FIC: A Gordian Knot, Part 1/2, Blood Ties/due South
Title: A Gordian Knot
Author: Andrea/silentflux
Fandom: due South/Blood Ties with a tiny shout out to La Femme Nikita ;)
Pairing: Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski, Henry Fitzroy/Mike Celluci
Rating: FRAO or NC-17
Word Count: ~20,000
Disclaimer: Any recognizable characters/universes are not mine.
Notes: This was my first ever solo fic this long *beams* It was written for the ds_c6d_bigbang. I'm so proud of it and I had a blast writing it even though my muse was difficult to say the least ;) Thanks to Kris, Kaz, Ash, Shep and Kazlynh my wonderful betas and cheerleaders for all the encouragement and coaxing. You all rock! All remaining mistakes that you find are mind.
A big thanks to caersmane for the awesome artwork that she contributed over at the big bang! Check it out and leave her feedback! It's gorgeous :D
And also, I want to thank the lovely mickey_sixx for her artwork as well - she's so nice to me and made me an extra banner! *beams* It's under the cut with the fic! *pets the pretty*
Summary: Banished to a conference in Toronto, Ray and Fraser stumble onto something unimaginable.
~ * ~
~Part 1:
Ray slid into the no parking zone in front of the Consulate and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, tapping a syncopated dance rhythm out as he waited. He had no idea why, but the idea of a road trip with Fraser - the first trip they'd taken since returning from the big white North - was itching along his skin. He'd been surprised when Fraser had opted to come back to the States with him, their jobs both in limbo during their six month jaunt across all that ice and snow, but he guessed that the Mountie just hadn't found another posting to his liking. Benton Fraser the Hero could afford to be a bit picky now that he was no longer Benton Fraser, persona non grata.
They'd settled back into their routine quickly, the ease of their partnership always surprising everyone, including Ray. With Vecchio permanently retired, Ray was back to being Stanley Raymond Kowalski who just happened to land a job working with Red. Not a bad gig, but it was different hearing his own name barked out by Welsh.
He hadn't thought he'd be sorry to use his own name again, but the Vecchio name had come with a large, loud family and suddenly everything was quiet again. They didn't have to pretend anymore and although they still welcomed him, he felt the slight awkwardness he'd previously ignored become more prevalent than ever. It was odd after so long spent around such a boisterous family to go back to the almost solitary nature of his previous life.
And then there was Stella. Stella, his Gold Coast girl, who had apparently taken a liking to Vecchio of all people. He still couldn't get over seeing their wedding photo - heartache and happiness sucker-punching him all at once.
Glancing at the clock, he rolled his eyes at the time. Usually his partner's timing was impeccable, but apparently not today. Ray's leg bounced against the steering wheel as he wondered what was taking so long. He'd bet it was the Ice Queen, still doing the crazy flirt vs ordering thing that she had in abundance. They needed to be on their way soon if they wanted to make any kind of time on the highway.
Ray had never thought he'd be glad for a law enforcement conference up in Toronto. They'd been specifically invited to for their unusual accomplishments and having notoriety is apparently a blessing when feeling antsy, hemmed in and impatient. However, Ray wasn't certain being in a confined environment for any length of time with his partner was a good idea even if escaping Chicago sounded like bliss. He couldn't decide whether this road trip was more likely to be a maddening experience or a welcomed relief.
Giving up on waiting for the Mountie to come to him, he turned off the car and snagged the keys before bounding up the familiar steps to burst into the Consulate.
"Morning, Detective Kowalski," the aide cheerfully greeted him before going back to collating some report about the effect of courtesy on Chicago natives or something just as idiotic. Ray shook his head and managed a salutation under his breath, wondering if all the Mounties they'd send for Turnbull's job would be so much like, well, Turnbull.
Sweeping down the hallway, he heard toenails clicking behind him and he asked, "Where's the crazy Mountie, Dief?" Ducking his head into the small closet that Fraser still called an office, Ray glanced around quickly. "Frase?"
"Yes, Ray," came the almost teasing answer from right behind him.
Jumping and trying not to show his surprise, the cop turned to glare at the Mountie. "Don't do that, Fraser!"
"I'm sorry, Ray," came the smooth, polite reply.
"Well... okay. Ready to go? Gotta get on the road - pitter patter." Ray tilted his head, eyes meeting cool, welcoming blue. Benton was dressed in his casual gear for the trip, cotton shirt and tight, crisp jeans that Ray knows he must have ironed at some point. Every inch of him, unwrinkled - the blond couldn't understand how that was possible, but it always seemed to be the case.
"Yes. I was just collecting last minute instructions. Let me just get my bag." Ray nodded, watching his partner cross to the closet in his office for his backpack and the unnecessary bedroll. Fraser always used such economical and smooth movements with whatever he did. Even with his correct posture which should have appeared stiff and unnatural, everything flowed. Ray had found it mesmerizing on their quest, and it was no less so now that they were back in Chicago. In fact, that might be part of his recent dilemma.
It didn't take long to get everything situated in the trunk of the car and Ray felt the relief flow through him as he pulled away from the Consulate and found his way to the highway, Mountie and wolf in tow. Glancing sideways at his companion, he noticed Fraser's gaze staring out at the city skyline before they found the countryside.
The silence between them was filled with the jazz album he'd picked up last week, rubbing away the awkwardness with sax, drum and bass until Ray's anxiety settled somewhere deep, away from his usual nervous mannerisms even though his fingers still twitched and tapped along to the beat.
In Canada, on their quest, everything seemed so much simpler, the camaraderie that had come so naturally drew them both deeper. Being alone with his partner in the middle of nowhere and seeing things that he would never have dreamed of before had been enlightening, not to mention scary. It was a different world where Ray felt completely at peace. It had been a few months since they had returned, and at first, he'd just thought his awkwardness had been about readjusting. But now, he wasn't so sure. There was something off, and he was pretty sure it was just him. Or maybe not. God, this was so confusing.
"Ray." The blond detective practically jumped at the exasperated sound behind his name, eyes flickering from the road to the Mountie.
"Sorry, Fraser," he responded automatically, knowing that lost in his thoughts as he'd been, it was probably the third or fourth time he'd tried to get his attention.
The Mountie offered him his understanding half-smile before continuing. "I was just wondering if everything was alright. You seem..."
"Broody?" he offered gamely, flashing a ghost of his usual teasing grin.
"Thoughtful."
"Nah, I'm okay. Just reminiscing about our trip." That was a safe topic, right?
"Ah." After another moment of silence, Ray slanted a look at Fraser, breath catching at the bright smile on his face.
"Yeah." His eyes flickered up to the rear view mirror, and Ray startled at Dief's intense gaze studying him. "Need a break, Dief?"
Fraser's head whipped around to watch his companion for a moment, eyes narrowing as he commented, "No, I don't think that's a good idea, Diefenbaker."
Dief whined softly, ears flipping forward in question.
"No. You'll just have to wait."
Ray threw his partner a questioning look, and Fraser answered, "He's just whining about food. But he was just fed not even two hours ago. So, there's no need."
"Well, maybe we can stop for Taco Bell before we hit Canada..." Ray offered, knowing how Dief loved fast food.
"No, not at all. You spoil him, Ray," came the exasperated response, Fraser turning back around to face the front of the car.
"Well, it's Dief." And that explained everything, at least in the blond's mind.
"Indeed," Fraser intoned softly, hands smoothing down the legs of his jeans.
"Hmph." Ray rolled his eyes and let the music lull them back into a more fluid silence, less disjointed than before, but still slightly awkward. Sighing softly, he tried to figure out when this would stop. Turning the problem over in his mind, it seemed like absolutely no time at all had passed except his stomach growled loudly in protest. Seeing a McDonald's he perked up and pulled off the highway. He heard Fraser's shift and sigh when he realized where they were headed and grinned. At least he could always count on his partner's exasperation.
~ * ~
~Part 2:
The first day of the conference was the busywork of checking into the hotel, finding their rooms which were luckily next to each other. Once Ray had dropped his bags and hung up his one decent suit, he'd knocked on the adjoining doors. Benton opened the door and welcomed him in, but it was Dief's greeting pounce that caused him to almost lose his footing before collapsing comfortably back onto Fraser's bed. Looking up, a thrill went through him to see the warm amusement in his partner's eyes as he regarded him.
"What?"
"I was just noting how comfortable you are making use of my bed." The tone was neutral, but the words shot through Ray, making him squirm uncomfortably.
He flushed slightly at those words, inwardly cursing at how easily flustered he was lately. "It's comfy." He squirmed to settle in more and demonstrate. "See?"
"I have no doubts, Ray." There was a flash of something that was gone before the blond cop could identify it, hidden beneath cool blue.
"Uh-huh. Well. What are we supposed to be doing?" Ray grasped desperately at some task that might distract him from whatever was happening with them.
"I believe that we have a meeting with the conference coordinator. She'll be organizing everything with the dinner tomorrow night." The words were volunteered a bit hesitantly, and blue eyes blinked up at the Mountie.
"Why did you agree to come to this thing again? And why am I supposed to be here?"
"They wanted to reward our international relations which resulted in arrests of an entire brigade of mercenaries," the Mountie answered as if quoting from a formal invitation.
"Yeah, but why did we have to come?" Ray wheedled, knowing his partner was covering something.
"I believe that Lieutenant Welsh informed us that our presence was required. As did my commanding officer," Benton prevaricated, evading the true essence of his partner's question.
Ray snorted and waved his hand at the other man. "They just wanted us to out of their hair for a while."
"As you say. But nevertheless, we are supposed to be discussing our presentation." There was a tense pause as Ray absorbed those words while Fraser fell into a waiting stillness.
"Our presentation? What presentation?" The blond's words squeaked out in surprise, high enough that he could have sworn he saw Deif's ears to perk up.
Fraser cleared his throat and adjusted the collar of his shirt. Ray's eyes narrowed at the nervous tick and he waited. "Well, we are two of the guests of honor at the dinner. As such, we're expected to deliver a speech or presentation of some kind."
"Wait. What?"
"Welsh did mention this, I believe."
"Umm... no, he didn't. I would have remembered the words 'presentation' or 'speech' and 'Kowalski' in the same sentence," Ray shot back, hands flapping demonstratively in front o him. "This sucks."
"Ray," Fraser managed after a moment of weighted silence.
"What?"
"We need to go meet with the coordinator."
Ray fell back onto the bed and threw his arm over his eyes. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, Ray. You're expected to be there as well." The soft exasperation in the otherwise neutral tone caused the blond's lip to twitch.
Eying his partner, Ray sighed and shrugged. "Yeah, I know. Just... I'm no good at the public speaking bit, you know? Maybe you should take the horns on that one and I'll just help answer questions?" He glanced up hopefully before ducking his head back down to avoid the frustrated look sent his way.
"Ray..." Benton began.
"Oh, alright, fine." Ray did not pout. Not at all. Just like he wasn't jiggling his leg absently to try and alleviate some of his own anxiety. "Let's go find this all-powerful coordinator."
"Miss Heidbrook," Fraser offered.
"Yeah. Sure." Ray heaved himself up from the comfortable impression he'd made in Fraser's bed and barely made it to his feet without tripping on the corner of the comforter.
"Ray," Benton called from the door, the warmth in his tone sliding through the blond detective and the odd feeling he'd had lately around his partner curled around his spine. Sighing, he rubbed his neck, and concentrated on following his partner out the door, glad for the distraction of Dief by his side.
*~*
"That was fun." Ray's dry words hung between them, expectantly.
"Not particularly." Fraser's own flat response almost drew a smile from his partner.
"I especially liked the way she pulled out charts and graphs. Did you know we were supposed to have a thirty minute speech prepared?!"
"Not as such, no."
Ray threw a frustrated glare at his partner and followed him back out of the convention area of the large hotel to the elevators only to be accosted by a very familiar setting - paramedics, patrolmen, and rumpled detectives behind the line. Two sets of sharp eyes took in the scene, cataloging and noting the odd angle of the body, the tense set of the blond detective's shoulders, and the retreating paramedics making way for the coroner.
"C'mon, we should go find the other set of elevators," Ray turned as he spoke, swearing when he noticed that his partner was already making his way up to the crime scene tape.
"Excuse me, Detective?"
