ࡱ> <=  !"#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;>?@ABCDEFGHIJKRoot Entry F,HoSCompObjnWordDocumentqObjectPoolWԟoSWԟoS  FMicrosoft Word 6.0 Document MSWordDocWord.Document.69qࡱ_Oh+'0`  8 \ C:\WINWORD\TEMPLATE\NORMAL.DOTfAll characters are the property of Alliance. I do not wish to infringe on the copyrights of Alliance.ܥe3 etoqtljjjjjjjdddddd n:d=1UWWW wKnT‰=j89 =jjjjU~VԄjjjjUAll characters are the property of Alliance. No copyright infringement intended.Its a Victoria story, but theres very little of Victoria in it. Its mostly about Ben and Ray and how Victorias reappearance affects their friendship. At least thats what I was going for...This takes place in what would have been the third season.Past and PresentThe gunshot seemed to echo forever.And the man she loved fell, killed by the bullet that was meant for her.Victoria Metcalfe closed her eyes and cried.***TWO YEARS LATER:Constable Benton Fraser had no idea why he had gone along with this. He had been prepared to spend his day off relaxing when his best friend, Raymond Vecchio, a detective with the Chicago police force, had arrived at Bens apartment that morning, unexpected, and announced that they were going on some errands. Not wanting to be rude, Ben had gone along. Besides, he was curious about what Ray was up to.Imagine his surprise when he found himself in a used car lot.You need a car, Ray said as he led Ben through the lot. I have been driving you around for about three years now, and frankly, I hate being a chauffeur.Ben looked at him. You should have mentioned if it was becoming troublesome for you to drive me-You drive me crazy, you know that? Ray didnt wait for an answer, pulling open the door to the office and gesturing for Ben to go ahead of him. Its only fair, I suppose. I drive you to the consulate, and you drive me to the looney bin. He looked around. What kind of car do you want?I dont know. Ben looked around. Ive never owned a car before. As a matter of fact I can count the number of times Ive driven a car. I have no idea how to go about actually *buying* one.Well then, its a good thing I came along.Youd pretty much have had to, Ray.Ray glanced at him. What do you mean?Well, I never even would have come here if you hadnt tricked me into it. And Im still not certain that I want to be here. He glanced around, looking at the variety of cars that were for sale. None of them seemed to bear the slightest resemblance to the Buick Riviera that Ray owned, and which was pretty much the only car he had driven since coming to the United States.Ray signaled to a salesman. Benny, trust me. You need your own wheels. Think how great itll be not having to get me to drive you every where.Well, I don't, Ray. I go to quite a few places on foot.This is part of that driving me crazy thing, just so you know.Oh.*** Lieutenant Welsh? Detective Huey opened the door to his supervisors office. I think youd better see this.Welsh took the paper Huey handed him. What is it? A fax that came in just a few minutes ago, sir. A bank robber from Columbus was apprehended yesterday and agreed to testify against his partners in exchange for leniency. This, Huey gestured at the paper, is his testimony.Welsh scanned the fax. The ringleader seduced a bank teller into helping them?Yes, sir. Thats why-Shit.I see you got to the part where they identify the leader.Victoria Metcalfe. Welsh looked up. Are they sure about this?Yes, sir. Huey didnt look happy at being the one to deliver the news. I checked. They were very sure. Thats why they contacted us. What should we do?Welsh frowned. Get Vecchio on the phone. I want to tell him about this. Then contact Columbus. Find out if this guy knows anything about where Metcalfe is heading. He slapped the paper down on his desk. Great. Now theyre going to start shooting each other again.*** Ray pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. Vecchio. Vecchio, its Welsh. Ive got some news youre not going to want to hear.Whats the matter? Ray asked.There was an incident in Columbus involving someone from one of your previous...cases, Welsh hesitated a bit before using the word. Who? Ray demanded.A pause, then Victoria Metcalfe.Tell me the whole story. All of it.Welsh sighed. I know how you feel about her, Vecchio, but I want you to stay calm, all right? Dont do anything stupid. You know what she did to him, Rays words were harsh. She deserves nothing less than to be thrown in prison for the rest of her pathetic life. She was behind a bank robbery in Columbus. Apparently she dropped the guys who were working with her and took the loot for herself. The one who got caught was sufficiently upset to turn states evidence. According to