Fic: Under Water, No One Can Hear You Scream 1/5 Due South/Aliens
Written from October '03 - October '05. There are some mistakes, but this is a wild ride. Beware, this is an Alien/Aliens crossover.
Title: Under Water, No One Can Hear You Scream!
By: Lopaka Tanu
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien or Due South.
Summary: Ray witnessed the destruction of the Nostromo, yet no one believes him. With the help of Fraser, his former lover, he finds proof that he was telling the truth. Proof that they take to Chicago. However, before any reunions can be planned, all hell breaks loose, and conspiracy members start playing point the finger.
Warnings: Violence, Alien hosting, language, character death, and Het.
Category: Slash.
Words: 51,000
Rated: Adult
Time line: Takes place five years after COTW. Canada's recent gay marriage laws are considered as a full legal marriage and all that it entails in this story.
Author's Note: Do not read this if you hated the movies Alien and Aliens. _______________________________________________________ Prologue - I'll stop the world and melt for you.
April 25, 1986.
Over looking the remains of the scientific team, the Canadian Ambassador, Charles Weyland, nodded his agreement. "They have lost control of the experiment."
The freshly scarred face of his counter part from the People's Republic of China, inclined her head. "My government has authorized the use of drastic means." Her artificial hand raised clutched an envelope. "We suggest the joint Russian-American regime here in the Soviet State of Ukraine terminate all studies immediately."
"I am Ambassador Smith of the American contingent, I am in charge of the project now that my Russian counterpart has fallen to this infestation." Cheeks growing red with anger, the man slammed his fist down on the table. "You will not tell me what the fuck I can and can not do! I will say when the experiment has gotten out of control! Until then, both you and your slant eyed government can kiss my ass!" Starting for the door, Jack Smith gestured for his guards to follow.
Charles caught the eye of one of the American Ambassador's guards. Nodding to the blond man, he turned his back on the retreating group. Leaning over the safety rail to glanced at the bloody laboratory once more, he shook his head. "This should never have happened. When it came down two years ago, there was a treaty signed that all lifeforms from the craft were to be destroyed."
"It seems neither the Russians or the Americans were very sincere in their own contract making." Coming to stand beside Charles, Tei-don watched him from the corner of her eye. She flicked her fingers twice then dropped her hand. When he returned the gesture, she smiled. "I believe it is in the best interest of all involved if the entire region is rendered uninhabitable."
"Fortunately, the Russian government agrees with the people's republic on this one occasion." Coming away from the wall, Augustine St. Valentine dropped her cigarette. "I do not share my Ambassador's views on this project, therefore, the Russians have placed the matter in my delicate hands."
"Oh?" Charles turned around to face the American woman. Folding his arms, he cocked his head. "What are you going to do about it?"
Lighting up another cigarette, Augustine smiled. "You have four hours to evacuate your people. At exactly 1:23am there will be accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Very tragic, there is sure to be a huge loss of life. Sadly, this part of the country will be too irradiated to stop the lab fire that will consume this complex."
Smiling, Tei-don nodded.
"Tell me, Ms. Tei-don, what is a Japanese woman doing as a Chinese Ambassador?" Raising her eyebrow, St. Valentine waited for a response. When none came, she snorted, blowing smoke through her nose. "Four hours, people, not a minute more." She walked out the opposite direction Smith had gone.
"Is that the protocol now?" Charles glared at his Japanese counterpart. "Have the Sept commanded the destruction of all life to cover up this project?"
"The Organization has no involvement in this, Charles, we want no part of it." Crossing her fake arm over her real one, Tei-don matched his stance against the arm rail. "That it is being covered up in one of our own tactics should tell you something."
"St. Valentine?"
"Is one of ours." She caught him glancing at his watch. "The body guard?"
"Is one of mine." Smirking, he tapped the watch. "Three, two..."
A loud bang rang out in the room the American Ambassador had exited in to.
"Good, I hated that man." Sighing, she took one last look around the alien converted lab. "Such a waste of technology. At least the alien threat will be stopped here and we can continue with our little game. Until next time, Charles."
"Please, call me by my middle name, everyone does."
"What would that be?"
"Bishop." _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Part 1 We are all around you.
18 years later.
Static crackled over the radio as she pressed the button again. Holding the mic up to her mouth, she closed her eyes. "This is the commercial towing vessel, Nostromo, to any one who can hear me. Please respond, over." Releasing the button, she sent a silent prayer to whatever deity might listening.
Nothing.
As static continued to flow over the radio, tears of frustration crept at the corner of her eyes. "I repeat, this is the commercial towing vessel, Nostromo, to any one who can hear me. Please respond. Our ship has been badly damaged and is adrift. The crew is dead. I am the only survivor of some.... thing that killed the others. I shot it, several times, but it just keeps on coming. Please, anyone." Letting the mic fall from her hand. She stared at the blood stained floor of the captain's office. "Any one, please," she whispered.
Pulling the hair from her face, back into a pony tail, she looked around for a weapon. Papers were scattered here and there, clip boards were shattered against a wall that was also smeared in blood. At the sight of red fleshy substance on the wall, she closed her eyes with a sob. Memories of what took place there assaulted her mind.
A shrill scream from below deck caused her to jump. Glaring at the floor, she stood up. She ignored the alarm while walking over to the door and undoing the bolt. Glancing down the corridor, she quickly ran to the other side. Once there, she pulled out a key from her uniform, stuck it in the lock, and turned the wheel. The lock with drew from the bulkhead. She pushed the door open, jumped in, and slammed it shut behind her.
As she turned the wheel to replace the lock, something on the other side grabbed it, forcing her to slow down. "Fucking god damn you! Let go you mother fucker!" Her screams of rage fueled her on. After two more full turns, she put the key in the lock and forced it to turn. Shrill cries of outrage on the other side of the door were backed up by pounding against it. "Fuck you, god damn you to hell, you'll never get me!"
