Date: Wednesday, 15 March, 2000 2:29 PM

From: <necessary_angel@yahoo.com>

Title: Contact Author: necessary angel
Pairing: BF/RK
Rating: PG – just hints of m/m interaction, no plot but nosex either.
Disclaimer: Alliance owns these guys and much as I want them setfree <g>, it hasn’t happened yet.
Spoilers: Minor ones for “Odds” and a blink and you'llmiss it reference to "Asylum" Summary: I am not surewhat you'd classify this as - Fraser dealing with the aftereffects of not using the stairs ;). That's as good a summary asany.

Thanks to Kasha for providing inspiration and beta reading.

*********
Contact
by necessary angel
**********

The effect of the hot water on his aching back was alreadybeginning to wear off and he was barely dry yet. Fraser wincedand groaned. It was tempting to get back into the shower and staythere. He shook his head and wrapped the towel around his hips.Ray still had to take a shower and he, himself, was so tired hewould probably drown if he gave way to his instincts.

Yes he was tired and …a little punchy. Funny how histhoughts sounded like Ray on occasion.

"Fraze, you drowning yourself in there?"

Ray's voice pulled Fraser back to himself and he smiledinstead of laughing. Ray’s words were coincidental butFraser was sure it was only his present fatigue that made himwant to giggle at them.

"Of course not, Ray. I'll be out in a moment."

*************

Ray was sprawled on the couch when Fraser eased himselfcautiously into the living room. Dressing, even in sweatpants anda T-shirt, had been an exhausting process.

"Man, that shower did you no good at all."

Ray squinted up at him and sat up. His face was showing thesame edge of concern that he had been wearing for almost the lastforty-eight hours.

"On the contrary."

Fraser eyed the chair, wondering whether it was worth sittingdown. Sitting down at the 27th Precinct and playing poker, evenfor the short time for which they had indulged themselves, hadproved injurious to his back.

Not that Fraser would exchange that quiet, easy time foranything.

Except perhaps… lately he was sure he wasn’t alonein thinking…. Fraser shook himself; they were still walkingthe thin line that marked them as partners, as friends, and untilone of them stepped over….

"So why do you look like you got hit by a tank huh?"Ray was on his feet, moving with much more ease than was possiblefor Fraser at the present time.

"I…."

Fraser was no more able to summon a truthful rebuttal to thatsomewhat colorful statement than he had been able to find areason to refuse Ray's invitation to "sleep in a decent bedfor once." He hadn’t been looking forward to finding apassably comfortable way to spend the night in his office.

"C'mon." Ray's hand was on his arm and he was urginghim in the direction of the bedroom.

"What? I can find my own…" Fraser cleared histhroat, having Ray escort him to the bedroom seemed far moreintimate than the idea of sleeping in there or using hispartner's shampoo and soap.

"I know, I know. I just thought you might appreciate itif I gave that back of yours the once over." Ray's handdropped away and he was biting his lower lip.

"I'm sorry… I don't understand." Fraser shookhis head. He hadn't realized he was quite this tired. Everythingwas taking more effort, even staying on his feet, let alonefollowing the sometimes wild leaps of Ray's conversation.

Ray took a deep breath and grinned. "Okay let's try again. Your back is still in bad shape right? I just thought aback rub might help."

"Yes, yes it would." Fraser sighed. "It would.I am just a little…"

"Out of it."

"Well, I was going to say tired."

"Not fatigued?" Ray winked at him and nodded towardsthe bedroom.

"Exhausted perhaps." Fraser allowed himself thesmile.

"Tired."

"As I said."

They were in Ray's bedroom now. It was tidier than Fraser hadexpected. The bed seemed to dominate the room but Fraser halfsuspected that it seemed that way because it was all he wasfocusing on. It was odd how tiredness altered one'sperspective….

"Okay, get that T-shirt off and settle yourself. I'lljust be a sec."

Fraser kept his attention firmly focused on following Ray'sinstructions. It was even more of a struggle to remove hisT-shirt than it had been to put it on but he managed it finally.

