Chapter 7: The Things We Do For Money
****************************
"Get away from him Frannie..." said the voice as Francesca stooped over the crippled Dave, about to have her way with every inch of him.
"Make me, Ray! You can't make me. You left. Remember?" Fran yelled angrily, pinning the terrified doctor to the ground, kneeling on his arms as she started to undress herself.
"Come on Fran... You know, if you do this, you can never become a cop like me, it's like confinement or something. You're holding him against his will." Ray Vecchio pleaded.
Dave smiled watching Fran's boobs bounce and move in front of him, sooo close.. He strained his arms against her strong legs. Ohhh god.. Yet soo far. Her nipples pert, Dave's full erection brushed against one of her legs and he moaned happily.
Ray cocked a brow, and pulled his gun out of its holster (his real gun out of his real holster, we're not having a weird brother-sister-doctor orgy.) "Come on Fran get off him."
"N-noooo.." Dave panted as Fran started to back up, her hands finding his penis, rolling it over in her hands like a large sausage, gripping it as she helped him thrust into her fingers. Just as he was about to pass out from being so deliriously happy, Ray grabbed Fran around the neck and yanked her off.
Dave screamed, her hands whipped away from their position, pulling him with her. As she was ordered down, he moaned, doubling over in pain. "Ooooooooooooogh! Why??? Why did you do that??! That thing's ATTACHED!" He moaned, whimpering. "Geeez.. Y-you're a guy.. You'd think you'd understand!"
"Fran.. Get down.. Down on your belly.. Come on.. Lay there.. I'm gonna have to put the cuffs on you." Ray barked, straddling his sister and cuffing her hands behind her back. Dave winked at the detective and cocked a brow at the current position of brother and sister. Ray shuddered.
"Get some clothes on Doc. You're safe now." Vecchio muttered trying not to look at the naked man. "Do you want me to get you some - Doctor clothes?" He said with averted eyes.
Dave looked down at himself, still semi-erect. Despite having it nearly ripped off, he was still horny. He sighed. "Yeah, you can probably grab some scrubs from the nurse... Just ask."
"What if she asks why?" Ray, said, slightly amused, Fran struggling in his grip. "Cut it out Fran."
"Tell them..." Dave sighed. "Malucci lost a bet. That'll stop any suspicion." He said remembering the 'walk of shame' where he had to walk naked with a bedpan over his goods through the OB floor. It was still the talk of County.
Ray snickered. "No problem buddy." He sat Francesca down in a corner. "Stay!" Turning to Dave he thumbed to his sister. "Watch her will you. She's really more trouble than she's worth. I'm surprised it's you laying there naked and not Benny."
******
"You see, computers are quite useful, Constable" Carter said, tapping out on the keyboard beside Fraser. "-and with the internet, you can find just about anything. What was that song you were looking for?"
"Log-driver's Waltz.. The McGarrigle Sisters sang it for an NFB of Canada short quite a few years ago. Very nice song." Fraser smiled, snuggling back into the bed as the rhythmic peck of the doctor's fingers on the keypad stopped.
"N-F-B? McGarrigle Sisters?" The doctor cocked his head slightly, his lips parted. "Wha?"
Fraser chuckled, ducking his head. "Sorry.. As Ray would say, I'm speaking Canadian. The NFB is the National Film Board and the McGarrigle Sisters were a singing duo. One of them is Rufus Wainwright's mother. Usually I'd remember which one, but I think the bump on my head," he smiled uneasily. "Well you know."
"Yeah... I know. How did you spell his name again, Constable? The guy that wrote it?" Carter said, confused, his finger pressed on the backspace key. "Wade? What was the last name?" His two index fingers poised over the computer, he looked at the Mountie expectantly.
"You CAN call me Benton, if you prefer. It's no problem," Fraser said kindly. "It's Hemsworth. H-E-M-S-W-O-" He looked up as a nurse stood in the doorway. "Hello there."
"No thanks, one Benton in this hospital is quite enough.." Carter muttered under his breath, looking up.
Chuny smiled, the necessities tucked under her arm as she glared at Carter. "Constable Fraser, it's time for your sponge bath," she said officiously.
