Tough Case's

Ray sat as he had done for the past year and a half at his desk. For months now Ray had that feeling that he used to get chasing Fraser down a blind alley where a gun wilding maniac would be waiting foe for him. Why would he have this feeling now? With Fraser up North and himself down here in Chicago. Lt Welsh looked out his office window and frowned as he saw yet again Ray sitting at his desk with that look on his face. Fed up of this he made the decision to ask Ray about it.

"Detective Kowalski my office now, Lt Welsh shouted from his office door. At hearing his name been shouted Ray swung around and got to his feet, "Yes sir". Ray answered back as he headed for his boss's office. Wondering what he had done now. He had been real good since he got back. So sitting waiting to be shouted at Ray as usual was jittery.

Nervous as hell Ray asked, "What's up Lieu"? Welsh studied him for a moment, "Detective is there something wrong you've been sitting there for weeks now like someone has died is there something bothering you"? Ray was not expecting this. Although Lt Welsh was a tough boss he also cared a great deal about the people who worked for him. That's why Ray liked to work for him.

Shifting in the chair Ray begun, "Sir you know I-I don't know sir I just have this feeling something is wrong". Welsh still looked at him, "Ray and to who or what do you think something is wrong". Still not staying still Ray looked at him, "I think oh I don't know it's the same feeling I used to get when I thought that Fraser was in trouble or needed my help some how".

Welsh nodded, "Have you spoken to Fraser lately"? Shaking his head Ray said, "No not he's been out on patrol he is home last night but I". Leaning forward Welsh spoke, "Look if you still feel this way in the morning ring his secretary maybe they could help put your mind a rest". Smiling Ray said, "Thanks I will I'll just go and finish up the last of those files so sir". With that Ray left for his desk.

Welsh knew that Ray missed Fraser like you'd miss your right arm. Ray couldn't hold onto a partner for more then five minutes. No one clicked with him like Fraser did. Welsh hated to admit it but Ray would be better off going after Fraser maybe do a liaison thing up there with him. They were so meant to be together it's just they were so blind to it. Maybe someday they'll see and they would both find the happiness they both deserved. It's not the done thing in the force but if anyone could do they could. Welsh was very found of them both felt like a father to them so all he wanted was for them to be happy and if that meant losing his best Detective so be it.

Sitting back down at his desk trying his best to compete his files. Francesca came over to his desk with a cup of coffee for him. "Hey Bro, she said with a smile. Even thought he was back to been Kowalski she still called him that and Ray liked it a lot. Still talking, "You ok there though you might need this, and handed him the coffee. Taking the coffee Ray smiled, "Thanks Frannie, Ray sipped the coffee and smiled with surprise, you put chocolate in it". Sitting on his desk Francesca said, "Yep ray Fraser said if I ever saw you down or upset to give you coffee with at least eight M'N'M's in it". Raising his eyebrow and his heart melted, "He did, did he". Patting his hand Francesca spoke softly, "Look ring him ok I can see that look in your eye Ray I worry about as well ok come on your bringing me down". With that she went back to her own desk.

Ray drank his coffee with a warm heart. Even though Fraser was thousands of miles away he was still looking after his skinny ass. Just as he finished his coffee ray's phone rang. Not really wanting to answer it Ray was going to leave for another Detective but something in him twisted. Ray knew before answering it was going to be Fraser or about Fraser.

Picking up, "Detective Kowalski how may I help you"? A woman's voice greeted him, "Oh thank god this is the same Detective Kowalski that was partnered with Benton Fraser when he was in Chicago right"? Ray's heart skipped a beat voice shaking now, "Yes ma'm is something wrong with Fraser and do you know him"? With a clearing of her throat she started, "I'm sorry I'm Gillian Moran I'm Sergeant Fraser's secretary I'm ringing because I'm so worried about him. He is so cut up about his last case ad I'm so afraid he is going to hurt himself. I heard so much about you Detective I thought I'd turn to you before I had to take the next step".

Ray could hardly hear from the pounding of his heart, "What do you mean hurt himself take the next step what happened"? With sobs she spoke, "It was real bad a little girl fell from his grip and died there is so much more to much to say over the phone is there anyway you can get up here as fast as possible. I don't want to have to report this if I don't have to". Ray tried to calm her and himself, "Look I'll try can I ring you back ok with the details later today. If I can leave look don't tell Fraser I'm coming ok I'll surprise him tell him it's a vacation or something ok". With a sigh of relief, "That would be great sir I'll be here late tonight do you still have the number"? Ray answered, "Yes Mrs Moran I'll ring you later". With that they both hung up. Ray was right something was wrong.

Ray got up from his desk and headed for Lt Welsh's desk. Knocking and going straight in not waiting to be called in. with a strained voice Ray started, "Sir we have a problem I need time off staring now I don't care if it's paid or UN paid but I need it now". With a concerned face Welsh asked, "Why is that Ray who was that on the phone"? With a heavy sigh Ray went on to explain but Ray just wanted to get out of there and get to Fraser as fast as he could. After hearing what Ray had to say Welsh sat back in his chair, "So I guess your hunch that something was wrong was right then? Ok fill out that request for leave I'll finish it later. While your doing that I'll ring the airport and see when the next flight out is ok". Ray racked his hands through his hair, "Thank you sir I just hope I can help".