It screamed again, louder. This time the door shook from the violence of another joining in.
Her eyes wide in panic, she turned around to face the rest of the room. The control room, she noted with satisfaction. Glancing about the consoles, her eyes focused on one in particular. Her shaky hands reached out for the knobs and buttons. None of them worked.
Biting back on the tears, she made herself think. Looking back at the door, she noticed the key. Her eyes flitted down to the console beneath her hand and the key port at the base. Reaching inside her jump suit, she dug out a ring of keys. She dropped them as the door rang again from another attack. "Leave me the hell alone!"
Cries of rage met her from beyond the door.
Her pulse quickened as she grabbed the keys. Picking them up, she began sorting through them, looking for the right one. Grasping it, she gave a triumphant, "yes!" It took only a moment for her to place the key in the slot and turn it. The console came to life, numbers flickered on the read out as the gages registered their measurements.
Hands quickly went about entering in sequences as the owner watched through tears. A red light on the panel beside her flickered. Soon afterwards, an alarm rang through the ship startling the creatures outside the door.
More lights flashed through out the control room. Entire consoles lit up in reds and whites. The ship shuttered as the engines came online, but the propellers remained stationary. A quake ran through the ship as small explosions filled the bowels.
Laughing, she ran to the door, throwing it open. "Kiss my ass, you mother fuckers!" However her smile left, the corridor was empty. Survival instincts kicked in and she raced through the halls towards the outer deck. At the exit, she saw the light of the moon filtering in through the open hatch. Her laughs returned as she ran out the door and towards the life boats. Reaching them, she climbed inside and lowered it, flipping off one of the creatures as it howled in rage while she floated away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forty miles away, standing on the beach, Ray Kowalski watched as the ship literally erupted like a volcano before exploding out over Lake Michigan. Lowering his head to huddle closer into his jacket, he turned and walked towards the parking lot. Whoever was out there was beyond help now. Casting one last look back, he sighed at a wasted evening before reaching in his car and grabbing the cell phone.
"U.S. Coast Guard, how may I help you?"
"This is Detective Ray Kowalski of the Chicago PD. I gotta explosion off the coast to report." _________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________ Part 2 The Pick-Up Line.
Five Days Later.
Ray held on to the edge of the boat glaring daggers towards the pilot. His arch nemesis of the moment, one Constable Madge Ericson, only smiled as she hit another breaker in the wake of the second boat. Their Canadian sponsored speed boat cut through the lake faster than anything had right to, in his opinion. After making sure his internal organs still were, he turned to his seat companion. "Frase, how much further?"
Corporal Fraser, hands in his lap, smiled at Ray. "About another mile, Ray. That is if my calculations are correct."
"They are, sir. I double checked them myself, as per your orders."
Fraser put a hand on Ray's arm to calm him from snapping at the Constable. "I did order her to do so, Ray."
"Just because you got yerself a boot licking lackey, doesn't mean I have to like her." The ship shook again throwing him back into Fraser's lap. Landing face first in the Mountie's crotch, Ray felt his blood boil for a new reason. However, he covered it up with the first. Quickly regaining his balance, he reached over the side of the boat.
"Ray, I would advise you..." Fraser stopped as the Cop put his hand in the water, causing a back wash that flew over the boat in a great arc, soaking all in it. "Not! Not to do that! Really, Ray, must you..."
"Shush, Mountie!" Ray held up one hand to silence Fraser, while pointing at something ahead of them with the other. "Looks like a dingy, Frase."
Fraser held up a pair of binoculars to his eyes as they were handed to him. After a moment to adjust them, he nodded. "That is indeed a dingy, Ray. I can not clearly make out the name on the side, but it does appear to be the word Nostromo."
"So I was right. There was a ship out there. I knew it!"
"Hold on, this might be from a different ship entirely."
"No, Frase, I know this. My contact was correct, don't make their death in vain."
Fraser put down the binoculars and stared at his friend. "Though I do mourn for you the loss of a confidant, I can not in good conscious say this is from a ship that officially does not exist."
"Which is total bull shit! I know that ship existed, hell, I seen it blow up with my own blue eyes." Ray watched with a longing as they drew closer to the small craft. "Frase, there were seven people on board that ship. I won't let their deaths be covered up by the government. Not this."
Seeing that his partner was adamant, Fraser nodded and went back to watching the dingy. A few seconds more brought the three speed boats along side. They made three circles before their own motor boat went in to dock with it. Once along side, he reached out a hand to latch the boat to the moorings while the second constable dropped anchor.
Ray ignored the actions of the Canadians. The lumpy boat cover had his attention. It looked as if the boat had come off in the explosion, still covered in the water tarp. Black suet covered most of the small dingy, irreparably staining the dark blue color. However, all these things were secondary to the lump at the center of the tarp. Taking a hunch, he pulled out his knife and cut into the tarp around the bulge.
"Ray! What are you doing?"
"What does it look like?" His efforts soon had a sizeable line cut down the side of the tarp. Ray put the knife back into his leather belt case and reached into the scar he had cut. A firm hand on his forced him to stop. Looking up into the angry eyes, Ray sat back. "Fine, Corporal, this is your jurisdiction after all."
"Yes, Ray, it is. It would be best if you remembered that." With that, he climbed into the position over the dingy that Ray had previously occupied. Reaching in with both hands, he grabbed the tarp, ripping it open. The sight that greeted him was not what he had expected.
Her eyes opened at the sudden tearing open of her warm place. They widened in panic at the vision of the man in red standing over her. He was too close, there were others, all here to get her. They had finally caught up with her. When the big red one reached out for her, she started screaming.
