Cat  

 DISCLAIMERS AS FOLLOWS: 

 ok, disclaimers... All characters from Due South belong to Alliance,
those that aren't in Due South belong to me (like Cat :)). I promise I
will play nice, not hurt any one and put them all back when I'm done (at
this rate could be the year 2000 ) My knowledge of Chicago are area is,
well, nil, so I apologize if stuff seems to be wrong or made up, I ask
that you just try to imagine that what I'm saying is right PLease don't
sue, I have no money, the computer isn't even mine! ok that said... :) 

 *CAT* 

 by Catherine Healy 

 chealy@PO-Box.McGill.CA 

 June 1st 1996-Sept 20 1996 

 "Thank you kindly," Constable Benton Fraser smiled at the waitress who
brought him his lunch. "Ah, chicken, looks ... yummy." The young, blond
lady returned the smile, trying as best she could to not burst into
laughter. After all it is not everyday that a member of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police stops by to have lunch in full dress. Of course he did look
mighty fine in the red serge. 

 "Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked casually. 

 "No, no, I am fine, thank you Miss... " he looked at her name tag,
"Champlain." 

 "Sam." 

 "Sorry?" Fraser looked puzzled. 

 "Call me Sam, everyone does." Her grin was wider now. 

 "Sam Champlain? You wouldn't happen to be related to ..." Suddenly a loud
voice bellowed from within the restaurant. "Sam, you have other tabled to
wait on! Get inside now!" 

 "I'll be back later," she bit her lip and let her eyes linger just a
little bit longer on the sight before her eyes then disappeared into the
restaurant. This was her first week on the job and she was thinking of
quitting because she disliked it so much; however if this Mountie was
going to be a regular customer.... 

 "My, you meet the most interesting people in Chicago" Fraser mused as he
started to dig in to the chicken meal before him. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Off to the side, from behind the shrubbery, someone was perched, waiting
for the right moment. The entire ordeal between the Mountie and the
waitress was watched with a smirk. How can people be so ...There! Finally
the moment arrived, a man approached the Mountie and spoke to him briefly,
then both men got up from the table on the terrace and entered the
building. Now was the time! Sprinting to the table, the chicken meal was
unguarded, finally something to eat. Grabbing the plate the figure took
off down the street. 

 "Hey!" Fraser looked out of the window just in time to see a hooded
figure running away with his meal. "Um, excuse me," he apologize to the
man who was handing him the phone, "but could you take a message?" With
that he took off after the chicken thief. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Run! Run! She thought to herself. Panting, out of breath. I just need to
make it two more blocks! Of course it was clear that the man in red was
gaining on her - and fast. Run! Don't stop now! In her haste she didn't
see the pipe lying on the ground in front of her and she tripped and at
the same time the Mountie tackled her. Chicken flying, her hood coming
off, she landed with a thud, the Mountie on top. Always quick on her toes,
she squirmed out from underneath and tried to run away, but Fraser held
her arm, tight. 

 "Hey! Let go of me!" she cried, fighting her best to get out of his
grasp. 

 Fraser turned her around and his eyes opened wide. Standing before him
was a young girl, her face smudged with dirt, her auburn hair messy and
tangled. Her body language was tough but her eyes were filled with a fear
and confusion that made his heart ache. 

 'That wasn't your food," he scolded her. 

 "Yeah? What's it to you? Let go of me!" she snarled and tried to kick his
leg but Fraser was quick and dodged her. His grip still firm, he looked
her in the eyes, she turned away not wanting to meet his gaze. "Let me
take you home," Fraser's voice was softer, almost as if he was talking to
a lost child. 

 "I am home, you noot!" the girl managed to wrench free of his grasp and
stood her ground facing him. Fraser opened his mouth to protest but
stopped as he looked around. Sure enough in the alleyway in which they
were standing there to one side were a bunch of boxes, that to the
passerby would just look like rubbish. Upon closer examination Fraser
could see that one large box was made up into a shelter of some sort,
complete with torn blankets and old pillows. 

 "Yeah, this is where I live. Got a problem with that?" Each word was
dripping with sarcasm, it was as if she was challenging him to mess with
her. 

 She had obviously been here a while from the looks of things and Fraser
felt ... he didn't know what he felt. All he knew was that he had to do
one thing. 

 "Come with me," he caught her gaze again, and again she was quick to turn
away. 

 "You gonna arrest me? Look I don't get to eat much, okay? I was just
trying to..." 

 "I'm not going to arrest you, I just want you to come with me" 

 "Why?" She eyed him suspiciously, her eyes narrowed to slits. 

 "Trust me," he said bluntly, "and maybe you'll get a free meal out of
it." 

 She was about to give him her entire speech about how trust doesn't exist
and that no one can be trusted but the thought of a free meal enticed her.
Okay, so there's probably a catch to this, she thought, but even if I'm
thrown in jail they'll still have to feed me. Slowly she made her way
behind the Mountie. 

 "I just have to make one stop before we get to where we are going,"
Fraser went on. He took some money out from his hat and walked back to the
restaurant to pay for his chicken lunch. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 The door to apartment 3J opened slowly and the Mountie walked into the
room, taking off his hat. The auburn haired girl looked around the
one-room apartment in disbelief. She was about to exclaim "You live like
this?" then stopped thinking, who am I to criticize this? I live in a box
for crying out loud! So she kept her mouth shut. Benton Fraser was bemused
by the constant smirk the young girl had on her face, it was as if
everything was a joke to her, as if she cared about nothing. How could
someone so young be so cynical? he thought to himself. The girl before him
couldn't be more than 17 at the most, what could have happened to her that
she now lives in a box in an alley? Was she a runaway? 

 "So, what's your name?" the young girl turned towards the Mountie at the
sound of his voice. 

 "What would you like it to be?" she smirked. 

 Unfazed by the venom in her voice Ben pressed on, "I'm sure you have a
name, everyone has a name. In fact, there's an old Inuit legend about...."


 "What do you care if you know my name or not?" The sudden outburst of
anger startled the man in red causing him to lose his train of thought,
but only for a mere moment. 

 "Why, a person's name can reveal a lot about them. My name is Benton
Fraser, do you know what that says about me?" 

 "Yeah, " she began sarcastically, "that you have a dorky name." Ben
cleared his throat uncomfortably, he realized that he was getting nowhere,
and he wasn't even sure what he was doing. Never one to give up he tried
again, "Well, it doesn't matter what my name says about me - and I assure
you it has nothing at all to do with . . . dorks. What matters here, or,
then again maybe it doesn't, is what your name is. Surely you have a
name!" 

 "Cat." Her tone was dark, almost defensive like. "My name is Cat." 

 "Interesting name, short for Catherine or Cathy? Or is it is spelled in a
kind of quirky way, with a 'K'? As in Kit Kat?" 

 "It's just Cat, okay? Can't you just accept answers? Do you have to keep
asking questions? Cat - with a 'C'. Not short for anything, it's just Cat.
Plain and simple! Anyhow it's my turn to ask the questions, why on earth
did you bring me here? There is one reason men ask me to their place, and
one reason only, and somehow I'm having trouble thinking that would be the
reason...." 

 "Ah." 

 "Ah? What's 'ah'? Will you be explaining anything to me, or do I just
walk out the door? And what about this food you told me about?" Ben could
see that Cat was getting restless, he had more questions he needed to ask
her, but it was obvious that he wasn't going to get anywhere unless he fed
her. Something about her was still troubling him and he couldn't quite put
a finger on it, and that bothered him immensely. 

 "Oh, yes, the food. You like pasta?" 

 The look on Cat's face pretty much told Ben that he could feed her almost
anything and she would still devour it in one gulp. And devour the food
she did. She also finished off three extra servings; it was lucky the
recipe Ma Vecchio had given him was for 12 people. 

 "Haven't eaten for a while, have you?" Ben asked amused at the sight
before him, never in his life has he seen such a small being eat so much
so fast. Well there was Diefenbaker... My goodness, Dief? Where was that
wolf? What a stubborn animal, Ben thought, you ask him to stay in the
apartment while you go to work and he doesn't listen! Well, see if he gets
anything special for dinner tonight. 

 "What are you mumbling about?" Cat interrupted his train of thought.
Embarrassed, the Mountie tried his best to cover up, "Um, I was just
trying to figure out how a girl your age could end up sleeping in a box on
the street. Have you been there long?" 

 "Almost three years," Cat said with her mouth full of food, about to
shove more in. 

 "Great, Scott!" Ben exclaimed his eyes wide in shock, "Three years? But
how..." 

 "Look, it's a long story and it's none of your business, so if you don't
mind." Cat's eyes narrowed. Now it was Ben's turn to smirk, with her eyes
like that she really did look cat-like, her name was fitting, even though
he doubted that was her entire name. 

 "I think you owe me some form of explanation," he started. 

 "I owe you nothing!" 

 "... if not just to repay me for feeding you." Cat looked up, the
Mountie's eyebrows were arched with a knowing look. He was right to some
extent, he really didn't have to do all this. Well he was a Mountie after
all . . . no no . . . this really did deserve something in return. 

 "Look, I'd rather not get into it, okay? But, I'll answer two questions
for you - nothing more, understand? Two questions . . . and I get to pick
if I will answer them or not, deal? And when you're done, I leave." 

 "Well... I don't think that's very fai..." 

 "Take it or leave it, Dudley Do-Right!" 

 "OK, I'll take it." Ben paused, choosing the questions carefully. He
decided that asking her how she got here was not a good choice since she
obviously wasn't about to tell him. After a brief silence Ben asked, " How
old are you?" 

 "I'll be 18 in two weeks." That was it. That was all Cat was going to say
on that subject, now to think of another question. It had to be chosen
with lots of care, he didn't want to anger her and he still wanted to find
out more about her. Ben looked at the fire escape out the window and his
eyes sparkled. 

 "Your second question, Dudley? I don't have all day you know," Cat
demanded impatiently. 

 "It's Benton." 

 "Yeah, whatever, will you or will you not be asking another question?" 

 "What do you think of wolves?" Ben asked coyly. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Cat almost choked on her food. Did he just ask her what she thought of
wolves? What kind of fool question was that? This Mountie had an
opportunity to ask her anything, and here he was asking her what she
thought of wolves. Cat stared wide-eyed at the man before her, confused at
what to respond. 

 "So, Miss - Cat, what do you think of wolves?" Benton asked again the
corners of his mouth curling into a small smile. 

 "Wolves? I dunno, they're okay, I guess. I did have a dog once." Cat was
still confused by the question. "Never met one personally..." 

 "Well, you're about to," Fraser motioned with his hand pointing toward
the window. Sure enough, there was a wolf sitting on the fire escape
looking at them. Cat gasped slightly, then quickly regained her composure,
checking to make sure Fraser didn't notice her surprise. She was supposed
to be tough after all. Luckily it appeared that he hadn't noticed and Cat
relaxed, letting her attention focus on the wild animal that had just
jumped to the floor. Fraser had in fact noticed Cat's sudden surprise, but
he knew better than to discuss it. For some reason he believed that Cat
wasn't as tough as she claimed to be. Instead he addressed Diefenbaker,
"Don't even think for a moment that I'm going to let you get away with
disobeying me, but right now we have a guest. Dief this is, Cat. Cat, meet
Diefenbaker." 

