WILD HEARTS

This is set towards the end of Season 3/4 of due South. It was fun and challenging to write something a little different to my usual stories. I hope you all enjoy it.

CHAPTER 1.

"It's actually a fascinating subject…" Fraser was in full flow as he walked down the stairs at the Two Seven with Ray.

Ray wasn't listening. Fraser had been talking about the history of graffiti for the last ten minutes, but Ray most certainly did not think it was a fascinating subject. That morning he'd arrested two girls who'd been spray painting the side of a building and he didn't care if people had been vandalising walls since ancient times, it was still vandalism as far as he was concerned.

"Many of the earliest examples have been preserved in the ruins of Pompeii," continued Fraser, "and…" but he was interrupted, much to Ray's relief.

"Fraser," Francesca called down from the top of the stairs, "someone's waiting for you at the front desk."

Fraser's head spun round at the sound of her voice. "Thank you kindly, Francesca," he smiled.

The Desk Sargent nodded an acknowledgement as Fraser and Ray walked in and she pointed to a chair where a woman was sitting. Fraser couldn't believe his eyes when he saw who it was.

"Stephanie?" he said as he walked over to her, leaving a confused Ray standing by the desk. "Stephanie Cabot?"

Stephanie looked up and smiled. "Hi, Benton," she replied. "I went to the old Consulate, but…"

"Ah, yes, we moved," explained Fraser. He never thought he'd see Stephanie again, but now here she was. He didn't know what to say to her. "I…I haven't seen you since…"

"Since we nearly…" she replied, coyly.

"Yes," agreed Fraser, his face flushing red.

"But didn't…" continued Stephanie.

"Indeed," replied Fraser. He cleared his throat and ran a finger around his collar.

Ray listened to the exchange with interest. He recognised her name, but couldn't quite remember where he'd heard it before. It seemed that Fraser knew her well, though; very well, apparently.

"I thought you were in Africa. When did you return to Chicago?" asked Fraser.

"I've only been back for a couple of weeks," replied Stephanie. "My…my father passed away suddenly. I decided to leave the project and come home to sort things out. The house, y'know and…things."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Fraser replied, earnestly. From what he remembered, Stephanie and her father had been close.

"Er, I, er, I didn't mean to overhear," Ray stepped forward. "Ray Vecchio," he introduced himself with a grin.

Stephanie looked at Fraser in confusion. This wasn't Ray Vecchio. She remembered Vecchio from before and this was definitely not the same man.

"Ah," said Fraser, rubbing his left eyebrow with his thumb. "I'll explain later."

Stephanie seemed satisfied with that for now.

"I was just wonderin'," Ray continued, "if you guys wanna catch up ya could use the lunchroom. Might be more private?"

"Yes, of course," Fraser replied. He should have thought of that himself, but Stephanie's sudden reappearance had thrown him completely and he wasn't thinking straight.

"Thank you," Stephanie smiled to Ray.

"I gotta go, buddy," said Ray, slapping Fraser affectionately on the back. "Gary Okuda ain't gonna interview himself. Waste of time if ya ask me, but Welsh thinks it's worth a shot. I'll call ya later."

Fraser half waved half saluted to his friend as Ray left the station. Then he turned back Stephanie. "This way," he said indicating with his arm, but then he saw something that shocked him even more than the sight of Stephanie had just a few minutes earlier.

Stephanie had a baby in one arm and was attempting to fold a pushchair with her free hand. She glanced up and saw Fraser's stunned face. "This is Mia," she said.

"Oh," was all Fraser could manage to reply. He stood frozen to the spot.

Stephanie continued to struggle for a moment, before she looked back at Fraser. "Would you mind?" she asked, nodding towards the pushchair.

"Oh, oh yes of course," replied Fraser, rushing forward to take the pushchair from her. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…" he mumbled apologetically as he clipped the folded pushchair together.

"It's my fault," Stephanie laughed at his awkwardness. "I should have mentioned…this is my daughter."

XxXxX

"It's a mess," admitted Stephanie a short while later as they sat in the lunchroom at the Twenty Seventh. "The house, my father's finances…everything. Saving orphaned elephants was much easier to deal with, believe me."

Fraser was struggling to find the right words to say. He had so many questions for her, but he didn't know where to start. Mia began to wriggle on Stephanie's lap and Fraser was grateful for the distraction. He made the puffin face which seemed to amuse both Mia and her mother.

"I didn't plan to be a Mom," said Stephanie suddenly, her face falling. "But…" she trailed off.

Fraser was definitely surprised that she had a baby now. When he'd known her before she had spoken at great length about her desire to devote her life to saving animals and she also had strong views on overpopulation.

"I believe it's not always possible to plan for such occurrences," Fraser replied.

