The usual: No money being made, characters belong to whomever owns them. I promise to put them back for others to play with when I'm done. Please notify me (jtryon@aracnet.com) if you want to archive this anywhere else.

Warning

Having written that, this is a very dark fic. Please do not read this if you have a weak stomach or are depressed. It is not a Goodie Two Shoes kinda fic. Oh, and it is NC-17 too.

1

She saw her chance when Ray went into Welsh's office about something. This was getting so hard! All this pussyfooting around so Ray wouldn't know she and Benton had established a connection. Meeting in broom closets… In the one interrogation room without a hidden mike or one-way glass… When he would come to the Vecchio house for dinner and they were able to catch a few private words out of Ray's earshot… All to arrange short clandestine meeting places far from her brother's eyes, and the Dragon Lady's too.

Fraser was sitting in his customary chair beside Ray's desk and riffled through some case files. A quick glance around the room and Francesca left her workstation with several papers in hand, ostensibly to lay them on Ray's desk, but handed them to Fraser instead.

With a imperceptible nod toward Welsh's closed door, she whispered, "Interrogation Room 4 in five minutes, okay?"

"Um-hum, right you are." Fraser didn't even raise his head as he continued to shuffle the files in hand.

Francesca walked out of the room, looking all like she was headed to the Ladies but turned left and went to #4. She smiled as Benton walked in the room after only 2 minutes. He was a bit impatient these days.

He softly snicked the door shut but stood in its path, should an unexpected visitor try to get in. He knew he made a solid doorstop. Francesca glided into his waiting arms and lifted her lips to his smile.

"You know, don't you, that it will only be a matter of time until your brother finds out?"

"Don't care."

"Well, Francesca, I really don't either, but if you recall, he said he would kill me if I so much as looked at you cross-eyed."

"Don't care. Oooops! I guess I would care if he did that! But I have good—"

"--Good what?" he asked as he kissed her deeply again.

"Benton, if you would just stop…"

Kiss.

" …a second, I'll explain."

Kiss.

Francesca heaved a deep sigh. "Good news, darling."

"Hmmm." He embraced her even more tightly and tried for another kiss.

"Ooff! Let me explain. You've heard me talk about Jayne? My friend from high school?"

"Don't care," he echoed this time.

"Oh, I think you might. Her dad has a cabin up in south central Wisconsin that he only uses for deer season."

"Maybe I do care, if I know where you're going with this!"

"So, is this deer season?"

"Not in Canada in the spring and I assume not in the US either."

"Exactly. Does Thatcher have you on duty this weekend? Any red suited doorstop duty? Making you hang on her arm for one of those blasted diplomatic functions?"

"No. No. And no."

"Benton, dearest. Such a deal I have for us. Jayne has offered us the cabin for the entire weekend. No telephone, traffic, irritating Ray, or anything else but us… and Dief, of course."

She took note of his surprised smile of anticipation. "So, how 'bout I pick you up on Friday when you get off work? A quick drive to your apartment for Dief and your bedroll. It's about a two and a half hour drive, so we should make it even before dark."

"Food?"

"I'll stop at the market and pick it up, although I wonder if we will have any time to cook!" How great it would be to be with him two whole nights, instead of some out-of-the way sleeze motel in South Chicago. Ray wouldn't think of looking for her car there; the tough gangland of South Chicago was not a place she would be frequenting. And best of all about the cabin, she wouldn't have to leave so she could show up at home at a respectable hour.

"Ah, dear Francesca, what can I say? A whole weekend with you! I have doubts I will be able to last that long."

"Ah, well, just bring enough of the… er… a… you know, to last the weekend!"

"Understood."

Another quick kiss and he was gone.

2

Francesca was able to arrange her work schedule to put in a half day that Friday. She knew it would take that long to food shop and pack in the afternoon. The other hurdle was telling Ma she would be gone for the weekend. If she said it would be with Benton, her ma would blow her top at an assignation without benefit of marriage. Ray would be sure to find out and who knew what would happen then? Best to tell Ma on Friday that she needed some "alone time" at Jayne's cabin and not to expect her before late Sunday. Ma would be upset that she would miss church, but Francesca told her this could be considered a "retreat" of sorts (boy would it ever!) Telling this little lie would not arouse suspicion, should Ray ask her where she was.

