Mix & Match Challenge

[lost-theplot.livejournal.com]

Author: lost_theplot[Unknown site tag]
Pairing: F/K
Rating: PG
Notes: This is my first post at ds_flashfiction. Un-betaed, sorry for any mistakes.

A Little Like Something

“That is to say, if you wouldn’t mind – if you are available, we could have dinner around seven-thirty and perhaps discuss the details of the Brentwood case.”

That ASA Fraser looked uncomfortable would be an understatement. Ray mildly watched him bite his lip, straighten his red tie, and smooth a thumb across an eyebrow to his temple.

He really, really wanted to follow the path of that thumb with his own fingers. And then maybe his tongue.

Ray felt himself flush at his drifting thoughts. Fraser was leaning over his desk. He could partially see the pale, smooth skin of Fraser’s throat, though the top button was primly buttoned. The proximity was wreaking havoc on his mental capabilities, which were often poor to begin with. “Well, I would – ”

The door burst open. Ray leaned into the back of his chair, and Fraser tripled the amount of space that had existed between them. “Lieu, reporters are swarming around the building about the Brentwood shooting, and you really need to come fend them off…Welsh’s having a hell of a time.” Stella stopped to catch her breath and noticed Fraser.

“Sorry for interrupting, Mr. Fraser,” She said, before shooting Ray a look that spoke volumes.

“Oh, it’s quite all right.” Fraser replied, before looking out the window at the reporters rapidly amassing in front of the 2-7. Stella added a suggestive little eyebrow wiggle, and Ray felt as though they were back in junior high, communicating telepathically.

What’s going on? said Stella’s arched brow.

Nothing, none of your business, scram, said Ray’s slow, innocuous blink.

It looked like something, said the mischievous, curled corner of Stella’s pink lips.

Nothing. Back off, or I’ll make you take the first stakeout shift with Dewey, said Ray’s slit-eyed glare.

Stella pursed her lips into a little ‘o’ of defeat and glared right back before averting her eyes. “Damn reporters,” Ray muttered under his breath. “Hey look,” He turned to Fraser. “Please, sit down, I’ll be right back. I’m really sorry about this.”

“Ah, I suppose I can wait for a moment,” Fraser smiled – Jesus, what a smile – and sat down, placing his briefcase at his side.

When Ray opened the door, Diefenbaker shot in and immediately curled at Fraser’s feet, giving his well-polished shoes a happy lick. Ray speculated what would happen if he were to sic the 2-7’s unofficial lupine-canine symbol (oh no, mascot was too degrading a term for this proud half-wolf) on the press. With that image in mind, he pasted on a cordial smile and went out onto the front steps.

*

“He’s so attached to you,” Detective Kowalski sounded amused. “It makes sense though, since you helped Ray name him. Ray grumbles every day about finding him and bringing him here, but Dief still lives on the precinct’s donuts and Ray’s M&Ms.”

“I’m surprised an animal of his breed and background would adopt such a questionable diet,” Benton said. Dief let out a low rumble.

Detective Kowalski smiled. “You try and deny him when he uses that cute look on you. Well, Welsh and I have a jewelry store break-in to investigate, so I’ll see you around.”

Benton listened as her steps faded away. Detective Kowalski was certainly an attractive and poised woman…it was effortless to imagine how she and Lieutenant Kowalski had once been a couple. He sighed, wondering what he was doing, thinking unattainable thoughts about an unattainable man. Lieutenant Kowalski seemed most unquestionably heterosexual, but at times Benton felt…he didn’t even precisely know what he felt. Just sometimes he and Lieutenant Kowalski would brush arms or unintentionally hold gazes too long until one of them twigged. The way the lieutenant looked with his dress-shirt sleeves loosely rolled up, tie undone, blond hair in spikes, and wearing the black-framed glasses that he had confessed to abhorring…

Diefenbaker nudged his hand, and he quickly came back to his senses. “You are quite shameless in your bids for attention, aren’t you?” Benton smiled and ran his fingers through Dief’s thick coat as the half-wolf whuffed in placid agreement.

