Benton Fraser looked out the door of his apartment one last time, checking
to make certain that no more children were coming. Then he closed it with
a slight sigh. It was Halloween night and he'd had a fair number of
Trick-or-Treaters at his door. But now it was getting late, and the
children had all gone home. Fraser was alone, and feeling a bit lonely. 

He chided himself for being silly. It wasn't like Halloween was a big deal
for him. He did enjoy seeing the costumes that his neighbours' children,
and even some of his neighbours, wore. He liked handing out candy and
complimenting the young ones on their outfits. But somehow, he just didn't
like being alone tonight. He knew that Ray would be busy supervising his
nieces and nephews on their Trick or Treat rounds, or handing out candy at
home.  The detective had decorated his front yard in a "haunted house"
theme this year. Benny had gone to see it before heading home after work.
Ray had invited him to stay, but the Mountie had refused, citing his wish
to be home to hand out candy to the children in his building, and the need
to keep Diefenbaker from eating any of the chocolate he would inevitably
be offered by the same children. They didn't know that chocolate was
poisonous to dogs.

He'd just started preparing for bed when there was another knock on his
door. Odd. It was late for Trick or Treaters. He answered it. Ray was
standing there. 

"Trick or Treat?" said the Italian with a smile.

"You don't have a costume," replied his friend.

"Sure I do. I'm dressed as the man who loves you."

Fraser laughed. "That's not exactly a costume, Ray. You wear that every
day." He stepped aside to allow his partner to enter. 

Vecchio shrugged as he shut the door behind him. "Maybe, but I don't
always show it. " 

Benny took his lover into his arms and kissed him. "Of course you do," he
corrected. "You show it every time I see you." 

"To you, but not to everyone else," argued Ray.

"Everyone else doesn't matter," replied Fraser, kissing him again. "So,
did you come here to play a trick on me?" 

"Nah. I came here to give you a treat." He took the Canadian by the hand
and led him into the bedroom. "Happy Halloween, Benny. I love you."

"Happy Halloween, Ray. I love you too."

END