Mary and her family's reunion after twenty years was as to be expected. There was both happiness and hard feelings. Mary had missed so much of Ling's childhood. That had left her feeling lost and lonely. Still, Ling was happy to see her mother after so long. Together, Ling and Mary stood beside Mr. Zhou, tears streaming down their cheeks.
Fraser stood in the hospital lobby giving the family space and privacy. He knew Ling would seek him out when she needed him. The mountie didn't expect that would be any time soon. Her family was complete again.
"How's the old man doing?" Ray clapped his friend on the shoulder as he stood looking out the lobby window.
"Mr. Zhou is diabetic, he hadn't eaten in several hours. He'll make a full recovery in the next few days." Fraser let a small smile pull at his firm lower lip for a moment as he studied his boots for a moment.
"How about the girl?" The detective took a different tack.
"Ling, she's fine." The mountie couldn't look at his friend and he didn't know exactly why.
"Constable Fraser." The officers turned when they heard the musical sound of the young Asian-American's voice.
"Ah, Miss Zhou." A glow emanated from the Canadian.
"Constable Fraser, visiting hours are over. I was wondering if I perhaps you would escort my mother and I back to the shop?" Ling blushed slightly. Her jade green eyes never left his face. They nearly disappeared when she smiled.
"I'll call you all a cab." Ray offered leaving the two alone in the lobby. Ling thanked him.
"Thank you kindly, Ray." The mountie extended his arm to escort Ling back to the hospital room, his hand covering the young woman's as they walked down the hallway.
"Constable Fraser, thank you so much for saving my daughter and my husband." Mary walked around the foot of the hospital bed and wrapped her arms around the mountie's neck, squeezing him tightly. Needless to say, Fraser turned as red as his uniform at the woman's unexpected, warm thanks. Ling had to stifle a giggle as she watched Ben flounder helplessly.
"Ms. Zhou, ah, Ray has called a cab, if you'd like to go back to the apartment and rest perhaps." She smiled up at him, slightly enjoying the way he squirmed and blushed.
"That would be a blessing, thank you." Mary latched herself onto the mountie's arm. Grinning, Ling took the other arm.
"Two lovely ladies." Mr. Zhou grinned from the comfort of the hospital bed. Mary blew her husband a kiss.
"Yes, two lovely ladies." Fraser agreed with a bashful smile.
Fraser escorted the Zhous back to the apartment over the curio shop. Mary Zhou was glad to be somewhere where she could eat a real meal and clean up. The apartment was still a wreck after the three thugs' trashing session. Mary immediately laid both hands on her face, one on either cheek.
"Oh dear, what a mess." Ling exclaimed as she stepped inside after her mother. Together, the three brought the small apartment back to some semblance of order. By the time the place was fit to sit down in the city street lights had been on for quite sometime. The night crowd had been on the move for a while, coming and going from place to place despite the snow on the ground.
"Thank you again, Constable Fraser, for all your help." Mary took his hand for a moment. Fraser simply nodded, his Stetson in his other hand. As he took leave of the Zhous, Ling followed him to the door. Her dark hair bordered her angular face. She closed the door behind Fraser as he stepped out into the hallway. She rubbed her hands together, a chill hanging in the air around them. Fraser took her hands in his and held them, warming her fingers. He wanted to see her smiling face for as long as possible.
"Thank you for saving me, Ben." She looked up at him through long, dark lashes, her jade green eyes shining. Slowly, she pulled his hands to where they circled her waist. Ben pulled her closer, smiling. In true, Hollywood style, he leaned down and pulled her into a breath-taking kiss. From a distance Ben could hear the shrill, lilting sound of flute music. He was once more transported to the high, cold, mist covered mountains. This time the mountie wasn't alone.
Scene Break