[identity profile] wutangfellowshp.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] remix_redux
Title: Freaky Tuesday (The Behavioral Data Remix)
Author: [livejournal.com profile] bluebrocade
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Due South
Length: ~2500 words
Original Story: Freaky Tuesday by [livejournal.com profile] etben
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful betas, [livejournal.com profile] springwoof and [livejournal.com profile] lordessrenegade. ♥
Summary: Do we see what we want to see?



Tuesday

I have often dreamed of waking in Ray’s bed, of being in his body. This, however, is not what I meant. Perhaps if I go back to sleep, pretend that this is a dream, all will be well again when I awaken for the second (first) time. More likely, I’ll just be postponing the inevitable. I’m fairly certain the young lady who visited the 27 yesterday is at fault. I observed a book of Incan art in her handbag as well as a number of--apparently homemade--khipu. Unfortunately, she left without filing a police report. It will take a few days to track her down, to correct this...predicament.

In the meantime...I dread going to the Consulate and facing Ray, seeing that look in his eyes. Again. He’ll surely blame me, and I’ll be unable to argue the point. It’s true. Such "wildly bizarre" occurrences didn’t happen to him before I entered his life. Yet another reason I shouldn’t have returned.


- - -

Inspector Churchill nodded farewell to Constable Fraser, then watched him walk down the hall and out the door of the Consulate, his pet wolf in tow. It was just after ten in the morning. Undoubtedly, he had finished the menial tasks assigned him for the day and was on his way to the Chicago Police Station to liase with the American police.

Churchill pursed his lips and pondered Constable Fraser yet again. The man was a cipher. Upon being informed that Benton Fraser was returning to his post at the Canadian Consulate in Chicago, Churchill had contacted the man’s former supervisor, Superintendent Margaret Thatcher. She spoke very highly of him and expressed her surprise that Fraser had requested a return to his Chicago posting.

Fraser had apparently been instrumental in solving several important cases, not the least of which involved a madman with a nuclear submarine. Churchill recalled reading about that one in the Post. It all seemed a bit fanciful to him. Regardless, Superintendent Thatcher assured him it was all true, that Constable Fraser deserved a promotion and had undoubtedly been given his choice as to his next posting.

And yet he had chosen to return to the States. To a Consular posting. An intelligent, knowledgeable, extremely skilled police officer had chosen a position little better than a file clerk. It didn’t make sense. The man clearly craved true police work. He left the Consulate to work with the American police every day at the earliest opportunity. In fact, he nearly sprinted out the door.

If the man wanted to do real police work, there was plenty of it to be had in Canada. Canadians had a reputation for being--well, nicer than Americans and there was, all told, less crime in Canada then in America. Far less. But there was crime, and a man like Constable Fraser could be in the thick of it, had he chosen to be. He could’ve written his own ticket. Toronto. Ottawa. Churchill shuddered. Vancouver. Instead, he’d chosen to return to the United States. Why? Churchill couldn’t figure it out. He’d attempted to ask Fraser once, but his American friend, the skinny, perpetually nervous police officer he liased with, Detective Kowalski, had dragged him off on one of his crazy cases. Something about ostriches.

Churchill shook his head. Poor Fraser. He was always being called on to assist with another of that American Detective’s exceptionally peculiar cases. If it wasn’t ostriches, it was giraffes, or Swiss mobsters smuggling Turkish VCRs. It was queer. Very queer indeed. It was always something with the Americans, especially that Detective Kowalski. Hmmm. Perhaps Detective Kowalski was the reason Constable Fraser had returned to Chicago and turned down a promotion. Churchill smiled. Yes, that’s it! He’d heard of this sort of thing before. An otherwise intelligent, dedicated police officer becoming addicted to the adrenaline afforded him by a lively posting. Constable Fraser was clearly in thrall to the car chases and murder plots his American partner seemed to create out of thin air. It was all so clear now. Churchill nodded decisively, satisfied that he’d finally figured out the elusive Constable Fraser.



Wednesday

Ray is adapting to our “bodyswap”, as he so colorfully calls it, much better than I am. I maintain it’s because my body is easier to adapt to, as I’ve taken better care of it. When I shared this theory with Ray, he stuck out his tongue in response. It was an odd experience to see my own body sticking it’s tongue out at me. Truthfully, seeing my own body in action has been more than simply odd. It has been unsettling.