him, she masterminded the whole thing.Ray grinned humorlessly. Yeah that sounds like - Benny, hey, youre back already. Find anything you like?Frasers there?Yeah, Ray dropped his voice. Id rather tell him about this myself, okay?Thats what I had in mind, Detective.Anything else I need to know? Any ideas on where shes been, where shes going?Not yet, Welsh replied. But Ive got Huey and Elaine checking on it. Give my condolences to Constable Fraser.I will. And, Lieutenant? Yes? Thanks for calling me about this. Youre welcome. He was answered by a dial tone.Ray pocketed his cell phone and met Bens questioning gaze. He didnt say anything for a moment. Apparently this worried his friend, who said, Ray? Whats wrong?Ray spotted a sales agent heading their way. Come on, Benny. We gotta talk.***Fraser hadnt said anything since Ray had told him the news and Ray was beginning to become uncomfortable. If Fraser didnt say something soon, Ray would scream.Just as Ray was about to say something, anything , to break the silence, Ben looked at him. Thank you for telling me this, Ray. I wouldnt have appreciated hearing this from a stranger.Hey, Benny. Its no problem. I knew this would be hard for you to hear.Does Lieutenant Welsh know anything else?Hes talking to the guys in Columbus to see if they know anything. Hes gonna let me know as soon as they find any new information. Ray didnt quite meet Bens eyes. Theyre trying to find out where shes heading next.So they can arrest her.Yeah. Ray did look at him now. Im sorry, Benny. I know how hard this must be for you.Its hardly your fault, now is it, Ray? Ben stared at the sky. I-I need some time to think about all this, okay?I understand. You need a lift anywhere? No. Im going to walk. Ill call you tonight. Fraser stood and moved away from the park bench where they had been sitting. He was several strides away when Ray said Benny? He turned. Yes, Ray?Ray gave him an amused look. You dont have a phone.Ben paused. Oh. Ray laughed. Drop by later when youre ready. Ill save some lasagna for you.Ben smiled. Thank you, Ray.Yeah, well. Leftovers are never a problem at my house.Thats not what I meant, Ben said softly.Ray looked away. Yeah, I know. Its what friends do, Benny.Ill see you tonight.***Ray waited until Ben was out of sight before pushing himself up off the bench. This was going to be hard on his friend and Ray wished there was something more he could do to help him through this. But he knew that what he was doing now was all that he could do. Hed just have to give Benny his space, and be there when his friend was ready to talk about it. He was so emerged in his thoughts that he didnt register the dark haired woman who had fallen into step beside him until she spoke. Hello, Detective. The sound of her voice sent a shock through him like an electric current. Victoria? He turned so suddenly he almost lost his balance. He found himself face to face with the one person he probably hated most in the world. How did you get here? It was, admittedly, a stupid question, but he was still shocked by the very fact that she was here.I came looking for you, Detective, she murmured, leaning against him. His eyes narrowed, and he started to pull away when he felt something hard pressing into his side. Id stick around if I were you, Vecchio. After everything youve done, I have no trouble with shooting you right here.Ray knew she was serious. This was the woman who had once shot a man in the middle of a crowded zoo. She wouldnt mind killing him in the middle of an almost deserted park. What do you mean, after everything *Ive* done? Youre the one who almost ruined his life. Youre the one who broke his heart.Her expression hardened. Im not the one who almost killed him, am I? That blame belongs entirely to you. If you hadnt shot him, he would have come with me. We would have been together, we would have been *happy*. But you destroyed that. She pressed the gun into his side harder. And Im going to make you regret that.Ray saw two men approaching and from the looks of them, he was willing to bet that they were working with Victoria. He was trying to decide if making a break for it was worth the risk when he felt a sudden sharp pain in his side. He looked at Victoria and saw her holding a syringe. Drugged... he managed before he fell into darkness.