 "You named your wolf after a Canadian Prime Minister?" Cat chuckled
quietly. Fraser looked at Cat curiously and thought to himself, How did
she know that? Most of the people in Chicago didn't know who Diefenbaker
was, and she's only 17! There's more to this girl than meets the eye. Out
loud he said, "Yes, and he's deaf." 

 Whatever the Mountie was saying Cat wasn't paying any attention to,
because the wolf had bounded right over to her and was nudging her hand to
be petted. 

 Cat was very taken by Dief, and it appeared the feeling was mutual. Dief
even rolled over on his back to let Cat rub his belly, this action made
Fraser stare at his companion in disbelief. 

 "Dief, don't make a fool of yourself!" the Mountie exclaimed as he walked
over to clear the table. He had never seen the wolf act in such a way, the
only explanation he could think of was that Dief really, really liked this
girl. How odd, he thought. 

 "He's not making a fool of himself, Dudley," Cat defended the wolf. "In
fact I think he's rather... sweet." Dief whined as if in agreement. 

 "Please do not encourage him, his ego is big enough already!" Fraser
looked over at Cat and Dief and smiled slightly in spite of himself. The
young girl, who tried her hardest to be as tough as nails, was smiling and
giggling while playing with Dief. Her clothes were torn and thin and her
shoes had holes in them. Looking at her brought on that feeling Fraser
just couldn't explain, and this was bothering him immensely. He wanted to
hug her and comfort her, and yet he didn't know why. There was a sort of
connection between them and he could sense it, but he still wasn't sure
what it was. He turned to face the sink and started to wash the dishes,
then he said matter-of-factly, "You know, it's supposed to be very cold
tonight." 

 "Well, duh! It's the middle of November, Dudley, eighty degree weather
isn't very common these days." Cat said wryly as she rolled her eyes and
continued to rub Dief's belly. 

 "Yes, but," Fraser paused trying to find the best way to phrase what he
wanted to say, "it must get awfully cold out there at night." Cat turned
in his direction, her eyes dark and clouded. She watched the Mountie as he
washed a plate, uncertain what to make of him. 

 "Yeah, so?" 

 "Well, wouldn't you rather... I mean wouldn't it be more ..." he cleared
his throat uncertainly, "I just think it would be better if you had a
place to stay tonight - indoors. Don't you?" Now Fraser had turned to look
at Cat and leaned against the counter. 

 "I'm perfectly fine where I am, thank you very much," Cat said coldly.
She didn't need any charity, and she wasn't about to spend the night with
some strange man, it was bad enough she came all the way to his house -
even if he is a Mountie. "Look, you've done your good deed for the day,
Dudley. Thank you for the food, that was real ... nice. Now if you don't
mind I'll be on my merry little way." Cat got up off the floor and started
to walk to the door. Dief jumped up and whined, unhappy with the sudden
lack of attention he was getting. She opened the door to leave and ran
right into a man storming into the apartment. 

 "Hey, watch where you're going! Fraser, where have you been, we were
supposed to be at Montgomery's an hour ago! And why is this girl that I
just knocked over coming out of your apartment?" 

 "Ah, Ray!" Fraser's eyes lit up as he walked over to help Cat up off the
floor. Of course she glowered at him and got up herself. Unfazed, Fraser
continued to speak, "I'd like you to meet, Cat. Cat, this is Detective
Raymond Vecchio, Chicago PD." Cat rolled her eyes, making it very clear
that she didn't care one bit. The only thing she did care about was that
both men had her trapped and she couldn't get to the door. 

 "Yeah, charmed I'm sure," Ray said in response to Cat's actions. "Now
look, Benny, are you or are you not coming with me to Montgomery's?
Lieutenant Welsh will have my head if I don't get this case solved soon!" 

 "Oh, yes, I'm still going with you, but you see I had a little set-back
in my plans. I was sitting down to eat lunch after my shift and then I got
a phone call..." 

 "That would have been me, why didn't you take my call! I was calling to
tell you I was on my way to pick you up." Ray fumed. 

 "Yes, but as I was about to take your call I saw someone running off with
my lunch. And so naturally..." 

 "Naturally you had to pursue this evil criminal to keep our city safe...
yeah, yeah, yeah." Ray rolled his eyes impatiently, "Does this have a
point, Benny?" 

 "Well of course, Ray. I chased this person for about 4 blocks and when I
finally caught the perpetrator I found that it was Cat here. So I brought
her home and made her lunch, since she obviously hadn't eaten for a while.
I tried that pasta recipe your Mother gave me, it was very appetizing..." 

 "Whoa! Hold up a minute here, Ben. You're telling me, we're late for a
very important meeting because you had to cook for someone who stole from
you?" Ray was trying his hardest to keep from shouting, he couldn't
believe what he was hearing. Sure Fraser was known for his off beat manner
of upholding the law, and sure he had done some very stupid things at the
same time, but this? This took the cake! 

 "Yes, Ray. I wasn't about to let her starve." 

 "Oh, of course not, Benny. You couldn't just let her starve," Ray
retorted sarcastically. Meanwhile Cat was trying to quietly sneak out of
the apartment, and what better time than now, when the two grown men
beside her were arguing like ten year olds. Fraser was explaining to Ray
what he had learned about Cat while she snuck behind them to the door. She
had almost made it out the door when at the same time Dief barked loudly
and Ray exclaimed, "She stole from you and she's living on the street? For
Pete's sake, Fraser, I'm bringing her down to the station. They'll call a
social worker and deal with her there." 

 "NO!" Cat yelled forgetting she was trying to sneak out. "No, social
worker!" 

 "Listen, Kid, you're seventeen, living on the street, stealing food,
you've got no other choice. Don't give me that look, it's for your own
good." Ray said sternly. Cat looked discouraged for a moment but then it
turned to hate. She wasn't about to let some cop ruin her life, she was
about to say that when Fraser spoke up. 

 "She does have another choice." Both Ray and Cat looked at the Mountie
with confusion in their eyes. 

 "And what's that, Benny?" Ray demanded. 

 "Well, Cat was just in the process of accepting my invitation to stay
here while she gets back on her feet. Isn't that right, Cat?" The look in
Fraser's eyes was so honest and trusting that Cat couldn't bear it. Why
was he doing all this for her? She was just some juvenile delinquent that
stole his lunch. Why was he putting so much trust into her. Why? Why? Why?


 "It looked to me like she was trying to make a break for it," Ray said
pointedly, knowing full well that Fraser was lying. 

 "Well yes, she was on her way out, Ray, but she was in the middle of
telling me her answer when she ran into you. Right, Cat?" There was that
look again. Oh man, she couldn't take it any more. Finally she decided to
give in. 

 "Yeah, that's right. I was about to tell Dudley, er, Fraser here that I
would be more than happy to accept his offer. Just until I get my act
together, though." Cat tried to sound convincing. 

 "Well, Benny, if you're willing to accept full responsibility for her,
I'll let it go, this time. The minute she does something wrong I'm on the
phone to social services, understand?" 

 "Understood," Fraser responded. 

 "Good. Now can we go to Montgomery's before Welsh asked for my shield?"
Ray grumbled as he stormed out of the apartment. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Fraser looked at Cat willfully, she looked unsettled. He wished there was
something he could do or say to relieve her of the anger she felt inside.
Anger was the only thing he could think of that would explain why she
acted like she did. Perhaps, he thought, she was hurt badly in some way
and she's trying to escape the pain. 

 "Look, Dudley, I appreciate your help and all, but I really must be
going." Cat broke Fraser's train of thought as she made her way past him
through the door. 

 "Cat, I gave you a chance at your freedom," Fraser called after her. She
stopped and turned around as he continued, "I'm not ordering you to stay
here. But if you chose not to return, I'll have to let Detective Vecchio
handle this." 

 "Yeah," Cat sighed. She knew she had no other choice, it was either bunk
with the Mountie or face a social worker who would make her life
miserable. "I was just going back to the alley to pick up some stuff, that
OK with you?" Her voice was acidic and distant. As if to comfort her Dief
bounded over to her again and rested his head against her leg. 

 "Dief!" Fraser exclaimed in exasperation. "Stop that right now, you're
coming with Ray and I!" 

 "Um, listen, if it's all right with you," Cat mumbled biting her lip
nervously, "he can stay with me. I don't mind really. Um, and it's sort of
a way of making sure I come back ..." 

 Fraser thought for a moment then nodded his head in agreement. He was
about to start on a long speech about trust and honor when Ray's angry
voice sounded up the stairwell. "Fraser! Will you please hurry up! Or
would you like to explain to my boss why I messed up the case because you
had to help out a chicken thief!" 

 "Ahem," Fraser cleared his throat and looked at Cat and Dief. "Now you
both had better behave," he said looking more at Dief than at Cat. Dief
grumbled in response and Cat just smirked. 

 "Oh, yeah, just like two little angels, right, Dief?" 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 "So, Benny, you've got yourself into another one, huh?" Ray muttered to
his best friend as Fraser closed the car door. 

 "What do you mean, Ray?" 

 "Oh, come on, Benny! You can't go around taking in strays from all over
Chicago! We've been through this hundreds of times already, when are you
going to learn? That kid has already tried to steal from you once, what
makes you so sure she won't try again? And, even more importantly what
makes you think she's going to come back?" 

 "Well for one thing, Dief is with her," Fraser started to protest. 

 "Oh, great, so now she's stolen your wolf!" 

 "Now, Ray, there's no need for that. If you will just listen to me,"
Fraser paused and watched Ray wave his hand impatiently before continuing.
"You see, number one, I really don't have anything worth stealing in my
apartment. Well there is that old eight track stereo that I borrowed from
Mr. Karnes on the second floor, but it doesn't really work very well
anyhow, you sort of have to tilt it upside down and hit it just above..." 

 "FRASER!!!" Ray was not in the mood for one of Fraser's long winded
explanations. They were already over an hour late for their appointment
and Ray just knew it wasn't going to go well. 

 "Sorry, Ray, anyhow, as I was saying, I have a very positive feeling that
Cat will return. And there's no need to worry about her stealing Dief,
he'll make sure that she comes back okay. In fact I believe he's quite
smitten by her, I have never seen that wolf act the way he did today. I
think Cat is scared, Ray. I mean she's so young to be out on her own for
three years. That would mean she was only fifteen when she..." 

 "Ran away, Fraser. She's just a run away. She's been lucky she hasn't
been caught yet, or if she has she found a way to get out. Listen to me,
Benny, you cant help someone who doesn't want to be helped. Who knows what
kind of stuff she's gotten into." Ray argued. The 1971 green Buick Riviera
was stopped at a red light, and the two men inside were facing each other
in a heated argument. 