The tense shoulders straightened as the cop turned, and Ray winced at the glare leveled at Benton.
"This is a crime scene. Sorry, you'll have to go around. The officers will -"
"I just wanted to offer our services." Fraser's sincere suggestion was nothing less than Ray would expect.
"And you would be... ?" came the disbelieving question.
"Constable Benton Fraser of RCMP and my partner, Chicago PD Detective Ray Kowalski," Fraser answered smoothly. "We're here for the conference, and we might be able to offer you some assistance in these matters."
"Look, Constable, I appreciate it, but this isn't your jurisdiction. It's mine. So if you don't mind?"
"Of course, Detective..."
"Celluci."
The detective's partner, looked up from his discussion with one of the patrolmen, eyes watching Celluci carefully, Ray noted before stepping into the fray.
"Yo, Frase. What's goin' on?" Ray interrupted loudly, not liking the stiffness of the atmosphere as he finally slid through the rest of the crowd.
"I was just informing Detective Celluci that we would be happy to help him in any way." Fraser's voice was complacent and polite as always, but something caught his partner's attention and his eyes narrowed for a moment as he turned to the Toronto detective.
"And I was just pointing out that there was no need - this is my jurisdiction." The words were stilted with annoyance, Mike trying to extradite himself from their company without causing undue ruffled feathers.
"Ah. Well. We are supposed to be here at a conference showing our... cooperation, right, Frase?" Ray noted, watching Celluci tense.
"I believe so, yes, Ray."
"And that would include offering assistance to the local police wherever possible?" His tone was leading, and obviously meant to annoy, but Ray couldn't help it.
"Hmmm," the Mountie sounded in agreement.
"I think you might find that your Captain would appreciate our help," Ray said, turning his flat cop eyes on similar grey ones.
"We'll see." The challenge in those two sharp words reverberated over the American's spine and his face tightened.
"C'mon, Frase." Ray grabbed Fraser's arm after a few moment's of stand off.
"Yes, well. If you should find yourself needing a fresh perspective, Detective Celluci. We are staying here at the hotel."
The Toronto detective waved them on their way. Ray huffed and turned on his heel, muttering under his breath about ungrateful Canadian police. "...And I thought you were all polite!"
"Ray, I did inform you that -"
"Yeah, yeah, I know." He sighed as they passed through the door to the stairs, and promptly ran into Fraser's back. "Fraser, what -"
A hand came up to silence him and when he concentrated, he heard the sniffling of what sounded like a child. Stepping from behind the tall, tree-like Mountie, telling himself he wasn't paying attention to the heat Benton seemed to put off like a furnace, he quietly walked over to the alcove under the stairs. "Hello?"
The sniffling immediately stopped and Ray froze, not wanting to scare whoever it was. "My name's Ray. I'm a police officer. Do you need help?"
Another batch of sniffles was accompanied by a small head slowly appearing from the darkness and bright brown eyes blinking up at him. "I want my daddy."
"Okay. We can help you with that, can't we, Frase?"
"Of course. May I ask your name?"
"Adam." The answer was small and uncertain, dark eyes blinking up at both of them.
"Are you hurt, Adam?" Ray asked softly, eyes taking stock of the little boy and offered him his hand, slowly drawing him out of the shadows.
"N-no."
"Good. What's your daddy's name?"
Big brown eyes stared up at them. "Michael." There was a longer than usual pause. "Davis."
"Are you staying here in the hotel, Adam?" Fraser asked kindly, eyes soft as they tried to calm the boy with quiet questions.
"Y-yes." Fraser opened his arms and Adam looked from Ray to Fraser for a moment, hesitating before allowing himself to be picked up.
"Well. My name is Constable Benton Fraser. Ray and I will be happy to help you find your daddy." The assurance and confidence of those words seemed to relax the boy even more. As they headed back out into the lobby, both cops noticed how the little boy cringed at the sight of the crime scene.
"Adam, why were you hiding?" Ray finally asked softly when the scene was out of his eyesight.
"I - I took the elevator down... but it was scary. The man - I don't know - but I ran away."
Ray's eyes met Fraser's as they arrived at the front desk. "Okay, little man. Let's see about finding your dad."
It only took a few moments to determine that Adam and his father were in fact staying at the convention center. After a few moments, they had the cell number on the account that had been dialed by the front desk and a clipped conversation with the man on the other end had them waiting with Adam in the lounge area.
Ray watched as Fraser fascinated the kid with stories of his childhood - age appropriate ones, of course. Although the one with the seals and polar bear was skirting the edge, in his opinion. At the same time, they carefully asked small questions about the man and the elevator, but Adam truly didn't want to talk of it at all.
It didn't take long for the father to appear. Ray wouldn't have picked him out of the crowd if not for the hurried pace across the lobby, the tense set of his body. There was something almost predatory about the man that relaxed the moment he saw his son. Standing, Ray greeted him, "Mr. Davis?"
Cool eyes appraised him before he answered softly, "Yes. Thank you for finding Adam."
"Daddy!" The blur of the child as he ran and was caught up in his father's arms made Fraser smile.
"Adam, what have I told you about leaving our room without me?" came the soft reproving voice. "I was worried!"
The boy's head ducked down and he mumbled an apology.
"Sir, can I have a word with you?" Fraser managed to ask before the other man had turned away and forgotten them completely.
"Yes?"
"I'm Constable Fraser and this is Detective Ray Kowalski from Chicago. I... think your son may have seen something important." The words were careful, measured, but the blond detective saw the immediate reaction in body posture.
"What do you mean?" The words were quiet, even, and completely calm, and Ray wondered at that.
"Well... there was a murder. Near the elevators. I'm not certain as the detective on the case wouldn't inform us of the details, but from what Adam has said, this is what scared him so badly." Fraser kept his tone kind, trying not to upset the boy anymore than he had been, but Adam seemed so wrapped up in his father that it didn't much matter. "If you would allow it, I know the detective would appreciate talking to Adam if possible."
Ray saw the hesitation, the weighing of options in Michael's gray eyes which flickered for a moment. "It's late. I don't know what help we can be tonight - Adam needs to get back to bed."
"Well, can we have your contact information?" Ray asked, finally breaking into the conversation. "We'll get it to the detective so he can hook up with you later on?"
"Of course." Michael pulled out a business card and handed it to Benton, Ray's eyes catching how their fingers accidentally touched. "Tell him I will be waiting."
"Thank you kindly."
"Good night, Adam!"
"Night, Ray! Night, Con - con - Fraser!" came the stumbling reply as Adam tucked his face into his father's shoulder and Michael turned away. Watching them go, Ray couldn't help but study Michael closely, taking note of slight inconsistencies in the behavior and cataloging them.
"Interesting guy," he offered to Fraser who's eyes were also riveted.
"Yes. I believe so."
"Think we should go let Detective Bite Me know we got the jump on him?"
"Ray."
"What?"
"It's not nice to tease," Fraser admonished his partner.
"Who said anything about teasing?" Ray asked innocently.
"Ummhmm."
"What?"
~*~
Ray didn't end up teasing Detective Mike Celluci. At least not much, by Ray's standards. But he did, however, time how long it took Fraser to sweet talk his way into the case despite the loud protests of one blond Toronto cop and his slightly rotund partner, Dave. Half an hour with the superiors and Celluci was already glaring daggers at the impervious politeness that was Constable Benton Fraser.
Ignoring the hostility, Ray snagged the file off the desk and thumbed through the crime scene photos, wincing at the idea that Adam might have seen this happen. "Fraser." He lifted the file folder over his shoulder, waiting for the Mountie to take possession.
"Hey! Those were in order!"
"And I assure you they still are."
Uh-oh, Ray thought. That was the stiff RCMP voice that Fraser only got when he was annoyed. Not that anyone else would notice that much of a difference from his stiff polite voice, but Ray had taken great care to catalog his partner's moods.
"Uh-huh. Why is it that you've horned in on my case again?"
"Well, when I discussed it with your Captain, she suggested that Ray and I might like to assist. When I told her that we wouldn't want to step on any toes, she stated that you would be glad for the help on this case."
"I'm sure she did," Mike muttered bitterly.
Ray snorted at that tone, knowing that the cop was cursing that Crowley woman. "So... we've got a guy that died in an elevator, possibly with a kid, with no other evidence that someone else was there, right?"
"Yeah. I'm just waiting for our ME to get started on the body. She'll be able to give us a full report in the morning," Mike volunteered grudgingly.
"Great. So... coffee? Oh, and is there a candy machine somewhere?" Ray asked hopefully, ignoring the indulgent look that was sent his way from behind the folder the Mountie was studying.
~ * ~
Their victim was apparently a long-time hotel employee. Family man, kept to himself at work, always on time. Celluci had left Ray and Fraser, taking Dave to go inform the family with a look that Ray recognized. Cops were cops everywhere, he mused, especially murder cops.
"This is curious," Fraser commented into the silent hum of a bullpen late at night. They should be heading back to the hotel soon.
"What?"
"These crime scene pictures of the body. It... the body looks odd."
Ray blinked, wondering if he'd missed something and coming around to look over his partner's shoulder. "What's odd?"
"I'm not sure if I'm just seeing it or if it's there. It is late."
Ray tilted his head and stared at the gruesome photo before murmuring, "There's not external trauma. And... his joints are at slightly odd angles."
"Yes. But what could do that?"
"Nothing I know of, Frase."
"I'll be interested to see the coroner's report. I don't know what could possibly explain these wounds."
"Certainly not the usual beat-down. What do you think Adam actually saw?" Ray asked, leaning back away from the other man's heat.
"I'm not sure," Fraser answered softly. "But whatever it was, it disturbed him greatly. I'm not sure how easily he will talk about it."
"I hope that having his father there will make it easier," the blond offered, settling into Celluci's chair. "You ready to let this go for the night?"
"We should wait for Detective Celluci to return before leaving, Ray."
"I'm sure he's got everything under control, Frase. C'mon. Sleep. We've had a seriously long day." The Mountie pinned him with the look that always got Ray to agree and he sighed. "Fine whatever." He turned his attention back to the databases of credit and finances that he'd been given access to by a reluctant Celluci.
"Well... nothing interesting in his credit history. Loans, loans, more loans, but nothing overdue, nothing too big for his salary," Ray finally said after studying what information he could find on the victim.
"Hmmm..." Fraser answered. "He had a life insurance policy."
"There's motive."
"Possibly. We'll see what Detective Celluci has to say when he returns."
Ray rolled his eyes and settled in for more research. It wasn't too much longer that Mike returned and they all compared notes. Apparently the widow had a nice house with her two children that would be completely paid off and then some with the money from the policy. Something to look into the next day.
"Well, guys, I'm off until tomorrow. You need a ride back to the hotel?" Mike offered.
"It's no trouble to get a cab, Detective."
"Call me Mike. And it's not a big deal, Fraser. Let's head out. We can see what the ME has to say tomorrow."
~*~
"Home sweet home," Ray sung as the elevator opened up on their floor. "C'mon, Frase. Sleeping time. That bed is calling my name."
Fraser chuckled softly under his breath at the bounce in Ray's step. "Yes, Ray. Good night."
"Night." Ray looked over at Fraser as he unlocked his door and his breath caught somewhere just under his breastbone. Fumbling with the plastic card, he swore under his breath before managing to get it open.
Throwing his jacket in the general direction the chair, he dragged a hand through his hair and paced the small confines of the room before collapsing on the bed. A day cooped up in the car with Fraser hadn't solved anything, his skin warming and itching every time his partner got close. He had no real clue what it was about and refused to delve too deeply into it now - he was too tired.
Sighing, he threw an arm over his eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe something else to get rid of the tension would help. Standing and stripping, he headed into his bathroom and started the water scalding hot. Stepping under the beating spray, he groaned softly in appreciation, leaning against the cool tiled wall, trying not to think at all.
His body hummed with familiar anticipation and energy, and he slid one hand along his torso, shivering as the calluses caught on smooth skin, pulling a soft gasp and a shiver, nipples pebbled and aching as he felt his cock stir. This was what he needed tonight. Teasing it out slowly, the cool tile and hot water and soft touches, letting the heat pull at him until he wrapped his hand around his half-hard cock and began a lazy rhythm, breathing hitching as he imagined someone else's hands. It had been so long since someone had touched him and just the thought of large hands wrapping around his hips, his cock, made him moan into the steamy air.