She was at the Consulate at 5:00 pm exactly on Friday and Benton, walking briskly out the door, slid into her waiting car. Just in case the Dragon Lady was watching, she scrunched down behind the wheel.

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure Thatcher doesn't see me. The fewer people who know what this weekend is all about, the better."

"I'm sure she doesn't give a rip. Now, see that gas station ahead on the right?"

"I've gotten gas, Benton. Enough to see us to the cabin and back."

"Please pull in, Francesca."

Muttering under her breath, she eased into the lot without pulling up to the pump. When she turned off the engine, she glanced at him. "So?"

He unbuckled quickly and leaned toward her. "So, this!" He pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed the stuffing out of her. "Don't think I would have lasted much longer. Carry on."

"You expect me to carry on after that? Huh? That's premeditation for me to cause a car crash!"

He smiled one of his enigmatic grins, rebuckled, and waved his hand. "Please move forward with all deliberate speed, my dear."

Ten minutes later they pulled up in front of his apartment on West Racine. As Benton got out, he almost swung the door into Mr. Mustafi who happened to be out for his predinner stroll.

"Oh, terribly sorry Mr. Mustafi. Are you hurt?"

"Ach, no, Constable."

"Well, I've got to hurry here," and he disappeared into the building. Five minutes later, Fraser and Dief came running out: Benton with his bedroll and a small backpack and Dief with his bowls strapped to his back. A quick piddle at the corner of the building and Dief clambered into the back seat then Ben into the front. Francesca revved the engine and jackrabbit started out the 84, bound for Wisconsin.

Several hours later and with tired sun-squinty eyes from looking into the western sky, Francesca took an exit ramp off the Interstate.

Not too much longer, she thought, then two and a half blissful days and nights with her love. She wasn't sure why Benton finally "gave in" to her wiles.

Obviously the short "come here and fuck me" skirts hadn't done the trick. Nor the smarmy looks she gave him for more than a year. It was only after she had given up all hope of piquing his interest did he begin to respond to her. And there wasn't much misinterpretation of his intentions either. They were almost discovered with his first kiss – in the back hall of the police station. Anyone could have found them and especially Ray, since he was due back from testifying about larceny case.

Fraser must have been waiting for her to come back from lunch because he nearly scared her witless when he whispered her name from an alcove. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. Four short sentences and then he kissed her fiercely. Francesca had great difficulty doing her work for the rest of the afternoon. From that day to this, as a matter of fact.

At the end of a gravel road was Jayne's father's cabin. Embedded in pine and broad leafed deciduous trees waiting for further warmth of spring to bud, it required several trips of 100 yards to carry everything from the car into the snug unlocked cabin. Ben put their personal things in the single bedroom and then came out to help Francesca deal with the groceries. He was enchanted with the old-time icebox that was just that: an insulated wooden box surrounded by two chambers for ice. How many times had he seen this up north! Obviously Francesca knew the cabin did not have electricity because she had also brought along 3 bags of ice.

Dief scratched at the door. When Ben opened it, the half-wolf pranced in.

"Mmeeerf?"

"Oh yes, Diefenbaker. I know you're hungry." Ben scrabbled around in the "Dief Bag" and put his dinner in his bowl. Within 10 seconds, Dief had finished and wanted outside again.

Dusk fell as they finished their tasks. After building a fire in the fieldstone fireplace, Ben lit a kerosene lamp on the kitchen table and sat down on the sofa.

"C'mere here," he said softly as he patted the cushion beside him.

"Aren't you hungry?" Francesca wanted to know.

"Well, yes, but not for food, if you please, ma'am."

"Oh you!" Francesca crooned as she sat beside him.

He turned toward his left and put his arm over her shoulder. As he felt her neck and her hair, she slid into his chest. He brushed his lips across her mouth, then made another trip across with his tongue. The third pass had his tongue stop and ask for entrance that was granted instantly.

