TEAM WHIMSY: Day 11, "Call of the Waves"
Sep. 10th, 2008 07:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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ds_flashfictionTitle: Call of the Waves
Author: Aingeal (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
aingeal8c)
Team: Whimsy
Prompt: "Well, it's not completely unheard of -- especially in the Amazon basin."
Pairing(s): Fraser/Vecchio
Length: 7000 words
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: When a whale goes missing from the local aquarium Fraser had to persuade Ray that the sea is full of strange creatures...and people.
Author's notes: Thanks tospuffyduds for beta. And thanks to catwalksalone and alex51324 for sharing their opinions and thoughts. Thanks also to torra for the title and Team Whimsy in general for being awesome and encouraging.
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**
Benton Fraser walked up the stairs to the bullpen and tried not to feel excited about seeing Ray Vecchio. It was a feeling he had only recently been able to recognise but he was always happy to see his friend. He opened the door and was greeted by the cacophony of the bullpen. Phones were ringing, people were talking, it reminded Fraser of actual police work. It might not have been his city, or even his country but taking in the sights and sounds of a busy urban police station reminded him of his duty and his interest.
He was looking around for his friend when he saw Ray coming toward him. Ray was already putting his gun into his holster and adjusting his jacket.
“Come on, Benny,” Ray said.
Fraser dutifully followed Ray out of the bullpen and down the stairs. “Where are we going, Ray?” he asked. He didn't mind going anywhere with Ray, he just liked to know where it was they were heading.
“The Shedd Aquarium,” Ray replied. “Welsh wants me to investigate a missing whale.”
The idea of a missing whale piqued Fraser's interest. “What sort of whale?” he asked.
“I don't know,” Ray said as they weaved their way through the corridor. “A small one.”
“Why would it be small?”
“Because it's in an aquarium.”
Fraser avoided a few incoming prisoners as they went outside. “You know, Ray, there are a number of cetaceans kept in captivity. Of course the dolphin family are more commonly kept due to their size and relative ease of capture.”
“The call said it was a whale,” Ray said, moving across the parking lot to where they'd left the Riv.
“Perhaps it was one of the smaller species.”
Ray opened the door to the Riv and paused. “You mean you don't know what whales the Shedd Aquarium has?”
“No, Ray, I've not had time to visit that particular institution,” Fraser said. It was mostly true.
“You've been in Chicago a year, you've been to every museum and library in the greater Chicago area but you haven't wanted to go an aquarium?” Ray asked.
Fraser leaned on the roof of the Riv. “They don't really hold much appeal, Ray,” he said.
“You don't like fish?”
“Not in that sort of situation, no.” All Fraser could picture were tanks, large tanks, but tanks none the less. He knew the fish were probably happy but still.
“Remind you of a bad experience?” Ray asked.
“Yes, Ray,” Fraser replied, for once holding back on further elaboration.
Then they climbed into the Riv and nothing more was aid on that particular subject. Fraser looked out of the window and reflected on the view the whale might have had. Looking at the world through glass, and seeing people looking in would not be the kind of world Fraser would be comfortable with. Ray's voice disrupted his thoughts.
“Are you okay, Benny?”
Fraser turned and gave Ray a slightly forced smile. “Just thinking, Ray,” he replied.
“Okay.”
Fraser turned his attention to the windshield and the small droplets of rain on it. A life behind glass wasn't for him, perhaps it hadn't been for the whale either.
Once they arrived at the aquarium Fraser tried to avoid looking into the tanks too much. He had no doubt it was beautiful to see the fish swimming in amongst coral habitats but whenever he saw a flash of scales he was reminded again by the glass that stood between him and their filtered water the fish swam in.
Eventually they came to the beluga exhibit. Pale faces stared out from the glass as Fraser and Ray approached a man in a suit, one of the aquarium directors Fraser imagined. He peered into the environment that had been created. He could see the rocks and the shafts of light. It reminded him of home but he wondered if the same could be said for the whale. He turned his attention to the probable director.
“Are you Mr Lucas?” Ray asked.
The man offered Ray a hand. “Yes, and you would be?”
Ray took it. “Detective Vecchio, Chicago PD and this is Constable Fraser.” Ray said.
“Pleased to meet you,” Fraser said, offering a handshake of his own.
“Are you the one who reported he whale missing?” Ray asked, getting out his notebook.
“Yes, he was stolen some time last night,” Lucas replied.
Ray poised over his notebook. “You think it was stolen?”
“A 3,000 pound animal doesn't simply go missing, detective,” Lucas said, sounding exasperated.
Ray made no comment about that. “Was it a male or a female?”
“A male. We called him Willie.”
Ray gave Fraser a look.
“How long had the beluga lived here?” Fraser asked, turning the conversation back on Lucas.
“A few months. He was found washed up on the shore of Lake Michigan.”
The wheels in Fraser's head had been turning since he had known it was a beluga that had gone missing, but now his suspicions were more or less confirmed. “Do you know how did he get there? There's no direct ocean access,” he said.
“That we know of,” Lucas replied. “Maybe the whale found a route, maybe he was being smuggled across the lake. I guess we'll never know.”
“And he was brought here?” Ray asked.
Lucas nodded. “Yeah, he was weak, dehydrated. Not in good health at all. We were the nearest facility with beluga care experience so he was brought here.”
Ray made a note or two, Fraser could see him scribbling down the relevant information. “You get a lot of cases like that?”
“Unlike some other aquariums we actually have little opportunity to take part in rescues. This was an amazing opportunity for us.”
Fraser glanced at the tank again. “When would he have been released back into the wild?”
“We're not sure. We were trying to track down where he came from; could have been Greenland, Canada or Russia. Belugas don't have stable social relationships so that wasn't a concern but we didn't want to end up with a Canadian beluga in Russia or vice versa.”
“But you were going to release him?” Ray asked the question Fraser had been wondering about.
“Oh yes, we have no reason to keep him here.”
“Perhaps he didn't understand that,” Fraser said, quietly.
“Well, few whales speak human.”
“Yes, although perhaps the humans should try to learn to speak whale,” Fraser replied.
Ray jumped in then to ask about the other details; when the whale was last seen, who had access to the area at night. Fraser simply stared into the water, seeing his own reflection in the glass. He wandered around and noted the access inside and outside the tank area. It was possible for a whale to escape, from the inside. It would have be a special whale, however. The question Fraser was faced with was how to inform Ray.
Ray met him at the entrance of the beluga exhibit shortly afterwards.
“Who would want to steal a whale?” Ray asked as they walked out of the aquarium.
“I can think of a few people who would condone it.”
“What like animal rights nut jobs actually freeing Willie?” Ray asked.
“I don't think he was called Willie, Ray,” Fraser replied, grateful the exit was in sight.
“The director guy said he was. Besides Willy was a whale.”
Fraser turned to his friend. “Do you know him?”
Ray sighed. “It was a movie, Fraser.”
“Ah,” Fraser paused. “So, you think animal right protesters stole the whale to release him?”
“Yeah, who else would steal a whale?”
“Perhaps he stole himself,” Fraser replied as they exited the aquarium and headed to where the Riv was parked.
Ray snorted. “How can he steal himself? He just got out of the tank and walked away?”
“I imagine that's what happened, yes.”
“Whales don't have legs.”
“In human form he would have legs. He would look human,” Fraser explained patiently.
Ray was frowning. “So, you think the whale was..is...a guy?”
“A shape shifter yes.”
“A whale shape shifter? That's crazy, Benny.”
Fraser stopped walking to give the subject more attention. “Well, it's not completely unheard of -- especially in the Amazon basin.”
“They have belugas in the Amazon?”
“No, Ray. They do have encantado, however. Although they are dolphins rather than whales,” Fraser said.
Ray still looked confused. “Magic dolphins?”
“Encantado is a Brazilian Portuguese word which roughly translates as "enchanted one." The term is used for creatures who come from a paradise-like underwater realm called the Encante. Although it can refer to different shape shifting animals, most often it refers to dolphins with the ability to turn into humans, specifically the boto river dolphin. People in some areas of South America still believe in the encantado.”
“This isn't South America, Benny. This is Chicago,” Ray said, disbelief plain in his voice.
“No, but the same principle applies. Myth springs from truth. There are stories of whales turning into human beings and sometimes even marrying or kidnapping humans.”
“Like mermaids?”
Now was not the time to get into he differences between two types of undersea folk, Fraser thought. “Similar legends, yes, Ray.”
They began to walk again. “You're telling me the whale isn't a whale, it looks like a guy now?”
“In all likelihood, yes, Ray.”
“And he escaped?”
“No doubt he shifted shape and escaped from the aquarium,” Fraser said, finally telling Ray his theory. “It's certainly possible given the access to the tank.”
“Why?”
“Well, would you like to be in captivity, Ray?”
“In captivity? In a zoo?” Ray asked as they reached the Riv.
“Or an aquarium.” Fraser's grandmother had made him aware of such things when he was very young. She'd told him all about what captivity could mean. Silly really, that he had felt the fear that had been instilled in him though those conversations as they had walked past the tanks.
Ray didn't debate the point further. “Okay, so the whale escaped, where would he go?”
“I imagine he would look for the nearest body of water.”
Ray climbed into the Riv “So we trawl Lake Michigan.”