 "But that's just it, Ray!" Fraser stressed. "I think she wants to be
helped. Why else would she have let me take her to my apartment?" 

 "Benny, you promised her free food - after she tried to steal from you. I
don't know if you're aware of this, my friend, but you can be pretty easy
to take advantage of at times. And this time it looks as if you were taken
in by some seventeen year old street trash," Ray smirked. 

 "She'll be back, Ray," Benny stated matter-of-factly. "You'll see, she'll
be back and she'll let me help her. I have a strong feeling I'm right
about this." 

 Ray sighed, he wanted to argue the point farther, telling his friend that
he was wrong. But Fraser had this annoyingly uncanny way of always being
right, no matter how insane an idea it might be. Just once though, Ray
wanted him to be wrong. So instead he threw this at the Mountie, "Then,
why do you want to help her so much, Benny? Why?" 

 "I have no idea, Ray. It's just something I feel," Fraser shrugged as
they pulled into the driveway of a beautiful Victorian stone house. "I
have absolutely no idea." 

 The man who answered the door eyed the two men who had just rang the bell
with arrogance. His voice was even colder than the look he gave them, "May
I help you?" It was clear he was not a pleasant person to deal with. 

 "Chicago PD!" Ray flashed his shield and barged into the house slightly
knocking the butler out of the way. "My friend here, and I have an
appointment. So if you wouldn't mind showing us to Montgomery, Mr.
Bellevedeer..." Ray stopped and looked at his surroundings. He and Fraser
(and the unpleasant butler) were standing in a large lobby that was
decorated with old paintings of Nobility and old shields from armor. This
is some place, he thought. 

 The butler looked down his nose at the loud mouth cop and huffed. Before
Ray could open his mouth again Fraser stepped in-between the two men and
said, "I'd like to apologize for Detective Vecchio. You see, he and I were
having an argument right before we got here, and well, I believe he's
taking it out on you." Ray glowered at the Mountie, but let him continue
on anyhow. "What he was trying to say was, that we are late for an
appointment with Mr. Montgomery and we were wondering if we could still
see him." The butler huffed at Fraser too, but still went ahead and
pressed the intercom button to notify his employer that the two cops were
here. 

 Moments passed before the intercom buzzed back indicating that the two
men were allowed to proceed. Almost indifferently the butler showed the
men to an office at the far end of the house. "Just wait here," he
muttered, annoyed that he had to actually do some work. With that he
turned on his heels and marched out of the room. 

 "Well, he wasn't a very pleasant fellow," Fraser announced. 

 "Really, Benny? Because I thought he was just exuding warmth and
compassion," Ray retorted sarcastically. 

 "Well, there's no need to get testy about it, Ray." Just at that moment
the doors on the other side of the office opened up and a short, plump,
balding man walked into the room. Fraser immediately walked over to him
and offer his hand, "Ah, Mr. Montgomery." The plump man just looked at him
in mock amusement, walked by and sat down at the desk. 

 "Well, Detective, how nice of you to decide to drop by. In the
neighborhood?" The man smirked. 

 "Listen, Montgomery, no games, OK? We're supposed to be on the same side
in this!" Ray snarled and almost lunged across the desk at the short man. 

 "But, Detective," Montgomery said slyly, almost mocking Ray's title, "we
are on the same side. You'd know if we weren't. Trust me." 

 "Then keep your men out of our jurisdiction! You're not helping this case
along at all if we keep picking up your men for doing illegal acts! No
hits, no drive by's, no nothing. Get it?" Montgomery just narrowed his
eyes and looked down his nose at the Detective. I wonder if that's where
the butler gets it, Fraser thought half amused. "I mean it, Montgomery! We
can't help you if you insist on continuing to do things your way, against
the law." 

 "We were just getting rid of a few problems, Raymond," Montgomery smirked
again. 

 "By blowing up a block of buildings? Killing hundreds of innocent people?
You're insane!" No longer able to keep his cool, Ray was screaming at the
top of his voice. Eager to prevent what was about to become physical
confrontation, Fraser spoke up. 

 "Perhaps, Mr. Montgomery, if you could limit your, um, elimination of
problems, while the Chicago police try to handle things their way, it
might help." Having gotten the man's attention Fraser continued, "It would
appear to be easier on all of us if we weren't arresting your, um,
employees, every day. Perhaps, Mr. Montgomery, you could maybe try to let
the law do it's job alone?" 

 "You're Canadian, right?" 

 "Yes, Sir." 

 "Well, listen to me, maybe up there in the Frozen North you let the law
handle things on its own. But here in the good ol' US of A, we like to
take matters into our own hands" 

 "You know, it is a popular misconception that just because Canada is to
the North that it's fro..." 

 "Not now, Benny!" Ray stepped in front of his babbling partner. "Listen
Montgomery, North Pole, South Pole, Canada or the US, it doesn't matter
where you're from, you let the Law handle this, OK?" Montgomery got up
from his seat behind the desk and walked over to the doors he had entered
by. "You know your way out," he said and closed the door behind him,
leaving Ray and Fraser alone in the office. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Cat walked all the way back to the alleyway that she called home with
Dief bounding excitedly at her feet. She wasn't really sure what to do.
Sure she had to go back to the Mountie's apartment or risk being caught by
the police. She couldn't run away anywhere, she was all out of money, and
well, she wouldn't be able to hide forever. Cat sat down at the opening of
the biggest box on an old torn blue blanket and reached inside to get
something. Dief snuggled close to her resting his head on her lap. 

 "Silly dog," Cat mused as she scratched Dief behind an ear with one hand.
"Why do I suddenly feel like Little Orphan Annie?" Finally, Cat pulled an
old woven bag out from inside of the box. It used to be lavender but now
it was dirty and grey, and sort of ragged around the edges. It was a
wonder it wasn't covered with holes. There were patches sewn onto the bag,
in different colors, and all shaped like flowers. "You know what this is,
Dief?" Cat asked the wolf and he questioned her with his eyes (if wolves
can do that...) "This bag, holds all I have left of my family ... of my
life." She opened the bag and its contents were carefully strewn on the
blanket in front of them. An old floppy stuffed animal with it's eyes
missing, a small piece of baby blanket, a few books, pictures and some
other knickknacks which held meaning for her. Cat picked up one of the
objects, a worn picture in a small silver frame, and showed it to the
wolf, "This," she said pointing at one of the people in the picture, "this
is my mom. And this is my dad, that's me, and this guy over here making a
face, that's my big brother Marc." She stared at the picture for a long
while before placing it carefully back in the bag. Dief whined as Cat let
out a heavy sigh and shoved all the rest of her stuff back in the bag. 

 "Well, we'd better get back, I guess. Don't want them thinking I've
stolen you or something." Cat quickly stood up, carried the bag over her
shoulder and grabbed a few other things from the cardboard box (old
clothing, a blanket or two) and started to walk back to the apartment.
Dief trotted along happily beside her, a wolf-like smile on his face. "You
silly, silly, puppy..." Cat muttered with a smile. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 It was very late when Benton Fraser returned to his apartment. He was
uncertain of what he might - or might not - find as he flicked on his only
light. His uncertainly passed when he saw Dief and Cat asleep on his newly
purchased, second-hand, couch. Well, I guess that really was a good
investment, he thought to himself, his eyes smiling. I guess the salesman
wasn't suckering me into anything like Ray said he was. Realizing his own
exhaustion, Ben placed his hat in it's holder, and began to unbutton his
red tunic, ready to settle down for a good night's - or what was left of
the night anyhow - sleep. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Cat awoke to the comforting familiar smell of bacon and coffee. It had
been years since she had smelled that in the morning, and it felt good.
Stretching lazily like a feline on the paisley, velvety couch in apartment
3J, she held on to the last images of her dream - her mom calling her to
breakfast and the bright sun-shiney room ... Suddenly reality hit and Cat
sat bolt upright on the couch, confused as to where she was. As the
sleepiness wore off Cat slowly began to focus on her surroundings. A
smiling face popped into her view, "Ah, you're awake. Good morning Miss
Cat." Benton Fraser was humming cheerily as he handed her a glass of
orange juice. "I do hope you like French toast and bacon. I wasn't sure if
you had any particular dietary needs or allergies, since we never had a
chance to discuss it." 

 Cat walked sleepily over to the breakfast table scratching her head and
stifling a yawn. "Mmmm, yum," she said as she sat down and looked at the
plate of food in front of her. How wonderful it was not having to worry
about where her next meal would come from. "Coffee?" she asked wide eyed
turning in her seat to face the Mountie.. 

 "Coffee? Don't you think you're a little young for ..." Fraser stopped
when he saw the look of irritation in the girl's eyes. Not wanting to
start the day off on the wrong foot, Fraser poured Cat a cup of coffee and
brought it to her. "Anything in it?" he asked. 

 "No thanks, I like it black," Cat answered distractedly as she sipped at
the coffee. Fraser raised his eyebrows in bewilderment, but then thought,
well I suppose life on the street can make someone grow up pretty fast. He
smiled again, a secret smile, Cat was still eating as if she had never
eaten before, shades of yesterday afternoon. Fraser figured that he
wouldn't ask any nosy questions this time, if Cat wanted to talk she'd
talk. Despite what Ray said, Fraser felt that Cat would let him help her
in her own time. 

 "So, Dudley, what do you want to know this time?" Cat had her eyes
narrowed in the way that reminded Fraser of an actual feline and her mouth
formed a coy smile. The Mountie's eyes sparkled in amusement, this girl
was good. 

 "What do you mean?" he asked her innocently. 

 "Oh, don't give me that, Mr. Mountie. You're sitting there aching to ask
me all sorts of questions, aren't you? Don't play innocent with me." Cat
scolded the man in red in between mouthfuls of food. 

 "Well..." Fraser paused and pursed his lips together, "I would still like
to know more about you..." 

 Cat shoved herself away from the table in one swift motion. Fraser hung
his head in despair, he shouldn't have asked her that question, now he'd
have to start all over again. But to his surprise Cat came back to the
table carrying an old worn out bag. She moved her plate to the side and
plopped the bag down on the table. "Okay," she said pulling out the same
picture frame she had shown Dief the day before. Fraser took the picture
from her and studied it carefully. 

 "Family?" he asked. 

 "Yeah, my parents and older brother," she replied sullenly. 

 "Where might they be now?" He looked up at her curiously. 

 "OK, I told you it was a long story, right?" Cat sighed as the Mountie
nodded in agreement. "Well, if you have the time ..." 

 "I don't have to be at work for a half hour, take your time." His eyes
were kind and his facial expression was softer than it had been moments
earlier. Cat relaxed feeling that maybe this once she had found someone
she could trust. 