Their heads bobbed in one direction and then reversed to the other as their kiss became all-consuming. Francesca's mouth was on fire from his tongue keeping up its incessant rhythm. His hands laid a fiery trail up and down her back. She didn't know when he had pulled her shirt free of her jeans. She didn't know when she had pulled his shirt and sweater out of his pants. Hands smoothed sleek skin… Hands laid fire swaths on spines and ribs… Calloused hands unhooked a bra as smooth hands tweaked male nipples… Tender fingers whirled around female nipples. She pulled him down on her as she sucked his tongue. He straightened and stretched her onto his chest as he pulled her on top of him.

"Woooof! Erf? Woof, woof!"

"Damn. He makes me pay and pay and pay…" Fraser raised his head and returned to reality. As he stood, Francesca "accidentally" brushed her hand across his bulging groin.

"Why not let him stay out all night?" She wasn't about to let a dog or wolf mess this up.

"Because he has lost his Arctic-wolf side. He will tell me he's cold. If I let him in, he will look for doughnuts. There is no arguing with him," Fraser crabbed as he opened the door.

A white streak scurried to the braided rug before the fire.

Benton returned to the sofa and held out his hands to pull Francesca up. "Bed? So much nicer than the Happy Town Motel, isn't it?"

She looked at him sideways. "Ya know, there's no reason to rush this. We don't have to get home tonight. Or tomorrow night, either. There's a propane tank for hot water. What do you say to a nice warm shower first?"

Twenty minutes later they stepped out of the shower with bruised lips. Each toweled the other off and raced into the bedroom. They tumbled onto the mattress in a flurry of arms and legs with Francesca landing beneath him.

"Oh god," Ben groaned as he settled between her legs with a long, slow stroke. "Francesca. Dear Francesca. Have I told you in the last hour how much I love you?" He kissed her again as he drove himself deeper within her.

"Not within the last five minutes, no," she gasped around his mouth. "Tell me again. No, show me again." She hooked her legs around his thighs to give him more leverage in penetration.

For both of them, it was unbearable sexual arousal. Francesca screamed with pleasure as she climaxed first and then again when he spewed his seed.

As they lay in the afterglow of climax, he quickly withdrew. "Dammit to hell! Francesca, I'm so sorry! I forgot to put a condom on! Oh, dear! What if you get pregnant now?"

"Benton, there is nothing wrong if I get pregnant. You love me, don't you?"

"Of course, you know I do!"

Well, then stop worrying about it. I love you too and we will just get married sooner than later. Okay?"

"I was hoping we could figure out a way around Ray's attitude about us before we marry."

"You've been tested for those nasty sex bugs? I have, and I'm negative."

"Tested and negative as well."

"That's the important thing. Ray is an insignificant bug that can be ignored. Now," she whispered as she drew the coverlet over them, "come here and let me show you how much I love you."

3

Saturday morning came. About 8:00 am, Francesca felt a warm object move around to spoon her back. A kiss upon her shoulder woke her up. She rolled in bed to look at the world's most perfect man. With a smile, she whispered, "Hello and good morning, dear."

"Dearest," he responded as he started to pull her in for a morning kiss.

Whump!

"Errrrf?" Diefenbaker launched himself squarely between them.

Fraser was beyond exasperation. "Dief, give us a while, okay? You had better get used to a slightly later breakfast." With that, Ben swept the wolf from the bed.

Dief slunk off to the living room.

"I'll be paying for that," Ben remarked. "Nothing like a sulking wolf. I know you heard that," he called loudly. "He plans on making our weekend a guilt trip, I'm sure," he whispered to Francesca.

A very satisfying hour later, they got up to get breakfast and let Dief out for a day in the woods.

Bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast all washed down with orange juice and coffee made for a wonderful breakfast.

"So, what do you wanna do?" Francesca asked as she sat stark naked at the table. "We could get dressed and walk some of the trails around here."

"Or, we could save our energy and just go back to bed," Benton said with a sly smile.

"Will Dief be okay?"

"I assume so. He will be back this evening when he's hungry."

"Well, I'm all for saving energy. Race ya!" Francesca was already under the covers before Ben could react.

