Making it Home
a/n Takes place after All the Queen's Horses. Benton x Maggie. Includes Diefenbaker and Ray, Franny too.. I wrote this back in May of 1997 and just now pulling it out of my spiral notebook
Inside the stable-train car, face to face, Benton and Maggie have their hands cuffed around each other's backs. He tugs the hairpin from her beautiful scented mane with his teeth. As he tries to turn it round in his mouth, it slips out. It slips down into her cleavage. His cheeks burn bright. She knows they don't have a choice… nor does she mind that much.
"Sorry," he meekly mutters.
With a soft nod, she gives the gentleman permission. Tipping her head back, gives him room to room to retrieve it. She closes her eyes wishing they were somewhere else and there was no pin. The tip of his tongue, and she has to bite down hard on her own or release a moan. He is no fool. Trying to be a gentleman, he can feel her bowing in his arms. He knows she is melting and finding it hard to hold her Inspector façade.
He lifts his soft and warm face from her feminine attributes. She tries to hide her reaction. He tries not to notice her attempt to hide. They lean closer. Both ever so grateful. One to bring them closer to touch, and yet hiding their facial expressions.
The pin drops into his hands, thank goodness he doesn't miss in his desire to inhale her scent. She doesn't flinch at the feel of his soft breath on her neck. His arms tighten around her. Her own face buries into his neck. She knows… it would be innocent enough, she could steal a taste of his skin.
NO!
"Got it!" He sighs.
Damn!, she internally hisses.
"Damn!" Inspector Margret Thatcher tosses in her sleep over the nightmare-fantasy-reality that eludes her once again.
"Damn."
That moment just will not leave her dreams.
~~00~~
The train is moving at high speed. Under his feet the rest of the Mounties are sound asleep in their drugged state. On top, she is begging him not to go. It's too dangerous and.. And… and..
She lets it slip that she cares more than she should.
Slowly he steps forward and folds her to his own care. Bending over her smaller frame, lifts her chin to meet his lips. Wrapping her tighter into his grip, takes her worries upon himself. He makes it clear, he cares more than he should as well. Oblivious to the world, the train speeds along. Even as the bridge comes along and removes the crown of his Stetson, he continues to kiss her into oblivion.
Rolling over in his sleep, Benton sighs in contentment of the forbidden memory. Diefenbaker watched his master toss in his sleep. The wolf's groan, finally awakens the master. Staring into those deep souls canine eyes, "What? Oh mind your own business."
The white fluffy head tips to the side in puzzled expression. The master turns away from the interrogating wolf. He can't go back to sleep. The taste of her lips is still there. He can't shake her from his dreams. The nightmares are reality.
He tries to drift back to sleep … but…
Astride the horseflesh, the object of his infatuation is settled up against his back, arms tight around his waist. If only they could remain this way. He would like to just take off over that rise and ride on until morning. Take her away. Take her to happily ever after. Take her away from the world. To show her… the beauty of his world alone with her. Just.. Her.
"Just so there is no misunderstanding. It won't happen again. Unless under the exact same circumstances."
His heart plummets at the truth of her world. Did she really have to kill him this way? Swallowing hard, he tries to rise about his pain to face the truth, "Run away train full of drugged Mounties headed for doom. Right?"
He kills her dream right back, and yet gives her hope. Could fate be son kind to give them another chance?
"Right. Understood?" She kills his hopes again.
"Understood," he feels her dying as well. But her hand pans across his belly to show, she is not sorry for their stolen moment. A bittersweet truth. Her head lays against his back as well trying to soak up ever last moment they have. He covers her hand on his soft trembling belly and squeezes.
Maggie wakes up, recalling that ride as well. "Why did I tell him that?" Sitting up, stares out her window wishing she could take her words back and yet knowing… it had to be said. "Damn."
~~00~~
That day at work….
Once again, the Constable is punished by standing guard out side. Pulling up, she sees him. She knows he is strong and won't budge. Hesitating, ponders if she should try teasing or torture him. The thought fleets by quickly, and she dashes inside. For she knows, the torture will be more for herself than for him. Just staring at him is hell enough.
Locking herself in her office, curses herself. "No, it's only a phase. It will pass. It has to." She prays.
