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Apr. 19th, 2003 05:46 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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ds_flashfictionJust under the wire on the deadline and brand new to LiveJournal...god I hope I do this right!
The Sign
Ray Vecchio jogged up the front steps of the Canadian Consulate, oddly energetic considering he’d just gotten off a plane from Florida about an hour ago. Yeah, it was after hours and Benny wasn’t working, but Ray figured the Mountie was probably still living in his office. If he hadn’t bothered to get an apartment in the year since his building had burned down, why would his return from chasing criminals in the Frozen Armpit of the North change anything?
Ray had to admit, though, that a year of playing criminal in Vegas had changed something about him. He’d realized how much Benny meant to him while he was alone in that damn 9000 square foot adobe house in the desert. Running to Florida had been a chicken’s way of avoiding the truth in his heart.
Vecchio had his hand poised to knock on the front door when a thud from the other side made him jump back. Reaching under his coat automatically for his weapon, he realized it wasn’t there; it was in his luggage in the rental car. Frantically trying to think of what to do because there was obviously a burglar or someone getting assaulted in there, he stopped when he heard a moan through the door. He listened closely and there came another one, even louder.
Oh, God. That was not a moan of distress.
“Raaay.”
Vecchio heard his name, the voice familiar even muffled through the heavy wood. Benny?
“You are in so much trouble, Ben.”
Ben? Who the hell was calling him Ben?
“Ray! What…oh, God, yes, Ray. Right there. Ohhhh.”
“I can’t believe you, standing there and licking your lip like that while Welsh is giving me what for. You know it drives me crazy when you do that.”
Holy shit! That wasn’t his name Ray was hearing. Benny was talking to Kowalski. And they were getting down and dirty against the Consulate front door. In the Consulate foyer.
Ray Vecchio leaned his forehead against the dark wood and continued to listen to the sounds of his best friend and the guy who’d been him for a year making love to each other, devouring each other mere inches away and yet oblivious to his presence. He wanted to go, wanted to get away, but somehow he couldn’t force his limbs to move. He just stood there listening to the sounds of the hope in his life going down the drain even while he noticed that he was getting a little turned on.
“Detective Vecchio, can I help you?”
A yelp escaped Ray’s mouth before he clamped his hand over it to try and contain the sound. The rush of fear quieted whatever arousal had built. When he’d regained his composure somewhat, Ray removed his hand and spoke quietly. “Turnbull! Uhhh—“
“If you’re looking for Constable Fraser, I believe he’s engaged this evening.”
A muted groan turned both their attentions to the door for a moment. Ray looked guiltily up at Turnbull and confirmed that he’d already figured that out. “Uh, yeah.”
“Would you care to sup with me, Detective? I’ve got a pan of leftover manicotti in my refrigerator and a delightful Montepulciano d’Abruzzo that just needs a few moments to breathe before it’s fit to drink.”
Ray processed what the tall, sandy-haired Mountie had just said. Did Turnbull just ask him to dinner? At his place? With wine?
“I know it’s not strictly my place to say anything, but perhaps I could update you on some of the developments that occurred while you were away. I assure you that what I tell you would not be hearsay. I’m not one to tell tales out of school.”
Ray stood silent and disbelieving for another moment. Turnbull stood there, looking at Ray with a soft, understanding expression and clear, crafty blue eyes. The susurration of a heavy body sliding down the other side of the door followed by a surprisingly loud thud startled them both.
“Sir, I think it would be best if we left now.”
“Uh, yeah.” Ray turned and trudged down the steps like a zombie. As he reached the gate, he turned around and nearly ran into Constable Turnbull, who was right behind him. “Dinner, huh?” he asked so quietly he barely heard himself speak.
“Yes, sir.” That soft expression was still on Turnbull’s face, but an amazingly sweet smile accompanied it this time.
Ray Vecchio stood for a moment, closing his eyes to think. It was obviously too late for he and Benny. Somehow, though, he thought this must be a sign. He’d come to the Consulate looking for a Mountie and a Mountie had found him. Not the one he was expecting, but maybe this was Fate’s way of telling him there were other options.
Making up his mind, Ray strode to the rental car he was driving, a Riv, but not a classic 1972 vintage, and opened the passenger door. “Get in. You can give me directions in the car,” Ray offered, thinking that they’d stop at a bakery on the way and get a cheesecake for dessert.
The Sign
Ray Vecchio jogged up the front steps of the Canadian Consulate, oddly energetic considering he’d just gotten off a plane from Florida about an hour ago. Yeah, it was after hours and Benny wasn’t working, but Ray figured the Mountie was probably still living in his office. If he hadn’t bothered to get an apartment in the year since his building had burned down, why would his return from chasing criminals in the Frozen Armpit of the North change anything?
Ray had to admit, though, that a year of playing criminal in Vegas had changed something about him. He’d realized how much Benny meant to him while he was alone in that damn 9000 square foot adobe house in the desert. Running to Florida had been a chicken’s way of avoiding the truth in his heart.