Grabbing for the conditioner, wanting something a little more slick, he shuddered as his own hand tightened and loosened around his cock, drawing out the sensations as he thought about someone else there, behind him, holding him up as his muscles shook and strained for more. His thumb flicked over the head and the image of Fraser's tongue darting over his lower lip flashed through him and he groaned as the thought of Benton's hands on him tightened the heat inside him almost unbearably. Panting, his hips rocked forward as he fell back against the wall, using it completely for support, legs spreading wider as his other hand rested on his hip and stroked down. "Fuck..." It didn't take long before his body broke apart, Benton's name on his lips, everything shaking and tilting.
"Fuck," he whispered into the thick air again, uncertainty and need rattling through him. Washing himself quickly once he trusted his knees, he turned off the water and toweled off, falling into bed naked and crawling under the covers. Blissfully, the soft edge of sleep pulled him under not long after his arms wrapped around a pillow.
~*~
Part 3:
Ray rolled over and swatted the phone until it shut up. But he still heard the tinny voice at the end. "What?!" he managed as he found the receiver in his hand.
"Ray? It's Mike Celluci. We've got another body."
He blinked awake instantly. "What? Another already?"
"Yeah. And there doesn't seem to be any apparent connection between the victims so far. Want to grab the Mountie and meet me? The second death was in the convention hall."
"Yeah, we'll be there soon. Thanks for the heads up."
"Whatever. See you in a few." The click was loud in his ears as he tried to wrap his head around it. Another body. Jesus, this guy worked fast.
Rolling out of bed, he knocked heavily on the door joining his and Fraser's rooms.
"Yes, Ray, I heard." Damn bat ears. "I'll be ready shortly."
Shrugging, Ray grabbed his less-rumpled pair of slacks and a t-shirt, grabbing his jacket and his wallet, he knocked again. The door opened to reveal Fraser in all his RCMP glory, red blinding to Ray's eyes this early in the morning.
Blinking to try and prevent the watering that he knew was inevitable, Ray muttered, "There should be a warning label on those uniforms in the morning."
"I'll bring that up at the next RCMP meeting," Fraser answered, smirking glint in his eye.
"Shut up. There better be coffee downstairs."
"I'm sure there is."
"And sugar."
"Hmmm..."
"C'mon, Fraser, let's not be late!" Ray hurried down the never-ending hallway with the carpet that made everything look the same.
"Ray, I don't think one can be that late to a crime scene where the victim is already dead." Fraser's long strides quickly caught him up to his partner, Dief close on their heels. "Everything will be there just the same, and forensics are no doubt already preserving evidence."
"Well, let's get there before the coroner takes the body, then." Ray rolled his eyes when there was no answer, knowing his partner was just humoring his impatience. He picked up his pace, practically pulling the Mountie along with his speed.
Thank god there was coffee, because dealing with a dead body at o dark thirty was not something to do without caffeine, even if it wasn't sweet enough. Sipping on the cup as he studied the body in real living color, he winced with the realization that once again all the bones were shifted. It made something squirm inside him to realize it was probably done before the victim died and was extremely painful.
"Why didn't anyone hear a scream?" he asked softly, staring at the young woman on the floor in the exercise room. "She had to have been in pain."
"Well, whatever happened was quiet enough not to bother any of the sleeping guests on either side," Mike answered as he eyed the wolf that was nosing around the crime scene. Thankfully, the forensics team was mostly finished. "The manager called the police after coming in to refresh the towel supply and finding her here like that."
"Huh. That's weird."
"What's weird?" Everyone paused at the new voice, mocking and sultry.
"Vicki. What are you doing here?" Mike asked, irritated.
"Well, it just so happens that the hotel manager is a former client and he wants me to help on this case."
"No. Just no. I don't want you or your freak of the night partner flouncing around. I've already got help," Mike answered, glaring at his former partner as he gestured toward Ray and Fraser.
"Flouncing?"
Ray winced at that tone - he knew that tone. Stella had that tone. Mike was in for a world of hurt if he didn't back down.
"You know what I mean, Vic. Just... fine. But you'd better be sharing."
"As much as you do."
Mike sighed heavily, his shoulders dropping in defeat. "Yeah. Vicki Nelson, this is Constable Benton Fraser and Detective Ray Kowalski. They're liaising on this case. Guys, this is my former partner Vicki. She's a private detective."
Ray nodded as Fraser greeted, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Nelson."
"Vicki," she automatically corrected.
"Vicki." Fraser offered his hand and Ray scrounged up a smile and shook her hand as well.
"So, what do you know?"
"Unfortunately, not a lot. First victim, Jefferson Craig died in the elevator. He was fifty-three, married with two kids. No odd finances, no apparent motive. There was however a substantial life insurance policy, but I talked to the widow - I don't think she's the type for something so violent. His bones were all out of whack and there had been no screaming. This victim was i.d.'d as Grace Mattern, 29, single, here for work in the city. Also no screaming, and you can see the bone thing," Mike ran down the bare facts, gesturing to the body. "Mohadevan hasn't finished the first autopsy yet and I'm bringing her another. I'm sure she'll find it fascinating."
"No doubt." Vicki crouched next to the body, eyes taking in everything possible, wishing that Henry was here even if she didn't want to have to deal with Mike and Henry's continual spats. "What is that?" She pointed out a black oily substance at the base of the woman's skull, just visible because of the white-blonde of her hair.
All three men leaned in and Ray murmured, "Looks like... tar or oiled ash or something."
"That is unexpected," Fraser commented.
"Weird, you mean," Mike offered, rolling his eyes. "Vicki, is this going to be one of those cases?"
"I don't know, Mike. Why don't we find out?" she challenged, glaring at her ex-partner.
Dief whined slightly, looking up at his Mountie and tilting his head. "Yes, Dief, I know."
Ray stifled a groan as Fraser continued the conversation with the wolf and the puzzled looks on Vicki and Mike's faces turned from curious to considering. "Happens all the time," he told them. "He's a Mountie, what do you want?"
"I'm sure that explains everything, Ray," Fraser commented dryly, his attention pulled back to the humans in the room. "Dief sometimes helps find things we miss."
"Uh... sure," Vicki agreed, eying the taller man speculatively.
"Oh, I know it sounds weird," Ray muttered. "But you wouldn't believe how valuable it is to have a wolf help track down some people."
The others looked satisfied at that, even if it was odd that the Mountie had held a conversation with his wolf. Shaking her head, Vicki reminded herself that this wasn't the first weird thing to cross her path. "So, when do you think Mojadevan will have the autopsies completed?"
"Few hours, maybe. If I sweet talk her." Mike tallied up the points of his interesting homicides versus the workload that she already had. "Maybe sooner. You know how she likes the odd mystery."
"Oh yeah. Call me when she does? I want to have a look."
"Will Henry be coming with you?" Mike asked, striving to keep his voice neutral in front of strangers.
"He is my partner, Mike. You need to get over this."
Ray turned a look at Fraser who raised an eyebrow. Shrugging, he turned back to the interesting by-play, not missing the odd tension even in the ease of their relationship. The way they just worked around each other on the scene was somewhat like Ray and Fraser or any partners who knew each other that well and had been cops together. That meant history - probably a complicated one.
"Look, you know I don't like him..." Her glare could have melted glass. "Fine. But if he...don't blame me if he comes back damaged. Especially if he's being an ass."
Rolling her eyes at her former partner, Vicki said goodbye to Fraser and Ray and took off with the promise of being informed of the autopsy results. "She'll want to harass Mohadevan herself," Mike told them after she'd left. "She likes to see what's gone on. Me too, actually."
"Just let us know - we'll be there," Ray told him. He'd like to know what the doctor had to say about these bodies. They were just so odd - nothing he'd ever heard about could do this and it's not like he was a rookie. Checking his watch and wincing at the time, he continued, "In a couple of hours, we could contact Adam and his father. See if they had time today."
"Do you really think the kid saw someone?" Mike asked as they moved away from the crime scene to let the others do their work, Dief trailing behind them as they head toward the hotel's parking garage.
"I don't know, but he was scared to death. At the very least, he saw the end of it. Poor kid." Someone as young as Adam shouldn't have to see death like that. No one should, really. Shaking his head, Ray rubbed the back of his neck and snuck a glance at his partner.
"I believe he was in the elevator with Mr. Craig and saw a great deal. But I'm not certain how much he'll actually be able to tell us. Children of that age see monsters, not necessarily people." Fraser noticed Mike's slight wince at his words, and he wondered what had caused that reaction.
"I can contact Mr. Davis and make sure that it would be convenient to see them sometime today," Fraser offered smoothly. "He seemed disturbed by his son's distress, so I'm not sure how wise it will be, but he will keep the boy calm."
"Yeah, dads are good for that," Ray noted softly.
"When the hour's finally decent, give him a call," Mike ordered. "I'm going to see how the evidence is moving in the lab - if there is any." The invitation was implied and all four of them piled into Mike's unmarked car, the detective giving a dubious look at the wolf in the backseat.
"Don't worry about Dief - he's never messed in my car," Ray assured him, smirking at the annoyed look the wolf shot him.
"Uh huh. Whatever."
"I assure you, Detect - Mike. He'll behave."
Mike reasoned that he had a vampire and a goth and his ex-partner messing with his professional life already - what could a Mountie, an American policeman and a wolf hurt?
~ * ~
Part 4:
Ray had puzzled over Mojadaven's words all day, unsure of how everything fit, just knowing it was significant. It had sufficiently distracted him from the non-negotiable, excruciating luncheon that he and Fraser had been required to attend, grateful for his amazingly polite partner who knew exactly what topics of conversation would set their tablemates going without much prompting from either of them. Thank God.
He knew that the Mountie was chewing on the ME's words as well. No one would have been able not to after all that discussion of 'improbable internal wounds' and 'no apparent external trauma'. What the hell does that mean? How is it even possible?
Could they have fallen somehow? But there wasn't any height around either body to do that much damage. Maybe some kind of pressure on the body... He considered every angle, every plausible explanation and slowly discarded them until he had nothing.
Eying his partner, he saw that Fraser was just as frustrated as he was, the tightness of his jaw as they walked blissfully away from the chattering LEOs toward the garage. Time to get back to work.
"So have you figured it out yet?" Ray asked, just to be certain.
"Not as such, Ray," came the clipped reply.
"Not as such? So..."
"It's not logical. The manner of their deaths is... improbable. And completely incomprehensible given the known factors," the Mountie answered, shifting his shoulders under the serge.
"Ah. So, Mike?"
"Yes, I believe we should find out what Detective Celluci has discovered today."
With that, they caught a taxi and headed back to police headquarters, finding an annoyed Celluci slamming his phone into the cradle.
"No luck?"
"No. There's dead ends everywhere, but nothing that points to motive and certainly nothing that explains how either of them died that way." Mike's hands ran through his hair in a frustrated tug, glancing up at the two of them hopefully.
"Well, Mr Davis and Adam are coming in an hour. Maybe the kid can shed some light." Ray tried to sound hopeful, but knew he'd failed horribly. It was unlikely and of course, they would be testing Mr. Davis' patience as well.
"I certainly hope so, but I may..." Mike trailed off, catching himself and taking a long drink of coffee, hoping the other two wouldn't press.
"You may what?"
Sighing, the blond cop muttered, "Go talk to Vicki and her partner."
"Uh-huh. You look thrilled."
"Yeah, well. Henry is... unique." Mike spit out the word, mouth twisting slightly. "But they're good at what they do. It might be useful."
~ * ~
Fraser had gone to grab some coffee from the break room when he spotted Michael Davis carrying Adam through the crowded hallways, looking slightly lost in the sea of cops and criminal element. Changing direction, the Mountie met them and offered a welcoming smile with his hand.
"Mr. Davis, thank you for coming." The shake was firm and cool, even with the slight nervousness that the man's body language radiated even if his eyes did not.
A slight tilt of the other man's head and Michael answered, "Of course. I just want to help and hopefully get this over with for Adam."
"Yes, I completely understand. Hello, Adam."
"Con-sable Fraser," the boy greeted shyly, tucking into his father even closer.