"No.. Thank you kindly, but that nice Lily gave me one not even an hour ago." Fraser said with a smile. "Thank you kindly though."
Carter smirked. "Yeah, Chuny. Thank you kindly... Now beat it. Besides... Isn't it customary to have a SPONGE with you when you give sponge baths?" He snickered and turned back to the computer. "You were saying?" The doctor said as Chuny stormed off and slammed the door behind her.
"Oh, yes! R-T-H.. Yes.. That's it. Hemsworth." Fraser peered onto the screen. "Did you find it?" The list ran off the screen, the happy little maple leaf icon beside the YAHOO CANADA logo. Carter nodded.
"Yep.. There's an MP3 here if you like. You want me to burn you a CD, Constable?" Carter smiled. This was a lot better than dealing with patients and Kerry wasn't on the rampage. She was off looking for Malucci.
"Burn?" Fraser cocked a brow. "Pardon me? I don't think your hospital has those sorts of fire codes and regulations. And please.. Call me Fraser.. Or Ben.."
Carter nodded. "Okay.. Ben.. No, I mean a copy. I can make you a copy of the song onto a CD." He smiled at the man, "You want a copy of it?"
Fraser smiled and nodded slightly, "Yes, I'd like that very much, thank you."
************
As Carter set to work, down the hall, Vecchio was helping a limping fellow Italian in a pair of surgical scrubs. "Look... As much as I'd like you to press charges- OW!" Ray rubbed at his bruised shin where Frannie kicked him.
"RAY! I'm your sister! You can't tell him to press charges!" She screeched, smacking him over the head with her purse. "You hear that buttmonkey? I'm your sister!" Frannie yelled as she hit him again. "And you're supposed to love me!"
Dave watched Fran beat her brother over the head with the large purse. He smiled uneasily. "Do you think it was a good idea to take her out of the handcuffs so soon?" The doctor looked at the heavy metal black cuffs hanging off the man's belt. "And.. If you're not using them, I have this date tonight and-"
Ray winced and pulled her purse away. "As I was saying, Fran," he muttered irritably. "As much as I'd *love* him to press charges, you're my sister and you're SICK IN THE HEAD and severely in need of therapy and electroshock!!!" He yelled back. "So, I'd like it if Dr. Malucci would waive the charges."
Dave looked at the pair of them, "Waive the charges. You don't want me to press charges!? This woman attacked me!" Sighing heavily, he shrugged. "Fine.. You promise me she'll NEVER come here again? I'm sick of being the diversion. Besides, lady. Just because I'm a doctor, doesn't mean I'm rich. I have med school loans, rent, groceries. I'm lucky to be able to pay for the Playboy channel."
Frannie sighed haughtily. "I guess so. I suppose I could make that sacrifice. There's other hospitals in Chicago. You're not the only joint in town," she mumbled sullenly.
"Frannie!" Vecchio grunted angrily. "No more trolling for dates at the hospital!" He struggled to get a grip of her as she hauled off and kicked him again. "OW!"
"I wasn't trolling for a date! I was looking for a..." She trailed off, a dreamy expression glazing over her eyes. "A husband.." Frannie sighed happily as Dave raised an eyebrow and backed away.
"Yeah... okay.. Well.. I gotta get back to work." Dave said uneasily as Vecchio lead away his sister. "Thanks.."
*****
Pinning Francesca up against the side of the Riv, Ray patted down his pockets for his keys. "What were you doing in there anyway!? Wouldn't have this been your third restraining order for this place?!" He muttered, fishing out the key-ring and struggling to open the door.
"I could ask you the same thing! Aren't you supposed to be playing Rent-a- Mobster? I was here on business. Fraser needed a new hat," Frannie retorted snottily, her face pressed up against the hood as her brother patted her down.
"A hat? What would Benny need a new hat for? At the hospital?" Ray looked at her, startled. "What's Benny doing here, Fran?!" He said in a frightened tone as he slammed her up against the car again. "Don't make me dent my girl with your fat head. Tell me, Frannie. What's Benny doing here?!"
