ACCEPT IT ACCEPT US
Chapter 1
Ray sat in his GTO. It was early - far too early - on a very wet and miserable Monday morning, but Ray couldn't take the huge smile off his face. It was only a few days until his and Fraser's first anniversary. Wow, one whole year! They'd lasted that long and only three people in the world knew of their relationship.
It was funny, really, thinking back to how it all happened…
It had been love at first sight when I think back, but I wouldn't admit it at the time. Thought it was just me getting over Stella. As time went on feelings got stronger and then that damn boat and that so-called buddy breathing; I still don't believe him there, it makes me laugh. Then when I convinced him to teach me to swim for real I faked that I couldn't breathe again to see what he'd do and what ya know? Buddy breathing! So I took a chance; it was either swim, or drown, so I kissed him. I had been getting signs for a while so I took my chance. It worked; he kissed back then laughed and said, "I was wondering when you were going to figure out about the buddy breathing." Ah, my Mountie.
Of course we had to tell Inspector Thatcher as she might walk in on something she shouldn't. She had a habit of knocking and walking in into a room at the same time instead of waiting to be called. Ray laughed at the memory of the look on her face when Fraser told her. Fraser's words were, "Sir, we think you should know that Ray and I are a couple. Lovers, Sir."
OK, OK, so he didn't have to say that last part, thought Ray, grinning as he remembered, but it was worth the look on her face; first shock, then horror, then relief. "Maybe you might keep him out of my hair now, Detective Kowalski?" she'd said with a glint in her eye.
Then we had to tell Lieutenant Welsh. His reaction had surprised us both. He just sat back in his chair, folded his arms behind his head and said, "Well it's about bloody time. I thought I was going to have to lock you two in a closet 'til you figured it out."
Then there was Francesca. She walked in on us. Well, not walked in exactly, but caught us kissing at the drive-in. After she was done screaming she started laughing, then surprisingly she hugged and kissed us both and wished us luck. I thought I was in a parallel universe, geez!
Thankfully, though, they all respected our wishes and kept it to themselves 'til we were ready. After all it's still not safe to be a gay cop right now...
Ray walked into the Bullpen of the 27th still wearing that huge smile; he just couldn't get it off his face.
He passed Francesca's desk and she looked up. "Morning Ray," she said with a wink.
Ray leaned over her desk. "Morning, Frannie. How are you?"
Francesca replied, "I'm fine, Ray. Is Fraser calling in today?"
Ray's reply was almost a whisper. "Ya, we have to finish the report on the attempt on that little girl…" he cleared his throat before adding, "…that got Fraser stabbed in the back. Just so glad that it wasn't that deep, y'know."
Francesca looked up at Ray. "Ya, I know," she replied in a very quiet voice.
Ray gave her a kiss on the cheek and continued to his desk.
It was around eleven a.m. when Fraser finally made it to into the station wearing his brown uniform. Ray noticed immediately; that uniform always took his breath away. Fraser was also wearing a huge smile. It did get some odd looks from people, but people thought he was a bit of a freak anyway so they passed it off.
Fraser also stopped at Francesca's desk on his way in.
"Hey Frase, how's the back?" Francesca asked.
Fraser smiled down at her and said, "Oh it's much better thank you. How are you?"
Francesca's smile widened. "I'm great thank you."
She stood and gave him a kiss on the cheek. It was nice now that she could do this now without him pulling away, or running as fast as he could in the opposite direction with a deer caught in the headlights look on his face.
Fraser then made his way over to where he really wanted to be: Ray's desk. What he wanted to do and what he could do once he got there were two very different things, though. What he wanted to do was throw Ray on the desk and kiss him until he needed air, but that might have caused a bit of a stir so the only thing he could do was sit down and say good morning to Ray.
Fraser had to complete his part of the reports and he and Ray just exchanged idle chit chat as they worked because others were hanging around Ray's desk. As soon as the coast was clear they turned the conversation personal.
"Did you get your lunch I left you this morning?" asked Fraser.
Ray smiled. "Sure did, thanks."
Fraser continued, "Sorry I wasn't there this morning when you woke; I wanted to get my Consulate work done early so I could come spend the day with you."
This conversation continued for a bit until a buzz went around the bullpen and a cry of "OH MY GOD! RAY!" came from Francesca.
Automatically, Ray stood up to see if she was OK only to see her hugging a man so tight he thought she'd burst him.
Fraser turned to see what the commotion was all about and Ray saw an even bigger smile cross his face. This made Ray wonder who this guy was.
Ray turned to Fraser. "You OK there, Fraser?"
Fraser just said, "Yes, yes, everything is great."
Then the mystery guy stood staring at Fraser and Fraser stood staring back.
Next thing Ray knew the two were hugging and it was a very strong hug at that. All that Ray was thinking was, hands off, buddy. Fraser's mine.
