Ben & Phil ch 9	

Disclaimer: This story is written for the private entertainment of fans.
The author makes no claims on the characters or their portrayal by the
creation of this story. Fraser, Vecchio, et.al. belong to Alliance; the
McKenzies and friends belong to me. No infringement of any copyrights held
by CBS, Alliance, CTV, or any other copyright holders of DUE SOUTH is
intended. This story is not published for profit, and the author does not
give permission for this story to be reproduced for profit. 

Lyrics to Perhaps Love by John Denver are used without permission. 

Drama/Romance Rated PG	

Like Thunder When It Rains 

By SL Haas 

(Copyright December 1996, Revised June 1999) 

August 1984 

Chopin's Raindrop Prelude drifted out to Ben. He knocked again. "Phil,
answer your door! I know you're here." But the piano and its absorbed
pianist didn't hear him. Ben made his way around the side of the house and
climbed the stairs to the deck. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows he
could see Phil engrossed in her piano. The last strains of the prelude
reached his ears. He rapped on the glass and watched as Phil's head jerked
up and around to stare at him. The music stopped and she rose to open to
door for him. 

"I knocked on the door but you didn't hear me." 

"I'm sorry, T. I got lost in..." 

"Don't apologize, Phil, I understand. Play some more for me, please." 

"I'm not that good, T. I only play for my own pleasure. It helps me
unwind. I don't want to offend your ears with my playing." 

"Let me be the judge of that. From what I heard, you play beautifully." 

"To borrow one of your phrases--'thank you kindly'-- but you should really
hear Rob play. He could have been a concert pianist if he wanted but he
always wanted to be a doctor. You know...one of the first memories I have
is sitting on several books at a piano playing 'Heart and Soul' with him."
Phil motioned for Ben to come inside. She slid the patio door closed and
turned to him. "We used to play all kinds of duets together. Then we
started singing together. TJ was so disgusted with us. He was all thumbs
and couldn't carry a note to save himself." 

"Becka and I are a bit like that. We both played guitar and sang. I miss
doing that with her." 

"Me, too. I mean... with Rob!" She laughed, "Some of my fondest memories
revolve around a piano and singing with Rob. When we get together we
usually spend an evening singing and playing together. We didn't get to do
that when Rob was here. I missed doing that this time." 

"You weren't in exactly the best shape to sing or play the piano, now were
you?" 

"No, I guess I wasn't. I still missed it, though." There was a wistfulness
in her voice that tugged at his heart. 

"What say we try something together?" 

"You mean, you and me, sing something together?" 

"Why not?" 

"I don't...I mean...T...I have only sang with Rob. I'm not that good and,
well, TJ and Rob have to put up with my caterwauling but you don't." 

"Phil, don't tell me you're shy? I refuse to believe that. Besides, I'm
not such a great singer myself. In fact, my most appreciative audience was
a pack of wolves. They serenaded me one night and I joined them. We had a
howling good time together..." He paused, "Are you laughing at me?" 

Phil shook her head and compressed her lips but the image of Ben howling
with a pack of wolves was just too much. She giggled. The giggle became a
chuckle, the chuckle a chortle. She leaned on the keyboard and the
discordant notes accentuated her laughter. "I'm sorry, T. It's just..." 

"Phil, I'm hurt. You laughed at me. Here I was sharing a tender moment
from my past and you laughed at me." He hung his head. "And you won't play
for me and you won't sing with me..." He glanced at her from the corner of
his eyes. 

"Oh no you don't, Mr. Pity-Me-the-Poor-Misunderstood-Mountie! I can see
right through you. Whining will get you nowhere." 

Ben shook his head and asked, "What can I do to convince you to join me?" 

A speculative look entered her eyes. Ben's eyebrows rose as he waited for
her answer. "A kiss would do nicely." 

Ben joined her on the piano bench, slid his arm around her, and drew her
close. Her hands were on his chest almost, but not quite, pushing him
away. He trailed a finger down her forehead along the bridge of her nose
to her lips. His thumb gently caressed those portals. His mouth approached
hers. With only an inch separating them, he whispered, "Will one be
enough?" 

