Chapter 2

Ben made his way in the 2-7 smiling politely at the people who greeted him. Ben just wanted to get to Ray and tell his good news. Ben paused in the doorway watching Ray sitting at his desk. Ray was sitting with his glasses on studying a file. Ben thought how cute Ray looked sitting there".

Ray caught a flash of red out of the corner of his eye. Ray looked up to see his Ben standing there smiling at him. It was enough to melt the ice caps. This made Ray drop his file and smile broadly back.

Ben approached Ray's desk and leaned down, "Ray can we talk somewhere private please"?

Ray instantly became nervous, "What what's wrong. Dose this have something got to do with your meeting this morning"?

Ben nodded keeping his face unreadable, "Yes Ray".

Ray got up nerves already frayed and led Ben to one of the interview rooms, going in and closing the door behind them.

Ray faced Ben heart pounding, "Ben what happened"?

Ben placed his Stetson on the table, "Ray I missed you this morning. Did your morning go well"?

Ray waved his arms and his voice high and tight, "Ben please what happened"?

Ben managed to keep his face unreadable, "Ray please sit down and I'll explain".

Ray sat, "Ok Ben, now your killing me here tell me".

Ben sat next to Ray, "Ray the meeting this morning was not just with Inspector Thatcher. Mr Brian Waters the new head of the RCMP were also there. Mr Waters first gave me his condolences for my father's death. Then he wanted to apologise for the treatment of me by the people before him. I found out that it was him that fought my corner all those years. I knew someone was but didn't know who. Now that he is in charge he wants to right the wrongs as he put it to me. Mr Waters informed me that I should have been promoted a few times by now".

Ray was confused and rubbed his head, "What are you saying Ben"?

Ben took out the leather wallet which had his new badge in and handed it to Ray.

Ray took it, "What's this"?

Ben motioned for Ray to open it, "Open it Ray and you'll see".

Ray opened the wallet and his eyes filled with pride as he read what was on it, "You've been promoted to Inspector, Ben".

Ben now smiled broadly showing how he felt, "Yes Ray. Mr Waters felt I should have made this by now".

Ray jumped up and hugged Ben, "Ben I am so proud of you".

Ray placed a small kiss behind Ben's ear while in the hug as no one could see through the window at that angel so it was safe.

Ray sat back down still looking at Ben's badge, "How will this effect your position at the consulate"?

Ben put his hand over Ray's, "I still work at the consulate Ray. I'm no longer under Inspector Thatcher. We now share the responsibility of the consulate. I get to work with more with you. If we wish you and I can choose where I want to be transferred to".

Ray swallowed, "Ben what is it you want to do"?

Ben tightened his grip on Ray's hand, "Ray we're not going anywhere. I love working here with you. I'm not asking you to give up your career for me and move to Canada".

Ray kept a hols of Ben's hand, "Ben thank you for that. You know whenever you want to go home we go. We are married Ben its give and take. Ben all you do is give so when you want to take say the word and it's, Canada here we come".

As they made their way back to Ray's desk Ray whispered to Ben, "Ben we will celebrate this tonight".

Ben breathed into Ray's ear, "Understood". That got Ray right down to his toes.

For the next hour they studied the Matthews case very hard. Everything was not coming together his counterfeiting ring was hard to pin down.

Lt Welsh was passing Ray's desk, "Constable how did your meeting go this morning"?

Ray spoke without thinking, "Inspector".

Welsh looked at Ray, "Inspector who"?

Ben blushed, "Lieutenant I was promoted to Inspector this morning".

The look of a proud father would give came over Welsh's face, "It's about time Fraser. I'm so proud of you".

Welsh shocked the life out of him by giving him a hug. Well a manly hug, "Your father would be very proud of you Fraser".

Ben's face flushed with embarrassment, "Thank you for saying so sir".

Welsh patted him on the back as he went to his office, "My pleasure".

Ben and Ray were back at the apartment. Ben was in the shower after second run of the day. Ray was in the kitchen making the supper waiting for Francesca to join them.

A knock broke Ray out of his thoughts of a wet soaped up Ben in the shower.

Ray opened the door to find a skimpy dressed Francesca, "Hi Frannie".

Francesca walked in looking around for Ben, "Hi Ray where is Frase"?

Ray closed the door and threw his eyes to heaven, "He is in the shower Frannie. Can I take your coat"?

Ray hung up Francesca's coat thinking, when Frannie finds out we are married, Ben will end up a widow.

Francesca's eyes were locked on the bathroom door, "Frannie snap out of it. Fraser brought his clothes in with him".

Francesca was not listing. Francesca was doing her best to develop x-ray vision to look through that door at her object of desire.

It didn't take long for a pink from the shower Ben to join them at the table for their supper.

Francesca used her best inviting voice, "Hi Benton, did you have a nice shower"?

Ben's face turned bright red, "It was very nice thank you".

Francesca picked up Ben's hand, "I heard about your promotion Benton Congratulations. It's about time those nitwits saw sense".

Ray put their supper on the table, "Frannie leave the man alone. Can we get on with talking about the party"?

Francesca sighed, "Very well Stanley. Ok guys you still picking up my other brother Ray tomorrow and is he still staying here with you two"?

Ray nodded, "Ya Frannie. We are picking him up and he will be staying in Fraser's room".

Francesca looked between two of them, "Where will you sleep Benton"?

Ben sat back, "I'll be sleeping on my bedroll in Ray's room. Everything will be fine Francesca I've done before when my sister visited".

Francesca stayed for another while, going over the catering and music for the party. Leaving questions were going around her head. Some of the looks between Ben and Ray were sharing were more then just friends.

Ben and Ray did in fact get around to celebrating Ben's promotion with a night of passion, "Wow that was fantastic Ben.

Ben kissed Ray's temple, "I agree Ray, thank you".

Ray now lay with his head on Ben's shoulder; I think that Frannie suspects something Ben. What do you think"?

Ben tightened his arm around Ray, "Ray if she did we will deal with don't worry about it, we'll be fine".

Ray fell asleep hoping that was true lying protected in the arms of his prince charming.