Fraser stood back holding Ray Vecchio by the shoulders and looking at his face. "Ray is that really you?"
Ray Vecchio smiled back. "Ya, Benny. It's really me." The two hugged again.
Breaking the hug Ray asked, "So where's this guy who was me, huh Fraser?"
Fraser brought Ray Vecchio over to his old desk. Ray Kowalski stood to greet this man still wishing he'd get his hand off his Mountie.
Fraser made the introductions. "Ray Vecchio, I'd like you to meet Stanley Raymond Kowalski."
They shook hands, wary of each other. It was a shock to come face to face with the person you were protecting and who was protecting you.
Ray Vecchio spoke up first. "So you're me, eh?"
"Ya I guess," Ray replied in a low tone.
Ray Vecchio continued, "So how d'you find it? Working with Fraser, I mean."
Ray laughed. "Well it's never boring that's for sure. Oh, sorry about the Riv, Vecchio."
Ray gave Fraser a wink and said, "Well it's not the first one Fraser blew up on me, is it Benny."
Fraser just blushed.
"So Stanley, what do you drive"? Vecchio asked as he sat across from the other man.
"Don't call me Stanley, please. Call me Ray, Ray, and I drive a GTO."
Ray's eyes widened. "Oh, nice car. How do you feel about parking that outside Fraser's apartment?"
Fraser and Ray exchanged looks.
"Is there something I'm missing here?" Ray asked, slightly worried now.
A moment of silence passed before Fraser spoke, "The day I came back from vacation after speaking with you, I found that my apartment building had been burnt to the ground."
Ray Vecchio was stunned, "Oh my god, Benny! I'm so sorry. Where are you living now?"
Fraser and Ray once again exchanged looks and this made Vecchio even more nervous.
Fraser cleared his throat. "Well up to last year I was living in my office," he explained, "but I'm in an apartment now downtown."
Ray Vecchio stared hard at Fraser. "You lived in your office for the past three years? Why did you only get an apartment now?" he asked, not really believing what he'd just heard.
Fraser leaned forward, "No one would let a wolf stay, Ray."
They all laughed at that.
Lieutenant Welsh stood at his office door. "Vecchio! My office, now. You're late."
Ray Vecchio shrugged his shoulders. "I guess some things never change. See you guys later," he said and disappeared into Welsh's office.
Ray Kowalski was glad his undercover work was over; he couldn't handle it any longer. Thank god those guys slipped up right in front of him; they had gotten too comfortable and left their guard down. So it ended. Four years it took, but it had ended finally.
Lieutenant Welsh sat behind his desk. "Welcome back. I see you met Detective Kowalski."
"Yes Sir. Seems like a nice guy. Kinda edgy, but…"
"Ya, ya he is, which is why I'm keeping him on. His and Fraser's arrest record is something we cannot lose here."
Ray looked puzzled. "So where does that leave me, Sir?"
Welsh stretched his arms behind his head. "The three of you will work as team. I'm sure you will get on just fine."
This conversation went on for a while. Ray was not happy and that was putting it mildly. Taking the files he needed to catch up Ray left the office to find that Fraser and Ray Kowalski had already left to follow up on a case.
Two days later and Ray Vecchio had remembered how much hated reading files; he'd forgotten how much he hated it. Ray hadn't really seen any of his friends properly yet as they'd all been really busy with cases. I'm starting back at work on Friday but now I have two partners, Ray said to himself. God, things have changed. Ray wondered what else had changed.
Sitting in the GTO Ray looked over at Fraser. "So you and Vecchio…anything I should know?"
Fraser shot Ray a look. "No Ray, never! I…I…"
"Ah, I'm only yanking your chain, Benton Buddy," Ray grinned. "So what's his deal anyway?"
Fraser just replied the way Ray knew he would. "What do you mean, Ray?"
Ray just threw his eyes to heaven. "You know. You and he ever…y'know?"
Fraser shot him another look. "I can assure you, Ray, that Ray Vecchio and I never…and I can also assure you that I only have eyes for you," he said and he gave Ray's thigh a squeeze.
Ray smiled putting his hand on Fraser's. "Greatness."
The next two days were filled with paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork plus the odd robbery, but nothing major. Not that they were complaining, but Ray hated paper work.
Finally it was Thursday. One year, one whole year Fraser and Ray had been together. Neither one had ever felt this much love for someone before, not even Stella had made Ray feel like this and, well, Fraser had only ever really had Victoria and he wanted to forget all about that.
They both actually had the day off; they had booked it months ago and were hoped nothing would come up to spoil it and nothing had, so they were fine.
Fraser woke first. He propped himself up on his elbow just to watch Ray sleeping beside him. This always made him smile; to see Ray so relaxed and calm, almost childlike. Fraser couldn't help genially stroking Ray's arm in nice small patterns.
