In Your Dreams, Benny


by Adia

"It's a girl!" Fraser proudly announced. He was holding the newborn in
his arms, staring in amazement and complete adorance. Standing in the
middle of the lobby surrounded by smiling faces. Well, most of them were
smiling. He handed the baby over to Francesca who cradled the baby
securely. Everyone gathered around the baby in a circle. Frannie mumbled
at the newborn making ewwey, gooey sounds. Turnbull walked up behind
her, peering over her shoulder making cute scrunched up faces at the
sleeping child. Even Huey and Dewey were awe struck by the new presence.

Welsh gave Fraser a hard pat on the back, "Good job there, Constable."

Stanley Kowalski was slumped over in a chair that was propped up in the
corner. His nails chewed down to the quick. Dief had been guarding him
untill Fraser showed up and Dief found himself more concerned in
discovering what was in that soft blanket. Upon Fraser's entrance
Kowalski had passed out. Dief sniffed at the warm bundle Francesca held
and approved with a quick bark at Fraser to which he replied, "I know
boy, isn't it amazing?" He grinned, glowing.

In fact, the only face that wasn't smiling in the crowd was that of a
Ray Vecchio. He sat with his arms folded and his jaw locked. Yeah, it
was amazing alright. Amazing how much things had changed since he'd been
gone. You leave for a few months on an undercover assignment and
suddenly your whole world is flipped. There's someone there to be you.
Making you feel like you're not you. Like he's taken over your life and
still has a deep part of it. Exactly what had gone on while he was gone
anyway? How much of his life had this Kowalski invaded? Had he really
just been helping out at the station as Fraser had said? Or was there
more to that story? Whatever it was he knew on thing for sure. He didn't
like it.

Vecchio got up and moved over to stand beside Fraser, "Hey Benny. How's
she doin'?" He nodded in the direction of the room Ben had emerged from.

"Fairly well. I do have to admit, giving birth seems excruciating. Just
to watch the look on her face made me feel horrible. To see a woman
virtually made of steel crumple like that really puts the gift of life
in perspective." Benny had been ranting on and Ray had lost interest the
moment he saw her walk in the door.

Stella. What was she doing here? Why in the world would Kowalski's
ex-wife feel that she had a part in this? Suddenly a memory flashed in
Vecchio's mind that made him cringe. Shortly after his return, ten
months ago, Fraser had ended up hanging upside down from a Ferris Wheel,
of all things. After cutting the wires he'd heard the shot and saw
Vecchio drop. His heart almost burst out of his chest. Without thinking
he reached for the knife with the sharp blade he'd only recently been
carrying in his boot. He lost his balance and started to slip. Before
his body hit the ground he'd thrown the knife with great force.
Launching it at Muldoon. Sending it to impact with Muldoon's neck.
Kowalski had remarked, "Lucky shot," as Fraser fell to the ground. He,
himself, remember the day in the office when Fraser sent a letter opener
flying into a poster on the bulletin board. What else could one expect
from a Mountie?

After Kowalski called an ambulance he sat in the waiting room beside a
frantic, hair pulling Francesca. Ready to jump the next doctor who
walked by. When a doctor did come see them he'd explained that Vecchio
had been shot and that Fraser had sustained sever head wounds from his
obvious crash to the ground, but they had done it. They had gotten
Muldoon. Together. Vecchio and Fraser. The odd couple of law enforcement
reunited.

It had only been a week after that when Fraser had explained the whole
thing to Ray one evening. The whole horrible nightmare. He spared no
details. He said that in this horrible dream he had sledded off into the
wilderness of his home, Canada, with Kowalski. Not Vecchio. That was the
first problem. To make matter worse, Ray was actually okay with it since
he was now seeing Stella! Oh the horror! If only Stan had been switched
with Ray it would have been a rather enjoyable dream instead of a
terrifying nightmare. It was Stanley who belonged with Stella, not Ray.
Actually, come right down to it, even poor Stan didn't deserve to be
subjected to the ice that flowed through Stella's veins. The nightmare
had even become so realistic that it seeped into all the other parts of
his life. None of it making any sense, except for Huey and Dewey opening
a comedy club, which they are still only dreaming about. Only one part
of the dream vaguely amused both Fraser and Vecchio. Turnbull being run
down by this own campaign bus. That actually wasn't that far of a cry
from reality. Still, the whole dream had bothered Benny enough to make
him feel guilty for not telling Vecchio sooner. Remarkable what a little
bump on the head could do. A lot had changed since then.