*

Ray’s “be right back” turned out to be about a half-hour longer than he had intended. By the time he got back to his office, he already knew Fraser was gone.

“He’s the ASA,” Ray mumbled to himself as he walked back out of his empty office. “You think he can just sit on his ass and wait for you? D-U-M, dumb.”

“Vecchio!” He bellowed. “Either!”

“Yeah?” Frannie snapped her gum, fingers stilling on the keyboard. Her brother didn’t bother looking up from his paperwork.

“Did ASA Fraser pass by here?”

“Ooh, yes,” Frannie perked up, a dreamy smile crossing her features. “Yes, he did.”

“He wanted me to tell you he left a note on your chair,” Ray Vecchio said.

“Which you would have noticed if you ever sat down for once,” Frannie added.

“Done!” Her brother said triumphantly, tweaking the left strap of Frannie’s shoulder holster. “Fran, you have to take the stakeout shift with Dewey.”

“Aw, no fair!” Frannie complained. “I was talking to the lieu.”

“Vecchio! Both!” Ray pointed at the pile on Frannie’s desk. “You two have cases to solve.” He left them to their bickering and retrieved Fraser’s note from his chair.

Lieutenant Kowalski,

I apologize for my abrupt departure. I was urgently needed at the office for matters that do not need mentioning at this juncture. If you would please call and respond with regard to my earlier query, I would much appreciate your time. Thank you kindly.

Benton Fraser

*

Benton stretched at his desk and glanced at the clock. Almost time to leave, but Lieutenant Kowalski still hadn’t called.

It had just been a mere dinner invitation – an awkwardly and gracelessly rendered one at that. The Lieutenant was a busy man. He was a fine man, a professional who excelled at his work.

You can’t be disappointed, Benton told himself. You can’t be disappointed because you were never foolish enough to have expectations. He mentally repeated this as he gathered his files, closed his briefcase, straightened his desk, and pushed in his chair at the correct angle in proportion to his desk. He lingered at the door of his office, staring at the phone. You did not have expectations. The door shut with a click of finality behind him.

“Good evening, sir,” Turnbull said politely from the front desk.

“Good evening,” Benton nodded to his assistant as he walked briskly out of the building and promptly ran into someone. His files spilled onto the pavement, and he felt an unusually sharp comment rise up in the back of his throat as he bent over the scattered papers. He frowned, opened his mouth, and then closed it before looking up irritably to confront his antagonist.

Ray Kowalski’s eyes were bright with unvoiced laughter. “You were about to cuss at me, weren’t you? Call me a name? Shed some of that Canadian-bred courtesy? I’m shocked.”

Benton was appalled at his quickening pulse. He felt his heart drop to the vicinity of his knees and then shoot back up to its proper place, the medial cavity of the thorax, or the mediastinum – and oh dear, he needed to stop his mind from wandering so dreadfully.

He found his voice and replied, “I am somewhat remorseful to admit that, yes, the thought had crossed my mind to perhaps word a strong statement of disapproval concerning our collision, but I assure you, to pepper my speech with vulgarity or what some regard as colorful, brash language never occurred to me; that is to say, I am not offended by those who use the aforementioned language, such as yourself, Lieutenant, but I myself find that I often – ”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Lieutenant Kowalski really was laughing now, waving his hands, silver bracelet clinking lightly against his wrist. Benton felt his cheeks heat, and he tugged nervously at his collar.

Kowalski kneeled to help him gather the files. “You’re forgiven, and I think I should be the one to say I’m sorry, for not really paying attention to where I was going,” He looked at Benton through his lashes and smiled.