Ray stirred and opened his eyes to meet Fraser's big blue ones looking back at him which brought a smile to his face.
Fraser spoke first. "Happy Anniversary, Ray."
Ray smiled. "Happy Anniversary, Benton Buddy," he replied, pulling Fraser down for a loving, deep kiss.
The morning was perfect; first waking to those big blue eyes, then making love, then breakfast in bed. Could the day get any better? Ray thought, looking out the window to the perfectly blue sky.
As predicted, the rest of the day was great. They both did things they loved to do with each other. Since Francesca had taken Diefenbaker for the day and night they could do whatever they wanted. So they went horse riding and Ray took Fraser go-kart racing. Ray loved seeing how much Fraser always enjoyed this, it always made him smile.
Their dinner plans had to be early as, even though they had the day off, they had work at eight the next morning. Fraser had a meeting with Lieutenant Welsh and didn't know why since he wouldn't give him any details. Fraser was very nervous because he was told that Inspector Thatcher was going to be there as well, but tonight was tonight and he was going to enjoy it.
Fraser and Ray both dressed up, but not too much as the restaurant they were going to wasn't too fancy. It was just a family diner, but they were always comfortable there; never judged if they held hands across the table, or kissed. So it was off to Marty's Diner.
They sat in their usual booth looking like two love sick puppies. The waitress stood trying to take their order. She tried a few times to get their attention. "Can I take your order please?"
On the third try Fraser heard her. "Sorry, didn't hear you," he said, blushing slightly.
"Ya, I figured. What is now? A year isn't it?" the waitress asked. She served them every time they came in so knew them well.
Ray gave a huge smiled. "Yep, one whole year," he answered.
The waitress threw her eyes to heaven. "Love, eh!"
Both Fraser and Ray ordered the same meal; they both ordered the steak. Chatting about their wonderful day, they were totally oblivious to everyone around them so they didn't see Jack Huey sitting at the other side of the restaurant with his wife and kids.
But he saw them.
When he looked more closely Jack saw that they were holding hands across the table and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. Then when Fraser got up to go to the restrooms what he did next nearly gave Jack a heart attack. Fraser leaned down and gave Ray a kiss on the cheek.
Jack hid behind his menu until the coast was clear, then he took out his phone and rang Ray Vecchio.
Ray was sitting on his couch reading through the files when his phone rang. He picked up the phone. "Vecchio…hey Jack, how the hell are ya?"
"I'm good, but what I've just seen nearly gave me a heart attack," Jack replied.
"Oh ya and what was that, Jack?" Ray said in a slightly joking tone.
Jack laughed and asked, "Why didn't you tell me Kowalski and Fraser were seeing each other?"
Ray was puzzled. "What are you talking about, Jack? Seeing each other?"
Jack explained, "Well for one I'm sitting here in Marty's Diner right now and I'm watching at the other side of the diner a certain Mountie and a certain Detective holding hands. When that certain Mountie got up to go to the bathroom, said Mountie gave said Detective a kiss."
There was a long silence on the phone before Ray spoke. "You sure it was them?"
Jack took a deep breath in before answering. "Oh I'm sure alright. You mean you didn't know?" he said, sounding surprised.
Ray shouted down the phone. "No, I didn't know!" and he hung up.
Ray was very confused and mad as hell. He paced around living room wondering if what Jack saw was true. If it was true, why hadn't Fraser told him? It just couldn't be true, just couldn't be. Fraser wasn't gay, was he?
Meanwhile, Fraser and Ray Kowalski had left the restaurant. They headed back to their apartment for some dancing, somewhere nice and private with no one bothering them or pointing and staring at them because it was two men dancing together. If they wanted to kiss while dancing they could. It was their night and they just wanted it to be the two of them.
In the apartment the light was low, the music was soft and the smell of scented candles filled air. The two danced so perfectly together, their bodies fit so perfectly as if the gods themselves had made it so. They moved in perfect rhythm with the music and every now and then they'd place gentle kisses on each other as they looked into each other's eyes. Gosh they were in love and no words were needed at any time.
After a while there was a knock on the door, the sound of which made both Fraser and Ray groan. They looked through the peep hole and saw it was Mrs Brooks from next door. They had forgotten she'd said she'd drop off a present for them. She was the only other person who knew about them.
They opened the door and greeted her in unison. "Hi Mrs Brooks, how are you?" they both asked
Mrs Brooks smiled back. "Hello, my boys. I just wanted to give you this." She handed them a lovely cake with Happy Anniversary written on it in blue and red writing.
They thanked her and kissed her on the cheek and she left happy after that telling them she hoped they had a lovely night.
Just as Ray put the cake on the table another knock came to the door. Fraser and Ray looked at each other; they weren't expecting anyone else to call.