"I'd like to introduce you both to the detective in charge of the case," he offered, turning sideways and inviting Michael to follow him back through the station to the homicide division. "If you'll follow me."
The silence was comfortable, which Fraser found surprising. Usually, people who didn't have much to do with cops were nervous which led to something akin to babbling or awkward silences. Michael Davis did neither, and that said a lot about the man, in the Mountie's opinion.
Holding open the swinging doors that led to the homicide bullpen, he followed them in, eyes meeting Ray's and then Mike's over Adam's shoulder. "Detective Celluci," Fraser called in greeting. "This is Michael Davis and his son Adam. They're here to speak with us."
Nodding, Mike stood and offered his hand to the father and son both before leading them all into a small conference room that they used for interviews when they weren't trying to intimidate. "Can we get either of you anything to drink?"
"No, thank you." Michael's voice was smooth and Fraser noted the quality and lack of true inflection. Odd. Mr. Davis was certainly proving to be very interesting.
Adam shook his head, and tucked in closer to his father.
"Hi, Adam. Remember me?" Ray asked quietly, smiling openly at the little boy.
"Ray."
"That's right, buddy. Well, me and Mike and Fraser kinda wanted to ask you something."
The boy was quiet for a moment, looking over at his father before nodding. "You want to know about the man in the elevator."
All three cops exchanged a look before Ray nodded, "Yep, that's about right, kiddo. So, who was in the elevator when you got on?"
"A man - the man who got hurt." Adam's chin tucked down, voice quiet and he cuddled into Michael's side before he muttered. "There was a shadow..."
"A shadow, Adam?" Fraser asked softly, offering what encouragement he could.
"Yeah. I backed away - it was thick, like soup? It felt icky. And the man made a strange sound, like..." Adam demonstrated gargling, having relaxed a bit next to his father. "And he fell out the doors. I ran away."
At the shame in those words, Ray leaned down to try and catch the boy's eye. "Hey. That's exactly what you should do. When something scares you, you run away. Keep safe."
Adam nodded before Mike broke in, trying to keep the frustration from his voice. He just knew it was going to be one of those cases with Vicki working on it. "Are you sure it was a shadow?"
Ray shifted at the cool look that Michael shot at the detective. There was something about that man that made him uneasy.
"Yes, but... it wasn't where it was supposed to be!"
"Why's that?"
"There was light. There's not supposed to be shadows in the light, right, Daddy?"
Michael turned his gaze to his son, smiling at the question. "That's right, Adam." Running a hand through his son's hair he looked up at the policeman, carefully hiding his own anxiety at the odd description. "Is that all? I would really rather not prolong this."
Mike sighed in defeat. He didn't know what else to ask. What else could Adam have seen? If it was one of Vicki's cases, it could very well have been a thick shadow. He rolled his eyes mentally and nodded. "Yes, of course."
All of the men stood, Fraser holding the door as Michael picked up his son and headed out of the room. "I'll just show you out," he offered, pleased when the quiet man didn't object. Smiling slightly at both Michael and Adam, he led them out of the maze of hallways in the police station to the visitor's parking lot.
"Thank you so much for your help," he told them sincerely, offering his hand to the other man, shoulders tightening as a strong one clasped his.
"Thanks for finding him. I know that this could have been worse," Michael offered smoothly, eyes flicking over the Mountie as if he knew why Fraser reacted even when he didn't himself.
"Yes, well. We have your contact information?" he asked unnecessarily, trying not to shift under the stiffness of his serge at that look.
"Yes. I believe Detective Celluci has it."
Fraser nodded and watched as Michael buckled Adam in the backseat and pulled away, certain that he had missed something. Shaking his head, he turned to see Ray approaching.
"Hey." Ray didn't like the tension he could practically see thrumming through Fraser. That was the odd thing about the Mountie - he always looked tense, but that was just the illusion of perfect posture. He wasn't sure what had just happened, but he knew it had perturbed his partner in some way. "You okay?"
"Of course, Ray."
Ray rolled his eyes as he followed Fraser back into the police station. Damned stonewalling Mountie.
~*~
Ray wasn't exactly sure what to expect from Mike's reluctance and annoyance, but Henry Fitzroy certainly wasn't it. Smooth, assured, arrogant. Usually that would have the American rolling his eyes and checking him off as a tool. But there was something about this guy. Looked like a kid, for Christ's sake, but no one would dare call him that.
He pulled his gaze away, glancing at Fraser before staring at where Vicki and Mike were arguing about the case with the goth, Coreen, bouncing behind them with barely contained energy.
"Mike -"
"No. Just no, Vicki. I know that you've been hired, but I don't have to like it."
"When do you ever?" Ray winced when he saw Mike flinch at those words.
"Fine. But you'll have to explain it to our guests, because I'm not going to be the one at the center of the circus," Mike managed through clenched teeth.
Vicki huffed out a breath. "Fine. Henry?"
"I'm not your prop, Vicki. If you want to tell them, fine. But I'd rather limit the number of people you give this information," he told her calmly, brushing by the American a little too closely for propriety as he settled himself on the couch to watch the drama play out.
Sighing, the private detective turned to Fraser and Ray and bit her lip before telling them, "We think it might be something... more unusual than just odd."
Mike snorted and Henry's eyes gleamed with amusement when she glared at them and Coreen who was bouncing behind her boss with excitement.
"It's..."
"A demon!" Coreen broke in excitedly, unable to stop herself when it seemed that Vicki might drag it out forever. "You see, Henry's a vampire and he helps Vicki and me when we get these weird cases that seem to come out of nowhere to tackle us. Very cool."
Fraser's eyebrows rose and Ray stood very still for a few moments, trying to work through what the girl had just said. Even though he knew Mike was a good cop, he shot the other man a disbelieving look. "What the fuck?" he managed after a few moments, knowing that Fraser was still processing the decidedly odd information.
"Ray -"
"No. I mean... are you serious?!"
"Ray -"
"Because that's not even possible!"
"Ray -"
"And I don't think that -"
"Ray!"
"What?!" He turned to stare at his partner, breathing hard as he pulled back from his tirade.
"Before you get too invested in the argument, can we hear Ms Nelson out?" Fraser asked calmly, hand twitching with the need to run a finger under his collar and loosen the constricting wool.
"Fine. But I still think it's ridiculous," the blond cop muttered, crossing his arms over his chest and trying not to look like he was sulking.
"Right. Well. Go on, Ms. Nelson." No one in the room besides Coreen missed the pointed way Fraser distanced himself when addressing the woman.
"About a year ago now, I... got mixed up in a case that changed my view on the world. Weird and odd and... supernatural. Henry's a part of that. And it seems that the supernatural finds me wherever I go now." Her voice edged into bitterness before Vicki leveled a glare at them, daring them to contradict her.
"I'm sorry, but... this is just unbelievable," Fraser murmured softy, eyes flickering over to Henry and back to Vicki.
"But it's real! We swear it is!" Coreen exclaimed, smiling brightly as she practically vibrated from her seat.
"Great," Ray muttered under his breath, knowing that Fraser would give them the benefit of the doubt, even as he saw a disturbed expression flicker in the Mountie's eyes as he looked down at Dief. Wishing he had a habit like smoking, he tapped out a rhythm with his fingers against his thigh as he waited for their words to sink in or at least somehow arrange themselves to make sense. This world was nothing that Ray had ever thought he'd hear about seriously. From a cop, an ex-cop and a hyperactive Goth. Great.
Glancing up, Ray's breath caught as he saw Henry suddenly in front of him. Resisting the urge to reach for his gun, he stared into dark, mesmerizing eyes and felt the pull for him to forget why and just let go.
"Nice parlor trick," Ray managed as he broke the gaze, breathing hard, body thrumming with adrenaline. Predator.
"It's nothing more than what I am," Henry stated grandly, both of them ignoring Mike's incredulous snort.
"Knock it off, Henry. No trying mind control on the newbies," Vicki ordered, collapsing into her chair behind the desk.
"Mind control?" Fraser asked speculatively as he watched Ray and Henry. When those black eyes turned on him, he caught his breath. "Ah."
Henry stared for a moment before turning his attention back to Ray and watching the blond cop shiver under the weight of his gaze. Slowly, letting his eyes bleed back to normal, he reached over and stroked along the inside of the blond detective's wrist, aware of how everyone in the room tensed at that intimate movement.
Ray's eyebrow rose and he found it hard to take offense at the touch even though he knew he should. "That's not nice," he murmured, biting his lip as warmth sped through him even as he felt the power slide away.
"But you like it anyways," Henry whispered softly enough that Ray was pretty sure he was the only one who heard it. Tilting his head in answer, he blinked lazily and suddenly he had his personal space back and Henry was settled in the armchair.
Clearing his throat, he stated, "Okay. So. Demons?" He ignored the way Fraser and Mike were staring at him as he turned his attention to an enthusiastic Coreen who began explaining how the supernatural factored in to their murder cases.
Soon they were all gathered around the office, reading different texts and researching legends. Ray shook his head and forced himself to skim at least some of what was on the crackled page of the antique book in his hands. It was like every supernatural show ever made. Why has no one put this information on the internet? Or at least a computerized library.
At some point, Mike ordered Chinese take-out for everyone. With Benton settled next to him, Ray felt normal. He knew it was a coping mechanism, but the heat and scent of his partner settled him against what was happening. Not to mention the odd group dynamics between Mike, Vicki and Henry. That was a study in and of itself, he decided after watching them watch each other while still trying to research.
It was Coreen who finally squealed in triumph and practically flung herself at Henry with the book she was holding. "What do you think?"
The vampire studied the entry for a moment before nodded. "That's actually pretty plausible. I remember meeting one before - killed a lot of people before they accidentally died."
"Well?" Mike asked testily, staring at Henry as he waited for the information.
"It's called a Leyak. They are much like a werewolf. They begin human and then transform themselves into a spirit at night while they appear to be sleeping in their beds."
"Any way to protect against it?" Vicki asked.
"Unfortunately, no. I think that we will have to solve this like a good old-fashioned homicide. Who had motive? Hopefully it isn't just out for a joyride," Henry stated softly. "Otherwise, we won't stop it until it's dead."
"Okay, but we haven't turned anything up motive-wise yet. I mean, sure there was a life insurance policy on the first guy, but there's no connection that we can find between the victims - no way to tie them together," Mike sighed. "It's fucking frustrating. But knowing we can't rely on an alibi helps."
"I think perhaps that we should take a break for the food and then come back and comb over the two victims' lives looking for any detail that might connect them," Fraser suggested.
"Yeah, the takeout should be here any time," Coreen agreed, looking up from where she was playing with Dief. Fraser turned an exasperated eye on his four-legged companion and sighed.
"You should not indulge him, Coreen."
The goth stared up at the Mountie through long lashes and protested, "But he's so adorable!"
Ray started laughing at his partner's expression, slapping him on the shoulder. "You should just let it go, buddy. I think she's a lot like Frannie."
Fraser nodded and sighed. "It would seem so."
Dief barked once in agreement, eyes watching his pack-mates closely.
"Well, I think it's about time to go pick up that food," Vicki stated, snagging her wallet and heading out the door. "Anything special to drink?"
When everyone passed along their orders, she and Coreen headed out, leaving the three men alone in a room with a vampire. Vampire. Ray was still getting used to that idea. It was certainly not the strangest thing, now that he thought about it. But it was odd having your world shift quite so dramatically in so short a time. Standing abruptly, he shook his head at Fraser. "I'm just going to go next door to the coffee shop. I don't think water's going to do it. Want anything?"
"No, thank you kindly, Ray." Both Mike and Henry answered in the negative, but the vampire followed him out to the elevator of Vicki's building.
"What?"
"You're interesting," Henry told him baldly, eyes studying the detective.
"What?"
"You're interesting. Something I don't come across too often." His pupils bled black for a moment before pulling back. "And you smell... delicious."
"And you're doing this to creep me out." Ray shivered at those words, body thrumming once again with that strange adrenaline that really had nothing to do with fear or danger.
"No."
Ray blinked and Henry was gone. Leaning hard against the wall as the elevator announced its presence, he took a deep breath. Coffee. Coffee would make it all better.