"That does it!" Ray jumped over the side of the boat into the dingy grabbing the woman before she backed herself over the side of the boat. Holding her by her shoulders, he forced her to sit in the hold of the boat. Quick enough to avoid her bite, he snatched his hand back from her left shoulder. "Hey! We are trying to help."
"Let me go." She screeched out her anger as they held on to her legs. "Lemme go, god damn you!" Before she could start another round of cursing, Constable Ericson back handed her.
"Sorry, ma'am, but you are in shock and it is clouding your judgement." Constable Ericson took her upper body from Ray, and hauled the woman up over her shoulder.
Ray watched her carry the dazed woman into the Mounties' boat with disgust. "Greatness, not only is she annoying, but she's fuckin superman too."
"Ray! I will not have you referring to my officers in a disreputable manner."
"Up yours, Frase." He stood eye to eye with the Corporal, rocking slightly with the waves of the lake. "If you could see past your dick for a minute, you would know she was trying to make me look bad."
"Why would she have to try?"
"Fuck you, Frase."
"That is a pleasure you will never have, Detective Kowalski."
Ray looked away from the stormy gray-blue eyes. Watching the birds flying over the waters, he cleared his throat. "Call the cutter, she is an American Citizen, and that makes this my jurisdiction." He tried to fight off the larger man's hand when he grabbed his, but Fraser was too strong.
Benton held up Ray's left hand for Ray to see the silver band on his ring finger. "This says it is mine."
"My nationality papers have not changed. I am still an American Citizen despite that my name has changed."
"Name?" This shocked Fraser.
"Yeah, I took his last name. Does it bother you?" Ray knew it did by the way Fraser seemed to straighten up, gathering height. "Constable Reddenbaugh, call the Coast Guard cutter, Tsian, channel twenty-seven. She is on stand by."
The second Constable looked to Fraser for confirmation.
After tightening his jaw and swallowing the lump in his throat, Fraser nodded once, curtly. "Do as he asks, Constable." Emphasis on ask.
Ray nodded. "Please, Constable Reddenbaugh."
The Constable in question nodded as he reached for the radio transmitter. "This is the RCMP great lakes patrol, Midguard, hailing Coast Guard cutter, Tsian. Please come in, over."
The transmitter crackled for a minute then a response came over the link. "Roger that, Midguard, this is the Tsian, please relay your location and condition."
Ray tuned them out as he stared at the hurt look on Fraser's face. A look that turned blank once more. How he hated that face at times like this. Whenever things got too emotional, Fraser would seal up completely locking off all outside emotion. It made him a great Mountie, but a bastard lover. Ray knew that better then anyone.
Constable Reddenbaugh looked up at the two men, clearing his throat. "Sir, the Tsian has radioed her affirmation and wants to know what she is to pick up."
Fraser's eyes seemed to glint his anger for a moment before he spoke. "Two *American* citizens. One in critical condition."
"Aye, sir."
"What the hell? Fraser, you wouldn't. This boat is the proof I need..."
"Sit down, Detective Kowalski. Your ride will be here shortly." Constable Ericson grabbed his arm, trying to make him sit down.
Ray brought his fist up to slug her. He almost made it when he was knocked off balance by something under the tarp he was standing on, shattering. As he lost balance, he looked at Fraser imploringly. "Frase," was all he got out as his footing finally gave out and he fell off the side of the dingy into the cold lake. He hit his head on the oar lock on the way down, blacking out before he even registered the sudden change in temperatures. A large multi-digited creature followed right after him.
The woman screamed as her eyes opened in time to see the creature scramble out of the remains of the sample container and jump in the water. Her shrieks turned from panic to rage as they tried to hold her down. "Kill it! Kill it! Kill the fucking thing!" In an act born out of desperation, she grabbed the gun from the holster of the Mountie holding her down, and fired into the water at the same location as Ray and the creature.
Fraser watched all this in a sick fascination. The sound of bullets being fired into the water galvanized him into action. "Subdue her, now!" As they quickly latched on to her, he took off his Stetson followed by his boots then jumped in. Diving down, he looked through the mirky depths. Ray was no where to be seen. He soon reached capacity for air, and had to surface. Looking at the others of his team, he noted that their attention was focused on the water. "Ray?"
"Still down there," Reddenbaugh gestured towards the area around Fraser.
"Right." Taking a deep breath, he went back down.
Mean while, on the other side of the boat, Ray surfaced. Grasping the moorings, he climbed in, coughing up water. Standing, he took a deep breath. Seeing Constable Ericson two paces away, he decked her, sending her sprawling across the cut tarp. "Bitch!"
His words brought the attention of the woman.
Taking advantage of their lapse in attention, she tried to grab the gun again, screeching for them to listen. "It's in him! Kill him! You have to kill him before it has time to get out. Kill him! It doesn't matter, he is as good as dead anyways. Do it now, make it quick and merciful."
When she launched herself at him, breaking free of the grasp of the other two Mounties, Ray clocked her one across the chin. "And don't get up!" Glaring at her now unconscious form for a minute, he took in her features. High cheek bones, but not too prominent. Ovid face under a mop of curly dark brown hair. Pale skin, over handsome features. Not much was visible under the stained light blue jump suit, but he could tell her frame was lean, but strong. "Ripley."
"You know this woman?"
Ray looked up into the face of the third and final Constable from Fraser's craft. "Yes, Ripley Delmanico, she was my contact on the Nostromo." Looking at her features sadly, he tried to offer a smile. "I thought she had died in the blast. No one should have survived."
"May be she wasn't in it."
Ray gestured to the singed dingy. "She was at ground zero. How in hell she survived, I dunno." He looked around the speed boat. "Where is Corporal Fraser?"
