Confrontation     *CONFRONTATION* *By GILDA LILY* 

 This story is an alternate ending to "SECRET LOVES". It is recommended
that you read that one first. It is posted on the DUE SOUTH Fiction
Archive. 

 I had tried hard *not* to write the ending the way it went in "SECRET
LOVES", but my Muse did not take 'no' for an answer and so I *had* to. I
also felt compelled to write this alternate ending (and a lot of people
requested it), so here it is. Whether or not you'll like this ending
better, only you can decide. 

 Rated R for m/m sex. 

 (c) April 1, 1997 (Our biggest snowstorm of the year!) 

  *I* 

 *SHOCK* Benny looked down at the wolf at his feet and frowned. "What?"
Dief merely whimpered and looked up at him soulfully. Ben sighed and tried
to concentrate on his paperwork, but that was difficult at the best of
times. 

 He was feeling something, something that set his teeth on edge and made
his nerves extremely jumpy. At first it had been an indefinable feeling,
but now it was centering around Ray. 

 Ray had been acting...secretive?...lately, and that was not like him. He
usually told his Canadian friend what was on his mind. Lately he had been
evasive as to his personal time off from the Precinct, and that bothered
Benny. 

 Dief growled again, and now Benny was feeling a little frightened. His
own intuition was telling him that something was drastically wrong. He
picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number. 

 "27th Precinct, Chicago Police Department." 

 "Elaine, is Ray there? This is Fraser." 

 "No, Fraser, he's getting ready to sign out. Why, did he have a date with
you?" 

 He shivered at the word 'date'. If only he could say that was true! 

 "Uh, no, but I was wondering if he would like to come to dinner tonight."


 "Look, he'll be leaving in a minute. Want to talk to him?" 

 "Uh, no. I'll catch him later." 

 "You know, I think he's got a mystery woman." 

 Benny's heart sank. "Yes, I think you're right. Do you think he's going
to meet her?" 

 "Probably. You know our Ray. Mr. Romantic." 

 "Yes," Benny said sadly. 

 "He tries hard to come across as this hardbitten cynic, but he's really
just a marshmallow. Ever see him with his nieces and nephews? They've got
his number." 

 *So do I. I just wish I knew how to use it.* 

 "Yes, well, thank you kindly, Elaine. I guess I'll see him tomorrow for
lunch." 

 "Good luck, Fraser." 

 He hung up the phone and frowned. Her tone of voice when she'd said
that...he shrugged. 

 He made a decision. Quickly he put his hat and jacket on and told Jasmine
that he was signing out early for the day. He hailed a cab and he and Dief
jumped in, heading for the Precinct. 

 His heart was pounding as he endured the ride to the station. He just
*had* to be in time! 

 He was. Ray was just emerging from the Precinct and getting into the Riv.
Benny ordered the cabdriver to follow him. 

 They pulled up outside the Hotel Royale, a swank downtown establishment
that was one of Chicago's finest. He watched as Ray went around to the
back of the building. 

 "Thank you kindly," Ben said as he handed the driver his fare and a
generous tip. He and Dief hurried out of the cab and went cautiously
around the back, but saw no Ray or signs of anyone else. 

 Benny pondered what to do. He was already feeling guilty about following
his best friend, but his instincts were screaming for him to stay close to
Ray. However, if Ray was meeting a woman here, his friend would *not* be
thrilled to see Ben. He decided to wait and see what developed. 

 The waiting grew intolerable, however, and he slipped inside the hotel,
Dief at his heels. 

 It was quite elegant in the building, the plush carpet muffling his
footsteps. He was at a loss to know where Ray had gone, but Dief had
picked up the trail. The wolf was all business as he padded down the
carpet. 

 Benny felt the urgency build in him. The man he loved (but who didn't
know it) was in trouble. He *had* to find him before it was too late! 

 When Dief picked up the pace, he followed suit. His heart began to pound
as his little voice shouted, //Faster! Faster!// 

 The reached Room 416 and Benny hesitated for a second, poised to knock,
then he tried the knob. Locked, of course. Dief was growling, his white
fur raised, and Benny raised his leg and kicked in the door. 

 The scenario shocked him. 

 Ray was in bed with a beautiful, dark-haired woman, who was holding a
knife to his throat, ready to draw the blade across sensitive skin. Green
eyes reflected shock, Ray's slender body tensed. 

 A second shock coursed through Benny as he saw who the woman was. 

