Bullet Challenge by Aingeal

[aingeal8c.livejournal.com]

Title: Upon the Reflection of Two Bullets
Author: Aingeal
Pairing: Fraser/Vecchio
Rating: PG
Word count: 599
Summary: Fraser prepares for one of the most important days of his life and thinks about what brought him to this point.
Notes: Many thanks to leda_speaks for beta duties. Thanks also to nakeisha and nina_ds for ideas bouncing.

Upon the Reflection of Two Bullets

Fraser looked at himself in the mirror as he adjusted his tie. It felt surprisingly tight, even though he had adjusted it several times. He loosened it a little more, as much as he dared. He didn't want to appear slovenly on his wedding day.

Wedding day, he went over the words again; Wedding day. His tie felt tight again. It was strange how two bullets had led to this occasion. He ran a finger around his collar. The course of his life had been altered by the course of those bullets. Only one Fraser had experienced personally but the effects of the other had been heartfelt.

The first bullet that changed his life had killed his father. Bob Fraser had been shot in the back by hired killer. That bullet had led Fraser to a hunting party of dentists and that hunting party had led him to Chicago. It was in Chicago that he discovered who had been behind that bullet and in pursuing justice, Fraser had found himself stranded in a city in a foreign country. He patted his hair, making sure it looked immaculate.

Of course, itt was there in Chicago he had first met Ray Vecchio and forged a friendship that had grown and grown. Both of them had become close, at times the line between romance and friendship had been blurred and neither had minded. They had been closer than Fraser could remember being to anyone else. He smiled as he checked his buttons.

Then had come the second bullet that had changed Fraser's life. Ray had shot him. The repercussions of that shot had stayed with Fraser a long time. In the hospital he had been angry, confused, hurt. He had nearly died. Yet although his anger was directed at Ray, it was himself he was angry with. He had nearly done a very stupid thing and Ray's bullet had stopped him. Part of him still asked what if? The bullet hadn't hit him but Fraser learnt after that to live in the here and now.

That bullet had haunted Ray far more than Fraser. Fraser brushed imaginary lint from his jacket remembering when he had learnt of the depth of pain that bullet had caused Ray. He went to his jacket pocket and felt the ring he'd placed there earlier. He hoped Ray would like the inscription. He ran a fingertip over the inside, feeling the words.

As he checked the shine on his shoes he thought of the other bullets that he and Ray had experienced, but none had had the same immediate impact as those two. Of course, Ray had suffered a bullet of his own twice for Fraser. The first had been his way of trying to make up for the shooting. The second had separated his path from Fraser for a while. One phone call had brought him back from Florida, however. One phone call had been the start of a rekindling of love and friendship in Chicago.

It had led to this moment, this marriage. Ray had proposed suddenly, and his emotional words had made more of an impact on Fraser than any bullet ever could, even the one Ray had lodged in his back. There had been no other answer but to say yes.

Gently, Fraser released the brake on his wheelchair as Frobisher opened the door. Fraser wheeled himself through as he caught sight of Ray Vecchio, patiently waiting for him. The wheelchair was the price of Ray's bullet but ultimately it had given them both greater rewards. After-all, today was their wedding day.

Comments

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

*Sniffs and holds out hand for tissues*

Even though I knew what was coming this still made my eyes fill with tears.

So lovely, so poignant, so beautiful and just the right length.

Lovely.

[aingeal8c.livejournal.com]

*passes tissues over*

Awww thank you. I'm glad it touched you, even though you knew the outcome.

Thank you. And thank you for your help.

*hugs*

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

*Takes tissues* Thank you.

Oh, yes. Very much so.

You are very welcome.

[aingeal8c.livejournal.com]

YW.

Good.

Thank you.

(ooo appropriate icon)

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

:-)

YW

Indeed. A friend of mine made it for me as we ofen have 'sniffle moments' for stories.

[aingeal8c.livejournal.com]

:-)

Lovely. And very wise indeed.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

That it is.

[aingeal8c.livejournal.com]

Oh yes. :-)

[nina-ds.livejournal.com]

Definitely the right choice!

It could so easily have been, too.

(This reminds me a bit of the film Hawks - have you ever seen it?)

[aingeal8c.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

Oh indeed yes.

I haven't oddly enough.

[mysticdreamer32.livejournal.com]

Oh that's sweet, I've thought about Ray a shooting Benny before..
I too believe Ray never got over that. Your fic is bitter/sweet i enjoyed
very much.

[aingeal8c.livejournal.com]

Oh this is a late reply,...whoops.

I don't think Ray could.

Thank you.

[0not-just-me0.livejournal.com]

Ow. Ow ow ow.
*flails*
OW.
(In a totally lovely way, of course. ;} )

[aingeal8c.livejournal.com]

*hands over tissues*

Awww thank you. Glad it touched you.