CHAPTER 2

Ray Kowalski opened the door. "Vecchio, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?" he asked as he held the door open.

Ray Vecchio did not look happy and started to push Ray Kowalski back into the apartment. "What the hell do you think you're doing with Fraser, Kowalski?" he said.

Ray Kowalski was a little startled at being pushed as he didn't know what was wrong.

Fraser came out of the kitchen. "Anything wrong, Ray?" The words stopped there as he watched his former partner shove his new one. "What do you think you're doing, Ray?" he asked.

Ray Vecchio turned and shot Fraser a darting look. "Answer me this, Benny. Is it true? Is it true that you two are..." Ray couldn't even finish what he was saying.

Fraser took a deep breath and stood in front of his lover. "Yes Ray, we have been together for the past year. As a matter of fact tonight is our anniversary," he said, looking into Ray Vecchio's eyes.

Ray Vecchio started laughing. "Don't give me that, Benny. You're not gay. I mean, what about Victoria?"

"What about her?" replied Fraser, calmly.

Ray Vecchio shot him another look and just started yelling, trying to get at Ray Kowalski.

"He's taking advantage of you, Benny. Can't you see that?"

Fraser caught him by the shoulders. "Calm down, Ray. Just calm down," he said over and over, but Ray wasn't listening.

Ray kept saying, "Get your hands off me, Benny, or I'll…" After a few times saying this Ray lost all of his control and punched Fraser in the face, knocking him to the floor.

On the way down Fraser hit his injured back on the table. Both Rays looked down at him.

"Oh Benny, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me," said Ray Vecchio.

But before he could continue, Ray Kowalski cut him off. "I think you should leave Vecchio. Go on, GET OUT!" he said, crouching next to Fraser.

Just leave, OK," added Fraser. Fraser's lip was bleeding, but his eyes had the look of shock and the pain was almost too much.

But Ray Vecchio was frozen to the spot.

Ray Kowalski spoke again, but to Fraser this time. "Come on, Frase. We'll check your stitches to see if any got damaged when you hit the table."

As he helped Fraser to the chair Ray Vecchio found his voice. "Stitches? What stitches?"

Ray Kowalski lost it now in Ray Vecchio's face. "If you had read all the files you were supposed to, you would have seen that Fraser got stabbed in his back trying to protect a little girl. NOW LEAVE! GO ON! GET OUT!"

With that Ray Vecchio turned and left feeling like he'd just killed his best friend. What had come over him? Why did he just do that? He just didn't know why.

After checking the stitches were all fine, Ray cleaned up Fraser's lip. Luckily it didn't need a stitch.

After all that drama they decided to call it a night.

As they lay in bed feeling upset and confused as to why Ray did what he did, they decided to cheer themselves up by exchanging their Anniversary presents.

Fraser went first. He handed Ray a big box wrapped in baseball paper which made Ray smile a huge smile. He really knows me.

Ray opened it really quickly. The look of shock at what he saw nearly made Fraser think that Ray didn't like what he'd got him, until he saw a tear fall down Ray's cheek.

Ray turned to him and said, "How…how did you get this?"

"Do you like it, Ray?" Fraser asked.

"How did you get a Babe Ruth signed ball? How?" said Ray.

Fraser gave a wink and whispered, "I have my ways, Ray," and gave him another kiss.

Ray turned and handed Fraser a lovingly wrapped long box. It was a lovely wooden box with B.F. engraved on it and inside was a beautiful knife with both their initials on the handle.

Fraser rubbed his figures over it as tears filled his eyes. "It's perfect, Ray. Thank you," and leaned to Ray for another kiss. It was too painful for a deep kiss as his lip was now swelling, so they decided to go to sleep.

Across town Ray Vecchio sat at his kitchen table looking into his very strong cup of coffee. He was wondering what the hell had just happened. Had he really gone over there shouting and hit Fraser?

At that moment Francesca came into the kitchen. "What's up Ray? You look upset."

Ray raised his eyes to hers and just said, "I hit him, Frannie. I hit Fraser."

"You did what? Why would you hit Fraser? What could he have done?" Francesca shouted at him.

Ray swallowed. "I don't know, Frannie. One moment I'm there shouting that Kowalski is taking advantage, the next I'm hitting Fraser. Oh, you should have seen the look in his eyes Frannie; it was like I shot him all over again."

Francesca put her hand on his shoulder. "Ray, why did you do that? Is it just because he's dating Ray, or is it that so much has changed and it's freaking you out?" she asked in a calmer voice.

