thirty-seven   Notes:  Rated NC-17, Slash, RV/BF.  Thanks to Cheyva
for the beta.  Feedback goes to Strandia22@aol.com, and would be greatly
appreciated with unabashed abandon.  This was started years ago and
forgotten; it's a relief to have it finished instead of cluttering my
harddrive.  http://members.aol.com/strandia22 
Disclaimer:  Not mine, don't sue please, I'm Canadian. 
    Thirty-Seven By Strandia 

"Hey, Benny, you know something?"  Ray pulled the Riviera to a full stop
right outside Fraser's building, and then turned to his friend with a
toothy grin.  "This is the first Saturday in a few months that I'm
actually dropping you off, instead of driving around the city in search of
some criminal with you.  I might actually get to enjoy myself, tonight." 

"Well, I certainly hope you do," Fraser said with a small smile, innocent
in all approximations.  A pleasant tingle ran down Ray's spine, and he
mentally cursed both himself and Fraser's propensity for being so damn
polite.  "Thank you kindly for the ride, Ray." 

"Yeah, see ya, Benny."  Ray waited, watching his red clad friend open the
door of his building, turn, and give an uncertain wave.  He drove away,
tires squealing against the pavement, sounding very much like he felt. 

This was sickening. He was supposed to have a house full of well-behaved
Catholic children and an Italian wife.  He was not supposed to be a
divorced cop lusting after his innocent, Canadian, male best friend.  The
Lord worked in damned mysterious ways. 

He made sure to keep his hands on the wheel and his eyes on the road,
although his mind and body were travelling to far different places.  This
irrational need he felt was overwhelming him.  Everything the Mountie did
drove him crazy.  A flutter of those long eyelashes.  A flash of a pink
tongue against full lips.  Even those neck cracks of his were sexy. 

Considering Benny's ability to see through people, Ray found it amazing he
was so oblivious to Ray's lust for him.  At least he hoped he was
oblivious.  But he certainly seemed like it.  Really, it wasn't the sort
of thing Benny would even consider thinking about. 

Fraser was gorgeous, that was a given.  He had that home-grown wholesome
look about him, and Ray went for that.  He always had, really; Benny had
forced him to un-suppress some unwanted feelings. 

He'd followed Fraser up to the North Pole or wherever the hell he'd gone,
not just because he felt sorry for him, but because he was hot for the
guy.  That was just the beginning, of course.  Fraser became his best
friend.  He loved him.  Like a brother, as much as anything else. 

And because of that, because they were friends and Benny depended on him
so damn much, and he depended on Benny, he wanted to stop wanting him. 
He'd tried. 

Thinking about the inconvenience of it all helped.  Like all the missed
Saturday nights.  His social life really was pathetic... Tonight, though,
he would have fun.  Fun completely unrelated to police work or Canadians. 
Unless there was a Hawks game on, when he'd concede the Canadian bit. 

**** 

It was not to be.  Ray looked around his quiet home in disgust.  His whole
family had gone out for Saturday night except him.  Even Frannie had a
date.  And he was sitting here in an empty house doing nothing.  At least
this afternoon there had been the commotion of kids and grown-ups getting
ready, rushing around him.  Now the silence engulfed the house, and Ray
was lonely. 

Nothing on television, either.  He hated himself for even thinking it,
but... he didn't even have any interesting cases to go out chasing after
with Benny.  Of course, Benny was what... staying home to read a book?  He
smiled at himself.  He could go over, and just hang out.  They were best
friends, after all. 

No.  He should stay home and read a book, or jerk off, or something.  He
didn't need Fraser to have fun, did he? 

He groaned even as he picked up his jacket and headed towards the door. 
He should be going to a bar to meet women, not going to a Mountie's rat
infested apartment for some stilted conversation.  He was obsessed with
the guy... that was the only explanation. 

Well.  If he couldn't have the Mountie horizontal and panting his name,
he'd have to take him vertical with some semi-intelligent conversation. 

**** 

The knock on the door startled Fraser and made his breath catch.  It
opened before he could rise to answer it.  Fortunately, it was only Ray. 
"Hey Benny, how's your Saturday night coming?  Cause I'll tell you
something: mine sucks." 

Ray thumped down noisily onto a kitchen chair and set the 4 bottles of
chilled beer onto the table with a rapid succession of clinks.  "I brought
us a couple of beers, Fraser." 