"OW! He was in an accident. A car accident with that new detective. He got a little banged up. That's all.. He's okay.. He's fine."
***
"Ohhhhhh.. For he goes birling down a-down the white water; That's where the log driver learns to step lightly. It's birling down, a-down white water; A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely." Fraser grinned, his voice a rich hue of tones that resonated out the door and weakened the knees of the nurses.
The CD player beside the bed spun the MP3 copy and the mountie smiled blissfully. "When the drive's nearly over, I like to go down to see all the lads while they work on the river. I know that come evening they'll be in the town And we all want to waltz with a log driver!" He smiled happily at the IV the nurse had hung on his pole earlier, he wasn't usually for taking medications, but what they had him on, made him feel fine and dandy indeed.
"To please both my parents I've had to give waaaaay and dance with the doctors and merchants and lawyers. Their manners are fine but their feet are of claaaaaaay. For there's none with the style of a log driver." As Vecchio crept into the room, Fraser waved his arms about slightly, his eyes closed as his head dipped to the music. "I've had my chances with all sorts of men. But none is so fine as my lad on the river. So when the drive's over, if he asks me again, I think I will marry my log driver." The music slowly ended, Fraser opening his eyes with a slight embarrassed grin. "RAY!"
"Benny.. I never knew.. I always thought you were hip to the ladies..." Ray Vecchio said with a chuckle. "But hell, to each their own. You okay, man?"
"I'm fine Ray.. It's a song. Just a song, Ray.. Dr. Carter found it on the internet and made me an illegal bootleg of it. It's quite nice, it's all about this woman that fancies her log driver.. and.."
Ray smiled encouragingly. "Gee.. That's great Benny.. Good to see the doctors at this fine hospital are having such a great influence on you. Sounds like a great song. Now I was wondering-"
"What are you doing here?" Kowalski glared at Vecchio, his gun drawn. "He's not an officer anymore, Frase.. He's not one of us." He said, hatred in his voice.
"Well, Ray.. I mean.. Kowalski.. I mean Stan... Well technically I never was one of you.. I am only a Liaison officer with the Canadian Consulate." Fraser said uneasily as he watched the two men circle each other.
"Shut up Benny..." Ray muttered, eyeing the detective, his gun drawn. "Don't listen to him Benny.. I'm still your friend.. I'm still here.. I'm here aren't I?" He said, his voice getting a frantic edge.
"Yes.. You are, Ray. You're still here." Fraser said calmly. "Why Ray?"
"Because.." Ray paused to grab the bed pan off the side table and fling it at Kowalski, narrowly missing the detective's head and clattering to the floor. "I came to see you."
"Benny... Cute.." Kowalski snorted, "Frase.. Stay out of this. He's not your friend anymore. Get down on your knees.. Drop the gun."
"I needed the money... So I took a little pay off.. How was I supposed to know that kid was going to get killed!? He wasn't supposed to die." Vecchio said angrily, booting his gun across the room, skittering into a corner. "THERE! YOU HAVE MY GUN! WHAT?! YOU WANT MY PANTS TOO?!"
"I don't need the theatrics, Vecchio. You know the drill." Kowalski said with a bored tone, "I want the other gun too... The one in your-"
Suddenly the barrel of the gun was pressed against his nose and Stan breathed slowly. "Okay there... You don't have to do anything stupid, Vecchio.. You put the gun down and we all walk out of here. Okay?"
"Actually, Stan..." Fraser said looking at his leg which was suspended from the ceiling.
"Okay.." Stan Kowalski rolled his eyes. "You and I walk out of here. Frase' stays here because they've decided to make him into a hanging planter. Is that detailed enough for you Fraser?!" He eyed the gun, pressed firmly against the side of his nose. "I don't think now's the time to get nick- picky. I DO have a gun to my head."
"Actually...."
"Shut up Fraser." Both men shouted in unison.
"Damn... I forgot how annoying he could be!" Vecchio said with disbelief. "Shit.. and I thought Vinnie was a pain in the ass.. I really did miss the Mountie."