 "OK, it was my birthday, I had just turned fifteen. It was a rainy night
and I had gone out to dinner with my best friend Mouse and her family.
Yeah, Cat and Mouse, cute, eh? Her real name was Julie, they were family
nick names ... anyhow, I was spending the night over at her house, on a
school night. Kind of a birthday gift from my family, since I was never
really allowed to do anything except homework on school nights. Now my
mother, her name was Marie, was a nurse and my dad, Jacques LeClerc, was a
criminal lawyer - a good one. Maybe too good, I dunno," Cat paused and
took a deep breath. Ben cocked his head to one side, listening
intensively. "You see, my dad was in the process of finishing up a case
that would put this really nasty guy away for good. This guy was said to
be the head of some major organized crime ring. And by the end of that
week, he'd be sentenced to life imprisonment. Well, around two thirty in
the morning there was this really loud explosion that shook the
neighborhood for miles. Naturally we all got up to look out side in case
we could see anything. Mouse lived about ten minutes by car from my place,
so it was the phone call we got five minutes after the explosion that
informed us what had happened. 

 "In a daze I was driven over to my house, still in my pajamas, and I saw
what had happened, although it never really clicked until a few days
later. My house, and everyone and everything in it, was a fiery mess. I
was told later that this guy that my dad was putting away ordered a
bombing of my house as a warning to the feds that he wasn't stopped
easily. I should have been there too, you know." 

 "There was no way of knowing," Fraser offered as comfort. 

 "Yeah, I know, but still. It was a school night. Anyhow no one survived,
my mom and dad, my big brother, Todd ... my dog." Cat stopped and stared
at the grey wall in front of her for a while. The room was silent, no one
said a word. There wasn't really anything to say. Finally Fraser broke the
silence, 

 "Did you have any other family?" 

 "No, not really. Mouse's family would have taken me in, but they were
already full to the brim, and weren't able to afford another mouth to
feed. I have an Aunt and Uncle, but, well, my Uncle isn't the kind who can
contain his anger very well, and my Aunt and her two children get the
brunt of it most of the time. Heck, he's even smacked me around once or
twice and I just couldn't let them send me there. I know my Aunt - my
Father's sister - wanted me, but her husband didn't. The only reason he
agreed to take me in was because of the money he was going to get. Anyhow
I didn't sick around long enough for the ink to dry on the legal papers. I
emptied out my bank account of all the money I had - all $250.00 dollars.
Used most of it when I hopped on a bus and didn't get off until I reached
here. I had no idea where I was going, I just handed the ticket lady the
money and said 'I want to go as far as this'll take me'. And then didn't
look back." 

 "So you came all the way to Chicago from where?" Fraser asked curiously. 

 Cat let out a short, half-hearted laugh, "Montreal, of all places. Funny
how life works, eh?" 

 "You're kidding me? Montreal ... you're Canadian. How did you manage to
stay here all this time?" Fraser was amazed at what he was hearing. 

 "Life on the streets isn't all that hard once you get the hang of it. I
started out scared and confused. I was mugged and beaten and that's not
the worst of it. I thought I could just go on trusting people like I did
back home, and that got me nothing but heart ache and pain. You start to
do things you'd never normally do to survive, and believe me I've done it
all. Drinking, drugs... just stuff to help you forget. You find ways of
making money you never thought you'd see yourself do in a thousand years."
Cat's voice trailed off, she was no longer talking to Fraser she was just
thinking out loud at this point, just letting everything out. 

 Fraser let out a long breath, disturbed at what he was hearing. The girl
in front of him looked nothing like the innocent girl who's smile lit up
the picture he was holding. She was so young to have suffered so much.
"Can I ask you one more question?" 

 "What's that?" Cat blinked back tears. 

 "What is your name? I mean, you say it's Cat. But I know now that its a
family nickname. So I was wondering . . ." 

 Cat let out a sad laugh, "Yeah, I guess you have the right, eh? You know
pretty much everything else now don't you?" Fraser gave her a small smile.
"Marie-Catherine LeClerc. No one ever called me Marie-Catherine though,
just Catherine. And even then, most called my Cat. I like Cat better
though, you can hide behind it." She shrugged and became silent again. 

 "Can I help you?" he asked his voice gentle with concern. 

 "Just don't let that Detective guy call Social Services. Please." She
pleaded with her eyes. "They'll send me back to Montreal, to my Aunt and
Uncle! I can't live like that, Fraser. Please believe me when I say I'm
better off this way!" 

 The Mountie shook his head, not sure what to do. This situation called
for him to obey the law and contact a social worker to send Cat back home,
and yet the look in her eyes was too much for him to bear. This would be
something he would have to seriously think about. But for now he just
said, "I promise." 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 That day at work Benton Fraser was lost in thought. He was highly
concerned about Cat and the situation he had gotten himself into. He was
so lost in thought in fact that his commanding officer had noticed and was
not pleased. 

 "Constable Fraser," Inspector Meg Thatcher said sternly as she stood in
the doorway of the Mountie's office, "I would seriously encourage you to
leave your problems at the door before entering the Consulate." 

 "Sir?" Benton questioned, confused. 

 "Oh, come on," Meg rolled her eyes. "It's obvious something is on your
mind, Constable. I have been standing here for the past five minutes
watching you. Not only did you not notice me you have also written the
same address on the last four invitations! And I am sure the Secretary of
State does not need four reminders of the Embassy Gala!" 

 "I apologize, Sir. You see I, well, I mean I, uh," Benton cleared his
throat nervously, "what I mean to say is ..." 

 "This isn't the time for personal problems, Constable. I suggest you
forget about whatever it is and I expect to see all two hundred and
forty-five of those invitations sealed and addressed on my desk in a half
hour. Understand, Constable," Meg ordered impatiently. 

 "Understood," Benton replied. But before Meg could leave his office he
said, "Inspector Thatcher?" 

 "What is it, Constable?" 

 "Permission to speak freely." 

 "Oh, all right - but make it snappy!" Inspector Thatcher was this close
to losing what little patience she had left. 

 "I was wondering if I could get your opinion on something," he paused and
Thatcher gave a short nod of her head. "You see, I, uh, have this friend
..." 

 Good grief, Meg thought, one of those questions. Out loud she hissed,
"Fraser ..." 

 "OK, well, it's really my problem, really. Anyhow, um, what would you do
in a situation where you promised someone something that wasn't really the


 right thing to do, but maybe, perhaps it was the best thing for them?"
The Mountie rambled on his face turning almost the exact shade of his
tunic. 

 "What is all this about, Constable?" 

 "Well, I can't say." Fraser winced as his commanding officer rolled her
eyes and looked as if she would whack him with a dead otter, had she had
one. "It's within the best interest for the other party, Sir ..." 

 "Understood, Constable," Meg sighed. "So you're saying that you promised
someone something that is bad..." 

 "Not really bad, Sir. Just, uh, not exactly right." 

 "Whatever. So you promised that you wouldn't do something rather than
doing what is probably the right thing. But this 'right thing' might not
be in the best interest of the party concerned?" 

 "Correct. Any ideas on what to do, Sir?" 

 "Well, Constable, I would chose to do what is right." 

 "Meaning you would not consider what is best for the other person and go
back on your word?" 

 "No, Constable, meaning I would chose which of the two options I thought
was best and follow through with that." 

 "And, um, which option might that be, Sir?" Fraser's blue eyes were
clouded with confusion. 

 "I have no idea, Constable." 

 Fraser's face fell, he was right back where he had started. "Oh well,
thank you anyway, Inspector," he said discouraged. 

 "Of course," Thatcher said over her shoulder as she exited the office,
"you could always come up with a third option." She turned around slightly
only to give him a small, supportive smile. "Just get your work done
first. You have twenty minutes left" By now she was out in the hallway and
Fraser was left all alone in his office. 

 "Understood," he called back and started to quickly address the pile of
invitations in front of him. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Later in the day Fraser and Ray were sitting in Ray's green Riv surveying
an empty warehouse across the street. 

 "Why is it that all illegal stuff has to take place in abandoned
warehouses," Ray grumbled, "I mean, you'd think that crooks would catch on
by now that this is the first place the cops will look!" 

 "Well, Ray, the fact of the matter is, that abandoned or condemned places
are the best hide out for criminals because there is no one around. And
unless the cops are tipped about illegal activity going on no one will be
the wiser because there's no one here." 

 "Must you have an answer for everything, Fraser?" Ray snapped
sarcastically. 

 "I'm sorry, Ray." There was a hint of hurt in the Mountie's voice.
Sensing this hurt Ray tried to make up for it by changing the subject,
"So, uh, how's that Mouse, kid?" 

 "Cat. Her friend is Mouse." Fraser corrected his friend. 

 "She has a friend named Mouse?" Ray chuckled "Don't that beat all, Cat
and Mouse. Ha!" 

 "She's very touchy about that, Ray. So I'd suggest you not bring that up
around her." 

 "So, what's with this kid anyhow, Benny? You find anything out?" Ray was
secretly pleased that the hurt tone had left his friend's voice and that
Fraser was starting to perk up while talking about some runaway. 

 "Ray, do you really think this is the time to be discussing this? I mean
we're supposed to be watching this building for signs of activity and
such." Fraser waved his hands around as he talked. 

 "Benny, I can listen and see at the same time you know, and I know that
you're more than capable of talking and surveying at the same time.
Besides, if I know Montgomery, he'll be on to our stakeout anyhow and I
doubt there will even be any activity today. So shoot, what's the deal
with that kid?" Fraser repeated everything that Cat had told him almost
word for word, leaving out anything that might trigger Ray into arresting
her and calling social services. Even if that was the path that the
Mountie would take, he didn't want to take it now. He still had to make up
his mind. At the same time both men kept their eyes glued to the warehouse
just in case. The sun was starting to set as Fraser finished his story. 

 "So she's been through quite a bit, you see. And I'm not really sure
which way to go." When he had stopped talking Ray handed him the cellular
phone. 

 "Call social services now," Ray said. "The number is 555-23 ..." 

 "I most certainly will not, Ray," Fraser said appalled and pushed the
hand away. 

 "Get real, Benny!" Ray was almost shouting. "You've got a runaway in your
apartment, whose family has probably been searching for her for three
years! You can't tell me she'll be fine on the streets, Fraser." 

 "But, Ray, I ..." 

 "And what are you going to do, Benny? You can't just take her in you
know, she's not a lost puppy, she's a seventeen year old girl." 

 "I don't know, Ray, but I ..." 

 "You're not her guardian, you know. You can't just take care of her,
she's going to have to go some time, Benny. Welcome to reality!" Ray was
on a roll, every time Fraser tried to dispute or speak he was cut of in
mid sentence. Finally when Ray stopped to breathe, Fraser jumped in the
conversation. 

 "You know Ray, everything you said makes perfect sense. But I can't just
send her back if she's going to be abused." 

 "Oh, right Benny, ever think she just made that up? I don't trust that
street kid one bit. She's big trouble, I just know it! And you and your
big old soft heart are being taken for a ride." 

 "You know Ray, you should try to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Besides she'll be eighteen in about two weeks, then she'll be legal to
stay on her..." 

 "What?! Are you insane? What are you telling me Fraser, that you're going
to hold off on upholding the law a few weeks to let her get away scott
free? I don't believe what I'm hearing! Benny it's your legal duty to call
it in and let social services handle this!" Ray angrily pushed open the
car door. "I can't take this anymore, I'm going to look around." And he
stormed off. 