Vecchio had his hand poised to knock on the front door when a thud from the other side made him jump back. Reaching under his coat automatically for his weapon, he realized it wasn’t there; it was in his luggage in the rental car. Frantically trying to think of what to do because there was obviously a burglar or someone getting assaulted in there, he stopped when he heard a moan through the door. He listened closely and there came another one, even louder.
Oh, God. That was not a moan of distress.
“Raaay.”
Vecchio heard his name, the voice familiar even muffled through the heavy wood. Benny?
“You are in so much trouble, Ben.”
Ben? Who the hell was calling him Ben?
“Ray! What…oh, God, yes, Ray. Right there. Ohhhh.”
“I can’t believe you, standing there and licking your lip like that while Welsh is giving me what for. You know it drives me crazy when you do that.”
Holy shit! That wasn’t his name Ray was hearing. Benny was talking to Kowalski. And they were getting down and dirty against the Consulate front door. In the Consulate foyer.
Ray Vecchio leaned his forehead against the dark wood and continued to listen to the sounds of his best friend and the guy who’d been him for a year making love to each other, devouring each other mere inches away and yet oblivious to his presence. He wanted to go, wanted to get away, but somehow he couldn’t force his limbs to move. He just stood there listening to the sounds of the hope in his life going down the drain even while he noticed that he was getting a little turned on.
“Detective Vecchio, can I help you?”
A yelp escaped Ray’s mouth before he clamped his hand over it to try and contain the sound. The rush of fear quieted whatever arousal had built. When he’d regained his composure somewhat, Ray removed his hand and spoke quietly. “Turnbull! Uhhh—“
“If you’re looking for Constable Fraser, I believe he’s engaged this evening.”
A muted groan turned both their attentions to the door for a moment. Ray looked guiltily up at Turnbull and confirmed that he’d already figured that out. “Uh, yeah.”
“Would you care to sup with me, Detective? I’ve got a pan of leftover manicotti in my refrigerator and a delightful Montepulciano d’Abruzzo that just needs a few moments to breathe before it’s fit to drink.”
Ray processed what the tall, sandy-haired Mountie had just said. Did Turnbull just ask him to dinner? At his place? With wine?
“I know it’s not strictly my place to say anything, but perhaps I could update you on some of the developments that occurred while you were away. I assure you that what I tell you would not be hearsay. I’m not one to tell tales out of school.”
Ray stood silent and disbelieving for another moment. Turnbull stood there, looking at Ray with a soft, understanding expression and clear, crafty blue eyes. The susurration of a heavy body sliding down the other side of the door followed by a surprisingly loud thud startled them both.
“Sir, I think it would be best if we left now.”
“Uh, yeah.” Ray turned and trudged down the steps like a zombie. As he reached the gate, he turned around and nearly ran into Constable Turnbull, who was right behind him. “Dinner, huh?” he asked so quietly he barely heard himself speak.
“Yes, sir.” That soft expression was still on Turnbull’s face, but an amazingly sweet smile accompanied it this time.
Ray Vecchio stood for a moment, closing his eyes to think. It was obviously too late for he and Benny. Somehow, though, he thought this must be a sign. He’d come to the Consulate looking for a Mountie and a Mountie had found him. Not the one he was expecting, but maybe this was Fate’s way of telling him there were other options.
Making up his mind, Ray strode to the rental car he was driving, a Riv, but not a classic 1972 vintage, and opened the passenger door. “Get in. You can give me directions in the car,” Ray offered, thinking that they’d stop at a bakery on the way and get a cheesecake for dessert.
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no subject
Date: 2003-04-19 05:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-19 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-19 09:48 pm (UTC)I like stories where everyone ends up in pairs. *G* Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2003-04-19 10:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-19 10:44 pm (UTC)It's all this crack...
no subject
Date: 2003-04-20 12:20 am (UTC)LOL! I'm going to spend more time cooking from now on. Obviously it pays off. *G*
Re:
Date: 2003-04-20 11:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-20 01:18 pm (UTC)I have a friend whose multi-purpose advice on relationships is "Men Like Pie". Must take her advice. ;)
no subject
Date: 2003-04-21 07:29 am (UTC)And Turnbull/Vecchio is an underwritten pairing. I should add it to my lobby. ;-)
I was afraid you were going to leave poor Ray out in the cold, but instead he gets a nice warm Mountie all his own. Way to go!
no subject
Date: 2003-04-20 03:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-19 11:26 pm (UTC)Good one!
no subject
Date: 2003-04-20 08:14 am (UTC)This is a nice happy ending fic, which I love. You're so nice to RayV, and it's good to see he's a pragmatic sort.
SHAY
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Date: 2003-04-20 09:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-04-20 09:20 am (UTC)Re: The Sign
Date: 2003-04-20 12:53 pm (UTC)