Phil stared into his blue eyes. She felt his breath on her lips. Would one
kiss from this man ever be enough? She nodded and whispered back, "One
will do for right now." She watched his face close the distance that
separated their lips. She felt the pressure of his lips on hers; his
tongue stroking her lips before entering her mouth. She felt the curling,
tingling sensation that built in her. Why did he affect her like this? Her
hands slipped around his shoulders and her fingers found their way into
his thick, dark hair. Reluctantly, they drew apart. 

Ben watched Phil swallow and run her tongue over her lips. He saw the
desire in her eyes and smiled. "Well?" he asked. 

"Okay, I give up. I simply cannot refuse you when you ask so nicely." He
hands moved back to the keyboard and she played a short arpeggio to calm
her racing heart and the tremble in her fingers. It didn't work. His
closeness affected her such that she couldn't seem to find the right keys.


His thigh brushed hers and Ben found his throat closing up. He couldn't
speak much less sing. By mutual agreement they drew apart and inhabited
the far ends of the bench. The looks they gave each other spoke volumes. 

Phil's fingers became sure again and began to play some Gordon Lightfoot.
Her slightly husky alto combined with his crystal clear baritone producing
a pleasant harmony. Beatles, followed by John Denver, Credence Clearwater,
and even some Beach Boys, were sampled and expanded upon. Gradually, the
distance separating them on the bench decreased until, once more, thigh
brushed thigh. This time, though, self-consciousness was put aside. Ben
placed his arm around Phil's shoulders and held her close as he gently
sang in her ear. She turned her face to his and their lips accidentally
brushed each other. Neither drew away as coffee-brown eyes gazed into
glacier blue ones. Phil's hands stilled on the keys. She couldn't control
the trembling in them. He smiled gently at her. He could still see the
wariness buried deep in her eyes. He had to take it slow or scare her away
again. 

She shifted away from Ben and stood up. "I'm sorry, T. I've got to stop.
My hand is really aching. The cast hasn't been off that long and it still
aches when I strain it." She massaged her hand. "I think you'll agree that
four hours of continuous playing would be considered straining it!" 

Ben stood and approached her. He took her hand and massaged it for her.
"We need some moist heat on this," and he proceeded to kiss it. The kisses
moved up her arm. 

Phil looked into his deep blue eyes as his face crept up her arm. She
laughed, "Why do you do this to me, Ben?' 

He looked at her with a 'who-me?' look in his eyes and grinned at her.
"Because I lov...." 

Phil pulled his face to hers and planted a passionate kiss on his willing
lips. Her tongue caressed his lips as she molded her body to his. Just as
quickly she pulled away from him. 

Ben was speechless. Phil continually surprised him. Now was no different.
She had never initiated such a passionate kiss before and the effects of
it were still coursing through his body.  

She laughed at him, "Don't just stand there with your mouth hanging open!
You look like a fish out of water!" 

He pulled her to him and silenced her laughter in the most effective way
he knew. As he pulled back from her face he lovingly memorized her
features. Her lips—slightly parted, moist, a redness from the pressure of
his lips on hers, trembling slightly (so easily coaxed into a smile); her
tongue--sensuously running over her lips (his groin muscles tightened);
the tip of her nose, slightly flaring with each breath; her eyes (he
removed her glasses)—brown and bottomless, glazed with passion, a fully
awakened awareness of him, holding a promise of unfathomed passion (he
felt himself drowning in them); her skin--lightly tanned, flushed with
desire (Blue Cabin flashed through his thoughts); her dark brown
hair--like strands of silk (he inhaled the familiar scent of lavender). He
catalogued each feature, imprinting them on his heart forever. He kissed
her again, this time gentle and lovingly. 

Phil gazed into the face of this man who had changed her world around. She
had saved his life at Phil's Falls. He had found her and returned the
favor in Blue Basin. But he had done more. He had reached out to the Phil
only her brothers knew. He had steadfastly pursued that Phil, refusing to
accept the Phil everyone else knew. Why had he done that? Why did he want
to know the 'real' Phil? 