Ray turned his head to Frannie and asked, "You mean you knew about them?"

"Yes Ray. The only people who know are Lieutenant Welsh, The Dragon Lady and me," Francesca told him.

Ray was quieter now. "You OK with this?" he asked her.

"Yes Ray, I'm very happy for them. They are very good together. Really, Ray."

Ray stood. "I don't want to hear this right now," he said and he headed up to bed.

Next morning Fraser and Ray sat eating their breakfast, still reeling from what had happened last night. They tried to think of how to explain Fraser's fat lip and the bruise on his face. They decided that, if asked, they were not going to lie. They would ask Welsh for Ray Vecchio to be partnered with someone else till things calmed down, if they ever did. They were going to see him today, though, since he was starting back at work.

Sitting outside the station Fraser and Ray prepared themselves, not only for the questions about how Fraser got injured, but also for the mystery meeting with Lieutenant Welsh and Inspector Thatcher. They also knew they'd have to face Vecchio and it was more than likely everyone knew by now of their relationship since Jack had seen them.

With one last squeeze of hands they headed in. They nearly managed to get all the way into the bullpen, but while walking down past the interview rooms they came face to face with Ray Vecchio.

They stood there for what seemed like a long time just looking at each other.

Ray Vecchio decided to make the first move by putting his hand on Fraser's arm and saying, "Fraser, please, I'm sorry. Talk to me."

Fraser pulled his arm away and tried to keep walking, but Ray grabbed him again. "Please, Benny."

Ray Kowalski shouted, "Leave him alone, Vecchio! You did enough damage already."

Hearing the commotion Lieutenant Welsh and Inspector Thatcher came out of the office to see what was going on only to see Fraser being dragged into an interview room by Vecchio and Ray Kowalski going into the viewing room since Vecchio had locked the door so no-one couldn't get in.

The two superior officers joined Ray in the viewing room. "What's going on with those two?" asked Welsh.

Inspector Thatcher asked, "What happened to Fraser's face?"

Ray took a deep breath. "Well, first Jack saw us at the diner and rang Vecchio to tell him about it. Vecchio came storming over demanding to know what was going on and blaming me. Fraser tried to calm him down, but Ray just hit and hit him hard. You should have seen the look in Fraser's eyes."

Welsh asked, "Why would Vecchio do that?"

"I don't know, Sir, but there's no way Fraser and I are working with him 'til he calms down and sorts himself out," Ray answered with a tremble in his voice.

Meanwhile in the interview room Vecchio was trying to apologise but doing a very bad job of it. Leaning on the table next to Fraser he said, "Why didn't you just tell me, Benny? Why?"

Fraser remained silent for a few moments before speaking. "If you had listened to me, Ray, I would have told you we were planning on telling you today. Why did you hit me, Ray? Do I offend you that much? Is it the fact that I'm gay, or is it who I'm seeing? Tell me."

Ray started to pace. "Oh, Fraser, it's none of those. It's just…it's just everything has changed so much; everything is just…it's too much, you know. Look, Benny, I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean to hit you. Does this Kowalski guy make you happy? Really happy?"

Fraser sighed and looked straight into the mirror knowing that his Ray would be on the other side. "More than you know, Ray, more then you know. Before you barged in last night, do you know what I was going to give him? DO YOU?"

"What, Fraser? What were you going to give him?"

"I was going to give him this." Fraser placed a small box on the table. "It's my Dad's wedding ring, Ray. I was asking him to marry me." Fraser then began to cry.

Not knowing what to say, Ray stood there not saying anything.

Ray Kowalski then burst through the door, breaking the lock and took Fraser in his arms to comfort him. He turned his head and asked Vecchio to leave.

Welsh came to see if everything was alright.

Ray answered, "Yes, Sir. We'll be down in a minute, just give us a minute, OK."

Welsh nodded. "OK, Detective," he replied and left them to it.

Fraser looked into Ray's eyes. "I'm sorry. That's not how I wanted to ask you," he said.

Ray wiped the tears from Fraser's face. "Benton Buddy, no matter where or how you asked me my answer would be the same. It would be yes Frase, it would be yes. If you really want to do this it would be an honour. So yes, yes I'll marry you."

Fraser's face lit up. "Really, Ray? You mean that really?"

"Yes, Fraser. Really."

Fraser then picked up the ring and placed it on Ray's finger. It was a perfect fit.

Ray looked at it and smiled. "I guess it was meant to be," he said and they shared a kiss and a warm hug.

