Okay, well I was sitting at work today, looking over my schedule for
next year.  I was completely amazed by the choices I had made; they were
nothing I had wanted to take.  Quickly I erased them and put what I wanted
to do.  And boy, I feel a hundred pounds lighter, I have made MY choices
and it's greatness.  The point of that little story?  Well, it goes with
this little story.  Make your choices, for your reasons. 

This is for Mary Ann who has given me wonderful advice when I needed
it and always been ready to hear about my boring day, and yet somehow
made it into a relatively exciting conversation.  Also, even though this
is THE fic, it is A fic which, as Mary Ann knows, is enough of a miracle
in it's self. 

This is also for Rae, who has shown me that you can always change your
direction in life and do what you want to do.  Everything will work out!

Feedback welcomed and enjoyed Ari82@aol.com

Rated: G
Pairings: none
Teaser: A decision in Stan's life, with an outcome that we all know.
Disclaimer:  I own no one in this story.  Sad, sad truth that it is.....but
Due South is not mine...Also, there's a little tiny spoiler for Eclipse,
but you'd have to know the quote to get it. 

Fly or Fall
By:  Susie Walton

	He couldn't take it anymore.  One man telling him what to do, regardless
of his own feelings.  Telling him his directions in life.  What he should,
no will, accomplish.  It was too much.  Either fly or fall, do what he
wanted or what he was told to do.  Too much.  Fly or Fall.  

	Stan stood out front of his dorm room.  Inside were his books, his work,
his future.  Or in reality, his father's future.  Stan turned his head
towards a window at the end of the hallway.  Out there was anything and
everything.  It was a new experience at every turn, but it was his own
experiences.  Stan placed his hand on the doorknob.  This future or...Stan
remove his hand from the doorknob as if it burnt his skin.  It was his
life, fly or fall, he wanted to discover it. 

	"You did what?"  Stan flinched as his father's voice echoed throughout
the small house. 

	"I left school.  I, ah, am going to go to the, um, police academy."
Stan placed his eyes downwards, it was his choice and it was now made.

	Damian stare incredibly at his son.  "After all I did for you?!?  All
the work I put into getting you where you are today.  You know how hard
it is to get your son, who graduates with a D- average, into college?
I made it so you had a secure future.  I cannot believe you."  

	Damian Kowalski began to pace in front of his son; it was unbelievable
what some people could do to the ones they loved. 

	Stan watched as his father's figured moved in front of him, why couldn't
he understand that his future was not what Stan wanted? 

	"It wasn't my future you were helping me out with dad, it was yours.
You never gave me the chance to decide anything, you just went ahead
with what you thought I wanted." 

	Damian pointed a figure at Stan's chest. "You are a failure, you disgrace
this family.  I wanted to give you a better education than I could ever
have." 

	Stan threw his hands up in exasperation.  "It was what you wanted! 
You wanted to make me the person you could never be.  That's not what
I want!" Damian stopped pacing and faced his son.  "I just wanted you
to be successful, every night I come home with the smell of dead animals
on me.  Dead animals, son!  I wanted you to be something better than
a meat packer." 

	Stan interrupted.  "I will be dad, I'm going to be a cop.  I can help
people, save people.  I want to do this." 

	Damian shook his head. "You'll still smell, you'll smell of the scum
that you'll deal with.  But if you want to be a cop, there's nothing
I can do to stop you." 

	Stan let out a breath he had been holding the whole time.

	Damian continued, "But I won't support you.  You want to be a cop; 
your mother and I will leave.  You don't want our help, we won't be anywhere
near you." 

	Stan stared at his father.  "You're going to take mom and leave because
of my choice?"  Stan was dumbfounded. 

	"Yes, you obviously don't want our help so, we won't help you."

	Stan stopped his father.  "Just because I don't want to be what you
want me to be, doesn't mean I don't want you near me.  What about mom,
think she'll move away with you?" 

	Damian slowly nodded.  "I've already talked to your mother about moving
out west, she'll miss you, but she'll also know you'll be too busy with
school." 

	Stan watched as his father looked into his eyes one last time and then
exit the room.  This is what he wanted, wasn't it?  There was no going
back now, the choice was clear.  Fly or fall.  It sure felt as if he
was falling though. 

	Stan hugged his mother and without another word, she entered the car.
With a quick nod to his father, the car started up and headed down the
street.  Stan waved, and when he could no longer see the car, Stan turned
around and faced the large building that loomed behind him.  In bold,
black letters the words POLICE ACADEMY stood out against the white backdrop.

	He was here; it was his choice, his future.  Ray took a deep breath
and headed into the building, it was time to fly. 

		THE END