Darn Central time zone

[moxie-brown.livejournal.com]

I think this is in time.


Parallel
(377 words)

Ray presses his face into Stella's neck, murmuring appreciatively and getting lost in the cloud of powder-scented hair that glows every time he opens his eyes. They'd taken the entire day to "reaffirm their relationship," whatever the fuck that means, probably her fancy friend's psychologist's way of telling them to get their shit together before they wind up in divorce court.

Not that Ray's going to let that happen. Stella tearfully waking him up in the middle of the night scared him but good, and he's a new man now. He'll be a better husband, a better cop, a better person, period.

"Ray," she whispers. "I think---"

"I love you," Ray interrupts, clutching Stel closer. "We'll get through this, I promise."

All he hears is her softly drawn breath.

***

"And so what? So what, Fraser, if she was my one true love, huh?" Ray stalks angrily to the nearby window, glaring out into the bright, white day. Stella had called him up the day before, and they'd talked for hours, from every moronic licensing regulation to how long fish could keep un-refrigerated in the not-so-wilds of Canada. He'd caught Fraser's eye as he walked through their door, back from patrol, before going back to his conversation with Stella. Ray thought Ben had understood, how all those silences and sharp words and desperate pleas could be wiped away by time and distance. He'd finally gotten his Stel back, and it had only taken almost two decades. He didn't want to lose that. He'd thought Ben would understand.

He spins around and stomps back towards Ben. "She was there during my fucking 'pivotal life moment,'" Ray mockingly sneers. "That's not something you can ever let go of, Ben."

He takes a deep breath and takes a step closer. "But what I'm trying to tell you," he says, hands grasping at unyielding arms, eyes seeking Ben's out in the darkness. "What
I'm trying to tell you is that I'm here now, with you. Not renting stinky shoes and staking out some stupid bowling alley. We just need time; time to get used to each other and let all this fucking noise just buzz over our heads. We can do this."

Ben stares into Ray's eyes and does not answer.

End


Eh, I'm not too happy with this, but I'm really interested in the parallels Ray's relationships might have taken. Also, must lay off of RayK, poor guy. :D

Comments

Headed for trouble

[theodosia.livejournal.com]

Poor Ray doesn't exactly choose easy-to-live-with people, does he?

[rowanfairchild.livejournal.com]

You know, I'd actually like to see this fleshed out into something longer, if you felt any inclination that way. *g* I really, really liked the first section.
-R