“Thank you kindly. I accept your apology,” Benton said, remaining motionless in his position, riveted on the material of the jeans that clung so lovingly to Kowalski’s thighs. He had changed clothes. What did that mean? Their foreheads were very close. He shifted the point of his gaze, and he could see the fine lines around Kowalski’s eyes and mouth, a mouth that was curved in a temptingly bemused expression.

“Ahem,” A voice floated from above them. “Excuse me, but I am trying to get through.”

Benton rose guiltily in haste, brushing himself off. “I’m terribly sorry, Ms. Thatcher.”

Meg Thatcher eyed him. “I’m sure. I’ll see you tomorrow in the office, Mr. Fraser.” She gave Kowalski an inscrutable look and curt nod before entering the building.

“What an ice queen, huh?” Kowalski said. Before Fraser could muster a response or suitably convincing protest, the lieutenant spoke again. “So listen,” He shifted, sticking his hands into the pockets of his black leather jacket. “About dinner, you still up for that? I’m real sorry I didn’t get to call you, I tried a few times, but your assistant said you weren’t to be disturbed by Thatcher’s orders, and I had a few things to deal with at the 2-7, so…uh. You still want to?”

“I…yes.” Benton responded the only way he could. Why on earth hadn’t Thatcher or Turnbull informed him about his missed calls? To think that the lieutenant had traveled from the 2-7 all the way to the state attorney’s office…why, that was simply…

“Greatness!” Kowalski’s expression lighted up. “Cause I’m starving. Dief stole my last package of M&Ms, the sneaky wolf.”

Benton was startled into laughter.  

*

They walked toward the parking garage, where Fraser said his car was. Except what he really said was more like, “I believe we should utilize the service of my vehicle.” Ray got a real kick out of how Fraser talked, especially with his mellow voice and all that Canadian sincerity.

“Uh, I was thinking. Maybe we could, you know, leave the case stuff in the car or something,” Ray said, an uncertain tinge to his voice. He gestured at Fraser’s files. “I figure, we both spent the entire day battling crime, fighting for truth and justice and pineapple pizza and all that good stuff, so we deserve a little break.”

“It does seem we’re entitled to a break, doesn’t it, Lieutenant Kowalski?” Fraser smiled. “I’m parked on the third level. Let’s go this way.”

Jeez, the guy seemed to love these endless flights of stairs.

“How many times do I gotta tell you?” Ray grinned. “Call me Ray.”

A pause. “All right, Ray. Then you should call me Ben,” Fraser said, with a soft, tentative quality to his voice that made something inside Ray loosen and uncoil.

Fraser put a hand on Ray’s lower back to steer him toward Section C. The warm spot that burned through Ray’s jacket all the way to his insides felt a little like a promise. A beginning. A little like something. Something Ray wouldn’t mind feeling more often.

Oh, fuck yeah. A wide grin began expanding across Ray’s face as they rounded the corner.

When he caught sight of Ben’s gleaming black GTO, the warmth felt a little like love.




[Unknown site tag][Unknown site tag][Unknown site tag]

Comments

[aerye.livejournal.com]

::g:: This is fun! Stella! Welsh! Vecchio(s)!

I am delighted by this. Thank you!

[cranberryink.livejournal.com]

Aw, super cute.

I'm totally amused that Fraser drives a GTO. I'd love to hear that story.

[lost-theplot.livejournal.com]

I wish I knew how Fraser ended up with a GTO...hee.

But I can imagine Ray with the window rolled down, wanting to feel a little breeze, twitching as Fraser drives slooowly to the restaurant, all perturbed that someone with a GTO could drive like that.

"Do you think maybe we could...go a little faster? Just a little?"

"Ah, Ray, we're already in accordance with the posted speed limit."

"Oh sure, yeah." *Ray watches the other cars pass by in blurs*

:D

[betagoddess.livejournal.com]

Cute! I loved it! =>}

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Welcome! This is delightful. And your last line left me all squishy and grinning.

