Thanks all for your patience with me in updating my little story. Life is crazy right now, between working full time, going to school, and being a single mom while my husband is off being an Army of One. I honestly don't know when I'll get to update again. Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to ArcticWolf1, as a special thank you for adding this story to his (or her) favorites. Thank you very kindly! I hope y'all enjoy this chapter. Reviews are always appreciated.

The usual disclaimers apply. I own neither these characters, nor the Toronto Blue Jays.

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Chapter 3

The following Saturday found Ben and Meg riding in a taxi on their way to the municipal sports complex, where the police department team was scheduled for their first and only practice. The two rode in a silence that while not exactly companionable, was not uncomfortable either.

Meg was dressed comfortably in relaxed jeans and a softball shirt that was white with black sleeves. In her lap the carried an old worn black baseball cap and an obviously well cared-for softball glove. Her sneakers, Fraser could not help but notice, looked like they'd never been worn. She'd obviously just bought them. Her hair was pulled back into a short ponytail on the back of her head; the only word Fraser could think of for it was adorable, though he'd never say so out loud.

For his part, Ben wore a white Henley with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, his favorite jeans, and the same sneakers he'd been forced to wear when his beloved boots had been lost in a rather dodgy part of town. He was absently twirling his Stetson between his fingers.

Meg watched him playing with the ever-present hat for a minute, then spoke up. "Fraser, is that the only hat you own?"

He immediately stopped his action and set the Stetson in his lap gently. "Yes, ma'am, it is. Why?"

Meg looked incredulous. "Were you planning on playing softball in that?"

Ben tugged his earlobe in confusion. "Well, yes. Is something wrong?"

Rather than answer, Meg tapped the taxi driver on the shoulder. "I need you to take us to the nearest sporting goods store immediately, please." As the driver turned the cab to comply with this request, she turned to Fraser. "We're buying you a baseball cap. The Stetson is a fine hat, Fraser, but it's completely inappropriate for playing sports in."

Ben was taken aback by this. She wanted to take his hat away? It was so much a part of him. She must have sensed his disappointment. "Don't worry, Fraser," she soothed, patting his knee as though he were a child, "we'll see if we can get a baseball cap with a maple leaf on it. Or, at the very least, at Toronto Blue Jay.™"

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Meanwhile, at the practice field, Ray was trying to get the team organized. Luckily he'd had plenty of volunteers show up to be on the team; although that may have been at least partially due to Lt. Welsh and a few other precinct lieutenants offering incentives to encourage a spirit of volunteerism. 'Never doubt the allure to an overworked cop of an extra day off,' Ray thought with a grin.

Several people from his own precinct had shown up, he noticed with satisfaction. Elaine, of course, was already signed up to play third base, and Lt. Welsh offered to be the team's manager. The Duck Boys, Detectives Jack Huey and Thomas Dewey had, with uncharacteristic graciousness, offered to play wherever they were needed. Ray himself planned to play second base.

"Hey! People! Eyes on me!" he called to the group. Finally the chatter died down long enough for him to continue. "First, I'd like to thank you all for coming out here today. We're gonna have fun, and hopefully beat those firemen once and for all!"

The police officers cheered, and Ray continued, "If you're already signed up for a position, you'll go out to that position in just a second. If you're not sure where you'll play, come talk to Welsh and we'll see where we can put you. Everybody ready?"

Detective Dewey spoke up. "Hey, Ray? Don't you think we need a name? I mean, the firemen are probably gonna have a cool name for their team. We should have one too."

There was a smattering of agreement among his teammates. "Well, what do you suggest, Dewey?" Ray teased, "The Mighty Ducks?"

"What about Chicago's Finest?" suggested Elaine. "After all, that is what we are, isn't it?

"Yeah!" everyone cheered with great pride.

"All right, Elaine. Anyone got a problem with that?" asked Lt. Welsh, practically daring someone to disagree. He had no cause for concern, however. "Good. Then it's settled. Come on, Chicago's Finest, let's hit the field!"

Those whose positions were secured found their spots while the rest stayed in the dugout. They would try out for the open slots. As of now, Chicago's Finest had Ray at second, Elaine at third, a desk sergeant from the 12th at shortstop, and a file clerk from the 27th in centerfield. They still needed at least one pitcher, a catcher, a first baseman, and two more outfielders, plus back-up players for pinch hitting or in case of injury.