Ray Vecchio watched all this through the glass. Shit, what have I done? Fraser is really happy with him. I hope he can forgive me in time.

Fraser and Ray Kowalski headed down to the office holding hands all the way. They didn't care who saw them. Instead of getting dirty looks, or bad comments, they got comments like, "About time, for god's sake!" This made them laugh and they needed to laugh.

They were nervous as to what the meeting was all about and the fact that Ray was asked to sit in on it made them even more nervous. They hadn't done anything wrong. They hadn't killed anyone, blown anything up, or caused an international disaster, so what was it all about?

Sitting in front of Lieutenant Welsh and Inspector Thatcher, Fraser's heart was racing. If they had even given a hint as to what it was about he might have been less nervous.

Inspector Thatcher spoke first. "Relax, Fraser. You're not in trouble. Before we start, though, I want to make sure you're OK."

Fraser nodded. "Yes Sir. I'm fine, thank you." He squeezed Ray's hand; he just couldn't seem to let go.

This made Inspector Thatcher smile so she continued. "As you know, Fraser, you have worked at the Consulate a long time and with the Chicago PD as well. It's my opinion, and also that of Lieutenant Welsh, that you should have been promoted by now for all the work you have done. So, we took it up on ourselves to write numerous letters to the Commissioner of the RCMP demanding what you deserve."

Fraser sat staring at her and went rather pale. "Sir, what are you saying?"

Welsh then took his turn to speak. "What she is saying is this," and he handed Fraser an official letter from the RCMP.

Fraser sat in stunned silence as he read the letter. Ray was starting to panic as Fraser was very quiet and pale. "Fraser, what's wrong? What does it say?" he asked.

Fraser raised his head slightly. "It would appear that I've been promoted to the rank of Corporal. I…I don't understand, Sir. I mean…I mean…I…"

"Congratulations, Corporal," Inspector Thatcher said coming around the table to give him a hug.

Welsh cleared his throat. "That's not all, Fraser. We've also made you an official member of our department so you will have arrest authority here."

Fraser was overwhelmed; it was almost too much.

Ray piped up, "Now you're going to have to carry a gun, hey Frase."

Fraser just nodded and continued to read the letter in his hands. His eyes widened some more. Fraser looked up at Inspector Thatcher. "Sir, it says I'm to take over the Consulate. Why are you leaving?

"I'm not your superior officer any more, Fraser. You don't have to call me Sir and yes, I finally got my transfer to Toronto and I'm very happy," she explained.

Welsh stood up and handed Fraser a badge. "You're going to need this when making arrests, Fraser," he said and shook his hand. "Welcome officially on board."

Fraser just barely found his voice. "Thank you kindly, Sir."

It was a hell of a lot of information to take in in such a short space of time and Fraser was lost for words for once. So Welsh suggested, or rather told Ray to take Fraser home suggesting that he looked like he needed to lie down.

Ray laughed. "I will, Sir." He helped Fraser to his feet. "Come on, Fraser. I'm taking you home."

Fraser turned and finally found his words. "Thanks so much; you've no idea what this means to me, or should I say so us?"

Inspector Thatcher smiled. "I think we can see what it means you both, Corporal. Now go home and lie down."

Fraser nodded and left the office with the help of Ray.

Ray Vecchio saw them coming out of the office and was worried when he saw Fraser's face was pale and that he had tears in his eyes, so his emotions took over him and he ran over. "Fraser, what's wrong? Is everything alright? Did something happen?"

Ray Kowalski turned to him. "Go away, Vecchio," he said in a raised voice.

"No it's alright," said Fraser. "I don't want to fight. Please, let's just forget what happened, OK? Life is too short; let's just start over."

Ray Kowalski knew he'd be fighting a losing battle here so he agreed for Fraser's sake.

The two Ray's shook hands. Fraser then handed Ray Vecchio the letter and tears came to his old friend's eyes. Then Fraser showed him the badge. "Benny I've never been more proud of you," said Vecchio. "Come here…" and they hugged.

Two weeks later everything was settled down. Fraser had taken over the Consulate and to his surprise his new number two was his sister, Maggie. He hadn't even known that she'd applied for the job, but was thrilled. It will be great to work with her and to get to know her better, he thought.

The two Rays were working on getting along together although Ray Kowalski was struggling to forgive Vecchio for hitting Fraser. He was trying, though, for Fraser's sake. After all, this was the man he was going to marry and spend the rest of his life with.

THE END