Chapter 4

Ray looked up from his morning coffee at the station to see his partner and his best friend show up.

Ray grinned thinking, 'How can anyone look that fresh after starting work at dart thirty in the morning'.

Ray looked into his smiling face, "Hiya Frase how was work this morning"?

Fraser sat opposite Ray, "Very well thank you".

Ray took another drink of his coffee and grimaced, "I swear that stuff gets worse and worse".

Fraser took the file in front of him and got to work. It was a puzzling case. There was no set pattern at all to any of their crimes.

After a few hours Ray pinched the bridge of his nose, "Frase I think we need a break"?

Fraser felt just as tired as Ray did, "I agree Ray".

Fraser looked around himself for about the hundredth time since he came into the station.

Ray laughed slapping him on the back, "Frannie took the day off Frase. Frannie wanted to get herself done up for yer big date tonight".

Fraser blushed as they walked to Ray's car to go get something to eat.

While sitting in the restaurant Ray's cell phone rang, "Kowalski".

Ray smiled a huge smile on hearing the voice on the other end, "Hi Ray how are ye keeping"?

Ray's voice turned soft, "Fine Helen we're fine. How are you and how is Jackie"?

Helen was so exited to talk to Ray and it could be heard on her voice, "I'm great Ray missing you loads. I'm missing Ben and Dief as well of course. Jackie is doing great her husband is coming home next week so I should be home to you then".

Ray couldn't contain his excitement in his voice, "Really that is great".

Helen laughed, "Well Ray any gossip"?

Ray chuckled, "Actually Ya Frase is dating Frannie now. They have a big date tonight".

Ray winked at a blushing Fraser who sat trying to eat his dinner.

Helen sounded surprised, "Really Ben is dating Frannie about time I say".

Helen's voice grew husky, "I really do miss you Ray".

Ray smiled, "Me to, miss you that is can't wait for you to come home".

Helen sighed, "Ray I'm sorry gotta go one of the kids has a hold of the fresh eggs. Love Ya". Then Helen was gone.

Ray's mouth dropped open, "Love Ya to".

Fraser raised his eyebrows.

Ray still dumbfounded looked at his phone in his hand, "Did I just say Love Ya"?

Fraser was still surprised, "Yes Ray you did. I heard Helen say it to you as well Ray".

Ray flushed, "Wow Fraser I mean wow".

Ray bit his lip, "Your not mad at me or anything are you know for you know saying that to Helen"?

Fraser put his hand over Ray's, "Ray I couldn't have picked a better man for Helen".

The rest of the meal they talked about anything and everything. Anything BUT work.

After lunch Fraser had to go back to the consulate to finish up some paperwork. Ray headed back to the station.

Francesca was sitting in the hairdressers talking excitedly about finally dating the Mountie.

Francesca's face showed her joy, "He actually just came up to me at the station and asked me out it was perfect".

The hairdresser shook his head laughing, "So were did he take you"?

Francesca beamed, "Oh we went to dinner and dancing it was magical. Ben was such a gentleman. He brought Ma and me roses when he picked me up and walked me to my door when he brought me home and kissed my cheek. It was just so perfect everything I dreamed it would be".

The hairdresser laughed as she left. He had heard non stop about the Mountie for years. Now Francesca had bagged him, 'Poor guy'.

Fraser was walking down the road by himself as Diefenbaker had decided to stay with Ray for the day. Diefenbaker was concerned about Ray as he was tired from working so hard to hard on the case.

Fraser was lost in thought about Francesca so he did not see when someone came up behind him and struck him in the back of the head knocking him out.

Fraser woke sometime later. His eyes were blurry and he was unable to focus due to the blow he got in the head. Fraser could feel wetness go down the back of his neck, "'Blood', Fraser thought.

Fraser tried to move as he had sheering pain in his arms and legs but found that they were bound to a chair.

Fraser sighed inward and groaned, "What now".

Fraser blacked out once again as the pain from the blow to the back of his head and the pain from been bound ran through his body.

It was time for their date and as arranged Francesca was waiting at the restaurant. Fraser had so much work to do that day it was best to meet at the restaurant.

Francesca looked at her watch it was ten past eight Fraser was late. Francesca just thought that he got caught helping someone or the ice queen caught him for something.

Francesca looked at her watch again nine o'clock and no word now she was worried.

Francesca picked up her cell and dialled, "Kowalski". The voice on the other end answered.

Francesca's voice was tight, "Ray is Ben there"?

Ray frowned, "Frannie is he not with you. I thought that you two had a big date tonight?

Francesca's voice grew more worried, "Ben never showed Ray. I've been waiting for an hour. Not a word Ray not even a phone call Ray. Ray he would have called if he was going to be late I'm really worried".

Ray sat forward already putting on his jacket, "Frannie stay were you are I'm on my way ok".

Ray jumped into his car with Diefenbaker hot on his heels, "Don't worry Dief we'll find out what happened".

Fraser came awake suddenly as water very cold water was thrown over his him.

A voice from the darkness sounded, "So you're awake you not enjoying my hospitality Constable I'm truly sorry". The voice started laughing.

Fraser looked around trying to see where the voice was coming from, "Who are you and what do you want".

The voice that came back was gruff, "You'll find out in time".

Food and water was thrown at his feet as his bounds were realised from an unknown source. The door closed leaving him alone once again.

Fraser sat on the ground the shooting pain as the feeling came back to his arms and legs were like fire in his blood. Fraser checked the food and ate it as he was very hungry and knew he'd need his strength if he was to try and escape.

Fraser felt very tired and cold as he whispered into the darkness, "I'm sorry Francesca I will get to you. Ray please help me".

Ray picked up a panicked Francesca, "Don't worry Frannie we'll find him find out what's happened ok".

Francesca tried not to show how much she was really frightened, "We better and if Ben was taken. As soon as I meet them they'll wish they were never born. I'm helping you Ray and if you say no I'll keep talking I swear I will".

Ray surrendered, "Ok Frannie but you follow my rules got it".

Francesca smiled, "Got it Ray".

Francesca looked out the window and thought, 'Ben we're coming'.