Rating: PG
Codes: Fraser/Kowalski
Teaser: Sequel to "Calling the Kettle Black". The morning after Fraser's little high. One can only say, "Oh dear."
Disclaimer: Alliance owns all.
Note: The author still does not condone the use of drugs. Especially the morning after. :) And there's still slash, so if it ain't your cup of tea, don't smoke it.
Archive: DuSC, yes. Anyone else, just ask.

Tip Me Over, Pour Me Out

(c) Sasscat Bu-to-y 1999
Fraser had the blessing of perfect recall. However, at times like this it was more of a curse. There were really only two words he could say as he opened his eyes in Ray's apartment, and he said them. "Oh dear."
"Fraser? That you?"
Fraser briefly toyed with the idea of pretending to still be asleep, but quickly dismissed it as impractical. He could hardly lie here all day, in Ray's bed, the mattress permeated with Ray's scent... oh dear. "Good morning, Ray," he said faintly.
"Good morning, Fraser," Ray mimicked. "It's two am." He was wearing a loose grey singlet that rather flattered his upper body, not to mention showing off off that intriguing tattoo.
Fraser swallowed and looked out the window to distract himself. "So it is," he realised, noting the position of the stars. "Why aren't you asleep?" He looked back at Ray.
Ray looked embarrassed and avoided his eyes. "I, uh, had to think about some stuff. But hey, since you're awake anyway, you wanna talk?"
Fraser sat up, idly smoothing his tunic. "Yes, I suppose we should," he agreed. "I, ah... I'd like to apologise for my behaviour last night. And, ah... thank you for taking care of me."
"Nah, you woulda done the same." Ray leaned against the doorframe, folding his bare arms. "No, I, uh... you remember when you," he hesitated slightly, "kissed me."
Ah. Fraser quickly considered how best to proceed. Despite Ray's repeated claims that he was willing to try 'anything', Fraser had no intention of damaging their friendship. After all, their relationship had been precarious, at best, since the ghost ship case. --Oh dear, the ghost ship. The images that thought called up weren't exactly conducive to a coherent stream of consciousness.
"Yes, I-- I'm terribly sorry about that," Fraser said carefully. "I was, ah... well, I didn't really know what I was doing. Well, obviously."
Ray snorted his agreement. "If you were any more plastered you'da been a dry-wall. Look, Fraser, I know if you'd been clean you wouldn'ta considered for a second doing what you did, but..." He closed his eyes for a moment. "What I want to know is... would you have wanted to?"
Fraser found his mouth dry, and swallowed. "I-- I beg your pardon?"
Ray swayed forward over his folded arms, and back again. "If you hadn't been stoned... you wouldn't have kissed me. But would you have *wanted* to?"
The very fact that he was asking the question suggested Ray might not be averse to a positive answer. On the other hand, if Fraser was wrong... The consequences did not bear thinking about. "I, ah--" He hesitated, tugging at his collar. Would he lie, or would he risk their friendship?
"Fraser," Ray prompted impatiently.
Fraser blurted, "Yes."
Ray took a breath. Then stopped. "Uh... Yes, you'd've wanted to, or yes 'cause I said Fraser?"
Fraser swallowed nervously. Wild risks were, after all, what their partnership was based on. "Yes, Ray; I would have wanted to kiss you. Regardless of my state of inebriation."
Ray let out a breath and rolled his head back to stare at the ceiling. Fraser closed his eyes angrily. Why did he always do the wrong thing? You'd think he'd have gotten to know his partner by now, but no, apparently he was still able to find new and interesting ways to completely screw things up.
"Fraser," Ray said, "I'm not mad."
Fraser opened his eyes and looked up. "You're not?"
"Did you see me punching you in the head last night? It doesn't bug me, Fraser. It's cool. I mean," Ray looked at the floor, shifting from side to side, "I-- kinda like you too."
Fraser opened his mouth then closed it again, at a loss for words. This was beyond what he had hoped for. He was a little uncertain as to exactly how to proceed.
Fortunately Ray seemed to know. "Can I-- Can I-- kiss you?"
"I, ah..." Fraser tugged urgently at his collar, feeling heat rising to his cheeks. Ray wanted to kiss him. Oh dear. He wasn't sure he'd be able to think coherently at all for the rest of today.
"Fraser," Ray prompted impatiently.
Fraser blurted, "Yes."
Ray grinned. "Yes, I can kiss you, or yes 'cause I said Fraser? And don't bother to answer that, Benton buddy, 'cause I'm gonna kiss you anyway."
"Oh," Fraser said weakly, and Ray did exactly that.
** **** **
_The End_

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