 Ten years older, but unmistakable... 

 "...Victoria," he whispered. 

 "Hello, Ben." Her dark eyes glittered. "So good to see you again. You're
looking well. I always knew that uniform was made for you." 

 "What..." His mouth was painfully dry. "What are you doing here?" 

 "With your precious Ray?" Why, enjoying myself, Ben." She ran a hand
lightly down Ray's arm. "Your...friend...is a marvelous lover." 

 Benny flushed slightly, but his attention was riveted on the knife that
Victoria held to Ray's throat. Her hand was rock-steady. 

 "Please let him go, Victoria. Your quarrel is with me, not him." 

 "Oh, but since he's your heart's desire..." Her finger lazily circled a
nipple, then slid down barely brushing ribs and rested on a slender hip
"...he is essential to my revenge." 

 "Please don't do this." 

 "Please." She spoke the word softly but with a viciousness that chilled
Benny's blood. "How many times did I say that word to *you* ten years ago?
How many times did I plead with *you* to let me go? You turned a deaf ear
to me then. I shall turn one to you now." She began to press the blade
harder against Ray's throat. 

 "No!" Benny thrust out a trembling hand, Dief growling low in his throat,
poised to attack. "What do you want?" 

 An incredibly-pleased smile spread across her face. "I want many things."
She seemed to almost relax, her smile amused, but Benny knew better. He
had seen her survive the frozen Yukon. He knew her strength and wariness,
not to mention deceptiveness. 

 "First, lock that wolf of yours in the bathroom. *Now*." 

 He quickly complied, murmuring apologies to Dief as he urged the
recalcitrant wolf into the bathroom and shut the door behind him, letting
Victoria hear the click of the lock. He turned back to face her. 

 "Good," she purred, her nails lightly raking Ray's hip. "Now, Ben, how
does it feel to see me in bed with Ray? I told you, he's a marvelous
lover, but you know that, right?" She laughed at Benny's stricken
expression as his gaze slid to Ray. "So, you really *haven't* done it with
him. I figured as much, since I doubt Mr. Romance here would cheat on
you." She laughed again, a thoroughly unpleasant sound, then her eyes
glittered with hard ice. "*Beg* me for his life." 

 Benny blinked, then in a flash of insight knew what she wanted. He began
to slide to his knees... 

  *II*	*SACRIFICE* 

 Victoria smiled. Yes, this was perfect. The man who had sent her away on
his knees, begging her for his lover's life. How much better could it get?


 *Much* better. 

 Benny clasped his hands in front of himself, shaking slightly, and said
softly, "*Please*, Victoria. Spare Ray." 

 Her lips formed into a vicious smile. She kept silent, Benny's distress
radiating out toward her as she watched his pleading stance and the look
in his eyes. 

 *Much* better. 

 She felt the anger radiating towards her from the man next to her. Good
thing she was always prepared, like a Girl Scout. She slid her hand under
the pillow and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. 

 "Put your hands behind your back," she ordered, and the slight pressure
on the knife at his throat convinced him to obey. She snapped the
handcuffs shut and was pleased to have cut down on another avenue of
resistance. 

 "Victoria..." 

 "We're just beginning, Ben. After all, I have ten years of daydreaming to
put into practice. But I'll be kind. My partner will be here soon, and he
and I will leave this dreary city and enjoy our ill-gotten gains." 

 "Partner?" 

 "Yes. Jolly and I have hooked up again." She shifted on the bed, getting
a little more comfortable. She was going to enjoy this. "I think that you
should join us." 

 He blinked. "J...Join you?" 

 "Yes." She suddenly laughed uproariously. "Oh, dear, my sweet Ben, not
here in bed with us! Too risky, my precious, though it *would* be
interesting. No, I think you should go *au natural* like us. After all,
it's only fair, isn't it? Ray and I are showing you what we've got. Don't
you want him to see what he's missing?" 

 Benny flushed as red as his tunic but he stood up and slowly began to
unbutton said tunic, unhooking his straps and lanyard as well. He shook
his head slightly at Ray's look directed toward him, reading his friend's
protest, but it had to be done. He was willing to do *anything* if it
would keep Ray alive. If that meant getting on his hands and knees and
crawling toward her while he begged, he would do it. If she changed her
mind and ordered him into bed with them, he'd do it. 