Ray avoided eye contact with Stella as she made her way further into the
room, "What are you doing here?" Francesca asked.

"Nothing you have to be concerned with." Stella shot her an evil look.

Turnbull abruptly stepped in front of Francesca, blocking further
insults, "Ms. Kowalski, I-"

His tone was pleasant and peace keeping though his sentence was cut off
by Fraser, "I think you should leave... please."

"Why? I have just as much of a part in this as you do Fraiser." A year
and a half now and she still pronounces his name wrong.

"I would have to remind you Ms. Kowalski, Ray... Stan, is your EX
husband."

Her temper was hanging by a thread, "I know that! But I have a right to
see him." She pushed her way past him and towards the back of the room
in search of Kowalski.

She spun in a circle, "Well... where is he?" She demanded angrily.

Everyone faced her then turned their own circles searching for Stanley.
No one could find the man who had suddenly disappeared after passing out
cold. By now the Consulate lobby was packed. Inspector Thatcher would
have been furious if she were to walk in and see the situation.
Fortunately she wouldn't be coming in the front door of the Consulate
anytime soon.

Premature labor can strike anywhere and luckily Fraser had taken many
classes for emergency situations like this. Since the Inspector's office
was the closest place it became the birthing room. Fraser could only
imagine the look on his superior's face when she comes to realize what
just took place in her office. Thank goodness she would never be aware
of what other things have gone on when she wasn't there.

Fraser left Ray's side and crept into the office to find Kowalski. He
was kneeling on the floor beside his wife. Pushing the hair back out of
her eyes. She had fallen asleep. Stan couldn't blame her. He would have
died trying to do what she just did. He loved her. More than words could
capture. At this moment he loved her more than ever before. So much so
that her life came before his. Her everything came before his. In fact,
he'd been so worried about her that he hadn't even stopped to greet his
new born daughter before coming to her. Once he'd woken from passing out
his first thought was only of her safety. He loved her more than he'd
ever loved anyone. He loved her more than he ever thought he could love.

Her eyelids fluttered and she woke. Smiling down at her, Kowalski
whispered, "I love you," and squeezed her hand tighter.

Standing above her she recognized Fraser. He nodded, "She's beautiful
sir."

Her voice was rough and groggy, "Thank you, Constable."

He smiled, "You're certainly welcome Inspector." Once he left the room
he'd turned to shut the door. He watched as Stan gently kissed Inspector
Thatcher's forehead. Fraser had seen the tears in Stan's eyes. The look
in those eyes as he admired his wife reminded Fraser of something.
Someone. The look he's been seeing in someone else's eyes.

Fraser turned to find Ray. Waiting patiently for him. Always. Having Ray
back was like being home. Maybe even a little better.

"Benny?" His voice seemed like a distant whisper.

Fraser's eyes teared up, "I know. Isn't it beautiful?" He looked calm
and serene.

"Benny!" Ray demanded his attention.

Fraser could feel a strong hand grip him. The Mountie took Ray's hand
and pressed it to his warm cheek.

"BENNY!!" Ray's voice jolted Ben up and awake. His eyes flew open, "Wake
up, Benny. It's 8:30, we gotta be down at the station by 9 o'clock."

Fraser momentarily sank back down in bed, on the crumpled sheets after
glancing at the clock. Ray walked back into the bathroom and began
brushing his teeth. After a moment Fraser followed him in and leaned
against the counter, "You know, I had a nightmare last night."

"Another one?" Ray asked looking concerned before popping the brush
loaded with paste in his mouth.

Fraser nodded looking distant, "Yes. It was truly horrible."

"I know." Vecchio mumbled between scrubs of the brush.

Benny looked puzzled, "How do you know?"

"I could tell, Benny. You talk in your sleep." Ray grinned revealing
foaming, paste covered teeth.

"Oh dear."

Ray still smiled, "So, what was it about anyway?"

Fraser shook his head, "You wouldn't believe it, Ray."

"It couldn't be worse than that one about me and Stella... could it?" He
asked leery. Hoping with all his might that is wasn't.

Fraser just smiled warmly into those expressive green eyes, "No. Not
that terrifying."

The End
(~MDK~)
October 1999
Comments encouraged at adialove@yahoo.com