If I’m to believe Ray’s portrayal of me is accurate -- and he has made it clear via his passionate defense of his undercover skills that I must either believe him or mortally offend him -- then I appear stiff and remote to everyone, or at least to Ray, my closest friend. I asked Ray about it. He must have sensed my distress, for he was quite apologetic. He said he’d gotten "lost in the role" and was "maybe playing it up too much", but I could see the lie in his--my--eyes. Ray views me as untouchable. The layers of irony would be laughable if they weren’t so painful.


- - -

Lieutenant Harding Welsh eyed Kowalski fidgeting at his desk again, worse than usual. Something was going on with him and the good Constable. Something that would inevitably interrupt the smooth operations of his precinct.

Kowalski and Fraser’d only been back for three months, and already they’d managed to get him in hot water with the Mayor twice, get the 27 on the front page three times, and then there was the incident with the ostriches in the men’s room. His department’s solve rate was back up to what it had been before their departure, and it was a relief to not be short-staffed like he’d been since those yutzes Huey and Dewey quit to open a comedy club, but enough was enough. This was a place of business.

Harding bellowed out, "Kowalski!" then stormed into his office, sitting behind his desk, glare in place. He took a deep breath. He was a Lieutenant in the Chicago Police Department, not a high school principal.

Kowalski appeared shortly. "Hello, sir. Lef--Lieu. What can I do you for?"

"What the hell’s the matter with you?"

"Nothing, sir. I only meant--"

"You been even twitchier than usual--never mind. That’s not why I called you in here." He sighed. "Look, Kowalski. I’m glad Fraser came back with you. And you know I...support you -- if there’s any harassment, just say the word. Heads will roll. But you gotta do your part too. Ostriches in the men’s room? The Ladies Temperance Union picketing the station? It’s been one thing after another since you two got back. The Mayor--hell, the Governor’s got me on speed-dial."

"Lieutenant, I assure you--"

"Quiet. You’re great togeth--" Harding felt himself blushing and cursed silently. "You’re a great team. You solve cases. Even the weird ones. But you attract the weird too. And property damage. And news cameras. All I’m saying is...maybe you could tone it down a lit--a lot. I’m assuming you don’t want to attract any undue attention to your, uh, situation, and I’d really like to go an entire week without being on the News. Capisce?"

"Sir, Ray and I--ah, Fraser and I--we aren’t--"

"Kowalski. Did I say I wanted details? I do not want details. Now, are we clear or not?"

"Clear, sir. Three bags full of it." Ray turned and walked out. Harding sighed and continued scowling. What the hell was up with those two lately? He shook his head. It was probably better if he didn’t know.



Thursday

Ray’s body is remarkably responsive to touch. I should have known, given his tactile nature. I have been--there is no better word for it--teasing it all morning. His nipples are much more sensitive than mine, his neck less so. His penis is beautiful, long like him, perfectly proportioned. His hands are exquisite, works of art. It’s a luxury to be able to gaze at them, to study them without worry. His body is harder, tough, muscled. When I run my--his--hand across his nipples and down, along his belly, he gets wildly aroused.

I know I shouldn’t--it’s wrong to use Ray, to use his body this way, but it was his idea. His explicit suggestion. He said his body needed it, that it was used to a daily...release. Is it so wrong to fulfill his body’s needs and my desires simultaneously? It’s the only chance I’ll ever have to be with Ray, to know his body. I’m only human.

Strange, to make love to someone who’s not here. To look, to touch, to feel every inch of him. I’ve made him come three times. I’ve penetrated his body. I
know his body now. I know his pleasure. But he’s not here. It’s...lonely.

- - -

Frannie watched Fraser and Ray from her desk and snorted. Ray was all over Fraser, as usual. Constantly touching him, like he was Ray’s personal property. It must be hard for Fraser, being so perfect, having to deal with Ray’s hero worship.

She wished she could put her arms around Fraser and tell him he didn’t have to be perfect for her. Especially today. Fraser could use a hug today. He looked kinda tired and shorter somehow, like he’d slept wrong or something. Maybe he fell asleep watching television and hurt his neck. She did that all the time, especially on Mondays when the Lifetime channel had it’s “Expel the Monday Blahs with Romance” movie night. This week it had been When Harry Met Sally..., one of her favorites. It made her think of her and Fraser and how they’d known each other forever and were destined to be together even though he didn’t know it yet, because he was Canadian and Billy Crystal wasn’t shy like him and not as cute.