"The Corporal is, at the moment, looking for you. He should be resurfacing in about half a minute." The Constable looked down at his watch, timing the event. Silence rained on the boat as all three conscious men stared at the watch. Thirty seconds passed, still no Fraser.
Ray moved closer to the edge, looking for any sign of movement in the water. When the other two still continued to stare at the watch, he gestured towards the lake. "Look around! He has to be around here some where."
Both Constables ignored him and continued to stare at the watch. When it beeped, there came a gasp from the other side of the boats. Constable Reddenbaugh crawled over to the side to help Fraser up. "He has been here since just after you went down the second time, sir."
Benton accepted the arm of his subordinate, who yanked him quickly out of the water. Smiling great fully to Reddenbaugh, he adjusted his uniform. The moment his eyes took in the unconscious form of his second in command, he searched the boats for Ray. To his left Ray was still looking over the water. His angered retort was caught in his throat as he saw the look on his ex-partner's face.
"Detective Kowalski, you may stop looking."
"Ray?"
Ray turned at his name, looking directly into the cold blue eyes. "You're alive?"
"Was there any doubt?"
"For a moment." Ray stood, placing one hand on Fraser's shoulder. "Frase, I..."
Benton straightened under the gentle touch. His face impassive as he stared directly into Ray's.
"Right. Sorry, forgot." Ray took his hand back, turning to make his way to Ripley's side.
"Ray..." He reached out for the cop.
"Save it!" Bending down, Ray picked up Ripley's head, bringing it to his lap. He slowly stroked her face, a sad smile graced his features. Without looking up, he spoke to Reddenbaugh. "How long on the cutter?"
"ETA five minutes." Reddenbaugh sat down back at the radio, picking up the receiver.
Fraser plopped down on the captain's chair with a sigh. "Constable Ivanovic, rouse Constable Ericson, I am sure she would prefer to be awake for the transfer of passengers." Rubbing his eyebrow with the back of his thumb, he glanced over at Ray. "Ray, I really wished you had not punched her. She is liable to press charges."
"Hey, if she hadn't been yanking on me, I wouldn't have stepped on that glass, breaking it open." He suddenly looked up. "Frase, was there something in that glass?"
"Yes, Ray, why do you ask?"
"Ripley, she said something was in me. And when I felt the glass crush under my foot, I could swear something else was moving. In fact..." Ray stared into Fraser's eyes, questions unspoken on his face. "Never mind."
"What is it, Ray?"
Ray shook his head, then looked back to Ripley as she stirred. "Hey, sleeping psycho, still think something is in me?" He smiled at her groan. "Can I take that as a no?"
"Ray," Ripley groaned. Turning her head a little, she opened her eyes. As their eyes met, she smiled, reaching out a hand to touch his cheek.
He caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Good to see you too, Ripley." After kissing it, he examined her hand. "Nasty scratches, how did this happen?" Rubbing his thumb down her index finger, he wiped at the nail. "At least the nail is still intact, and black too. Since when did you goth on me?"
Ripley jerked her hand back and sat up. Turning to look all around her, she focused on the scorched dingy. "Where is it?"
"Where is what, Ms. Ripley?"
She whirled around to face Fraser. Running a hand over her brow, worry crossed her face. "Damn it, it wasn't a dream. Ray, how could you?"
"What?"
Sitting back in defeat, she ignored Ray's silent pleas. "Doesn't matter, nothing matters anymore." Curling up in a ball, she faced away from the others, watching as the other two boats circled round.
"Ripley. Ripley! What is it too late for? Answer me, damn it!"
"Ray. Leave her be." Fraser reached over to hold Ray back. "She's in shock, Ray. I doubt we'll get much out of her until she is examined by a doctor. It is amazing we got anything from her at this point."
"We?" Ray looked at Fraser.
"Yes, Ray, I have decided that I will pay a visit to my old stomping grounds on the basis that I am in need of a vacation. By the time you reach Chicago by cutter, I shall be waiting."
He didn't say anything. Couldn't.
"Detective Kowalski, the Tsian is on the horizon."
"Thank you, Constable Reddenbaugh." He sighed, still watching Fraser for a response. "But the name isn't Kowalski anymore, it's Turnbull."
______________________________________________________ Part 3 Keeping the Home Fires burning.
Ten Days later.
Ray was unprepared for the large Mountie that assaulted him the moment his feet touched down off the gang way on to the boat dock. As his body was swung around the air, he tried to breathe. That which was difficult due to his mouth being covered by another's. By the time his world was spinning not due to the fact of his physical twirling, he was finally let go. But only long enough to take a deep breath.
He felt his body reacting with the need to be somewhere very intimate. However, now was not the time or place for it. After returning the embrace twice as strong as given, he pulled back. The sight of his Husband's face still took his breath away. With a half smile, he pulled back far enough to guide Renfield from the gang way.
The smile fled at the sudden change of in his lover's face. "What, somethin wrong, Ren?"
Looking down at their joined hands, Renfield squeezed his fingers. "Did you see him?"
"You know I did. I had to have his help. You made the connections for me..."
Ren narrowed his eyes at Ray. "Ray, you know what I meant."
Smiling, Ray swung their arms. "What do you think?"
"I think I have cause to worry."
At that, Ray yanked his hand free and walked back towards the coast guard ship. Snarling when Renfield grabbed his shoulder, he turned swinging. "Damn you!"
Ren caught his fist, turned his arm over, and jerked it up behind Ray's back. "I told you, Ray, you will not hit me. I am not him, I will not tolerate it."
The calm, logical tone made Ray stop fighting to get free long enough for Renfield to pull him back on to the dock. When he was sure the Mountie would let him go, he quickly pulled back his hand. He refused to look at his husband as they stood in silence. Ignoring him seemed to make things worse as he felt the looming presence come closer. "He has someone else."