Fraser carefully replaced his bookmark and folded the novel closed. 
"Thank you, but I don't usually drink, Ray." 

"Well, one's not going to hurt you.  Anyway, they're Canadians."  Ray held
out one with a smirk. 

Fraser nodded in resignation and took the cold bottle from Ray's sweating
hand. Ray had to smother a gasp as their hands met. 

Fraser was wearing his white undershirt with his jodhpurs and suspenders,
and his feet, surprisingly, were bare.  Ray wasn't sure he could stand
it.  Fraser must be the only man on earth who could look sexy in striped
suspenders. 

Ray took a beer for himself, and took a long swig.  "You know what Benny? 
I'm depressed.  And you know why I'm depressed?"  Fraser shook his head. 
"Because since you came to live in Chicago and you started coming with me
to cases, and I watched you jump onto cars and lick stuff off the ground,
help old ladies across the street and contribute to the cause of the
day..." He let out a tremendous sigh.  "I've had virtually no sex life." 

Fraser blinked a few times, opened his mouth to speak, failed, and closed
it again.  His second try was only slightly more successful.  "Er... 
Ray..." 

"Yeah, Benny?" 

"I really don't see how your lack of sexual activity has anything to do
with the fact that I currently reside in Chicago."  He nodded for effect. 

Ray threw his hands in the air, glimpsing the brown, wet-looking stains
covering Fraser's ceiling.  "Benny, Benny, Benny!  Listen, can you
remember the last four Saturday nights and what I, what we did?" 

"I think so, Ray.  Last Saturday we were looking for Mrs. Dawson's puppy,
and then got caught in that hostage situation.  The previous Saturday
night Inspector Thatcher, you, and I were chasing the so-called Flag Thief
down the highway, after he had stolen the consulate's flag and replaced it
with that of the Americans.  The Saturday night before that one, we were
typing up reports about the incident which had occurred the previous
Saturday night, the kidnapping of those tropical frogs, as we had caught
the frognapper that afternoon.  Is that right?" 

"Yes Benny, that's right.  And for just about every Saturday night for two
years I've been doing similar things." 

"Well, we have always been helping people, Ray." 

"Well, I need help.  Why won't someone help me, and give me a date?"  Ray
sighed.  "Guess... humour me here, and just guess... when the last time I
got laid was." 

Ben furrowed his eyebrows. "Laid, Ray?  As in... eggs?" 

"Benny!"  He slapped his forehead. "It's an expression.  Guess when the
last time I...  engaged in sexual relations was." 

Fraser's eyes widened, and he dropped his eyes to look intently at his
beer label.  "Well, I'm sure I wouldn't know, Ray." 

"I'm sure you wouldn't," Ray murmured.  "Well, it's been 14 months.  14
months!  Do you know how long that is?  More than a year." 

Fraser smiled quickly.  "Yes, I can count, Ray.  But I don't see your
problem." 

Ray groaned in disgust.  "Right.  I should have known you wouldn't
understand.  All those months alone in the Yukon must be pretty hard to
bear.  I guess 14 months is nothing to you, huh?" 

Ben snorted.  Ray looked at him in shock.  Benny had never, ever snorted
before.  Fraser smiled when he noticed the startled look.  "Oh, I
apologise, Ray.  It's just that the Yukon is not as lonely as you might
think."  If Ray didn't know better, he'd say that a wicked look was
gleaming in Benny's eyes. "In fact, people are much more free with their
sexual inhibitions up there than in most parts of North America." 

"What are you saying Benny?  I wasn't even sure you even knew what sex
was, let alone...  well, that." 

"Well, that's just silly Ray." 

Ray gaped at his friend.  "Look at it from my perspective, Fraser.  The
only woman I've ever seen you interested in was..." He stopped abruptly,
not wanting to bring her up. 

"I do admit that since I arrived in Chicago, I have not been overly
occupied with sexual relations.  And yes, to be honest, I have been quite
celibate since Victoria left." 

Ray continued to stare at him.  "And before you arrived in Chicago,
Fraser?" 

"Well, Ray..." Fraser blushed, and lowered his eyes demurely.  One eyelash
flutter and Ray would be lost. 

"Tell me, Fraser." 

"I suppose one could say that I had a reputation for being the town
playboy, of a sort.  I was, of course, younger then." 

