HELPING MAGGIE

This is set sometime between the episodes 'Hunting Season' and 'Call of the Wild'. I hope you enjoy it, please submit a review, good or bad! Thank you kindly.

Chapter 1

"That is so interesting Frase." Francesca Vecchio leaned back in her chair and gazed up into the face of Constable Benton Fraser. He'd been explaining to her the differences between something or other and something else, but she hadn't really understood a word he'd been saying, she'd just been listening to the sound of his voice. She could listen to him all day and it didn't matter if he was talking about the subtleties of Inuit throat singing or the various functions of the photocopier, she didn't care, she just listened. Suddenly she was snapped back to reality by a piece of paper being dangled in front of her face.

"Sorry Frannie," sneered Ray Kowalski, known as Ray Vecchio for the purposes of his undercover assignment at the 27th Precinct, "I know ya love hearin' about, er, whatever the hell Fraser was talkin' about..."

"Tropical fruit Ray," interrupted Fraser.

"Er, yeah," Ray shook his head in disbelief, "anyway, I got that list of names I need ya to run for me."

Francesca sighed, snatched the piece of paper from Ray's hand and returned to her computer, muttering under her breath. Fraser followed Ray back to his desk. "You know Ray," he began in a low voice, "you may find that being polite to Francesca would..." Ray turned and held up his hands to stop Fraser talking.

"No Fraser, no way," said Ray shaking his head, "bein' nice to Frannie is against my, er, my religion, or somethin'." Fraser frowned at his partner. He was just about to say something else, when he saw an enormous smile spread across Ray's face and Fraser realised that someone had entered the squad room behind him. Someone they both knew. He recognised their scent immediately and it filled his head with thoughts of home. Diefenbaker appeared from under Ray's desk and barked.

Fraser was smiling too now and he spun round. "Maggie!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" He began striding across the room to greet his sister, with Ray close behind. "You should have telephoned," he said to her, trying to sound a little annoyed, "I could have collected you from the airport."

"I'm sorry Benton," replied Maggie, quietly. Fraser was instantly concerned. "I thought I'd surprise you." She tried to smile as she spoke, but it didn't fool her brother.

"Here," Ray held out his hand, "let me take that bag from ya." Maggie held up her bag and Ray took it from her. She was travelling light, not that Ray was surprised about that at all and although she was dressed casually in jeans and a red shirt, her Stetson was strapped to her bag. They could almost be twins, thought Ray, glancing at Fraser, but as he turned back to Maggie, he watched in horror as her eyes rolled up into her head, her knees buckled and she collapsed. "Maggie!" Ray yelled and he lunged forward, but Fraser already had her in his arms. "Frannie, get an ambulance," Ray shouted, but Francesca was already dialling the number.

The next thing Maggie remembered was opening her eyes and seeing the concerned faces of Fraser and Ray looking at her. She blinked slowly, trying to focus, but her head was still spinning. "Maggie?" Fraser's voice was full of concern, "Maggie, it's alright, don't try to move, an ambulance is on it's way."

Maggie realised that she was on the couch in Lieutenant Welsh's office. Fraser was holding her hand. She ignored his advice and tried to pull herself upright, but immediately regretted that decision and she let out a groan as she slumped back down onto the cushion that Fraser had put behind her head.

"I don't need an ambulance," she managed to say. "How long was I unconscious?"

"Two minutes and forty seven seconds," replied Fraser, precisely, lifting Maggie's wrist slightly and checking her pulse, "and you're going in that ambulance."

Maggie shook her head, "Benton, please, I'm just tired, that's all. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"When was the last time you had something to eat?" asked Fraser, frowning.

"Um, I missed breakfast," replied Maggie, hesitantly. She looked from Fraser to Ray, but she knew that they both realised there was more to it than that. "I didn't eat much yesterday either," she admitted, "I was busy. Please cancel the ambulance, it's not at all necessary."

Fraser looked into her eyes. He was still very concerned, but her symptoms did seem to suggest tiredness and hunger and nothing more serious. He glanced up at Ray, who was looking at him questioningly. "Your call, big brother," said Ray. Fraser thought for a moment and then nodded. "OK," agreed Ray and headed for the door to go and cancel the ambulance.