Fraser joined Ray inside. “He will probably want to find a way to head north to his home.”
“We already know the lake doesn't go that far,” Ray pointed out.
“He'll be looking for a way to head to the coast, from there he'll travel north in the sea.”
“How do you know?” Ray asked.
Fraser could feeling the questioning gaze of his friend. “Trust me, Ray, I have an understanding of the inner workings of a whale's mind. He's probably disorientated so at this stage any water will be a comfort to him.”
“So, we just wait for a call about some naked guy frolicking in a fountain somewhere?”
Fraser nodded. “It seems likely, Ray.”
Before Ray could offer a retort Elaine's voice came over the radio. “Vecchio, there's a naked guy in the Wicker Park fountain at Schiller & Damen.”
Ray turned to Fraser, holding up a finger. “This doesn't prove anything.”
“I know.”
“There are plenty of weird people in this city. Just because they like water doesn't mean they're shape shifting whales.”
“I understand. Though perhaps we should take some bait just in case?” Fraser suggested.
“No, we are not letting my car smell of fish.”
Fraser was of the opinion the bait would have been a good idea. The idea was reinforced when they arrived at the fountain they saw a dark haired man kneeling in the water. His skin was similar to that of the Native people found in the far north, a contrast to the paleness he would have in whale form. His physical features seemed designed to blend in with humans who inhabited the land near his watery home. He was cupping the water and letting it leak out between his fingers. He also put his hands on the bottom of the fountain. It was very deep. He seemed to be testing the depth of the water.
Ray approached him. “Sir, can you get out of the fountain?”
The whale simply stared at Ray, his head tilted to one side.
“He doesn't appear to speak English, Ray.”
“What am I supposed to do? Wade in there and drag him out?” Ray didn't seem to be relishing the prospect.
“I could try talking to him,” Fraser said, watching as the whale splashed about.
“What, in Canadian?”
“It's worth a try, isn't it, Ray?”
Ray held up his arms. “Go ahead, Benny, he's probably a Canadian whale anyway.”
Fraser approached the fountain. He made sure not alarm the whale. Taking a deep breath, he reached down into the mental part of himself that was rarely used and let out a set of haunting squeaks. The whale was intrigued and answered back. It took Fraser a moment to translate. Confident that he had made the right phrase, he asked the whale to step out of the fountain, promising an explanation. At least that was what he hoped he had asked.
He was soon relieved as the whale stepped out and walked toward him. He spoke a few more words and Fraser promised more answers, once they were somewhere more private. Both the whale's previous antics and his own attempts to talk to him had encouraged an ever growing crowd. It was then Fraser realised the whale was, perhaps unsurprisingly, naked.
“Ray could we get a blanket?” Fraser asked.
Ray appeared to be noticing the guy's nakedness too. “Yeah, hang on.” He rushed off to get one.
Fraser coaxed the whale closer and reassured him he was a friend. Ray quickly arrived with the blanket. Fraser kept up his reassurance as he covered the man with it, draping it around his shoulders. He hoped it wasn't one of Ray's good blankets, remembering how Francesca had reacted to one of hers being used. The whale seemed to relax slightly as they led him to the Riv and away from prying eyes.
“What was that?” Ray asked as he helped support the whale, who apparently was not used to walking on legs.
“What was what?” Fraser asked, carefully guiding the whale.
“That noise you were making; is it some kind of secret Canadian code?” Ray asked.
“It's beluga whale, Ray,” Fraser admitted. “I'm a little rusty with my vocalisations but he seemed to understand what I meant.”
“You speak whale?” Ray asked, slowing down as the whale stumbled.
“A little, Ray.” Fraser didn't mention how he had learnt it. “I speak several different whale dialects and apparently my narwhal is impressive.”
“What's a narwhal?” Ray asked, looking for the Riv.
“It's a whale in which the front tooth on the male develops a spiral and forms a tusk-like projection,” Fraser was thoughtful. He straightened the blanket which was in danger of falling off, revealign the whale to the few onlooker still about. “Indeed narwhal tusks were once taken for unicorn horns.”
“Unicorns? You speak unicorn?”
Fraser “I've not met a unicorn.”
“But you've met a narwhal?”
Given they were currently helping a whale it was a logical question. “Oh yes,” Fraser replied, encouraging the whale away from a glass bottle he seemed interested in.
“Good conversationalist was he?”
“She,” Fraser corrected, “was actually very knowledgeable about the migratory routes of cod.”
They finally, through much coaxing and support had made it to the Riv. The whale seemed fascinated and put a hand out to touch it.
“What are we going to do with him?” Ray asked, observing the whale touching his car.
“Return him to his home. He needs our help, Ray,” Fraser said, feeling empathy for the creature forced into human form.
“So we just drive to the coast and let him swim?”
“It's a thought, Ray, but it might be pertinent to find out more information about where he's come from. In the meantime perhaps he could stay at my apartment?” Fraser didn't expect Ray to say no.
Ray's sigh as he opened the car told Fraser he was right. “All right, just make sure he doesn't start taking baths in front of your neighbours.”
“Understood.”
It took a good five minutes of exchanging more comments with the whale for him to trust Fraser enough to get into the car. Fraser sat with him in the back to reassure him, explaining the nature of a car and where they were going. It seemed to help. Fraser couldn't help but notice the wistful look as the whale looked out of the window.
Ray pulled up outside the apartment building. He got out first and helped Fraser get the whale out of the car and the up the stairs. A few of Fraser's neighbours spared them a few glances but there no staring; they were used to Fraser's goodwill actions and dismissed this as one of them. It wasn't easy; the whale clearly had little experience of long flights of stairs.
Finally they made it into the safety of the apartment. Fraser searched out some clothes for the whale to wear. They weren't quite his size, a little loose in some places, but Fraser felt they would be adequate enough. Of course then he had to help the whale get dressed, as shape shifting whales had no use for clothes. Ray simply stood back and watched as Fraser struggled to get the whale to out his human arms into the sleeves of a shirt.
Eventually the whale was dressed, looking rather crumpled. Fraser encouraged him to sit down. Once he had done so he looked at Fraser and Ray and made a few pleading sounds.
“Is he okay?” Ray asked, shifting uncomfortably.
“He's hungry, Ray,” Fraser replied. The whale had been in human form for a long time without any nourishment.
“What does he eat?” Ray asked.
The whale rubbed the table and sniffed it.
“Fish, squid, octopus, crab, shrimp, quite a varied diet,” Fraser replied, gently dissuading the whale from licking the table.
Ray moved to the door. “Okay, I'll try and find some fish for him to eat.”
“Crab might be better, Ray. There's a fish market not far from here.”
“Fine, I'll get some crab.”
“Can you get some for me as well, Ray?” Fraser asked, taking the seat opposite the whale. Normally he wouldn't ask Ray to run such an errand but as he was going anyway it didn't seem to be any harm to ask.
“You like crab?” Ray asked, his hand lingering on the door knob.
“Yes, Ray.”
Ray rolled his eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
“I don't know, Ray,” Fraser said, keeping an eye on the whale who was rubbing his finger along the edge of the table.
“Okay, I'm going leave you to talk to the whale.”
Ray opened the door and was followed by Diefenbaker, who was also intrigued by the prospect of food. Fraser turned his attention back to the whale, who surprised Fraser by speaking in a language Fraser had not heard for many years.
“Where's the human gone?” the whale asked, looking at the door.
“You speak the mer-language?” Fraser asked. He was sure his ears hadn't deceived him.
The whale must have seen his confusion and smiled. “Yes. I've met your people before.”
Fraser met the whale's eyes and kept his voice low. “You know what I am then?” he asked, leaning forward.
“No human would ever speak my people's language,” the whale explained, mirroring Fraser's stance and leaning on the table. “What's your name?”
“Benton Fraser.”
“Hmmmm. My name is Awani.” Awani held his face forward.
Fraser recognised the greeting and briefly touched his nose to Awani's in the traditional way.“It's been a long time since I've met one of your people,” Fraser said, leaning back a little. “I'm curious how you came to be here in Chicago.”
The whale gave a slight smile and moved his hands over the table. “We don't usually travel far, that's true, but I was intrigued by humans. I followed one of their ships to the coast. I travelled across land for weeks. I thought the lake was a chance to travel back home.”
“You didn't realise it was an enclosed area of sea?” Fraser asked, there was no reason to think that it didn't lead to the sea and it was such a large body of water it would have been very tempting.
“No.” Awani shook his head. “The noise of the ships, the pollution. I became ill and disorientated,” he touched his head.”I ended up on the shore. Then those humans came and put me in a tank.”
Fraser could hear the anger in Awani's voice. “They meant to help.”
“I know but I wasn't going to spend the rest of my life there.”
Fraser remembered his own reactions to the aquarium. “I understand the desire to get back to the sea.”
“But you still live on land,” Awani pointed out, looking around the apartment.
“My father was human, I chose to live the way he did.” Although, looking around the partment this was perhaps not the same way his father had lived.
“You miss the sea?”
Fraser pulled up memories of his grandmother taking him to quiet, isolated coves for the chance to swim for hours. It had been years since he had the opportunity. “Sometimes very much,” he admitted, remembering the cool water, the taste of salt and the freedom of moving through those clear depths.
Awani looked at the door then back to Fraser. “Does the human know what you are?”
