>>Hmm.  I'm not sure, but I think according to the laws of DS fandom we're
>>now
>>legally wed.
>>
>>Manna
>
>Uh, I think we'll have to annul the marriage.  There's only two people for
>me right now (one has beautiful greens eyes and carries a badge, the other
>wears red serge with neatsfoot oil on his Sam Browne :).
>
>Stephanie

Oh, you mean the two guys I got living with my in my tastefully decorated
townhouse?  Stay married to me, and I might give you visitation rights.

Manna

>Hmm.  I'm not sure, but I think according to the laws of DS fandom we're
>now
>legally wed.
>
>Manna

Uh, I think we'll have to annul the marriage.  There's only two people for
me right now (one has beautiful greens eyes and carries a badge, the other
wears red serge with neatsfoot oil on his Sam Browne :).

Stephanie

>I loved "Flashback."  That's one of my favorite episodes (I have like 30-40
>favorite eps., so I guess that's not really saying much, but...)
>Out of all the re-run eps. from various tv shows, I think dS did it best.
>
>Stephanie
>
>RayV:  "Oh, Benny, I could kiss."
>Fraser:  "I thought we were just friends."
>
For me, the really slashy part of that ep is when Benny's wincing at his
bright uniform, and Ray kind of sighs and says, "Yeah, but you look good in
it."

Mmmmmmmmmm.

Manna

>On another matter ...
>Watching one of my DS compilation tapes earlier today I came across the
>scene
>in VS when Dief is shot.
>I've always been intrigued by how .. Benny runs back to the apartment, and
>Ray drives back .. passing Benny on the way [as we see] ... yet Ray arrives
>at the apartment about 10/15 seconds *after* Benny ... and at a run as
>well!
>How come he didn't beat Benny back ...??!  :o)
>
>Julie

That's 'cause in the dS world, Mounties are faster than Chicago Detectives.

Stephanie

Vicki wrote:

>Least fave ep of all time = Flash back... I felt cheated...
>
>I hate re run epis I think we deserve more than those... you KNOW that
>they're only done to save money after all...
>
>but especially when it's the last (what was going to be) ever episode... I
>wanted more from it...

I loved "Flashback."  That's one of my favorite episodes (I have like 30-40
favorite eps., so I guess that's not really saying much, but...)
Out of all the re-run eps. from various tv shows, I think dS did it best.

Stephanie

RayV:  "Oh, Benny, I could kiss."
Fraser:  "I thought we were just friends."

><< >I'm getting this image of Benny riding his horse (funny that I should
>think
>  >of him riding bareback without his tunic or undershirt) alongside the
>Ray
>  >in
>  >the Riv...
>  >
>  >AbBy
>  >nOrmaL
>
>  How about Benny without his shirt and Ray seated on the horse in front of
>  him, thrust back against him with every gallop?  Perhaps Benny's arms are
>  around him, and his head rests back against Benny a bit, exposing that
>long
>  neck?  Hey!  Look at what Benny's hand is doing!
>Manna
>   >>
>You know, ATQH is beginning to look better and better all the time!:-)
>
>SandyR

Oh, actually, there's a better song for this scene now:

Oh, I can't get off of my horse
'Cause some dirty dog put glue in my saddle!

Manna

In a message dated 9/20/99 7:58:29 PM Central Daylight Time,
mannaladroit@... writes:

<< >I'm getting this image of Benny riding his horse (funny that I should
think
  >of him riding bareback without his tunic or undershirt) alongside the Ray
  >in
  >the Riv...
  >
  >AbBy
  >nOrmaL

  How about Benny without his shirt and Ray seated on the horse in front of
  him, thrust back against him with every gallop?  Perhaps Benny's arms are
  around him, and his head rests back against Benny a bit, exposing that long
  neck?  Hey!  Look at what Benny's hand is doing!
   >>
You know, ATQH is beginning to look better and better all the time!:-)

SandyR

>I'm getting this image of Benny riding his horse (funny that I should think
>of him riding bareback without his tunic or undershirt) alongside the Ray
>in
>the Riv...
>
>AbBy
>nOrmaL

How about Benny without his shirt and Ray seated on the horse in front of
him, thrust back against him with every gallop?  Perhaps Benny's arms are
around him, and his head rests back against Benny a bit, exposing that long
neck?  Hey!  Look at what Benny's hand is doing!

