Usual disclaimers apply. I do not own characters from either Frasier or Bonanza. This is purely for fun.

Them Crane Boys

by

Cat

Martin was still at the table when Frasier came down the stairs for breakfast. This was slightly disappointing; not that Frasier had anything against eating with his father, but he was hoping to see his hosts, the Cartwrights this morning. In fact, Frasier had gotten up extra early just to be with them. But then, he had been getting up early everyday this week and kept on missing them.

"If this goes on," he thought, "I'll have to sleep at the table to eat breakfast with them!" He asked his father if it was his imagination or were the Cartwrights trying to avoid Frasier and Niles.

"Well, what do you think!" retorted Martin. "You almost hang Hoss when you and your brother tried your hand at roundup. When you both tried to help with the branding, Niles got Little Joe right in the keister. The only thing you haven't tried is castrating the calves and Adam ain't going to let you go near that operation, at least not when he's in charge of it! Something tells me he still has hopes of having a family."

"Oh please, father," Niles said as he came down the stairs fresh from his morning bath. "You act as if it were our fault about these...these…" Niles waved his hands as if the word would materialize from the air. Quickly, his face brightened as the word suddenly appeared in his brain, "Mishaps!"

Frasier looked at his brother incredulously, "Mishaps? Niles, even I would call that a stretch."

Niles got out his handkerchief and automatically began wiping down the mahogany wooden chair, "Now you know, we probably did the Little Joe a favor. As often as he gets hurt away from home, this could be a blessing in disguise. Now, when people strip him to tend his wounds, all they have to do is look at the brand and next stagecoach, he's on the way back home to the Ponderosa." Niles smiled then sat down next to Frasier, opposite their father.

"We must stress that point with Ben and Little Joe, when we next see them," remarked Frasier dryly as he finished his coffee.

Niles frowned at his brother and tried again, "It's not even that bad. Dr. Martin was most impressed with the way we handled both emergencies. He said he never seen such fine work in his life."

"You must have missed that little dig he got in about doctors who drum up their own business," Martin added.

Annoyed, Frasier and Niles both looked at their father. Martin smiled brightly back at them. Luckily, their father's beautiful English nurse, Daphne Moon coming in the front door interrupted anything they were going to say. She had been taking Eddie, their dad's Jack Russell out for a little walk.

"Oh, finally, you're both up! You missed a great sunrise this morning. Adam and Little Joe both made sure I saw it," she smiled wistfully.

"Somehow, I don't think we would have gotten the full effect, Daphne," Frasier said snidely.

"Well, aren't we snippy today?" she retorted. "Mr. Crane, if you don't need me, I would like to go riding today."

Martin smiled at Daphne, "That's a good idea! I won't need you today, and actually, I thought I would take a ride myself. Ben said there was some good fishing around here."

Frasier and Niles looked at each other. This was what they had waited for! Now they would be able to go into Virginia City and see Caruso at the Opera House. Perfect!

After breakfast, Frasier and Niles went out to get the horses the Cartwrights had loaned them while they were staying at the Ponderosa. Quickly, Hank, one of the hands beat them to the horses and started saddling them.

"Hank, that's not necessary, we could do that," said Frasier.

"No sir! Mr. Cartwright told me if you two needed to go anywhere I was to take care of the horses," Hank replied. "Are you sure you two want to ride in? I could hitch up the buggy," Hank added uneasily.

Frasier thought about it. The buggy would be easier to deal with since neither Niles nor he was a horseman, but somehow he felt it insulting to be asked about the buggy. After all, unless there was a special occasion, all the Cartwrights usually rode horses when they went anywhere.

"No, Hank, Frasier and I will be riding in today. It's such a nice day for a ride." Niles said, apparently thinking the same thing Frasier was.

Frasier, took his brother aside, "Niles when have you actually gotten on a horse?"

"Plenty of times. I was used to ride daily at Uncle John's when we were kids. Don't you remember?" Niles replied primly. Frasier closed his eyes. Oh yes, he did remember. He rode every day while he stayed there also. In fact they both rode on very old, very tired, farm ponies. The only danger there was for Niles and Frasier was they would fall asleep and fall off before anyone could coax the ponies to move.

"Maybe we should let Hank, hitch up the buggy."

Niles was indignant. "Of course not! We can ride, why there would be nothing more invigorating than a brisk canter to town!"

Finally it dawned on Frasier. "Daphne said something about admiring how the Cartwright boys looked on their horses."

"Yes," Niles huffed. "She commented on how even Hoss looked on his horse." He added grudgingly. Frasier smiled. Oh yes, competition and Niles were old friends. Luckily he never had to worry about that. But still, Frasier thought thinking of the Cartwright boys, it couldn't hurt one's image…