4

"You do?! You would?? God love ya, George!"

Vecchio slammed down the phone. Even though it was early Saturday, he figured Fraser wouldn't have anything planned and would be most pleased indeed that Ray got courtside tickets to the Bulls' playoff game that night.

Ray clattered down the stairs. "Where's Frannie?" he asked as he noted the empty place at the breakfast table.

"She said she was going on a retreat this weekend and will be home sometime Sunday," Ma replied.

Nothing new there. Frannie was always into self-help stuff. "Well, guess what? George can't use his Bulls tickets tonight and so I'm taking our favorite Mountie to courtside seats!"

"You had better reimburse George. They must have cost him a bundle."

"Bundle, yes," Ray spoke around his toast. "About $250 per. I can't afford to pay for both, but maybe one. Either he will be happy about that much, or maybe I can squeeze Fraser for his ticket."

"Raymundo, you can't very well treat Benton to the game and still have him pay for his ticket. I brought you up better than that."

"I know, Ma. I just don't know if Fraser can afford $250 American for the ticket. That's about $375 Canadian bills and they pay him bumpkis."

"Then all you can do is tell him outright and let him decide for himself."

"Yeah, I know. After breakfast I'll go over to Fraser's slum and ask him.

Climbing the stairs to apartment 3J was not one of Ray's favorite activities. The halls had a permanent stench of sauerkraut and what must have been half-spoiled meat. How Fraser could stand to live here remained a mystery.

It was useless to knock on the door – Fraser never locked it. With a soft tap he opened it to see that all was as neat as a pin, as usual. The only things clearly lacking were Dief's bowls in the kitchen. Most peculiar.

He went next door to Mr. Mustafi's. The man's gruff manner brooked no nonsense. No, he didn't know where the Constable was. No, he didn't know whether the Constable was even there last night. No, he wasn't the Constable's appointment secretary or his telephone answering system either.

"However," Mustafi pondered thoughtfully, "I did see him get into a blue two-door yesterday. Around five, I think. Had the dog with him, too."

Ray stood there, poleaxed. "Blue, huh? Did you see who was driving?"

"Mr. Vecchio, a cop I am not. Frankly, I didn't pay much attention."

Ray took the stairs in a rush, his brain in hyper overdrive. "Damn. Damn. DAMN!" he pounded the steering wheel in frustration. "Where the fuck are they?"

He had to be methodical to unravel the question. Jayne, Ma said. Jayne Who? A classmate of Frannie's? He never paid much attention to kids behind him in school. All of them were such twerps. Jayne? Jayne? Mabe the Jayne who lived a couple of blocks from the Church, on Menoke Street. C'mon, Vecchio, what was her name? He went through his mental rolodex: Jayne Albert? Barbarra? Cirroco? Fedor?

He pulled into a parking lot to think more clearly… Had almost crashed the Riv by going through a yellow back there. Jayne. Jayne. I'm goin' nuts here, he thought in frustration. He continued to plow through his memory until it came to him: Ricatto. Jayne Ricatto!

"Hello. Mrs Ricatto?" Ray queried from a nearby phone booth. "You probably don't remember me – I'm Ray Vecchio… Yes, Frannie's big brother… Everything has been fine, thank you."

He rolled his eyes as Mrs Ricatto started telling him everything that happened to her family since Jayne graduated.

"I'm really sorry to interrupt you, Mrs Ricatto, but I'm on a bit of a short time line here… Yes. I must ask you if your family has a hunting cabin somewhere? …Yes? Well, can you give me directions to it?"

He fumbled for his notebook and pen. "Sure, ready. Un-huh. Un-huh. Un-huh. And then do I turn right or left? Okay. Got it. Thanks much, Mrs Ricatto!"

He always thought more clearly when driving and this time was no exception. The only problem was driving while angry… Angry at Frannie, but much more at Fraser. Frannie was a minor problem. She was so scatterbrained that he wondered how she could put her shoes on correctly. She was such a klutz and so transparent about stalking the Mountie. Frankly, he was embarrassed for her, even if she hadn't a clue how brazen her actions were. Couldn't she see he wasn't interested?

