Asylum

Benton Fraser finally gave up on the idea of getting any sleep. He was sitting on the edge of his cot, elbows on knees, head in hands. He kept going over the facts accumulated during his unofficial investigation of the case. Remembering Kowalski on his knees inside the Consulate yelling "Fraser!". He was touched that Ray would come to him for help and protection. He and Ray had been over the evidence several times. They knew that Cahill had been responsible for framing Ray for the murder of Volpe. He knew that Ray was not capable of murder. Ray, his partner - his friend. Ray had seemed unable to grasp that concept earlier in the evening. And Fraser knew that they would never be more than close friends. He went into the small Consulate kitchen to fix himself a cup of tea.

Ray Kowalski, like Ray Vecchio, liked women. So had he once, before the fiasco with Victoria. But she had disappeared and it had been Ray Vecchio who stayed during his long recovery. For a while, he had thought there might be something there for him. But then there was Irene, and then Ray left. In his place was this new Ray Vecchio, aka Stanley Raymond Kowalski. Fraser had tried to hold himself aloof from this Ray - blonde haired, eyes so pale a blue they seemed transluscent. Vecchio had been elegant, Kowalski was electric. This Ray nursed a love for his ex-wife and flirted shamelessly with women.

Fraser had never really been comfortable with women. With Victoria, he had put it down to inexperience. But, ever analytical, he had finally accepted the fact that he just wasn't interested in women. Nor was he interested in men, either, until Ray Veccho, and now Ray Kowalski. But this time it had gone beyone interest, now it was desire. Of course, he could never let Ray know, but he could do everything possible, within the parameters of the law, to protect his friend. He had already stretched the law of extradition to keep Ray safe at the Consulate. "Follow your heart, Son" his Dad had told him. "That's where your duty lies." And Ray had inched his way into Fraser's heart.

He looked up from the cup cooling in his hands as said Ray padded barefoot into the kitchen wearing one of Fraser's flannel shirts. His blonde hair was tousled, eyes strained, body totally tense.

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Ray Kowalski couldn't sleep. He was pacing the floor in a room at the Consulate. He should be exhausted. It had been a long day. But he couldn't get Fraser out of his mind. 'Can't believe I said sexual highjinks. Wouldn't mind a few highjinks if they were with Fraser.' Kept hearing him say "You're my partner" and the tilt to his head "and my friend." No one had ever called him friend before with such intensity. 'Wish we were partners in another way. Here I am, can't sleep knowin' he's so close.' "Fuck" he said and immediately regretted it. That word and Fraser in the same thought was a big mistake. So was sleeping in Fraser's bedroll. Ray could smell Fraser's scent and it was driving him crazy. 'Bet he's sleepin' like a goddamn baby.'

Just what was it about Fraser? He was anoying, meticulous. He analyzed every case they worked, seeking solutions through mazes of logic. Ray seldom used logic, preferring hunches, instincts. He wasn't sure of his instinct just now. Fraser's absolute belief in his innocence (even Ray wasn't that sure) was something he just didn't understand. No one, not his parents or his ex-wife had ever believed in him so unequivocally. So why did Fraser? Because they were partners? Because they were friends?

Hearing a noise, he reached for his gun before he remembered that Fraser had taken it from him saying "You're not licensed to carry a gun in Canada, Ray." Nervous, tense, every sense alert, he quietly left the room and saw the light on in the vicinity of the kitchen.

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"Jeez, Fraser! You should let a guy know when you're gonna go sneakin' around the place this late at night. I thought there was a burglar or somethin'"

"I'm sorry, Ray. I found it difficult to sleep and thought perhaps a cup of tea would help. Would you like some?"

"No, 's'ok. I was just, ya know, checkin' things out." He stopped and looked questioningly at Fraser. "Are you sure? About tomorrow, I mean. It's gonna work? Right? I mean, all we're goin' on is your Mountie logic. No offense intended."

"None taken, Ray. Although it was your knowledge of the background of the persons involved that led to our reasoning through the intricacies of the situation. Both of us, Ray." It frustrated Fraser when Ray put either one of them down.

