Chapter 2

Ray sat at his desk silently laughing to himself. Ray was watching hid partner and his best friend Benton Fraser. Who at this moment in time was gazing lovingly at Francesca Veccico?

Ray shook his head and called out, "Fraser, Fraser, Fraser. Ben, Ben, Ben, BENTON".

Fraser turned his head to Ray blushing at been caught out, "Yes Ray".

Ray sat back into his chair, "Frase you got it bad for her don't you. Look why don't you ask her out already"?

Fraser clasped his hands in front of him on the desk, "It wouldn't be appropriate Ray. Besides I don't that Ray Veccico would approve"?

Ray frowned, "Why wouldn't he like it. Hell if I had a sister your exactly the type of person I'd want dating her. You tick all the boxes. Hell you even add some".

Fraser's face flushed pink, "That's very kind of you to say so Ray. But I heard Ray Veccico tell Francesca that guys like me don't go for girls like her".

Ray was pissed off at Ray Veccico now. He could be stopping something wonderful here, "Fuck Veccico Fraser. I'm well I was her brother and I'm giving you permission to ask her out. Ok so ask or I will do it for you"?

Fraser paused for a moment taking in what Ray had said. Fraser took another at Francesca as she made her way to the break room.

Taking a deep breath and standing up, "Thank you Ray".

Ray sat forward laughing leaning on his desk, "No problem Benton buddy, good luck".

Fraser nodded and headed for the break room to find Francesca.

Fraser was glad to see that they were alone in there.

Francesca's eyes lit up on seeing Fraser come in, "Hiya Frase".

Fraser found that his throat was closing with nerves, "Hello Francesca".

Francesca sensed his nervousness, "You ok Frase. Can I do something for you, would you like some tea or coffee"?

Fraser shifted his feet, "No thank you, but I was wondering. I would, I am".

Francesca frowned, "What's wrong Frase"?

Steeling himself Fraser asked, "Francesca would you like to go out for dinner and dancing with me tonight"?

Francesca's mouth dropped open and her heart sped up not believing that Benton Fraser actually asked her out or was this just another one of her dreams.

Francesca asked not sure, "Frase did you just ask me out on a date, a real date"?

Fraser ducked his blushing, "Yes".

Francesca ran over hugging him tightly and kissing his cheek, "I'd love to Frase".

Fraser's heart sped up, "Would eight o'clock be ok"?

Francesca held her hands to her chest, "That would be perfect Frase or can I call you Ben now"

Fraser smiled one of his million dollar smiles, "Ben would be lovely. I'll pick you up at eight".

Francesca squealed with delight and ran off to tell her friends a miracle happened.

Fraser made his way back to Ray's desk to find Ray laughing once again, "So she said yes I take it Frase"?

Fraser sat smiling, "Yes Ray".

Ray threw a balled up paper at Fraser, "You'll do fine Frase, well unless she eats you alive".

Fraser chuckled, "Ray".

The case that they were wrapping up proved to be a nightmare which is why they were so glad that it was finished with.

Ray glanced at the clock it was six o'clock, "Frase don't you think that you should be getting ready for your date. Where are you taking Frannie anyway"?

Fraser thought for a moment, "I thought I'd taker to the place for dinner and then to Cruses hotel for dancing. What do you think"?

Ray smiled at Fraser, "I think that is perfect Frase. Look you use the GTO take her in style. Frase before you say no Ray that is not necessary. Think about it its Frannie".

Fraser chuckled, "Thank you Ray I'd love to use the GTO. I promise to take very good care for her and Francesca".

Ray caught Fraser's joke and started balling laughing while putting on his jacket.

Francesca made it home in record time. She couldn't get the smile off her face.

Running into the house shouting, "Ma, Ma you'll never believe it"?

Ma Veccico came out concerned at to what was wrong, "What's the matter Francesca"?

Francesca could hardly contain her excitement, "Ma Fraser asked me out. He asked me out on a real date. He is picking me up at eight for dinner and dancing. I must get ready so much to do my hair my make up oh the right clothes this is going to be great".

Francesca kissed her mothers cheek and ran up the stairs leaving her mother looking after shaking her head.

Francesca pulled out nearly everything that she owned. She wanted to dress nice for Fraser. She wanted to look classy she'd learned that the short outfits were not working and not Fraser's style. Ever since she stated dressing better he noticed her more she thought.

Francesca tried on about 50 outfits finally deciding on a figure hugging floor length green dress, which showed off the colour of her skin and her eyes perfectly.

Fraser was equally as nervous. Ray was helping him pick out something to wear saying, "Fraser no uniform tonight. You are not going to work. You're taking a lady out Fraser".

Fraser was unsure but agreed to wear whatever Ray picked out for him. They finally decided on a dark blue suite which Ray told him brought out his eyes.

Ray handed over the keys and pushed Fraser out the door, "Go enjoy haven fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. On second thought Frase just be you ok".

Ray closed the door looking down at Diefenbaker, "Well you think he'll survive. Come on buddy lets order a pizza"?

Fraser drove carefully to the Veccico house picking up two bunches of roses on his way.

Knocking on the door Fraser never felt so nervous in all his life.

Ma Veccico answered, "Welcome my dear Francesca will be down shortly come in".

Fraser handed Ma one bunch of the flowers, "Thank you Mrs Veccico".

Ma blushed, "Thank you such beautiful flowers".

Fraser's attention was taken by the sight of Francesca coming down the stairs. His breath caught at her beauty.

Taking her hand, "You look very beautiful Francesca".

Francesca's face turned pink, "Thank you Ben, you look very handsome yourself".

Fraser gave her the other bunch of roses which made her smile a smile he'd never seem before, "You know Ben these are my favourite".

Francesca was stunned to see Ray's GTO parked outside, "Ray let you drive his car"?

Fraser laughed slightly opening the door for her, "Yes Ray wanted you to travel in style".

They were seated at a lovely table in the restaurant. The atmosphere was perfect and the lighting complemented everything.

Conversation surprisingly flowed and they shared funny Ray Veccico stories.

Francesca sipped her wine," You know Ben I never thought I'd be lucky enough I'd actually be on a date with you"?

Fraser gazed into her eyes, "I've wanted to ask you out for years now. But I never thought that it was that or that Ray would approve"?

Francesca nodded knowingly, "My brother, so you knew then how he felt"?

Fraser sighed, "Yes I knew. He was being a brother looking after his sister. I feel the same way about Maggie and Helen. I know Helen is my cousin but she feels like a sister to me".

Francesca grinned, "But you let Ray date her".

Fraser nodded, "Ray is a good man no one better for Helen. But I still gave Ray a warning. You hurt her I'll kill you"?

As they headed home after dancing Francesca asked, "You know Ben I'm so glad that you asked me out. Can we do this again sometime soon next time my treat"?

Fraser parked up, "I'd loved to Francesca. I had a really wonderful time with you".

Fraser like any gentleman walked Francesca to her door, "So".

Francesca shyly bit her lip, "So".

Francesca giggled and kissed Fraser's cheek, "Goodnight Ben".

Fraser kissed her cheek back, "Good night Francesca".

Fraser waited until Francesca was safely indoors before heading home.

Fraser entered the apartment with a huge smile on his face. Fraser saw that Ray and Diefenbaker were asleep on the couch together.

Ray woke hearing the door close, "How'd it go Frase"?

Fraser's smile grew wider, "Perfect, just perfect".