"T, why are you here with me?" She buried her face in his chest and
clutched the front of his shirt. "Why me? Ben, you could have any woman
you wanted. I've seen the way they look at you. Why me? You never backed
down--you never let me push you away. Why?" 

His arms were around her, stroking her back, running his fingers through
her hair, trailing fingers across her cheek. "I can't really say, Phil."
He cupped her chin and kissed her. "I have little experience with women.
They are…unpredictable and that alarms me."  

Phil pulled away from him disbelief in her eyes.  

"I know, I know, hard to believe, but, nevertheless, true. You never
treated me like a...a sex object! You treated me like a person...a
friend..." He smiled into her eyes, "You never demanded anything of me.
You're nothing like Angel." 

"Thank you...I guess?" The wary look reappeared in her eyes. "But why me?
Why weren't you satisfied to know the 'me' everyone else knows? Why did
you want to know more?" 

He kissed the tip of her nose. "I was intrigued. I wanted to know you
better." He shook his head slightly. "The more I knew, the more I wanted
to know." He laughed. 

"What's so funny?" 

"You and your darn stories!" 

"My stories? What about all those Inuit stories you've told me? Sometimes
I think they have a story for every conceivable situation imaginable. My
stories, indeed!"  

He silenced her with a kiss. "As I was saying, every story you told me
only enticed me nearer until I was trapped in your web. No matter how hard
I tried..." he sighed, "You've captured me, Phil--pure and simple." He
nuzzled her neck and ear. 

"You make it sound like I deliberately...like I wanted to...wanted to
catch you..." Logical thought surrendered to the feelings his tongue and
lips created. Ben watched the emotions play across her face. If a few
strategic kisses had this effect on her--how would she react to him when
he made love to her? His eyes closed as he imagined her body under him as
he thrust into her depths. He imagined her moans of pleasure as they
climaxed...he shook himself and buried his face in her neck.  

"I want you, Phil," he whispered in her ear. 

Phil heard the soft whisper and knew what he was asking. She wanted
him...but he was leaving. She knew sex would not hold him and without a
commitment she could not give in to her desires. She pushed gently against
him. "I think you should go, Ben." 

The cool tones of her voice brought Ben out of his fantasy.  

Phil saw the bewilderment on his face and the hurt she had caused. "I'm
sorry, T. I'm not ready for this. I don't know if I will ever be..." The
words caught in her throat and she felt a renegade tear slide down her
cheek. 

"That's alright, Phil. I can wait." He walked slowly to the door. With his
hand on the knob he turned to her. "But consider this: I'm a Mountie,
Phil, and I always get my woman." 

"I thought that was 'You always get your man!'" 

"I don't want a man the way I want you!"  

The words leaped across the distance separating them and caressed Phil's
emotional core. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.  

Ben ducked then grinned before hastening out the door. "You missed me,
Phil!" preceded the slamming of the door. He leaned against the door and
laughed to himself. The solid thud of another pillow on the other side
informed him of his narrow escape. * * * 

"You did what?" 

"We volunteered you for the talent contest. It's for a good cause and it's
about time you shared some of your talent with others." 

Phil glared at Darryl and Jason then turned to survey the other members of
the station. "Whose big idea was this? Isn't it enough that I already
volunteered as stage crew? I will not parade my limited abilities when
there are so many others that are more talented than me. Just whose idea
was this?" A parting of the company directed Phil to the only pair of eyes
in the station that refused to meet hers--glacier blue ones that turned to
hers with a small measure of guilt in them.  

"Fraser? You did this to me?" She shook her head and turned to Darryl,
"That settles it! Mark my name off and put Fraser's down. If you want
someone to sing, he's much better at it than I am. In fact, you'll have
half the audience swooning over him." She shot a venomous glance at the
Mountie. "How could you?" she mouthed at him then stalked out of the
building. 

"Come on, Dave. Let's take a buzz over to Winston and back." She called
back to the still surprised group.  

Dave hurriedly grabbed his gear and grinned at Ben. "You're on her 'Shit
List' now, Fraser!" Sounds of the chopper lifting off soon reached their
ears. 

