This story is a sequel to my previous story 'Helping Maggie'. I wasn't going to write a sequel as I was worried about writing a post-CotW story, but I had a few requests, in particular from vic32, so here it is! There are also references in this to events that occurred in another of my previous stories 'The Camping Trip', so I hope you've read that one too (although it's not essential). I should also thank vic32 for advice on the title! Please submit a review - thank you kindly!

WELCOME HOME

Chapter 1

"That's it Fraser, I've had enough, I can't do this any more!" Ray Kowalski threw his hat across the tent angrily as he spoke.

Benton Fraser was shocked at the sudden outburst from his friend. "Oh," he said, suddenly confused and disappointed. He and Ray had been on their 'quest' for over two months now and despite a few minor grumbles, Ray had appeared, to Fraser anyway, to have been enjoying himself.

They both knew, of course, that the idea of searching for the Hand of Franklin was just an excuse for them to get out of Chicago. They didn't actually have any real expectations of finding it. Fraser had been desperate to get home, to get back to Canada, back to the environment he loved. When he'd first arrived in Chicago on the trail of the killers of his father, he never expected that he'd end up staying there for over four years, but he'd made some very good friends and he had been happy there until homesickness had overwhelmed him.

Ray Kowalski on the other hand had been anything but happy during their last few months working together in Chicago. He'd become increasingly unhappy with his life as a detective with the Chicago PD and he'd never really got over the end of his marriage to Stella, not really.

"Fraser, are ya OK buddy?" Ray was suddenly concerned that his friend had become so pensive.

"As far as I'm aware," replied Fraser. Ray frowned at him, not happy with his buddy's avoidance of the question. Fraser ran his thumb over his left eyebrow. "I thought you were enjoying our quest?" he said quietly.

"Fraser, I'm not talking about the quest!" Ray exclaimed with a laugh. Fraser breathed a huge sigh of relief.

The quest meant so much to Ray. He needed a complete break while he decided what to do about his future. He needed to get away from Chicago, from police work, from everything and everyone that reminded him of his old life with Stella and even though he hated the cold, he could think of nowhere else he'd rather be than here with his best friend in the place that he knew Fraser loved so much. Fraser had been a tower of strength to him on so many occasions and he really needed him now. There was no way he'd had enough of this. He was learning so much, not just the practical things, but things about himself, about what was important to him and more importantly, what really wasn't important to him any more.

"I must say, I'm quite relieved," said Fraser. "If you had been thinking about discontinuing with this expedition, I would have assumed you'd have mentioned it before we left Maggie's."

Fraser and Ray had recently spent a few days with Fraser's half-sister, Maggie McKenzie, at her cabin just outside Inuvik. It had given Diefenbaker and the dogs a rest and Fraser had taken the opportunity to effect a few minor repairs on the sled and replenish their supplies.

Fraser couldn't have been happier when he discovered he had a sister, that he had a family after all and now his best friend was more like family too. Ray and Maggie had been maintaining their long distance romance since it had begun back in Chicago when Maggie had returned to the city for a second time to seek help from her brother after a personal crisis. It had been difficult at times and they missed each other so much when they were apart, but Ray had already been thinking about leaving Chicago, even when they first got together and so in the back of his mind he'd always felt that he and Maggie would be able to spend more time together really soon. Ray had loved spending those few nights with her, it was as if they'd never been apart. It felt so good to be back in her arms, to be back in her bed. Ray smiled. He loved her and it was the most wonderful feeling in the world. His mind snapped back to the conversation with Fraser. "I was talking about my hair, buddy," he said, his grin fading, "it sucks."

"Your hair?" Fraser was bemused.

"Yeah Fraser, look at it," continued Ray, dejectedly, as he ran his fingers through his blonde locks. "It's flat."

"Well I admit that you appear to have had some difficulty maintaining your usual up style since we've been living here," admitted Fraser, "but that's not really surprising, considering the climate here necessitates you wearing a hat for a considerable amount of time."

Ray nodded. "My hair stuff's frozen solid," he moaned, reaching across to get the pot of hair gel out of his rucksack to show Fraser. As he leaned over, he winced slightly and had to breathe out slowly before he could push himself back upright.

Fraser, of course, noticed Ray's apparent discomfort. "Is everything alright Ray?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern..

"Yeah buddy," dismissed Ray, "look." He unscrewed the lid of his hair gel and showed it to Fraser, tapping on the frozen hair product with a gloved finger to emphasise the point.