This was no different from him caring for the minor wounds Rayhad acquired at one point or another.

No, not different at all.

The lupine smirk that Dief would have worn if that thought hadbeen voiced in his sight flashed through Fraser's mind. Hecracked his neck and, hearing Ray's returning footsteps, lay downon the bed.

"This should do the trick."

Fraser turned his head as the mattress gave slightly underRay's weight. "What should?"

"Um… aroma whatsit oil." Ray paused and rubbedsome oil onto his hands. "It's got lots of stuff in it thathelps with stiff muscles and bruising and all that." Hesmirked, "And it smells way better than your pregnantwhatever preparation."

"Indeed." Fraser pulled in a deep breath."Lemon oil, lavender, juniper and clove. I think that'sit."

"I suppose I should be thankful you didn't want to tasteit." Ray sounded amused.

Fraser closed his eyes and took another deep breath, this oneto hide his reaction at the thought of tasting Ray's fingers.

"It is not a good idea to ingest essential oils." Hekept his eyes closed, it seemed safer somehow.

"I knew that…said I should be thankful didn'tI?"

The mixture of humor and exasperation in Ray's voice wasfamiliar and safe. Fraser felt the mattress shift again and Ray'shands were on his back. His hands were strong and firm, his touchvery assured. He obviously knew exactly what he was doing. Frasershould have been used to surprises from this man. Well notaccustomed exactly… you couldn't get used to surprises, thatwas the whole point.

"This okay?" Ray's voice was quiet and the questionwas just the distraction Fraser needed.

"Mmm."

It was more than okay. It was just right, not too much oil,exactly the right amount of pressure and best of all it wasn'tpart of a strategy. Not part of a game plan. Denny Scarpa's handshad felt good, very good. Fraser had enjoyed the sureness of hertouch. It had, of course, been necessary to fall in with her playbut it had left a sour taste in his mouth.

"Let me know if it becomes painful. It shouldn't hurt,well not really hurt anyway."

Ray sounded a little breathless but Fraser was feeling tooindolent to open his eyes and check on his partner. The tensionand ache that seemed to have been there for days had left hisshoulders and Fraser would be prepared to swear that even hisbones were becoming malleable.

"Feels really good. Mmm. Very good."

Fraser knew he should feel embarrassed at the … purringnote his voice had taken on but he really couldn't summon up theenergy or the will to care. Ray had seen more of him than mostpeople ever did from the word go; this wouldn't matter at all.

"Where did you learn to do this?" Fraser found aquestion from the remnants of his brain.

"Uh, married life teaches you a few tricks, Fraze."Ray sounded far too casual.

"I see."

Ray was very definitely declaring the subject off limits. Thatwas a little odd. At any other time Fraser might have pursued thematter but he was tired and this felt far too good. It wouldkeep, for the moment.

Ray had moved down to the problem area of his back, his touchwas more cautious now and Fraser could swear his fingers weretrembling slightly. Fraser moved his head so that he could seeRay's face. His forehead was wrinkled with concentration but thatwas to be expected. Reassured, Fraser closed his eyes again anddrifted back into the feeling of Ray's strong clever fingersworking the residual stiffness from his back.

Ray's bed was very comfortable, the mattress wide and firm.The sheet underneath Fraser's right cheek was cotton, smooth anda good thread count as best as he could judge. It smelt oflaundry detergent and while Fraser had been expecting that hecouldn't quite smother the sense of disappointment.

Fraser let his sigh out as a groan. He was as utterlyshameless as Diefenbaker had become. Only it wasn't baked goodsthat had unearthed this aspect of his personality. It would befar simpler if that were the case. This wasn't helping, he wasfar too tired and his partner far too quick for him to riskthinking…. Fraser switched to counting his breathing andfinally his unruly thoughts became a background thrum.

Ray was singing under his breath as he worked on the injuredarea of Fraser's back. Fraser fixed his attention on the phraseRay was repeating and gradually the sound became fainter andfainter. He was warm and this was….

"Night Fraze."

Ray had stopped touching him, Fraser wanted to protest butsleep pulled him under before he could force the words out.

End