Timeless Echoes 24/?

[zzzaney]

****************
Meg, walking smartly through the small airport, wasn't surprised to see an
RCMP sergeant standing off to the side. She approached him and he turned to
smile at her.
"Are you Inspector Thatcher?" he asked and she nodded, offering her hand to
him.
"I'm Sergeant Cremson. I've been told to escort you to headquarters." He
informed them.
"Of course. This is Detective Vecchio and Detective Kowalski from the
Chicago Police Department." Meg added.
"Ah" he acknowledged as he shook both their hands.
Ray shook the man's hand, and when he heard that familiar, yet
elusive-meaning 'ah' his brows furrowed. 'Just what was it with Canadians
and ah's?' Stan moved forward and also took the proffered hand, then all
three stood looking at one another.
"Well, shall we?" The sergeant suggested, and they readily agreed.
Meg couldn't believe how disheveled she felt. The second plane trip took
even longer than the first, and her only consolation was that she'd been
able to obtain an isle seat. She wanted nothing more than to get to their
quarters, shower, change, and then be briefed on the case.
A part of her realized that there was a good possibility if everything went
well, that they'd be able to spend some time with Analise and Ben. She'd
rarely heard from them since they moved a few months ago, except for the
occasional call and letter. The last letter she'd received from Analise set
her on edge.
Although she didn't seem to say anything directly, Meg had gotten the
feeling that something was bothering her friend. Either way, just being able
to see them along with her 'niece' and 'nephew' would be welcome.
At the luggage pick up, they waited patiently with the rest of the
passengers for their luggage to appear. Stan's bag , if that's what you
wanted to call it, was the first to come out. She watched as he picked up
the battered canvas bag and stopped when he saw her staring at him.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing." She replied and turned her attention back to the revolving
luggage belt.
"That's an interesting travel bag." Sergeant Cremson offered.
Stan smiled and held out the battered item proudly. "My old man gave it to
me when I went off to college. Had it ever since."
The man nodded with a small smile and looked down at his watch. Ray excused
himself as he squeezed through the crowd and plucked one of his bags from
the moving belt. It didn't take long for his other to show up, and he walked
back over to his small group.
Meg finally found a empty spot by the belt, and watched as the other
passengers found their bags and disappeared. It soon became apparent that
her bag had to be one of the last ones off. After what seemed like an
eternity, her smaller bag came through and she sighed in relief as she
picked it up. Now all she needed was her main suitcase.
She was beginning to wonder if it was even there when it finally showed up.
As predicted, it was the very last piece of luggage unloaded. 'Why did these
things always seem to happen to her?' She thought. Kowalski had a look of
extreme boredom on his face as she approached, and Sgt. Cremson immediately
stepped forward relieving her of her luggage.
The walk to the car was fairly short, as he'd managed to secure a 'police'
parking spot. Everyone loaded their luggage into the trunk, and Meg took the
front seat while Ray and Stan hopped in the back.
"So Sarge," Stan started "what's there to do around here that's
interesting?"
Sergeant Cremson was about to embark on all the wonderful cultural sites
they had in the area but Meg cut in.
"We're not here to sightsee Detective. Our time will be spent bringing this
case to a successful conclusion as quickly as possible." Her tone was curt,
and though she inwardly winced at the harshness, she attributed it to the
horrid travel conditions she'd just survived.
"Like you need to remind me." Stan sarcastically replied.
Ray picked that moment to try and diffuse the two of them. 'Geesh' he
thought 'anymore of this and I'm going to turn into Benny.'
"How much longer till we get to wherever we're going?" Ray asked as he
leaned forward a little.
"The detachment is approximately three point seven kilometers from our
current position." Cremson replied.
"About fifteen minutes" Meg added for clarification.
"Inspector Jamison and Superintendent McCray will brief you when we arrive."
"Very well." Meg was just hoping to get started as soon as possible.