 Quick as a flash Fraser was walking in stride with him. By now darkness
had set in and it was difficult to see their surroundings because of poor
lighting. "Ray, all I'm saying is that I have a good feeling about this
girl. She's not bad news and it wouldn't be prudent to send her back now.
At least if I hold off a bit longer she'll be old enough to make her own
decisions." Just as Ray was about to hurl another sarcastic retort at his
buddy both men saw a blur up ahead of them run around the corner of the
west side of the building. Without words, they both knew what they had to
do. Quickly and silently they pursued the blur following it through a back
door to the warehouse. 

 "Just what is it that we're looking for?" Benton whispered. 

 "Well, I'm sure that Montgomery is up to no good, even though we're
supposed to be on the same side in this case. I've never known that man to
be honest in his entire life. So just because he called us to stop some
evil gang from taking over his business - of producing beer - not any
illegal business of course." Fraser gave Ray a short nod to prove he was
listening as Ray continued, "I'm sure Montgomery had more to do with this
than just being the attacked party. We wouldn't be arresting his men all
over the place if he wasn't in on this. There's more to Montgomery than
meets the eye and I'm going to be the one to prove it. With a little help
of course," Ray smiled at the Mountie slightly. 

 "Of course, Ray." Fraser replied only half listening. Something over on
the other side of the room they were in caught his attention. He nudged
his partner and nodded his head in the direction of the activity. There
were two, maybe three people standing close together in what appeared to
be deep conversation. Ray squinted to try to make out faces in the dark
and slowly reached for his revolver. Fraser's face was stone like in
concentration as he strained to hear what was being said. Words drifted
through the air, echoing off the large and empty walls of the room. But
not loud enough for the two men to hear the entire conversation. If Fraser
stopped his breathing he could make out certain words. 

 "... tomorrow..." "...cut off..." "By the docks...we..." 

 "...gomery..." "...he's dead." 

 One of the figures knocked over an old tin barrel. The clang of the tin
meeting the cement floor was amplified by the echo in the room. Startled,
Ray jumped up and fired his revolver three times in the direction of the
sound. This frightened whomever was there and they fled the warehouse -
fast. 

 "I think I hit someone!" Ray cried almost gleefully as he ran ahead of
the Mountie towards the other side of the room. Ray was down on his knees
searching for anything that the suspects might have dropped in their
meeting when Fraser caught up with him. Opening the pouch on his uniform,
Fraser produced a small thin cylinder and pointed it in Ray's direction.
One small but clear ray of light shone though the darkness lighting up the
floor around Ray's hands. 

 "A flashlight? Where did that come from?" Ray spun around and looked
quizzically at his friend. 

 "That's not important, Ray," Fraser mumbled as he moved the light around.
"Find anything?" 

 "We could have used that a while ago while we were straining our eyes
outside you know." Ray muttered under his breath. He thought he heard
Fraser say something about that not being practical because the suspects
would have seen it, but he wasn't really listening. Instead Ray was
scouring the floor trying to find any sort of clue. He perked up when he
head Fraser's trademark "Ah!" 

 "Ah? What ah?" Ray crawled over to his Mountie friend who was crouched
down over some liquidy-goo on the floor. "What did you find?" 

 "Well Ray, it would appear that you did manage to hit someone while you
were shooting blindly," Ray let Fraser's subtle criticism about his
policing methods go and listened to what the Mountie had to say, "this
seems to be a little spot of blood." 

 "How can you be sure, Fraser? I mean, this place is covered in little
spots of everything! Oil, water, slime..." 

 "Well Ray, I tase..." 

 Ray felt sick, "No, wait, don't tell me, I know, I know. You know, Benny,
your methods aren't all that hygienic you know. And you've got to be
careful, your habit of tasting things has already gotten you into trouble
once!" Fraser just ignored Ray's comment shrugging it off, he was probably
just getting him back for the blind shooting comment he had made earlier.
After another half hour of searching, all that turned up was a small piece
of paper with scribbles on it that Ray had found. 

 "What do you make of this, Benny?" Ray asked his partner holding up the
paper in front of the light. 

 "Looks like a bunch of scribbles to me, Ray." Fraser took the piece of
paper from the detective's hand and examined it closely, licking it just
slightly. "Hmm," he said. 

 "Hmm? Hmm, Fraser? What happened to 'Ah'? What's it taste like? Paper?" 

 "I'm not sure, I'll have to examine it a bit more." 

 "Well, can we do that tomorrow? It's almost one in the morning. I'm
exhausted, let's get out of here, Benny," Ray said as he headed back
towards the door they entered by. 

 "Sounds good to me, Ray. Come to think of it I am feeling rather pooped,"
Fraser said stifling a yawn. 

 "Pooped?" Ray scoffed as he unlocked the car door, "No one says pooped
anymore Fraser. What is that, some sort of Canadian catch phrase?" He
snickered as they drove away. 

 "Very funny, Ray." Fraser muttered and looked out the window of the car. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Benton Fraser was exhausted when he entered his apartment. He took off
his hat and tunic and placed them carefully away for the next day. He
poured himself a glass of water and sat down on the couch. It wasn't until
he sat down that he realized both Cat and Dief were gone. It was late and
dark and the snow had begun to fall outside. But before Fraser could worry
too much the door swung open and they walked into the room. It was obvious
by the way Cat was dressed that she and Dief hadn't been outside. When
questioned all she said was that they were visiting some neighbors. 

 Dief jumped up onto the couch beside the Mountie and whined. "What's your
problem," he asked the wolf in a slightly irritated manner. All of a
sudden he was aware of Cat standing behind him. She started to massage his
shoulders. Startled he said, "What are you doing?" 

 "You must be so tired after such a long day at work," she mused, Fraser
could smell the alcohol on her. "Gee, you're so tense! Let me help you
relax." Cat leaned in close to his ear, and he could feel her warm breath
on the side of his neck. The smell of alcohol was even stronger now, what
was it? Rum! She smelled like rum. Fraser didn't think he liked where this
was going. 

 "Um," he cleared his throat and stood up suddenly, "would you maybe like
some coffee?" Without missing a beat, Cat was next to him running her hand
seductively up and down his arm. 

 "Mr. Mountie does stuff for people all day. Let me do something for you."
Her hands moved to his chest playing with the black suspenders over his
white undershirt. Fraser's face had that deer caught in the headlights
look and he couldn't think very clearly what he should say. "And I know
just how to relax you too," he heard Cat saying. Her voice sounded as if
she was in another room, so far away. Suddenly she slid down her hands
going... 

 "Ahem," Fraser coughed loudly and jumped back. "Dog food," he exclaimed
and Cat stood up confused. "Dief needs dog food. I, uh, forgot to pick it
up earlier. Um, I'll, uh, be back." Fraser bumbled around trying to escape
this awkward situation. He put on his hat and his dark blue RCMP coat over
his undershirt and headed for the door in an embarrassed daze. 

 "But it's two o'clock in the morning," Cat called after him. "Dief needs
dog food," was all she heard in response from the Mountie. "Dudley!" she
called again but he had managed to make it down the stairs and was out of
ear shot. 

 The hurt look in Cat's eyes lasted only a moment before she narrowed them
and smirked. With a mischievous glint in her eye Cat took a sip of some
alcoholic beverage from a silver canteen she had in her pocket and then
looked at Dief. He whined and hid his head under a blanket on the couch.
"Silly dog," she muttered and took another sip from her canteen. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Benton Fraser was having an even harder time trying to concentrate on his
job the next day. He was sitting at Ray's desk at the 27th Precinct and
fiddling with a chain of paper clips. He hadn't gotten any sleep the night
before and his thoughts were muddled. This was no time for foggy thoughts,
there was a criminal out there who had to be stopped before someone was
killed. Earlier that morning Ray had dropped off the piece of paper they
found at the warehouse last night at the lab to be analyzed. Right now,
all they could do was wait. 

 "Benny!" Ray's voice broke the Mountie's concentration on the paper clip
chain. "You know, Benny, it is awfully hard to brainstorm with someone
when they keep zoning out. What is with you?" 

 "I'm sorry, Ray." Fraser quickly tossed the chain on the desk and cleared
his throat. Turing to face the cop he added, "I didn't sleep very well
last night, that's all. I'll be okay, I promise." 

 "You *sure*, Fraser?" Ray asked pointedly. 

 "Yes, Ray," he answered his friend matter-of-factly. After a brief pause
he asked, " So what is it we know?" 

 "Well, we know that something is going down at the docks today and that
someone will be dead. Montgomery has probably . . . " 

 "Now wait a minute, Ray," Fraser cautioned. "We do not know for sure that
Montgomery has planned all this." 

 "Fraser, you heard his name and 'he's dead' the same as I did. What else
is there to think. Put two and two together and you get .. " 

 "Think, Ray, what if . . ." Fraser's voice trailed off. 

 'What if, what?" Ray was growing impatient with the Mountie's slow way of
getting to the point. But before his friend could speak, Ray's desk phone
rang. "Vecchio!" Ray answered the phone. "Yeah? Uh-huh... and that's all
there was? What about ... uh-huh. OK, got it! Thanks, Dale!" Ray hung up
the phone, scribbled something on a piece of paper and jumped up from his
desk. 

 "Ray?" Fraser's eyes questioned. 

 "You can finish your thought in the car. Benny, we've got a lead!" Before
exiting the building he handed the paper to Elaine. "Here, Elaine, run
this through the computer, will ya?" She arched an eyebrow at the cop
causing him to sigh and add a stressed, "Please?" 

 "My pleasure, Ray." A satisfied smile spread across her face and she
turned to the Mountie and asks, "Anything I can do for you, Fraser?" 

 "Ah, no thanks, Elaine. I'm just with him." He started to hurry after Ray
but stopped and added in a hushed voice, "Good one - getting him to say
'please'." 

 Elaine grinned, "I try." Before Fraser turned away Elaine thought she saw
a faint hint of an amused smile creep across his face. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Once in the car Benton quizzed his partner on what he just found out.
"Where are we going, Ray?" 

 "Well, Benny, that was Dale from the lab that called. It would seem that
the piece of paper we found last night is stationary belonging to a very
wealthy mob boss." 

 "Ray, how do you link one little scrap of paper to *one* person?" Ray let
out a small sarcastic laugh, "Easy, Ben. You see, this paper is a very
special blend, and there is only one person who has his own paper made.
This paper was created for a one Mr. Randolf Linkler." 

 "The Sausage King of Europe?" Fraser's eyes widened at the sound of that
name. 

 "The one and only, Benny!" Ray grinned. "It would appear that the *King*
is in town for a sausage convention to promote his latest sausage
creation." 

 Fraser was more than confused now, a sausage king was a mob boss, and had
some sort of link to Montgomery? "Um, Ray, what . . . " 

 "I don't know, Benny, but Linkler's private yacht is anchored down on
Pier 26. And if my hunch is correct, what ever is taking place today will
be taking place there - tonight! Montgomery is probably going to have
Linkler killed!" 