Part 2/2
Crossposted with Dreamwidth here: http://silentflux.dreamwidth.org/173042.html
Author: Andrea/silentflux
Fandom: due South/Blood Ties with a tiny shout out to La Femme Nikita ;)
Pairing: Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski, Henry Fitzroy/Mike Celluci
Rating: FRAO or NC-17
Word Count: ~20,000
Disclaimer: Any recognizable characters/universes are not mine.
Notes: This was my first ever solo fic this long *beams* It was written for the ds_c6d_bigbang. I'm so proud of it and I had a blast writing it even though my muse was difficult to say the least ;) Thanks to Kris, Kaz, Ash, Shep and Kazlynh my wonderful betas and cheerleaders for all the encouragement and coaxing. You all rock! All remaining mistakes that you find are mind.
A big thanks to caersmane for the awesome artwork that she contributed over at the big bang! Check it out and leave her feedback! It's gorgeous :D
And also, I want to thank the lovely mickey_sixx for her artwork as well - she's so nice to me and made me an extra banner! *beams* It's under the cut with the fic! *pets the pretty*
Summary: Banished to a conference in Toronto, Ray and Fraser stumble onto something unimaginable.
~ * ~
~Part 1:
Ray slid into the no parking zone in front of the Consulate and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, tapping a syncopated dance rhythm out as he waited. He had no idea why, but the idea of a road trip with Fraser - the first trip they'd taken since returning from the big white North - was itching along his skin. He'd been surprised when Fraser had opted to come back to the States with him, their jobs both in limbo during their six month jaunt across all that ice and snow, but he guessed that the Mountie just hadn't found another posting to his liking. Benton Fraser the Hero could afford to be a bit picky now that he was no longer Benton Fraser, persona non grata.
They'd settled back into their routine quickly, the ease of their partnership always surprising everyone, including Ray. With Vecchio permanently retired, Ray was back to being Stanley Raymond Kowalski who just happened to land a job working with Red. Not a bad gig, but it was different hearing his own name barked out by Welsh.
He hadn't thought he'd be sorry to use his own name again, but the Vecchio name had come with a large, loud family and suddenly everything was quiet again. They didn't have to pretend anymore and although they still welcomed him, he felt the slight awkwardness he'd previously ignored become more prevalent than ever. It was odd after so long spent around such a boisterous family to go back to the almost solitary nature of his previous life.
And then there was Stella. Stella, his Gold Coast girl, who had apparently taken a liking to Vecchio of all people. He still couldn't get over seeing their wedding photo - heartache and happiness sucker-punching him all at once.
Glancing at the clock, he rolled his eyes at the time. Usually his partner's timing was impeccable, but apparently not today. Ray's leg bounced against the steering wheel as he wondered what was taking so long. He'd bet it was the Ice Queen, still doing the crazy flirt vs ordering thing that she had in abundance. They needed to be on their way soon if they wanted to make any kind of time on the highway.
Ray had never thought he'd be glad for a law enforcement conference up in Toronto. They'd been specifically invited to for their unusual accomplishments and having notoriety is apparently a blessing when feeling antsy, hemmed in and impatient. However, Ray wasn't certain being in a confined environment for any length of time with his partner was a good idea even if escaping Chicago sounded like bliss. He couldn't decide whether this road trip was more likely to be a maddening experience or a welcomed relief.
Giving up on waiting for the Mountie to come to him, he turned off the car and snagged the keys before bounding up the familiar steps to burst into the Consulate.
"Morning, Detective Kowalski," the aide cheerfully greeted him before going back to collating some report about the effect of courtesy on Chicago natives or something just as idiotic. Ray shook his head and managed a salutation under his breath, wondering if all the Mounties they'd send for Turnbull's job would be so much like, well, Turnbull.
Sweeping down the hallway, he heard toenails clicking behind him and he asked, "Where's the crazy Mountie, Dief?" Ducking his head into the small closet that Fraser still called an office, Ray glanced around quickly. "Frase?"
"Yes, Ray," came the almost teasing answer from right behind him.
Jumping and trying not to show his surprise, the cop turned to glare at the Mountie. "Don't do that, Fraser!"
"I'm sorry, Ray," came the smooth, polite reply.
"Well... okay. Ready to go? Gotta get on the road - pitter patter." Ray tilted his head, eyes meeting cool, welcoming blue. Benton was dressed in his casual gear for the trip, cotton shirt and tight, crisp jeans that Ray knows he must have ironed at some point. Every inch of him, unwrinkled - the blond couldn't understand how that was possible, but it always seemed to be the case.
"Yes. I was just collecting last minute instructions. Let me just get my bag." Ray nodded, watching his partner cross to the closet in his office for his backpack and the unnecessary bedroll. Fraser always used such economical and smooth movements with whatever he did. Even with his correct posture which should have appeared stiff and unnatural, everything flowed. Ray had found it mesmerizing on their quest, and it was no less so now that they were back in Chicago. In fact, that might be part of his recent dilemma.
It didn't take long to get everything situated in the trunk of the car and Ray felt the relief flow through him as he pulled away from the Consulate and found his way to the highway, Mountie and wolf in tow. Glancing sideways at his companion, he noticed Fraser's gaze staring out at the city skyline before they found the countryside.
The silence between them was filled with the jazz album he'd picked up last week, rubbing away the awkwardness with sax, drum and bass until Ray's anxiety settled somewhere deep, away from his usual nervous mannerisms even though his fingers still twitched and tapped along to the beat.
In Canada, on their quest, everything seemed so much simpler, the camaraderie that had come so naturally drew them both deeper. Being alone with his partner in the middle of nowhere and seeing things that he would never have dreamed of before had been enlightening, not to mention scary. It was a different world where Ray felt completely at peace. It had been a few months since they had returned, and at first, he'd just thought his awkwardness had been about readjusting. But now, he wasn't so sure. There was something off, and he was pretty sure it was just him. Or maybe not. God, this was so confusing.
"Ray." The blond detective practically jumped at the exasperated sound behind his name, eyes flickering from the road to the Mountie.
"Sorry, Fraser," he responded automatically, knowing that lost in his thoughts as he'd been, it was probably the third or fourth time he'd tried to get his attention.
The Mountie offered him his understanding half-smile before continuing. "I was just wondering if everything was alright. You seem..."
"Broody?" he offered gamely, flashing a ghost of his usual teasing grin.
"Thoughtful."
"Nah, I'm okay. Just reminiscing about our trip." That was a safe topic, right?
"Ah." After another moment of silence, Ray slanted a look at Fraser, breath catching at the bright smile on his face.
"Yeah." His eyes flickered up to the rear view mirror, and Ray startled at Dief's intense gaze studying him. "Need a break, Dief?"
Fraser's head whipped around to watch his companion for a moment, eyes narrowing as he commented, "No, I don't think that's a good idea, Diefenbaker."
Dief whined softly, ears flipping forward in question.
"No. You'll just have to wait."
Ray threw his partner a questioning look, and Fraser answered, "He's just whining about food. But he was just fed not even two hours ago. So, there's no need."
"Well, maybe we can stop for Taco Bell before we hit Canada..." Ray offered, knowing how Dief loved fast food.
"No, not at all. You spoil him, Ray," came the exasperated response, Fraser turning back around to face the front of the car.
"Well, it's Dief." And that explained everything, at least in the blond's mind.
"Indeed," Fraser intoned softly, hands smoothing down the legs of his jeans.
"Hmph." Ray rolled his eyes and let the music lull them back into a more fluid silence, less disjointed than before, but still slightly awkward. Sighing softly, he tried to figure out when this would stop. Turning the problem over in his mind, it seemed like absolutely no time at all had passed except his stomach growled loudly in protest. Seeing a McDonald's he perked up and pulled off the highway. He heard Fraser's shift and sigh when he realized where they were headed and grinned. At least he could always count on his partner's exasperation.
~ * ~
~Part 2:
The first day of the conference was the busywork of checking into the hotel, finding their rooms which were luckily next to each other. Once Ray had dropped his bags and hung up his one decent suit, he'd knocked on the adjoining doors. Benton opened the door and welcomed him in, but it was Dief's greeting pounce that caused him to almost lose his footing before collapsing comfortably back onto Fraser's bed. Looking up, a thrill went through him to see the warm amusement in his partner's eyes as he regarded him.
"What?"
"I was just noting how comfortable you are making use of my bed." The tone was neutral, but the words shot through Ray, making him squirm uncomfortably.
He flushed slightly at those words, inwardly cursing at how easily flustered he was lately. "It's comfy." He squirmed to settle in more and demonstrate. "See?"
"I have no doubts, Ray." There was a flash of something that was gone before the blond cop could identify it, hidden beneath cool blue.
"Uh-huh. Well. What are we supposed to be doing?" Ray grasped desperately at some task that might distract him from whatever was happening with them.
"I believe that we have a meeting with the conference coordinator. She'll be organizing everything with the dinner tomorrow night." The words were volunteered a bit hesitantly, and blue eyes blinked up at the Mountie.
"Why did you agree to come to this thing again? And why am I supposed to be here?"
"They wanted to reward our international relations which resulted in arrests of an entire brigade of mercenaries," the Mountie answered as if quoting from a formal invitation.
"Yeah, but why did we have to come?" Ray wheedled, knowing his partner was covering something.
"I believe that Lieutenant Welsh informed us that our presence was required. As did my commanding officer," Benton prevaricated, evading the true essence of his partner's question.
Ray snorted and waved his hand at the other man. "They just wanted us to out of their hair for a while."
"As you say. But nevertheless, we are supposed to be discussing our presentation." There was a tense pause as Ray absorbed those words while Fraser fell into a waiting stillness.
"Our presentation? What presentation?" The blond's words squeaked out in surprise, high enough that he could have sworn he saw Deif's ears to perk up.
Fraser cleared his throat and adjusted the collar of his shirt. Ray's eyes narrowed at the nervous tick and he waited. "Well, we are two of the guests of honor at the dinner. As such, we're expected to deliver a speech or presentation of some kind."
"Wait. What?"
"Welsh did mention this, I believe."
"Umm... no, he didn't. I would have remembered the words 'presentation' or 'speech' and 'Kowalski' in the same sentence," Ray shot back, hands flapping demonstratively in front o him. "This sucks."
"Ray," Fraser managed after a moment of weighted silence.
"What?"
"We need to go meet with the coordinator."
Ray fell back onto the bed and threw his arm over his eyes. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, Ray. You're expected to be there as well." The soft exasperation in the otherwise neutral tone caused the blond's lip to twitch.
Eying his partner, Ray sighed and shrugged. "Yeah, I know. Just... I'm no good at the public speaking bit, you know? Maybe you should take the horns on that one and I'll just help answer questions?" He glanced up hopefully before ducking his head back down to avoid the frustrated look sent his way.
"Ray..." Benton began.
"Oh, alright, fine." Ray did not pout. Not at all. Just like he wasn't jiggling his leg absently to try and alleviate some of his own anxiety. "Let's go find this all-powerful coordinator."
"Miss Heidbrook," Fraser offered.
"Yeah. Sure." Ray heaved himself up from the comfortable impression he'd made in Fraser's bed and barely made it to his feet without tripping on the corner of the comforter.
"Ray," Benton called from the door, the warmth in his tone sliding through the blond detective and the odd feeling he'd had lately around his partner curled around his spine. Sighing, he rubbed his neck, and concentrated on following his partner out the door, glad for the distraction of Dief by his side.
*~*
"That was fun." Ray's dry words hung between them, expectantly.
"Not particularly." Fraser's own flat response almost drew a smile from his partner.
"I especially liked the way she pulled out charts and graphs. Did you know we were supposed to have a thirty minute speech prepared?!"
"Not as such, no."
Ray threw a frustrated glare at his partner and followed him back out of the convention area of the large hotel to the elevators only to be accosted by a very familiar setting - paramedics, patrolmen, and rumpled detectives behind the line. Two sets of sharp eyes took in the scene, cataloging and noting the odd angle of the body, the tense set of the blond detective's shoulders, and the retreating paramedics making way for the coroner.
"C'mon, we should go find the other set of elevators," Ray turned as he spoke, swearing when he noticed that his partner was already making his way up to the crime scene tape.
"Excuse me, Detective?"