Fraser shook his head. “No, he doesn't know about me. I suppose I should tell him but I'm not sure that's a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I'm not sure how Ray would react,” Fraser replied, picturing disbelief on his friend's face.
Awani looked puzzled. “You haven't told your mate how you feel?”
“He's not my mate,” Fraser replied, perhaps a little too quickly.
“But you want him to be your mate?”
Was there nothing Fraser could hide from this creature? “Yes, but, it's complicated.” He tried to avoid the creature's gaze.
“Because you won't tell him what you are?”
“I suppose that's part of it,” Fraser reflected. “We're from two different worlds.”
Awani waved his arm, indicating the space they now occupied.“You've lived among humans your entire life. You walk around on two legs most of the time. How is that different?”
“I suppose it's not,” Fraser admitted. He'd never regretted his choice, even if it had meant hiding what he was and forcing himself into a form that wasn't natural for him no matter how much he pretended it was.
“I can't stay here,” Awani said.
Fraser stood up. “We know. We'd like to give you the chance to go home. Can you show me where you come from on a map?”
“I can try.”
Fraser went to the top shelf of the closet and began to search out an old, but still accurate, map of North America with a large section dedicated to the oceans. His grandmother had tried to instil at least some interest in the sea.
While Fraser was looking for an old map Ray Vecchio was driving back with a bag full of crab meat and a wolf full of shrimp.
“You didn't have to eat it all,” Ray said, to the wolf sitting in the back seat who was not in the least bit guilty at eating all the shrimp.
“I bought for enough for both of us,” Ray pointed out.
Diefenbaker said nothing, not a whimper of sorry. Nothing. He simply looked out of the window.
Ray sighed. Maybe he could eat some of the crab meat he'd bought for the whale and Benny. The fact Fraser wanted to eat crab meat wasn't strange. Fraser regularly ate the parts of animals that Ray couldn't even name, but he'd been acting weird since they they had visited the aquarium.
“He ever tell you why he didn't want to go to the aquarium?” Ray asked Dief.
Dief whined. Ray took it as a no.
“I mean he likes educational stuff like that,” Ray paused and slowed the car slightly. “I guess he'd prefer to go swimming in the sea to look at fish.”
Dief barked and put his head close to Ray's.
Ray held his nose at wolf breath and shook his head. “Yeah, maybe Benny's been swimming with shape shifting whales before.”
Dief barked again, twice.
How had Fraser known the whale was a shape shifter? How had he'd known how to talk to the guy? “What were those noises he made?” Ray asked, speeding up again and ignoring a stop sign.
Dief whined and put his head on the seat.
“Oh, right, you weren't there. It was...it was whale. Fraser speaks whale. I know he knows every language in Canada but how did he learn whale? And Narwhale or whatever he said? They don;t teach you that sort of thing in the Mounties do they?”
Dief whined again in the negative.
“So, Fraser hates aquariums, speaks whale and knows about shape shifting whales,” he paused. “What's the connection? I'm missing something here, Dief,” Ray said, tapping the steering wheel.
It wasn't beyond the bounds of the weird reality that Fraser existed in that he could have met a whale and learnt his language but Ray was reluctant to think that;s all there was to it. Maybe Fraser could identify with being cooped up somewhere he shouldn't be. After-all he was in Chicago not Canada. Ray just felt there was something Fraser wasn't telling him.
It was a moot point as they arrived back at the apartment.
“I hope this whale likes this stuff,” Ray said wrinkling his nose, as he picked the bag up. “This smell is going to follow me round for weeks.”
Meanwhile, up in the apartment, Fraser had located the map and carried it back to where Awani was sat waiting patiently.
“Here we are,” Fraser said spreading it across the table.
“Where are we?” Awani asked, leaning over it.
“Here, this is Chicago,” Fraser said, placing his finger on it. The map was faded a little but the features still clear. “This is the lake you were trapped in.”
“I travelled far,” Awani said, proudly.
“Indeed. I imagine your home is somewhere around here.” Fraser used his finger to indicate a large area of sea above the Territories.
Awani nodded. “Yes, where the coast moves up there.” He rubbed his finger along the line.
“I know the area,” Fraser replied. He knew it very well indeed; he had spent many happy hours in that coastal area.
“You can get me home?” Awani seemed pleased at the idea.
Fraser smiled. “We can.”
They were interrupted by the reappearance of Ray who burst into the apartment carrying a large bag.
“Hey, Benny, I brought some crab and some other fish. Do you know how much this stuff stinks? I'm never going to get the smell out of the upholstery,” Ray said, dumping the bag on the counter.
“Thanks, Ray.”
Ray rummaged inside and brought out a smaller bag of crab meat. “You want to cook this?”
“Raw will be fine, Ray,” Fraser said as Ray handed him the bag. He passed it to Awani, opening it to show him what was inside.
“So, you find out where this guy's from?” Ray asked, as Awani tucked into the crab meat. Dief looked longingly at at the bag.
“Yes. We need to take him north,” Fraser replied, picking up the map.
“You want us to drive to Canada?” Ray asked.
“Yes and we'll need to take a plane,” Fraser said, looking at the amp and workign out the route.
Ray looked at the whale. “You want us to take him on a plane?”
Fraser noted Awani had already nearly finished the crab meat. Ray handed him another bag. “We need to get him as close to his home as possible,” Fraser showed the map. “This is where he lives. He can't take a plane on his own.”
Ray stared at the map for a moment. “What do I tell Welsh? Sorry I've got to take a whale back home?”
“Ray, please,” Fraser said.
Ray sighed. “All right I'll use the last of my vacation time and hope Welsh clears it.”
“Thank you, Ray.”
“I'll go sort out plane tickets,” Ray said, as he headed out again, opening the door he'd entered only minutes before.
“If you need any help...”
Ray waved a hand. “I'll call you. Do you know how much it's going to cost to take a whale up north?”
“If you need money...”
Ray interrupted again. “Forget it, just eat your crab. Maybe cook it.”
Fraser put the map to one side. “I will, Ray.”
As soon as Ray was gone Fraser pulled out his own bag of crab an joined Awani in munching crab. He didn't need it cooked and he still thought it tasted better in its natural state. By the time Ray got back all the crab was gone but there was little time to waste and no time for Ray to grab a snack as they set off north.
The journey went smoothly, even though Ray had to pretend Awani had no ID because he was a victim of crime in America and had his wallet stolen. Fraser backed up the story and they faced no other issues during their journey.
They came to the coast. Fraser could smell the sea and he had to admit he would love to jump into the water himself. It was a quiet cove, there was nobody about. The temperature was not freezing but it wasn't warm, as the snow and ice that remained on the rocks indicated. Fraser felt a sense of home. Awani seemed to feel the same, his face full of interest.
“Are we in the right place?” Ray asked.
“Yes, Ray.” Fraser turned to Awani who was staring out at sea.
Awani turned to Fraser and spoke Fraser's mother tongue. “Thank you for all you've done.”
“You're welcome. It was nice meeting you,” Fraser said, offering his hand.
After a moment of confusion Awani took it. “And you. It was even nice meeting the human. If ever you decide to return to the sea I hope to meet you again.”
“The same to you,” Fraser replied as the handshake ended. “Good luck.”
“Thank you.”
Awani smiled as he shed the clothing, finding it far easier to remove clothing than put it on. He walked slowly to the water, his arms outstretched. Fraser watched as the whale walked purposefully into the sea, his human body disappearing as he was cloaked by deep blue and the white of the surf. Finally he could no longer be seen form the shore.
“Is is okay?” Ray asked, when Awani did not resurface immediately.
“He's probably changing, Ray,” Fraser replied.
Sure enough a few moments later the white head of a whale bobbed back up to the surface. Fraser could read a smile in those features. Awani turned on his side and waved a flipper before diving beneath the waves again. He resurfaced some way away and then disappeared from view, no doubt swimming off to his home.
Fraser looked at the waves; they looked so inviting. The water wasn't too rough; it looked...it looked a lot like home. In Chicago he had occasionally tied up the communal bathtub to relax in his true form but here, here he wouldn't be inconveniencing anyone. Was it really fair to deny himself the opportunity? He glanced at Ray, the only human for miles, a human Fraser admitted he had come to love.
He could hardly love Ray and not tell him the truth, or, at the very least, show him.. Fraser looked at the water and made his decision. He pulled off his coat and proceeded to undress, right there on the shore. He threw off each article of clothing, for once not particularly caring about how he left them.
Ray seemed to be watching him. “You're taking your clothes off,” Ray said.
“Yes, Ray,” Fraser replied, unlacing his boots. He wasn't embarrassed about becoming naked with Ray there, he just hoped Ray would like what he saw.
“Put your clothes back on,” Ray said. “Why are you getting naked?”
“I would prefer not to get my clothes wet,” Fraser explained as he took off his socks.
“But, Benny!”
Fraser ignored Ray's protestations and now, completely naked, walked purposefully toward the surf. He could smell the salt and hear the waves. He couldn't wait to sink into the deep blue water.
“Benny, what are you doing?
“I'm getting into the water,” Fraser replied, his feet now in the sea.
“He's a whale, I think he can swim home by himself,” Ray protested.
“I know, Ray,” Fraser said, wading in deeper.
“That water is cold, Fraser, you'll end up freezing to death.”