Ray twisted a chair and sat down at the table across from Fraser, his chin propped on the high back. 'He's so damned gorgeous' Ray thought. 'All I wanna do is kiss those perfect lips. Well, that's not all I wanna do. I wanna kiss him all over, and I do mean all over. I want to feel his naked body next to mine. I wanna hear him scream my name as I - Stop!. I gotta stop this.' His groin was reacting to his imagination.

"Maybe I could have a cup of whatever tea that is there, Frase. Uh, what is it?"

"It's chamomile, Ray, with spearmint and passionflower leaves. I'll fix you a cup. It's very relaxing."

Fraser went to the kitchen counter to fix Ray's tea. 'Passionflowers! I didn't have to say that. Yes, I know they're in the tea, but I didn't have to say it. Oh dear, I'm babbling to myself..'

Returning to the table, he handed Ray the tea. As Ray reached for the cup, their hands touched. Both felt the jolt that passed through them at that touch.

"Be careful, Ray" Fraser said. "It's very hot." 'And so am I' he thought. He walked back to the counter, hoping that Ray had not noticed his blush.

But Ray had noticed the blush, and the deepening of the blue of Fraser's eyes. And if thinking about Fraser had aroused him, the touch almost consumed him. He rose carefully from his chair and went to stand behind Fraser.

"Fraser" he whispered softly, "Frase?" Fraser didn't move. Ray could see the muscles in his neck and shoulders tighten. He reached out and put his hands on those broad shoulders and felt the muscles jump. He ran his hands down across the shoulders and upper arms. Fraser's breathing became ragged. His body was screaming with desire, but Fraser wasn't someone you could just shove down on the floor and fuck. He deserved more than that. 'And I wanna give him more' Ray thought.

Slowly, Fraser turned to face him. "Ray" Only that one word. Then his arms were around Ray, embracing him. They held each other for several moments, just holding. Then their eyes met and their lips touched. The kiss was soft, hesitant, almost shy. It seemed to go on forever, yet ended far too soon. It was a first kiss, one they would both remember.

"Ray" Fraser whispered as they drew apart. "I didn't know - I never thought - I" Ray silenced him with another kiss. His tongue requested, and was granted, entry into Fraser's mouth.

"Don't think, Frase. Just let it happen, just let go." He pulled Fraser in for another kiss. Fraser's lips touched his. His tongue entered - no, it invaded - Ray's mouth, plundering then caressing softly. It explored, tasted, learned. It slid along Ray's tongue and Ray heard a moan, or perhaps a purr, from the back of Fraser's throat. Ray was not prepared for the passion of this kiss. God, when Fraser let go!

Ray put his hands on Fraser's hips, drawing their bodies together. He could feel the heat of Fraser's erection. Hesitantly he broke the embrace and pulled himself away. "Frase? You ever done this before? With a guy, I mean."

"No, Ray. You?"

"Couple of times when I was a teenager and that's almost 20 years ago. Uh, Frase. Can we go someplace else. I don't think the Ice Queen would approve of us doin' anything here in the kitchen."

Fraser looked pensive, then started to laugh.

"What's so funny there, Frase?"

"I just had a mental image of Inspector Thatcher coming in for her morning coffee and seeing" he was laughing so hard he could not finish.

"Jeez, Frase. Couldn't you pick a better time to find your funny bone? Come on." He managed to lead Fraser to the small room he used as an office/bedroom. Eyeing the cot he thought 'Way too small.' "I'm just gonna go get your bedroll from the other room, Frase."

He returned seconds later and they spread the bedroll on the floor. They stood looking at each other.

"You sure, Frase?" Ray asked. "Cause I gotta tell you, I don't just wanna kiss you. And I want you so bad right now-" Fraser cut him off with another kiss and gently lowered them both onto the bedroll, stilling any doubts Ray may have had.

