Six weeks later …
"Hey, Dad, when do we leave tomorrow to pick the Inspector up from the hospital?" Ben asked as he helped Ray and Maggie carry their suitcases to the RCMP Jeep.
"After lunch." Fraser answered, carrying Ray's bag while the detective carried Aurora to the rear hatch.
"I bet she's ready to be out of there." The boy hefted the backpack Maggie preferred into the back seat of the red four wheel drive.
"Yes, the Inspector is quite anxious to be out of the hospital." Fraser agreed, thinking back to their phone conversation of the night before. Meg had growled at a nurse who'd stuck a cold stethoscope to her back.
"I'd say you're just as anxious, aren't you, buddy." Ray teased as he slapped his old friend on the back heartily. Fraser simply raised one eyebrow as if he'd never tell.
"I hate to leave, Benton, but my post is calling and Ray has to go back to the security firm." Maggie came around the end of the vehicle sitting in front of the cabin and hugged her brother.
"I'll talk to you soon, Maggie." Fraser responded before she went on to hug Ben.
"I love you, Aunt Maggie, I'll talk to you later." Ben hugged his aunt. He was nearly two inches taller than her.
"I love you too, Ben, take care of your dad for me." Maggie ruffled the boy's hair before getting into the driver's seat of the vehicle.
"Ray, take care." Fraser shook hands with his old friend. The blonde former detective pulled him into a quick man-hug before turning loose.
"You take care, I'm not there to watch your ass anymore." Ray cautioned him then smiled broadly. Fraser shook his head.
"Ben, watch after your old man, okay." Ray hugged his nephew quickly before turning loose.
"I will Uncle Ray, take care of Aunt Maggie and Aurora." The boy missed his aunt and her gentle wisdom.
"Not a problem, kiddo, not a problem." Ray shook the boy's hand before getting into the Jeep's back seat. Diefenbaker barked his good-byes. Ben and Fraser watched them pull away, off toward the air field, toward home.
"I've had fun this summer, but I do feel bad about Inspector Thatcher's friends and her wound." Ben said as he knelt down to scratch Dief behind the ears and along the neck.
"I'm glad you were able to come, Son." Fraser said as he straightened his Stetson. "We should be getting to the post, Officer Wilder will be expecting us." The Mountie made sure the door to the cabin was secure and they started down the road toward the post.
"George Daniels said I could go fishing with them today if I wanted, he's coming into town later." Ben kicked at a large rock, sending it across the cement walkway. When he neared it he kicked it again.
"You may go if you like, but you are just as welcome to stay at the post with me today." Fraser offered, giving his son a choice. Ben walked silently for a moment, deep in thought.
"I'll stay with you and Dief." He smiled, thinking about seeing the Mounties at work.
"I'll be glad to have you at the post." Fraser nodded resolutely. He enjoyed his son's company and wanted to make the most of the childhood he had left with him.
"Will you tell me the story of the Musical Ride again?" Ben grinned, "This time telling exactly how you sheared your Stetson's top off?" Benton elbowed the boy for his mischievous question. Only recently had he told how he and Meg had been on the top of the train.
"There are many other stories to be told, I'll tell that one some other time." Fraser toyed with one of his uniform buttons.
"I just can't imagine you kissing a girl, Dad." Ben wrinkled his nose. Fraser swept his thumbnail over his eyebrow.
"Such notions." The Mountie waved his son's teasing away.
The Hospital …
Meg longed to be out of the hospital and back in her own apartment. She hated being woken up every few hours to have her vital signs checked, she hated the food and the not knowing what was going on at the post. Visiting hours with Fraser just weren't enough to keep her mind off what had happened. Omar's death had caused her more nightmares and a few panic attacks.
Ben was a bright spot to the Inspector. She enjoyed talking to him and seeing the boy. He was smart and funny with a good heart. Seeing him made Meg love Benton more. She only wished that she would have gotten to raise Alice with Fraser. She wondered what her little girl would have looked like every time she looked at Ben.
When the phone rang during lunch, Meg answered it on the first ring. She'd longed to hear Benton's voice.
"Hello, Benton." She spoke into the small cell phone.
"Meg, how are you?" Meg smiled when she heard him say her name. She knew that he was somewhere outside the post.
"I'm better now, I can't wait until you arrive." Meg ran her fingers through her hair as she talked.