“I'm used to cold water, Ray,” Fraser replied as he felt his legs turn to a tail. There was no going back now, this was what he was and he felt more at home the deeper he ventured in.
“I knew you grew up in the armpit of the frozen north but....Benny!”
Fraser didn't hear Ray's last comment as he dived beneath the waves. It was cool and quiet in the water. His eyes adjusted easily to the dim light, he could see the rocks of the shore, the pebbles below him. He caught a flash of silver as a fish swam past. He himself swam slowly, turning around and feeling the salt water around him. Why had he denied himself this for so long?
On the shore Ray was confused. He had seen Fraser disappear into the water but he hadn't seen him resurface. He knew Fraser wasn't a whale, well he didn't think he was, so there was no reason for him to still be under the water. Ray was worried perhaps Fraser had got cold and wasn't strong enough to swim back up to the surface.
“Benny!” he called. “Fraser!”
There was no reply and still no sign of Fraser on the surface. “Dammit it, Fraser.” Ray walked closer to the water. “Benny where are you?!”
After no response again Ray began to get worried; how long could Fraser survive in the water anyway? There was nobody else around, no other person to ask for help. “Oh fine,” Ray said, wading into the water, still wearing his clothes.
He managed to swim out to where he'd last seen Fraser but his clothes had soaked up the water and felt heavy and cumbersome. “Benny!” he called. “Benny!!”
Ray tried to dive into the water but his clothes weighed him down and he found himself struggling in the water. He couldn't keep himself above the waves. He splashed about hoping Fraser might realise but it wasn't long before he found himself sinking down.
Fraser was sure he had heard Ray's voice calling. He hadn't thought about how Ray would react. He hadn't come to the surface; as far as Ray was concerned he might be in trouble. Belatedly realising this Fraser was then aware of powerful splashing coming from his right. He glanced toward it and saw Ray struggling in the water.
He swam over quickly and caught Ray who had been sinking down. Ray appeared to be only slightly conscious. Fraser gave him a quick breath of air and dragged him back to the surface. They broke through with a large splash. Ray was still a little groggy but he was alive and he was breathing. Fraser held him close and kissed Ray lightly on the lips. It seemed to bring Ray back to consciousness.
Ray's eyes showed confusion. “You're not drowning,” he said.
“No, Ray.”
Fraser just held Ray for a moment, deliberately brushing his tail against Ray's legs.
“What is that?” Ray asked.
“What is what?” Fraser said, brushing his tail against Ray's legs again.
Ray awkwardly reached down and Fraser felt him touch it. “That...is that...a tail?!” Ray pulled his hand quickly away but made no effort to leave Fraser's arms. “You're half fish!”
“Ray, please, calm down,” Fraser replied, as he felt Ray trembling, though perhaps that was from the cold.
Ray took a deep breath, “I'm calm. I just found out my best friend is a mermaid.”
“Technically, Ray, I'm a merman. Though merperson might be more accurate.”
“You have a fish tail,” Ray said, repeating himself.
“Yes, Ray, whilst in the water I do have a fishtail,” Fraser said, brushing up against Ray and glad he didn't flinch.
“You couldn't have told me this earlier?”
“I wasn't sure you'd believe me and if you did...” Fraser trailed off, what could he say?
“You thought I'd sell you to the circus?” Ray asked.
“Or a medical facility,” Fraser admitted, holding them still in the water.
“You really think I'd do that?”
Fraser looked out at the expanse of sea. “No, Ray. But given that you didn't believe in shape shifting whales...”
Ray was still trembling, Fraser noted. “Okay, so a few days ago I didn't think that whales turned into naked men or naked men turned into whales and five minutes ago I was drowning and I didn't think mer...people existed. But...thing make a lot more sense now, Benny, and...” Ray paused. “You're a really good looking merman.”
Fraser felt Ray's sincerity. “Thank you, Ray.”
They stayed floating there awhile. Ray's trembles seemed to cease whether the cause had been the cold or fear. Fraser felt as if he could stay like this for as long as was needed. It was nice to finally to be able to hold Ray, no secrets between them. Ray's voice startled him.
“Can I see it?”
Fraser frowned. “See what?”
“Your tail.”
Fraser was pleased by the question - Ray wasn't afraid. “Oh, yes, Ray.” He let Ray go slightly and lay on his back, bringing his tail to the surface so it appeared above the water. It was a light, shimmering blue and contrasted with the water.
Ray reached forward. Fraser could feel Ray's hand stroking it, the delicate touch of skin on scales. “It's beautiful.”
“Thank you, Ray,” Fraser replied. Once Ray had seen enough Fraser lowered his tail and brought them back into the position they'd been in before.
“So, why do you show me this now?” Ray asked. “You got this idea to frolic in the sea? “
Fraser laughed. The levity was welcome, it made the situation feel more real. “No, Ray. It was Awani.”
Ray frowned. “Who?”
“The whale's real name.”
“Oh, right,” Ray replied, relaxing a little.
“Talking to him made me aware of certain facts,” Fraser said.
“Such as?”
“It didn't seem right being ashamed of what I am and keeping it secret from the human I love,” Fraser admitted, rushing the last part of the sentence.
“Human you...?” Ray's eyes were wide.
“Yes, Ray,” Fraser said, staring into the sea, the blue water calming him.
Ray pressed himself closer. “Well, you know, finding out you love a mermaid isn't a bad thing.”
“You love a mermaid?”
Ray moved forward and gave Fraser the tiniest ghost of a kiss. “You, Benny.”
“I'm not technically a mermaid,” Fraser said, looking down at his tail.
“Okay, I'm love with a picky merperson.”
“Really?”
“Do you think I'd let any mermaid...merperson, save me from drowning?” Ray asked.
“Well, if you were in trouble I'm sure you'd be glad of any help,” Fraser replied. Although he was grateful for being the one that had saved Ray.
“Hypothetical question.”
“Oh,” Fraser paused. “You do love me,” he said out loud. “Even though I'm not human?”
Ray rolled his eyes. “I loved you when you were the most annoying man in the world, I still love you when you're the most annoying merman in the world.”
Fraser's elation couldn't be contained and that earlier ghost of a kiss was not enough. He pulled Ray as close as possible and kissed him. He held Ray tight and nearly managed to wrap his tail around him. All he wanted was to be next to Ray and being with Ray in the water created an extra feeling of closeness. Finally he let at least Ray's lips go.
“Mmmmm, Benny.”
“Sorry, Ray,” Fraser replied, hoping he wasn't crushing Ray, and loosening his grip.
“Getting carried away were you?”
Fraser blushed, warm even as the cold lapped around them. “A little, Ray.”
“You still look like a human out of the water right?”
Fraser smiled and pushed his tail against Ray. “Yes. I'm used to legs although this form is more comfortable.”
Ray looked around them. “Do you want to stay in the water?”
Fraser smiled. It was a tempting offer. “Not right now, Ray, there are some things I can do better without a tail.”
“Good.”
Fraser held onto Ray and swam to get them both back to the shore. “You know this is another suit you've ruined,” Ray pointed out.
“Yes, Ray. I'll make it up to you.”
“No more secrets you've been keeping from me, Benny?”
“No, Ray,” Fraser replied as they reached the shallows.
Ray got out first, making some slight attempt to squeeze the water out of his clothing. Fraser lay in the shallows a little longer before shifting his tail back into legs. He stood up and used his under shirt to dry himself, offering it to Ray who could change into the clothes left by Awani.
Once they were a little drier Fraser stood and looked out to sea once more. He didn't notices Ray's presence until a hand slipped into his. He smiled.
“We'll come back here,” Ray said. “You want to swim, you swim, Benny.”
“I will Ray,” Fraser replied.
Hand in hand, human and merman left the shoreline for civilisation, clean clothes and a warm bed. The sea was still calling but this time Fraser had a reason to answer and someone to answer with.
END
**
[Poll #1256678]
Author: Aingeal (
aingeal8c)Team: Whimsy
Prompt: "Well, it's not completely unheard of -- especially in the Amazon basin."
Pairing(s): Fraser/Vecchio
Length: 7000 words
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: When a whale goes missing from the local aquarium Fraser had to persuade Ray that the sea is full of strange creatures...and people.
Author's notes: Thanks to
spuffyduds for beta. And thanks to catwalksalone and alex51324 for sharing their opinions and thoughts. Thanks also to torra for the title and Team Whimsy in general for being awesome and encouraging.Once you've read the story, please take a moment to vote in the poll below. Ratings go from 1 (low) to 9 (high), so all you need to do is enter a single number in that range into each text entry box. You'll be able to see the Genre information in the header above.
More details about the voting procedure can be found here.
**
Benton Fraser walked up the stairs to the bullpen and tried not to feel excited about seeing Ray Vecchio. It was a feeling he had only recently been able to recognise but he was always happy to see his friend. He opened the door and was greeted by the cacophony of the bullpen. Phones were ringing, people were talking, it reminded Fraser of actual police work. It might not have been his city, or even his country but taking in the sights and sounds of a busy urban police station reminded him of his duty and his interest.
He was looking around for his friend when he saw Ray coming toward him. Ray was already putting his gun into his holster and adjusting his jacket.
“Come on, Benny,” Ray said.