Ray went back to his desk and filled out the request for leave. His boss was a good man cared very much for the people who worked for him. Within a few minutes welsh called Ray back in. "Ok Ray I have you booked on a flight to Calgary at five and a connecting flight to Yellowknife there a plane will take to Norman Well there you'll have to hire a car or something is that ok Ray"?. Ray stood there and thanked him, "Sir where in the airport do I pay for this oh god I hope I've enough in my savings for this".

Lt Welsh looked at Ray as if he were nuts, "Ray I'm not letting you pay for this. One of our men is in trouble so this is on the Chicago PD alright. Now go home and pack and Ray keep me informed all right". Handing Ray the paper with all his flight information Ray turned to leave saying, "Thank you sir I'll ring as soon as I get there thanks, Ray's voice very shaky at this point.

What Ray didn't know was it was not been paid for by the Chicago PD but Lt Welsh himself. He could not sit back and rest when one of his own yes one of his own. He considered and still considered Benton Fraser as one of his own men.

It was the fastest ever that Ray packed. Francesca promised to look after his turtle. Ray was at the airport in no time at all. It was only when Ray picked up his tickets that he saw that it was Lt Welsh that paid for them and not the Chicago PD. That warmed Ray's heart right up and tears threatened to spill.

With a little bit of time before boarding Ray picked up the phone and rung Fraser's secretary, "Hello Sergeant Fraser's office Mrs Gillian Moran speaking how may I help you"?. Taking a breath, "Hi Mrs Moran this is Ray Kowalski look I'm on my way ok my flight leaves very soon how is he now"? With what sounded like relief on the other end, "Oh thank god Mr Kowalski thank god Sergeant Fraser at the moment is beating the hell out of a punch in the gym. Look have a safe trip and ring when you get to Yellowknife and tell me your flight time to Norman Wells so I can get my husband to pick you up there ok". Ray was nervous, "Thank you so much my flight is been called so I'll call you soon ok thanks".

Ray was even more nervous now. To hear that Fraser was beating the hell out of a punch. That was something he just did not do. I'm sure there was that one time we almost spared but he didn't want to hit me. When he did that one punch it hurt. Then there was that really hard punch by the water front that I really want to forget. No wonder he never wanted to hit me my god he could pack a punch. The faster I get there the better Ray thought to himself.

Sitting on the plane Ray was worried sick not knowing exactly what was going through Fraser's head or what he was going to do about it. It had to have been so bad for his secretary to ring with worry. God a million and one things ran through Rays head. Causing his emotions to spill over looking out the window of the planes tears fell freely.

A woman's voice broke Ray out of his spell, "You ok there young man". A gentle hand touched his arm. Ray turned his head to meet an elderly lady wit very kind eyes. "Yes Ma'm I'm, but Ray couldn't finish. As she patted his arm he laid his own hand over hers. She continued to speak softly, "What's upsetting you so much young man maybe I can help you it might help to get it off your chest"?

Ray didn't know what came over him but he told her everything. "I'm going to Canada to help my friend he's in trouble and everyone in the village is worried about him. I got a phone call from his secretary saying during a case he was on a little girl fell from his grip and died and he is not coping well and she's afraid he'll hurt himself. You see my friend is Benton Fraser he is a Mountie my former partner from Chicago. And I miss him so much and you know it hasn't been the same since he left and I never got to tell him" Ray said all this through his sobs.

She startled him, "You never got to tell him that you love him right". Shook Ray just nodded his head. So she continued, "Look you go up there and do whatever you have to help him ok. Fraser is a good man and deserves love". This made Ray confused but she laughed. "Perhaps I should introduce myself I'm Tilly More I'm the doctors secretary up there I also work part time for Fraser. So you must be the famous Ray Kowalski he never stops talking about you know".

Ray sat dumbfounded, "He dose". She laughed again, "He dose May I ask how you getting all the way"? Ray ran his hands through his hair again, "I've a conceiting flight to Yellowknife then to Norman Well's then Fraser's sectary told me to ring and her husband will pick me up". still holding his hand, "Ah Frank Ya good man look when we get to Yellowknife ring Gillian and tell her you met Tily and she's taking you instead ok there's no need for Frank to come all that way when I can take you ok. Dose Fraser knows that you're coming". Ray smiled and looked away, "No Ma'm he doesn't I only got the call a few hours ago so no". With kind eyes and voice, "Fraser was right you are a very kind a loving friend and that's why he loves you". That made Ray's head snap back, "He loves me he told you that". Handing him a hanky, "Oh yes he dose but like you he's afraid. So don't let this slip by don't wait till it's to late ok grab it with both hands".

Ray felt warmness from her motherly love. Fraser was really lucky to have people who cared about him like that. Ray just hoped and prayed that he could help and be able to tell Fraser how he felt Tilly was right he was not going to let slip by.

The journey was nearing an end and the small village near. Tilly stood him outside Fraser post and wished him luck and insisted on making them dinner soon. With a kiss and a hug she left. Leaving Ray standing there waiting to go in.

THIS IS FOR MY MUSE YOU KNOW WHO ARE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.