"The town... Fraser, how many women have you slept with?"  The answer to
the question was suddenly drastically important to Ray.  Fraser might not
be as innocent as he thought. 

"Ray, you are asking a multitude of rather personal questions, which, I'm
sure, have no relevance to..." 

"How many women, Fraser?" 

"I really don't see why I should answer you." 

Infuriating.  Ray could sense that an Inuit story, completely unrelated to
sex, was about to spew out of Fraser's lips.  "Fraser, give me a break! 
How many women?" 

"Just the women, Ray?" 

Ray exhaled loudly.  The air in the squalid apartment seemed to drain of
oxygen.  The look on Fraser's face was not in the least bit facetious. 
And Benny wasn't that good a liar, was he? 

"Geez Benny, guys too?"  A frank look and a nod were his answer.  Ray's
brain twisted around itself until it brought him back to his original
question.  "Let me rephrase the question then, how many *people*, as in
members of the human species..." He stopped short and gave Fraser a
horrified, questioning look.  Fraser raised his hands and shook his head
swiftly in denial of the unspoken accusation.  "Good.  Okay, so people,
Benny.  How many?" 

"I haven't exactly counted Ray..." Fraser looked off into the distance,
apparently counting off numbers in his head.  "Around...  thirty-seven." 

"Thirty-seven?  Here I thought you were living the life of a monk, Mr.
Straight-Laced Mountie, when you've been screwing thirty-seven people of
both genders?" 

Fraser looked incredulous.  "Well they weren't all at the same time, Ray. 
Of course, there were those select occasions, when the sweatlodge got out
of hand.." 

Ray stared at Fraser, mouth open, thoughts swirling.  He noticed that the
Mountie's mouth was twitching in one corner.  And, all of a sudden, as if
he could no longer hold it in, Benton Fraser erupted into childish
giggles.  The giggles turned into howls of laughter, and tears began to
roll down his face. 

Ray continued to stare, until he realised that Benny must have been
kidding.  He was sorry, suddenly, but the humour of the situation took
over, and he then began to whoop with laughter himself.  Every time they
calmed down, they looked into each others eyes and started up again. 
Finally Ray could speak.  "Geez Benny, you had me going there, I'll admit
it.  I mean, to think that you, of all people..."  He chuckled.  "And here
I thought you were a bad liar." 

A slightly guilty look appeared on Ben's face.  Wait a minute.  "Benny? 
You were lying, right?" 

"Well, Ray, you are correct, I did stretch the truth quite a bit. You can
change thirty-seven to...  uh... hmm...  fourteen.  And that sweatlodge
remark, that was only once, and it was only the two of us." 

Ray blinked.  "Fourteen?  And the two of..." 

"Eric and myself." 

Oh, fuck.  "Eric?  You don't mean...  Eric?  You mean you weren't kidding
about the guy thing, Benny?" 

"Well, not really Ray.  I freely admit that I am bisexual.  Gender really
isn't a problem for me." 

Ray's feet felt numb, and he could feel the corner of his eye twitch. 
"You're just kidding around with me, now, aren't ya." 

"I'm afraid not.  Is that a problem?" 

Was it?  Hell no.  "No, Benny, it's not a problem, just a surprise. Why
haven't you told me this before?"  Ray couldn't believe that Benny had
just admitted he was bi.  He couldn't believe that Benny had just played a
joke on him.  He couldn't believe that he was actually talking to Benny
about sex.  He couldn't believe how his Saturday night had turned out. 
This was better than tropical frogs, any night.  He wasn't sure how it
rated against jerking off. 

Benny was grinning at him.  "Well, you never asked. I'm sorry to shock
you, Ray.  Really.  I know you and just about everybody else thinks that I
do live the life of a monk, which I suppose I have of late."  He
chuckled.  "Funny, I don't have an Inuit story which covers this topic." 

Ray grinned.  "Yeah, Benny, too bad."  Fraser really was gorgeous when he
smiled, Ray thought.  He didn't do it as often as he should.  Ray
immediately shoved the thought to the back of his mind, as he had been
doing for months.  But wait.  Fraser likes men, he'd said so.  He was
attracted to him.  Why not tell him?  Maybe he could get some of that
action he's been complaining about. 

But casual sex with Benny, in the confines of his own mind, was one
thing.  The real possibility of it was another.  They were friends. 