**********

Frannie pulled a file out of the pile on her desk and propping it against
the small lamp on her desk. Turning towards her computer, she began typing
in all the pertinent information that needed to be looked up. Every day
seemed like the same thing.
'Frannie, find this for me, Frannie, do that for me.' She felt like no more
than a glorified gopher. Since when had her job at the police station
stopped fulfilling her? She sighed as she sat back in her chair, turning
slightly, and looked about the bullpen. That could have been her life. She'd
been on the list for the academy for almost two years, and still no word.
'Dreams change' she thought to herself, 'and sometimes they just die'. The
realization that she had given up on that dream along time ago saddened her.
Not just that one, she'd realized, but she was finding lately that there
were a lot of dreams she'd let fall away without even realizing it.
When Fraser had been lost the summer before last, she thought she'd die
inside. Though no one was giving up hope on him, she couldn't help but think
that he wasn't coming back to her. Ironically, he didn't, she thought to
himself.
Though she had become best friends with Analise, the price she'd paid was
the death of a dream. True, her friendship with Fraser had developed into an
entirely different area, but when was she ever going to have a family? She
wanted a baby so bad she could almost feel it, and she wanted a husband to
come home to instead of an empty bedroom in her mother's house. Was that so
much to ask?
Maybe it was, she sighed, as she stood and went over to the coffee machine.
After all, how many people did she actually know who were married? Most of
them were divorced, except for Mr. and Mrs. Rosilean. They had to be almost
ninety and Mr. Rosilean still brought her home a flower everyday. Once when
Frannie was helping Mrs. Rosilean with some gardening, she told her that
they had been childhood sweethearts, and married as soon as they were
legally able. Frannie wondered if Analise and Fraser would be like that.
Grow old together and never regret it.
She was on her way back to her desk when she saw a woman standing by the
doors to the bullpen. She didn't seem much older than Frannie, maybe by a
year or two. She was clutching her purse to her and there was a tired,
haunted look in her eyes.
Frannie set down her mug and smiled at the woman who was looking around the
room.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
The woman slowly focused on her, and walked towards the desk. "I'd like to
speak to the officers in charge of the kidnappings." Her voice was barely
above a whisper, but the tired strain in it was at a deafening level.
"There isn't anyone handling it here." Frannie knew her mistake the minute
the words were spoken by the ashen look on the woman's face. She quickly
tried to explain. "What I mean is, the FBI took over, and the officers that
were han--"
"You mean to tell me there's no one here that's investigating the
kidnappings?" The woman interrupted, her voice incredulous at the
information she was hearing. Her voice had gained in volume, and Frannie
glanced around at the few people that had turned to face them.
"I....let me get the Lieutenant for you. I'm sure he'll be able to answer
any questions you have." Frannie offered, as she took a step back. She
stumbled into Lt. Welsh and turned to face him.
"I...." She started, but he placed a hand on her shoulder in a comforting
gesture before turning his attention to the woman.
In his best understanding voice, he approached her. "Mrs. Strathmeyer,
please, let's go in my office where it's private."
She allowed him to guide her by the elbow, wide eyed. "That lady said no one
was looking for my little boy......" Her voice trailed off.
"I can assure you this is all a misunderstanding. Let's talk. Would you like
some coffee?" The Lieutenant motioned to Huey on his way past, and the
Detective immediately rushed to the machine.
Lt. Welsh held his door open for the distraut woman, allowing her to enter
first, and looked around the squad room one last time before his eyes locked
on Frannie. 'It'll be OK' he mouthed before shutting the door and drawing
the blinds.

Frannie sunk into her chair and, placing her elbows on the desk, buried her
face in her hands. As many times as the woman had been to the station over
the past month she should have recognized her! She looked so different,
though, Frannie thought to herself. There was no life left in her. Dewey
came over and sat down beside her in the empty chair.
"Anyone could have said the same thing. Don't blame yourself." He consoled.
Frannie looked up at him, and took a deep breath. Her eyes were bright with
unshed tears.
"Who else is there to blame Dewey? I'm the one who basically told that woman
no one was even looking for her son." She wailed.
Tom shook his head as he placed his hand on top of hers. "Don't worry, the
Lieu will set things straight."
Frannie nodded and wiped her eyes with her finger, trying not to mess up her
mascara. Taking another deep breath she managed a small smile. "I suppose
you're right."
"I know I am. Listen, this place gets to everybody. Even the most
experienced cops. Don't let it get to you. Take some time off. Trust me,
you'll be glad you did." Tom stood as he spoke, and squeezed her shoulder
before going back over to his desk.
Frannie wanted nothing more than to leave right then and there. She knew she
also needed to give Mrs. Strathmeyer an apology. Not wanting to leave before
she'd at least done *that* much to clear up her mess, Frannie decided to
take some used files back down to the filing room. At least that would give
her a small change of scenery.