Ray had just started playing catch with Elaine when a yellow taxi pulled into the parking lot behind the bleachers. From it emerged Benny, looking rather silly in a brand new Toronto Blue Jays cap, grasping his Stetson as if it were precious cargo. Ray's suspicions were confirmed when out of the cab behind Benny climbed none other than Thatcher herself.

When Benny caught Ray's attention, he gave a smile and a wave. Ray waved back as Benny led Meg over to the dugout.

Meg caught the look of surprise on Vecchio's face. 'So, he wasn't expecting me. Why am I not surprised?' She shot a look of irritation at Fraser's back.

The look turned into a polite smile as Meg greeted Lt. Welsh in the dugout. "Good afternoon, Lieutenant," she said, shaking his hand.

Welsh returned the greeting. "Hello, Inspector. I wasn't aware you'd be here today. Can't say I'm surprised to see The Big Red One here, but I'd have thought you'd have better ways to spend your Saturday."

"Well, Fraser said it was for charity, and I to admit, I'm looking forward to getting back on the mound again," she replied.

"Oh, you're a pitcher? That's great," said Lt. Welsh. While their senior officers continued their conversation, Ray pulled Benny aside.

"What is she doing here, Fraser?" Ray asked in a slightly accusatory tone.

"I invited her. You said you needed a pitcher, and I felt that Inspector Thatcher would fit the bill perfectly." Fraser explained as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well, thanks for trying to help, but I'm not sure we really need her," Ray answered. The disdain in his voice was clear in the way he emphasized the last word.

"Ray, please. Just giver her a chance," Ben pleaded with his friend. "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how talented she really is. I happen to know that she is an experienced pitcher, and that she had an Earned Run Average of 1.3 over thirty games. You could do worse."

This surprised Ray. He didn't know she had any other talent than making Fraser's life hell. "All right, buddy. I suppose it couldn't hurt."

Benny gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Ray."

Ray grinned back. "Yeah, forget about it." He looked his Canadian friend up and down. "Nice hat, by the way. Are you playing, too?"

"Actually, I was hoping to participate."

" I didn't know they had softball up in the Yukon."

"Well, Ray, they don't. The environment isn't exactly conducive to such an activity." Benny answered. "However, while I've never actually played before, I have watched games, and of course, my grandmother's library had a book on the subject, so do have an understanding-"

Ray cut him off before he started rambling. "Okay, okay. I get it. So, what position do you want to play?"

Fraser ran his thumb along his eyebrow. "Well, if I may, I'd like to try playing catcher."

The significance of that was not lost on Ray. Benny wanted to play catcher so that he could be close to Thatcher. "I don't see a problem with that, Benny, but Welsh is actually the manager of the team, so we'll have to run it by him."

"Understood." Benny replied. They turned and walked over to Welsh, who had by this time moved out to the pitcher's mound with Meg. Ben watched her start to warm up, and thought that she looked very natural. She seemed to already be more relaxed, and that made him glad.

Ray and Ben came up to Welsh, and asked if Benny could play catcher. Welsh didn't have a problem with it, so it was settled as far as he was concerned. He went back to the dugout to find positions for everyone else. Meg, on the other hand, was surprised. Since when could he play softball? She looked over at him, and found him giving her a small smile.

"Inspector, would it be alright with you if I catch while you pitch?" Fraser asked. "I know some pitchers are particular about who catches them."

Meg smiled back at him. "Of course, Fraser. I'm sure you'll be fine. At any rate, I know you better than I know everyone else here, so that should work in our favor. Take your position behind the plate, and we'll get warmed up."

Fraser smiled back at her. "Understood, Sir," he called as he made his way toward home plate.

"You know, since we're not on duty, you don't have to keep calling me Sir. This is supposed to be fun, so relax, and call me Meg," She answered as she threw him an impressive underhand pitch.

Ben caught the ball easily and threw it back. With a calm that belied his inner jubilation, he replied, "Of course, Meg, as you wish. By the same token, please feel free to call me Benton, or even Ben, if you wish."

They kept throwing the ball back and forth, while Ray watched the two Canadians. Benny was right, she did have a good arm, he noticed. He also noticed that there was more than just a softball flying between them. There were some sparks, too. Ray chuckled softly to himself. "Good luck with her, Benny. You're going to need it," he murmured .

"All right, everyone!" Lt. Welsh called out. "Let's get this practice started already. I want Chicago's Finest to be the best!" Everyone cheered enthusiastically, and the practice got underway.