"We're leaving the post as we speak." Fraser wished he could fly to her, take her away with him.
"I'll be ready to go when you get here." Meg held down the urge to giggle. She felt almost giddy at the idea of getting to go home.
"Your officers will be pleased to see you again, there's been mention of cake and ice cream." It was supposed to be a surprise but Fraser knew Meg didn't really like surprises.
"I need cake and ice cream like a hole in the head, I won't be able to wear a thing in my closet." Meg fussed. She'd been stuck in the hospital for the last month and a half, doing nothing. It felt like time to stretch her legs.
"I'm glad that you're safe and recovering." The voice that Meg hoped to hear more of reassured her that no matter what happened, he'd be there for her.
"I'm glad you're coming to pick me up." She answered. They said good-bye and Meg was left to gather her things.
Fraser tapped on the hospital door before poking his head through the opening. Meg was sitting on the side of the bed, looking out the window. The warm, yellow glow silhouetted her, bathing her in light. Fraser stood and drank in the image. Her white blouse and dark hair against the summer light was exquisite. Hearing his boots on the tile floor, Meg turned to catch him watching her. She smiled, standing up, her back to the light. He thought to himself how she looked like an angel.
"Fraser, come in." Meg beckoned him further in the room. Ben stepped in beside his dad, a yellow rose in hand.
"Inspector Thatcher, hello." The Mountie greeted her, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.
"We thought you might like this." Ben handed Meg the single rose. "Dad told me yellow roses mean friendship."
"Thank you both, that was thoughtful, it's beautiful." Meg took it, admiring it before giving the boy a quick hug. She didn't know how to thank Fraser, she couldn't very well kiss him like she wanted and a handshake just wouldn't do.
"It was very thoughtful, Fraser, thank you." Meg slipped her hand into his for the briefest of moments as she looked up into his eyes. He nodded, understanding her predicament.
"You are very welcome." Fraser winked at her.
"Hello, I brought the last of your paperwork." Hana Zaman walked up to the door, a sheaf of papers in her hands.
"Hana, good to see you." Meg walked between Fraser and Ben to the younger woman. She saw the pained expression on her face but Hana tried to smile anyway. They had talked for a long time when Meg was able, about the things that had happened, both in Iraq and Omar's death. It would take time, but they both knew time would mend the wounds.
"Ms. Meg, they finally got your paperwork finished, if you'll sign, you are free to go." Hana waved to Fraser and Ben. The Mountie nodded, spinning his hat between his hands. Ben waved back. Fraser noticed that Ben's eyes lit up when he saw Hana. She was barely seven years older and quite pretty, with long, raven hair, dark eyes, a soft, tinkling voice, and a glittering smile. Fraser knew what a pair of pretty, dark eyes could do to a boy, he'd been susceptible to them himself. Hopefully Ben would make better choices than he had in that area.
"Ah, thank you, Hana, I'll be relieved to get back home." Meg signed the appropriate places and handed the papers back to her.
"Remember to take it easy, you aren't one hundred percent just yet." Hana warned, her eyes narrowing at the lady Mountie.
"I'll do my best." Meg wouldn't promise, but she would try.
"Alright, I'll let you go." Hana waved as she turned to go, wisps of her long hair bouncing in her wake.
"Let's get going." Meg said in her inspector voice. She started to pick up the suitcase lying on the foot of her bed but Fraser gently shooed her away, taking it away from her. With a sigh, Meg threw her hands up, secretly loving his doting on her.
Welcome Home …
Meg ate a slice of cake and a helping of ice cream to appease Constable Hansen before leaving the post. He was as excitable as Turnbull ever thought about being. The young man reminded her very much of Turnbull.
After stopping in at the post for a few hours, Ben walked Meg to her apartment, carrying her suitcase. He was quiet as he, Meg and Dief strolled down the street. Meg could tell there was something on his mind.
Up the stairs, Meg unlocked the door and shut down the security system. The place had been tidied up and she could smell lemon Pledge coming from her wood work.
"Dad and I thought it would be nice for you to come home to a clean house. I cleaned the kitchen while Dad did most everything else." Ben shrugged as Meg surveyed her apartment.
"He does tend to go overboard, doesn't he." Meg shook her head.
"I think he's trying to impress you or something." Ben took a seat at the kitchen table, Dief standing in the kitchen, begging. Meg waved his observation away. She knew Fraser had something on his mind and was working his way to deciding to tell her about it.