Fraser dutifully followed Ray out of the bullpen and down the stairs. “Where are we going, Ray?” he asked. He didn't mind going anywhere with Ray, he just liked to know where it was they were heading.
“The Shedd Aquarium,” Ray replied. “Welsh wants me to investigate a missing whale.”
The idea of a missing whale piqued Fraser's interest. “What sort of whale?” he asked.
“I don't know,” Ray said as they weaved their way through the corridor. “A small one.”
“Why would it be small?”
“Because it's in an aquarium.”
Fraser avoided a few incoming prisoners as they went outside. “You know, Ray, there are a number of cetaceans kept in captivity. Of course the dolphin family are more commonly kept due to their size and relative ease of capture.”
“The call said it was a whale,” Ray said, moving across the parking lot to where they'd left the Riv.
“Perhaps it was one of the smaller species.”
Ray opened the door to the Riv and paused. “You mean you don't know what whales the Shedd Aquarium has?”
“No, Ray, I've not had time to visit that particular institution,” Fraser said. It was mostly true.
“You've been in Chicago a year, you've been to every museum and library in the greater Chicago area but you haven't wanted to go an aquarium?” Ray asked.
Fraser leaned on the roof of the Riv. “They don't really hold much appeal, Ray,” he said.
“You don't like fish?”
“Not in that sort of situation, no.” All Fraser could picture were tanks, large tanks, but tanks none the less. He knew the fish were probably happy but still.
“Remind you of a bad experience?” Ray asked.
“Yes, Ray,” Fraser replied, for once holding back on further elaboration.
Then they climbed into the Riv and nothing more was aid on that particular subject. Fraser looked out of the window and reflected on the view the whale might have had. Looking at the world through glass, and seeing people looking in would not be the kind of world Fraser would be comfortable with. Ray's voice disrupted his thoughts.
“Are you okay, Benny?”
Fraser turned and gave Ray a slightly forced smile. “Just thinking, Ray,” he replied.
“Okay.”
Fraser turned his attention to the windshield and the small droplets of rain on it. A life behind glass wasn't for him, perhaps it hadn't been for the whale either.
Once they arrived at the aquarium Fraser tried to avoid looking into the tanks too much. He had no doubt it was beautiful to see the fish swimming in amongst coral habitats but whenever he saw a flash of scales he was reminded again by the glass that stood between him and their filtered water the fish swam in.
Eventually they came to the beluga exhibit. Pale faces stared out from the glass as Fraser and Ray approached a man in a suit, one of the aquarium directors Fraser imagined. He peered into the environment that had been created. He could see the rocks and the shafts of light. It reminded him of home but he wondered if the same could be said for the whale. He turned his attention to the probable director.
“Are you Mr Lucas?” Ray asked.
The man offered Ray a hand. “Yes, and you would be?”
Ray took it. “Detective Vecchio, Chicago PD and this is Constable Fraser.” Ray said.
“Pleased to meet you,” Fraser said, offering a handshake of his own.
“Are you the one who reported he whale missing?” Ray asked, getting out his notebook.
“Yes, he was stolen some time last night,” Lucas replied.
Ray poised over his notebook. “You think it was stolen?”
“A 3,000 pound animal doesn't simply go missing, detective,” Lucas said, sounding exasperated.
Ray made no comment about that. “Was it a male or a female?”
“A male. We called him Willie.”
Ray gave Fraser a look.
“How long had the beluga lived here?” Fraser asked, turning the conversation back on Lucas.
“A few months. He was found washed up on the shore of Lake Michigan.”
The wheels in Fraser's head had been turning since he had known it was a beluga that had gone missing, but now his suspicions were more or less confirmed. “Do you know how did he get there? There's no direct ocean access,” he said.
“That we know of,” Lucas replied. “Maybe the whale found a route, maybe he was being smuggled across the lake. I guess we'll never know.”
“And he was brought here?” Ray asked.
Lucas nodded. “Yeah, he was weak, dehydrated. Not in good health at all. We were the nearest facility with beluga care experience so he was brought here.”
Ray made a note or two, Fraser could see him scribbling down the relevant information. “You get a lot of cases like that?”
“Unlike some other aquariums we actually have little opportunity to take part in rescues. This was an amazing opportunity for us.”
Fraser glanced at the tank again. “When would he have been released back into the wild?”
“We're not sure. We were trying to track down where he came from; could have been Greenland, Canada or Russia. Belugas don't have stable social relationships so that wasn't a concern but we didn't want to end up with a Canadian beluga in Russia or vice versa.”
“But you were going to release him?” Ray asked the question Fraser had been wondering about.
“Oh yes, we have no reason to keep him here.”
“Perhaps he didn't understand that,” Fraser said, quietly.
“Well, few whales speak human.”
“Yes, although perhaps the humans should try to learn to speak whale,” Fraser replied.
Ray jumped in then to ask about the other details; when the whale was last seen, who had access to the area at night. Fraser simply stared into the water, seeing his own reflection in the glass. He wandered around and noted the access inside and outside the tank area. It was possible for a whale to escape, from the inside. It would have be a special whale, however. The question Fraser was faced with was how to inform Ray.
Ray met him at the entrance of the beluga exhibit shortly afterwards.
“Who would want to steal a whale?” Ray asked as they walked out of the aquarium.
“I can think of a few people who would condone it.”
“What like animal rights nut jobs actually freeing Willie?” Ray asked.
“I don't think he was called Willie, Ray,” Fraser replied, grateful the exit was in sight.
“The director guy said he was. Besides Willy was a whale.”
Fraser turned to his friend. “Do you know him?”
Ray sighed. “It was a movie, Fraser.”
“Ah,” Fraser paused. “So, you think animal right protesters stole the whale to release him?”
“Yeah, who else would steal a whale?”
“Perhaps he stole himself,” Fraser replied as they exited the aquarium and headed to where the Riv was parked.
Ray snorted. “How can he steal himself? He just got out of the tank and walked away?”
“I imagine that's what happened, yes.”
“Whales don't have legs.”
“In human form he would have legs. He would look human,” Fraser explained patiently.
Ray was frowning. “So, you think the whale was..is...a guy?”
“A shape shifter yes.”
“A whale shape shifter? That's crazy, Benny.”
Fraser stopped walking to give the subject more attention. “Well, it's not completely unheard of -- especially in the Amazon basin.”
“They have belugas in the Amazon?”
“No, Ray. They do have encantado, however. Although they are dolphins rather than whales,” Fraser said.
Ray still looked confused. “Magic dolphins?”
“Encantado is a Brazilian Portuguese word which roughly translates as "enchanted one." The term is used for creatures who come from a paradise-like underwater realm called the Encante. Although it can refer to different shape shifting animals, most often it refers to dolphins with the ability to turn into humans, specifically the boto river dolphin. People in some areas of South America still believe in the encantado.”
“This isn't South America, Benny. This is Chicago,” Ray said, disbelief plain in his voice.
“No, but the same principle applies. Myth springs from truth. There are stories of whales turning into human beings and sometimes even marrying or kidnapping humans.”
“Like mermaids?”
Now was not the time to get into he differences between two types of undersea folk, Fraser thought. “Similar legends, yes, Ray.”
They began to walk again. “You're telling me the whale isn't a whale, it looks like a guy now?”
“In all likelihood, yes, Ray.”
“And he escaped?”
“No doubt he shifted shape and escaped from the aquarium,” Fraser said, finally telling Ray his theory. “It's certainly possible given the access to the tank.”
“Why?”
“Well, would you like to be in captivity, Ray?”
“In captivity? In a zoo?” Ray asked as they reached the Riv.
“Or an aquarium.” Fraser's grandmother had made him aware of such things when he was very young. She'd told him all about what captivity could mean. Silly really, that he had felt the fear that had been instilled in him though those conversations as they had walked past the tanks.
Ray didn't debate the point further. “Okay, so the whale escaped, where would he go?”
“I imagine he would look for the nearest body of water.”
Ray climbed into the Riv “So we trawl Lake Michigan.”
Fraser joined Ray inside. “He will probably want to find a way to head north to his home.”
“We already know the lake doesn't go that far,” Ray pointed out.
“He'll be looking for a way to head to the coast, from there he'll travel north in the sea.”
“How do you know?” Ray asked.
Fraser could feeling the questioning gaze of his friend. “Trust me, Ray, I have an understanding of the inner workings of a whale's mind. He's probably disorientated so at this stage any water will be a comfort to him.”
“So, we just wait for a call about some naked guy frolicking in a fountain somewhere?”
Fraser nodded. “It seems likely, Ray.”
Before Ray could offer a retort Elaine's voice came over the radio. “Vecchio, there's a naked guy in the Wicker Park fountain at Schiller & Damen.”
Ray turned to Fraser, holding up a finger. “This doesn't prove anything.”
“I know.”
“There are plenty of weird people in this city. Just because they like water doesn't mean they're shape shifting whales.”
“I understand. Though perhaps we should take some bait just in case?” Fraser suggested.
“No, we are not letting my car smell of fish.”
Fraser was of the opinion the bait would have been a good idea. The idea was reinforced when they arrived at the fountain they saw a dark haired man kneeling in the water. His skin was similar to that of the Native people found in the far north, a contrast to the paleness he would have in whale form. His physical features seemed designed to blend in with humans who inhabited the land near his watery home. He was cupping the water and letting it leak out between his fingers. He also put his hands on the bottom of the fountain. It was very deep. He seemed to be testing the depth of the water.