Manna

>Oh, the Mounties singing on the train are fine for me, but I had envisioned
>"Ride Forever" playing while we saw Mounties riding.  I had this clear
>image
>of Ray trying to ride along while the Mountie all did their thing, even a
>nice slow-mo shot where Ray kinda gets into it.

I'm getting this image of Benny riding his horse (funny that I should think
of him riding bareback without his tunic or undershirt) alongside the Ray in
the Riv...

AbBy
nOrmaL

>>All right, let's get some healthy negativity going around here.  What's
>>your
>>least favorite episode, and why?
>>
>>Mine is "Chicago Holiday."  For one thing, it's far too long, and should
>>never have been a two-hour ep.  Yes, it has that lovely Holly Cole music,
>>but Fraser looks like a Duffus for most of it, I find the girl-daughter
>>irritating, and Ray is fairly worthless.  He couldn't even find the list
>>on
>>the matchbook himself.  I'd still rather watch it than any episode of
>>"Friends," but I do wish they'd made it a one-hour and put maybe one more
>>Cole song in there.
>>
>>Manna
>
>
>Okay, that's just scary.  CH is my least favorite ep., and that is
>*exactly*
>the explanation I would've given.
>
>Stephanie
>

Hmm.  I'm not sure, but I think according to the laws of DS fandom we're now
legally wed.

Manna

>All right, let's get some healthy negativity going around here.  What's
>your
>least favorite episode, and why?
>
>Mine is "Chicago Holiday."  For one thing, it's far too long, and should
>never have been a two-hour ep.  Yes, it has that lovely Holly Cole music,
>but Fraser looks like a Duffus for most of it, I find the girl-daughter
>irritating, and Ray is fairly worthless.  He couldn't even find the list on
>the matchbook himself.  I'd still rather watch it than any episode of
>"Friends," but I do wish they'd made it a one-hour and put maybe one more
>Cole song in there.
>
>Manna


Okay, that's just scary.  CH is my least favorite ep., and that is *exactly*
the explanation I would've given.

Stephanie

SandryR said:

>ATQH, without a doubt.  Why?  'Cause it's dumb.  Too little Vecchio, *way*
too much Thatcher and singing Mounties.  Love the song, hate the scene.

It's funny you should say that.  I bought the soundtrack long before I saw
most of the scenes in which the songs appear.  I had a ball imagining what
the scenes would be like, but I was often disppointed with reality.

Oh, the Mounties singing on the train are fine for me, but I had envisioned
"Ride Forever" playing while we saw Mounties riding.  I had this clear image
of Ray trying to ride along while the Mountie all did their thing, even a
nice slow-mo shot where Ray kinda gets into it.

I thought for *sure* "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" happened
during some sort of UFO sighting, and once again I saw Ray staring up at the
skies with his mouth open and his big green eyes wide.

Manna

In a message dated 9/20/99 10:42:20 AM Central Daylight Time,
vicki@... writes:

<<
  Just thought I'd see if there's any interest in doing one of these circular
  redbreasted bird things... if so... then Manna has kindly offered to get it
  going for me... It might be nice to have a community project...
   >>
Sounds like a good idea to me.  I've never been in a Round Robin before but
I'm willing to give it a try if anyone else is.  Count me in.

SandyR

Least fave ep? You mean besides the entire last season?:-) Okay, I won't
count those. Let's see....

ATQH, without a doubt.  Why?  'Cause it's dumb.  Too little Vecchio, *way*
too much Thatcher and singing Mounties.  Love the song, hate the scene.  Just
a little too "Police Academy" like for me.  As far as I'm concerned, the only
thing good about this episode is that it lead to one of my absolute faves -
R,WorB.