"Well, now what do we do? I promised Carter that we'd field at least one
entry in the contest." He looked at Ben for clarification. "I thought you
said she was good singer." 

"She is, she's just a little self-conscious." 

"Do you think there's anyway we can get her to relent and perform? Or can
you take over her spot?" Darryl anxiously asked. The annual talent contest
was a charity 

event put on at the area ski resort. Each of the various rescue groups,
snow patrols, and lake patrols of the area shared a good natured rivalry
when it came to providing talent for the contest. 

"From her attitude, I would venture to guess that you will never get her
on a stage!" Darryl's shoulders sagged. "But I have a plan..." Ben’s sly
smile spread to Darryl as he explained his plan to him. * * * 

"Since you were the one to ‘volunteer’ me in your stead, it is only fair
that you help me practice." Ben’s reasoning voice continued the discussion
that had begun that morning when Phil had entered the station. "If I’m to
acquit myself well on behalf of our group, I need to practice. You will
admit that you are my best choice for a practice partner, Phil." 

"Oh, alright, T! I’ll help you practice. But that’s all, understand? I am
not going to accompany you." 

"That’s all I ask, Phil. Can I come by tonight and go over some music with
you?"  

"Since when have you needed my permission to drop by?" she smiled at him
and glancing around to be sure no one could see them, she planted a quick
kiss on his lips. Ben reached for her but she drew away as the sound of
footsteps approached the office. She was more than willing to kiss and be
kissed by Ben in private. But she was uncomfortable with the idea of
someone seeing her do that. Kissing Ben in public would be the same as
admitting to everyone that she cared for him more than just as a friend.
How could she do that when she knew she would lose him in October? It was
better if no one knew what she was going through. Besides she had a
reputation to maintain. After all, she was the Ice Queen and she wasn’t
quite ready to admit that Ben had melted her heart of ice. * * * 

Phil fixed a light dinner for the two of them, then settled down at the
piano, and ran through several selections with Ben. He had borrowed a
guitar from Stan and chorded along with her.  

"I think we can narrow it down to these two songs." He indicated the one
piece of sheet music Phil had propped on the piano. The other was a tune
new to Phil. 

"If you want my opinion, go with your song. It's new and..." she
swallowed, "you sing it so very well." Very well indeed, she could picture
those horsemen racing across those blue skies--horsemen that all looked
like Ben. 

"I tend to agree with you, Phil. But I like this other one as well. Could
you sing through it for me? I'd like to hear the words again." He
stretched out on the sofa and closed his eyes. When nothing happened he
opened his eyes and looked questioningly at Phil. "What?" 

"I'm not the one who is supposed to be practicing, T. Why don't you sing
through it and let me listen?" 

"Now, Phil, before I sing a song I like to hear the words and the music
and feel how they flow together. I can't do that while I'm singing it.
Please, do this for me?" He gave her a quick smile. "Please?"  

"Why can't I say no to you?" She shook her head, turned back to the
keyboard, and began playing the music. She played through the piece once,
then began again. This time her alto tones carried the lyrics to Ben's
ears. With his eyes closed, the slight huskiness of her voice stroked his
senses. 

Phil sang the song, ever conscious of the words. She glanced over at Ben's
recumbent form. With his eyes closed, she felt safe in letting her love
for him fill her eyes. She vowed to smother her love as much as possible.
They would only end up hurting each other when he left for Canada. It
would be better if only one of them ended up with a broken heart. It was
so hard to keep her distance, though. He was like a light and she was a
moth captured by his warmth and brightness. She longed to immolate herself
in the flames that built in her. The song was over, her fingers idle, and
still she stared at Ben. 

Too soon, Phil's voice faded and the music stopped. Ben opened his eyes,
and surprised a look on her face. He had seen it before, once hanging off
the cliff at Phil's Falls, once in a fever-delirium and once at the
symphony. He rose from the sofa and approached Phil at the piano. She
quickly reigned in her emotions and turned back to the sheet of music. 

His hand on her shoulder set her nerves to tingling. He leaned across her
to point to a notation on the sheet of music. Phil was excruciatingly
aware of his presence beside her. "What was that, T? I'm sorry, I blanked
for a moment." 