 "Ray, this make absolutely no sense a-tall! Think about it! I mean
Montgomery and Linkler have nothing in common." 

 "I beg to differ, my tall, red, friend, "Ray argued excitedly. "You see,
for about the past five years Montgomery and Linkler have been fighting
for territory." 

 "Ray, Montgomery is in the United States and Linkler is in Europe!" 

 "Not *physical* territory, Benny, but *business* territory! Each one is
close to being the wealthiest, best businessman in the world. When one
buys stock, the other buys up what's left and so on. They are bitter
rivals, Benny. So with Linkler out of the way. Montgomery grabs what he
leaves behind and becomes the richest man in the world!" 

 "That just sounds silly, Ray. Listen to yourself! And you never told me
where we are going, this looks like my street!" 

 "I'm taking you home, Benny," Ray said as he pulled over in front of the
run down apartment building. 

 "Ray?" Fraser was confused even more. 

 "I'll be back to pick you up around eight tonight. It is now five, you
have three hours, be ready!" Fraser shrugged and started to exit the car,
there was no point in arguing with Ray when he got like this. "Oh, and,
Benny?" 

 "Yes, Ray?" 

 "Don't wear red, okay?" Ray smiled. Fraser gave a short nod of his head
and shut the car door. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Dog food. Scattered all over the apartment were at least eight large bags
of dog food. Where Fraser went to find them all in the middle of the
night, or how he got them all back to the apartment, Cat had no idea. All
she knew what that when she woke up that afternoon dog food was all she
saw. She also realized what a fool she had been and swore to make it up to
her host - respectably. 

 So when Benton Fraser opened the door to his apartment he was greeted by
the delicious smell of a home cooked meal and a beautifully set table.
Somehow Cat had even managed to make his stainless steel plates and
utensils look good. With a total look of surprise on his face, Fraser
called out, 

 "Cat?" 

 A smiling feline-like face came into view from behind a cupboard door.
"Hey! You're early! Oh, well, come on, sit down! Here let me take this for
you." Cat took Fraser's hat away from him and placed it on its rack. She
then walked back over to the table and untied her apron. 

 "Um . . ." the Mountie began. 

 "I took the liberty of cooking dinner, I hope you don't mind. It's kid of
. . ." She paused and stared at the napkin on the table in front of her.
"It's my way of saying thank you and I am so sorry for acting like a fool
last night." Fraser studied the blushing girl in front of him. His face
was understanding and Cat was thankful to see a smile begin to form.
"Listen, I want to explain about last night." 

 "There is no need to explain, please do not feel . . . " 

 "No. I want to explain, Dudley." Cat cut hum off. "You see, I know of two
ways to say thank you. This way -" Cat gestured to the table and all the
food around them. "And, well, what I tried to do last night. Now I
realized right off that you were not the kind of person I should thank
*that* way. But I guess old habits are hard to break, and after spending
the last three years repaying people that way, I just kinda fell back into
it. So here is a pot roast with gravy, mashed potatoes and the works to
help apologize for my mistakes and to say, thanks for helping me out. Do
you think you could forgive me . . . Fraser?" Cat's eyes were glistening
with tears as she ended her speech. Almost instinctively Fraser reached
out and squeezed the little girl's hand. 

 "Don't worry about it, Cat. As far as I am concerned, there is no need to
apologize. I want to help you. I am *here* to help you. And I should be
the one thanking you, look at this meal, this is amazing!" 

 The auburn haired girl giggled shyly. "My father was big on gourmet
cooking and he taught my brother and I all the ins and out's of cooking.
As much as we complained about the Sunday afternoon lessons, it was worth
it. He made it an art, he was so happy when he was cooking, it relaxed
him. I hope to one day be as good as he was, I did the best with what I
could find here." Fraser squeezed her hand again, "I am sure your father
would be proud, Catherine." 

 "You think so?" Cat met Fraser's eyes for the first time with out
hostility, and he noticed a new sparkle in them now. 

 "Yes. I know he would." 

 Cat smiled from ear to ear as she began to eat her dinner. For two hours
they sat and talked while they ate. Cat had finally let her guard down
while she spoke to him and was free and open in her conversation. Fraser
found out the names of her Aunt and Uncle in Montreal, and Cat told him
horror stories of how her Uncle treated his family. Fraser also learned
that she loved to read and how much she missed her family - especially her
brother. 

 "There's just no-one who can look after me the way he did, you know? I
guess it sounds silly, and I don't mean that I don't miss my parents. It's
just that we had something special. He was always there to protect me, I
felt safe around him. I know it's silly." 

 "I understand." The warmth in his smile comforted her. 

 'You're really something, you know that, Fraser?" She smiled and her eyes
laughed. 

 "Thank you, I think." Ben returned her playful smile. He then turned
serious. "I promise you that I will never let anything bad happen to you,
you know that don't you? You can trust me." 

 "Trust and promises mean nothing to me, Dudley!" Her eyes suddenly
clouded over. "They do nothing but break." She got up from the table
brusquely and began to carry her dishes over to the sink. Fraser followed
and took a plate from her hands. 

 "I have never broken a promise to anyone, and I am serious when I say you
can trust me. Please believe me that you can trust me, Catherine. Please."


 "Don't call me that!" Cat cried, she could not look him in the eye. She
knew if she saw the pleading in his eyes she would break. And there was no
way that could happen, if she gave in she would just get hurt again. And
that scared her. "I, I don't know what to think! I am so scared, Fraser! I
am really scared! If I let you in... I don't know anymore! I don't hate
you or anything, and a small part of me says 'Believe him! Trust him! It's
safe.' But the rest of me refuses to listen and I am not strong enough to
let that little voice win! I don't know if I want to!" 

 Fraser thought hard about what to say next. Why did she keep doing this
to him? Why could he not think of something to say? This frightened little
girl in front of him was trying to find the strength to trust him *needed*
to be comforted. But Fraser couldn't think of anything to say. Not even
one of his Inuit stories. For once in his life Fraser was speechless. So
he did the one thing he could think of, he reached out and rested a
reassuring hand on her shoulder. Cat turned away from him again. But
didn't brush off his hand. She pretended to concentrate on cleaning an
invisible stain on the plate she was holding. Neither said a word, Fraser
could hear quiet sniffles coming from at, but he said nothing. He simply
gave her shoulder a small squeeze. Just as the silence was becoming
awkward Ray burst though the door in a very hyper mood. "Okay, Benny!
Let's go! Tonight we close this case..." Ray stopped and suddenly saw the
image in front of him. "Hey, everything okay?" Fraser was impressed with
the sincere concern in his friend's voice. He looked at Cat and with a
small smile and an almost invisible nod of his head he said, "Yes, Ray.
Everything will be just fine." Cat casually rubbed her eyes trying to hide
the fact that she had been crying and turned back to the dishes. 

 "Great, okay then, Benny, let's go catch some bad guys! Um, by the way,
what smells so goo?" 

 "Cat cooked a delicious diner tonight." Fraser answered as he put on his
hat. 

 "She can cook?" Ray exclaimed amazed. 

 "Yes, *she* can, Ray." Cat retorted. "And *she* is still in the room and
can hear you talk about her, you know!" 

 "Hey! Hey! Calm down! I wasn't trying to be mean, I mean.... Look, *I*
can't even cook, okay? I am impressed that's all!" 

 Cat found an involuntary smile start to creep across her face as the
detective tried to defend himself. "Forget it." She laughed. "You boys go
out, have some fun, catch some bad guys, and so on! Just get out of here
now, I have dishes to do!" 

 "You heard the lady, Benny, let's move!" Ray bounded out the door
thankful to get out of that situation. 

 "Leave the dishes, Catherine, I'll do them when I get back." Fraser said,
waiting for the reaction of using her name. Surprisingly enough she let it
slide. 

 "Don't worry about it, Dudley. Get out of here!" She flicked soapy water
at the Mountie. 

 "Okay! Okay! I am leaving! Just make sure Dief doesn't finish the left
overs!" 

 "Fraser," Cat called as he stepped out the door. The Mountie stuck his
head back into the room and raised his eyebrows. "Be careful?" Those words
were just whispered and Cat looked away from the door as soon as they were
uttered. Fraser smiled and replied, "Trust me." With that he shut the door
leaving Cat alone with a smile on her face. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 "So you've got her cooking for you now, eh, Fraser?" Ray joked as he
pulled the Riv into a dark alley way near the docks. His Canadian friend
she gave him a blank look and Ray had to laugh again. "Forget it, Benny,
let's just go set up." 

 "Yes, Ray." Fraser got out of the car as Ray radioed the police station. 

 "Elaine, back up on it's way to Anderson Dock?" 

 "Yes, Ray. Hey watch your backs, huh? These guys are everywhere and they
mean business." 

 'Will do, Elaine! And thanks!" 

 "You been taking lessons from Fraser, Ray?" Elaine joked. 

 "Ha, ha, Elaine, just keep us posted okay?" Ray got out of the car and
double checked his gun. Fully loaded with two extra clips in his pocket,
just in case. "Man I wish you could carry a gun, Fraser." Ray grumbled as
he surveyed their surroundings. 

 "I can carry a gun, Ray," Fraser replied causing the detective to turn
and face him sharply, "it just cannot be loaded." 

 Ray let out an exasperated sigh and pushed the Mountie in front of him.
"Just keep your mouth shut, okay, Benny?" 

 "Yes, Ray." 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 An hour passed and nothing had happened, Ray was starting to doubt his
hunch, it didn't make matters any better that Fraser was being unusually
quiet. However Ray noticed that the Mountie had been scanning the area in
his normal thorough way so if anything were to happen Fraser would notice
it for sure. Now if only something would happen, Ray thought gloomily. As
if in answer to his silent thoughts two men exited from a cabin about
twenty feet away from where they were hiding. Ray positioned his gun,
ready to fire if need be and Fraser looked as if he were ready to pounce
on prey. The two suspects walked in silence toward a large yacht where
they were greeted by three other men, one of whom was carrying a silver
brief case. 

 "That's Linkler's boat," Ray whispered to Fraser. "And it ain't no canoe
either, wow." 

 Both detective and Mountie narrowed their eyes trying to make out faces
and words. Fraser turned his head away from the suspected and toward where
Ray had parked the car just for a second and paused. 

 "We've got to get closer, Benny," Ray whispered again. But before Ray
could get up Fraser said, 

 "Uh, Ray?" 

 "What is it now, Benny?" 

 "I know you told me to keep my mouth shut and everything, but say I had
something rather important to say." 

 "What is it, Fraser?" Ray sounded irritated and quickly turned to face
his friend only to find him self face to face with the barrel of a very
large shot gun. 

 'Well, Ray, it would appear that we have been caught, and are in big
trouble." 

 "Gee, thanks for sharing, Benny." Ray grumbled sarcastically as he was
forced to his feet. 