He stopped. All motion, all breathing, not even an eye lash fluttered, just froze.
"Aren't you going to say something?"
"What would be the point?"
This time he did come about to face Ren. "To say you were right. That all this time I screwed up. My fault it ended, that there was never really anything between us. I wasn't good enough for him. Never will be, never was. It was all in my head. Get your grim satisfaction out of the truth." By now he was gesturing wildly, hands flying in angry motions. "Well, aren't you? Say somethin!"
Stepping forwards, he wrapped Ray in his arms, pulling the wiry blonde against him. "What would be the point?" He kissed the top of Ray's spike head. "When I already got what I wanted a long time ago?" Holding Ray tight, he refused to let go this time. "You knew this, accepted this, when you took my name." Another kiss. "Just as I accepted that you still loved others, that you were a flawed being. That never ending love is partially why I wanted you for my own."
Ray let himself give into the tears. Breaking down like this didn't hurt so much as the knowledge of what he had almost lost. Slowly, he brought his arms up around Ren, returning his hug. "I'm sorry I can't be perfect for you, Ren."
"Don't worry, it is not your fault you weren't born Canadian, Ray." When Ray started to gasp between sobs, his face turned bright red. "Oh dear, I seem to have, as you say, 'stepped in it' again."
Ray shook harder, this time letting the laughter spill out. "Oh, god, Ren, don't ever change! Ya here me." He kissed the side of his husband's neck, snuggling closer to the taller man.
Smiling through his embarrassment, Ren nodded. "I promise, Ray. However, I might suggest you pull back as you are soaking my uniform. If I am to never change, I should like to keep my uniform clean as long as possible."
He was barely holding on, racked with coughs from laughing too hard. Holding up his head, he pulled Ren in to a soul searing kiss. About to close his eyes, he forced himself to keep them open. To stare right back into the eyes of his other. It was something of a quirk of his husband's, but one he could understand.
Their kiss was interrupted by the clearing of a throat behind them. Breaking apart, they turned to face the cause of their problems.
Ray glared at the interruption. "What do you want?"
"Corporal," Ren acknowledged.
Benton cleared his throat. "Yes, nice to see you too, Ray. I am here, as I informed you previously, on vacation. Or, I would be, except I have been placed on temporary duty at the Consulate. It seems Inspector Thatcher is taking a vacation of her own and head quarters has placed me in charge."
It took Ren's hand on his shoulder to calm Ray enough so that he wouldn't launch himself at his former lover. "Why'd you come at all, Frase?"
"As I stated, it was my jurisdiction. I intend to follow up on this case."
"Is life really that boring guarding the Canadian side of lake Michigan? Not satisfied playing stuffed Mountie on the front step of your country anymore?" He knew his taunts struck home when Fraser just stared at him.
"Ray, please, he is my commanding officer." Ren slid a hand over Ray's shoulder in warning. Glancing toward's Fraser's face, he made his own neutral. "At least until Inspector Thatcher returns."
"Speaking of which, I will take over from here, Constable."
Ren stared at Fraser. "What was that, sir?"
"This investigation, I am going to be aiding the Americans. Your presence is not needed here." Fraser spoke with a careless air, dismissing his fellow Mountie with a glance.
"That is goin to be kinda difficult as he is not here in any official capacity, Frase." Running a hand down the back side of his husband, Ray gripped his ass. "At least none that you can assist in." At Renfield's exasperated sigh, Ray took hand back and stepped away. Staring Fraser down, he deliberately put his posture at ease. "If you are looking for Ripley, the cutter made a stop to pick up a doctor. She is being examined as we speak. In fact, I was just going to arrange for transport to the hospital then the station if she checked out just fine."
Fraser stepped forward, ignoring Renfield as he focused entirely on Ray. "So she has become more responsive?"
"At this point in time, I am not at liberty to say." One small look to Renfield, and Ray started off down the docks.
The two Mounties stood in uncomfortable silence, neither looking at the other. As the seconds passed, Fraser stared off into space. Ren finally glanced his superior up and down, then took the same path Ray had through the docks.
Glancing about the docks, Ray found a phone booth. Just as he reached the same pier as the phone, large, strong arms wrapped around his chest. Struggling to get free, he brought up his foot into the nuts of his captor. Spinning around, he kicked high, knocking the person against the head and into the water. Catching his breath, Ray fell to his knees.
"What the fuck is goin on around here?" He reached for his gun, but remembered it was back at the apartment, one of the conditions of going to Canada. "Damn it!" A hand on his shoulder brought him up drawing back to hit.
"Easy, Ray. Calm down. I got here as fast as I could. I must apologize for not thinking sooner." He pulled the gun from his uniform, passing it off to Ray. "My instincts had warned me that this might be necessary. It seems I was correct."
Breathing deeply, Ray nodded at him, bringing his face down for a kiss. The moment was quick, passing as brief as the flash of a bulb. When he broke away from Ren, Ray sent a death glare towards the person holding the camera. "Give me the camera and no one get's hurt."
The man behind the camera smiled as he started to back away. His lips soon turned down to a frown. A click of a gun pointed at him made him snap another picture then flee.
"God damn it! Fucking press!" Ray was standing to chase after him but Ren's arms locked around his waist. "Let me go, I can still wing him enough to slow his ass down."
"Ray, you will not!" Holding his Ray from behind, he tightened his grip.
"Let me go, Ren, I am not going to let them fuckers publish shit about us."
"I said no," he breathed against Ray's skin, nibbling at the shorter man's neck. "You will not."
"But he..."
"Is gone." By now, his hands had turned from restraining, to searching. One was up under Ray's now untucked shirt, rubbing at his stomach while the second was sliding down the front of his pants. He huskily blew in Ray's ear as the blonde backed up against him. "No underwear, Ray?"