Ray shook his head, beginning to get flustered.  He got up, and made his
way towards the door.  "Thanks for the chat Fraser, it took my mind off
things.  See you tomorrow."  He had to get out of there, so his brain
might actually work. 

Ray tried not to notice Fraser's disappointed expression as he said,
"Goodbye, Ray." 

**** 

Ray collapsed on the living room couch of his empty house.  All he could
think driving home was the fact that 'gender wasn't really a problem' for
Fraser.  Benny, bisexual.  Ray would have never seen that coming. 

Of course, the way Benny looked, he could get absolutely anybody.  Even
him. 

Ray had always been left to fantasies in thinking about Fraser.  He had
imagined telling Fraser he wanted him in a thousand ways.  And he had had
the perfect chance tonight, but had he taken it?  No!  He had run out of
there.  What a wimp. 

Fraser wouldn't let it screw up their friendship.  If he wasn't
interested, he'd refuse him, simply, and then offer him tea or tell him a
story or some other crap. 

He'd never know if he didn't ask.  He'd never have a better chance. 

There was still time.  He grabbed his car keys and stormed towards the
door. 

**** 

"Ray.  This is somewhat of a surprise, twice in one night.  You're lucky I
was still awake, but this book is truly engrossing.  Can I make you some
tea?"  Fraser looked hesitant to Ray, almost uncomfortable, like someone
had stolen his underwear. 

"That's ok, Fraser."  Ray started to pace, not sure what to say.  He'd
almost run over a teenager on the way there, he was so preoccupied with
trying to find the perfect words.  They hadn't come then, and they weren't
coming now. 

He was seriously rethinking this plan.  He didn't need this.  He could go
on, live in his fantasies, keep the hope alive that maybe one day, in
never-never land or Canada or somewhere, he'd get the Mountie.  But if
Benny turned him down tonight, he'd have nothing. 

Fraser had sat down on the edge of his bed, and was watching Ray pace. 
"Ray?" 

"Yeah, Benny."  He stopped pacing, and faced Fraser. 

Benny's face was flushed, and he was avoiding eye contact.  "Ah.  You
see...  Oh dear. Regarding my revelation earlier tonight.  I was afraid
you might feel unsettled.  But Ray, you don't have to worry that I would,
er, 'come on to you', as I believe is the current jargon.  If you were
worrying about that, it isn't necessary." 

Ray blinked a few times, then grinned widely.  "Why Benny, you don't find
me attractive?"  The intended sarcasm was nowhere to be found. 

Benny took it seriously.  "Ray, I don't want to complicate things..." 

Ray's eyes widened; he hadn't been expecting that sort of response. 
"Benny.  Are you attracted to me?"  There was no answer; Fraser was
looking down at his clenched bare toes.  Ray quickly moved to sit on the
bed next to him, and reached out to turn the other man's head so that
Fraser faced him.  The smooth skin of his cheek warmed Ray's fingers and
sent a solid shiver down his spine. "Answer me, Benny." 

Fraser's eyes finally locked onto Ray's.  Ray was touched by the honesty
and trust behind his potent gaze.  "Yes.  Very much so, Ray." 

Ray wasted no time; he leaned in and kissed Fraser as soon as the words
left his lips.  It was deceptively gentle and teasing as their lips
learned each other's shape and taste. 

The fantasy could become a reality.  Fraser was his for the taking. 

"Why didn't you just say so?" Ray whispered as they parted, moving his
lips down Fraser's throat.  He bit down gently, then swirled his tongue
over the tiny mark he'd made, relishing Fraser's muted gasp. 

Fraser put both hands on Ray's head, pulling him away from his neck and
forcing him to look in his eyes.  "Ray!  You... you..." He dropped his
hands and sighed. 

Ray leaned his forehead against Fraser's.  "Yeah.  Got a problem with
that?" 

Fraser's eyes widened, and he smiled crookedly.  "Really?" 

"Yeah, really." Ray said, before pressing his lips to Fraser's again, more
persistent this time.  This kiss was not gentle or languid, but probing,
almost brutal.  Fraser's mouth complied against Ray's, allowing and
participating in the plunder. 

Was this just sex with a friend?  And if so, why was he feeling so much? 
He decided quickly that he didn't care; he had the Mountie right where he
wanted him, and Fraser was willing and pliant, happy to be there.  He was
attracted to him; he wanted this too. 