***It was a little after nine when Ben knocked on the door of the Vecchio home. Hed done a lot of thinking in the eight hours since hed heard about Victoria and hed come to the conclusion that thinking about it wasnt doing him any good. After sorting through his feelings, he realized that, more than anything, he just needed to talk about all this. After Victoria left, he and Ray had never really talked about what had happened, except for that time in the hospital, when hed admitted that he had been going with her when Ray shot him. It was time to get everything out in the open. After all, Ray was as much a part of this as he was, just in a different way.Francesca, Rays sister, opened the door. Benton, hello. What are you doing here?Im here to see Ray, Ben said.Francesca frowned. Im sorry, Benton. Rays not home yet.Hes not home? Ben repeated. Do you have any idea where he might be? No. I havent seen him since he left this morning. I just figured he was working late. Francesca looked at him, concerned. Is something wrong?Oh, no, Ben assured her. He must have gotten caught up at work. Ill just drop by the station. If he comes back, would you let him know I was here?Of course, Francesca smiled at him. Would you like to come inside first? Maybe have something to drink?No thank you, Francesca. Ill just be going. He tipped his Stetson slightly and left. He wasnt sure whether to be worried or hurt. It really wasnt like Ray to forget about something like this. But if he had been held up he surely would have at least told Francesca that he would be late. Ben knew that Mrs. Vecchio worried about Ray, and that Ray was careful to let his family know when he would be late.Something must be wrong, Ben thought. Rays never that thoughtless. He quickened his pace and reached the station house in just minutes. In the last few years, the officers had gotten used to his presence, so he had no trouble getting inside. One of his and Rays friends, Detective Jack Huey, was on the night shift. Ben approached his desk. Excuse me, Detective.Huey looked up. Fraser. What can I do for you? Is Detective Vecchio here?Nope. He never showed up this afternoon. Welsh was pretty annoyed about that. Huey leaned back in his seat. You mean you dont know where he is?I havent seen him since about one this afternoon. I had heard some rather - upsetting news and wanted to be alone. We were supposed to meet at his house tonight, but his sister hasnt seen him since he left this morning. Fraser frowned slightly. He was getting more worried by the minute. Is he working on any case that might explain his absence?I dont think so, Huey said. Just the usual stuff. A hit and run thats going nowhere. A robbery downtown that hes ready to make a bust on. And a breaking and entry that he just got assigned to this morning. None of them are particularly high-risk. If hes missing, its something else. Huey stopped suddenly and looked at Fraser. I really dont want to say this, but do you think that-That shes behind this? Bens mind recoiled at the thought. He didnt want to think about this. Its a pretty amazing coincidence, Huey pointed out. You find out this morning that shes in the area...Columbus is hardly in the area. Ben pointed out.Geographically speaking its right next door. And the robbery was more than a week ago. Thats plenty of time for her to get here. Huey paused. Fraser, I know this is hard to hear, but if Victoria is back, Ray would probably be her first target. Why do you say that? Ben asked coldly.Ray shot you. Hes the reason you didnt go with her.That wasnt his fault, Ben said. He was aiming for Victoria, not me.Do you really think thatll matter to her?Ben couldnt reply.*** Are you sure about this? Harding Welsh studied the man across from him. Hed never seen the Mountie so upset. It seemed almost *wrong* for the constable to be anything but calm.Unfortunately, sir, it seems to be the only answer available to us, Fraser said softly. Detective Hueys arguments about Ms. Metcalfes...harsh feelings toward Detective Vecchio do make sense, much as I hate to admit it.It had been a long night for Fraser who had spent the night searching the park where he had last seen his friend. The Riv had been in the same place as it had been that afternoon and there were no witnesses or clues. He had finally given up around one, admitting to himself that he wouldnt find anything until morning and returned to his apartment to spend the night sleepless and worrying. Now, standing in front of Lieutenant Welsh, he felt like he was leaning over the edge of a very high cliff. It was only a matter of time before he lost his balance and fell.He returned his attention to Lt. Welsh. It could be argued that Detective Vecchio is the reason why I didnt go with her. She may hold him responsible.And be looking for revenge? Welsh asked. Fraser didnt, couldnt, respond.I see. Well get on this right away, Constable. Ill make sure to keep you informed.Fraser nodded and left the office. He was met outside at the door by Elaine. Are you all right? she asked. I know how hard this must be on you. If youd like to talk...Im fine, Elaine. Thank you for your concern.He turned away and she grabbed his arm. Fraser, she said. If Victoria did take him, what will you do?He stared at her silently for a moment, trying to find the words. I almost destroyed my friendship with Ray because of Victoria once, he finally whispered. It took me a long time to figure out that, no matter how much I love her, shes evil. She tried to ruin me and everyone I cared about. I cant let that happen again. He pulled away from her. I can deal with this, Elaine. I wont let him down, dont worry.Good luck, Fraser. And be careful.Thank you, Elaine.