Ben felt the slight trembling of Phil's body and knew she hadn't 'blanked'
at all. True, her mind had been elsewhere, but not blank like she wanted
him to believe. He had felt the magic of the words, too. This song was
perfect for his purposes. If only he could trick her. 

"I said: the notation indicates that this is supposed to be sung as a
duet." 

Phil glanced at the indicated notation. Sure enough, duet. She glanced at
him. What was he planning? 

"Sing it with me? I want to hear how the parts fit together. And before
you say anything--I know--you are not singing a duet with me! I just want
to hear the song as it is supposed to be performed. Okay?" 

Reluctantly she agreed, "Okay." 

"I'll take the first part, can you handle the second?" Phil nodded and
they sang through the song together. They tried it several more times
until Ben was comfortable with the words, and then he worked on the guitar
part. By the time he was finished he was satisfied with the progress of
his plan. 

"I like that song, but I don't think I can use it. It sounds so much
better as a duet that I don't think I can do it justice alone. And since
you have made it abundantly clear that you will not join me..." He glanced
at Phil. She smiled and shook her head. "I guess that I'll stick with my
song." 

"I told you that hours ago, T. Why didn't you listen to me then?" 

"I guess I just enjoy singing with you." He placed the guitar in the case,
stretched, and gave Phil a quick kiss. "I guess I'll go now. Unless you'd
like for me to stay?" There was a definite tinge of hope in his voice.	

"Go home, T. I'll see you tomorrow." * * * 

"I swear I will never do this again!" Phil ran her hand through her hair
and grimaced at Darryl. "I'll visit one of my brothers for a week, a
month. Hell, I'll move to Chicago with them!" 

"Phil, Phil! Calm down! Next year you can do something else--and if you
run off to Chicago we'll send someone after you!" 

"I just bet you would. You're a cruel and devious man, Darryl." Phil gave
him a hug. 

"You have no idea how right you are, Phil!" Phil did a double take of
Darryl as he handed her the portable microphone. "Now, take this mike to
the rear of the chairs and wait for the signal." 

"Darryl, what did you mean by that remark?" Phil asked. 

"You know, the signal for the next act on the billet...the one that
follows Fraser's song?" Darryl played dumb. "Hurry, Fraser's about to
begin and you don't want to miss him, do you?" 

"No, I don't." She smiled at her friend. "Thanks for giving me a job where
I can legitimately watch him sing." 

Darryl's grin widely. "You may not think that after this evenings over!
Now go!" 

Phil obediently hurried to the rear of the chairs that had been set up to
accommodate the audience for the show. She couldn't believe the number
people that had shown up. There were even people spread out on the
perimeter, enjoying the show from their own blankets or quilts. There was
a festive feeling in the air. This was the biggest turnout for the charity
event she had yet seen. Phil stood at the rear waiting for the group that
was following Ben to appear and take the mike from her. She idly watched
as Ben carried a stool and a guitar out onto the stage. She wondered where
the group was. They were going to be late if they didn't hurry and get
there. 

Ben positioned the stool on the stage and sat down. He lightly tuned his
guitar searching the crowd for the face he wanted to see. His lips curled
slightly as he saw Phil at the rear holding the portable microphone. Now,
if she would only cooperate. 

Phil watched as the small smile settled on Ben's face. She listened to the
collective sighs from the women sitting in front of her.  

"Now there's a souvenir I'd like to take home with me!"  

"Jeez, pinch me, I think I'm dreaming...NO don't pinch me! I don't want to
wake up!"  

"Brother, I'd love to have his lips running up and down my..." and other
comments had Phil blushing for Ben's sake. She couldn't really blame the
women. Ben was just too good looking for his own sake. She shook her head
in amazement. Why did he want her when he could have his choice of any
woman around here? She looked at the man on the stage and feeling of
hopelessness filled her. How could he possibly love her? 

Ben cleared his throat and spoke softly into the mike, "Hello, everyone.
My name is Benton Fraser. I'm a constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police. But this summer I'm a junior member of the Rocky Mountain Rescue
team based here."  