Frannie thought When Harry Met Sally... really was a lot like Fraser and her. Friends first, then lovers. That was the way it should be. All the best movies had the guy and girl as friends first before realizing they were in love and getting married and living happily ever after. That’s what it was like for her and Fraser. They were friends now and eventually they’d--hmm. Frannie frowned. She wasn’t getting any younger. Her biological clock-radio was playing really loud, and she was tired of pushing the snooze button. It was getting kind of ridiculous. She knew Fraser was shy, but Jesus, Mary and Joseph! It’d taken him four years just to admit he liked her and even then, her stupid fake brother had had to say it for him. Fraser had clearly come back to Chicago for her, so why wasn’t he asking her out already?



Friday

Yesterday was an eye-opening experience. For Ray. He clearly didn’t realize how often he touches me. It was somewhat cruel of me to impersonate him so fully, knowing how the constant touches, the closeness affects my own body. I suppose it was my own little measure of revenge for...what, exactly? His body has made promises that his heart cannot keep. It’s not his fault. He doesn’t do it deliberately, I’m certain. And yet I can’t help feeling...tricked. I’m reminded of--NO. Ray is nothing like her.

If anyone has been deceptive, it’s me. Using Ray’s body. Returning to Chicago without telling him why. Deceptive and cowardly. I can’t continue this way. After we succeed in switching back to our own bodies—today, if all goes well--I must speak with Ray. Be honest with him. Or return home a coward.


- - -

Dief dozed peacefully in the back of Ray’s car, while he and Ben visited the witch who’d cast a spell on them. At least that’s what Ray had said. Witches usually smelled like earth and birch-bark to Dief, but this girl-witch had smelled like books and spun wool.

Dief opened an eye as Ben and Ray approached the car. They looked the same to him. Smelled the same too. Maybe they were back in their own fur now. He couldn’t really tell. The only evidence he had for the switching-of-fur they were so alarmed about was Ben suddenly being free with the donuts while Ray now spoke his language.

Dief sighed. He didn’t understand all the fuss. Humans got worked up about the strangest things. What difference did their fur-color make? They still felt-smelled-sounded the same. They still danced around each other like bitches in heat. He wuffed a question, and Ray replied, "Not yet. At moonset." Whatever. Dief shrugged and went back to sleep.



Saturday

Ray is still asleep. In his own body, thankfully. He looks quite peaceful. And thoroughly debauched. My body feels quite...used, as well. More so than I would have expected from last night’s activities. Ray undoubtedly availed himself of the opportunity to explore my body this week, as I did his. The thought of him lying on my cot, touching me, touching my body...it’s strangely arousing. I look forward to doing everything we did last night, again, in our own bodies. For now, I’m content to watch him sleep.

Given the events of this week, I can’t help but think of the mind’s inherent separateness from the body, of it’s amazing ability to deceive itself. We ignore all the evidence of our bodies--sight, smell, touch--everything except sound. Words. We need to hear words to believe. Yet, we don’t speak. Each waiting for the other’s words, for the assurances and reassurances, declarations and desires that must be spoken before we will take a chance. We drift along. Our bodies singing to each other, while our minds, ever wary, process and distort the input. We deceive ourselves not by seeing what we
want to see, but by seeing what we expect to see.

- - -

Ray woke up to find Fraser staring at him, which wasn’t new and not a bad thing at all.

"Hey, Fraser," he said, smiling, "Penny for your thoughts."

"I was thinking about the mind’s ability to--" Ray frowned. Fraser grinned and started again. “I was thinking about you. Us. I want--I want to do everything with you. Again."

"Yeah," Ray agreed. He leered just to see Fraser blush, then he looked down Fraser's body. It looked different from this angle, sure, but that didn't actually change all that much. Although -- he reached out with one hand and ran his fingers down the side of Fraser's neck, then looked down to watch the goosebumps. Turned out they really did go everywhere, which was -- well. Interesting.

"You know, Ray," Fraser said, his voice rough and shaky, "I've obtained quite a wide sample of behavioral data, this week."

"That so?" A lot easier to bite Fraser's nipples now.

"Yes." A pause, and then Fraser sighed. Alarmed, Ray looked up. "What I mean to say, Ray, is that--I returned to Chicago with you in the hope that--"

Ray cut him off with a kiss. "I know what you mean, Frase," he said. "Believe me, I know you."



Fin.