Kowalski smiled uneasily. "Yeah.. He sure can be a pain in the ass," he murmured softly, when Vecchio snapped the detective's head back, his fingers entangled in his hair, pulling his gaze to eye level.
"Did I say you could speak?" Vecchio smacked him lightly upside the head. "No.. I didn't.. So you shut up too.. It was just a little bit of money. Take the money, or die.. That was my options. Quite frankly being on the take and being alive is a lot better. Do you want to find out if being dead is any better?"
Fraser sighed. "Please Ray... Don't you remember what my father said? A friend will help you move. A best friend will help you move a body...." He trailed off. "Wait.. That wasn't it... It was something about rubbing down a Caribou with tallow before you go dancing naked in the moonlight... I don't rightly recall the reasoning for that though.."
"I like that other thing your Dad said. You can help me move his body, Benny.." Vecchio tripped the man, Kowalski, causing him to grunt in pain and land on his hands and knees. The gun aimed squarely at the back of his head. "You wanna be my best friend?"
Fraser Sr. grumbled irritably. "You see son? You see what happens when you mess up my wise witticisms?! You get people killed."
"Dad.. I hardly think that's the point. I really am in a bind here you know, and all you can think about is whether I gave your advice as you intended." Benton Fraser hissed to the old man.
"Well, Son. I don't see the problem. You have the two of them trying to kill each other. It's not your problem."
"Dammit, Dad.." Fraser muttered. "It is a problem. I have two of my best friends trying to kill each other."
"Well I don't get the point to all this. One of your friends tried to push you off a bridge... The other one is waving a gun around and threatening to kill people. Maybe if you can make him see the point, you can talk some sense into him." Sitting up out of the chair, his father dusted himself off and wandered out the door. "Good luck."
See the point? What in the h-? Fraser sighed. The man was getting crazier after he was dead, that was sure. He flexed his hand, letting it come to rest on the side table, onto the tray that had been put there after his stitches. His hand grazed something, and he withdrew it in pain. "ow..." He muttered to himself as he watched Vecchio go through Kowalski's pockets, kneeling over him in very the same manner he had been with his sister only an hour ago.
Carefully Fraser inspected his hand. He'd cut it... On what though? The only thing that was on that tray was a... "Scalpel."
Vecchio had emptied Stan's pockets, pulling the man to his feet, the gun still snug against his skull. "You think about moving and I move a bullet into your brain. Got that? Tough guy?"
"Ray?" Fraser said kindly, causing the ex-officer to look up.
"Yeah Benny?" Vecchio smiled slightly at the mountie. Yeah, if time could go backwards, what he wouldn't give to be back on the beat with Benny.. But life wasn't like that. Life was like this. and he needed to survive.
"Can you catch?"
"Catch?" Vecchio looked at him oddly before the scalpel spun through the air and caught him in the hand, knocking the gun to the floor. "Augh! Jesus Christ, Benny! What in the fuck did you do that for!?" Staring blankly at his hand, the knife jutting though the other side, blood running down his wrist and arm as Kowalski grabbed him.
"Let's try this again, asshole.. Down on the ground, spread 'em." Kowalski placed a boot on Vecchio's back and stood over him with a slight grin. "Sorta like getting your first caribou. Right Frase'?"
Fraser shrugged and sighed. "I suppose so, Ray. I suppose so." As the door slid open, Wendy standing there with a jug of ice water and two glasses.
"I just thought I'd bring you something to drink, Constable Fra-" She looked at the men, one with his foot pinning the other to the floor. "Oh.. I.. I see this is a bad time. I'm sorry, Constable..." Wendy said quickly before she backed out of the room.
"That's quite all right! Thank you kindly though!" Fraser shouted after her. "She's nice, isn't she?"
Kowalski rolled his eyes. "Sure Frase, whatever. You mind using your little phone dealie and getting some back-up here?"
With an understanding nod, the mountie quickly dialed the detachment. "Certainly Ray."
"I'M RAY!" Vecchio bellowed before Kowalski booted him to the head.
"Shut up.. You're not Ray.. I am." Stanley, "Ray" Kowalski said with a grin. "Aren't I Frase'?"