Stephanie clearly didn't want to talk about it now, though. Instead she returned to the topic of her father. "I'm afraid we hadn't spoken for a while before he passed," she explained. "He wanted me to come home when I had Mia, but I didn't want to. We were doing some amazing work in Africa, really important work and Kenya is a great place to raise a child. They have a different attitude over there, it's wonderful." Her eyes lit up as she spoke of the country that had been her home for the last three years. "Daddy didn't understand though. We argued about it and then suddenly he was gone."

"It must have been very difficult for you," said Fraser sympathetically.

"It was," nodded Stephanie, sadly. "Poachers kill the adults for their ivory and the babies are…"

"I meant losing your father," Fraser interrupted her.

"Oh, yes," she acknowledged. "But I'm OK," Stephanie insisted. "I mean, I can cope."

Fraser nodded. He wasn't convinced that she was OK at all, but Stephanie had always been a strong minded woman and she obviously did not like admitting to anyone that she was struggling. She probably hadn't really admitted it to herself, Fraser realised. "If there's anything I can do…" he began.

"Well, actually that's why I'm here," Stephanie replied quickly. "I hate to have to ask and normally I could do it all by myself, but it's just that the house badly needs repairs and I just can't access any of Daddy's money to pay for contractors. I even had to let both the stablehands go. Not that I mind taking care of the horses, but I don't really have the time right now on top of everything else. My lawyer is trying his best; at least he says he is, but…"

"I'd be happy to help," replied Fraser.

"I could do it on my own," Stephanie insisted, "but with Mia and the horses…" she trailed off.

Fraser smiled. "I don't doubt your determination and abilities," he replied, "but you have other responsibilities now."

"Thank you," replied Stephanie. "I hate having to ask you, especially after all this time, but I really need a friend and I have no one else here in Chicago."

Fraser nodded understandingly. He realised her pride was dented just by having to ask for help. It had taken a lot for her to seek him out.

"Perhaps I could take you to dinner?" Fraser asked suddenly. He couldn't quite believe he'd been so forward and his face flushed again. "We can talk then…if…that is, if you…" he stumbled.

"Of course," replied Stephanie, smiling again. "We can discuss the repairs that need doing. My father was paying contractors before he died, so there's a lot of half-finished work. In fact, why don't you come to the house and I'll cook dinner. Then I can show you around. How does tomorrow evening sound?"

"That would be delightful," replied Fraser, hoping she didn't notice the beads of sweat that were already forming on his forehead at the prospect. Dinner with an old friend, that's all it is.

xXxXx

"You wrapped him in meat? I bet Vecchio was pissed!" Ray stuffed more pizza into his mouth before he'd finished talking.

"He was, perhaps, a little perturbed at the time," agreed Fraser. "Although given the alternative, I imagine he was philosophical about the incident."

"And those guys were sellin' meat from wild horses?" queried Ray.

"Unfortunately, yes," replied Fraser. "Stephanie Cabot's assistance was invaluable in solving the case."

Diefenbaker snatched a slice of pizza from the box and ran into the kitchen of Ray's apartment to eat it.

"Hey!" exclaimed Ray.

"My apologies, Ray," said Fraser with a frown. "He has developed a complete disregard for manners lately. I will reimburse you, of course…" He paused and turned his head towards the kitchen before continuing with his voice raised, "…out of Diefenbaker's allowance."

Dief thought now was a good time to pretend he hadn't heard and instead he just licked his lips.

Ray laughed. He didn't care about the cost of one slice of pizza; he was enjoying the company. Even with the wolf padding around his apartment and stealing pizza, it was better than being alone.

"So, you and Stephanie, er…" Ray grinned at his buddy. "She helped ya with the case and then…what?" He winked.

"If you are inferring anything improper, then you are mistaken," replied Fraser.

"No, buddy, I did not mean anything improper," laughed Ray, miming quotation marks around the last word. "I meant sex!"

Fraser almost choked on his pizza. "I, um…I, er…" he spluttered. He sipped at his water until he had regained his composure. "Stephanie and I enjoyed each other's company for a while, that is all."

"Ya sound disappointed," observed Ray.

Fraser felt himself blushing. He couldn't deny it, especially not to Ray. He and Stephanie had become more than just friends after he and the real Ray Vecchio had closed the horsemeat case. She shared his love of horses and concern for the environment and they had enjoyed spending time together. "Unfortunately our fledging courtship was cut short when Stephanie was offered the opportunity to travel to Kenya and work with the orphaned elephant programme," he explained.

"What the heck does 'fledgling courtship' mean?" asked Ray, scratching his head.

"It does not mean sex," Fraser replied.

Ray laughed and headed to the fridge to get another beer. "Fraser and the rich babe, sittin' in a tree," he chanted, "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

Fraser's face was as red as a beetroot now. "Ray, please! It would not be chivalrous for me to discuss this further."

"OK, so ya did get past first base then," Ray nodded approvingly.

"Ray!"

"Second base?" Ray enquired.

"Ray!"

"Third base?" Ray already knew the answer; he could read his buddy like a book, but he was having too much fun now.

Fraser sighed in frustration. "RAY!"