***She watched him leave the police station and head towards his apartment. He seemed preoccupied and was walking quickly. She couldnt understand why he would be upset over the disappearance of someone who had ruined both their lives. Someone who had kept them from being together. Calm, she told herself, hell get over it once were together again. Nothing will matter then. Victoria hurried after him.***Fraser had the feeling he was being followed. He also had a feeling that he knew who was following him and why. Victoria, whispered his mind. Shes back. And you know that you cant do anything to stop her. It was true. He loved her, he couldnt - but he had to. Ray was in danger. And how many others? Sooner or later Victoria would go to far and someone would die, if someone hadnt already. He thought immediately of Ray, then pushed the thought out of his mind. I dont have time for this, he thought angrily. I have to stay focused. Shell do something soon to get my attention. I have to be ready.Benton.Her voice.He turned, breath catching in his throat when he saw her. Just as dark and beautiful as he remembered her. Except now, the dark seemed more obvious than the beauty. Hed seen her soul, and he knew what was written there. He knew, but did he accept? Remember Ray, his mind yelled. What did she do to Ray?Wheres Ray? he asked.Disappointment and anger crossed her face. Does it matter? She asked. Hes gone. We can be together now. Victoria, he whispered, please. Tell me where he is.She moved closer, almost within reach. Ben, it doesnt matter. Dont you understand? He cant stop us this time. You can come with me. No. He almost couldnt believe he had said it. Almost. But he had. And he knew he meant it. How long, he said, do you think wed be happy?Forever.No, not forever. Sooner or later, Victoria, I wouldnt be able to justify what youve done. I cant give up everything I believe in. And thats what youre asking me to do. He wanted to scream, to cry, to wake up and find that this was all a horrible nightmare. But he didnt. Somehow, he managed to face her, to put aside the past and focus on the present. Where is Ray? Youve changed, Ben, Victoria said. Youre not the same person you used to be. It was him, wasnt it? He changed you. He made you forget our love. Her face twisted. Im glad hes gone.Frasers heart lurched. Gone? Victoria...I had to. She was crying now. Dont you see? It was the only way we could be together! I knew he would stop you again if he could. Dead. Frasers mind raged at the thought. This isnt happening...Tell me where he is, he whispered.She stared into his eyes for a moment, then seemed to wilt. Theres an old house on the west side of the lake, about twenty-five miles from here. Hes there. Youll know the house when you see it. Theres dirt road leading up to it, and an old boat dock in the back. She backed away slowly. I wont take you there. I didnt expect you would. And he watched as she turned, with one last look back at him, and left. Maybe this time for good.It didnt upset him as much as he thought it would.***He called the station house from a payphone and arranged for Huey to pick him up and theyd drive to the house together. The odds of finding the right house were rather slim. Victorias description wasnt much to go on. But Fraser wasnt willing to give up. If the only thing left for him to do was find the body of his best friend and bring it home, then that was what he would do. Huey arrived only minutes later. Fraser slid into the passengers seat without a word and remained silent as Huey pulled back out into traffic. He didnt say anything until they reached the lake. Victoria mentioned a dirt road. Do you know of any around here? There are a few around here, Huey replied, but only a few of them lead to the water. And most of them have a couple of houses on them. Im betting Victoria would have wanted someplace with no one else around. Thatll cut down on the possibilities. I have a couple ideas. He swung the car off onto a side road that eventually gave way to a rough dirt road. This