The Neutral Zone

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the movie Thunderheart and I'm not making any money from this fic

Summary: Set after the movie's events. Ray finds himself drawn back to the reservation and to one man in particular; but past actions still torment him with guilt

Warning(s): Spanking; spoilers for the whole of the movie Thunderheart; sexual scenes between two men; some violence

Pairing: Walter Crow Horse/Ray Levoi

Author's Note: Next fandom in the Twenty Fics series. Inspired by Carlyinrome's fics on Livejournal. I was so taken with the pairing, I bought the DVD of the movie so I could watch it and then got inspired, so… here we are.

It didn't take long for Ray to get what he needed to in order. He'd returned to the city long enough to get his affairs in order; to sell his house and request a transfer. It wouldn't have been a problem if he had to just leave, as he was certain he could find law enforcement work when he returned to the reservation. But given how much he knew, Ray's hunch that his bosses would be eager to get rid of him quickly proved to be correct.

Ray had given up on getting rid of the dog. Truth be told, he liked the company. Returning to his house had been a lonely prospect. Which was probably the main reason why he jumped at the dream-vision that may or may not have been encouraging him to return to the reservation. Possibly because it had been intended as a suggestion or guidance, rather than an order.

As he drove, Ray glanced sideways at the dog. "What do you think? The spirits carry news of our return to Grandfather and Crow Horse?" His smile faded as he thought about the latter. Crow Horse was the main driving force behind his desire to return, if Ray was honest with himself. In comparison to Cooch, Crow Horse had been a much better partner. A much better friend.

Jimmy barked and Ray glanced in the mirror. He could see the flashing lights of a familiar-looking police car and he couldn't help a grin as he slowed down, pulling over to the side of the road. "Guess he knew I was coming. Either that, or I was over the speed limit."

Parking the car, Ray watched in the mirror as Crow Horse, having parked his car, ambled towards his. "I wasn't going that fast, was I?" he asked with a smile.

"Are you just passing through, or did you FBI types find another reason to come back?" Crow Horse asked.

"Nope, just me. And Jimmy," Ray added. "I put in for a transfer here. I think they were eager to get rid of me, after the whole scandal with Cooch."

"I'm surprised they let you come back and didn't arrest you on some made-up charge."

"Does Grandfather know I'm back?"

"Who do you think sent me here?" Crow Horse asked.

"I'm sure you've told me to listen to the wind. I'm surprised it didn't tell you I was coming back," Ray teased.

"Not this time, Hoss. Do you have somewhere to stay?"

"I thought I'd stay in the motel until I could find a good place."

"You're not staying in a motel," Crow Horse replied. "I'll get back in the car and you can follow me back to my house."

"Okay." Ray watched the other man head back to the police cruiser. It made him more happy than he wanted to consider that he was going to be able to stay with the other man. He didn't dare look too closely at his feelings. Just because Crow Horse was inviting him – well, insisting on it, really – to stay with him, it didn't mean there was anything else going on.

"Yeah, I know," Ray muttered to the dog, as he put the car in gear and began driving after Crow Horse's cruiser.

Jimmy was quick to make himself at home as soon as Crow Horse led Ray and the dog into his house. Ray paused in the hallway, looking around. "This is a nice house."

"For who I am?" Crow Horse glanced at him.

Ray shrugged. "It's just nice." He glanced ahead of him at the open door that led to the living room. "Want me to set my things up in there?"

"Nah. I've got a guest room. Up the stairs, along the end. You can bunk there." Crow Horse turned to grin at him. "I guess we'll be working together from now on."

"Good job we had a lot of practice at that." Ray carried his bags up the stairs, heading to the room indicating and placing his bags on the floor. He then stood up, glancing around the room. It was nice; but there was something he was missing. Or someone.

Ray walked out of the room and back down the stairs, heading to the kitchen where Crow Horse was mixing drinks. "So is that some kind of herbal drink?" he asked, standing in the doorway.

"Just coffee." Crow Horse handed him one of the mugs. "So. This mean I'm your new boss?" He smirked.

"I hope not."

"You're one of us now. Had a vision and everything. You can't be bothered by the idea of me being in charge of you."

"I'm not bothered by you being in charge of me." Ray paused, wondering if his words could be taken the wrong way. Just because he felt a certain way about the other man, it didn't mean Crow Horse felt the same about him. But he was through hiding and denying any part of himself now. "I assume there are rules in place about getting involved with your boss."

Crow Horse set his mug down and turned fully to face Ray. "Are you talking about romantically? Dinner, flowers, the works? Or a quick fuck?"

Ray winced at the somewhat crude descriptive word. "I'm not looking for a quick fuck and then it'll be over."

Crow Horse was silent for a few seconds, then, "Is that why you came back here?"