"Ah," agreed Fraser. "The chemical composition of that particular substance does not react well to extremes of temperature."

"Maybe I could try some of yours?" suggested Ray.

"Some of my what, Ray?" replied Fraser, puzzled.

"Some of your, y'know, hair product," Ray winced again as he tried to adjust his position to make himself more comfortable.

"I don't use a hair product Ray," shrugged Fraser, turning his attention back to preparing food for their evening meal.

"Oh c'mon Fraser!" exclaimed Ray. "Ya never got a hair outta place and ya wear a, er, a hat all the time. What do ya use? Some Canadian stuff I guess?"

"Well Ray, I do apply a small amount of something that was recommended to me once by an Inuit elder," explained Fraser. "It is very effective at replenishing natural oils whilst maintaining healthy shine, movement and softness."

Ray looked at him for a moment before letting out a snigger. Fraser looked at him with a twinkle in his eye and Ray took off one of his gloves and threw it at Fraser. "Real funny Fraser," he said, shaking his head and grinning as he realised Fraser had made a joke. "Ya nearly had me there buddy. Where did ya read all that shine and, er, softness crap?"

"I believe it was in one of Francesca's magazines," replied Fraser with a grin, throwing Ray's glove back to him. He had found that his sense of humour had developed significantly in recent weeks and he put it down to his improved temperament since his return home. Ray was still laughing, but suddenly his face fell and he bent forward, groaning as he clutched his arms around his body. Fraser quickly got to his knees and placed a concerned hand on his friend's shoulder. "Ray, what is it?"

"It's nothin'," replied Ray, taking another deep breath and loosening his grip around himself. Dief wandered over and nuzzled into Ray's side. "Hey Dief," Ray managed half a smile. "I'm OK."

"No you're not Ray," said Fraser, seriously. He took off his thick gloves and placed a hand on Ray's forehead. "You're running a slight fever," he continued. He quickly gathered both of their rucksacks and placed them behind Ray. "Lay back on these." Ray started to protest, but Fraser had already pushed him back, using the rucksacks to support him in a reclining position. "Unzip your jacket," instructed Fraser.

"Stop fussin' Fraser," Ray said, reluctantly complying with the instruction.

"Ray," sighed Fraser, "do I have to keep reminding you about our situation? This isn't Chicago. If you require medical attention, it is not as simple is dialling 911 and requesting an ambulance."

"I don't need an ambulance Fraser!" exclaimed Ray, "I think I just, er, y'know, strained a muscle or somethin'."

"Well I hope that you're correct Ray," replied Fraser, "now, please indicate where you're feeling pain."

"I'm not in pain buddy," said Ray, starting to get a little annoyed, "you're makin' it sound all, er, all dramatic. It just aches a bit, that's all."

"Alright then," said Fraser, stubbornly, "show me where it aches."

Ray shook his head and sighed. "I dunno Fraser, er, here?" Ray waved his hand over his abdomen. "Kinda, er, round here?"

Fraser frowned again. He was becoming increasingly worried now. "Here?" he asked, palpating the centre of Ray's abdomen with his fingers. Ray winced again.

"What are you doin'?" asked Ray, screwing up his face.

"Hoping I'm wrong," replied Fraser, seriously. "How about here?" he asked, moving his fingers slightly to the right side of Ray's body. Ray tried to hold back a yelp, but failed. He looked at Fraser, now getting a little concerned himself. He'd honestly thought that the strange feeling he'd been having on and off for the last few hours would go away, but it hadn't. In fact it had got steadily worse and now he could tell that Fraser really thought it was something serious and he knew that his buddy was usually right about this sort of thing. "And here?" asked Fraser one more time, moving his hands to examine an area even further to Ray's right.

This time Ray couldn't help himself and he yelled loudly and rolled away, almost doubling over with the pain. "Jeez Fraser! What the hell are ya tryin' to do to me?"

"I'm sorry Ray," replied Fraser, helping his friend back into a more comfortable position, "but I had to be sure."

"Sure of what?" asked Ray, trying to catch his breath.

Fraser took a deep breath, he knew Ray wasn't going to be very pleased with what he was about to tell him. "I believe that your appendix is inflamed, you have appendicitis," he said. "You require urgent hospital treatment."

Ray slumped back on his rucksack. "You're absolutely sure?" he asked, pulling his coat back around himself, but he already knew the answer.