Walking to his own dinky office, settles into the crouched room and begins his paperwork. His eyes have a mind of their own and drift towards her closed door. Deif looks up to him and whines. Dropping a hand to the furry head, watches the closed door, "I'm so confused. She's something else, isn't she?"
Diefenbaker barks. Benton gives the wolf his full attention. Placing a paw in his tanned lap, Benton ruffles the fur. Just as he leans down to nuzzle the companion's forehead, her door opens.
She sees a man and his wolf spending time together. Her heart softens. So sweet and compassionate and yet so devoted to Canada. How can a heart so big fit in side a mere human?
His head turns and catches her eyes. She freezes. He freezes. Beginning to rise, she slams the door closed. She has retreated. He is left confused. Dief looks between confused master and barricaded door.
Later that day, riding with Ray, he is more than his usual quiet self. Completely self absorbed.
"Hello Benny? Anyone in there?"
His thoughts break at the sound of his nickname, "Hm? What?"
"What is with you? You are so lost in thought. You know, ever since that train trip, you have been acting very weird. Are you sure you weren't hurt?"
"No, I'm fine." The answer is too bland more than proving the point that he is anything but fine. Dief groans to punctuate the sentence.
"Even the wolf doesn't believe you." Dief barks to emphasize his point. Ray thumbs back to the fluff backseat rider, "See."
Benton leans against the window and mutters, "It's her. She's avoiding me."
"What? I didn't quite hear that." Ray pushes. Ben turns and glares at his friend. Yes, he did hear just wants more insight. So Ray pushes, "Dragon Lady? Isn't it good that she's ignoring you?"
Ben pulls himself back up and looks straight head to avoid the inquisitive looks from his two best friends. "We are supposed to go back to Quebec next week to give statements as to what happened. She goes deliberately out of my way to avoid me. I look up from my desk to look at her and she shut her door in my face. She saw me and closed me off. I don't understand."
Ray curses, "Women in authority!" Turning the next corner, he changes the subject, so he thinks, "Hey you never did tell me what happened to your hat."
Too quick a response, "Nothing!" Dief groans and buries his nose in his paw. Benton shoots the furry friend a 'shut up' look. The poor thing whines.
"Why don't I believe you, hm?" Then narrows his own interrogating gaze. "Something is going on that makes her avoid you. What's happened in that stable car?"
Benton's cheeks flame at the reminder of that moment. The taste of her skin on the tip of his tongue. The scent of her hair. The feel of her soft warm body against his own. The feel of her mouth soothing his…
"Benton Fraiser! You are blushing!"
"Stop the car!"
"Not until you tell me-"
"There goes your contact!" the fellow law enforcement officer points.
Braking hard, Fraiser leaps from the car and hurries down the sidewalk.
Ray cries out, "Wait! Where-? I don't see-!" Then it hits him, "HEY! Get back here Benny!" Thrusting the seat forward, Ray points, "Go get him Dief!" With out a hesitation, the wolf follows the orders.
Benton walks on trying to clear his head. It's bad enough that he is trying to sort this all out, he certainly doesn't need to try explaining this to Ray. The last he needs is to defend her to Ray. After all, Ray could be right. Clenching his fists, stomps on raging against his heart and duty.
At the park, he finally sits, and drops his head to his hands. Within moments, Diefenbaker is at his side. Burying his muzzle up and into his master's hands, licks the face that he cares so much for. It hurts him to see his companion so confused.
Looking into the warm eyes, Benton asks, "So what do you think?" The ears perk. "She's not so bad. Hard, tough, maybe a little cold, but she has to be. She's beautiful. In control. Focused. Smart." He sighs.
Ray approaches seeing Benton talking softly to his companion. "Ben, please. What has gotten into you? What does Dragon Lady have you chasing now?"
Slowly the RMCP Officer lifts his head, "Herself. But I don't think she knows hit herself. I didn't until just now."
Ray's jaw drops. When he can finally take a breath, he gasps, "WHAT?!"
Benton can't help but chuckle at his friend's reaction. Rising, he tries to close the conversation, "Come on. We need to go or we will be late. Sorry about lying to you, but I needed some fresh air."
Ray's mouth flaps like a fish, "Wha-what? Will you tell me what is going on because I am sooo confused."