"Nuh uh, ran out." Ray started to pant as the hot hand stroked down the length of his cock. Blinking rapidly, Ray tried to focus on the area around them. "We're in a public place!"
"Two weeks, Ray, that's how long you have been gone. I've been... lonely," punctuating the last word with a small kiss to Ray's inner ear. Stroking Ray in his jeans, Ren smiled. "I've been having bad thoughts, Ray."
"About?" He couldn't believe that squeak was his own voice.
"Very bad thoughts, Ray."
"Well, that's not good, Ren." Panting now, he rubbed back against the large Mountie in time with Ren's stroking.
"I know, Ray, and I try to think about other things, but I keep coming back to wondering..."
"Wondering what?"
"Wondering what it might take to distract you."
Ray's eyes shot open a moment before his body clenched from his orgasm. It took him a few more groans before the last of his semen had been spent from his body. His labored breathing hitched once more as the hand that had been gently massaging his cock squeezed it once more then pulled out of his pants.
Ren brought his hand back from massaging Ray's abdomen to procure a rag from his uniform. With it, he wiped the seed from his hand and deftly returned it. With a contented sigh, he picked up the weak Ray and carried him to the pay phone.
______________________________________________________ Part 4 The French kiss of death.
One Hour later.
All four people gathered around the exam table, Ripley sitting on it as Ray leaned against it. Fraser stood off to the side, observing as the Doctor ran another blood pressure test on Ripley's arm.
Sighing with disgust, the doctor pulled off the pressure glove and tossed it behind him on the supply counter. "Well, Ms. Delmanico, it appears you are in perfect health. Despite the weathering you took while adrift, it seem you have completely recovered. Though I might say you could use a little sun to put some color back in your cheeks." Looking over Ray through thick glasses, the older doctor harumphed. "You, however, I could believe had been cast adrift for a few days."
"What?" He shifted self consciously, alternating between glaring at the doctor and daring the other two to comment. Thumbing the woven leather belt, he adjusted the placement on his hips. "So I haven't been stuffin myself like a pig, no big deal."
"I don't believe he means your weight, Ray." Ripley grinned at him, showing teeth through dark colored lips.
"Quite, right. You could do with a shower and shave." The doctor gestured toward's Ray's hair. "And do something with that while you are at it."
"Since when did I start taking fashion tips from a guy who wears coke bottle glasses."
Fraser cleared his throat.
"Up yers, Frase. They weren't coke bottles. Besides, I switched to contacts. You'd be amazed at what they can do now with the right equipment." He returned to glaring at the doctor when the younger man chuckled. "What are you lookin at, four eyes?"
"Another geek."
"That's Detective Geek to you, pal. Come on, Frase, Ripley, let's go." When he started for the door, the doctor put out a hand, gesturing for him to stop. "What now?"
Adjusting his glasses, he cleared his throat. "I have another test I need to run on Ms. Delmanico that is, shall we say, very private." His magnified eyes blinked at the cop.
Glancing at Ripley, Ray waited for her to nod before he started again. "Okay, Frase, lets leave the doc in peace. I better not hear of ya fondling her, Bernie, I can get ugly, quick."
"Too late, copper, see." Bernie held up a hand mirror from his coat to Ray's face before doubling over with gut busting laughter.
Ray stood over him, looking down in disgust. "Been waitin to use that one for a while now, Bernice?" When the doctor only pounded on the table as his body racked with horse coughs, Ray sighed. "Come on, Frase, let's leave these two alone."
Fraser followed after him, hands behind his back, body straight. When the exam room door closed behind them, he arched an eyebrow towards Ray.
"That's Bernie McDougal, we usually call him Bernie Mac. The man has a bad sense of humor, but is a competent doc. Been usin his free services for the past four years." Ray winced at his last words.
"Which would explain why I have never met him."
"Yeah." Uncomfortable silence filled the small waiting room between them causing Ray to shift. After about three turns, he looked Benton in the face. "Look, Frase, I know the way I been actin is less than acceptable, but you gotta understand, it ain't easy for me."
"Being around former lovers never is, Ray." Fraser tone was flat as he looked away.
"But bein around you even when we was together wasn't easy, either. You trying to be so emotionally distant all the time. Just like now."
"I am not being emotionally distant, I am being professional."
"But to you, that means the same thing. To me, it means being an ass hole, Frase. Now, I can't do this."
Fraser turned to look at him. "Do what, Ray?"
"I can't be around you if you are going to effect the cold fish posture. Ren and I get enough of that from the Ice Queen. If you are goin to be my partner on this, I need you, not super Mountie."
"What makes you think I want to be your partner?"
"Is this because of the way I acted earlier? You want me to apologize? Fine, I am sorry I was an ass hole. I should never have flaunted my relationship with Renfield in front of you like that. There was no reason for me to attack your second in command except petty jealousy... I take that back, that bitch got what she deserved."
"Ray!"
Glaring at the stormy gray-blue eyes, Ray continued on. "I mean it, Frase, she is a bitch. Every time I even showed an interest in you, she would do something. When I first got there, she tried telling me that I had to go through proper channels, that you were busy. Which was total bull cause I could see you through the frosted glass talkin with Dief."
Sighing, Fraser glanced down at his feet, not meeting Ray's eyes. "I still don't see any reason..."
"Don't play seein blind Mountie with me, Frase. I know you were never oblivious to a woman or a man throwing themselves at you. How she would always serve you tea just the way you like when you wanted it, no asking, I know how, I remember! When I would ask for something, she would get this 'I didn't offer' look in her eyes before walking away." By now, Ray was circling the room, nearly shouting. "She would do a million little things to annoy me, type when I tried talking, exit a room when I entered, lock the fuckin door to the bathroom as she leaves it sayin 'it catches'."