 Victoria watched with avid eyes as Benny slid the tunic off, then slid
his suspenders down and pulled his undershirt over his head. She also
noticed that Ray was watching intently, a little thrill going through her.
This has been the right choice. Oh, yes! 

 

 She let her gaze travel appreciatively over Benny's bare chest, purring,
"Please continue." 

 He flushed a little and removed his boots and socks, then straightened up
and unbuckled his belt, beginning a slow slide of the jodhpurs down his
legs. 

 She purred again deep in her throat, wondering if she should hum some
classic bump 'n' grind music. Highly amused, she sang, "Lighten up, boys!
Why, Ray, darling, you're getting a show that was yours for the asking, if
you'd just asked." Again she felt the anger from the body next to her and
laughed. 

 Benny was left with just his underwear. He ignored her and looked
hesitantly at Ray. Evidently finding something there to give him courage,
he quickly pulled the shorts down and off. 

 "My," breathed Victoria. Her time spent with him ten years ago had not
been conducive to disrobing. The fury of the storm raging around them had
seen to that. She had always regretted not seeing what she had gone to
jail for, essentially. 

 Ray's green eyes were slightly widened, but a tiny smile played around
his mouth as he sent Benny encouragement. Benny took a deep breath and
waited for Victoria's further orders. The only sounds in the room were
their combined breathing and Dief's occasional howl. 

 "Let's go, Ben. Again." 

 He went to his knees, hands clasped, and she nearly orgasmed with the
pleasure of it. She drank in his pleading expression, the desperation
lurking just below the gentle surface, and the increasing anger from the
captive lying beside her. 

 She wished that she could make it last ten years. Ten years to make up
for the hell she'd been through in that vile prison. 

 "Let's see, what else can we do?" she asked, lazily rubbing her foot
along Ray's leg. She saw a flicker of anger from the blue-eyed man
kneeling before the bed and felt rage leap inside her. How *dare* he feel
anger! After what *he'd* done! Oh, he'd pay for that! Her eyes narrowed,
then widened and a smile curved her lovely lips. 

 Benny had experienced the anger as his frustation built. He could do very
little at this point. Dief was neutralized, and any move he made would
send that knife plunging into Ray's throat. He couldn't move fast enough
before fatal damage was done. His heart nearly broke at the injustice of
it. 

 He saw her answering rage and felt the fear grow in the pit of his
stomach. Victoria's viciousness was clear to him now. His regret over what
had happened ten years ago was rapidly lessening, as were the feelings
that he had carried around with for that lonely decade. 

 Until he'd met Ray. 

 He *had* to save him. He could not lose him before he'd even had him! It
could just not be done. 

 "I'm sorry for what I did all those years ago, Victoria," he said softly,
suddenly meaning it. Despite his dwindling feelings for her, others were
taking their place: compassion and pity. She saw it in his eyes. 

 "Sorry!" she mocked, dark eyes sparking with fire. Suddenly she looked
crafty and asked, "So, Ben, if you're really sorry, and I ask you now,
would you have let me go if you had to do all over again?" 

 Turmoil tumbled within him. She had committed a robbery, and had been a
full partner, not some female dupe going along with her man. She had been
desperate and delicate and strong, and he had fallen in love with her, but
he had still turned her in. It had been his duty. Her love had not been
enough. 

 "Yes," he whispered. 

 "Liar!" she hissed, a slight gasp emanating from Ray as her hand moved
infinitesmially. She saw how white Benny went at the noise. She smiled
again. Benny was beginning to hate that smile. Relaxing against the
pillows, she slid her fingers over Ray's thigh. "Perhaps, dear Ben, I
should mark him for you. When Jolly gets here, take another knife and
carve your initials into his sensitive skin? Maybe..." and she raked a red
nail delicately down Ray's inner thigh, "...do it here? Where it would
signal true possession?" She laughed at his fear, unable to keep it masked
this time. "Or maybe, when Jolly gets here, we'll let you pleasure him as
Ray has pleasured me these past weeks." 

 A hiss of anger beside her amused her greatly. She pressed the knife and
Ray's hiss turned to pain. She looked at him, his green eyes stormy with
raging hate. She hesitated for the briefest of moments, but then returned
her attention to Benny, who was looking at Ray, his clasped hands showing
white knuckles. She glanced at the bedside clock. Time to start wrapping
this up, even though she was having *so* much fun! 

