It was 5 days after the 'Chicago's Shadow Gang' incident that the doctors at the Royal Chicago hospital where Riley had been checked into because Fraser had been worried about her health and the vets at Chicago's happy hospital for animals where Aru had been checked into because she was shoot, said that they were healthy enough to leave their care.
It must have been a blue moon in the month that Ray got involved in this case because he actually did some paper work. Quite a bit of paper work that speed up the process of having each gang member jailed and safety behind bars so that they couldn't hurt anyone, especially a certain Canadian Mountie, local Canadian hero, a detective friend with a certain Canadian Mountie and a deaf wolf.
((((((((((++++++++++++++)))))))))))))
At the train station, it was time for Riley and Aru to go back home. There to say good-bye to them was: Ray, Fraser, Diefenbaker, Lt. Welsh, Detective Gardino and Huey, Fraser's boss: Inspector Margaret Thatcher, and the entire Vecchio family.
"Well, it has been a pleasure and an honor to have been by your side Miss. Riley" said Fraser as he saluted. Riley nodded and saluted back responding, "Like-wise Constable Benton Fraser, I do hope that we are able to meet in the future under better conditions". Fraser smiled and nodded, and held out his hand, which Riley shook.
"You may have been a Canadian and almost got me killed, Kid" said Ray, causing Riley to turn to him and raise an eyebrow, "But you're still something else. Hope you come to Chicago again…just, not to soon, K?". Riley chuckled and nodded, she held out her hand for Ray to shake, which he generously did with a smile.
Riley turned and faced Detective Gardino and Huey, who nodded their heads and held out their hands, which Riley gladly shake, "I thank you for what you have done, but there is a question that has been bugging me: How did you know where we were? From my understanding, Ray and Fraser didn't leave a message telling you where they went"
Detective Gardino smirked and Detective Huey smiled. "It's quite simple really madam" replied Detective Huey. "Yeah, Elaine called us and told us that she feared that Fraser was going to get killed because of some stupid stunt that Vecchio pulled and gave us the location where they went". "Ah, I see" replied Riley, looking at Ray and chuckled at his expression, which was an expression of annoyance and displeasure directed at Detective Gardino who didn't seem to notice it or just plain ignored it.
"Even though you had good reason for fleeing Canada, Madame" said Inspector Margaret Thatcher, "You still broke the law and will have to face justice". "I understand" nodded Riley, looking at the Inspector in the eye. "But since this is a special case, you will probably only be given community service, pay back the Canadian Consulate the money it spend on your train ticket, and hospital fees for you and your…dog and probably won't be able to enter the States for a few months, maybe up to a year and a half, but better that going to jail or juvie". Riley nodded and smile, and Inspector Thatcher return the smiled and held out her hand, which Riley took.
Riley heard a whimper and turn to look down at Diefenbaker who was looking at her with big eyes, "I will miss you too Diefenbaker, you are truly are a one of a kind wolf" she said as she bent down and scratched form h behind his ears which Diefenbaker thanked by licking her face.
"You gave me a lot of stress kid" said Lt. Welsh when Riley stood up, "But I'm glad that everything turned out alright" and held out his hand, which Riley shook with a smile, "I apologize of making you stress sir". Lt. Welsh smiled, accepting her apologize
"Oh my dear" sobbed Mrs. Vecchio, as she pulled Riley into a bone-breaking hug, "I will miss you"
And with that, the other members of the Vecchio family put in their 2 cents:
"Take care of yourself, kid"
"Work hard, not like some people here"
"Make sure you're careful with train food; you don't know if it's safe"
"Have a safe journey"
"Say 'hi' to all of your Mountie and Rangers friends of me, will ya?"
"Enough, you're going to over whelm her…and Ma! You're choking her!" exclaimed Ray as he pushed his family away and pulled Riley out of the deathly hug
"Don't push your mother!" scolded Mrs. Vecchio, as she pushed Ray back and turned to face Riley, tears threatening to escape, "I know it's not much, but I got you something" and she pulled out of her bag, a sweater. "I know it gets cold up there in Canada so I got you something, we all chipped in and got you this along with a collar and leash for your…wolf" as she looked uncertainly at Aru, who yawned, showing her sharp teeth. "Thank you Mrs. Vecchio, I appreciate it" said Riley as she took the sweater, collar and leash from Mrs. Vecchio and gave her a hug. Mrs. Vecchio smiled as tears went down her face and hugged Riley back. But it was cut off as the train blew its whistle. Riley pulled from the hug and began to walk towards the train with Aru at her heels. As she was about to get on the train, she turned around. She smiled at her friends and yelled, "Do you know what?". "What?" Ray yelled back. "I'm glad I came to Chicago, I promise that I will come back and visit, it's a promise on my honour as a Canadian!" and with that, she disappeared inside. She walked quickly and found a seat by the window that looked out onto the platform where they were standing. She waved and they waved back, some smiling, some grinning, and some crying. Soon the train began to pull away, but they keep on waving and so did she. But soon the station ended and all Riley saw was the city's edge. Riley sat back against her chair, with Aru beside her and she began to hum. But since there was no one else in the car with her, she began to sing
High winds in northern sky will carry you away
You know you have to leave here
You wish that you could stay
There's four directions on this map
But you're only going one way
Due South ... that's the way I'm going
Due South...
Saddle up my travelling shoes
I'm bound to walk away these blues
Due South...
You could walk a hundred thousand miles and never find a home
You always knew someday you'd have to strike out on your own
You look up at the clouds and you can see which way the wind is blowing
Due South , that's the way I'm going
Due South...
Saddle up my travelling shoes, I'm bound to walk away these blues
Due South...
Due South... (that's the way I'm going)
Due South...
Saddle up my travelling shoes, I'm bound to walk away these blues
Due...
Saddle up my travelling shoes, I'm bound to walk away these blues
Due South...
Due South...
Due South...
As the finally finished the song, Aru sleeping with her head against her shoulder, she smiled and looked at the window, watching the country side flash by, she chuckled and closed her eyes. "I am definitely coming again to Chicago" she whispered, "It's a lot of fun there, definitely a lively city" and with that she said, she drifted off to sleep, not dreaming about polar bears, or seals, or the endless white. But dreaming about tall sky-scarpers, noise and about driving around the city in a green old car with a certain detective, deaf wolf and Mountie.
((((((++++++++++++++++++)))))))))))))))
DA-DA-DA-DDDAAA! FINISH! Chapter 5 and now this story is complete, HOORAY! Now, one done…a whole bunches more to go…SIGH! Ah, well that life, but I hope that you enjoyed "I'm glad I came to Chicago". I do not own the characters used, except Riley, Aru and the plot. Fav and review!
-Cyber out!