"Yes, Ray."
****************************
"Get away from him Frannie..." said the voice as Francesca stooped over the crippled Dave, about to have her way with every inch of him.
"Make me, Ray! You can't make me. You left. Remember?" Fran yelled angrily, pinning the terrified doctor to the ground, kneeling on his arms as she started to undress herself.
"Come on Fran... You know, if you do this, you can never become a cop like me, it's like confinement or something. You're holding him against his will." Ray Vecchio pleaded.
Dave smiled watching Fran's boobs bounce and move in front of him, sooo close.. He strained his arms against her strong legs. Ohhh god.. Yet soo far. Her nipples pert, Dave's full erection brushed against one of her legs and he moaned happily.
Ray cocked a brow, and pulled his gun out of its holster (his real gun out of his real holster, we're not having a weird brother-sister-doctor orgy.) "Come on Fran get off him."
"N-noooo.." Dave panted as Fran started to back up, her hands finding his penis, rolling it over in her hands like a large sausage, gripping it as she helped him thrust into her fingers. Just as he was about to pass out from being so deliriously happy, Ray grabbed Fran around the neck and yanked her off.
Dave screamed, her hands whipped away from their position, pulling him with her. As she was ordered down, he moaned, doubling over in pain. "Ooooooooooooogh! Why??? Why did you do that??! That thing's ATTACHED!" He moaned, whimpering. "Geeez.. Y-you're a guy.. You'd think you'd understand!"
"Fran.. Get down.. Down on your belly.. Come on.. Lay there.. I'm gonna have to put the cuffs on you." Ray barked, straddling his sister and cuffing her hands behind her back. Dave winked at the detective and cocked a brow at the current position of brother and sister. Ray shuddered.
"Get some clothes on Doc. You're safe now." Vecchio muttered trying not to look at the naked man. "Do you want me to get you some - Doctor clothes?" He said with averted eyes.
Dave looked down at himself, still semi-erect. Despite having it nearly ripped off, he was still horny. He sighed. "Yeah, you can probably grab some scrubs from the nurse... Just ask."
"What if she asks why?" Ray, said, slightly amused, Fran struggling in his grip. "Cut it out Fran."
"Tell them..." Dave sighed. "Malucci lost a bet. That'll stop any suspicion." He said remembering the 'walk of shame' where he had to walk naked with a bedpan over his goods through the OB floor. It was still the talk of County.
Ray snickered. "No problem buddy." He sat Francesca down in a corner. "Stay!" Turning to Dave he thumbed to his sister. "Watch her will you. She's really more trouble than she's worth. I'm surprised it's you laying there naked and not Benny."
******
"You see, computers are quite useful, Constable" Carter said, tapping out on the keyboard beside Fraser. "-and with the internet, you can find just about anything. What was that song you were looking for?"
"Log-driver's Waltz.. The McGarrigle Sisters sang it for an NFB of Canada short quite a few years ago. Very nice song." Fraser smiled, snuggling back into the bed as the rhythmic peck of the doctor's fingers on the keypad stopped.
"N-F-B? McGarrigle Sisters?" The doctor cocked his head slightly, his lips parted. "Wha?"
Fraser chuckled, ducking his head. "Sorry.. As Ray would say, I'm speaking Canadian. The NFB is the National Film Board and the McGarrigle Sisters were a singing duo. One of them is Rufus Wainwright's mother. Usually I'd remember which one, but I think the bump on my head," he smiled uneasily. "Well you know."
"Yeah... I know. How did you spell his name again, Constable? The guy that wrote it?" Carter said, confused, his finger pressed on the backspace key. "Wade? What was the last name?" His two index fingers poised over the computer, he looked at the Mountie expectantly.
"You CAN call me Benton, if you prefer. It's no problem," Fraser said kindly. "It's Hemsworth. H-E-M-S-W-O-" He looked up as a nurse stood in the doorway. "Hello there."
"No thanks, one Benton in this hospital is quite enough.." Carter muttered under his breath, looking up.
Chuny smiled, the necessities tucked under her arm as she glared at Carter. "Constable Fraser, it's time for your sponge bath," she said officiously.