"Love, Ray. It's called love." With that, the serge back strides back to the detective's vehicle. Dief follows at his side.
Slowly Ray turns even more agassed than before, "Du-wha? Fraiser?!"
Constable Fraiser returns to the consulate. Laying a hand to the door handle, he looks down to Dief for support. The fuzzy muzzle encourages him. "Okay, but am I completely insane?"
Dief drops his head in shame and slinks back to his master's office. Ben takes the hint. He knocks.
"Yes?"
He enters his superior's office. Seated behind her desk, raises her eyes to the dark head tormentor of her dreams. He shuts the door behind him never breaking eye contact. She tries to protest, but he cuts her off.
"We need to talk."
"Um, about what?" she tries to pull out of his blue eyes.
"The train."
Fumbling she tries to organize papers that don't need to be, "No we don't."
Leaning over the desk, stills her hands with his. She looks at his larger warm hands holding hers so softly but heavily, "Constable," she tries to warn, but fails.
"Ma'am, I believe we need to discuss what will happen in Quebec."
Still refusing to face him, rolls her neck to be professional, "They'll ask us some questions and we will answer them. What else is there to say?" He doesn't answer. "I really have a lot to do.
Turning one of her hands over he traces the palm, "It would make sense of us to travel up there together seeing how I don't own a car."
She softens to his touch, "Constable, please…. Leave me alone."
A husky whisper answers, "No."
Maggie finds the strength to look into those blue eyes, "Please get out of my life."
He returns the threat, "Then transfer me back to the North West Territories."
It pains her heart to hear that. She only wanted him out of her dreams. Not really out of her life. Or did she? Turning her face away, she also pulls her hand out of his touch. Standing, she turns her back on him.
"Please leave my office."
Stepping to the side of the desk, she can feel his presence so close. Close enough to touch, and yet fighting herself not to. Crossing her arms, grips them to keep from gripping him and the way that uniform fits him body and soul. Reminding him how much they are alike and yet forbidden.
"Tell me it meant nothing to you. Tell me you didn't feel it too?"
Digging her nails into her arms, she fights to keep from burying herself in his strong arms. Where ever she got the strength from, she will never know and will curse it. Stiffening, faces him sternly.
"Constable Fraiser, are you disobeying a direct order from a superior officer? Get out of here! Leave me alone. I will send you a memo later."
Shocked to her response, he obliges and steps back. He searches her face to see if the words came honestly from her heart.
"Well?" she snaps.
"Very well. I'll leave. But I will be back until you send me home."
"DON'T tempt me!" she snarls with herself.
Leaving her office, he closes the door. A deep sigh of regret to his actions, he walks away. That is until he hears her office being ripped apart by her own hands. Heavy objects being thrown and her swearing repeatedly, "Damn him, damn him, damn him!"
Then she slumps down into her chair nearly sobbing, "Get out of my life Benton Fraiser."
She looks at her wrecked office knowing it looks just like her heart. Contemplating for a few minutes, she finally finds the motive to move. Before her are openings for the North West Territories. Her smile beams.
"I'll get you out of my life, Fraiser!" and swiftly fills out the form.
With a new spring to her step, she yanks her door open to slam the form into his face. Only her plan backfires when he is right there in her door frame. She gasps.
"The transfer you requested."
"I changed my mind. I want to stay," he leans in too close, "with you."
She steps back, he steps forward.
"You're gorgeous in serge."
"No," she breathes. He steps forward, she steps back. "Benton…"
"Yes?"
He steps forward. She does not step back. His arm slips round her and draws her against him. She doesn't fight him this time. It's her chin that lifts and rising to her toes, commandeers the kiss. Stepping together into the office, the kiss deepens. The transfer flutters to the floor as she clutches his nape harder.
The door closes with the help of his boot heel. She pushes him back against it and he takes liberties to plunge the kiss even deeper. Her other hand is crushed between them when his second hand presses between her shoulder blades keeping them locked even tighter. A tear escaped her when the kiss begins to slow down to caresses and warmth.
This is when he pulls back and smiles. She blushes and buries her face against his collar.
"Damn you," she tugs his lariat.
a/n yes more to come. It will be a long story, fyi.