Fraser watched him leave the room and as soon as the door closed behind him he turned back to his sister. "Maggie," he paused, not entirely sure how to ask this question. He decided that the direct approach was the best option. "Maggie, are you pregnant?"

Maggie's jaw dropped. "No I am not!" she replied, indignantly. She couldn't quite believe he'd asked her that. "I promise you that when and if I'm ready to make you Uncle Benton, you'll be the first to know."

Fraser liked the sound of Uncle Benton, a lot. He couldn't help the small smile that formed at his lips. "I'm sorry," he said to Maggie, "I had to ask." Maggie smiled too.

Just then, Ray came back carrying a glass of water. "OK, no ambulance," he announced, handing the glass to Maggie, "and I have officially clocked off for the day, so I'm, er, I'm free to take ya out for somethin' to eat. Both of ya," he clarified, in case Fraser thought he was trying to take Maggie on a date. Of course he would have loved to take Maggie on a date, but this really wasn't an appropriate time.

"That's very kind of you Ray," said Maggie, quietly, sipping the water "but I'd really rather just go back to the Consulate to eat."

"Oh yeah, of course," Ray felt stupid for even asking. Less than ten minutes ago she'd been unconscious. "I guess, er, Fraser didn't tell ya about the Consulate then?"

Maggie looked at her brother, puzzled.

"I'm terribly sorry Maggie, but the Consulate is temporarily closed," explained Fraser. "We've been having electrical problems lately and Diefenbaker managed to trace the problem by, well, that's not important at this juncture." He glanced at Dief who was looking particularly smug, for a wolf. Maggie reached out a shaky hand and patted him on the head. "Anyway," continued Fraser, "Inspector Thatcher decided, quite rightly, that the whole building should be rewired and Constable Turnbull requested that the kitchen also be modernised at the same time, so unfortunately the place is uninhabitable. We have been using a small office here at the twenty seventh for consular duties and I've been staying with Ray."

"Come on," said Ray, leaning down and putting one hand under Maggie's elbow and placing the other behind her back to help her to her feet, "I guess I got a full house for the next couple of days."

Fraser carefully swung his sister's legs around and then took her other elbow. As she stood up, her head started to spin again and Fraser tightened his grip. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Maggie, unconvincingly. "Ray, I really don't want to be a burden on you," she said, "please, just take me to a hotel. I'm so sorry Benton," she said, hanging her head, "I should have called and checked with you first. It's just that I..." her voice trailed off.

"You wanted to surprise me," finished Fraser, smiling at his sister. They both knew that wasn't the real reason and Maggie really appreciated her brother's deflection. She would talk to him when she felt ready and he knew that. He was prepared to wait, for a little while at least.

Ray was shaking his head. "You're not gonna pay for a hotel room and then sleep on the floor, that's just a waste of cash," he said, grinning at her. "It's OK. I got plenty of room at my place. The wolf may have to sleep in the bathtub though." Dief growled.

Maggie laughed. "Thank you Ray, I really appreciate it."

Maggie and Ray exchanged a look, a long lingering look and Fraser averted his eyes, allowing them a moment before clearing his throat, cracking his neck and opening the door of the office. "Let's get going then," he said.

XxX

Ray opened the door of his apartment and held it open for Fraser to carry Maggie inside. "Benton, I can walk you know." Maggie sighed as Fraser lowered her gently onto Ray's sofa.

"I think you've just proved otherwise," said Fraser, arranging a cushion to try to make her comfortable. As they'd got out of Ray's car just now, Maggie's legs had given way again and Fraser had had to support her before she fell to the ground. "I really wish you'd let me take you to the hospital."

"I told you, I'm fine, I don't need to see a doctor," Maggie pleaded with her brother. "I just need to eat and sleep. It's my own fault, I've had a few things on my mind recently, I'm fine."

Fraser and Ray weren't exactly sure what she was saying and they both hoped that she would tell them soon. "I'll make ya some of that bark tea," said Ray, "Fraser's filled my kitchen with all sorts of weird stuff since he's been stayin' here."

Maggie laughed. "Thank you Ray, that sounds lovely," she said.

"The only things I found in Ray's kitchen were take-out menus," Fraser said seriously.