But Fraser! Dear "Bennie" he had called him as a name of affection. What affection? Oh, he was on very thin ice now. How dare he have sex with his little sister. He was warned. Can't keep it in his pants, huh? Still waters run deep. Prancing around in that red suit, pretending to fend off every female in a five block area. His nose could pick up on their pheromones and would allow him to prepare a naïve facial expression. He was sure Frannie's smell had driven him crazy. And then, the sneak, seducing her practically in front of him!

Oh, Fraser was crafty, that son of a bitch. Ray wondered how many times he had gotten sucked into Fraser's feigned innocence, all the while he was manipulating him to do what he wanted. That glancing away from her every time she swam up to him. Practically pretending she wasn't there… Almost to the point of rudeness.

Studied indifference, my ass, Ray raged. Well, he may be unaware of the Mann Act. Maybe they don't have such a law up in Canada. Spaces too wide. Too far to cross provincial lines. Shit, the men probably fuck the animals in a pinch. Well, Benton Fraser, you have outsmarted yourself now. I hope you got your rocks off with my little sister last night, because you are about to pay for your transgressions.

He slowed to turn into the gravel road and with stealth, he made his way to just 500 feet behind Frannie's car. The cabin innocently emitted a thin stream of wood smoke from the chimney. Ray carefully opened his car door and kept to the pine needles in the gravel ruts to avoid any sounds. Fraser had ears like a bat.

5

She knew he loved it when she was on top. A century of sensual kissing before she slid on his chest and lowered herself on him. He raised his hips as she nestled into him.

"Francesca, have I told you…"

"Yes, dearest. A million times since last night," she whispered as she leaned down to kiss him fully. He was so darned kissable! He ducked his head and reached his mouth for a hardened nipple. She rocked on him and felt him enlarge even further within her. She finally pulled her breast away from him, only to let her tongue explore his mouth. He sucked it as tenderly as he had her breast.

She raised slightly and presented her other breast for his enjoyment. Subtle hip movements made him moan. She knew he had great staying power – as deeply as he was groaning, he could delay climax for a long time. So, now was the time for something different.

"Benton," she whispered.

"Hmmm."

"Benton, stop for a moment and watch this."

Hardly had he released her breast when Francesca raised her leg and moved it across his chest. He was still deep within her, but she now faced away from him. She rocked rhythmically up and down his shaft.

Fraser almost lost control: novel sensations now that the other side of his penis was stimulated by her cervix. Dear god, where had she learned that? His hands clutched the sheet as she reached down and rolled his balls in her hands. It was almost too much.

"Francesca!"

She looked over her shoulder and stopped rocking. "Say, 'when', dearest."

"When," came Ray's tight voice from the doorway. "Frannie, you are nothing but a slut; get off him."

"Ray!" Fraser was, perhaps for the first time in his life, scared. He was staring into the barrel of Ray's service revolver.

"Fraser, you fucking son of a bitch. You don't deserve anything else but this," he snarled as he pulled the trigger.

A crimson stain spurted immediately on Fraser's right shoulder as the bullet sliced through muscle and bone. Francesca screamed and turned around, still impaled on Ben's shaft. "No!"

Ray knew his shot wasn't fatal to Fraser, so he squeezed the trigger again, this time hitting Francesca's head with a lethal blow. Her brain matter sprayed across the room, across Fraser, who tried to rise. The third shot from Ray was to his face.

Ray stood over the bed of carnage. "You deserved it," he said in a flat monotone.

He returned his revolver to his holster and calmly walked out of the cabin, back to his car. As he backed up, he heard the wolf howling in the cabin.

"Raymundo, is that you?" Ma called as the front door slammed shut. She heard him stomping up the stairs to his room. That door slammed shut as well. A platter dropped from her hands to shatter on the floor when she heard the gunshot.

THE MANN ACT OF 1910 The Mann Act was enacted by Congress through its power to regulate interstate commerce, as a means of addressing the problem of prostitution and immorality in general.

www.fau.edu/tunick/courses/conlaw.mann.html