 "So, boys, what shall we do while we wait for Jolly? Ben, dear, did you
know that I was just about to slit Ray's throat when you walked in? Or
battered your way in. Tsk! Such manners! Now, I wanted you to find his
body, all sweet and elegant and bloodless. It would have been *so* perfect


 if you'd just waited a bit! I was going to call you at the Consulate." 

 Benny's breathing was labored, but he kept silent. She could feel the
tension in Ray and thought, *He'll have sore muscles at this rate* and
slowly ran her tongue across her lips. 

 Time was winding down, unfortunately for her sense of fun. Jolly would be
here any minute, and while it would no doubt be amusing to have him join
in on the party, they had to get away before it was too late. Perhaps a
little teasing, and then they'd have to be off. 

 "Say that you'll do anything for Ray, Ben. *Say* it." 

 He licked his lips, then said softly, "I'd do anything for you, Ray." 

 It was a little more personal that she'd been bargaining for, but it
would do. She focused her attention on the man beside her and saw the
compassion and sorrow in his eyes. 

 "Would you humiliate yourself for him, Ben?" 

 "Yes." 

 "Would you allow Jolly to do what he pleases with you when he comes,
Ben?" 

 No hesitation. "Yes." 

 A noise of protest rose from Ray, and she nearly laughed. She was almost
lulled into a sense of security by Benny's soft proclamations of love, but
she knew she was dealing with a Mountie, who would strike if he saw the
chance. She would not give him that chance. 

 "Yes, I'm sure you two would have made a great pair of lovers. Mmm, yes,
I can see it now. You, Ben, being so sweet and so passive, you would be
the one to suck Ray off, or part your legs for him to ram his hard, hot
cock into you, and Ray would glory in it, a wolfish smile on his face. He
would *enjoy* your submission, and his blood would sing with it." 

 Benny's face became red again, but what amused Victoria was the evidence
of his cock stirring to life. 

 "Oh, so you like such talk! And the thought of such actions! My, my. What
a dirty little secret for such a pure-in-heart Mountie. Ray, dear, were
you aware of how shamelessly lustful your sweet friend was? Of course not.
He's very good at deceiving people, aren't you, Ben? I thought you loved
me once, enough to let me go. Of course you didn't." 

 Her voice hardened as she suddenly made a move with the knife, and a
strangled gasp/cry from Ray made Benny go sheet-white. "*Nooo*!!!" he
screamed and leaped forward 

  *III*  

  *TERROR* Benny shoved Victoria's hand violently away from his beloved's
throat. she was off the bed and into her clothes while Benny frantically
tried to stop the bleeding. He fumbled for the phone and gasped out a call
to 911, then one to the 27th Precinct. 

 "Hang on, Ray, *please*! Don't let her win! Don't die on me!" 

 Victoria listened to the pleadings with a mixture of amusement and
satisfaction. Finally she had revenge worthy of her sufferings. Ray would
die and Ben would be guilt-ridden all the rest of his days. 

 Anguish lived in Benny's eyes as he pressed part of the pillowcase that
he'd ripped to Ray's throat. His naked body trembled with soul- wrenching
fear as he watched the blood drip through his fingers. Ray's eyes were
closed and his breathing sounded as if he was struggling through a bubbly
pool of water. Harsh rattles terrified Benny. 

 "Goodbye, Ray. Goodbye, Ben," Victoria purred, leaving the room with a
swirl of the black cloak she wore. Benny barely registered her departure. 

 "Please, Ray. Help is on the way. Just *fight*! I know you can! You're
always kicking up a fuss! *Please* just hold on!" 

 Ray's eyes opened, suffering deep in the depths of emerald-green, and
Benny's heart nearly broke. His arm encircled Ray and he clutched the
rapidly-cooling body tighter to him. Noises gurgled as Ray tried to
communicate, but he finally had to grasp Benny's arm and squeeze. His eyes
slowly slid closed. 

 "No! Ray!" Benny's frantic pleadings did not open Ray's eyes. "No," he
moaned, the despair settling over them like an old-fashioned shroud. Dief
howled from his prison. 

 * * * * * * * * * * 

 Jack Huey received the call as he was returning from another one.
Elaine's voice was frantic as she relayed Benny's message. Huey
immediately hit the siren and headed for the Hotel Royale. He pulled up
just as the ambulance did and they hurried into the lobby, grabbing the
room key from the desk clerk and took the elevator to the fourth floor. 

 It saved wear and tear on the door as they entered, only to be stopped
short by surprise. 