"I had food," replied Ray, indignantly, as he filled the kettle.

"He had potato chips and sugar coated cereal," explained Fraser, to a smiling Maggie.

"Well, that's vegetables and whole grains," Maggie was still smiling as she spoke, "sounds very healthy to me."

Fraser shook his head. "Don't encourage him please," he said.

"Thank you Maggie," Ray called from the kitchen. Diefenbaker, who had followed Ray to the kitchen, knowing that he would be palmed a treat if he did so, barked and whined. "Dief never complains, do ya boy." As he said that, Ray kneeled on the floor and Dief got his reward. "Ssshh," whispered Ray, putting a single finger to his lips. Dief didn't need telling twice, he knew if Fraser saw what he was eating he'd get comments about getting lazy and overweight again.

Ray had finished making the tea and he carried three cups back towards his friends. Fraser took two cups from him and handed one to Maggie. "Thank you kindly Ray," Maggie said, sipping at her tea. It was a little hot, so she blew across the top for a moment, but her hand began to tremble again.

Fraser reached out and took the tea from her. He put his cup and hers down on the table and took hold of her hand. "Maggie," he began, gently, "you've come all this way. Please talk to me. Please tell me what's wrong." Maggie shook her head and tears started to form in her eyes. "Maggie you're my sister, I love you. Maybe I can help?" Maggie shook her head again and wiped the tears from her eyes. She didn't want to do this now. She bit hard on her lower lip and managed somehow to regain her composure.

Ray felt suddenly uncomfortable. "Er, um, I'll just go and, er, find some clean beddin' and get the bed ready for ya." He thought that maybe this was a family situation and he didn't want to intrude.

He was surprised then when Maggie suddenly reached out her free hand. "No Ray, please," she said, desperately, "please don't go." Ray walked back and took her hand, glancing at Fraser and getting down onto his knees beside the sofa. "I don't want to have to tell this story twice," said Maggie and she took a few deep breaths, resigned now to the fact that she was going to have to talk about this. She thought perhaps that getting it over and done with might be for the best after all.

Ray glanced up at Fraser again. They were both really worried now. Whatever it was that had caused her to stop looking after herself and to turn up in Chicago unannounced must be something quite serious. Maggie was a tough, level headed woman. She'd been through a lot already in her life and from what she'd told them, she'd always faced adversity with dignity and strength and both Fraser and Ray were finding it quite difficult to see her so low like this.

Ray squeezed her hand for encouragement. Diefenbaker walked over and lay down beside Fraser. Maggie smiled at the wolf. She took one more deep breath. "I killed a man," she announced suddenly. "In the line of duty," she added.

Fraser was slightly shocked, although he was more annoyed that she'd felt the need to clarify that it was in the line of duty. "Oh," he said, pulling at his left earlobe. He wanted to say something more supportive, but he was struggling to think of something.

"First time?" enquired Ray. Maggie nodded. "I guess there's an investigation goin' on?" he added.

"Yes," Maggie explained, her voice cracking slightly. "I'm on suspension until the enquiry is over."

"As is standard procedure in a situation like this," Fraser said, matter of factly.

Ray looked at his friend. He was acting a little strangely, usually Fraser knew all the right things to say in a situation like this. "How? I mean what happened?" Ray asked Maggie. Maggie hung her head. "C'mon," he encouraged.

Maggie lifter her head. "He was holding up a liquor store, he had a gun and he'd taken a hostage," she began. "The call came through and I went with another officer. When we arrived, he was acting erratically and we assumed, correctly as it turned out, that he'd been taking drugs. He was only a young man," Maggie said with sad eyes, "he was clearly an addict. Drugs, alcohol, he needed help."

"Sometimes people just don't wanna be helped," said Ray. He'd seen so many sad cases during his working life that he was far more cynical about this sort of situation than Maggie, or Fraser for that matter.

"He fired first," Maggie went on, "he fired at Sergeant Collins, but his aim was terrible, I'm not even sure his eyes were focussing properly."

"Possibly not," acknowledged Fraser, "if he was heavily under the influence of narcotics." Ray nodded in agreement.