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-22 06:51 pm (UTC)
ext_842: (dS - Chicago P. Dork)
From: [identity profile] etben.livejournal.com
YAY A STORY FOR ME! *does a happy twirly dance*

If it wasn’t ostriches, it was giraffes, or Swiss mobsters smuggling Turkish VCRs.

Hee! It's so true, and you really get at one of my favorite aspects of due South canon - that no matter how ridiculous your premise, the show is just as silly, just as random and off-the-wall. Hooray!

Also, on a more serious note, I really do like the structure of this - it's really neat, with the divided POVs and the way they all see something that's not-quite-right, but never the right something. And Dief! I love Dief forever.

Thank you so much, mystery remixer! I really enjoyed this.

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
YAY!! Thanks!! I'm so glad you liked it. *beams* I really loved the original and wanted to do something more than "just" a straight change to Fraser's POV. At first I was going with the idea of using the other characters in your story to kind of explain why Fraser was back post-CotW, since that was something that struck me in your story -- i.e. Fraser had returned to Chicago, though he & Ray *weren't* together. But then the idea of perception and how we see ourselves and each other grabbed me.

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-22 07:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shoemaster.livejournal.com
I maintain it’s because my body is easier to adapt to, as I’ve taken better care of it. When I shared this theory with Ray, he stuck out his tongue in response. It was an odd experience to see my own body sticking it’s tongue out at me.

Oh Fraser. I really liked his bits at the beginning of each day and all the outsider POV. Yay for more bodyswap!

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

YAY!

Date: 2007-04-22 11:23 pm (UTC)
ext_975: photo of a woof (Dief)
From: [identity profile] springwoof.livejournal.com
excellently done!

loved it.

Re: YAY!

Date: 2007-04-30 06:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
Thanks! And thanks for betaing! :)

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-23 03:18 am (UTC)
zulu: (house - happy place)
From: [personal profile] zulu
Loved the Dief section. Very cool.

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
Thanks! Dief's always fun to write. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-23 05:02 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] malnpudl.livejournal.com
This is terrific! I loved the original story, and was very curious as to how on earth you'd remix it. I love what you've done with it, the use of all the other character POVs. Very clever, and a treat to read.

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
Malllllllllllllllllll!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks! :)

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-23 04:50 pm (UTC)
ext_1798: (Default)
From: [identity profile] wildestranger.livejournal.com
Most enjoyable and delightful. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-24 07:54 am (UTC)
ext_3554: dream wolf (Default)
From: [identity profile] keerawa.livejournal.com
I like the format here, with Fraser's thoughts each day being met with an outsider's perspective. Dief was especially fascinating.

I appear stiff and remote to everyone, or at least to Ray, my closest friend. Ouch.

I know his body now. I know his pleasure. But he’s not here. It’s...lonely Now that is a reaction I had never considered, but it seems so very in character for Fraser.

A very nice remix!

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
Thanks so much!

Now that is a reaction I had never considered, but it seems so very in character for Fraser.

Thinking about it, it seemed like it would be hot at first, but ultimately kind of sad and lonely to be having sex with someone's body, someone you cared a great deal for, and yet, they weren't there.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed it.

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-24 08:01 pm (UTC)
inalasahl: (shiny)
From: [personal profile] inalasahl
I enjoyed this a lot, especially the different points of view you used.

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:23 am (UTC)

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-24 09:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lastscorpion.livejournal.com
I was LOL at Toronto. Ottawa. Churchill shuddered. Vancouver. I don't remember Churchill, but Lt. Welsh was note-perfect from the show, and Yay!Dief! Terrific remix, and terrific story!

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
Hee! That was one of my favorite parts. Churchill's actually an OMC from the original story. Glad you enjoyed it! THANKS! :D

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-25 07:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] viciouscats.livejournal.com
I enjoyed this a lot, brilliant remix!

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:24 am (UTC)

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-25 11:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kassrachel.livejournal.com
This is delightful!

(no subject)

Date: 2007-04-30 06:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
Thank you so much! *beams*

(no subject)

Date: 2007-06-02 12:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] snarkyducky.livejournal.com
this is such a sweet and beautiful story! and i loved the Lieu's gruff voice and concern .. and Dief! hee!
thank you so much for sharing this gem with us! ♥

(no subject)

Date: 2007-06-03 07:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluebrocade.livejournal.com
*beams* Thanks!

(no subject)

Date: 2008-03-26 07:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ceares.livejournal.com
Very nicely done. This works really well with Fraser's inner thoughts contrasting nicely to the outside povs.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-04-18 06:51 am (UTC)

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