 The paramedics' eyebrows rose at the sight of two naked men, one in bed
and the other kneeling beside him, the latter pressing a cloth to the
other man's throat. 

 "Dear God," breathed Huey, who snapped out of it just seconds before the
paramedics did. "Fraser!" he was at the Mountie's side in a flash. "What
happened here?" 

 "An old enemy...set Ray up. She's cut his throat, Jack!" 

 

 The paramedics took over, one gently pushing Benny away, the stricken
Canadian grabbing Ray's hand. With almost mechanical precision, Benny
related the bizarre story and Huey immediately put out an APB on Victoria.
Huey kept an eye on Benny, not liking what he saw. He sent a prayer up to
whatever God there might be to spare Ray, for the Italian's own sake and
Benny's. He put a hand on the Mountie's shoulder. 

 "Dief," Benny remembered, and Huey freed the wolf from his prison.
Immediately the animal whined and tried to get close to Ray, but Benny
held him back with his free hand, stroking his fur. 

 The paramedics worked quickly and efficiently, then started to prepare
Ray for transport. Benny still clung tightly to Ray's hand but was forced
to let go as they began to carry Ray away. 

 "But I want to go with him!" Benny protested. 

 "Fraser, your clothes," Huey said gently. 

 Benny looked down at himself and blushed bright-red. He dressed quicker
than Huey had ever seen a human being do, and Jack gathered up Ray's
clothes. He picked up Benny's underwear, too, the Mountie forgetting to
put it on in his haste. 

 They hurried down to where the ambulance was parked and Benny nearly flew
into the vehicle, Jack shaking his head at the paramedic that began to
protest. Benny clung to Ray's hand and sat silently. 

 "I'll meet you at the hospital. Don't worry about Dief. I'll take care of
him," Jack said, and Benny nodded his head. 

 The ambulance doors slammed shut and the vehicle took off, siren
screaming painfully. Jack watched it go for several minutes, then got into
his own car. 

 * * * * * * 

 Benny sat very still in the waiting room at the hospital. He had been
forced from Ray's side, and now kept silent as he stared at the entryway,
waiting for the doctor to arrive with news. 

 Huey sat just as silently beside him. He kept a periodic check on the
manhunt for Victoria, but nothing had happened yet. He didn't know if
Benny even heard the exchanges over the cell phone. 

 "Benton!" 

 Benny's eyes flickered and he rose, Rosa Vecchio hurrying over to him.
She hugged him and he hugged back desperately. Frannie and Maria were
teary-eyed as they waited for him to speak. 

 "Ray's in surgery now. They're trying to stop the bleeding. His...throat
was cut." 

 "Holy Mother!" Rosa gasped. Ray's sisters were equally horrified. 

 "How did this happen, Benton?" 

 "Please sit down, Mrs. Vecchio," Beeny said in a small voice. He sounded
as if he was fading away. Once they were all settled, he started to speak
in a halting voice. 

 "Ray was set up...by someone from my past. A woman." Huey wondered if he
heard Frannie's gasp. "I had to...turn her in. She was a bank robber. She
spent ten years in prison for her crime and swore revenge on me. She
pretended to be interested in Ray and started an affair, it appears. He
never told me that he was seeing someone!" 

 "I *knew* that something was up!" Rosa exclaimed. "My Raymondo was being
too secretive. He is *never* secretive. Besides, he can't hide anything
from me." Her daughters and Huey had to smile at that. Benny was too
distressed for it to register properly. She patted his hand. "This
woman...she chose my Raymondo for her revenge on you?" 

 "Yes," Benny whispered miserably. 

 "Because she knew that hurting my Raymondo would hurt you?" 

 He nodded, this time unable to speak past the tears in his throat. 

 She looked at him, brown eyes searching his face, and he felt a moment of
panic. Could she know the true nature of his feelings for her son? Would
he lose her loving support just when he needed it most, and what about
Ray? Would she suspect him of similar feelings? 

 She said nothing, revealed nothing, simply squeezed his hand. 

 * * * * * * 

 The waiting, as usual, was interminable in a hospital. Huey and Frannie
took care of getting coffee and snacks for everyone, and Tony arrived,
assuring Maria that their children were being well-looked-after, and he
finally persuaded everyone but Benny to go down to the cafeteria for a
proper meal. 