The tense shoulders straightened as the cop turned, and Ray winced at the glare leveled at Benton.
"This is a crime scene. Sorry, you'll have to go around. The officers will -"
"I just wanted to offer our services." Fraser's sincere suggestion was nothing less than Ray would expect.
"And you would be... ?" came the disbelieving question.
"Constable Benton Fraser of RCMP and my partner, Chicago PD Detective Ray Kowalski," Fraser answered smoothly. "We're here for the conference, and we might be able to offer you some assistance in these matters."
"Look, Constable, I appreciate it, but this isn't your jurisdiction. It's mine. So if you don't mind?"
"Of course, Detective..."
"Celluci."
The detective's partner, looked up from his discussion with one of the patrolmen, eyes watching Celluci carefully, Ray noted before stepping into the fray.
"Yo, Frase. What's goin' on?" Ray interrupted loudly, not liking the stiffness of the atmosphere as he finally slid through the rest of the crowd.
"I was just informing Detective Celluci that we would be happy to help him in any way." Fraser's voice was complacent and polite as always, but something caught his partner's attention and his eyes narrowed for a moment as he turned to the Toronto detective.
"And I was just pointing out that there was no need - this is my jurisdiction." The words were stilted with annoyance, Mike trying to extradite himself from their company without causing undue ruffled feathers.
"Ah. Well. We are supposed to be here at a conference showing our... cooperation, right, Frase?" Ray noted, watching Celluci tense.
"I believe so, yes, Ray."
"And that would include offering assistance to the local police wherever possible?" His tone was leading, and obviously meant to annoy, but Ray couldn't help it.
"Hmmm," the Mountie sounded in agreement.
"I think you might find that your Captain would appreciate our help," Ray said, turning his flat cop eyes on similar grey ones.
"We'll see." The challenge in those two sharp words reverberated over the American's spine and his face tightened.
"C'mon, Frase." Ray grabbed Fraser's arm after a few moment's of stand off.
"Yes, well. If you should find yourself needing a fresh perspective, Detective Celluci. We are staying here at the hotel."
The Toronto detective waved them on their way. Ray huffed and turned on his heel, muttering under his breath about ungrateful Canadian police. "...And I thought you were all polite!"
"Ray, I did inform you that -"
"Yeah, yeah, I know." He sighed as they passed through the door to the stairs, and promptly ran into Fraser's back. "Fraser, what -"
A hand came up to silence him and when he concentrated, he heard the sniffling of what sounded like a child. Stepping from behind the tall, tree-like Mountie, telling himself he wasn't paying attention to the heat Benton seemed to put off like a furnace, he quietly walked over to the alcove under the stairs. "Hello?"
The sniffling immediately stopped and Ray froze, not wanting to scare whoever it was. "My name's Ray. I'm a police officer. Do you need help?"
Another batch of sniffles was accompanied by a small head slowly appearing from the darkness and bright brown eyes blinking up at him. "I want my daddy."
"Okay. We can help you with that, can't we, Frase?"
"Of course. May I ask your name?"
"Adam." The answer was small and uncertain, dark eyes blinking up at both of them.
"Are you hurt, Adam?" Ray asked softly, eyes taking stock of the little boy and offered him his hand, slowly drawing him out of the shadows.
"N-no."
"Good. What's your daddy's name?"
Big brown eyes stared up at them. "Michael." There was a longer than usual pause. "Davis."
"Are you staying here in the hotel, Adam?" Fraser asked kindly, eyes soft as they tried to calm the boy with quiet questions.
"Y-yes." Fraser opened his arms and Adam looked from Ray to Fraser for a moment, hesitating before allowing himself to be picked up.
"Well. My name is Constable Benton Fraser. Ray and I will be happy to help you find your daddy." The assurance and confidence of those words seemed to relax the boy even more. As they headed back out into the lobby, both cops noticed how the little boy cringed at the sight of the crime scene.
"Adam, why were you hiding?" Ray finally asked softly when the scene was out of his eyesight.
"I - I took the elevator down... but it was scary. The man - I don't know - but I ran away."
Ray's eyes met Fraser's as they arrived at the front desk. "Okay, little man. Let's see about finding your dad."
It only took a few moments to determine that Adam and his father were in fact staying at the convention center. After a few moments, they had the cell number on the account that had been dialed by the front desk and a clipped conversation with the man on the other end had them waiting with Adam in the lounge area.
Ray watched as Fraser fascinated the kid with stories of his childhood - age appropriate ones, of course. Although the one with the seals and polar bear was skirting the edge, in his opinion. At the same time, they carefully asked small questions about the man and the elevator, but Adam truly didn't want to talk of it at all.
It didn't take long for the father to appear. Ray wouldn't have picked him out of the crowd if not for the hurried pace across the lobby, the tense set of his body. There was something almost predatory about the man that relaxed the moment he saw his son. Standing, Ray greeted him, "Mr. Davis?"
Cool eyes appraised him before he answered softly, "Yes. Thank you for finding Adam."
"Daddy!" The blur of the child as he ran and was caught up in his father's arms made Fraser smile.
"Adam, what have I told you about leaving our room without me?" came the soft reproving voice. "I was worried!"
The boy's head ducked down and he mumbled an apology.
"Sir, can I have a word with you?" Fraser managed to ask before the other man had turned away and forgotten them completely.
"Yes?"
"I'm Constable Fraser and this is Detective Ray Kowalski from Chicago. I... think your son may have seen something important." The words were careful, measured, but the blond detective saw the immediate reaction in body posture.
"What do you mean?" The words were quiet, even, and completely calm, and Ray wondered at that.
"Well... there was a murder. Near the elevators. I'm not certain as the detective on the case wouldn't inform us of the details, but from what Adam has said, this is what scared him so badly." Fraser kept his tone kind, trying not to upset the boy anymore than he had been, but Adam seemed so wrapped up in his father that it didn't much matter. "If you would allow it, I know the detective would appreciate talking to Adam if possible."
Ray saw the hesitation, the weighing of options in Michael's gray eyes which flickered for a moment. "It's late. I don't know what help we can be tonight - Adam needs to get back to bed."
"Well, can we have your contact information?" Ray asked, finally breaking into the conversation. "We'll get it to the detective so he can hook up with you later on?"
"Of course." Michael pulled out a business card and handed it to Benton, Ray's eyes catching how their fingers accidentally touched. "Tell him I will be waiting."
"Thank you kindly."
"Good night, Adam!"
"Night, Ray! Night, Con - con - Fraser!" came the stumbling reply as Adam tucked his face into his father's shoulder and Michael turned away. Watching them go, Ray couldn't help but study Michael closely, taking note of slight inconsistencies in the behavior and cataloging them.
"Interesting guy," he offered to Fraser who's eyes were also riveted.
"Yes. I believe so."
"Think we should go let Detective Bite Me know we got the jump on him?"
"Ray."
"What?"
"It's not nice to tease," Fraser admonished his partner.
"Who said anything about teasing?" Ray asked innocently.
"Ummhmm."
"What?"
~*~
Ray didn't end up teasing Detective Mike Celluci. At least not much, by Ray's standards. But he did, however, time how long it took Fraser to sweet talk his way into the case despite the loud protests of one blond Toronto cop and his slightly rotund partner, Dave. Half an hour with the superiors and Celluci was already glaring daggers at the impervious politeness that was Constable Benton Fraser.
Ignoring the hostility, Ray snagged the file off the desk and thumbed through the crime scene photos, wincing at the idea that Adam might have seen this happen. "Fraser." He lifted the file folder over his shoulder, waiting for the Mountie to take possession.
"Hey! Those were in order!"
"And I assure you they still are."
Uh-oh, Ray thought. That was the stiff RCMP voice that Fraser only got when he was annoyed. Not that anyone else would notice that much of a difference from his stiff polite voice, but Ray had taken great care to catalog his partner's moods.
"Uh-huh. Why is it that you've horned in on my case again?"
"Well, when I discussed it with your Captain, she suggested that Ray and I might like to assist. When I told her that we wouldn't want to step on any toes, she stated that you would be glad for the help on this case."
"I'm sure she did," Mike muttered bitterly.
Ray snorted at that tone, knowing that the cop was cursing that Crowley woman. "So... we've got a guy that died in an elevator, possibly with a kid, with no other evidence that someone else was there, right?"
"Yeah. I'm just waiting for our ME to get started on the body. She'll be able to give us a full report in the morning," Mike volunteered grudgingly.
"Great. So... coffee? Oh, and is there a candy machine somewhere?" Ray asked hopefully, ignoring the indulgent look that was sent his way from behind the folder the Mountie was studying.
~ * ~
Their victim was apparently a long-time hotel employee. Family man, kept to himself at work, always on time. Celluci had left Ray and Fraser, taking Dave to go inform the family with a look that Ray recognized. Cops were cops everywhere, he mused, especially murder cops.
"This is curious," Fraser commented into the silent hum of a bullpen late at night. They should be heading back to the hotel soon.
"What?"
"These crime scene pictures of the body. It... the body looks odd."
Ray blinked, wondering if he'd missed something and coming around to look over his partner's shoulder. "What's odd?"
"I'm not sure if I'm just seeing it or if it's there. It is late."
Ray tilted his head and stared at the gruesome photo before murmuring, "There's not external trauma. And... his joints are at slightly odd angles."
"Yes. But what could do that?"
"Nothing I know of, Frase."
"I'll be interested to see the coroner's report. I don't know what could possibly explain these wounds."
"Certainly not the usual beat-down. What do you think Adam actually saw?" Ray asked, leaning back away from the other man's heat.
"I'm not sure," Fraser answered softly. "But whatever it was, it disturbed him greatly. I'm not sure how easily he will talk about it."
"I hope that having his father there will make it easier," the blond offered, settling into Celluci's chair. "You ready to let this go for the night?"
"We should wait for Detective Celluci to return before leaving, Ray."
"I'm sure he's got everything under control, Frase. C'mon. Sleep. We've had a seriously long day." The Mountie pinned him with the look that always got Ray to agree and he sighed. "Fine whatever." He turned his attention back to the databases of credit and finances that he'd been given access to by a reluctant Celluci.
"Well... nothing interesting in his credit history. Loans, loans, more loans, but nothing overdue, nothing too big for his salary," Ray finally said after studying what information he could find on the victim.
"Hmmm..." Fraser answered. "He had a life insurance policy."
"There's motive."
"Possibly. We'll see what Detective Celluci has to say when he returns."
Ray rolled his eyes and settled in for more research. It wasn't too much longer that Mike returned and they all compared notes. Apparently the widow had a nice house with her two children that would be completely paid off and then some with the money from the policy. Something to look into the next day.
"Well, guys, I'm off until tomorrow. You need a ride back to the hotel?" Mike offered.
"It's no trouble to get a cab, Detective."
"Call me Mike. And it's not a big deal, Fraser. Let's head out. We can see what the ME has to say tomorrow."
~*~
"Home sweet home," Ray sung as the elevator opened up on their floor. "C'mon, Frase. Sleeping time. That bed is calling my name."
Fraser chuckled softly under his breath at the bounce in Ray's step. "Yes, Ray. Good night."
"Night." Ray looked over at Fraser as he unlocked his door and his breath caught somewhere just under his breastbone. Fumbling with the plastic card, he swore under his breath before managing to get it open.
Throwing his jacket in the general direction the chair, he dragged a hand through his hair and paced the small confines of the room before collapsing on the bed. A day cooped up in the car with Fraser hadn't solved anything, his skin warming and itching every time his partner got close. He had no real clue what it was about and refused to delve too deeply into it now - he was too tired.
Sighing, he threw an arm over his eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe something else to get rid of the tension would help. Standing and stripping, he headed into his bathroom and started the water scalding hot. Stepping under the beating spray, he groaned softly in appreciation, leaning against the cool tiled wall, trying not to think at all.
His body hummed with familiar anticipation and energy, and he slid one hand along his torso, shivering as the calluses caught on smooth skin, pulling a soft gasp and a shiver, nipples pebbled and aching as he felt his cock stir. This was what he needed tonight. Teasing it out slowly, the cool tile and hot water and soft touches, letting the heat pull at him until he wrapped his hand around his half-hard cock and began a lazy rhythm, breathing hitching as he imagined someone else's hands. It had been so long since someone had touched him and just the thought of large hands wrapping around his hips, his cock, made him moan into the steamy air.