Ray almost died at the small moans Fraser kept making as he kissed him. 
This was a fantasy it couldn't be this easy. 

But it was. 

Ray pulled Benny up the bed and rolled on top of him, never breaking
contact with his lips.  He slid his hips so that his cock rested atop
Fraser's... he was hard too, thank God.  His hand explored Fraser's neck,
tickling him with feather-light touches as he teased him with his tongue. 

Fraser bucked against him when their hips met, moaning again, softly. 
When Ray broke away from his lips to pay attention to his neck, he started
to pant Ray's name quietly. 

His voice broke Ray's control and he started to rock against Fraser. 
"God, Benny, you're so beautiful like this."  He kissed him again and
their tongues came together, dancing in the rhythm of their hips. 

"Ray.  Ray.  I can't wait.  Ray..." He spread his legs and wrapped them
over behind Ray's, pulling him closer and harder against him.  They were
both thrusting against the other's clothed groin, too caught up in
sensation to pause. 

"It's okay Benny, let go."  They moved more and more urgently, both
panting roughly into each other's ears. 

"Ray, God, Ray, Jesus..." Benny's litany would have amused Ray if he
hadn't been otherwise occupied... he was in grand company. 

Fraser thrust up against Ray one last time before exploding roughly with
an exclamation of Ray's name.  Seconds later, Ray joined him, biting down
on Fraser's shoulder as he came. 

Sensation flooded through his body, pleasure so intense that Ray was sure
he must be dying.  They were still dressed, for God's sake; they were
acting like randy teenagers, but it was so amazing, so fantastic. 

Better than he'd imagined.  Fraser wasn't the conservative, shy lover Ray
had thought, obviously.  Maybe it wasn't the innocence he was attracted
to, after all.  Ray stroked Benny's throat with the back of his hand, and
slid off of his lover, coming to rest next to him on the bed. 

Fraser's hand reached over to hold his, the thumb stroking over the
sensitive knuckles.  "Ray-" 

"Shh, Benny."  Ray knew he'd want to talk about it... like talk wasn't all
they ever did.  Fraser turned to face him, however, and caught Ray's eyes
with such an intense gaze that it was impossible to look away. 

"Ray, just... what does this-" 

Ray stopped Fraser's words with a kiss, sweet and gentle.  Benny was
attracted to him, he'd said that much.  And Benny obviously knew that Ray
felt the same way.  Why did they have to complicate it? 

Fraser pulled away slightly, resting his forehead against Ray's.  One hand
moved down Ray's side and rested on his hip, stroking lightly, while the
other still grasped Ray's own.  "What does this mean, Ray?"  Fraser closed
his eyes, as if waiting for rejection. 

Ray sighed.  "Hell, I dunno, Fraser.  You tell me."  When Fraser turned
away, Ray pulled him back.  "Naw, Benny, I don't mean anything by that, I
just... I don't know." 

"Neither do I.  I feel-" He hesitated and scrunched up his face.  "I feel
like everything is new, and I don't know anything anymore." 

Ray closed his eyes for a minute, then opened them.  "Yeah, I feel like
that too.  But I know one thing."  He waited until Benny looked into his
eyes.  "I know that we're partners, you and me.  And nothing's ever gonna
change that.  We'll make it work." 

Fraser smiled and let out a deep breath.  "I know something else, Ray." 
The hand that rested on Ray's hip slid down to the fly of Ray's pants, and
with amazing dexterity, undid them. 

Ray shuddered as Fraser's strong hand caressed the sensitive flesh of his
belly.  "Yeah, what's that, Benny." 

Fraser's hand slid underneath the waistband of Ray's silk boxers.  "I want
you," he whispered as his hand lightly grasped Ray's hardening cock. 

He couldn't breathe, he couldn't think, he could only feel.  Ray squeezed
Fraser's hand tightly while leaning forward to kiss him.  Their tongues
flowed over each other like wine over an altar; their touch was holy,
blessed.  "God, Benny," he moaned between kisses, the need as powerful as
earlier. 

They pulled away from each other and silently undressed, their movements
jerked and hurried.  His clothes discarded, Ray watched, amused, as Fraser
threw his jodhpurs onto the floor and wriggled out of his white starched
boxers.  His amusement was immediately replaced with desire, strong and
infiltrating. 