Ray approached him. “Sir, can you get out of the fountain?”
The whale simply stared at Ray, his head tilted to one side.
“He doesn't appear to speak English, Ray.”
“What am I supposed to do? Wade in there and drag him out?” Ray didn't seem to be relishing the prospect.
“I could try talking to him,” Fraser said, watching as the whale splashed about.
“What, in Canadian?”
“It's worth a try, isn't it, Ray?”
Ray held up his arms. “Go ahead, Benny, he's probably a Canadian whale anyway.”
Fraser approached the fountain. He made sure not alarm the whale. Taking a deep breath, he reached down into the mental part of himself that was rarely used and let out a set of haunting squeaks. The whale was intrigued and answered back. It took Fraser a moment to translate. Confident that he had made the right phrase, he asked the whale to step out of the fountain, promising an explanation. At least that was what he hoped he had asked.
He was soon relieved as the whale stepped out and walked toward him. He spoke a few more words and Fraser promised more answers, once they were somewhere more private. Both the whale's previous antics and his own attempts to talk to him had encouraged an ever growing crowd. It was then Fraser realised the whale was, perhaps unsurprisingly, naked.
“Ray could we get a blanket?” Fraser asked.
Ray appeared to be noticing the guy's nakedness too. “Yeah, hang on.” He rushed off to get one.
Fraser coaxed the whale closer and reassured him he was a friend. Ray quickly arrived with the blanket. Fraser kept up his reassurance as he covered the man with it, draping it around his shoulders. He hoped it wasn't one of Ray's good blankets, remembering how Francesca had reacted to one of hers being used. The whale seemed to relax slightly as they led him to the Riv and away from prying eyes.
“What was that?” Ray asked as he helped support the whale, who apparently was not used to walking on legs.
“What was what?” Fraser asked, carefully guiding the whale.
“That noise you were making; is it some kind of secret Canadian code?” Ray asked.
“It's beluga whale, Ray,” Fraser admitted. “I'm a little rusty with my vocalisations but he seemed to understand what I meant.”
“You speak whale?” Ray asked, slowing down as the whale stumbled.
“A little, Ray.” Fraser didn't mention how he had learnt it. “I speak several different whale dialects and apparently my narwhal is impressive.”
“What's a narwhal?” Ray asked, looking for the Riv.
“It's a whale in which the front tooth on the male develops a spiral and forms a tusk-like projection,” Fraser was thoughtful. He straightened the blanket which was in danger of falling off, revealign the whale to the few onlooker still about. “Indeed narwhal tusks were once taken for unicorn horns.”
“Unicorns? You speak unicorn?”
Fraser “I've not met a unicorn.”
“But you've met a narwhal?”
Given they were currently helping a whale it was a logical question. “Oh yes,” Fraser replied, encouraging the whale away from a glass bottle he seemed interested in.
“Good conversationalist was he?”
“She,” Fraser corrected, “was actually very knowledgeable about the migratory routes of cod.”
They finally, through much coaxing and support had made it to the Riv. The whale seemed fascinated and put a hand out to touch it.
“What are we going to do with him?” Ray asked, observing the whale touching his car.
“Return him to his home. He needs our help, Ray,” Fraser said, feeling empathy for the creature forced into human form.
“So we just drive to the coast and let him swim?”
“It's a thought, Ray, but it might be pertinent to find out more information about where he's come from. In the meantime perhaps he could stay at my apartment?” Fraser didn't expect Ray to say no.
Ray's sigh as he opened the car told Fraser he was right. “All right, just make sure he doesn't start taking baths in front of your neighbours.”
“Understood.”
It took a good five minutes of exchanging more comments with the whale for him to trust Fraser enough to get into the car. Fraser sat with him in the back to reassure him, explaining the nature of a car and where they were going. It seemed to help. Fraser couldn't help but notice the wistful look as the whale looked out of the window.
Ray pulled up outside the apartment building. He got out first and helped Fraser get the whale out of the car and the up the stairs. A few of Fraser's neighbours spared them a few glances but there no staring; they were used to Fraser's goodwill actions and dismissed this as one of them. It wasn't easy; the whale clearly had little experience of long flights of stairs.
Finally they made it into the safety of the apartment. Fraser searched out some clothes for the whale to wear. They weren't quite his size, a little loose in some places, but Fraser felt they would be adequate enough. Of course then he had to help the whale get dressed, as shape shifting whales had no use for clothes. Ray simply stood back and watched as Fraser struggled to get the whale to out his human arms into the sleeves of a shirt.
Eventually the whale was dressed, looking rather crumpled. Fraser encouraged him to sit down. Once he had done so he looked at Fraser and Ray and made a few pleading sounds.
“Is he okay?” Ray asked, shifting uncomfortably.
“He's hungry, Ray,” Fraser replied. The whale had been in human form for a long time without any nourishment.
“What does he eat?” Ray asked.
The whale rubbed the table and sniffed it.
“Fish, squid, octopus, crab, shrimp, quite a varied diet,” Fraser replied, gently dissuading the whale from licking the table.
Ray moved to the door. “Okay, I'll try and find some fish for him to eat.”
“Crab might be better, Ray. There's a fish market not far from here.”
“Fine, I'll get some crab.”
“Can you get some for me as well, Ray?” Fraser asked, taking the seat opposite the whale. Normally he wouldn't ask Ray to run such an errand but as he was going anyway it didn't seem to be any harm to ask.
“You like crab?” Ray asked, his hand lingering on the door knob.
“Yes, Ray.”
Ray rolled his eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
“I don't know, Ray,” Fraser said, keeping an eye on the whale who was rubbing his finger along the edge of the table.
“Okay, I'm going leave you to talk to the whale.”
Ray opened the door and was followed by Diefenbaker, who was also intrigued by the prospect of food. Fraser turned his attention back to the whale, who surprised Fraser by speaking in a language Fraser had not heard for many years.
“Where's the human gone?” the whale asked, looking at the door.
“You speak the mer-language?” Fraser asked. He was sure his ears hadn't deceived him.
The whale must have seen his confusion and smiled. “Yes. I've met your people before.”
Fraser met the whale's eyes and kept his voice low. “You know what I am then?” he asked, leaning forward.
“No human would ever speak my people's language,” the whale explained, mirroring Fraser's stance and leaning on the table. “What's your name?”
“Benton Fraser.”
“Hmmmm. My name is Awani.” Awani held his face forward.
Fraser recognised the greeting and briefly touched his nose to Awani's in the traditional way.“It's been a long time since I've met one of your people,” Fraser said, leaning back a little. “I'm curious how you came to be here in Chicago.”
The whale gave a slight smile and moved his hands over the table. “We don't usually travel far, that's true, but I was intrigued by humans. I followed one of their ships to the coast. I travelled across land for weeks. I thought the lake was a chance to travel back home.”
“You didn't realise it was an enclosed area of sea?” Fraser asked, there was no reason to think that it didn't lead to the sea and it was such a large body of water it would have been very tempting.
“No.” Awani shook his head. “The noise of the ships, the pollution. I became ill and disorientated,” he touched his head.”I ended up on the shore. Then those humans came and put me in a tank.”
Fraser could hear the anger in Awani's voice. “They meant to help.”
“I know but I wasn't going to spend the rest of my life there.”
Fraser remembered his own reactions to the aquarium. “I understand the desire to get back to the sea.”
“But you still live on land,” Awani pointed out, looking around the apartment.
“My father was human, I chose to live the way he did.” Although, looking around the partment this was perhaps not the same way his father had lived.
“You miss the sea?”
Fraser pulled up memories of his grandmother taking him to quiet, isolated coves for the chance to swim for hours. It had been years since he had the opportunity. “Sometimes very much,” he admitted, remembering the cool water, the taste of salt and the freedom of moving through those clear depths.
Awani looked at the door then back to Fraser. “Does the human know what you are?”
Fraser shook his head. “No, he doesn't know about me. I suppose I should tell him but I'm not sure that's a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I'm not sure how Ray would react,” Fraser replied, picturing disbelief on his friend's face.
Awani looked puzzled. “You haven't told your mate how you feel?”
“He's not my mate,” Fraser replied, perhaps a little too quickly.
“But you want him to be your mate?”
Was there nothing Fraser could hide from this creature? “Yes, but, it's complicated.” He tried to avoid the creature's gaze.
“Because you won't tell him what you are?”
“I suppose that's part of it,” Fraser reflected. “We're from two different worlds.”
Awani waved his arm, indicating the space they now occupied.“You've lived among humans your entire life. You walk around on two legs most of the time. How is that different?”
“I suppose it's not,” Fraser admitted. He'd never regretted his choice, even if it had meant hiding what he was and forcing himself into a form that wasn't natural for him no matter how much he pretended it was.
“I can't stay here,” Awani said.
Fraser stood up. “We know. We'd like to give you the chance to go home. Can you show me where you come from on a map?”
“I can try.”
Fraser went to the top shelf of the closet and began to search out an old, but still accurate, map of North America with a large section dedicated to the oceans. His grandmother had tried to instil at least some interest in the sea.
While Fraser was looking for an old map Ray Vecchio was driving back with a bag full of crab meat and a wolf full of shrimp.