 "Any time, Ray," Fraser managed to say before both men were knocked
unconscious by their captors. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 "Well, well, well..." 

 Fraser began to regain consciousness and could faintly make out the image
of a man standing in front of him. "It looks as though we were being spied
on," the image spoke. The Mountie shook his head to help clear the
fogginess and to try to stop the room from spinning. As his focus became
clearer Fraser saw that both he and Ray were tied to a chair on what
appeared to be the lower deck of a boat. Standing in front of them was
Montgomery and two other men, one of whom Fraser found out was Linkler,
when Montgomery spoke to him. Linkler was a tall skinny man who had dark
curly hair. Fraser found himself fighting to suppress a giggle when he
realized that the two men when standing next to each other resembled Abbot
and Costello. What am I thinking? Fraser thought, this is no time for
silliness. I have got to try to find a way to get us out of here. He
looked over his shoulder at Ray who was just beginning to wake up and
tried to think of a way to escape. 

 'Let us go, Montgomery, we know nothing," Fraser said to try and stall
for time, to himself he thought unhappily, Oh yeah, that was clever. Both
Montgomery and Linkler let out deep, full-bellied laughs, "You expect us
to believe that, Mountie?" Montgomery managed to say between laughs. "We
find two cops snooping outside and *you* expect us to think you know
nothing? What? Like it was just a hunch that something might happen?" 

 "That is exactly what we were doing, Montgomery," Ray spoke up suddenly. 

 The two men laughed even harder. 

 "Look, boys, we would love to stick around some more and have you
entertain us like this, but we have business to take care of. Sven here
will be your guard for this evening, eagerly awaiting the command to take
care of you. Mr. Linkler?" Montgomery waved his hand toward the door and
both men left the room. 

 "Are you all right, Ray?" Fraser asked when he was sure the bag guys were
out of ear shot. 

 "Yeah, you?" 

 "Fine, Ray. We seem to be a bit of a pickle though." 

 "Really, Fraser? Because I hadn't noticed," Ray grumbled. 

 "You are upset with me, aren't you, Ray?" 

 "Why, whatever gave you *that* idea, Benny? Why should I be upset? I mean
you just let two large, smelly mean with automatic weapons, capture us,
knock us out and tie us up here. And for what reason? Because I use a
common every day expression like 'keep your mouth shut'. Totally
forgetting *who* I was talking to - the *one* person in the entire world
who takes everything it literally!" 

 "I do not, Ray." 

 "Yes you do, Benny! And you do it all the time!" 

 "Do I?" 

 "Yes!" 

 "Really?" 

 "Yes, Fraser!" 

 "Oh." 

 The two cops sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity and their
guard just started at them in bewilderment. Finally Ray broke the silence
and called to the guard, 

 "Hey, you! Yeah, you. Sven is it? Well would you happen to have any
anti-nausea pills on you?" 

 "Shut up," Sven growled. 

 "Hey I am serious here! Boats make me very sea sick. How's about a bucket
or something? Otherwise I am gonna make a very big mess here on this
expensive Persian rug." 

 "Ray?" Fraser's voice was filled with concern. 

 "You know how I get, Benny," Ray said with an edge in his voice. 

 "Ray, um...I," Fraser began to say. He was not entirely sure if his
friend was faking it or not. 

 "Listen, buddy," Ray croaked out to the guard, "I don't know how much
longer I'll be fine. You *really* wanna see what I had for dinner?
Remember how I was *last* time, Benny?" 

 Fraser quickly sized up the situation and decided he would play along.
"Oooo, it was nasty." He raised his eyebrows at the guard at the same time
Ray hiccuped and the guard jumped. 

 "Okay, OK! I'll see what I can find. Just... just hold it in for a few
more minutes, OK?" With that Sven ran out of the room, not looking forward
to what he might find when he came back. Ray chuckled quietly when the guy
was gone. 

 "You okay, Ray?" 

 "Never been better, Benny. You still got that pocket knife on you?" 

 "Yes, Ray. Ah! I see what you were doing now. I wasn't sure if you were
acting or not. Now if you just reach a little to you left, this way..."
Fraser moved their tied arms over to the left so that Ray could reach into
his coat pocket and pull out the knife. 

 "Ow! Benny, arms are not created to move that way!" 

 "Oh, sorry, Ray!" Fraser tried to untwist their arms. 

 "No, wait. Just a sec ... there! I got it!" Ray exclaimed as quietly as
possible. He began to cut through the ropes quickly. 

 "I don't mean to rush you, Ray. But our guard sounds like he is on his
way back," Benny said calmly. 

 "Almost there, Benny. Almost .. got it!" Ray managed to cut through just
as Sven came running in with a bucket. 

 "Good, you waited. Here use this." Sven shoved the bucket in Ray's face
but before he could back away, Ray grabbed the bucket and rammed it on the
guy's head. 

 Fraser then jumped up and took the gun away from Sven and pushed him down
on Ray's chair. 

 "Now, don't you move, Sven. Or my buddy here will blow you inside out,"
Ray snarled as he tied up their ex-captor. Ray then took to gun from
Fraser and knocked the guy out cold. "That should hold him," Ray mused. He
caulked the gun and ran out of the room with Fraser in tow. Once on the
upper deck the two cops listened carefully for the sound of Montgomery's
voice. "This way," Fraser whispered and took off down the hallway. They
stopped at the end where they came across a closed door. Inside they could
hear angry voices in a heated discussion. 

 "Listen, Montgomery, I will not play these games. You'll pay me what you
owe me and I will then be on my way." A deep throaty accent rang through
the night. 

 "Well, we know they are in there. Now what?" Ray pursed his jaw in
thought. 

 "We listen, Ray." Fraser was crouched attentively at the door. Ray gave
him a puzzled look but decided to try it the Mountie's way for a change. 

 "There are no games to be played, Mr. Linkler. I owe you nothing."
Montgomery's voice was clear. "Getting my men arrested like that, when you
set them up when you blew up that building, you owe me! The police have
been after me since the incident and they have been watching me like a
hawk because of your fowl ups! I do not appreciate the, Mr. Linkler, not
one bit." 

 "Hey! What's going on?" Linkler's voice rose in fear. "Tell them to put
the guns away, Montgomery." 

 "Uh, Benny? I've listened enough." Ray jumped up and went to kick the
door down but Fraser stopped him just in time. 

 "Not now, Ray. Just wait and listen." Fraser took his position at the
door once more. 

 "Fraser, are you insane," Ray hissed but was met with a determined and
unbudging look from his Canadian friend. Reluctantly Ray joined Fraser on
the floor next to the door. "Are all Canadians this stubborn?" 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 "Now, Montgomery, we can handle this like rational adults, can't we?" 

 "You stole from me, Linkler and I don't like people who steal from me!
Now tell me, where's the Purple Diamond?" 

 "What?!" Linkler, Fraser and Ray all exclaimed at the same time all
extremely confused. 

 "Don't play innocent with me, Linkler. Tell me what you did with the
diamond or say 'bye-bye life'." 

 "See, Fraser, I told you Montgomery was going to kill Linkler. Ha!" Ray
was pleased that he had figured out something before the Mountie. 

 "But, Ray, what is he talking about?" Fraser asked perplexed. 

 "I have no idea, Benny. But I do know that if we don't get in there soon,
I will have to explain to Welsh *why* there are dead bodies in this case
while I was sitting outside the door!" 

 Inside the room Linkler was furiously trying to figure out what his loony
captor was referring to. "I have *no* idea what you are talking about,
Montgomery! I have never even heard of this Purple Diamond you keep
yelling at me about. Now let me go!" 

 Both Ben and Ray could hear the sincere confusion in Linkler's voice as
he pleaded with Montgomery to let him go. 

 "This guy's a nut," Ray whispered at the same time watching his partner
for a clue as of what to do next. 

 "I don't believe you, Linkler. I think you are playing dumb to get off
the hook. I think you stole that diamond from me when you set up my men in
that explosion. I think you are hiding it somewhere on this boat and I
want it now! But you still refuse to help me out, so, now you die!" The
sound of caulking guns and the strangled cry of "Hey!" caused Ray to turn
to Fraser are ask pointedly, "NOW?" 

 Fraser nodded. "Now, Ray." Both men jumped up and kicked in the door. 

 "Freeze! Chicago PD!" Ray cried as he stood in the doorway. What he saw
nearly made him drop his gun in surprise. The man being held at gun point
was not Linkler, rather it was Montgomery. 

 "Ah, nice of you boys to drop in." Linkler sneered, "You are just in time
to watch me take out the trash." 

 "Put down the guns, folks and let Montgomery go," Ray yelled. To Fraser
he said, "What the hell is going on here?" 

 "I was *trying* to tell you this *before*, Ray. I fear that Mr.
Montgomery is the one that is going to die, not the one who will be doing
the killing." 

 'Very observant there, Mr. Mountie. Do you get a boy scout badge for
that," Linkler scoffed. "Too bad you won't be around to receive it. And
Detective Vecchio, do you really think that *you*, one man with one gun,
can stop these seven men with seven guns? I think not. Say your prayers
boys." 

 "Wait," Ray exclaimed as he was led at gun point to sit next to
Montgomery. 

 "What is it," Linkler retorted. 

 "What is this Purple Diamond thing he was talking about?" Ray pointed to
Montgomery. 

 "I honestly have no idea, this man is a total loon!" Linkler laughed. 

 "You are lying, Linkler," Montgomery snarled. 

 "Fine! Think what you will, you Loon! It doesn't matter, because you are
all going to die anyhow!" 

 "I don't think we are," Fraser spoke up. 

 "Ah, yes, Mr. Mountie, always the optimistic one aren't you?" Linkler
walked over to Fraser and ran his gun across his cheek. 

 "Not always," Fraser replied his face like a rock. "It's just that if you
shoot us, then the thirty or so police officers who have this captain's
cabin surrounded will then have to shoot you. And, I am afraid that not
only will you lose, you will also create a big mess." 

 Everyone quickly looked around them. Sure enough, there were armed police
officers stationed at both doors and each window with their guns ready.
Detective Jack Huey stood in the doorway and yelled, "Freeze Police!" A;;
seven men dropped their weapons and put their hands over their heads at
the knowledge of being surrounded. 

 "You fools," Linkler cried as Ray and Fraser grabbed him. "We could have
taken them all! Never surrender! Never surrender!" 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Ray handed Linkler over to Huey and said, "Gee, nothing like getting here
at the last minute, huh, Huey?" 

 "Hey, you are both still alive aren't you," Huey retorted. 

 "Yes, and thank you kindly Huey," Fraser smiled at the detective causing
him and Ray to both roll their eyes. On the walk back to the Riv Ray asked
Fraser how he knew that Linkler was going to kill Montgomery. 

 "I wasn't sure about it, Ray. I just interpreted what we heard
differently, that's all. You heard it as 'Montgomery was going to kill',
whereas I heard it as 'he will be killed'. Plus there was the matter of
finding that scrap of Linkler's stationary at the warehouse the other
night. Why would Montgomery have had it if it is only made for Linkler?" 