Grabbing for the conditioner, wanting something a little more slick, he shuddered as his own hand tightened and loosened around his cock, drawing out the sensations as he thought about someone else there, behind him, holding him up as his muscles shook and strained for more. His thumb flicked over the head and the image of Fraser's tongue darting over his lower lip flashed through him and he groaned as the thought of Benton's hands on him tightened the heat inside him almost unbearably. Panting, his hips rocked forward as he fell back against the wall, using it completely for support, legs spreading wider as his other hand rested on his hip and stroked down. "Fuck..." It didn't take long before his body broke apart, Benton's name on his lips, everything shaking and tilting.
"Fuck," he whispered into the thick air again, uncertainty and need rattling through him. Washing himself quickly once he trusted his knees, he turned off the water and toweled off, falling into bed naked and crawling under the covers. Blissfully, the soft edge of sleep pulled him under not long after his arms wrapped around a pillow.
~*~
Part 3:
Ray rolled over and swatted the phone until it shut up. But he still heard the tinny voice at the end. "What?!" he managed as he found the receiver in his hand.
"Ray? It's Mike Celluci. We've got another body."
He blinked awake instantly. "What? Another already?"
"Yeah. And there doesn't seem to be any apparent connection between the victims so far. Want to grab the Mountie and meet me? The second death was in the convention hall."
"Yeah, we'll be there soon. Thanks for the heads up."
"Whatever. See you in a few." The click was loud in his ears as he tried to wrap his head around it. Another body. Jesus, this guy worked fast.
Rolling out of bed, he knocked heavily on the door joining his and Fraser's rooms.
"Yes, Ray, I heard." Damn bat ears. "I'll be ready shortly."
Shrugging, Ray grabbed his less-rumpled pair of slacks and a t-shirt, grabbing his jacket and his wallet, he knocked again. The door opened to reveal Fraser in all his RCMP glory, red blinding to Ray's eyes this early in the morning.
Blinking to try and prevent the watering that he knew was inevitable, Ray muttered, "There should be a warning label on those uniforms in the morning."
"I'll bring that up at the next RCMP meeting," Fraser answered, smirking glint in his eye.
"Shut up. There better be coffee downstairs."
"I'm sure there is."
"And sugar."
"Hmmm..."
"C'mon, Fraser, let's not be late!" Ray hurried down the never-ending hallway with the carpet that made everything look the same.
"Ray, I don't think one can be that late to a crime scene where the victim is already dead." Fraser's long strides quickly caught him up to his partner, Dief close on their heels. "Everything will be there just the same, and forensics are no doubt already preserving evidence."
"Well, let's get there before the coroner takes the body, then." Ray rolled his eyes when there was no answer, knowing his partner was just humoring his impatience. He picked up his pace, practically pulling the Mountie along with his speed.
Thank god there was coffee, because dealing with a dead body at o dark thirty was not something to do without caffeine, even if it wasn't sweet enough. Sipping on the cup as he studied the body in real living color, he winced with the realization that once again all the bones were shifted. It made something squirm inside him to realize it was probably done before the victim died and was extremely painful.
"Why didn't anyone hear a scream?" he asked softly, staring at the young woman on the floor in the exercise room. "She had to have been in pain."
"Well, whatever happened was quiet enough not to bother any of the sleeping guests on either side," Mike answered as he eyed the wolf that was nosing around the crime scene. Thankfully, the forensics team was mostly finished. "The manager called the police after coming in to refresh the towel supply and finding her here like that."
"Huh. That's weird."
"What's weird?" Everyone paused at the new voice, mocking and sultry.
"Vicki. What are you doing here?" Mike asked, irritated.
"Well, it just so happens that the hotel manager is a former client and he wants me to help on this case."
"No. Just no. I don't want you or your freak of the night partner flouncing around. I've already got help," Mike answered, glaring at his former partner as he gestured toward Ray and Fraser.
"Flouncing?"
Ray winced at that tone - he knew that tone. Stella had that tone. Mike was in for a world of hurt if he didn't back down.
"You know what I mean, Vic. Just... fine. But you'd better be sharing."
"As much as you do."
Mike sighed heavily, his shoulders dropping in defeat. "Yeah. Vicki Nelson, this is Constable Benton Fraser and Detective Ray Kowalski. They're liaising on this case. Guys, this is my former partner Vicki. She's a private detective."
Ray nodded as Fraser greeted, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Nelson."
"Vicki," she automatically corrected.
"Vicki." Fraser offered his hand and Ray scrounged up a smile and shook her hand as well.
"So, what do you know?"
"Unfortunately, not a lot. First victim, Jefferson Craig died in the elevator. He was fifty-three, married with two kids. No odd finances, no apparent motive. There was however a substantial life insurance policy, but I talked to the widow - I don't think she's the type for something so violent. His bones were all out of whack and there had been no screaming. This victim was i.d.'d as Grace Mattern, 29, single, here for work in the city. Also no screaming, and you can see the bone thing," Mike ran down the bare facts, gesturing to the body. "Mohadevan hasn't finished the first autopsy yet and I'm bringing her another. I'm sure she'll find it fascinating."
"No doubt." Vicki crouched next to the body, eyes taking in everything possible, wishing that Henry was here even if she didn't want to have to deal with Mike and Henry's continual spats. "What is that?" She pointed out a black oily substance at the base of the woman's skull, just visible because of the white-blonde of her hair.
All three men leaned in and Ray murmured, "Looks like... tar or oiled ash or something."
"That is unexpected," Fraser commented.
"Weird, you mean," Mike offered, rolling his eyes. "Vicki, is this going to be one of those cases?"
"I don't know, Mike. Why don't we find out?" she challenged, glaring at her ex-partner.
Dief whined slightly, looking up at his Mountie and tilting his head. "Yes, Dief, I know."
Ray stifled a groan as Fraser continued the conversation with the wolf and the puzzled looks on Vicki and Mike's faces turned from curious to considering. "Happens all the time," he told them. "He's a Mountie, what do you want?"
"I'm sure that explains everything, Ray," Fraser commented dryly, his attention pulled back to the humans in the room. "Dief sometimes helps find things we miss."
"Uh... sure," Vicki agreed, eying the taller man speculatively.
"Oh, I know it sounds weird," Ray muttered. "But you wouldn't believe how valuable it is to have a wolf help track down some people."
The others looked satisfied at that, even if it was odd that the Mountie had held a conversation with his wolf. Shaking her head, Vicki reminded herself that this wasn't the first weird thing to cross her path. "So, when do you think Mojadevan will have the autopsies completed?"
"Few hours, maybe. If I sweet talk her." Mike tallied up the points of his interesting homicides versus the workload that she already had. "Maybe sooner. You know how she likes the odd mystery."
"Oh yeah. Call me when she does? I want to have a look."
"Will Henry be coming with you?" Mike asked, striving to keep his voice neutral in front of strangers.
"He is my partner, Mike. You need to get over this."
Ray turned a look at Fraser who raised an eyebrow. Shrugging, he turned back to the interesting by-play, not missing the odd tension even in the ease of their relationship. The way they just worked around each other on the scene was somewhat like Ray and Fraser or any partners who knew each other that well and had been cops together. That meant history - probably a complicated one.
"Look, you know I don't like him..." Her glare could have melted glass. "Fine. But if he...don't blame me if he comes back damaged. Especially if he's being an ass."
Rolling her eyes at her former partner, Vicki said goodbye to Fraser and Ray and took off with the promise of being informed of the autopsy results. "She'll want to harass Mohadevan herself," Mike told them after she'd left. "She likes to see what's gone on. Me too, actually."
"Just let us know - we'll be there," Ray told him. He'd like to know what the doctor had to say about these bodies. They were just so odd - nothing he'd ever heard about could do this and it's not like he was a rookie. Checking his watch and wincing at the time, he continued, "In a couple of hours, we could contact Adam and his father. See if they had time today."
"Do you really think the kid saw someone?" Mike asked as they moved away from the crime scene to let the others do their work, Dief trailing behind them as they head toward the hotel's parking garage.
"I don't know, but he was scared to death. At the very least, he saw the end of it. Poor kid." Someone as young as Adam shouldn't have to see death like that. No one should, really. Shaking his head, Ray rubbed the back of his neck and snuck a glance at his partner.
"I believe he was in the elevator with Mr. Craig and saw a great deal. But I'm not certain how much he'll actually be able to tell us. Children of that age see monsters, not necessarily people." Fraser noticed Mike's slight wince at his words, and he wondered what had caused that reaction.
"I can contact Mr. Davis and make sure that it would be convenient to see them sometime today," Fraser offered smoothly. "He seemed disturbed by his son's distress, so I'm not sure how wise it will be, but he will keep the boy calm."
"Yeah, dads are good for that," Ray noted softly.
"When the hour's finally decent, give him a call," Mike ordered. "I'm going to see how the evidence is moving in the lab - if there is any." The invitation was implied and all four of them piled into Mike's unmarked car, the detective giving a dubious look at the wolf in the backseat.
"Don't worry about Dief - he's never messed in my car," Ray assured him, smirking at the annoyed look the wolf shot him.
"Uh huh. Whatever."
"I assure you, Detect - Mike. He'll behave."
Mike reasoned that he had a vampire and a goth and his ex-partner messing with his professional life already - what could a Mountie, an American policeman and a wolf hurt?
~ * ~
Part 4:
Ray had puzzled over Mojadaven's words all day, unsure of how everything fit, just knowing it was significant. It had sufficiently distracted him from the non-negotiable, excruciating luncheon that he and Fraser had been required to attend, grateful for his amazingly polite partner who knew exactly what topics of conversation would set their tablemates going without much prompting from either of them. Thank God.
He knew that the Mountie was chewing on the ME's words as well. No one would have been able not to after all that discussion of 'improbable internal wounds' and 'no apparent external trauma'. What the hell does that mean? How is it even possible?
Could they have fallen somehow? But there wasn't any height around either body to do that much damage. Maybe some kind of pressure on the body... He considered every angle, every plausible explanation and slowly discarded them until he had nothing.
Eying his partner, he saw that Fraser was just as frustrated as he was, the tightness of his jaw as they walked blissfully away from the chattering LEOs toward the garage. Time to get back to work.
"So have you figured it out yet?" Ray asked, just to be certain.
"Not as such, Ray," came the clipped reply.
"Not as such? So..."
"It's not logical. The manner of their deaths is... improbable. And completely incomprehensible given the known factors," the Mountie answered, shifting his shoulders under the serge.
"Ah. So, Mike?"
"Yes, I believe we should find out what Detective Celluci has discovered today."
With that, they caught a taxi and headed back to police headquarters, finding an annoyed Celluci slamming his phone into the cradle.
"No luck?"
"No. There's dead ends everywhere, but nothing that points to motive and certainly nothing that explains how either of them died that way." Mike's hands ran through his hair in a frustrated tug, glancing up at the two of them hopefully.
"Well, Mr Davis and Adam are coming in an hour. Maybe the kid can shed some light." Ray tried to sound hopeful, but knew he'd failed horribly. It was unlikely and of course, they would be testing Mr. Davis' patience as well.
"I certainly hope so, but I may..." Mike trailed off, catching himself and taking a long drink of coffee, hoping the other two wouldn't press.
"You may what?"
Sighing, the blond cop muttered, "Go talk to Vicki and her partner."
"Uh-huh. You look thrilled."
"Yeah, well. Henry is... unique." Mike spit out the word, mouth twisting slightly. "But they're good at what they do. It might be useful."
~ * ~
Fraser had gone to grab some coffee from the break room when he spotted Michael Davis carrying Adam through the crowded hallways, looking slightly lost in the sea of cops and criminal element. Changing direction, the Mountie met them and offered a welcoming smile with his hand.
"Mr. Davis, thank you for coming." The shake was firm and cool, even with the slight nervousness that the man's body language radiated even if his eyes did not.
A slight tilt of the other man's head and Michael answered, "Of course. I just want to help and hopefully get this over with for Adam."
"Yes, I completely understand. Hello, Adam."
"Con-sable Fraser," the boy greeted shyly, tucking into his father even closer.