“You didn't have to eat it all,” Ray said, to the wolf sitting in the back seat who was not in the least bit guilty at eating all the shrimp.
“I bought for enough for both of us,” Ray pointed out.
Diefenbaker said nothing, not a whimper of sorry. Nothing. He simply looked out of the window.
Ray sighed. Maybe he could eat some of the crab meat he'd bought for the whale and Benny. The fact Fraser wanted to eat crab meat wasn't strange. Fraser regularly ate the parts of animals that Ray couldn't even name, but he'd been acting weird since they they had visited the aquarium.
“He ever tell you why he didn't want to go to the aquarium?” Ray asked Dief.
Dief whined. Ray took it as a no.
“I mean he likes educational stuff like that,” Ray paused and slowed the car slightly. “I guess he'd prefer to go swimming in the sea to look at fish.”
Dief barked and put his head close to Ray's.
Ray held his nose at wolf breath and shook his head. “Yeah, maybe Benny's been swimming with shape shifting whales before.”
Dief barked again, twice.
How had Fraser known the whale was a shape shifter? How had he'd known how to talk to the guy? “What were those noises he made?” Ray asked, speeding up again and ignoring a stop sign.
Dief whined and put his head on the seat.
“Oh, right, you weren't there. It was...it was whale. Fraser speaks whale. I know he knows every language in Canada but how did he learn whale? And Narwhale or whatever he said? They don;t teach you that sort of thing in the Mounties do they?”
Dief whined again in the negative.
“So, Fraser hates aquariums, speaks whale and knows about shape shifting whales,” he paused. “What's the connection? I'm missing something here, Dief,” Ray said, tapping the steering wheel.
It wasn't beyond the bounds of the weird reality that Fraser existed in that he could have met a whale and learnt his language but Ray was reluctant to think that;s all there was to it. Maybe Fraser could identify with being cooped up somewhere he shouldn't be. After-all he was in Chicago not Canada. Ray just felt there was something Fraser wasn't telling him.
It was a moot point as they arrived back at the apartment.
“I hope this whale likes this stuff,” Ray said wrinkling his nose, as he picked the bag up. “This smell is going to follow me round for weeks.”
Meanwhile, up in the apartment, Fraser had located the map and carried it back to where Awani was sat waiting patiently.
“Here we are,” Fraser said spreading it across the table.
“Where are we?” Awani asked, leaning over it.
“Here, this is Chicago,” Fraser said, placing his finger on it. The map was faded a little but the features still clear. “This is the lake you were trapped in.”
“I travelled far,” Awani said, proudly.
“Indeed. I imagine your home is somewhere around here.” Fraser used his finger to indicate a large area of sea above the Territories.
Awani nodded. “Yes, where the coast moves up there.” He rubbed his finger along the line.
“I know the area,” Fraser replied. He knew it very well indeed; he had spent many happy hours in that coastal area.
“You can get me home?” Awani seemed pleased at the idea.
Fraser smiled. “We can.”
They were interrupted by the reappearance of Ray who burst into the apartment carrying a large bag.
“Hey, Benny, I brought some crab and some other fish. Do you know how much this stuff stinks? I'm never going to get the smell out of the upholstery,” Ray said, dumping the bag on the counter.
“Thanks, Ray.”
Ray rummaged inside and brought out a smaller bag of crab meat. “You want to cook this?”
“Raw will be fine, Ray,” Fraser said as Ray handed him the bag. He passed it to Awani, opening it to show him what was inside.
“So, you find out where this guy's from?” Ray asked, as Awani tucked into the crab meat. Dief looked longingly at at the bag.
“Yes. We need to take him north,” Fraser replied, picking up the map.
“You want us to drive to Canada?” Ray asked.
“Yes and we'll need to take a plane,” Fraser said, looking at the amp and workign out the route.
Ray looked at the whale. “You want us to take him on a plane?”
Fraser noted Awani had already nearly finished the crab meat. Ray handed him another bag. “We need to get him as close to his home as possible,” Fraser showed the map. “This is where he lives. He can't take a plane on his own.”
Ray stared at the map for a moment. “What do I tell Welsh? Sorry I've got to take a whale back home?”
“Ray, please,” Fraser said.
Ray sighed. “All right I'll use the last of my vacation time and hope Welsh clears it.”
“Thank you, Ray.”
“I'll go sort out plane tickets,” Ray said, as he headed out again, opening the door he'd entered only minutes before.
“If you need any help...”
Ray waved a hand. “I'll call you. Do you know how much it's going to cost to take a whale up north?”
“If you need money...”
Ray interrupted again. “Forget it, just eat your crab. Maybe cook it.”
Fraser put the map to one side. “I will, Ray.”
As soon as Ray was gone Fraser pulled out his own bag of crab an joined Awani in munching crab. He didn't need it cooked and he still thought it tasted better in its natural state. By the time Ray got back all the crab was gone but there was little time to waste and no time for Ray to grab a snack as they set off north.
The journey went smoothly, even though Ray had to pretend Awani had no ID because he was a victim of crime in America and had his wallet stolen. Fraser backed up the story and they faced no other issues during their journey.
They came to the coast. Fraser could smell the sea and he had to admit he would love to jump into the water himself. It was a quiet cove, there was nobody about. The temperature was not freezing but it wasn't warm, as the snow and ice that remained on the rocks indicated. Fraser felt a sense of home. Awani seemed to feel the same, his face full of interest.
“Are we in the right place?” Ray asked.
“Yes, Ray.” Fraser turned to Awani who was staring out at sea.
Awani turned to Fraser and spoke Fraser's mother tongue. “Thank you for all you've done.”
“You're welcome. It was nice meeting you,” Fraser said, offering his hand.
After a moment of confusion Awani took it. “And you. It was even nice meeting the human. If ever you decide to return to the sea I hope to meet you again.”
“The same to you,” Fraser replied as the handshake ended. “Good luck.”
“Thank you.”
Awani smiled as he shed the clothing, finding it far easier to remove clothing than put it on. He walked slowly to the water, his arms outstretched. Fraser watched as the whale walked purposefully into the sea, his human body disappearing as he was cloaked by deep blue and the white of the surf. Finally he could no longer be seen form the shore.
“Is is okay?” Ray asked, when Awani did not resurface immediately.
“He's probably changing, Ray,” Fraser replied.
Sure enough a few moments later the white head of a whale bobbed back up to the surface. Fraser could read a smile in those features. Awani turned on his side and waved a flipper before diving beneath the waves again. He resurfaced some way away and then disappeared from view, no doubt swimming off to his home.
Fraser looked at the waves; they looked so inviting. The water wasn't too rough; it looked...it looked a lot like home. In Chicago he had occasionally tied up the communal bathtub to relax in his true form but here, here he wouldn't be inconveniencing anyone. Was it really fair to deny himself the opportunity? He glanced at Ray, the only human for miles, a human Fraser admitted he had come to love.
He could hardly love Ray and not tell him the truth, or, at the very least, show him.. Fraser looked at the water and made his decision. He pulled off his coat and proceeded to undress, right there on the shore. He threw off each article of clothing, for once not particularly caring about how he left them.
Ray seemed to be watching him. “You're taking your clothes off,” Ray said.
“Yes, Ray,” Fraser replied, unlacing his boots. He wasn't embarrassed about becoming naked with Ray there, he just hoped Ray would like what he saw.
“Put your clothes back on,” Ray said. “Why are you getting naked?”
“I would prefer not to get my clothes wet,” Fraser explained as he took off his socks.
“But, Benny!”
Fraser ignored Ray's protestations and now, completely naked, walked purposefully toward the surf. He could smell the salt and hear the waves. He couldn't wait to sink into the deep blue water.
“Benny, what are you doing?
“I'm getting into the water,” Fraser replied, his feet now in the sea.
“He's a whale, I think he can swim home by himself,” Ray protested.
“I know, Ray,” Fraser said, wading in deeper.
“That water is cold, Fraser, you'll end up freezing to death.”
“I'm used to cold water, Ray,” Fraser replied as he felt his legs turn to a tail. There was no going back now, this was what he was and he felt more at home the deeper he ventured in.
“I knew you grew up in the armpit of the frozen north but....Benny!”
Fraser didn't hear Ray's last comment as he dived beneath the waves. It was cool and quiet in the water. His eyes adjusted easily to the dim light, he could see the rocks of the shore, the pebbles below him. He caught a flash of silver as a fish swam past. He himself swam slowly, turning around and feeling the salt water around him. Why had he denied himself this for so long?
On the shore Ray was confused. He had seen Fraser disappear into the water but he hadn't seen him resurface. He knew Fraser wasn't a whale, well he didn't think he was, so there was no reason for him to still be under the water. Ray was worried perhaps Fraser had got cold and wasn't strong enough to swim back up to the surface.
“Benny!” he called. “Fraser!”
There was no reply and still no sign of Fraser on the surface. “Dammit it, Fraser.” Ray walked closer to the water. “Benny where are you?!”
After no response again Ray began to get worried; how long could Fraser survive in the water anyway? There was nobody else around, no other person to ask for help. “Oh fine,” Ray said, wading into the water, still wearing his clothes.
He managed to swim out to where he'd last seen Fraser but his clothes had soaked up the water and felt heavy and cumbersome. “Benny!” he called. “Benny!!”