"The bullet missed, but Collins dropped his gun and it spun across the floor. He reached forward and tried to grab the gun out of the man's hand, but the man suddenly pulled the hostage to her feet and held the gun to her head. I tried to get him to put the gun down, I warned him that I'd have no choice but to fire. I begged him to release the woman." Maggie had to stop again to steady herself.

"It's alright, take your time," said Fraser in a low voice, encouragingly.

Maggie took a deep breath. "I'm not sure exactly what happened next, it's a bit of a blur. I made eye contact with Sergeant Collins and we knew what we had to do. Collins went for the woman, pulled her out of the way, but the man turned his gun on both of them and his finger was on the trigger so I fired. I shot him and," her voice cracked again, "and...and he died." Maggie couldn't hold back her tears now. Ray put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her head towards him.

"Ssshh," he soothed, "it's OK."

"I killed a man Ray," Maggie sobbed into Ray's neck.

"Ya had no choice," Ray tried to comfort her.

"Ray's right," added Fraser, "you saved the lives of a fellow officer and an innocent civilian. You did everything you could to avoid the outcome, but in the end the man's actions left you with no other option. I'm sure the investigation will say exactly the same thing too."

Maggie shrugged and sat herself upright again. Fraser handed Maggie's tea back to her and she began to drink it. "Maggie you're a good cop," said Ray.

Maggie sighed. "I'm not so sure."

"Hey no!" Ray was a little annoyed. "C'mon Maggie. Ya feel like crap now, but you'll get through it, I promise ya." Maggie smiled a little. "We'll help ya, won't we buddy? We've both been there. Me, I've been there far too many times, but that's what comes from bein' a cop in a city like this."

Fraser nodded and smiled at his sister. "I just wish you'd telephoned me when it happened. I could have come to you."

"I just couldn't," Maggie looked like she was going to cry again.

"She's here now, that's all that matters," Ray said, trying to avoid upsetting her even more.

Fraser got to his feet. "I think you should try to eat something," he said. Maggie nodded. "I believe there is still some of that soup I made left in your refrigerator Ray?"

"Yeah buddy," nodded Ray "Do ya need a hand?"

"No thank you Ray," replied Fraser, taking off his tunic and draping it over the back of a chair.

Ray watched for a moment as Fraser busied himself in the kitchen. He'd enjoyed having his buddy staying with him and he'd never eaten so well since he'd moved out of his parents house. Stella had never been one for cooking. Ray turned back to Maggie. "You OK?" he asked gingerly. He knew it was a stupid question, of course she wasn't OK, but he hoped she knew what he was trying to say.

"Yes, thank you kindly Ray," replied Maggie. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you both before."

Maggie and Ray sat together as Fraser prepared dinner. Ray shared some of his previous experiences that had had similar outcomes. Maggie was encouraged by his honesty. He'd felt pretty low too at times, but each time he'd been able to console himself with the fact that innocent lives had been saved. Maggie hoped that she'd be able to achieve the same level of peace, but at the moment it seemed such a long way off.

"Here we are," said Fraser, carrying two bowls of soup across to Maggie and Ray.

Maggie took the bowl from her brother and smiled. "It smells delicious Benton," she said.

"Well, it's based on an old Inuit recipe," he replied, "of course I had to replace the lichen with..."

"Stop!" shouted Ray, interrupting him, "I told ya yesterday, I don't want to know what's in it, OK?" Fraser and Maggie laughed.

Just then the telephone rang. Ray got up to answer it while Fraser carried another bowl of soup and three spoons over from the kitchen. "Fraser, Ice Queen," said Ray, holding out the phone for his friend. Fraser glared at him and Ray immediately realised what he'd said. He clapped one hand over his mouth. Fraser scratched furiously at his eyebrow with his thumb and took the phone from Ray, who went back to sit next to a grinning Maggie. She hadn't exactly hit it off with Inspector Thatcher the first time she'd visited Chicago and although that little misunderstanding had been resolved, Maggie was still a little unsure about her brother's superior officer. She didn't like the way that Inspector Thatcher spoke down to Benton and Constable Turnbull all the time. She thought Ray's nickname for the Inspector was actually quite appropriate and it made her smile.