"Uh, Ray, the bathroom door did catch in my office."
"Who said anything about your office, Frase?"
"One would assume..."
Ray held up his hand. "Never assume anything unless you know all the facts. I was referin to the main restroom at the patrol head quarters. I couldn't bring myself to spend anytime in your office, much less use your restroom. Too personal."
"I can understand that."
"Good, glad you can something. But like I said, it was the little things. When you're a cop, you tend to notice them. From her body posture as we charted the drift of the lake for debris, to the way she drove the damn boat, always makin sure to hit the brakers and spray me with water, or knock me from my seat. Didn't you think it was a little funny I ended up on my ass all the time?"
Fraser offered him a fleeting smile. "I just assumed you were unused to riding in a boat."
"No body is that much of a klutz, Fraser." Ray narrowed his eyes as the Mountie started to speak. "Not even my husband."
"I was merely going to say now that you mention it, Ray, her attitude did seem a little..."
"Bitchy?"
"Stand offish."
"You sure it wasn't bitchy, cause I am sure she is all over that one."
"Ray."
"All right, Fraser. But I still don't understand what you see in the... Mountie." Trying to suppress the natural urge to heckle the man more, Ray, stopped pacing. "Why did you leave me?"
Benton refused to look at him.
"I have to wonder after all these years, you suddenly turn up in my life again."
"You contacted me, Ray."
"Yeah, because yours was the only name Thatcher would give me among the Mounties that could help in this case. Until then I had no fucking idea where you were!" When he got no response, Ray turned and started back towards the exam room door. Just before he reached it, the door opened.
Ripley walked out followed by Bernie who was wiping his lips with two fingers, a stunned expression on his face. She smiled at him, trailing a hand down his cheek. "So long... Bernie." Then turned, and walked away.
Ray stared at her with a look of disgust. "Have you no shame?"
"It was just a kiss, Detective. I'm not sure what for, but just a kiss."
"Who asked you, Bernie Mac?"
"Up yours, Detective. Next time you have a bullet, I'll use the dull plyers!" With a snort, he turned and slammed the exam room door in Ray's face.
"Well, my work here is done." Acting like he hadn't just been baring his soul, Ray put on his customary smirk followed by his sun glasses and walked out.
Fraser watched Ripley from under his Stetson. His pale eyes meeting her dark ones. "I believe we have some unfinished business to attend."
"Doesn't matter, I was through anyways." She turned and walked out, him closely behind.
______________________________________________________ Part 5 Chose one, for I have many.
Two Hours Later.
Ray stood outside the interrogation room door composing himself. Things were never easy when he had to prove officials were trying to cover something up. As his hand reached for the knob, a larger one covered in lines stopped his. Looking up, Ray stared at his boss. "What is it, Lieu?"
"I think we need to have a chat about this before I let you go any further, Kowalski." The weathered face of Lieutenant Welsh showed little emotion as he gestured towards the closet down the hall.
Ray nodded curtly once, then lead the way. At the door, he waited for Welsh to open it then went inside. The small room already held Fraser, Renfield, and Vecchio. "What is goin on here, Lieu?"
"Ray..." Fraser began.
"I'm afraid we got some bad news." Vecchio stated, cutting off Fraser. "My contacts among the feds say someone in power got word of yer lil expedition up north and it pissed them off."
"Three weeks ago when you left, I thought you would find nothing, and then come home ready to continue on." Welsh rubbed his forehead. "Frankly, I thought you were full of shit."
"Thanks', Lieu!" Ray glared at the men around the room. "Is that what this is about, a few rumpled big wigs?"
"There is more at stake then you realize, Ray." Fraser rubbed his eyebrow with a sigh. "It is not just the American government, I am afraid our government has aided them in the cover up. Constable Ericson has informed me that the long boat from the Nostromo has been confiscated by members of the Military."
"What's more, we believe that Inspector Thatcher was involved in that cover up. Her conspirators believed that your past relationship would hamper any investigation into the matter." Placing a hand on Ray's shoulder, Renfield looked down into his eyes. "You were set up."
"What the fuck is goin on? I am hearin something big, but you are skirtin the issue. Tell me already." He looked between the four men, searching for any sign, any clue. "Well?"
"Nearest we can figure, yer friend Ripley is involved in some serious shit. There is no official record of her in any national or international database. She doesn't exist. Before you ask, we had her prints ran as soon as we got them, that is why my contacts rung me up." Trying to look nonchalant, Vecchio leaned back against the wall of the closet. "They didn't know much beyond what I just told you, but there is one more thing." He looked pointedly at Welsh.
When the others focused on him too, Welsh nodded. "The people involved with the cover up are with the DOD. High ups in the military at the pentagon. Rumor has it they were investigating some project that blew up in their faces. The destruction of the Nostromo was just the tail end of whatever it had been. Old army buddies of mine confirmed it."
"That means your friend, Ripley, is not safe here, Ray. At this point in time, we are safe, but should you continue, that may not last." Fraser's calm tone belied the serious expression on his face.
"Fine. Answer me one question first. Just how did all you know this before I did?" No one answered him. "Right. You decide when you want to fuckin get your shit together, call me." With an angered growl, he turned on heel and reached for the door.
"Ray, wait." Renfield reached out to stop him, but pulled back when Ray stiffened. "Please, we had good reason."
"Only because I love you." Not moving, he spoke to the door. "I sent you those prints two weeks ago, Vecchio. It don't take that long to run prints, not with the contacts you got. Tell me you haven't been sitting on this for two weeks. That I didn't go rescue Ripley just so that... Who is watching Ripley?"
No answer.
"So that's it. You fucking sons of bitches!" He reached for the door, slamming against it to close it behind him.
