Thank you for the review, Virago, short and to the point. I had no choice but to comply. :)

Before Ray could gloat about the fact that Constable Williams did not appear to be doing anything wrong (I mean how many times had he turned around to find Fraser missing because some person urgently needed his help) Fraser had already burst from the car. Something about this new Constable had put the usually calm Mountie on edge. Was it just her behaviour? Or just the fact that Fraser couldn't comprehend why a person would want to make trouble for no reason.

Maybe Fraser had finally found someone who got on his nerves just as much as Fraser got on Ray's. Ray virtually skipped from the car with a big grin plastered across his face as he watched Fraser approach Constable Williams.

"Constable, we need to return to the Consulate now," Fraser said coldly "We are already behind schedule,"

Ray winced; it was reprimanding, Canadian style. Constable Williams, on her part, didn't look at all pleased as Fraser took her arm and lead her to the car. She very deftly tugged her arm out of his grasp and stormed ahead to where Ray held the car door open for her.

"Thank you kindly, Detective," she said sweetly and moved into the car while Ray closed the door on her.

"What's up with you, Benny?" he said as Fraser came closer. "I've never seen you so riled up before about someone,"

"I don't know what you mean, Ray,"

"I think you do,"

Fraser stopped in the process of opening the Riv door and closed it again so the occupant inside the car couldn't hear (much to the annoyance of the people behind them). "As a member of the RCMP she should display the sort of behaviour that should set an example to the public,"

"So, just because she's a Mountie, you're being harder on her?"

"Yes,"

"That doesn't make sense!" Ray couldn't argue any longer because Fraser had opened the car door and resolutely sat in his seat, communicating that the conversation was over. "I'm right," Ray said to himself as he himself settled in the car and drove off.

The car journey was spent in a steely silence. Fraser was reeling and he didn't know why. He knew Ray was right. He'd never admit it though, that would play right into the detective's hands. She just infuriated him and the way Ray stood up for her only increased Fraser's unease. It's not that he didn't trust Ray to judge character, if she wasn't a Mountie he would agree with his partner. Fraser had never experienced it before but he was becoming more and more certain that it was a "personality clash". He was certain she felt it too.

Ray pulled up outside the Consulate and turned to look at both passengers. They in turn looked at him. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave you two here, I have a missing person's case I have to attend to," Fraser couldn't accompany him on this one as he already had his hands full will the rebellious little Mountie. "Fraser, will you be free later on to help?"

"Certainly, Ray,"

"Why can't we help now?" Williams piped up. Fraser sent her what Ray swore was a glare. It was almost funny to see Fraser glaring at someone, it happened so rarely. Sensing his hostility she added a "Sir," Fraser's features softened.

He could tell she was trying to conformal now. Maybe this is why she had been in so much trouble, she just didn't know how not to be confrontational. "Inspector Thatcher has given me explicit instructions not to get you in trouble,"

"I won't be in trouble," she said, forgetting the 'sir'.

"Chicago is a dangerous city, now there is plenty of paperwork-"

"Paperwork!" she fumed "We're policemen, we solve crimes, we don't fill out forms,"

"We work at a consulate, we're not meant to be solving crimes in this situation,"

"Then what are you doing hanging around with a Chicago detective, catching purse-thieves?"

"She has a point, you know," Ray said, getting out of the car so Williams could get out too. Fraser followed their lead.

"I do that in my spare time,"

She turned to him and opened her mouth but nothing came out, obviously at a loss for a comeback "mmlaaaahhhhhh!" she shouted, she spun around on her heel and stormed up the steps to the consulate.

Fraser stood, puzzled. "That doesn't even mean anything!" he shouted incensed and followed her up the steps.

"Good luck, Benny!" Ray called as he drove away.