I'll be in Touch
by Magna
Pairings: never in my eyes, but the interpretation of this story is up to the reader
Rating: G
Warning: There are refrences to, and therefore spoilers for MotB, Eclipse, and BDtH
Teaser: Did you ever wonder why Benny wanted so badly to stay in Chicago when he and Ray K. weren't on the best of terms? Certainly wasn't Thatcher, so what if...
Ben tiptoed into the Consulate, hoping Inspector Thatcher would not be there. After jumping off a building into the lake, his uniform was a disgrace. He glanced around and, seeing only Turnbull, sloshed toward his office/bedroom.
"Excuse me, Constable," Turnbull said, curiously eyeing Ben's uniform as he stepped forward, "I have a letter for you."
"Ah," said Ben, plucking the letter from Turnbull's stiffly outstretched hand, "Thank you kindly."
"You're most welcome, Constable," Turnbull replied with a small grin, then abruptly turned and went back to his desk.
Ben frowned thoughtfully at the envelope. It was addressed to his old apartment that had burned down, and there was no return address anywhere.
"Huh," he muttered to himself, closing his office door behind him.
He dropped the letter on his desk and began to remove his uniform. The day's events came flashing back to him like a bad dream. Carefully, he rubbed his sore jaw.
"I can't believe Ray hit me," Ben thought. "I know we have our differences. I know he was annoyed by me, but I didn't think he would get that angry. The first few months worked fairly well, but we're falling apart. I thought we were friends, but now I can hardly work with him. I can't stay here anymore. I need to go home for a while, maybe never come back. I don't belong here."
Ben sighed heavily, then remembered the letter. He picked it up and tore it open.
Hey, Benny, Didn't I say I'd be in touch?
Ben gasped sharply, a letter from Ray, his Ray, the real Ray Vecchio. He hardly knew how to express the joy of knowing he was all right. An uncontrollable smile spread across his face.
Life is great. I get my freedom, a great place to live, and I mean really live, and pretty much an unlimited budget. My new reputation precedes me wherever I go. I'm actually feared by the Mafia. Can you believe it? I even travel in style. Of course, it's not my Riviera, but it'll do. There's just one problem, a big problem. I miss you Benny, and I miss home. I wake up every morning half expecting to be at my house and see you standing at my door asking for a ride for some lame-brained case of some kind. I even miss the annoying way you correct me all the time. Right now, I'd like nothing better than to hear one of your stories about your grandma or the Eskimos or some story about the Great White North. Sorry to ramble. I really don't have that much time. I hope to see you again soon, Benny. Real soon. If all goes well, I'll be done with this job within the next 6 months. Keep your fingers crossed or whatever you Canadians do for good luck. I love you, Benny. You're the best friend I ever had. Say hi to Dief and Elaine for me, and take care of Francesca. I'll still be in touch.
Your friend, Ray
Ben blinked back the tears that stung his eyes. He wished there were a way to tell Ray how much he missed him and tell him about all the things that had changed since he left. He thought of how much he would like to tell Elaine, wherever she was, about the letter. Ray didn't even know about the fires at the apartment and his own house. A tear somehow escaped as Ben realized there hadn't been a day since Ray had gone that he didn't wonder how he was doing and if he was safe. Every time he fought with Ray Kowalski, he found himself thinking, "Ray Vecchio would never have reacted this way." Ben sighed again and carefully set the letter back on the desk. He had just been given a reason to stay in Chicago. Ray would be keeping in touch every chance he got. There was no way Ben would miss those letters. For Ray's sake, he would deal with his problems here. After all, Ray would likely be home soon. He needed a welcome home party. Ben grinned at the thought of cabbages and trout. Ray wouldn't miss it, not this time.
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