"I believe so," said Fraser, seriously, as he got to his feet. "I will contact Maggie."

"Maggie? Why? No need to worry Maggie," Ray looked at his buddy. He was starting to get really nervous now and he wished Maggie was here, but he didn't see the need to alert her to his predicament immediately.

"I need to contact Maggie in an official capacity," explained Fraser, setting up the radio, "the RCMP station at Inuvik will be able to make the arrangements to airlift you to the hospital."

"Airlift?" Ray sighed, this was turning into even more of a mess than he'd realised. "Ya mean get a chopper out here?"

"Yes Ray," confirmed Fraser, "attempting to transport you back to Inuvik using the dogs would prove painful and would take far too long."

"It's that urgent, then, huh," Ray said, nervously.

"I'm afraid it is," nodded Fraser. He looked at Ray and saw the fear that was beginning to creep into his eyes. "Don't worry," he added with a smile, "you'll be fine."

"I hate hospitals Fraser," sighed Ray.

"So do I," replied Fraser, forcing himself not to think about the weeks after the shooting.

XxX

Several hours later at the hospital, Fraser sat patiently in the waiting room. He heard a voice over his shoulder and stood up with a smile as an out of breath Maggie came running over to him. "Benton, how is he?" she asked, her voice full of worry as she threw her arms around her brother. She garbled everything out quickly, without stopping for breath. "I got here as soon as I could. I was on my own at the station, is he alright? I've arranged for people to collect Dief and your equipment. Is he out of surgery yet?"

Fraser returned the hug. "Relax, he's fine Maggie," he said, smiling as he felt the relief wash over her. She broke away and looked at him as he spoke. "He's in recovery now. I spoke to his surgeon and she was very happy with the surgery. We should be able to see him very soon.

"Oh thank god," Maggie let out a huge breath as she slumped into a chair. "I was so worried."

"So was I," admitted Fraser, seating himself in the chair next to his sister.

Just then, a young female doctor appeared at the door. "Constable Fraser," she called out. "You can see him now, he's asking for you...oh, hello Maggie." The doctor smiled and crossed the waiting room the greet the two Mounties.

"Helen!" beamed Maggie, "you're Ray's surgeon? I'm so pleased he was in such good hands."

"You know Mr Kowalski?" queried the doctor.

"Maggie is my sister," explained Fraser, "he and Ray are, um, that is to say..."

Maggie laughed at her brother's sudden embarrassment. "Ray is my boyfriend," she replied proudly. Fraser nodded, it sounded odd to him to hear his friend referred to as anyone's boyfriend, least of all his sister's, but he was strangely comforted by it.

"In that case you'd both better come through," replied the doctor and she led them both to Ray's room. "He's still a little drowsy," she explained, opening the door, "so don't make it too long."

"Understood, thank you kindly Doctor Morrell," replied Fraser, as the doctor left the room. Ray was laying in the bed with a sheet and blanket pulled up to his chest. He was propped up with a number of pillows to make him more comfortable. He smiled a drowsy, half smile when he saw Maggie and Fraser.

Maggie crossed to the bed and gingerly hugged Ray, worried about hurting him. "Hey baby," Ray said hoarsely. "I was hopin' you'd be here."

"Of course I was going to be here," she replied, with mock indignation. "I've been worried sick about you." She planted a gentle kiss on his lips and Fraser immediately turned away, causing Ray some amusement.

"Don't make me laugh buddy," said Ray, "it hurts." Ray reached out his hand to Fraser and the Mountie took it firmly in both of his.

"I'm glad you're alright my friend," said Fraser. Ray nodded, sleepily. "Now Maggie, I think we should let Ray rest. We'll be back tomorrow Ray." Fraser released his grip on his friend's hand and carefully placed Ray's arm back by his side.

Maggie looked longingly at Ray. She wished that she could stay with him all night, but she knew her brother was right. She kissed Ray one more time. "I love you," she whispered, but Ray was already virtually asleep and could manage nothing more than a murmur. Fraser held open the door and placed a hand in the small of his sister's back to guide her out.

XxX

Later that night at Maggie's cabin, Maggie and Fraser were sitting in front of the fire, talking about their father. "I miss him," admitted Fraser.

Maggie smiled. "I feel so lucky that I had the chance to get to know him," she said, "as crazy as it all sounds, his visits somehow felt completely normal. I wish he could have stayed longer."