[burntcopper.livejournal.com]

Hee! So, I'm curious... what was Welsh's post? I caught the mention, but I'm wondering what exactly it is.

[brooklinegirl.livejournal.com]

hee! I liked this a lot! I love Ray being in charge of BOTH the Vecchio's! The whole thing worked! Very very cute flirting there, between Ray and Fraser. Nice! I wouldn't mind a sequel!

[lost-theplot.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all your kind comments! :D

Welsh is Stella's partner. I thought about partnering Stella with Ray Vecchio, but I couldn't resist both Vecchio siblings working together and Frannie wearing a shoulder holster. *wink*

[torakowalski.livejournal.com]

Aww, this was great *g*
Loved every bit of it, and all the little details and switches were very clever! Sequel would be good ...

[buzzylittleb.livejournal.com]

Wow, lovely and twisty and turny.
No need to be shy, sweetheart.

[china_shop]

Oh, this was just great! Clever and funny, and eeee! The GTO! :)

You can’t be disappointed, Benton told himself. You can’t be disappointed because you were never foolish enough to have expectations.

Awwwww! *heart* Poor Fraser.

[akite.livejournal.com]

Loved it. Though, Dief should lay off the M&M's. Chocolate is not good for dogs or half-wolves either, I'd imagine. :g:

[layniek.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is so good! I love how they both so awkwardly like each other.

[engenda.livejournal.com]

Oh, so cute. And your Fraser voice is wonderful! Funny and quick, this is great. I liked Stella in this - the almost sibling quality to their relationship was great.

[ceares.livejournal.com]

Lovely, cute and funny. Loved the Vecchio' and I can just hear the arguments with Frannie and Ray working together

[tyk.livejournal.com]

great re-arrangement of the pieces on the board; i really enjoyed your take on Ray as the lieutenant.

[bibliokat.livejournal.com]

Eeeee! I love Fraser owning the GTO! Also "Vecchios, either!" and "Vecchios, both!" made me giggle. I'd adore more in this universe; I think it has great potential. (Plus I LOVE good AUs, *LOVE*!)

[sam80853.livejournal.com]

This is great!

You got me with the red tie already - yeah, I'm easy ::grins::. And Fraser having a GTO and sneaky Dief stealing Ray's M&M's... A sequel would be GREAT!

Welcome!

[sjkasabi.livejournal.com]

Aww, this was very cute. Especially Frannie as a detective!

[lost-theplot.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much! I'd love to do a sequel or another story in the same universe...maybe if I'm inspired later. :D

[nicci-mac.livejournal.com]

oh this was great. And Fraser got to have the GTO? Perfect. I could have read a lot more of this one.

[celtiknot.livejournal.com]

This was super! And I really liked Stella (and I normally don't). And Frannie is unexpectedly sexy in a shoulder holster.

[cesperanza.livejournal.com]

I adore this. Ben makes the perfect lawyer, omigod!

[norah.livejournal.com]

Oooh, that was FUN! Thank you!

[lorem_ipsum]

> “Done!” Her brother said triumphantly, tweaking the left strap of Frannie’s shoulder holster. “Fran, you have to take the stakeout shift with Dewey.”
> “Aw, no fair!” Frannie complained. “I was talking to the lieu.”
> “Vecchio! Both!”

*dies of teh cute*

> He found his voice and replied, “I am somewhat remorseful to admit that, yes, the thought had crossed my mind to perhaps word a strong statement of disapproval concerning our collision, but I assure you, to pepper my speech with vulgarity or what some regard as colorful, brash language never occurred to me; that is to say, I am not offended by those who use the aforementioned language, such as yourself, Lieutenant, but I myself find that I often – ”

heh heh. I spellcheck legal transcripts for a living. He sounds *just like* a lawyer.

> When he caught sight of Ben’s gleaming black GTO, the warmth felt a little like love.

*happysigh*

I don't know how I missed this before, but I found it through Speranza's rec. Thanks, I liked it.