Fraser leaned back against the wall and with dark eyes watched Ray slowly
move forward, his movements graceful as a dancer.  Ray straddled his body
and reached out to him.  The first touch of Fraser's perfect chest sent a
jolt through them both.  Ray grinned at him.  "You're so gorgeous." 
Fraser laughed, his voice low and husky. 

Ray leaned forward, catching Fraser's lips in a soft kiss.  He moved down
his body, stopping to nip at his neck, then, sliding further down, to
capture a dusky nipple between his teeth.  He flicked his tongue over it
lightly, kissed it, and progressed down. 

He left wet kisses down over Fraser's belly, and, sliding down, drew his
tongue over his inner thigh.  Fraser's body was tense, and Ray reached up
to stroke his hip softly.  "You deserve to be worshipped, Benny," he
whispered, and set a small kiss on the head of his cock. 

"Ray, please.  Ray."  Ray smiled at the desperation in Fraser's voice, but
chose not to test it.  It wasn't the time for games.  He grasped the base
of Fraser's cock with one hand, and engulfed the head.  He sucked gently,
letting his tongue sweep around and down, tasting the salty skin. 

Fraser's low growls of pleasure were like a symphony to Ray's stimulated
senses.  He used them as a key to his actions, learning what made Fraser
pant. This was amazing, he was sure that he was insane, it just couldn't
be so easy. 

He devoured Fraser like a condemned man devouring his last meal; although
he hoped this wouldn't be the last time, Ray knew for sure that he was
condemned.  He wanted to be here with Fraser for always.  He wanted never
to be away from his long, muscular body, his annoying morals, and his low,
sexy voice that panted his name. 

He sped up when Fraser's moans began to sound urgent.  This whole
situation was urgent, but at the same time, it was something to be
prolonged and savoured.  It was a symphony, but it was also a rock
concert.  Both held the power of transcendence, both were power.  And
this, the feeling of Fraser's pliant, willing body under his, the taste of
his hard cock filling his mouth, was more powerful than any music. 

Fraser's hips bucked, his voice cried out in a sound of pure elation.  Ray
caught him when he fell, relishing the taste of his come in his mouth,
relishing the thought that he had brought him to this point of ecstasy. 

Fraser didn't take long to recover.  He roughly yanked Ray up towards him,
kissing him roughly when his face came within reach.  Ray grasped at him
urgently, covering his lips in wet, open-mouthed kisses.  The thought that
Fraser could taste himself in those kisses only made his need more
urgent.  "Benny," he moaned, stopping to attack the other man's throat. 
He felt Fraser's rough hand close around his cock, moving only slowly,
teasing.  "Benny, please... I can't wait." 

Fraser's hand moved faster, and it felt better than anything Ray had felt
before.  He gasped for air, his breathing a harsh rasp against Fraser's
neck as he fought to control himself, to make this last.  "God!" he
managed, then "Benny, yeah, plea-".  The word stuck in his throat as he
let go, the orgasm shooting through him like a bullet to the heart.  "God,
I love you Benny," he moaned as Fraser pumped him slowly, bringing him
through. 

He panted roughly, the physical pleasure sinking through his system
slowly, while the joy, the transcendent happiness only rose.  He breathed
in deeply, inhaling the salty tinge of his partner's flesh, and he knew. 
"I do, you know," he whispered. 

Silence. 

Ray pushed himself up on a trembling arm, and looked into Fraser's face. 
His eyes were open wide, still black with desire.  "I do," Ray repeated,
his voice stronger, confident. 

Fraser nodded swiftly.  He reached to pull Ray in for a kiss, their full
lips brushing over each other.  When he pulled back, Fraser turned his
head to the side, closing his eyes tightly.  "I... Ray." 

"I know Benny.  I know."  Ray lay back down on his side, one arm draped
over Fraser's chest.  He closed his eyes, his exhausted but happy body
embracing the thought of sleep. 

"Ray?  In the morning?" 

"We'll still be partners, Benny.  Always." 

"Always," Fraser repeated.  "I... I love you Ray.  I always have." 

He could hear the blood rush past his eardrums, and he swore his heart
lost a beat.  He held on to Benny's torso a little tighter and snuggled up
to him as close as he could.  When the morning did come, he knew, without
a doubt, that it would be good. 

End. 

Thanks! Any and all comments to Strandia22@aol.com.