"I'm not sure that normal is a word I'd apply to our father," Fraser pondered for a moment. "Certainly not after he built his office in my closet at the Consulate."

Maggie laughed. There was a knock at the door and she got up to answer it. "Dief," whispered Fraser, suddenly aware of the presence of his lupine companion, even before his sister had opened the door. As soon as Diefenbaker got his opportunity, he came bounding in to greet Fraser with an over exuberant attack of his tongue on Fraser's face. "Alright, alright," said Fraser, allowing Dief a moment to express himself. "Ray's fine," he said, finally pushing the wolf away. "I will pass on the fact that you were concerned for him though, he will appreciate that very much." Dief made a throaty noise. "Yes you were," sighed Fraser, "don't try to backtrack now. You were concerned for Ray's wellbeing."

Maggie finished talking to her colleague who had brought Dief back. "Thank you kindly," she said, closing the door and turning back to her brother. "The other dogs are being looked after by Constable Ashe who looks after our pack for the station," explained Maggie, "and all your gear is at the station too. You can collect it in the morning."

"You must thank your colleagues for everything they've done for us," replied Fraser. "They've all been to so much trouble on our behalf."

Maggie smiled. "You and Ray are family," she said and Fraser nodded.

Suddenly his face became serious. "He didn't tell me Maggie. I thought I'd made it clear to him already about the added dangers that come from being in such remote locations. I thought he understood. We can't afford to keep anything from each other out there, particularly when it comes to health matters." Fraser sighed.

"You're mad at Ray," Maggie wasn't really surprised.

"No," replied Fraser, "I'm just a little concerned that after two months, he still doesn't seem to have grasped the fact that the environment is probably the biggest danger we face." Fraser had been thinking about this for the past few hours and he had become increasingly disturbed. Fraser knew that appendicitis was a serious and ultimately life threatening condition if left untreated. In Chicago, Fraser could simply have called an ambulance, or driven Ray the short distance to the hospital himself, but out here, particularly in the remote locations that they were spending the majority of their time in, things were very different.

"Benton, two months isn't really that long," said Maggie in defence of Ray. "You and I grew up out here. We knew from a very early age about the conditions and how to deal with them and how the environment affects our lives. Just think about how you felt when you first arrived in Chicago. I'm sure there were many aspects of life there that were completely alien to you?"

Fraser nodded as he remembered the first day he'd stepped off the aeroplane. The noise, the people, the smells, all of those things had completely overwhelmed him on that first day and continued to do so for weeks, if not months afterwards. Of course Maggie was right, but he made a mental note to have a serious talk with his friend when the opportunity next arose.

Dief wandered over to the kitchen and Fraser followed with a sigh. "I suppose you're hungry now," he shook his head as he opened a cupboard and began arranging some food for Diefenbaker. Maggie came to the kitchen too and filled a bowl with water, placing it on the floor for the wolf who thirstily lapped it up. "Do you know Dr Morrell very well?" enquired Fraser, "she appeared very competent for such a young physician."

"Yes," replied Maggie, "she is a local girl. She has helped us with a few cases. She went away to study in Vancouver, but as soon as she qualified she returned here. She could have taken a job at any of the big city hospitals, she was always at the top of her class and there was a lot of interest in her, but she was determined to practice in Inuvik."

"She must be very dedicated to have made such a selfless decision," said Fraser, placing a bowl of food on the floor next to the water.

Maggie hesitated before replying. "Yes," she said.

Fraser looked at her and frowned, noticing his sister's change of tone. "What is is?" he asked.

Maggie thought for a moment. Helen Morrell's background was public knowledge so Maggie decided that there was no reason why she couldn't offer Benton a brief explanation, although she really didn't want to be a gossip. "About ten years ago, when Helen was about seventeen or eighteen I think, she was the victim of a vicious sexual assault." Fraser's face displayed his shock and horror. "She was raped and left for dead Benton," said Maggie sadly.

"That's terrible," exclaimed Fraser, dismayed at yet another reminder of the depravity that the human race was capable of.

"But she turned her life around," Maggie went on, smiling now. "She made a miraculous recovery. She struggled for a while of course, but she testified at the trial of her attacker and then made the decision to go into medicine. She even volunteers as a women's counsellor now. She was determined that she would return here so that she could help the people in her home town, the people who gave her her life back."

"She sounds like a remarkable woman," said Fraser and Maggie nodded in agreement.