"No.. Thank you kindly, but that nice Lily gave me one not even an hour ago." Fraser said with a smile. "Thank you kindly though."
Carter smirked. "Yeah, Chuny. Thank you kindly... Now beat it. Besides... Isn't it customary to have a SPONGE with you when you give sponge baths?" He snickered and turned back to the computer. "You were saying?" The doctor said as Chuny stormed off and slammed the door behind her.
"Oh, yes! R-T-H.. Yes.. That's it. Hemsworth." Fraser peered onto the screen. "Did you find it?" The list ran off the screen, the happy little maple leaf icon beside the YAHOO CANADA logo. Carter nodded.
"Yep.. There's an MP3 here if you like. You want me to burn you a CD, Constable?" Carter smiled. This was a lot better than dealing with patients and Kerry wasn't on the rampage. She was off looking for Malucci.
"Burn?" Fraser cocked a brow. "Pardon me? I don't think your hospital has those sorts of fire codes and regulations. And please.. Call me Fraser.. Or Ben.."
Carter nodded. "Okay.. Ben.. No, I mean a copy. I can make you a copy of the song onto a CD." He smiled at the man, "You want a copy of it?"
Fraser smiled and nodded slightly, "Yes, I'd like that very much, thank you."
************
As Carter set to work, down the hall, Vecchio was helping a limping fellow Italian in a pair of surgical scrubs. "Look... As much as I'd like you to press charges- OW!" Ray rubbed at his bruised shin where Frannie kicked him.
"RAY! I'm your sister! You can't tell him to press charges!" She screeched, smacking him over the head with her purse. "You hear that buttmonkey? I'm your sister!" Frannie yelled as she hit him again. "And you're supposed to love me!"
Dave watched Fran beat her brother over the head with the large purse. He smiled uneasily. "Do you think it was a good idea to take her out of the handcuffs so soon?" The doctor looked at the heavy metal black cuffs hanging off the man's belt. "And.. If you're not using them, I have this date tonight and-"
Ray winced and pulled her purse away. "As I was saying, Fran," he muttered irritably. "As much as I'd *love* him to press charges, you're my sister and you're SICK IN THE HEAD and severely in need of therapy and electroshock!!!" He yelled back. "So, I'd like it if Dr. Malucci would waive the charges."
Dave looked at the pair of them, "Waive the charges. You don't want me to press charges!? This woman attacked me!" Sighing heavily, he shrugged. "Fine.. You promise me she'll NEVER come here again? I'm sick of being the diversion. Besides, lady. Just because I'm a doctor, doesn't mean I'm rich. I have med school loans, rent, groceries. I'm lucky to be able to pay for the Playboy channel."
Frannie sighed haughtily. "I guess so. I suppose I could make that sacrifice. There's other hospitals in Chicago. You're not the only joint in town," she mumbled sullenly.
"Frannie!" Vecchio grunted angrily. "No more trolling for dates at the hospital!" He struggled to get a grip of her as she hauled off and kicked him again. "OW!"
"I wasn't trolling for a date! I was looking for a..." She trailed off, a dreamy expression glazing over her eyes. "A husband.." Frannie sighed happily as Dave raised an eyebrow and backed away.
"Yeah... okay.. Well.. I gotta get back to work." Dave said uneasily as Vecchio lead away his sister. "Thanks.."
*****
Pinning Francesca up against the side of the Riv, Ray patted down his pockets for his keys. "What were you doing in there anyway!? Wouldn't have this been your third restraining order for this place?!" He muttered, fishing out the key-ring and struggling to open the door.
"I could ask you the same thing! Aren't you supposed to be playing Rent-a- Mobster? I was here on business. Fraser needed a new hat," Frannie retorted snottily, her face pressed up against the hood as her brother patted her down.
"A hat? What would Benny need a new hat for? At the hospital?" Ray looked at her, startled. "What's Benny doing here, Fran?!" He said in a frightened tone as he slammed her up against the car again. "Don't make me dent my girl with your fat head. Tell me, Frannie. What's Benny doing here?!"