"I'd like to introduce you both to the detective in charge of the case," he offered, turning sideways and inviting Michael to follow him back through the station to the homicide division. "If you'll follow me."
The silence was comfortable, which Fraser found surprising. Usually, people who didn't have much to do with cops were nervous which led to something akin to babbling or awkward silences. Michael Davis did neither, and that said a lot about the man, in the Mountie's opinion.
Holding open the swinging doors that led to the homicide bullpen, he followed them in, eyes meeting Ray's and then Mike's over Adam's shoulder. "Detective Celluci," Fraser called in greeting. "This is Michael Davis and his son Adam. They're here to speak with us."
Nodding, Mike stood and offered his hand to the father and son both before leading them all into a small conference room that they used for interviews when they weren't trying to intimidate. "Can we get either of you anything to drink?"
"No, thank you." Michael's voice was smooth and Fraser noted the quality and lack of true inflection. Odd. Mr. Davis was certainly proving to be very interesting.
Adam shook his head, and tucked in closer to his father.
"Hi, Adam. Remember me?" Ray asked quietly, smiling openly at the little boy.
"Ray."
"That's right, buddy. Well, me and Mike and Fraser kinda wanted to ask you something."
The boy was quiet for a moment, looking over at his father before nodding. "You want to know about the man in the elevator."
All three cops exchanged a look before Ray nodded, "Yep, that's about right, kiddo. So, who was in the elevator when you got on?"
"A man - the man who got hurt." Adam's chin tucked down, voice quiet and he cuddled into Michael's side before he muttered. "There was a shadow..."
"A shadow, Adam?" Fraser asked softly, offering what encouragement he could.
"Yeah. I backed away - it was thick, like soup? It felt icky. And the man made a strange sound, like..." Adam demonstrated gargling, having relaxed a bit next to his father. "And he fell out the doors. I ran away."
At the shame in those words, Ray leaned down to try and catch the boy's eye. "Hey. That's exactly what you should do. When something scares you, you run away. Keep safe."
Adam nodded before Mike broke in, trying to keep the frustration from his voice. He just knew it was going to be one of those cases with Vicki working on it. "Are you sure it was a shadow?"
Ray shifted at the cool look that Michael shot at the detective. There was something about that man that made him uneasy.
"Yes, but... it wasn't where it was supposed to be!"
"Why's that?"
"There was light. There's not supposed to be shadows in the light, right, Daddy?"
Michael turned his gaze to his son, smiling at the question. "That's right, Adam." Running a hand through his son's hair he looked up at the policeman, carefully hiding his own anxiety at the odd description. "Is that all? I would really rather not prolong this."
Mike sighed in defeat. He didn't know what else to ask. What else could Adam have seen? If it was one of Vicki's cases, it could very well have been a thick shadow. He rolled his eyes mentally and nodded. "Yes, of course."
All of the men stood, Fraser holding the door as Michael picked up his son and headed out of the room. "I'll just show you out," he offered, pleased when the quiet man didn't object. Smiling slightly at both Michael and Adam, he led them out of the maze of hallways in the police station to the visitor's parking lot.
"Thank you so much for your help," he told them sincerely, offering his hand to the other man, shoulders tightening as a strong one clasped his.
"Thanks for finding him. I know that this could have been worse," Michael offered smoothly, eyes flicking over the Mountie as if he knew why Fraser reacted even when he didn't himself.
"Yes, well. We have your contact information?" he asked unnecessarily, trying not to shift under the stiffness of his serge at that look.
"Yes. I believe Detective Celluci has it."
Fraser nodded and watched as Michael buckled Adam in the backseat and pulled away, certain that he had missed something. Shaking his head, he turned to see Ray approaching.
"Hey." Ray didn't like the tension he could practically see thrumming through Fraser. That was the odd thing about the Mountie - he always looked tense, but that was just the illusion of perfect posture. He wasn't sure what had just happened, but he knew it had perturbed his partner in some way. "You okay?"
"Of course, Ray."
Ray rolled his eyes as he followed Fraser back into the police station. Damned stonewalling Mountie.
~*~
Ray wasn't exactly sure what to expect from Mike's reluctance and annoyance, but Henry Fitzroy certainly wasn't it. Smooth, assured, arrogant. Usually that would have the American rolling his eyes and checking him off as a tool. But there was something about this guy. Looked like a kid, for Christ's sake, but no one would dare call him that.
He pulled his gaze away, glancing at Fraser before staring at where Vicki and Mike were arguing about the case with the goth, Coreen, bouncing behind them with barely contained energy.
"Mike -"
"No. Just no, Vicki. I know that you've been hired, but I don't have to like it."
"When do you ever?" Ray winced when he saw Mike flinch at those words.
"Fine. But you'll have to explain it to our guests, because I'm not going to be the one at the center of the circus," Mike managed through clenched teeth.
Vicki huffed out a breath. "Fine. Henry?"
"I'm not your prop, Vicki. If you want to tell them, fine. But I'd rather limit the number of people you give this information," he told her calmly, brushing by the American a little too closely for propriety as he settled himself on the couch to watch the drama play out.
Sighing, the private detective turned to Fraser and Ray and bit her lip before telling them, "We think it might be something... more unusual than just odd."
Mike snorted and Henry's eyes gleamed with amusement when she glared at them and Coreen who was bouncing behind her boss with excitement.
"It's..."
"A demon!" Coreen broke in excitedly, unable to stop herself when it seemed that Vicki might drag it out forever. "You see, Henry's a vampire and he helps Vicki and me when we get these weird cases that seem to come out of nowhere to tackle us. Very cool."
Fraser's eyebrows rose and Ray stood very still for a few moments, trying to work through what the girl had just said. Even though he knew Mike was a good cop, he shot the other man a disbelieving look. "What the fuck?" he managed after a few moments, knowing that Fraser was still processing the decidedly odd information.
"Ray -"
"No. I mean... are you serious?!"
"Ray -"
"Because that's not even possible!"
"Ray -"
"And I don't think that -"
"Ray!"
"What?!" He turned to stare at his partner, breathing hard as he pulled back from his tirade.
"Before you get too invested in the argument, can we hear Ms Nelson out?" Fraser asked calmly, hand twitching with the need to run a finger under his collar and loosen the constricting wool.
"Fine. But I still think it's ridiculous," the blond cop muttered, crossing his arms over his chest and trying not to look like he was sulking.
"Right. Well. Go on, Ms. Nelson." No one in the room besides Coreen missed the pointed way Fraser distanced himself when addressing the woman.
"About a year ago now, I... got mixed up in a case that changed my view on the world. Weird and odd and... supernatural. Henry's a part of that. And it seems that the supernatural finds me wherever I go now." Her voice edged into bitterness before Vicki leveled a glare at them, daring them to contradict her.
"I'm sorry, but... this is just unbelievable," Fraser murmured softy, eyes flickering over to Henry and back to Vicki.
"But it's real! We swear it is!" Coreen exclaimed, smiling brightly as she practically vibrated from her seat.
"Great," Ray muttered under his breath, knowing that Fraser would give them the benefit of the doubt, even as he saw a disturbed expression flicker in the Mountie's eyes as he looked down at Dief. Wishing he had a habit like smoking, he tapped out a rhythm with his fingers against his thigh as he waited for their words to sink in or at least somehow arrange themselves to make sense. This world was nothing that Ray had ever thought he'd hear about seriously. From a cop, an ex-cop and a hyperactive Goth. Great.
Glancing up, Ray's breath caught as he saw Henry suddenly in front of him. Resisting the urge to reach for his gun, he stared into dark, mesmerizing eyes and felt the pull for him to forget why and just let go.
"Nice parlor trick," Ray managed as he broke the gaze, breathing hard, body thrumming with adrenaline. Predator.
"It's nothing more than what I am," Henry stated grandly, both of them ignoring Mike's incredulous snort.
"Knock it off, Henry. No trying mind control on the newbies," Vicki ordered, collapsing into her chair behind the desk.
"Mind control?" Fraser asked speculatively as he watched Ray and Henry. When those black eyes turned on him, he caught his breath. "Ah."
Henry stared for a moment before turning his attention back to Ray and watching the blond cop shiver under the weight of his gaze. Slowly, letting his eyes bleed back to normal, he reached over and stroked along the inside of the blond detective's wrist, aware of how everyone in the room tensed at that intimate movement.
Ray's eyebrow rose and he found it hard to take offense at the touch even though he knew he should. "That's not nice," he murmured, biting his lip as warmth sped through him even as he felt the power slide away.
"But you like it anyways," Henry whispered softly enough that Ray was pretty sure he was the only one who heard it. Tilting his head in answer, he blinked lazily and suddenly he had his personal space back and Henry was settled in the armchair.
Clearing his throat, he stated, "Okay. So. Demons?" He ignored the way Fraser and Mike were staring at him as he turned his attention to an enthusiastic Coreen who began explaining how the supernatural factored in to their murder cases.
Soon they were all gathered around the office, reading different texts and researching legends. Ray shook his head and forced himself to skim at least some of what was on the crackled page of the antique book in his hands. It was like every supernatural show ever made. Why has no one put this information on the internet? Or at least a computerized library.
At some point, Mike ordered Chinese take-out for everyone. With Benton settled next to him, Ray felt normal. He knew it was a coping mechanism, but the heat and scent of his partner settled him against what was happening. Not to mention the odd group dynamics between Mike, Vicki and Henry. That was a study in and of itself, he decided after watching them watch each other while still trying to research.
It was Coreen who finally squealed in triumph and practically flung herself at Henry with the book she was holding. "What do you think?"
The vampire studied the entry for a moment before nodded. "That's actually pretty plausible. I remember meeting one before - killed a lot of people before they accidentally died."
"Well?" Mike asked testily, staring at Henry as he waited for the information.
"It's called a Leyak. They are much like a werewolf. They begin human and then transform themselves into a spirit at night while they appear to be sleeping in their beds."
"Any way to protect against it?" Vicki asked.
"Unfortunately, no. I think that we will have to solve this like a good old-fashioned homicide. Who had motive? Hopefully it isn't just out for a joyride," Henry stated softly. "Otherwise, we won't stop it until it's dead."
"Okay, but we haven't turned anything up motive-wise yet. I mean, sure there was a life insurance policy on the first guy, but there's no connection that we can find between the victims - no way to tie them together," Mike sighed. "It's fucking frustrating. But knowing we can't rely on an alibi helps."
"I think perhaps that we should take a break for the food and then come back and comb over the two victims' lives looking for any detail that might connect them," Fraser suggested.
"Yeah, the takeout should be here any time," Coreen agreed, looking up from where she was playing with Dief. Fraser turned an exasperated eye on his four-legged companion and sighed.
"You should not indulge him, Coreen."
The goth stared up at the Mountie through long lashes and protested, "But he's so adorable!"
Ray started laughing at his partner's expression, slapping him on the shoulder. "You should just let it go, buddy. I think she's a lot like Frannie."
Fraser nodded and sighed. "It would seem so."
Dief barked once in agreement, eyes watching his pack-mates closely.
"Well, I think it's about time to go pick up that food," Vicki stated, snagging her wallet and heading out the door. "Anything special to drink?"
When everyone passed along their orders, she and Coreen headed out, leaving the three men alone in a room with a vampire. Vampire. Ray was still getting used to that idea. It was certainly not the strangest thing, now that he thought about it. But it was odd having your world shift quite so dramatically in so short a time. Standing abruptly, he shook his head at Fraser. "I'm just going to go next door to the coffee shop. I don't think water's going to do it. Want anything?"
"No, thank you kindly, Ray." Both Mike and Henry answered in the negative, but the vampire followed him out to the elevator of Vicki's building.
"What?"
"You're interesting," Henry told him baldly, eyes studying the detective.
"What?"
"You're interesting. Something I don't come across too often." His pupils bled black for a moment before pulling back. "And you smell... delicious."
"And you're doing this to creep me out." Ray shivered at those words, body thrumming once again with that strange adrenaline that really had nothing to do with fear or danger.
"No."
Ray blinked and Henry was gone. Leaning hard against the wall as the elevator announced its presence, he took a deep breath. Coffee. Coffee would make it all better.
Part 2/2
Crossposted with Dreamwidth here: http://silentflux.dreamwidth.org/173042.html