Intolerance
by LadyAna

"Feel any better, Ray?"

The Italian grimaced as he took the cup from his lover. "Of course not! How am I suppose to feel better about this so soon?"

"I know it's difficult, Ray, but I'm sure you can find another player in time for the playoffs."

Ray rubbed his head with his left hand, a look of weariness coming over him. "I just don't understand why Cal quit. I mean I know things have been a little rough lately, but geez! To just up and leave like that. We were counting on him, ya' know?"

Fraser took a seat across from Ray and blew on the steamy vapors rising from the cup in his hand. "I know, Ray. But as I explained, I think he feels betrayed."

Ray rolled looked heavenward. "How?! Okay, there were some changes made, but they weren't all that."

"What exactly did Lenn decide to do?"

Lenn was the Captain for Ray's team. Sam was the owner, who handled the proceeds generated from the charity events they played and any legalities involved. Ray loved the games and playing with the other guys on the team. It was an important part of his life and he didn't even mind playing every other Sunday or the occasional holiday. But a serious bump in the road had been created with the departure of someone he'd worked very hard with. The game wasn't exactly at stake, but it looked like tough times were ahead.

"Well, he just thought it was best for everyone to discuss what position they wanted to play and how, that's all."
Ray explained.

Confusion knitted the brow of the Constable. "You mean Dan isn't a factor in this?"

Ray nearly spoke, then stopped. He searched for words before saying, "Well, not in the beginning. Actually it was Hank that started it. James...kinda' asked him to play."

The Canadian's face grew thoughtful. "Ah. I can see how that would be a problem."

"But what's the big deal? I know Hank can get frustrating sometimes and that's when he starts to play dirty. But he's not all bad all the time. Besides, a team needs that kind of diversity to keep it interesting."

"How does this affect your relationship with Cal?"

"Well, for starters, he's an excellent defense. He was the one who volunteered to be a key player. Now because Hank played a couple of times and Dan was simply mentioned, Cal is livid. Now the team is left high and dry without him. Worse than that, I practiced a lot with him. He's a phenomenal on the court and I was hoping he'd give me some more tips. How am I going to find somebody who knows my technique and moves so well? I can do it, but it pisses me off Cal is throwing a tantrum over this, even to the point of abandoning the game."

Benny sat the cup down. "But you have told me in the past, Ray, that Cal...was a tad odd and that you were worried about him...what did you call it? Filking out on you?."

"That's 'flaking' out on me, Fraser and yeah, I did say that, didn't I?" Vecchio regretfully recalled. "It's just he seemed like the perfect candidate at the time. I just don't know what to do."

**

Fraser asked, "I thought you said you thought Cal was personally upset with you."

Ray looked away and if Fraser wondered if he were actually blushing.

"Yeah, I have a feeling he is. I...sorta' practiced with Dan a few times and Cal found out about it."

Surprise came over the Mountie. "Yes. That would be a problem. If I'm correctly, there aren't many on your team who care for Dan."

Dan was a backup member of Fraser's team and therefore, a natural "enemy" of Ray's group. Many questioned his ability as a player and not without reason. Ray, however, decided to practice with him anyway.

"No, there isn't. But, jeez! It's just a game! It wasn't like I was defecting! So I like Dan's style and some of his moves. Big deal. Cal is acting like I've ruined his chance to meet Michael Jordan. Everyone was expecting him to play right up to and past the playoffs and now we're stuck. What a mess."

Fraser regarded his forlorn lover. "What are you going to do now?"

"What can I do? Apologize for practicing with someone else? Why should I? And to top it off, I don't think Sam was out of line with the rules he imposed. It's not like they said they were going to trade players with your team. And can somebody please remind me that this is suppose to be fun?!"

"Are you sure there's no compromising?"

The Italian finally sipped at the hot chocolate, but not before laughing a little and shaking his head at Benny's perpetual optimism. "Maybe. Eventually. I can only hope Cal calms down and forgives me for my...make that our...‘indiscretion'. Hell, I feel like I've cheated on someone here!"

"Well, Ray, if there is no coming to any sort of agreement, then your allegiance with this person may never be repaired. Afer all this, are you sure you want it to be?"

"I don't know, Benny. I just wish it wasn't so damned complicated."

"Playing on a team?"

Vecchio looked at his lover, soulmate and confidant and said very quietly, "Making friends."

Taken aback, Fraser slowly nodded. Neither one of them had many close acquaintances, before or after they met. They had coworkers they associated with and having each other as a "husband" was wonderful. But sometimes you just wanted another to connect with occasionally, even if it was as simple as going out for dinner, a movie or playing in a game. The Italian had believed he once knew what the requirements were for acquiring friends. Once you got to know someone, you treated them as you wished to be treated. Respect, loyalty and genuine interest in the same things were vital, even if you were interested only because it was important to them. Favors were humbly asked and if performed, they were returned with some token or action to show it was appreciated. The conversations were equal, not dominated by either party. His mother always said, waiting for your turn to talk is not the same as listening. Hell, it was by using this formula did Ray realize Benny was so, so much more than a simple friend.

It was a bitch being by yourself sometimes and having only your lover to keep you from jumping off a bridge was not a good thing. Ray had been trying for a while now and made several hopeful attempts at associating with others. First there was Nick, someone he initially thought was okay. He turned out to be not very serious about being friends in the first place. Dirk liked him as long as no one else was around, at which point Ray would become yesterday's favorite. The failure with Don, the treasonous chamaeleon, was the worse. He was friends with whoever was around for the moment and would talk about everyone else like garbage, until they came back into the room...then his tune would change into a sweet melody for their benefit. However convincing Don appeared at the start, Vecchio felt like fool for falling into that manipulate trap. The Italian started to believe he wasn't sure if he could ever find another close friend. Besides, it was scary - no, terrifying - with so much of your life depending on one person to keep you from going loopy. What was wrong with wanting another way out of reality?

Understanding like only Benny could, he said, "I'm sorry, Ray."

Vecchio sighed, suddenly feeling tired. "Yeah, me too. Me, too."


End