"Ray, you don't know what you're doing!"
Ray ignored the shouts of the men as he secured the door with his weight, twisting the lock on the handle. Running down the hall, his boots echoed in the narrow space. There were two men standing sentry outside the interrogation room door he noted. Not stopping to give them a chance to react, he kicked the first one in the head knocking him bodily into the second. A quick boxer's shift to the head, he kicked the second man unconscious as he tried to get up.
Pulling his gun from his holster, he threw open the door to the interrogation room. Inside a man jerked about to face him. "Hello and who the fuck are you?"
His face shifted from anger to a pleasant smile. Straightening, he adjusted his suit jacket. "Detective Kowalski I presume?"
Ray brought his gun up to bare on the man. "Wrong answer. Ripley, you okay?"
Her genial attitude from the clinic hadn't changed. Offering him a smile, she stood. "I am fine, Detective Turnbull."
"Good, cause yer comin with me."
"Sorry, Lieutenant Ellen Ripley isn't going any where." The man watched Ray for any reaction, sighing when the gun pointed at him was cocked. "I see you have no idea what I am talking about."
"Actually, ass hole, Lt. Ellen Ripley, JG, first class navy seal, formerly of the US marines. Special ops, assigned to the USS Navajo of the Great Lakes Coast Guard Cutter Fleet as Captain Maria Ripley, Contact name, Ripley. Undercover assignment as free lance mechanic Ripley Delmanico with the NSS Nostromo, a commercial towing and salvage vessel suspected of illegal arms smuggling. Which includes an international conspiracy with members of the American government to sell arms to a third party through Canadian brokers. I've been working this case for five years, shall I continue?"
The man's eyes lit up in sudden knowledge. "So you are Detective Kowalski."
"Was, ass hole." He held up his left hand as Ripley slid past him through the door way. "I got married. Did they do anything to you, Ripley?"
Picking up the guns of the downed agents, she kicked their heads, causing their necks to snap. "Nothing that isn't cured now." Checking the gun, she reinserted the clip and cocked it. "Cheap guns, armor piercing ammo, probably untraceable. Let's get out of here."
"Detective, I'm warning you, you don't know what your doing. There are things going on you don't understand. She isn't..." He was silenced as Ripley shoved Ray aside to fire three bullets into him. The agent's body flew back against the wall, jerking twice as he slid down before finally dying.
"I was getting tired of him anyways," Ray muttered as he stood again. "Next time you feel the need to shoot, at least warn me to get out of the way." Rubbing at his back, he followed her into the hall.
"I'll make a note of it for future reference. Where's the back way out of the station?"
"Basement, but we had better hurry. It won't take the others long to get out of the closet."
Ripley put a hand on his chest, stopping him from moving down the hall. "You aren't coming with me. My contact said specifically me only."
"Do you actually think I am staying here now that my cover has been blown? Fucking Vecchio ran your prints through his contacts in the FBI." Ray growled as he led the way down the hall to the basement entrance.
"God damn it! How could you let him get a hold of them?"
"How the fuck would I know they worked faster than light to remove all traces of Ripley Delmanico? That they had people in the fucking city records in the first place is news to me."
Ripley reached the Morgue door first, throwing it open then scanning the area, gun first. "Clear!" Then allowing Ray to take the lead for her. "We should have anticipated this. There should have been a back up."
"We didn't have time. When your last transmission was suddenly cut off before you revealed the source of the damned contraband weapons, they gave the orders to reveal the secondary sting operation and bring in the crew of the Nostromo. You were supposed meet us instead of the crew's usual contacts when the ship exploded. Seems they had a spy among the organization that didn't want you talking. Had being the key word." He checked Mort's office. "No body here, let's go."
Ripley snorted as she followed him out the back stairs to the ambulance entrance. "What about your husband?"
"With any luck, they will be too busy trying to cover their own asses to try and use him against me. If not, he is due for a transfer anyways. I think the remote North Western Territories are kinda nice." The back parking lot was empty. Ray raced down the side of the building, staying close, checking for snipers on the roofs of the surrounding buildings. When he reached the alley where he parked the GTO, he drew back, blocking Ripley's way. "Shit! Shoulda known with two Mounties it wouldn't take them long. Looks like we are on foot. Go back the way we came, other side of the building is an alley that leads to a street with heavy foot traffic. We get separated, find the Ming Dynasty shortly after ten tonight, *our* escort will be there."
Ripley nodded as she moved as indicated. Her quick steps had him out matched as he lagged behind. Just as they rounded the corner for the alley. Shouts behind them rang out, followed by bullets.
"Run! I'll hold them off, you just get to the meeting point on time!" Ray went back, gun first at the corner. When he reached it, two shots ricocheted off the bricks in front of him. He followed them up to the roof of the next building just as another shot came at him. Dodging it, he rolled and fired, hitting the brinks beneath the sniper. With the man busy from brick dust, he fired three more times, finally hitting him, causing the man to fall to his death ten feet away from Ray.
More shots banked off the wall behind across from him, causing him to back against the wall. He slid along it, to the corner and fired blindly at the on coming agents. When the clip rang empty, he pulled the gun back, reloaded, then held back as they started to shoot again. Thinking quickly, Ray stuck his arm back around the building, fired three times, then took off down the alley after Ripley.
People had started to mill about the entrance, curious about the noise. When he took aim, they cleared a path. He plowed through a few stubborn people, running off into the crowds and busy streets. Cursing his luck, he frantically searched for cover, worrying about other things later. A large booth selling gaudy outfits provided the perfect cover as he heard the people's cries of outrage as they were tossed aside by the agents.
After a few moments of searching, they moved on allowing Ray a short respite. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. Things were completely out of control. Making sure there were no more potential agents around, he started off in the opposite direction.