******************
I slowly blinked my eyes open, and tried to keep them that way. They felt
like lead. I was aware that I was warm, for what seemed to be the first time
in days, and tried to move.
The pain that shot through me took my breath away, and it took the next few
minutes before I was able to breath normally again. I felt like something
was on me, and carefully turned my head as I lifted my arm. An IV? Where did
that come from? I became aware of something wrapped around my ears, and
going above my lips. Reaching up, I took hold of whatever it was and pulled
it away from my face. Frowning, I looked at the oxygen tube. I was still at
the cabin, so how did all this get here?
Feeling something on my chest, I moved my hand down and managed to raise my
head. Following the wires, I wasn't surprised to see a cardiac monitor. I
just couldn't understand why I was hooked to one.
Earlier I'd dreamt that Ben was here. But that was just a dream, right? My
mind was still fuzzy and it was hard to concentrate, but I knew this stuff
didn't get here on it's own. That meant that Ben *had* to be here.
I looked around the room, but the door was shut. I tried to call out, but no
sound would come. Just breathing was painful. God I wanted to see him so
bad. There had to be some way that I could get his attention....
I reached up to unbutton my pajama shirt. At first I couldn't because of the
pulse ox meter, but I had managed to remove it. After unbuttoning two
buttons, I had to rest again. It was hard trying to stay awake, but I wanted
to see him even if it was just for a minute.
Finding the first electrode, I pulled it away from my skin. It only took a
few seconds before the alarm on the monitor went off, almost at a deafening
level compared to the quiet of the cabin.
The door flew open and I was aware of people rushing in, but I couldn't make
out who was who. What was wrong with me anyway? The bed moved and I groaned,
but a familiar hand took mine and I made myself open my eyes further.
"Analise, how do you feel?" Ben asked, but I couldn't even make my lips
move. The most I could do was look at him, hoping he'd understand.
I could feel a hand on my face and something was placed around my ears. It
was then I realized it was the nasal cannula again. I could feel the
electrode being replaced, then someone took my hand from Ben's and I started
to panic. I didn't want him to go!
I tried to move but I couldn't, and I could feel my throat constrict as my
eyes watered.
"It's all right Analise, I'm here." Ben reassured me, but I needed to touch
him! I had to make sure he was real.
Something squeezed my finger, and the next instant Ben recaptured my hand.
He held it between both of his, and lifted my arm so I could see he was
holding it. It was only then I allowed myself to relax.
"Analise, I need to ask you some questions. Can you look at me?" A somewhat
familiar voice spoke. Ben focused on the speaker, then back at me
expectantly.
Although it seemed to take forever, I managed to turn my head towards the
sound. I made sure that I was holding on to Ben's hand as tight as I could
though.
I recognized the woman, but couldn't think of her name. My puzzlement must
have shown because she smiled reassuringly at me. "I'm Dr. Reuben, do you
remember me?" She asked as she picked up a pen light and flashed it in my
eyes.
I nodded in reply as she put on her stethoscope and listened to my chest.
When she pulled the covers down and moved my pants I panicked. I tried to
shake my head no and push her hands away, but Ben held onto my one hand
tight and wouldn't let it go.
I knew the pain would come if she touched me and I struggled as hard as I
could.
"I have to check you Analise." The doctor explained, but I wasn't having any
of it.
"Analise, please. I need you to get well. Let the doctor look at you. It
will only take a moment." Ben added.
Inside I screamed from the pain, but only a strangled sound came out. I
couldn't even move my legs up to try and protect myself. I could feel hot
tears trail down my face, and I looked up at Ben with disbelief and anger.
How could he let her hurt me!
"All finished" the doctor soothed as if I was a small child. I pulled my
hand from Ben, as much as I could, and he gently placed it on the bed before
letting go.
"I'm sorry" he whispered as he leaned close to my ear. I had turned my head
from him, and didn't try to acknowledge him. He was supposed to protect me,
and he just sat there and let her *hurt* me!
The voices around me faded as I started to drift off. The bed shifted and I
could feel Ben's body beside mine. He was really careful not to jar the bed
too much as he scooched his body close to mine, wrapping his arm around me.
I was too exhausted to keep hold of the anger I'd felt a few minutes ago. It
disappeared as I melted into his warmth. He tucked the covers around both of
us, and I fell asleep to the movement of his chest against me, and the beeps
from the machine.

list mom: Doh...@onelist.com
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Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching
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Visit my fic site at: www.geocities.com/zzzaney10
Proud diligent keeper of:
Stella's line to Stan "Yeah, and I can shoot moombeams out my...."
SRK's question to Fraser in the graveyard "Are you unhinged?"
-and-
Keeper of Fraser's heart.