Fraser's hands deftly unbuttoned the shirt Ray was wearing and his hands slid across Ray's bare chest. His fingers gently tweaked Ray's nipples. Ray ran his fingers through Fraser's hair as they kissed again. Ray unbuttoned Fraser's longjohns, sliding them off of his arms and chest. He put his lips to Fraser's chest and sucked in one small, pale nipple. Fraser hissed his breath in between his teeth at the touch. Ray's tongue flicked across and around the nipple until it was drawn and hard. His lips sought the other nipple and he drew his tongue across it as he sucked it into his mouth, nipping slightly. Fraser's backed arched and he put a hand on the back of Ray's head, a silent entreaty to continue. Ray's tongue and mouth lavished attention on one nipple while the fingers of one hand touched and fondled the other one. He continued caressing Fraser's body, alternating between gentle and rough as he licked and sucked until Fraser was quivering beneath the onslaught. Nothing Fraser had imagined prepared him for the exquisite feeling of sheer lust that Ray was sending through his body.

Suddenly, Ray stopped and returned to kissing Fraser's mouth. He knew that Fraser was thoroughly aroused, but he wasn't ready to end it just yet. He wanted this first time to be perfect. Wanted to make it so good that Fraser would never regret it.

"Ray" Fraser managed to say during a pause for breath, "I thought you didn't want to just kiss me."

Ray almost forgot to breath. "Ok, Frase. But you gotta trust me here. Like I said, it's been a while, but I'm rememberin' real fast. You just, ya know, let me know if I do somethin' you don't want. Ok?"

"Ray, Ray, Ray" Fraser managed to whisper in between kisses. "I know, theoretically anyway, how two men make love to each other. And there is nothing I do not want you to do."

Ray was sure that all of Chicago could hear his heartbeat. He, scrawny-nervous-nearsighted-Polish cop had just been given permission to do whatever he wanted with and to Benton Fraser, evolution's most perfect creation.

"Longjohns gotta go, Fraser."

"As do your jeans, Ray."

Within seconds, they were both naked, lying against each other on the bedroll. Ray eased Fraser onto his back and insinuated one leg between Fraser's. Fraser bent a knee and rested his foot on the floor to grant easier access. Ray moved his leg higher until his thigh was pressing gently against Fraser's genitals. His erect cock was hard against Fraser's thigh. He moved his leg slowly against Fraser, gently caressing his testicles with the movement. His lips were back on Fraser's nipples, his hand encircling Fraser's throbbing cock. He exerted a gentle pressure and began a slow pumping up and down the shaft, stopping each time at the top to flick his thumb across the tip and around the head. He increased the pressure and the tempo. Fraser's hips were moving in time with Ray's hand. Fraser almost whimpered when Ray stopped. He looked questioningly into Ray's eyes.

"Anything I want, Frase?"

"Anything, Ray."

Ray kissed him again, hard and hot, a kiss that both promised and demanded. He took Fraser's breath away. He began a slow, sensuous trail down Fraser's body, his hands caressing, his mouth sucking, his tongue flicking across smooth hot skin. He smiled to himself at the husky "Oh, my God, Ray!" as he took all of Fraser's cock into his mouth. Slowly, he slid up the length of it, his tongue licking as he did. His tongue repeated the earlier movement of his thumb - across the tip, around the flared edge of the head, sucking it slowly and gently. He plunged down again. And again slowly sucked and licked his way back up. He tasted Fraser's pre-cum. He used one hand to gently massage Fraser's balls. Fraser, legs parted, was lost. His hips were moving, thrusting himself now in and out of the hot, wet embrace of Ray's mouth. And finally Ray had what he had been wanting. He heard Fraser scream his name as the hot jet of Fraser's flud shot into his mouth. Ray swallowed and sucked harder until there was nothing left to swallow. A slow lick of his tongue across the tip brought an almost painful moan from Fraser. Reluctantly, Ray released his captive and slid back up his lover's body. Lover, yes. His partner and friend was now his lover. He kissed Fraser again, tenderly sliding his tongue into Fraser's mouth, feeding Fraser a taste of himself.

They made love again, and again, until exhaustion and endorphins forced them to sleep.

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Constable Renfield Turnbull was at the Consulate earlier than usual the next morning. He had to make sure the place was spotless and ready for the news conference that would prove Detective Kowalski had not killed the underworld thug. He put the coffee on and went to check on the Det. Oh, no! Not in his room. Had he managed to sneak out in the night? Better let Constable Fraser know. There was no answer to his knock so he quietly opened the door. Well, at least the Det. was still here. Turnbull silently closed the door and went to check on the coffee thinking to himself 'I wish I had known earlier. Maybe I might have a chance with one of them.'