Followed closely on the least fave scale is CH.  Manna is right, it could
have easily been done in one hour and there was way too much of Fraser
running after the little brat.  Only a couple of scenes keep this ep, for me,
out of the bottom slot.  The last scene with Benny and Ray because I find
Fraser's dialogue extremely slashy<g>.  And my fave scene in the ep, namely
Ray and the dominatrix lawyer in the leather bar.(Privately I call this scene
"When Two Doms Clash".:-)

My fave ep?  I can't decide.  At least a dozen people have asked me this
question and I've probably given a dozen different answers. *sigh*  I have
deep affection for "The Deal" because it was the first ep that took the
Vecchio character really seriously.  But then there's the VS/LG/North
trilogy(I know it's four hours but it is three episode so I call it a
Trilogy.  At least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.:-)  For me, these
three episodes have more character development than most of the rest of the
episodes combined.  (Also, I don't know how anyone can watch them and not
fall head over heels for Vecchio.  But that's just me.  I'm the first to
admit that I don't have a whole lot of objectivity on certain subjects.<g>)
Then there's "The Duel" which it terrific.  And R,WorB, as I mentioned
above....

No, you see, I can't do it.  With the exception of ATQH, I can find something
in every episode that I absolutely adore.  So I'll just quit waffling about
it, shall I?:-)

SandyR

>Benny was made to look
>a bit stupid in this one.

Well, in real life, everyone looks a little stupid sometimes. Why should Ben
get to be a complete Super-Mountie every ep?

>The one bright spot was Ray dressed as a Mountie, and his thoroughly rude
>behaviour to the guests arriving at the consulate!

He looks so adorable in serge...that's our reward for putting up with
Katherine.

>I came across the scene in VS when Dief is shot.
>I've always been intrigued by how .. Benny runs back to the >apartment, and
>Ray drives back .. passing Benny on the way [as we >see] ... yet Ray
>arrives
>at the apartment about 10/15 seconds *after* Benny ... and at a run >as
>well!
>How come he didn't beat Benny back ...??!  :o)

Probably the same way that Francesca's earring magically reappears after she
took it off to talk on her cell in Vault right before she goes into the
bank.

As for my least favorite ep....I not sure which one that is. I'm inclined to
say Flashback, but I loved all the slashy moments they stuck in between the
old news, so that's not it. Hmmm...I'll have to think about it.

AbBy
nOrmaL

>From: "Voyagerbabe ---{--{--@" <voyagerbabe@...>

I'm sending this reponse to the list.  If in future you prefer your feedback
offlist, please let me know.  If you would also like more detailed
beta-reading offlist, let me know.  If you have a gorgeous unmarried guy
friend that you think might like me, let me know.

>Fraser/Vecchio? (not sure how to mark this…you’ll see what I mean)

From what I've been able to see, referring to Vecchio in this fashion is a
clear signal you mean RayV as opposed to RayK.

>Well, there it is.  My first slash story.

Well, you do the UST thing well...from poor Ray's POV, anyway.  ;-)

Courtesy of Manna
>LaDroit’s "The
>Fan", which got me believing it could happen without crucifying character.

::gasps at compliment, then smiles::

>I admit I couldn’t bring myself to do it ‘all the way’, as in a full-blown
>relationship, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to.  I’m pretty
>certain that there is no way on God’s green Earth (or purple Mars, or any
>other planet of any other color) I will be able to ever write a sex scene
>in
>slash…I kinda skip over those parts when I’m reading anyway.  Personally, I
>get a little squicky, and I don’t think you can write it if you don’t enjoy
>it.

Well, I don't see why you should write sex scenes if you don't wanna,
frankly.  There are lots of nice G-rated slash stories out there, and I
enjoy them when they deal with serious aspects of the m/m or f/f
relationship.  It's the same reason why I'll read a G-rated het story.  My
favorite all-time fanfic writer, believe it or not, writes stories with no
sex or "relationship" slant at all!

If you're interested in exploring the possibility of love between Ray and
Benny that goes beyond friendship, you shouldn't feel any pressure to have a
sex scene.  Personally, two hot guys getting it on is sexy to me, but I can
certainly see why it's not everyone's cup of bark tea.