"I'm sorry Inspector, but I am in the middle of, um, of an important family matter," Fraser said into the telephone. Maggie waved her hand to attract his attention and shook her head. She didn't want him to feel that he needed to neglect his duties on her behalf. Fraser saw her actions and sighed. "Yes Sir," he said, "I do understand, I will be there as soon as I can." Fraser put the phone down and crossed back to Ray and Maggie, picking up his tunic and putting it back on. "I'm terribly sorry," he said to his sister, "but something urgent has arisen regarding a case and Inspector Thatcher wishes to discuss it this evening. I did try to explain to her that I wasn't really available."

"Go Benton," she insisted, "I'll be fine here with Ray. This soup is delicious and I think I'll probably go straight to bed when I've finished eating."

"If you're sure," Fraser wasn't entirely convinced. "Sleep would be very beneficial at this juncture," he said, crossing towards the door, with Diefenbaker following close behind. He glanced at Ray and Ray knew that Fraser wanted his partner to follow him.

Fraser stepped out into the hall and Dief began running up and down, he was keen to get out into the fresh air. "Don't let the Ice Queen keep ya out too late buddy," grinned Ray. He stood in the hall with Fraser, allowing the door to close behind him, using one foot to stop it closing all the way. "I'll keep an eye on her," he said in a low voice, "don't worry."

"Thank you kindly," replied Fraser, running his tongue over his lower lip. "I am concerned to see her like this."

"Yeah me too," replied Ray, "me too. Now get going, before ya get fired or somethin'" Ray held out his car keys. "Please drive like a regular guy today, not a Mountie." Fraser placed his hat on his head, running the fingers of one hand around the rim to make sure it was sitting squarely, which of course it was. He nodded at Ray, took the keys and headed after Diefenbaker.

As Ray went back inside his apartment, Maggie had just put her bowl down on the table. Ray was disappointed to note that it was still half full. Maggie saw the look on his face. "I'm still not that hungry, I'm sorry," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "That is the most I've had to eat in days Ray," she tried to make it sound positive.

Ray came and sat next to her on the sofa. "Can I get ya somethin' else?" he asked, "maybe potato chips?" he grinned.

Maggie smiled. "No thank you Ray. I'm so tired, I'd really like to sleep now." Ray nodded. He knew it was no use trying to force her to eat if she really didn't have an appetite.

Maggie went to the bathroom and got herself ready for bed. She was feeling a little better after talking to Ray and her brother and the small amount of food that she'd managed to eat had helped too. She hoped that tonight she'd be able to get some sleep. She'd been waking every night since the incident with the most terrible nightmares and she knew that lack of sleep had contributed significantly to her collapse earlier. She walked out of the bathroom and almost bumped into Ray as he appeared from the bedroom.

"Oh," exclaimed Ray, "er, sorry," he said a little awkwardly. They stopped and looked at each other for a moment. Maggie wanted to say something to him, something that could express how grateful she was for his understanding this evening, how she felt about him, but she just felt so tired. She'd only ever spent a few days at a time time with Ray since she'd discovered that Fraser was her brother, but even though they were both very different, for some reason she and Ray had hit it off.

"My bed's all ready for ya," he said and then he closed his eyes as he realised exactly how that had sounded. He opened his eyes again and looked at Maggie, who was smiling. "Er, I'm sleepin' out here on the couch," he clarified with an embarrassed grin. He really liked Maggie, she was so different to Stella. They'd even shared a few kisses, held hands, really innocent stuff, but Ray hoped that one day things might get a bit more serious between the two of them. He wasn't sure how Fraser would feel about that though. He'd been very supportive so far, but anyway, those thoughts would have to wait. There was something far more important that needed dealing with first. He was determined that he would do whatever it took to help Maggie come to terms with what had happened.

"Good night Ray," said Maggie, "and thank you."

"Night," replied Ray and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Maggie blushed a little and hurried into the bedroom. Ray let out a huge sigh. He knew she'd be alright, he just knew it, but he wasn't sure how long it was going to take. She'd taken it all so hard and worse than that, she'd been bottling it up for over a week and her health had suffered. He couldn't quite shake the frightening image from his mind of her collapsing in the squad room earlier. He shuddered and went to clear away their soup bowls and teacups.