The Consulate ….
Meg sat at her desk, alone with a bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. She stared at the telephone, contemplating whether or not to call and check on Ben. Lying curled up against him had felt nice. He felt warm and solid against her.
"He's alright, it was just a bad dream." She murmured to herself before taking a half-hearted bite of her grilled cheese. A phone call from Ottawa put Fraser on the back burner.

After Ray delivered Dief back to the apartment – fed, walked, and jelly donutted – Meg and Ben were free to talk.
"I've made arrangements for Constable Orion to take your place until your leg is completely healed." Meg spoke first as she sat on the sofa, her feet pulled up beneath her and a mug of chamomile tea to sip on.
"I've never met him." Ben answered, his eyes drooping.
"He and Turnbull were in the same graduating class at Depot. Hopefully, he learned more than Turnbull." Meg saw a smile flit across Ben's face. Even with the patience of Job, Turnbull tried Ben's nerves.
"Yes, hopefully." Ben agreed.
"It's getting late. I think I'll turn in." Meg feigned a yawn, hoping Ben would follow suit.
On cue, Ben began struggling to get out of the recliner. Meg didn't know if she should help him or let Ben do it himself. She didn't want to injure his pride. Instead, she held his crutches until he needed them.
"Thank you, kindly, Meg." Ben clasped her hand, crutch and all. His blue eyes searched hers longingly as his thumb caressed her knuckles.
"You're welcome, Benton." Meg barely breathed.
"He wants more than 'You're welcome'."
A moment later Meg felt Ben's warm breath before he pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"I am thankful for you, Meg. You saved me." His voice sounded husky.
"Anything for the asking, Ben." Meg shrugged, biting her lip. The feel of his hand stroking her hair calmed Meg's nerves. She felt like melting into him then and there.
"Ouch!" Meg's eyes snapped open a second later when Ben's cast collided with her bare foot.
"Oh dear." Ben backed away, his face red.
"I'm okay, it was more surprise than a pain." she assured him.
"I must apologize, Meg, how clumsy of me." Ben dug his thumbnail over his eyebrow furiously as he stared at the floor.
"At least he didn't call me 'Inspector' or 'Sir'." Meg told herself. How many times had he called her that when he became flustered?
"Ben, it surprised me, that's all." Meg put her hand under his chin and lifted his gaze to hers.
"I don't break that easily." She gave him a sincere smile.
"No, you don't break that easily." Ben smiled back.
Together, they walked to their separate bedrooms. Meg lay awake for a long while, not really tired. She listened as Ben's breathing regulated in deep sleep. She hoped he wouldn't have any nightmares tonight.
"Well, maybe just enough of one to get me back in his arms." she thought.

Wednesday ….
"I left money for the groceries and a taxi, you know all the phone numbers if you need anything." Meg said as she stuffed the last of the files in her briefcase she'd brought home the night before.
Ben wheeled himself along behind her as she walked briskly toward the front door. He'd been awake for hours, listening as Meg went about her morning routine of showering, dressing and eating breakfast, though what she called breakfast Ben called a disgrace. She ate two rice cakes and a large glass of grapefruit juice. Ray would have quipped that it wasn't any wonder Thatcher came to work cranky everyday with a breakfast like that.
"You needn't buy groceries, Meg, I want to contribute." Ben protested, stopping in the middle of the living room as she slipped into her suit jacket.
"Ben, use the grocery money and take a taxi." Meg turned on him, her dark eyes narrowed and lips pursed. She hadn't used her 'Inspector' voice on him since finding him flat of his back five floors up.
"Yes, Meg." Ben answered dryly, masking his annoyance.
Meg zipped her briefcase with finality, trying to decide how to handle the situation. She'd never imagined actually living with Ben. Her imagination had only gotten her as far as the bedroom.
When Meg looked back at Ben she saw the still peeling side of his face and remembered how close she'd come to losing him. She remembered the premonitions she'd had of him falling and how her heart had stopped. Pushing him away would be just as bad.
"I'm not very good at this." she said, gesturing with her hands.
"Neither am I, my apologies, Meg." he looked up at her, his face earnest.
"I want to take care of you, not order you around." Meg admitted, feeling nervous at being so bold. She picked at her nails during the silent beat between them.
"We'll figure it out." Ben gave her a reassuring smile. "You'll be late for the consulate."
Quickly, Meg gathered her briefcase and purse and headed out the door. Looking back through the door, she waved good-bye.
****