I don't know how I cranked 18,000+ words out of my brain? I started writing this in January 2012 and I made it too personal as parts of it are based on some of my own life. So I've been unable to finish it for a long time. TYK to dS_Tiff who pushed me into working on this and beta'ing it and overall being a great friend. :)

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Constable Benton Fraser walked down the streets of Chicago with his wolf Diefenbaker and his partner Detective Ray Kowalski and Ray's girlfriend Detective Cassie Muniz. Ray and Cassie had been together for over two months now since she and her partner Detective Hazel McCormick had transferred to the Chicago police department to escape their past. Cassie and Hazel were a bit like Fraser and Ray. Hazel set 'em up, Cassie knocked 'em down, or vice versa. Then, Hazel fell in love with Fraser's former partner Ray Vecchio, and the station's been a mess since.

"Are you sure this place isn't gonna be a dump, Fraser? I mean, they just opened last week. New places are usually the worst." Ray asked as the three walked down the sidewalk of downtown Chicago. It was cold, winter even. The snow was beginning to fall and could be seen collecting on Cassie's dark purple jacket.

"I assure you, Ray, this establishment is to be a delightful eating experience for all. That is what their advertisement said." Fraser reassured his doubting partner.

"Fraser, it's an ad! They say all kinds of things that ain't true to get yer business." Ray said.

"Oh, I disagree, Ray." Cassie nudged Ray in the side. "Didn't Huey and Dewey have lunch here yesterday and they said it was great?"

Ray lightly nudged her back. "Since when should we trust Huey and Dewey?"

"I guess that's a good point," she smiled. The smile that made Ray smile too.

"Ray, are you insinuating that Detectives Huey and Dewey would both want us to eat at a restaurant that we would not enjoy?"

"Yes!" Ray and Cassie exclaimed simultaneously.

Fraser liked Cassie. Working with her was just the same as working with Ray. The only difference was that she used proper English most of the time. She also made Ray happy and that was enough for Fraser. Now they were almost to the restaurant and Fraser was about to intervene the two and stick up for Huey and Dewey when he accidentally ran into a man, nearly knocking both of them to the ground. "I'm so sorry, Sir. Please, excuse me." Fraser brushed himself off and then attempted to straighten the man's coat.

"No, please I'm fine." The man brushed off his jacket and began looking at Cassie. "Well, long time no see, my dear." He reached out his hand to shake Cassie's.

Cassie's eyes widened as she gasped and took a few steps back. "Jeff." She whispered while retreating back behind the safety of her Ray.

"What's the matter, Cass?" The man named Jeff made a step closer. Dief began growling and barking at him.

"Dief, please stop." Fraser scolded his wolf but, as usual, Dief wouldn't listen and continued barking.

"Hey." Ray took a step closer to scare him off. "I dunno who you are but she doesn't want to talk to ya, OK? Why don't ya just go. Now."

"Alright, then." He backed away. "It was nice meeting friends of Cassie's. I'll be in touch, Cass." He winked politely and walked away.

"Are you OK, Cassie?" Fraser asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Frase." She cleared her throat and stepped out from behind Ray.

Ray put his hands on her shoulders. "Cass, who was that?"

"Um, no one. Just someone I don't want to see again." She crossed her arms and looked the other way aware of the angry tears building in her eyes.

"Cassie, are you sure?" Fraser asked.

"Yes, stop worrying, will ya! I'm fine. Really."

"You didn't look fine when you saw him." Ray said.

"He's just someone I used to be friends with and I didn't expect seeing him here." Cassie explained.

"Well, he er, said he's gonna call ya." Ray pointed out.

"He's all talk. I'm sure he's not really going to call me. He doesn't even have my number since I moved here."

"It's not that hard to trace a phone number, Cassie." Fraser said.

"I know. He won't though. Guys, stop it." She made a few steps forward and gestured for them to follow. "Are we gonna eat or what?"

They nodded and followed her.

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"So," Frannie sat on the edge of Ray Kowalski's desk while Ray sat behind it and Fraser stood next to them. "Mauve or maroon?" Frannie asked, sticking two different colored pens in front of them.

Ray dropped his head in his hands and combed his fingers through his hair. "God, Frannie! I really don't care!"

"I think maroon would best suit the attire of your desk, Francesca." Fraser answered standing next to Ray's desk.

"Thank you, Fraser." She smiled and walked back to her desk.

"Fraser, it is not our job to give Frannie advice on what color her set of pens should be!"

"I know that, Ray. I was just being polite." Fraser said. "After all, she did choose you to ask."

"She's just tryin' to bug me, Fraser..." Ray stopped and realized that Cassie hadn't interrupted them yet. She was just sitting in her chair next to Ray's desk starring straight forward. "Cass, are you OK?" Ray asked.

"Me?" She shot out of her daze when she heard her name. "I'm fine, Ray. I'm er, going to the ladies room. I'll be back in a minute."

They watched as she disappeared around the corner. Again, Ray dropped his head in his hands. "I'm worried about her, buddy."

"So am I, Ray." Fraser walked behind the desk where Ray was and put his hand on Ray's shoulder.

"Who the hell was that guy you ran into anyway?"

"I haven't a clue."

"I just hope he's not gonna stalk her, or somethin'," Ray looked up at his partner, "because then I'd have to kill him."

"Ray, you will not kill him." Fraser's tone changed to a firm one. "We've discussed this before."

"Yeah, but that was before I fell in love, Fraser. If someone tries to hurt her," Ray sighed. "I swear I'll kill 'em."

Fraser watched over his partner until he calmed down. "Perhaps you should take her out to dinner tonight? It might take her mind off things and she could feel comfortable enough to open up about it?"

"Yeah, that's a good idea."

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