One of the women in front of Phil muttered to the others, "We're going to
Canada next year!" 

Ben cast his eyes toward the back of the group and found Phil. He gave her
one of his rare, dazzling smiles.  

One of the women in front of Phil gasped, "Oh my god, did you see that? He
smiled at me!"	

"You're crazy, he smiled at me!"  

"You're both wrong, it's me!"  

Phil grinned at the conversations occurring in front of her. 

Ben watched Phil's face and was rewarded with one of her lopsided grins.
He strummed the opening chords of his song, then began: "I was born up
north of Great Slave..." 

Ben's compelling baritone carried across the distance separating him from
Phil. Everyone in the audience listened to the troubadour and the ballad
he was singing. A collective sigh from the women in the audience rose when
he closed the final bars of the melody and applause was widespread. Phil,
safely away from prying eyes, joined in the appreciation of Ben's talents.


Ben searched the crowd again for Phil. She was still at the rear waiting
for the nonexistent act to appear. He glanced to the side where Darryl and
Carter were standing. Darryl motioned for him to continue. There was a
decidedly wicked grin on his face. Ben turned his electric blue eyes on
the audience again. "I've just been informed that the next group has not
yet appeared..." he looked again at Darryl and Carter, "I've been asked to
sing another song. Hopefully they will get here before I'm through..."	

A series of female voices expressed their delight in the non-appearance of
the final act. Phil agreed wholehearted with them. She would rather listen
to Ben sing than listen to anyone else in the world. 

Ben spoke again, his rich voice carrying to Phil at the back. "This song
is special to me. It reminds me of someone I have come to know. Someone I
care about." His nimble fingers plucked the strings of the guitar and his
clear baritone rose in the opening lines of a love song. He searched the
back of the audience, located Phil, and sang the song to her. 

Phil listened, mesmerized by the beauty of the song and the message it
contained. Ben's eyes locked with hers and she knew he sang the song for
her.  

"Who is she? Just point her out to me and I'll scratch her beady little
eyes out!"  

"He's already taken?" The group of women in front of Phil vented varying
degrees of hostility toward the object of Ben's song. Glances were sent
around the crowd as they tried to spot the guilty party.  

Phil was thankful that she was so nondescript as to not warrant a further
glance than the single one tossed over their shoulders at her. She would
hate to be the recipient of their attentions. She slowly inched away from
them. 

Ben's eyes followed her progress, hoping she was not leaving the back just
yet. Their plan was just getting under way and Phil had to stay where she
was for it to work. He sighed when she stopped and waited patiently for
the nonexistent final act to arrive. He closed the song he was singing and
rose to leave. A collective sigh and demands for another song rose from
the female portion of the crowd. Ben walked to the edge of the stage and
conferred with Darryl and Carter. 

"Are we ready for this?" Darryl inquired, nervous sweat soaking his shirt.
Phil was dangerous when she was on the receiving end of a practical joke.
Tricking her into singing was tantamount to inviting her retribution. She
had a wicked sense of humor. 

"Let's go for it!" Carter had no fears. He didn't work with Phil and had
not been the recipient of any of her 'humor'. He had nothing to lose. 

"It's now or never! And I'm beginning to think we should have gone with
never!" Ben, too, had been the recipient of Phil's brand of 'humor'. Then
he smiled to himself; he knew how to deflect a good portion of her ire. It
might be fun to do just that. "Let's do it!" 

Ben strolled back to the stool and settled himself on it. "It looks like
our final act is still delayed, so...I'll serenade you with another song."
He drew in a shaky breath and continued, "For this song, I'll need some
help. It's a duet and I need my favorite partner to help me with it. But
she's shy and needs encouragement. So...if you want me to sing another
song, let Phil know that she has to sing it with me!" 

Darryl and Carter stepped onto the stage and began clapping their hands.
They shouted in unison, "Phil... Phil...Phil..." The audience took up the
chant and began looking around for Phil. The people that knew her stared
at her and those that didn't continued searching the faces in the crowd. 

Phil stood at the back, stunned at the turn of events. ‘I should have
known! He's the most irritating, shifty, mean-spirited...I should have
known he wouldn't take no! What am I going to do now?' She stared blankly
at the man on the stage, her mouth hanging open. 

