None So Blind
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"There are none so blind as those who refuse to see" - Unknown
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"Fraser, did you see that?" exclaimed Ray Kowalski excitedly.

"See what, Ray?" his partner asked much more calmly.

"That woman! Not just a woman, a - a goddess! Giving *you* the eye,
Benton-Buddy."

"No, Ray, I guess I didn't see her," said Fraser.

"Really, Fraser, I thought *I* was the blind one, not you."

"I'm not blind, Ray," said Fraser, sounding slightly amused.

Ray sighed. "Ya know, I said to you before, you're the smart one, I'm just
pretty." He shook his head. "An' sometimes I think yer both smart *and*
pretty. "

"Thank you kindly for the compliment, Ray," Fraser said with a smile.

"Shut up, Fraser, I ain't done yet."

"Sorry."

"Never mind. Anyway, I thought you were smart, but I'm beginning to wonder
about dat. That goddess was *definitely* interested in you. How could you
not notice?"

"It's not that I didn't notice, Ray, it's that I'm not interested."

"Not interested?" howled Ray. "She was GORGEOUS, Fraser! Okay, I get it,
yer more innerested in what's between her ears than what's between her - "

"RAY!"

"Sorry," said Ray sheepishly.

"It's not that I didn't find her attractive, but I am simply not
interested in pursuing her," Ben explained.

"Why not?" his partner asked.

"I am interested in someone else," said Fraser.

"Oh yeah?" Kowalski's eyebrows rose. "Who?"

"You, Ray."

"Very funny, Fraser," grumbled Ray.

"It's not a joke, Ray."

"You're interested in me," said Ray in a flat voice.

"Very much so," Fraser replied.

"You're unhinged."

"Perhaps, but that does not change the way I feel about you, Ray."

"And how do you feel about me, Fraser?" Ray asked.

"I love you, Ray."

"Sure ya do, Fraser. An' the Cubs are gonna win the World Series this
year."

"What does baseball have to do with the way I feel about you, Ray?"

Ray moaned to himself. Well, at least Fraser knew the Cubs were a baseball
team! "It's one of them metaphorical type things, Frase."

"Meaning what, exactly, Ray?"

"Meaning that there's no way you could love me, Fraser."

"And why not?"

"Why not? Because I'm the world's biggest screwup, Fraser! I can't do
anything right!"

"Who told you that, Ray? I think you do a lot of things right."

Ray moaned again. "No I don't. The only reason I solve any cases at all is
because you're my partner. I lost Stella. I nearly got Beth Botrelle
executed for something she didn't do! The only reason you spend any time
with me at all is because I'm pretending to be your best friend."

"You are my best friend, Ray. And I love you," Fraser repeated.

"You attracted to me?" Kowalski asked.

"Yes. I am very strongly attracted to you," Ben answered.

"So when I asked you in the crypt, if you found me attractive - you meant
that? When you said you did?"

"Every word," stated the Mountie.

"Okay, then you're blind *and* unhinged," said Ray.

Fraser looked at his partner. "I can assure you, Ray, my vision is 20/20. 
As for my mental state, well, I once spent time in a mental institution
but that was for an undercover operation. You are my partner, and my
friend, and I love you. Why is that so hard for you to believe?"

"I don't know, Fraser," the detective said softly, on the verge of tears.
"You could have anyone you want. Anyone! And you want me? Blind, skinny,
screwup Ray Kowalski?"

Fraser put his arms around his friend and kissed him gently. "I want
beautiful, intelligent, thoughtful, loyal Ray Kowalski. I want you. And I
love you."

Ray gave a contented sigh and kissed Fraser. "And I want gorgeous,
amazing, smart *and* pretty Benton Fraser. An' I love you, too. C'mon,
let's go get my car an' go to my place."

Which they did. 

END