 Huey had left, wanting a more hands-on approach to the manhunt, and so
Benny sat alone in the waiting room, despair clinging to him like
shimmering gossamer. He bowed his head and prayed, panic teasing along the
edges of his mind. He still felt tremendous guilt. He had been the cause
of all this! His mind drifted back to a few hours ago... 

 * * * * * * 

 *"Nonsense, Benton. You are not to blame for this." 

 "But, Mrs. Vecchio, it's *my* past that's hurt Ray." 

 "Things happen, Benton. How much has Raymondo's past hurt you? Wasn't it
his past with Frankie Zuko that got you beaten up last year? Musn't you
still be careful with that man, because you're Raymondo's best friend? He
would happily hurt you to get to my Raymondo." 

 

 "But..." 

 "No buts." She took his chin in her hand. "You are the best thing that's
ever happened to my son, Benton."* 

 * * * * * * 

 He wondered again if she knew. He shivered as he thought of Ray's
reaction. Would he be happy or disgusted with what he now knew about his
best friend? Victoria had forced the truth out of him in that hotel room.
Would Ray be able to live with the fact that his trusted partner had been
secretly lusting after him for months? 

 "Constable Fraser?" 

 He stood up immediately, a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Yes,
Doctor?" 

 The kindly surgeon smiled at him. "Detective Vecchio is out of surgery." 

 "He's...?" 

 "Considering the nature of his injury, he's doing remarkably well." 

 "Can I see him?" 

 "Just for a few moments. Then again, it should be his family..." 

 "I *am* his family, Doctor." 

 Surprisingly, the doctor accepted that and led him down the hall and into
ICU. He left Benny alone, only the sounds of the machines hooked up to Ray
making their presence known. 

 He approached the bed slowly, dreading what he might find, but all he saw
was a pale, unconscious Ray with a huge bandage around his neck. He
reached out trembling fingers and curled them around Ray's hand, squeezing
lightly. Tears of relief and sorrow splashed onto their joined hands. 

 Green eyes fluttered open and Benny nearly gasped. His first instinct was
to call the doctor, but he was mesmerized by those eyes, which slid shut
again after only a few seconds. Heart pounding, Benny stood holding Ray's
hand until the ICU nurse asked him to leave. 

 He walked on shaky legs back to the waiting room. What he'd seen in those
lovely eyes had shaken him to his very core. 

  *IV*	*GENTLE* Benny was stil slightly dazed when the Vecchios got back
from the cafeteria. They were overjoyed at the news about Ray, no one
noticing Benny's reaction. As they chattered amongst themselves, Benny
wandered over to the window and looked out over the gray winter grounds. 

 *Victoria didn't do a proper job. She's certainly capable. Why *didn't*
she cut Ray's throat in such a way that made it impossible to save him?* 

 He was certainly grateful for the outcome, but it worried him. Victoria
didn't make mistakes. He shivered. 

 * * * * * * 

 By the next day, Ray was out of ICU and in a private room. The family was
allowed to stay, and Benny was allowed, too. 

 Benny brooded over the events that had led them all to this room despite
Rosa's assurances of his innocence in the matter. The vision of Ray's eyes
looking at him filled his mind's eye. He didn't hear when Rosa talked to
him. 

 It was during one of the times that Benny was alone with Ray that his
friend opened his eyes again. 

 "Benny," he rasped. His voice was unrecognizable. 

 "Don't try to talk, Ray," Benny pleaded, squeezing the hand he held. 

 "Have to. Not...your fault. Victoria...conned me." 

 "Because of me." Anguish filled the room. 

 It was Ray's turn to squeeze his hand. 

 "Don't." 

 "How can I not?" Benny's blue eyes swam with his tears. "You almost died,
Ray." 

 "But I didn't. So...don't go...beatin' yourself up over it." 

 Ray's voice was so raspy that Benny could barely understand him. That
hurt just as badly as the guilt, which was eating him alive. 

 "I...screwed up." It was Ray's turn to be guilty. 

 "No, you didn't. C'mon, Benny. A...beautiful woman like that...interested
in the likes of *me*? I musta been...crazy...to believe it." 

 "I don't think it's so farfetched." 

 Ray just snorted, reflexively clutching his throat. At Benny's anxious
query he merely shook his head. 

 "Ya don't, huh? Why?" 

 Benny turned red suddenly, Ray delighted at this reaction but he kept it
concealed. It wouldn't do to scare Benny off. 

 "I...what was said in the hotel room...it's..." He trailed off, at a loss
for the words to continue. 