"OW! He was in an accident. A car accident with that new detective. He got a little banged up. That's all.. He's okay.. He's fine."
***
"Ohhhhhh.. For he goes birling down a-down the white water; That's where the log driver learns to step lightly. It's birling down, a-down white water; A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely." Fraser grinned, his voice a rich hue of tones that resonated out the door and weakened the knees of the nurses.
The CD player beside the bed spun the MP3 copy and the mountie smiled blissfully. "When the drive's nearly over, I like to go down to see all the lads while they work on the river. I know that come evening they'll be in the town And we all want to waltz with a log driver!" He smiled happily at the IV the nurse had hung on his pole earlier, he wasn't usually for taking medications, but what they had him on, made him feel fine and dandy indeed.
"To please both my parents I've had to give waaaaay and dance with the doctors and merchants and lawyers. Their manners are fine but their feet are of claaaaaaay. For there's none with the style of a log driver." As Vecchio crept into the room, Fraser waved his arms about slightly, his eyes closed as his head dipped to the music. "I've had my chances with all sorts of men. But none is so fine as my lad on the river. So when the drive's over, if he asks me again, I think I will marry my log driver." The music slowly ended, Fraser opening his eyes with a slight embarrassed grin. "RAY!"
"Benny.. I never knew.. I always thought you were hip to the ladies..." Ray Vecchio said with a chuckle. "But hell, to each their own. You okay, man?"
"I'm fine Ray.. It's a song. Just a song, Ray.. Dr. Carter found it on the internet and made me an illegal bootleg of it. It's quite nice, it's all about this woman that fancies her log driver.. and.."
Ray smiled encouragingly. "Gee.. That's great Benny.. Good to see the doctors at this fine hospital are having such a great influence on you. Sounds like a great song. Now I was wondering-"
"What are you doing here?" Kowalski glared at Vecchio, his gun drawn. "He's not an officer anymore, Frase.. He's not one of us." He said, hatred in his voice.
"Well, Ray.. I mean.. Kowalski.. I mean Stan... Well technically I never was one of you.. I am only a Liaison officer with the Canadian Consulate." Fraser said uneasily as he watched the two men circle each other.
"Shut up Benny..." Ray muttered, eyeing the detective, his gun drawn. "Don't listen to him Benny.. I'm still your friend.. I'm still here.. I'm here aren't I?" He said, his voice getting a frantic edge.
"Yes.. You are, Ray. You're still here." Fraser said calmly. "Why Ray?"
"Because.." Ray paused to grab the bed pan off the side table and fling it at Kowalski, narrowly missing the detective's head and clattering to the floor. "I came to see you."
"Benny... Cute.." Kowalski snorted, "Frase.. Stay out of this. He's not your friend anymore. Get down on your knees.. Drop the gun."
"I needed the money... So I took a little pay off.. How was I supposed to know that kid was going to get killed!? He wasn't supposed to die." Vecchio said angrily, booting his gun across the room, skittering into a corner. "THERE! YOU HAVE MY GUN! WHAT?! YOU WANT MY PANTS TOO?!"
"I don't need the theatrics, Vecchio. You know the drill." Kowalski said with a bored tone, "I want the other gun too... The one in your-"
Suddenly the barrel of the gun was pressed against his nose and Stan breathed slowly. "Okay there... You don't have to do anything stupid, Vecchio.. You put the gun down and we all walk out of here. Okay?"
"Actually, Stan..." Fraser said looking at his leg which was suspended from the ceiling.
"Okay.." Stan Kowalski rolled his eyes. "You and I walk out of here. Frase' stays here because they've decided to make him into a hanging planter. Is that detailed enough for you Fraser?!" He eyed the gun, pressed firmly against the side of his nose. "I don't think now's the time to get nick- picky. I DO have a gun to my head."
"Actually...."
"Shut up Fraser." Both men shouted in unison.
"Damn... I forgot how annoying he could be!" Vecchio said with disbelief. "Shit.. and I thought Vinnie was a pain in the ass.. I really did miss the Mountie."
