Disclaimer: Everything Due South belongs to Alliance, not me (unfortunately).

A/N: Things get a little steamier in this chapter, so if you don't like that type of thing, skip to the next chapter.

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Fraser's hand came up to her face, his fingers brushing her cheeks so softly. Meg melted into his touch, her eyes closing briefly at the feeling he evoked in her. Her heart had almost broken as he'd sat there, as good as telling her he loved her. She'd never meant to hurt him, but Ottawa frowned upon relationships between officers. A bitter voice inside her head came forth, asking exactly where following Ottawa's rules had got her – running for her life and the lives of everyone she cared about. Well, she wasn't RCMP now, she wasn't his boss, she wasn't anything really. What would it matter? But she was leaving and doing this would only end up hurting him more.

"I have to go, Fraser."

"Shhh," he breathed softly, his cheek coming to rest against her own. He inhaled the sweet smell of her hair, and that scent that was so uniquely hers. "It doesn't matter, not now."

Meg felt her hands move of their own accord, reaching up to hold on to him as his lips began to caress her cheek, moving ever closer towards her mouth. Meg's fingers tangled in the hair on the back of his head as his lips finally found their goal, meeting hers in a kiss so passionate Meg could concentrate on nothing else. Every thought was driven from her mind as she gave into him totally. His hands moved to pull her closer into his body, his tongue seeking entry to her mouth, gliding across her white teeth, exploring every contour. Meg's other hand slid around his back, her fingers digging into the material of his shirt. Her head was swimming and as much as she wanted to remain kissing him forever, the need for oxygen was taking over. At that moment Fraser released her, his hands dropping down to the base of her sweater. She was so busy trying to remember how to breathe, she couldn't think to do anything but react, raising her arms as he slid her top off over her head. The sweater was discarded carelessly as his hand cupped her face drawing her back into his kiss.

Meg had no time to think about how fast this was moving. Fraser was in charge now and all she could do was react. His hand was now gliding across her bare skin, leaving heat-charged flesh wherever it went. A moan escaped her as his hand cupped her breast, massaging her through the fabric of the bra. At that moment Fraser pushed himself off the sofa, gently lowering her back onto the thick rug that lay in front of the fireplace.

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Later, when both their breathing returned to something resembling normal, Meg felt herself finally taking stock of exactly what had just happened. She found herself lying on the floor, the weight of her ex-junior officer lying atop of her. His head raised slightly from beside her, as his lips began to caress her neck. He slid gently from where he had remained inside of her, shifting his body to lie beside her, his arms pulling her close.

Meg's eyes opened as she shifted, propping herself up slightly to look at him. His steady gaze met hers, and he smiled shyly at her. Meg offered him a small smile in return, but he could tell that there was something more going on behind her eyes.

"Meg? What's wrong?" He hand came up to stroke her cheek gently. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No." She was quick to reassure him. "No, everything was great. You were wonderful."

"But..?"

"But it doesn't change anything, Ben. I still have to go, even now – especially now – I can't risk you getting hurt because of me."

The expression on his face changed. "Did you consider the fact that I'd get hurt anyway, if you leave."

"I'm not going to have this argument with you again. What's done is done, I have no choice now. What do you think would happen if I just showed up alive, huh, after supposedly being killed in that car bomb?"

"We could explain, it would be alright."

Meg pushed herself up away from him, pulling on her clothes. "No it wouldn't, Fraser, because I'd be right back to square one, with everyone in danger and no evidence to put these people away with."

"So that's that then. You're going to ignore what just happened and leave anyway?"

"Fraser, I…" Meg started to apologise, to try to make him see that this was not what she wanted but what had to happen, but Fraser didn't want to hear.

"That's fine, you've made your feelings perfectly clear. If you'll excuse me." And with that, Fraser pulled on the last of his clothing and walked swiftly out of the cabin, leaving Meg inside, half naked and feeling wretched and alone.

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