 "What you mean is that what Victoria said was true. You *do* love me."
Benny nodded mutely. "And want me." Another nod, and a redder hue. Ray
laughed, a rumbling, scratchy sound that nevertheless sent Benny
soaring...until he wondered if Ray was mocking him. His heart sank and Ray
could feel his hand tremble. 

 "Hey, it's okay. I'm not...laughing at you. I'm...just so happy, Benny." 

 "But...you've never shown any interest whatsoever in me *that* way, Ray."


 *But what I saw in his eyes when he opened them for that brief moment in
ICU...* 

 "So? You think I'm so innocent?" 

 "Are you?" 

 Facing those guileless blue eyes, Ray wondered. "I'd have never guessed
that *you* were so inclined, Benny." 

 Benny lowered his eyes, his feathery lashes making the gesture charmingly
demure. Ray swallowed painfully. He was going to have a lot of 

 times like this in the future, with Benny just literally driving him
crazy! 

 "I've known what I was for a long time, Ray. I thought I'd died and gone
to heaven when I first saw you in the holding cell." 

 "You...ever since *then*...?" Awe shone in Ray's emerald eyes. "Benny,"
he said softly, tugging at the Mountie's hand to make him look up. 

 "Yes, Ray?" 

 "I had a lot of time to think with Miss Vickie's knife at my throat..."
he squeezed Benny's hand at the Canadian's shudder, "...and it showed me
the truth of what she said. You *did* love and want me, and when I saw you
strip..." Ray laughed a little. "'Fraid a striptease will do it to me
every time, buddy." 

 Benny blinked. "So it's purely physical?" 

 "No, you crazy Mountie! It's more like...heaven in a beautiful red serge
package. What my heart's been tellin' me for months has finally reached my
groin." 

 Benny blushed at the explicit words but leaned forward eagerly. Ray's
eyes encouraged him and he brushed their lips into a kiss: light, needful,
loving. 

 They hastily broke apart as the door opened and a male nurse cheerfully
entered, a small smile playing around his lips. 

 Neither man could wait for Ray's release. 

  *V*  *AWE* "Ray, please, I'll help you." 

 Benny had his arm around Ray's shoulders as he assisted his friend up the
stairs and into his bedroom. He gently helped the Italian sit on his bed,
smiling and caressing the silky hair, then a horde of Vecchios descended
upon them and they had no time to talk. 

 * * * * * * 

 "Whew! Finally!" 

 Ray grinned at the Mountie, who still looked a little shell-shocked. He
patted a spot on the bed next to him and Benny sat, staring wide-eyed at
the now-closed door. 

 "A little overwhelming, aren't they?" 

 Benny nodded mutely, and Ray laughed, a raspy sound that nevertheless
delighted Benny's ears. Ray slipped his arm around his friend's shoulders
and urged him to lean back into his embrace. After several comfortable
moments of silence, listening to his family's slamming doors and fading
voices and he whispered into his ear, "They've all left the house." He
began to nibble on a well-shaped ear. "Now, Benny my love, we can finally
*do* something about all our talk." 

 Benny shivered, his hand gripping Ray's knee. "But, Ray, in your house?" 

 "Sure, why not? Best place for it." Ray's tongue began to slide down his
Mountie's neck, eliciting more shudders from him. "Mmm, you taste good.
Smell good, too. You don't need any perfume to do that." As Benny
stiffened, Ray crooned, "No, no, baby. Don't think of her. Don't *ever*
think of her when we make love. I sure won't. You're...light.
She's...darkness. Open yourself to *me*, and you'll be happy." 

 Benny surrendered to the sensation of his throat being licked, then Ray
meticulously undid the lanyard, straps and buttons of the red serge tunic,
his hand straying to the place between Benny's legs. The Canadian gasped
at such boldness and his hand covered Ray's. Ray smiled as he realized the
other man was keeping his hand firmly in place. 

 *Oh, Benny, you are *such* a sensualist, if you only knew it!* 

 He laved his tongue up Benny's stomach, pushing up the undershirt above
his nipples, licking each one with slow, languorous strokes. Benny
whimpered and clutched Ray's knee tighter, the Italian smiling as he
removed the tunic and undershirt. 

 Hungrily he gazed upon the naked flesh, the urge to taste every inch
overwhelming. He got busy, Benny's eyes closing and moans coming from the
beautiful throat. 