"Would you like one, Ben?" Meg asked as she grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator.
"Yes, thank you." The boy answered, his eyes puzzled.
"Is there something on your mind?" Meg sat down at the table, setting a bottled of water toward him. Ben nodded, still undecided.
"You can tell me." Meg offered, hoping to be trusted. She wanted to get to know Ben, regardless of her relationship with Fraser.
"I know you and Dad liked each other when you worked together at the consulate, I don't understand why neither of you did anything about it. I mean, I know what the RCMP says about that kind of thing, but well, you two headed in opposite directions. You didn't see each other again until a few months ago." Ben's green eyes searched Meg's face for an answer.
"Ben, I can only speak for myself, I treated Fraser badly because I was out to prove that I was tough, that I could do the job better than my male counterparts. Fraser has a tendency to draw attention just by doing what is right, regardless of the consequences to himself. I was jealous, I wanted to be as respected as he was and have his attention too. My head and my heart were at odds with each other. When I saw the opportunity to transfer to the CSIS, I thought it was finally my time to shine. I wanted Fraser to notice me like everyone notices him. I made a mistake, I misread his silence as indifference. I believe both of us were afraid." She wondered how much of that the boy had understood.
"Are you still afraid?" Ben asked, taking Meg by surprise.
"Yes, but I'm not going to run away from it this time." Meg's gaze met Ben's. He got the feeling that she was telling the truth.
"I hope you and Dad can work things out, since he's been here, he's been happier than I've seen him." Ben grinned, feeling relieved to get his question off his chest. Meg smiled, happy to hear she made Fraser happy.
After his shift at the post, Fraser walked to Meg's apartment, whistling a tune. He was glad to have Meg back home. He longed to talk to her without having to censor his thoughts.
Mounting the steps, Fraser smelled a delicious scent of something in the oven. The smell of baking bread mixed with baking beans made his mouth water as he tapped on the door at the head of the stairs. Ben opened the door, a broad grin on his face.
"Hi, Dad, come in, we've been cooking dinner." The boy stepped aside to let his dad inside.
"I can smell it, do I detect baked beans with minced onions, mustard, barbecue sauce, honey I believe, with just a dash of brown sugar?" Fraser laid his Stetson on the coffee table and followed his nose to the kitchen.
"You're spot on, have a seat." Meg ushered him to the kitchen table. A plate of grilled hotdogs and well done hamburgers sat waiting for him. There was potato salad and a fruit salad as well. Ben had set the table for the three of them already, the yellow rose in a vase in the center of the table.
"The doctor specifically told you to take it easy, Meg." Fraser frowned at her as she poured three glasses of lemonade.
"I did take it easy, Ben and I had an impromptu cooking lesson this afternoon." Meg waved his frown away, "He cooked while I supervised." Ben nodded enthusiastically in the background. Fraser was glad to see them getting along so well.
"As soon as I take the beans out of the oven we can eat." Ben pulled on a pair of kitchen mitts and opened the stove. Fraser and Meg watched as he cautiously slid the aluminum baking pan out of the two hundred degree oven then set it on the stove top. When he lifted the lid steam billowed out, as did the mouthwatering scent.
"I should wash for dinner." Fraser stood up and walked back through the apartment toward the bathroom.
"Let me get you a dish." Meg offered, opening the cabinet above the stove. She chose a large, glass bowl from above her head. Ben heard the sound of the glass clattering as Meg's side weakened. He reached up and took the bowl by the bottom. Meg's face was pale as they sat it down together.
"You should sit down, Inspector." Ben suggested, his green eyes full of concern. She simply nodded, hoping Fraser hadn't seen what just happened. Slowly, Meg took a deep breath and then a seat at the table. She knew that she wasn't up to the task of the post. The next time would be the last time she got in trouble.
Fraser sat down with two of his favorite people, one on each side, Diefenbaker begging at the side of the table. Ben put down an extra hamburger on a paper plate for him. For a moment, Fraser absorbed the scene. Ben dug into the potato salad while Meg put two slices of tomato on her burger. He could see this happening every night for the rest of his life. Ben's voice was changing, cracking as he asked Meg to pass the mustard. He seemed a bit embarrassed about it. Fraser felt extremely blessed.
"Fraser, are you going to eat, or sit there?" Meg asked him finally. He just smiled at her and began dishing out his dinner.