hear footsteps. 

 "I guess Welsh refused to pay the ransom then." 

 "It would appear so Ray. I'm sorry." 

 A tired smile came over the blonde detectives face. "So am I Frase. I
just wish..." 

 The door to the room they where in burst open. "I'm sorry gentlemen, but
your times up." 

 Their kidnapper pulled out the gun from his jacket. "Actually, I'm glad
it's worked out this way." 

 He pressed the gun to Ray's temple. "Say goodbye to your little friend." 

 "No! Shoot me first. Please? Don't hurt him!" 

 Their tormentor turned to Fraser. "Alright then." 

 The cold metal of the gun was pressed against his head. 

 "No!" 

 A sick and twisted smile greeted Ray. "Sorry. No changes this time." His
finger tightened on the trigger. 

 Suddenly a shot rang out. For a second, time froze. Ray almost felt as if
the bullet had hit his own heart instead of Fraser's head. 

 Next thing he knew the man who had been holding them was falling, blood
soaking his chest. 

 He couldn't stop from looking at the body on the floor. 

 "Ray!" 

 Tear filled eyes finally looked up. 

 "Fraser? Oh my God! I didn't want to look up... in case...in case you
where..." 

 "I know. It's all right Ray. A SWAT team is outside. We're going to be
ok." 

 A sob escaped as he finally let the tears flow. "I heard nothing but the
gunshot. Oh Jesus Fraser." The Detective finally let the reality of the
situation it him. "Your alright? Your not hurt are ya?" 

 Fraser returned the look of relief on his friends face. "I'm alright
Ray." 

 The door to the room was opened, SWAT team members filling the room and
temporarily cutting them off from each other. 

 

 Ray sat on his couch, T.V. on, beer not too far from his reach. His mind
only on one thing. Fraser had been willing to die for him. He couldn't
shake it from his mind. He'd actually been ready to die for him. 

 A gentle knock on his door brought him back to his own room. Sighing he
stood up, walking over to the door. 

 "Fraser?" What are you doing here?" He smiled, looking at his watch. "It
is so way past your bedtime Mountie." 

 A small faint blush covered Fraser's cheeks, and for some reason he felt
himself go red slightly. "Ahhh, come on in there Frase, I'm only teasing
ya." 

 He stood to one side as he let his friend walk in past him. 

 "What can I do for you?" 

 "Oh. Nothing. I...Well, I was just worried about you." 

 They stood like that for a moment, Ray realising that it would have to be
up to him to make the first move. 

 "I've never had anyone willing to die for me before Fraser. Thank you." 

 This time Fraser turned the colour of his usual attire; something that
Ray seemed to think suited him. 

 "Why is that Fraser? Why did you offer to die first?" 

 "Honestly Ray?" 

 Ray nodded. 

 "I didn't think I could..." 

 "You couldn't bare to watch me die. That's it isn't it?" 

 Fraser felt ashamed at himself. "That's why I came. I had to apologise." 

 Ray stepped forward, embracing Fraser. 

 "You will never have to apologise to me for that. The thought of seeing
you die Fraser? I think it would kill me." 

 A sob escaped from Fraser, and pulling back slightly Ray looked into his
eyes, a tear ready to fall down his cheek. He pulled him close again, and
this time he returned the gesture, falling into it completely. They stood
like that for some moments. 

 Ever so gently Ray's hand began to caress Fraser's back, a gesture of
comfort, which slowly turned into something else. 

 "Ray?" 

 They both pulled back, Fraser noticing the tears for the first time in
Ray's eyes. 

 Fraser spoke. "You love me, don't you?" 

 Ray just nodded, the lump in his throat too much at the moment for him to
speak. The hand on his back suddenly disappeared, and for a second Ray was
disappointed at the loss of pressure. The next thing he knew it was on his
face, a thumb gently wiping away the tears that silently coursed down his
face. 
 The hand slowed to a stop as Fraser became hypnotised by the source of
Ray's tears. Ever so carefully he leant forward and kissed both of his
eyes before once again, inspecting them. 

 "I think I could drown in the eyes of someone who loved me just as much
as I loved him." 

 Somehow Ray found the will to speak. 

 "You love me too?" 

 "I'd die for you Ray." 

 "Stanley." 

 A smile quirked at his lips. "Stanley. I'd die for you. In a heartbeat." 

 An intent gaze focused on Fraser. 

 "But do you love me?" 

 Fraser smiled, an honest open expression that filled Rays heart with an
unknown before joy. 

 "I do Stanley. Between each heartbeat and during every breath. I love you
so much that I don't think I know how to say it right." 

 Ray reached up and took the hand that was on his face and held it tight. 

 "Your eyes say it all Benton." He kissed him then, a slow delicate
exploration that filled him with hope of a future with this man who held
his heart. "No one's ever gotten this close before Benton. Can I trust
you?" His smile showed that they both knew it was a redundant question. 

 "With your life Stanley?" 

 "No, with my heart?" 

 "Forever." 

 Saying that, Fraser took a step towards the bedroom, gently pulling
Stanley with him.   Finis****