Kowalski smiled uneasily. "Yeah.. He sure can be a pain in the ass," he murmured softly, when Vecchio snapped the detective's head back, his fingers entangled in his hair, pulling his gaze to eye level.
"Did I say you could speak?" Vecchio smacked him lightly upside the head. "No.. I didn't.. So you shut up too.. It was just a little bit of money. Take the money, or die.. That was my options. Quite frankly being on the take and being alive is a lot better. Do you want to find out if being dead is any better?"
Fraser sighed. "Please Ray... Don't you remember what my father said? A friend will help you move. A best friend will help you move a body...." He trailed off. "Wait.. That wasn't it... It was something about rubbing down a Caribou with tallow before you go dancing naked in the moonlight... I don't rightly recall the reasoning for that though.."
"I like that other thing your Dad said. You can help me move his body, Benny.." Vecchio tripped the man, Kowalski, causing him to grunt in pain and land on his hands and knees. The gun aimed squarely at the back of his head. "You wanna be my best friend?"
Fraser Sr. grumbled irritably. "You see son? You see what happens when you mess up my wise witticisms?! You get people killed."
"Dad.. I hardly think that's the point. I really am in a bind here you know, and all you can think about is whether I gave your advice as you intended." Benton Fraser hissed to the old man.
"Well, Son. I don't see the problem. You have the two of them trying to kill each other. It's not your problem."
"Dammit, Dad.." Fraser muttered. "It is a problem. I have two of my best friends trying to kill each other."
"Well I don't get the point to all this. One of your friends tried to push you off a bridge... The other one is waving a gun around and threatening to kill people. Maybe if you can make him see the point, you can talk some sense into him." Sitting up out of the chair, his father dusted himself off and wandered out the door. "Good luck."
See the point? What in the h-? Fraser sighed. The man was getting crazier after he was dead, that was sure. He flexed his hand, letting it come to rest on the side table, onto the tray that had been put there after his stitches. His hand grazed something, and he withdrew it in pain. "ow..." He muttered to himself as he watched Vecchio go through Kowalski's pockets, kneeling over him in very the same manner he had been with his sister only an hour ago.
Carefully Fraser inspected his hand. He'd cut it... On what though? The only thing that was on that tray was a... "Scalpel."
Vecchio had emptied Stan's pockets, pulling the man to his feet, the gun still snug against his skull. "You think about moving and I move a bullet into your brain. Got that? Tough guy?"
"Ray?" Fraser said kindly, causing the ex-officer to look up.
"Yeah Benny?" Vecchio smiled slightly at the mountie. Yeah, if time could go backwards, what he wouldn't give to be back on the beat with Benny.. But life wasn't like that. Life was like this. and he needed to survive.
"Can you catch?"
"Catch?" Vecchio looked at him oddly before the scalpel spun through the air and caught him in the hand, knocking the gun to the floor. "Augh! Jesus Christ, Benny! What in the fuck did you do that for!?" Staring blankly at his hand, the knife jutting though the other side, blood running down his wrist and arm as Kowalski grabbed him.
"Let's try this again, asshole.. Down on the ground, spread 'em." Kowalski placed a boot on Vecchio's back and stood over him with a slight grin. "Sorta like getting your first caribou. Right Frase'?"
Fraser shrugged and sighed. "I suppose so, Ray. I suppose so." As the door slid open, Wendy standing there with a jug of ice water and two glasses.
"I just thought I'd bring you something to drink, Constable Fra-" She looked at the men, one with his foot pinning the other to the floor. "Oh.. I.. I see this is a bad time. I'm sorry, Constable..." Wendy said quickly before she backed out of the room.
"That's quite all right! Thank you kindly though!" Fraser shouted after her. "She's nice, isn't she?"
Kowalski rolled his eyes. "Sure Frase, whatever. You mind using your little phone dealie and getting some back-up here?"
With an understanding nod, the mountie quickly dialed the detachment. "Certainly Ray."
"I'M RAY!" Vecchio bellowed before Kowalski booted him to the head.
"Shut up.. You're not Ray.. I am." Stanley, "Ray" Kowalski said with a grin. "Aren't I Frase'?"
"Yes, Ray."