 Benny decided to do his own share of lovemaking. He leaned forward and
began to nibble at Ray's ear, the Italian astonished at the shudder that
went through him. Regina...Victoria had not been able to do that. None of
his women ever had. And that was just a simple nibble! What was going to
happen when Benny...? 

 He groaned loudly as Benny kissed his cheek and closed eyelids, the warm
tongue beginning to explore Ray's neck, hesitating guiltily at the
bandage. Ray urged Benny's head up and looked into his eyes, and then they
kissed, a long, deep kiss that literally took their breaths away. 

 When they parted, they simply stared at each other for several seconds,
then Benny slipped Ray's shirt off and wonderingly caressed the
lightly-furred chest. He rubbed his cheek against it and sighed, Ray's
throat closing. He caressed Benny's hair and gently lowered him to stretch
out on the bed. 

 They simply stroked and caressed each other for the next several minutes,
then Ray began to tug at Benny's pants. Shyly the Mountie helped him get
them off, the boxer shorts already showing evidence of male arousal. Ray
grinned and slowly tugged the shorts down, his green eyes widening at the 

 treasures revealed. With a sense of reverence, he cupped the heavy balls
and stroked the sensitive flesh. Benny moaned softly and squirmed,
shifting his legs as Ray began to stroke in earnest. Ray's thumb slid up
the underside of the impressive shaft, feeling a vein pulse, then his
long, elegant fingers maddeningly caressed the other side, teasing the
balls as he brought Benny to climax. The Mountie was thrashing on the bed,
eyes closed and head thrown back against the pillow, his legs widening as
he gasped for more. Ray grinned evilly and pumped faster, a deep groan
spilling from Benny like the seed over Ray's hand. 

 Benny lay panting for several minutes, his eyes wide with wonder. Ray
loved that look and kissed the full lips, licking his lips with pleasure
at the taste. He idly stroked Benny's naked hip, pleased when the Mountie
took hold of his hand and kissed the fingers. Benny could taste himself on
those fingers, he realized with a startled look, and Ray knew that he
would love this man forever. 

 "Ray..." Benny's voice was faint but awed. 

 "Yes, love?" Ray was delighted to see the slight blush at the word
'love'. 

 "I...I can't tell you how I feel..." 

 "Then show me, love," Ray said softly as he caressed the side of Benny's
face. 

 Benny nodded and kissed Ray's fingers again, then his hand slid down
Ray's stomach and slid up and down his thighs. His mouth fastened on a
nipple and Ray gasped at the electricity that shot through him. He was
continually amazed by the effect that Benny had on him. He nestled the
precious head to his chest and closed his eyes as his Mountie worked
wonders. 

 Benny lavished his attention on both nipples, then slid his tongue down
to dip into Ray's navel, smiling at the Italian's gasp. His hands
continued to caress Ray's thighs, then one darted into the area between
and lightly touched a ball. Ray gasped again, his eyes widening. He parted
his legs slightly wider and then Benny's tongue slid to caress the long
shaft. 

 "Benny, you don't have to..." Ray croaked. 

 Benny looked up. "But I want to," he said simply, and returned to his
task. 

 His tongue caressed and licked, its warm moistness driving Ray wild. Ray
pushed Benny's head closer, excitement heaving his chest, and his hips
began to thrust forward. Benny engulfed him in one swift move, Ray's cry
delighting him. Benny sucked rhythmically, Ray's hips thrusting faster,
until he came with a deep groan, spilling into his lover's mouth. 

 Benny drank every drop, then released Ray's cock and reverently kissed
it. Ray was completely spent, but his hand still rested on Benny's head. 

 "Oh, god," breathed Ray. He finally opened his green eyes and looked at
Benny with wonder. Swallowing, Benny climbed up to be enwrapped in Ray's
embrace. 

 * * * * * * 

 She hung up the telephone, pleased at her spy's report. He had said that
there had been definite signs that the Mountie and the cop were
entertaining thoughts of entering into a sexual relationship from what he
had observed in the hospital. 

 So things had turned out well after all. She had not done a thorough job
of slitting the cop's throat because she had realized that it could be a
lot more fun this way: let the two of them get involved in an intense
physical relationship, investing more emotion in each other, and *then*
get her ultimate revenge. 

 "Come to bed," mumbled the man in the room with her. 

 "Coming, Jolly dear." 

 Victoria smiled. 

 THE END
 (Maybe)  

 Now, is that better? 

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