 "I never thought of it that way. I made a mess of everything," Ray
grumbled as he pulled is car out of the alleyway. 

 "No you didn't, Ray. Montgomery *was* planning on killing Linkler, it
just so happened that his men turned on him. And I know that because one
of those men had a fresh gun wound on his hand, where *you* shot him last
night. There were two sides to this, and I guess I just got lucky in
choosing the right one." Fraser tried to reassure his best friend. Ray was
going to come back with a snarky comment about Fraser not having luck, but
just always being right, but he decided against it. He was tired and did
not want to start an argument now. Instead he asked, 

 "So, what's your assessment on this Purple Diamond thing?" 

 "I haven't the foggiest. But I am positive that Linkler hadn't a clue as
well. I saw genuine confusion in his eyes when Montgomery was asking him
about it." 

 "I wonder if we'll ever know about that," Ray sighed. "I'll drive you
home, Benny. We can worry about the paper work tomorrow morning, I'm
beat." 

 "Sounds good to me, Ray." Fraser sat back and stared out the window into
the night. It had been a long and confusing day, now that the case was
over the only thing he had to worry about was what to do about Cat? 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 "What does this one do?" 

 Ray walked into the 27 Precinct around eleven the next morning and saw a
crowd gathered around Elaine's desk. Only Elaine wasn't sitting there, she
was standing around with the crowd. He started to walk over to the desk to
see what was going on but was cut off by Fraser. 

 "Ah, good morning, Ray! Coffee?" The Mountie smiled innocently and help
up a cup of coffee in the detective's face. "It's just the way you like
it, Ray. I got here early and decided to start on some of the paper work.
I hope you don't mind." 

 "That's great, Benny," Ray said absently, his attention was directed
elsewhere. "What's going on over at Elaine's desk?" 

 "What? Oh, that? Oh, nothing." Fraser tried to steer Ray to his own desk
but Ray pushed him out of the way and walked over to Elaine's desk curious
as to what was going on. What he saw did not please him. 

 "What is *she* doing here," he cried his eyes wide. 

 "Hey, Detective!" Cat smiled acidically at Ray her eyes sparkling with
mischief. 

 "Ray, we were just showing this lovely friend of Constable Fraser's how
we make suspect sketches with Elaine's computer." Lieutenant Welsh smiled
at Ray. "And she's very good at it too." Welsh patted Cat on the back. 

 "I'm not that good." Cat blushed. 

 "She's trouble, Lieutenant," Ray began to argue. 

 "Ray, leave her alone, she's a wonderful girl! Sweet, funny, friendly
..." Elaine scolded him in a quiet voice. 

 "We've asked Fraser here where he's been hiding her all this time,: Huey
chimed in. 

 Ray was shocked, everyone seemed to love this - this runaway. Was he the
only one who could tell she was trouble? 

 "Ray, perhaps we should get started on this paperwork?" Fraser offered. 

 "What is going on this week?" Ray whined, his life was beginning to sound
like a Twilight Zone episode. 

 "Lieutenant Welsh? Phone for you," another officer called from across the
room. 

 "Be right there," Welsh called back. "Listen, Cat, you are more than
welcome to come back here and visit any time you like. I have really
enjoyed our meeting. And you'll have to tell me about that case your dad
worked on with my cousin's wife's son-in-law next time." 

 "Thanks, Lieutenant," Cat replied shyly. 

 "Please, call me Harding." He smiled warmly at her. Cat just smiled back
and nodded, slightly embarrassed by all the attention she was getting. 

 "What?!" Ray exclaimed unable to believe what he was hearing.
"Lieutenant..." 

 "Vecchio, do you not have paper work to do? Paperwork that has to be on
my desk in one hour?" 

 "Yes, Sir," Ray grumbled angrily and sat down at his desk. Fraser sat
down across from him. 

 "I'm sorry, Ray. It's just that she looked so lonely. I figured that if
Dief could come with me it wouldn't hurt too much to let Cat visit one
time." 

 "Well you thought wrong," Ray muttered and shuffled papers around on his
desk. "Where did you put that damn report, Fraser?" 

 "Um, right here on top of your 'In' tray, Ray." Fraser picked up the
papers and Ray snatched them from his hands. 

 "Let's just get this over with, Benny." 

 "Yes, Ray." 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 "So you really lived on the streets of Chicago for three years?" Elaine
and Cat were alone at her desk now. The other officers reluctantly went
back to work when Welsh kindly reminded them that this was a police
station and not a lounge. 

 "Yeah, I had an entire alley to myself. Set up my own Condo." Cat
grinned. Elaine was amazed at the eighteen year old sitting at her desk.
She was so strong and tough on the outside, but she had this innocence in
her eyes. Something Elaine had only ever seen once before - in Fraser's
eyes. 

 "And you never got caught?" 

 "Well, just once," Cat sighed. "Let me tell you, do not ever try to steal
chicken from that Mountie. He doesn't take it very well." They both
giggled. 

 Cat watched Fraser and Ray deep in discussion over at Ray's desk.
Curious, she thanked Elaine for showing her the computer and walked over
toward the two men. They were so involved in the conversation that they
didn't notice Cat approach the desk. 

 "But, Ray ..." 

 "Well it doesn't matter now anyway, Benny, you did the right thing and
her Uncle will be here any minute now to take her back to...uh..." 

 "What?" Cat's cry interrupted Ray's sentence. Both men looked at each
other as if they'd been shot. "What's he talking about, Dudley? Is he
talking about me? Huh? Is he? Did you call my Aunt and Uncle? Did you
Dudley? Answer me, damn it!!" Cat's voice got shriller and shakier as she
continued to ask Fraser what he had done. At the same time she started
backing away from Ray's desk. 

 "Listen, Cat, I, uh," Fraser was lost for words once more. He suddenly
felt that maybe this wasn't the best thing to have done. Everyone in the
Precinct stopped what they were doing and watched. 

 "Look, kid, this is for your own good. You can't go on living in Chicago
like this," Ray spoke for Fraser. 

 "No! You know nothing about me! You don't know what's *good* for me! No!"
Cat cried out. 

 "Cat, listen to me please! I just thought," Fraser tried to find the
words to explain. 

 "No! No, no! You didn't think, Dudley! I am not going back there! Never,
you hear me, Dudley? You know, you told me I could *trust* you, you said
to believe you. Well, silly, foolish me, I *did*. I fought long and hard 

 to break down that wall and let you in, Dudley, I told myself that you
were worth taking a risk on. Boy was I a fool, Dudley. You played me for a
fool. You planned all this all along, didn't you? You and Mr. Detective
over there, didn't you? Well I *knew* that he didn't like me, but you, you
tricked me. I hate you Fraser, I really do. I will not go back with my
Uncle!" Cat took off running, knocking over chairs and people as she
headed for the door. Ray started after her, but Fraser stopped him. 

 "No, Ray," he said in almost a whisper, "let her go." 

 "Are you crazy, Benny," Ray shouted but when he looked at his friend he
stopped shouting. Fraser had started to walk slowly after Cat. Ray stood
still, had he seen right? Did Fraser really have tears in his eyes? She's
only a stupid kid, Ray tried to tell himself. But as he followed Fraser he
too, began to regret what they did. 

 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 

 Cat ran down the stairs, there was now way she was going back to Montreal
with her Uncle. She was going to get away. She had made it as far as the
front door of the building when she stopped and her eyes grew wide in
fear. She came face to face with her Aunt. Her Uncle was just getting out
of the cab in front of the police station. It took a few seconds to sink
in but when it did her Aunt smiled and ran up to hug the crying girl. 

 "Oh! Marie-Catherine," she cried in French. Je te prennais pour mort!
Merci Jesus, you have reunited us with our family!" Cat pushed her away
yelling, 

 "Leave me alone!" 

 By now Fraser, Ray, Welsh and other officers had reached the door and
stopped right behind Cat. Fraser stepped forward slowly and spoke. 

 "Mr. And Mrs. Bernard?" 

 "Oui. Constable Fraser, is it?" Mr. Bernard extended his hand and Fraser
shook it. "Thank you so very much for calling us. We have been worried
sick about Catherine since the accident." 

 "That's a lie! You didn't even want me to stay with you after the
accident! You just wanted the money my father left for me," Cat hissed and
backed away from them even more. 

 "Catherine, voyons donc! You know we love you. Come, the taxi is
waiting." Cat's Aunt reached out for her but was pushed away again. 

 "I am not going anywhere with you!" 

 "Catherine!" Her Uncle's voice was harsh. "Listen to your Aunt, she knows
what's best." 

 "No! Why does everyone think they know what's best for me? I am eighteen
years old, you don't own me! I am happier living on the streets than going
back with you," Cat cried. 

 No one knew where it came from and o one saw it coming, but with one
strong sweep of his hand Cat's Uncle smacked her so hard across her face
that Cat fell backwards in to the pile of garbage outside the Precinct.
Everyone was silent and shocked, not exactly sure what happened. Fraser
was the first to react, he rushed to Cat's side and held her in his arms.
Cat brought her hand away from her face, she was bleeding. Her eyes were
big and instead of tears was rage. Two officers ran down and grabbed the
Uncle who's eyes were wide as well. He was just as shocked as everyone
else was at what he had done. Cat narrowed her eyes to slits and hissed,
"Go to Hell." 

 Mrs. Bernard started sobbing and her husband said calmly, "I am sorry,
Catherine. I am, please come back with us. I will make it up to you." 

 "She's not going anywhere with you." Ray stepped in-between Cat and her
Uncle. "You have one of two choices now, Mr. Bernard. You can get back
into that cab, fly back to Montreal and forget you ever came here and saw
Cat. Or you can stay here longer and be arrested and convicted for abuse.
You have just hit a kid in front of about twenty police officers, Mister.
She's not going *anywhere* with you." 

 "Come on, Charles, let's go!" Cat's Aunt pulled on her husband's sleeve
as she walked back to the cab. He very slowly turned around and got back
into the car. 

 "Ma Tante," Cat spoke quietly. Her Aunt turned around and looked at Cat
in sorrow. "J t'aime tous jours. Take care of you." 

 "Oui, ma petite choux." She blew Cat a kiss and closed the cab door. As
the car drove out of sight, Fraser held Cat tightly. She looked at him in
the eyes for the first time without that sparkle of life. 

 "You said I could trust you," she whispered as a few officers gathered
around to help her up. 

 "I know," Fraser's voice was quiet as well and a little shaky. "And you
can. I promise I will never let anyone hurt you ever again. I promise you
this, Catherine. I will make this up to you." 

 Ray watched the two of them from a distance. He knew Fraser would keep
his promise to make this up to Cat. And somehow, Ray had to help Cat
believe that too. 

 FINIS!!!!!!! 

 ta daa!! see I knew I could do it! I just needed a push (TYKs to
Judy*bignoot*MOM, Seah*ches* and MelissaB...you hounded me for a good
cause :)