Ray tried to dive into the water but his clothes weighed him down and he found himself struggling in the water. He couldn't keep himself above the waves. He splashed about hoping Fraser might realise but it wasn't long before he found himself sinking down.
Fraser was sure he had heard Ray's voice calling. He hadn't thought about how Ray would react. He hadn't come to the surface; as far as Ray was concerned he might be in trouble. Belatedly realising this Fraser was then aware of powerful splashing coming from his right. He glanced toward it and saw Ray struggling in the water.
He swam over quickly and caught Ray who had been sinking down. Ray appeared to be only slightly conscious. Fraser gave him a quick breath of air and dragged him back to the surface. They broke through with a large splash. Ray was still a little groggy but he was alive and he was breathing. Fraser held him close and kissed Ray lightly on the lips. It seemed to bring Ray back to consciousness.
Ray's eyes showed confusion. “You're not drowning,” he said.
“No, Ray.”
Fraser just held Ray for a moment, deliberately brushing his tail against Ray's legs.
“What is that?” Ray asked.
“What is what?” Fraser said, brushing his tail against Ray's legs again.
Ray awkwardly reached down and Fraser felt him touch it. “That...is that...a tail?!” Ray pulled his hand quickly away but made no effort to leave Fraser's arms. “You're half fish!”
“Ray, please, calm down,” Fraser replied, as he felt Ray trembling, though perhaps that was from the cold.
Ray took a deep breath, “I'm calm. I just found out my best friend is a mermaid.”
“Technically, Ray, I'm a merman. Though merperson might be more accurate.”
“You have a fish tail,” Ray said, repeating himself.
“Yes, Ray, whilst in the water I do have a fishtail,” Fraser said, brushing up against Ray and glad he didn't flinch.
“You couldn't have told me this earlier?”
“I wasn't sure you'd believe me and if you did...” Fraser trailed off, what could he say?
“You thought I'd sell you to the circus?” Ray asked.
“Or a medical facility,” Fraser admitted, holding them still in the water.
“You really think I'd do that?”
Fraser looked out at the expanse of sea. “No, Ray. But given that you didn't believe in shape shifting whales...”
Ray was still trembling, Fraser noted. “Okay, so a few days ago I didn't think that whales turned into naked men or naked men turned into whales and five minutes ago I was drowning and I didn't think mer...people existed. But...thing make a lot more sense now, Benny, and...” Ray paused. “You're a really good looking merman.”
Fraser felt Ray's sincerity. “Thank you, Ray.”
They stayed floating there awhile. Ray's trembles seemed to cease whether the cause had been the cold or fear. Fraser felt as if he could stay like this for as long as was needed. It was nice to finally to be able to hold Ray, no secrets between them. Ray's voice startled him.
“Can I see it?”
Fraser frowned. “See what?”
“Your tail.”
Fraser was pleased by the question - Ray wasn't afraid. “Oh, yes, Ray.” He let Ray go slightly and lay on his back, bringing his tail to the surface so it appeared above the water. It was a light, shimmering blue and contrasted with the water.
Ray reached forward. Fraser could feel Ray's hand stroking it, the delicate touch of skin on scales. “It's beautiful.”
“Thank you, Ray,” Fraser replied. Once Ray had seen enough Fraser lowered his tail and brought them back into the position they'd been in before.
“So, why do you show me this now?” Ray asked. “You got this idea to frolic in the sea? “
Fraser laughed. The levity was welcome, it made the situation feel more real. “No, Ray. It was Awani.”
Ray frowned. “Who?”
“The whale's real name.”
“Oh, right,” Ray replied, relaxing a little.
“Talking to him made me aware of certain facts,” Fraser said.
“Such as?”
“It didn't seem right being ashamed of what I am and keeping it secret from the human I love,” Fraser admitted, rushing the last part of the sentence.
“Human you...?” Ray's eyes were wide.
“Yes, Ray,” Fraser said, staring into the sea, the blue water calming him.
Ray pressed himself closer. “Well, you know, finding out you love a mermaid isn't a bad thing.”
“You love a mermaid?”
Ray moved forward and gave Fraser the tiniest ghost of a kiss. “You, Benny.”
“I'm not technically a mermaid,” Fraser said, looking down at his tail.
“Okay, I'm love with a picky merperson.”
“Really?”
“Do you think I'd let any mermaid...merperson, save me from drowning?” Ray asked.
“Well, if you were in trouble I'm sure you'd be glad of any help,” Fraser replied. Although he was grateful for being the one that had saved Ray.
“Hypothetical question.”
“Oh,” Fraser paused. “You do love me,” he said out loud. “Even though I'm not human?”
Ray rolled his eyes. “I loved you when you were the most annoying man in the world, I still love you when you're the most annoying merman in the world.”
Fraser's elation couldn't be contained and that earlier ghost of a kiss was not enough. He pulled Ray as close as possible and kissed him. He held Ray tight and nearly managed to wrap his tail around him. All he wanted was to be next to Ray and being with Ray in the water created an extra feeling of closeness. Finally he let at least Ray's lips go.
“Mmmmm, Benny.”
“Sorry, Ray,” Fraser replied, hoping he wasn't crushing Ray, and loosening his grip.
“Getting carried away were you?”
Fraser blushed, warm even as the cold lapped around them. “A little, Ray.”
“You still look like a human out of the water right?”
Fraser smiled and pushed his tail against Ray. “Yes. I'm used to legs although this form is more comfortable.”
Ray looked around them. “Do you want to stay in the water?”
Fraser smiled. It was a tempting offer. “Not right now, Ray, there are some things I can do better without a tail.”
“Good.”
Fraser held onto Ray and swam to get them both back to the shore. “You know this is another suit you've ruined,” Ray pointed out.
“Yes, Ray. I'll make it up to you.”
“No more secrets you've been keeping from me, Benny?”
“No, Ray,” Fraser replied as they reached the shallows.
Ray got out first, making some slight attempt to squeeze the water out of his clothing. Fraser lay in the shallows a little longer before shifting his tail back into legs. He stood up and used his under shirt to dry himself, offering it to Ray who could change into the clothes left by Awani.
Once they were a little drier Fraser stood and looked out to sea once more. He didn't notices Ray's presence until a hand slipped into his. He smiled.
“We'll come back here,” Ray said. “You want to swim, you swim, Benny.”
“I will Ray,” Fraser replied.
Hand in hand, human and merman left the shoreline for civilisation, clean clothes and a warm bed. The sea was still calling but this time Fraser had a reason to answer and someone to answer with.
END
**
[Poll #1256678]
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-09-09 10:26 pm (UTC)Ray rolled his eyes. “I loved you when you were the most annoying man in the world, I still love you when you're the most annoying merman in the world.” Hee! This line is *exactly* Ray.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 08:14 pm (UTC)Aww thank you. I did like his reaction ;-)
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Date: 2008-09-09 10:48 pm (UTC)I'm enjoying all the animal stories this team gives. XD
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Date: 2008-09-21 08:31 pm (UTC)Animal whimsy is the best sort ;-)
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Date: 2008-09-09 10:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 08:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-09 10:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 08:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-10 01:22 am (UTC)Yep, *there* are the Vecchio priorities - I can imagine exactly what his resigned tone of voice would be.
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Date: 2008-09-21 08:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-10 06:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 08:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-10 11:47 am (UTC)That's just SO RAY.
*loves*
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Date: 2008-09-21 08:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-10 12:07 pm (UTC)Very, very whimsical.
Superb banter and an utterly believable story line.
I loved the whole 'picky-ness' over mermaid/merman/merperson.
Lovely.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 08:37 pm (UTC)I'm glad you found it whimsical.
Thank you. I'm glad.
Oh yes well Fraser likes being picky ;-)
no subject
Date: 2008-09-22 12:06 pm (UTC)Oh, I did. And I was also so impressed by what had to be a lot of research that went into this story.
You are welcome - both of these are your trademarks and wonderful ones.
Indeed - it was absolutely perfectly 'him'.
Oh, and now I know-know for certain it was your story (not that I doubted it, but . . .) it is in my 'Aingeal' folder.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-22 12:51 pm (UTC)Most research I think I have ever done for a fic thus far.
Thank you. I'm glad you think so :-)
Oh very good.
Awww yay folder worthy. :-)
no subject
Date: 2008-09-23 01:53 pm (UTC)YW - and I do.
It is indeed.
no subject
Date: 2008-09-23 10:42 pm (UTC):-)
Oh excellent.
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Date: 2008-09-10 09:02 pm (UTC)I love merman Fraser.
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Date: 2008-09-21 08:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-10 10:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 08:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-11 01:56 am (UTC)Ray rolled his eyes. “I loved you when you were the most annoying man in the world, I still love you when you're the most annoying merman in the world.”
Hee! And annoying, there is that. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 08:39 pm (UTC)Oh yes some things never change ;-)
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Date: 2008-09-14 01:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 08:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-14 01:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-14 03:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-09-21 10:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 11:11 am (UTC)Anyway belated thank you! I'm really glad you enjoyed this one I really am. And I hope you've been enjoying dipping in and reading my stories *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2008-10-24 11:17 am (UTC)Thank you :-) I thought the whale was a fun enabler. And thank you I had hoped it was them. It is indeed.