"Only part of the reason," Ray answered. "Truth? I've never felt more at home than when I was here. I knew I had to come back. No matter what might happen between us." He couldn't keep the note of hope out of his voice. Crow Horse hadn't lost his temper and he hadn't told him to leave. That had to be a good sign. He cleared his throat. "You know, it doesn't matter if you don't feel the same. It doesn't…"

Whatever else Ray had been about to say was lost as Crow Horse closed the distance between them, kissing him hard with one hand gripping the back of his head. It took a moment, but Ray returned the kiss, pressing closer to Crow Horse.

Pulling back, Crow Horse looked into his eyes, though kept his hand in place on the back of Ray's head. "Don't be stupid."

Ray grinned. "You were hoping I'd come back."

"I told you. You've got a place here. You're one of us." Crow Horse shook his head, smiling. "Grandfather saw it before I did. Told me I needed to give you the freedom to choose. Watching you drive away? Was the hardest thing I've ever done."

"I wish you'd told me before I left." But Grandfather was wiser than Ray had given him credit for. If Crow Horse had told him how he felt before, Ray probably would have either stayed; or run; or…

"You're over-thinking it." Crow Horse kissed him again, harder this time.

By the time the kiss ended, Ray was unsteady on his feet and his lips felt swollen, his cheeks flushed. "That was worth waiting for," he whispered. But there was a note of hesitation in his voice. He remembered when he'd felt so lost emotionally, he'd pulled his gun on Crow Horse. Hell, their first meeting had been with him tackling the other man to the ground and cuffing him. And after that, he'd been nothing but antagonistic. Until he'd realised more was going on that it had seemed.

"Where's your mind at, Hoss?"

"I'm sorry." Ray's voice was quiet and guilt-filled.

"I don't dwell in the past. The conflicts between us don't exist now." Crow Horse shrugged. "Grandfather was right about you. And you're in my life. I'm in yours. Nothing else matters."

"It matters to me."

Crow Horse studied his face and seemed to come to a decision. Grasping Ray's shoulders, he moved him towards the counter and stepped behind, pushing down on his back.

Ray's cheeks flushed as he allowed himself to be bent over the counter. Crow Horse's hand rested on his back, pushing him down, while the other hand smacked down hard on his backside.

The jeans Ray was wearing didn't offer much protection and he hissed out a breath as Crow Horse's hand slapped down a second and a third time. The smacks continued to land in random places all over Ray's bottom, making it impossible to predict where his hand would land next.

Ray breathed in deep, his bottom beginning to heat up under the hard, firm smacks. He forced himself to keep still, breathing deep as his entire world shrank to the feel of Crow Horse's hand smacking his bottom and the dull sound of the slaps.

Crow Horse stopped the spanking and Ray let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. The other man's hand was still braced on his back, so he knew the spanking wasn't over… but he couldn't help but flinch as he felt Crow Horse's hand slide under him to unfasten his jeans. "Wait…"

"There are no secrets between us, Hoss. No need for modesty."

Ray bit his lip as he felt his jeans and underpants tugged down to expose his bare backside, which he was certain had to have pink handprints all over it already. He bit back a yelp as Crow Horse's hard, callused hand slapped down on his bared backside. The sting was much sharper without the protection of his pants.

The smacks rained down harder and faster now. Ray grunted and groaned, feeling tears in his eyes from the repetitive pain. "I'm sorry…"

"It's not about being sorry. I don't want an apology."

Ray stamped his foot as Crow Horse's hand fell harder and faster, beginning to focus more on his sit spots and thighs. The tender spots burned more and his voice sounded strained when he yelled out, "Then what do you want?"

"For you to forgive yourself as freely as I have forgiven you."

Ray wasn't sure he could do that. Richard and Maggie wouldn't have died if he'd been better at his job. If he'd worked with Crow Horse instead of against him at every turn. If he'd just gone to Red Deer Table when Grandfather had told him to… "I won't work against you again!" His voice hitched.

"I know you won't. Because if you do? You'll wind up right back here."

Ray wasn't sure if he should be upset at the promise or not. Tears were blurring his eyes and running down his cheeks. He let out a quiet little sob as he felt a heavy weight in his chest begin to lift. The spanking hurt, but he was safe. He was home. And that sense of relief was so strong, it overwhelmed every other emotion.

The spanking came to a stop and Ray felt Crow Horse's hand release him. He stood up slowly, reaching back to rub his burning bottom before he quickly pulled his underpants and jeans into place, then turned back round. "I…"

"If you apologise again, I'm going to bend you right back over." Crow Horse's hands went to his belt, making his meaning clear.

Ray shook his head and stumbled forward so he could press his lips against Crow Horse's. "I'm glad you feel the same way," he whispered against the other man's lips.

The End