The crowd quieted as Ben raised his hands and motioned for order. His eyes
never left Phil's face. "I'm going to start the song now. Don't let me
down, Phil. This is all for a worthy cause..." He saw the mutiny in her
expression but it was too late to reconsider. His rich baritone softly
began the song. Perhaps love is like a resting-place, a shelter from the
storm. 

('You're going to need some shelter when I get through with you, Benton
Fraser!') It exists to give you comfort. It is there to keep you warm. 

('When I get through with you nothing will keep you warm!') And in those
times of trouble when you are most alone, 

('You're in deep trouble, T. You're gonna wish you were alone.') The
memory of love will bring you home. 

Ben gazed hopefully at Phil, beseeching her to join him. Phil closed her
eyes, took a deep breath, and activated the portable mike she had carried
with her. Her sultry alto floated across the intervening distance to Ben
on the stage. Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door. It
invites you to come closer. It wants to show you more. 

('All I have ever wanted, Phil, is to get closer to you—to know more of
you..') And even if you lose yourself and don't know what to do... 

('I've already lost myself and I don't know what to do.') The memory of
love will see you through. 

Phil moved to the aisle and started down it walking slowly to the stage.
Ben watched her slow approach to him. He breathed a sigh of relief. The
words of the song drifted to him. As her part ended he continued: Oh, love
to some is like a cloud, to some as strong as steel. 

Phil's chorus answered his as she gradually decreased the distance between
them. For some--a way of living, for some--a way to feel. 

Ben smiled at Phil, she smiled back. He took the melody from her. And some
say love is holding on and some say letting go. And some say love is
everything and some say they don't know. 

('That's me! I don't know what love is. Do I love you, Ben?') She stood in
front of the stage and searched Ben's face. She sang her next set of
lyrics. Perhaps love is like the ocean-- 

Ben's voice joined with hers to mingle in a harmony that wove two
different voices together into a blend that stirred their audience. full
of conflict, full of pain. 

('Pain...that's what I'll have when you're gone.') Like a fire when it's
cold outside or thunder when it rains. 

Memories of Blue Cabin still haunted Ben's thoughts. If I should live
forever and all my dreams come true; My memories of love will be of you. 

Phil took the step up onto the stage and drew near to Ben. The audience
faded away. Her world narrowed to the man seated on the stool, singing of
love...singing to her. His fingers moved on the strings of the guitar. The
chorus came so easily to his lips. And some say love is holding on and
some say letting go. 

('I never want to let you go, Ben.')  

('I don't want to leave you, Phil.') Ben's world narrowed to the woman who
now stood a few feet from him, singing to him. He softly sang the next
phrase to her. And some say love is everything and some say they don't
know. 

('I know what love is...it's you, Phil.')  

Phil smiled and continued the stanza. Perhaps love is like the ocean-- 

('And I'm drowning in it...') Ben joined his voice with hers in the
closing stanza. full of conflict, full of pain. Like a fire when it's cold
outside or thunder when it rains. If I should live forever and all my
dreams come true; My memories of love will be of you. 

The final words trailed off into a silence that was broken only by Phil's
footsteps on the stage as she stepped closer to Ben. She slowly put forth
a hand and stroked Ben's face, shook her head, and smiled at him. She
leaned forward and planted a kiss on his lips. "I'll get even with you,
Benton Fraser. Just you wait and see." Her soft words were carried to
everyone via the microphone she still held. The audience roared and
erupted into applause. 

To be continued (?) 

Copyright December 1996 by SL Haas 

Revised June 1999 

Comments are welcome at durango@ionet.net 

  

Fraser’s Secret (Book 1)  On a Collision Course Nocturnal Duet Jumping to
Conclusions "In the Kiss of One Girl" Real Conversations Icnites,
Montmorillonite, and Bentonite, Oh My! An Acquired Taste "…a Dish Best
Served Cold" Like Thunder When It Rains Steppingstones The First
Consciousness An Answered Dream Since We Parted The Fine Line That
Separates Moments of Regret Benton's Secret