Author: A. Kite ( AKite68163@aol.com )
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Rating: PG
Summary: Another post COTW vignette and third in what looks like might be a series or maybe just a trilogy after I BREATHE IN and BLUE MOON.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to a bunch of Canadian suit wearing type people. The title is borrowed from a song by Tim McGraw of the same name. If you've ever heard it, you'll know why I chose it. No copyright infringement is intended and no money is being made.
Archiving: Just tell me where first
Comments and constructive criticism, publicly or privately, are always welcomed and answered.
Notes: I owe a debt of gratitude to BJ Cochran for bringing me into this fandom and for her
encouragement and enthusiasm when the writing bug bit me. Thanks also to the kind members of Serge
whose feedback on the first two let me know that I was on the right track.
A. Kite (Jan 2002)
As the sled drew nearer his cabin, Fraser realized things weren't right. There was light at the windows,
and smoke coming from the stove flue. Someone was in the cabin. He stopped a short distance away.
There were snowmobile tracks by the porch and footprints in the snow. Who might it be? Maggie? Sgt. Frobisher?
Hopping off the back of the sled and moving toward the door, he heard music coming from within.
Fraser opened the door to a sight that he never thought he'd see. Ray Kowalski was standing, well not
standing, more like dancing in place in front of the stove, stirring a large pot of...he sniffed the air.
Some kind of stew. Whatever it was, it smelled wonderful.
Ray turned toward him with all the casualness in the world and said, "Hey Fraser. Shut the door, will
ya? You're letting all the heat out."
A frantic bark and scrabbling from outside claimed their attention before Fraser could even form a
reply. "Hey, is that Dief out there?" In a flash, Ray was donning a parka and was out the door. When he
could move again, he turned and saw Ray kneeling in the snow with his arms around Diefenbaker.
"Yeah, yeah, I missed you too," he was saying. "Come on, let's get you outta this thing." Fraser could
only stand and stare as Ray led the dogs around to the shed and kennels in back. It had to be some kind
of dream, but reality showed him when he actually got his feet to move that Ray was really there.
He was unharnessing the dogs. Ben moved to get the food and water that the animals would need.
Fraser did note that Ray wouldn't meet his eyes. They didn't speak at all until the dogs, save
Diefenbaker were settled in. Then Ray calmly turned to go back into the cabin, Dief on his heels. Over
his shoulder, he threw, "Come on, Frase, dinner's ready."
Outside, Fraser almost bowled over when the Ray stopped suddenly and looked up. Ray reached out to
steady him. Arms pulling him close, closer still. Before he could even register what he was doing,
Fraser leaned in further and locked his lips to Ray's.
Ray did not push him away. In fact, Ray greeted his kiss with enthusiasm. When they parted to catch
ragged breaths, Fraser gusted the questions that demanded an answer, "Ray. How? Why?"
"Chicago. Couldn't breathe there no more. Couldn't see the moon. Started listening to country."
Fraser almost laughed at the total non sequiturs, but instead replied, "Understood," and he did in a way.
Later he could get full elucidation, but for now it was enough. As he leaned in for another kiss, he
thought, more than enough.
The End or just the beginning