area used to be pretty popular for summer homes, way back when, but eventually they all came to their senses and went to California instead. The houses never sold, because who wants to come to Chicago? Especially this close to the city. Victoria probably set up shop in one of them.Here we are, Huey said. They pulled to a stop in front of a large house with a wide porch. Fraser was out of the car and heading toward the house as soon as it stopped moving. He disappeared around the back, but returned a moment later. No boat dock, he said. Its not the right place. Are you sure she told you the truth? Hey asked. She may have lied, just to be hateful.I dont think so, Fraser replied. Dont ask me why, but I think she told me the truth.Huey said nothing as he drove.***Three houses later, all of which had boat docks and had to be searched, it was starting to look hopeless. There were several others of varying degrees of abandonment left to be searched, as well as summer homes that were empty. Its late August, Huey pointed out. A lot of people have headed home already. And we don't have any guarantee that she meant one of these houses. There are a lot of dirt roads once you get out into the country. She could have taken him almost anywhere. The fifth house fit Victorias description as well. As Fraser got out to search, Huey reached for the radio. Im going to see if that help I asked for is on its way yet. You go ahead. Ill be right there.The house was really little more than a cottage, Fraser saw once he got inside. One story and with only a few rooms, he was almost done looking by the time Huey joined him. Just the basement, he told the other man. He led the way down the rickety stairs to the basement. Several windows, plus the fact that the kitchen floor had collapsed, allowed quite a bit of light to enter the space, so they had no need of flashlights. Fraser glanced down and saw it was a dirt floor. Somewhere in the back of his mind he wondered who would build a house without putting in a proper foundation. A more conscious portion of his brain gave his subconscious a lecture on proper times and places. Lieutenant Welsh sent reinforcements to help us search, Huey informed him as they searched. I gave him a list of where weve already been and theyll split the rest of the area. Weve got people looking in the surrounding towns too.Fraser didnt hear him. He had found a small trapdoor underneath one of the windows on the far side of the basement. A very new padlock held it closed. Detective, he called. Huey arrived at his side. What? Fraser pointed at the trapdoor. Whats so valuable that it had to be locked up in the basement of an abandoned building?Huey knelt on one side of the trapdoor. An abducted police detective maybe? We need to get that padlock off. No we dont, Fraser said. This wood is so old that we should be able to... he got a grip of the padlock and pulled. The rusted metal loops that the padlock fit through came loose of the rotted wood almost immediately. He lifted the trapdoor and his heart lurched. Oh, God.It was Ray. Fraser threw the trapdoor back and reached down. He lifted his friend out of the small space and lay him down on the floor of the basement. Ben felt for a pulse, his own beating desperately. He almost sobbed with relief when he felt a thready, uneven pulse beating against his fingers. Hes alive, he told Huey who was busily untying Rays hands and feet. Ill call an ambulance. You finish this. Fraser took over undoing the ropes that bound his friends wrists. When he finished he carefully eased Ray into a more comfortable position while he worked on the ropes around Rays ankles.He gave his friend a concerned glance as he worked the knots loose. Ray didnt look very good. He was pale and coated in sweat. Hs breathing was shallow, almost nonexistent. Ben was sure that if they had taken much longer to find him, he would have died of suffocation or thirst. Huey returned just as Fraser managed to work the last of the knots loose. The ambulance is on its way.All there was to do was wait.