Show it comes from: Due South

Title: Reading between lines...

Author: Adalisa

Rating: PG

Sequel to: No Subtext At All

Disclaimer: Everyone here is property of Alliance, and I believe, TNT. I'm not writing this to get any money. Really.

Content: BF/RV

Notes: So Jatona has still not contacted me, but since you girls really wanted to know about what happen next, here it is, the second part of No Subtext at All, the sad, sad story of how our boys want to declare their love for each other... And no one believes them.

By Adalisa.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Ray?"

"Absolutely, Benny. Someone has to believe us."

"Yes, Ray. I know... but... The Inspector..."

"Does Canada has any law against gay Mounties, Benny?"

"Not that I know, Ray."

"Good. Get out of the car, and we go and face the Dragon Lady together."

With a sigh, Benny obeyed. After a somewhat relaxing time in the 27^th Precinct closet, they had come out, only to find that no one there would believe that he and Ray were lovers, the reasons to deny the evidence growing more and more ridiculous as time passed. So Ray had decided to get out, to see if they had more luck in the Consulate.

That was what worried Fraser. Although he did want to come out with his feelings towards his Italian lover, he was afraid of the reaction that his superior, Inspector Margaret Thatcher would have towards the news. After all, there had been some moments in which she had expressed her feelings towards him, even if she had denied them later. Still, if Ray had been courageous enough to make his announcement in the Precinct, he had to follow his example.

However, things weren't going to be that easy. As soon as they came in, Inspector Thatcher called Fraser to her office, insisting that he came alone, without any regard towards Vecchio. So Ray was left to share the room with Turnbull.

"Say, Turnbull... Have you ever noticed something strange between Fraser and I?" asked Ray, hoping that at least the obtuse Canadian would listen and believe the news.

"Something strange, Detective Vecchio? I cannot say so." Turnbull answered, honestly. "Of course, I didn't saw you much before Detective Kowalski began working with Contestable Fraser, so what is normal for you I would see as strange. Or maybe something you think is strange, would seem perfectly normal for me. I cannot say that there's something that strikes me as particularly strange of Contestable Fraser's behavior, but if you point me what is what you think is strange..."

"Turnbull... " Ray finally lost his patience. It still amazed him that no one had fired Turnbull yet. "... I just wanted to know if you knew that Fraser and I are a couple."

The Mountie looked at him with confusion in his face, which soon dawned into a smile. For a brief second Ray actually thought that Turnbull had gotten it.

"A couple of friends. Yes, I was aware of that."

Ray had to stop himself from grabbing Turnbull's neck and shake the Mountie until he managed to place his brain in place. Instead, he simply breathed deeply, as Benny had taught him. "No. Not that kind of couple."

A new frown formed in the Mountie's face, as if he were analyzing the last bit of information. "What kind of couple?" He finally asked, waiting for Ray's answer.

"Lovers." Ray couldn't stop the smile from appearing in his eyes, the pride that he felt by being able to say that he and Fraser loved each other showing in his green eyes.

"You must be mistaken, Detective Vecchio." Turnbull smiled, possibly condescending. "Contestable Fraser has been having a secret romance with Inspector Thatcher for a long time now."

Ray's eyes almost bugged out of his face. Of course, he knew about the kiss his lover and the Dragon Lady had shared about a year ago during the bolt case. Benny had told him that after a long session of lovemaking that same night. And he knew that Thatcher had been colder to Fraser since then. How could that dense man think that Benny was having an affair with a woman who treated him like a glorified doorman and not with him?

He sighed.

Maybe Benny was having better luck with the Inspector...

* * *

"Can I help you Sir?" Fraser asked, feeling slightly nervous. He had hoped to be with Ray when he had to give Inspector Thatcher the news. For some reason, it had always been hard for him to talk to her.

"I surely hope so, Fraser. It has been called to my attention that you have Det. Vecchio listed as your next to kin." Her look was so stern, that he was sure that she had guessed it all, and she was not happy. "And that you have announced you're planning to move from the Consulate to..." She stopped, rummaging through the papers in her desk. " Det. Vecchio's new apartment."

"Yes ma'am. I was not aware that it would make any trouble." He managed to maintain his own tone neutral. If she had a trouble with his feelings for Ray, he would understand. It could even be a relief for him.

"It really does not... As long as you're aware that your friend is in love with me. "

That took Fraser by surprise. Ray had never once talked kindly of Inspector Thatcher, and although they were beginning to become friends... That didn't explain from where she had gotten that idea. "Excuse me, Sir... But I believe you're mistaken... Det. Vecchio is not really interested in... "

Her surprised look made him stop in mid sentence. It would not be good to make her angrier at him. She could get him translated to Siberia, for all he knew about it. But almost immediately, the Inspector was smiling again. "Of course not, Fraser. He would not tell you that." Then she smiled, and Fraser could feel his own anger rise. But before he could tell her of her mistake, she dismissed him.

* * *

Back in the Riv, Ray turned to see him, not exactly angry, but more like finally resigned.

"Turnbull thinks you're having an affair with the Dragon Lady."

"Inspector Thatcher seems to believe you are interested in her."

Their eyes meet for a second, and then they began laughing. It was too ridiculous, the way in which their love meet denial both in the Precinct and the Consulate.

"C'mon, Benny. Let's go home." Ray kissed Benny's cheek, before turning his attention to the road, wondering if there would be anyone that believed them.

* * *

They had just arrived to the apartment, the one that just was beginning to feel like home, when the door bell rang. Fraser had his hands soaked in soap and thus, Ray had to answer.

Just to find himself face to face with his mother.

"Hi, Ma." He greeted, not very sure of what else to say. Fran must have told her and the rest of the family about their outbreak at the Precinct, and she must surely wouldn't believe it anyway. He moved away, letting her to come in.

"Is Benton here?" She asked, and smiled upon seeing the Canadian coming out of the kitchen. "Of course he is. I just wanted to say I wish you two all the happiness in the world."

Ray looked at his mother, surprised. "Ma... you know? You believe us?"

"Of course, caro. I am your mother." She kissed him on the cheek, and did the same with Fraser. "And I know that you do not invite friends to talk while you take a shower."

Both men blushed, as she hugged them before going away. That time had been quite straining, as Francesca had almost caught them as Fraser was about to join Ray in the shower.

"She believes us." Ray said, tears of joy coming to his face.

"Our friends will come to believe us too." Fraser assured him, hugging him tightly. "The important thing is that we have each other."

They kissed, and soon they forgot the world around them.

The End.

--

Adalisa

-Obi Wan and Darth Maul Rules!

(WhiteKnight's own Dama de los AU)