***TWO WEEKS LATERPatience was not one of Raymond Vecchios strong suits. If he ever forgot that, he had about seventy friends and relatives willing to remind him of it.Right now he was living proof of that statement.He tried to decide between drumming his fingers on the metal bar alongside the bed and counting the tiles in the ceiling. Neither was particularly interesting.Hed been in the hospital for almost two weeks now and it was only the fourth day he had spent fully awake. According to the doctors the combination of heat, lack of oxygen and the amount of sedative Victoria had pumped into him had resulted in his system going into severe shock. It had taken almost a week before he was even lucid and a couple more days before he could stay awake for any length of time. They had finally decided that he was healthy enough to go home tomorrow and he was biding his time until morning.Unfortunately, it was hard to bide your time when youre bored out of your mind. It was almost eleven, he couldnt sleep, there were no magazines or books and the television hadnt worked as long as hed been there. In short, he was just this side of going out of his mind.He was just about to call the nurse and ask for something to help him sleep when he heard footsteps in the hall. The door opened and he closed his eyes against the light from the hall. Looks like your friend is asleep. Ray recognized the voice as a particularly friendly nurse who dropped by every day to talk. The next voice was a bit of a surprise.Yes. I think Ill just sit for a while. Dont worry, I wont disturb him.Fraser? Ray hadnt seen the Mountie the entire time he had been at the hospital and except for a description of how Ben and Huey had found him, no one had mentioned him either. So he was a bit surprised to find the Mountie here, especially so long after visiting hours.He heard the nurse leave and his friend take a seat in the chair on the far side of the room. He opened his eyes and saw his friend curled up in the chair, staring out at the city. Benny? Fraser jumped. Ray? Youre awake? He looked surprised at seeing his friend awake. Im sorry. I didnt know you were awake. What are you doing here? Ray asked. Its the middle of the night. I was working late, Fraser said. I couldnt get off any earlier. And your family cleared it with the nursing staff so that I could visit after hours.Bull, Ray replied. I know perfectly well that Thatcher would have given you an hour off. Youre blaming yourself and feeling guilty. Thats why you never came to see me. His eyes softened. I said it before; Victoria wasnt your fault, Benny.Ray suddenly grinned. Why is it that every time Victoria shows up in town one of us ends up flat on our backs in the hospital? He widened his eyes in mock horror. You dont have any other psycho ex-con girlfriends, do you?Fraser started to reply, then caught himself and grinned. When youve gotten your strength back, he told his friend.Ray laughed. Dont even joke about it! I don't think I can deal with another one. He looked away for a moment. Benny, I wish youd come sooner. I was worried. About me?No, about Deifenbaker. Yes about you. You were a total wreck the last time Victoria left. For a while there I was worried that youd do something...impulsive.You mean suicide? Fraser asked incredulously. Id never do anything like that. He shrugged. Besides. I was worried about you. *You* were the one locked up in a basement for almost two days with no food, water or fresh air. We were lucky we found you when we did. He didnt mention the horror of that thought, but Ray read it in his eyes.Im fine. But are you?Ben looked away, then met his friends gaze. I realized that Victoria and I are on two separate worlds and theres no way to bridge them. I couldnt live her life. And she wouldnt live mine. Besides, he added lightly, Victoria didnt allow junk food. If I had gone with her, Diefenbaker never would have forgiven me.And the healing began.***Not the best is it? Ah, well. I saw Victorias Secret and wondered what would happen if she ever came back. The original story ended very differently (the old witch died) but I liked this one better. Ask nicely and maybe Ill post the other ending :)-------------------ࡱ> SummaryInformation(@Moosehead Family CampgroundMoosehead Family Campground@Nߜ@Y@ MSR ]@~mgMicrosoft Word 6.07Rbtoc$QRPQRcdebc  0 1 Y Z c d @ @ ,d `ayz*+mn  WXMNcd*@ -./AB VW%&@ -y,-KL  xy n!o!""##%%Y&]&^&((M)N)o)p))))**@ -*#+$+++*-+-.....//00l2m222>3?3t3u3p4444455J5K5_5`5d5f56666495999:@ -::u:v:#;$;T;U;;;b=c=======??:?;???@?@@AAAAAABBBBCCqCCC5DDDDD@ -DLF G G8G9GGHH)H*HjIkIIIJ J$J%JKKLM8O9O^P_PPPQQ6Q7Q;QbBktl9`@  ] to8d *:DcZjto9:;<=>?@AMoosehead Family CampgroundA:\FANFIC3.TXTMoosehead Family CampgroundA:\FANFIC3.TXTMoosehead Family CampgroundA:\FANFIC3.TXTMoosehead Family CampgroundA:\FANFIC3.DOCMoosehead Family CampgroundA:\FANFIC3.DOCMoosehead Family CampgroundB:\FANFIC3.DOCMoosehead Family CampgroundB:\FANFIC3.DOCMoosehead Family CampgroundA:\FANFIC3.DOCGreenville School SystemA:\FANFIC3.DOCMoosehead Family CampgroundB:\FANFIC3.DOC@HP LaserJet IIIDLPT1:HPPCL5MSHP LaserJet IIID@w ,,@MSUDNHP LaserJet IIIDd HP LaserJet IIID@w ,,@MSUDNHP LaserJet IIIDd XkXkXkXk1Times New Roman Symbol &Arial"Ah= @5R ]/$eAll characters are the property of Alliance. 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