Why not take up some non-sexual issue in the relationship, like how they
have so much trouble talking to each other?  Or how Benny knows he annoys
Ray but can't stop?  Or whatever interests you?

>Those of you who have been reading slash longer than two weeks, please, I
>am
>posting it to this list because I want a completely unadulterated opinion.
>Should I stick to pure het (which I have been told I do extremely well) ,
>or
>do I show some small promise dabbling in this genre?

Well, in all honesty I hate the genre of death fic, and you're torturing my
beautiful Ray.  Your twist at the end seems like a joke on the reader.  When
I saw how this was going, I wasn't happy...but that's a testiment itself to
the fact that you made me *want* them to live happily ever after.  After
all, they deserve it!

You know, though, I think you have a great opportunity.  If you're
interested in doing slash but *not* in doing the sex, you should continue to
write slash simply to see where it takes you.  You might find why you've got
the itch to explore that relationship, and from your writing I'll bet you'll
end up someplace very interesting indeed!

Manna

>Most fave ep?
My *fave* episode is North.... followed by The Deal

And I must admit I find it hard to dislike Flashback, because that was the
first episode of DS I ever saw .. so I can't dislike the episode that got me
hooked!

Julie

>On another matter ...
>Watching one of my DS compilation tapes earlier today I came across the
>scene
>in VS when Dief is shot.
>I've always been intrigued by how .. Benny runs back to the apartment, and
>Ray drives back .. passing Benny on the way [as we see] ... yet Ray arrives
>at the apartment about 10/15 seconds *after* Benny ... and at a run as
>well!
>How come he didn't beat Benny back ...??!  :o)
>
>Julie
>

Because Benny got out his SuperMountie cape and flew up the stairs, of
course!

Manna

>From: "Vicki" <vicki@...>
>
>Least fave ep of all time = Flash back... I felt cheated...

Oh, I hear that!  I also have a personal grudge against this ep since I saw
up before most of the things it "flashbacked," and thus it ruined the
endings of those shows!

However, it does have some lovely slashy moments!

>wanted more from it... but the blooper reel at the end was good... would
>have been better to have an hour of bloopers than that drivel... In fact I
>would LOVE an hour of bloopers.

Yes, the bloopers are so great.

>The opposite of this of course is my fave epi of all time... this one I
>don't find difficult to answer at all... In fact it's the easiest question
>you could ever ask me...
>
>JIB... Why? cos it's fabulous...well written...well acted... great story
>line and gives OFCD chance to shine as we all know he does...

"North" is better.

Manna

Manna asked:
>What's your least favourite episode, and why?

My own least favourite episode cannot be split between two!  ATQH bores me
silly. And there's  not even Ray there to wake me up! Someone somewhere else
said of Ray in this episode that he could have been a cardboard cut out, and
you wouldn't know. Because he was like a reluctant addition to the plot in
this one.I don't like Thatcher and she's in this too much. This isn't really
Due South, it's like a Fraser and Thatcher fantasy for one week only! :o)
The other one is Invitation to Romance. Again .. too little Ray, and I can
only stomach about 10 minutes of that awful Katherine. Benny was made to look
a bit stupid in this one. I agree with other people who've said that about
this episode.
The one bright spot was Ray dressed as a Mountie, and his thoroughly rude
behaviour to the guests arriving at the consulate!  ["What's the matter?
Y'gotta bad arm? Open the door y'self!"  -- hee hee!]

On another matter ...
Watching one of my DS compilation tapes earlier today I came across the scene
in VS when Dief is shot.
I've always been intrigued by how .. Benny runs back to the apartment, and
Ray drives back .. passing Benny on the way [as we see] ... yet Ray arrives
at the apartment about 10/15 seconds *after* Benny ... and at a run as well!
How come he didn't beat Benny back ...??!  :o)

Julie

Least fave ep of all time = Flash back... I felt cheated...

I hate re run epis I think we deserve more than those... you KNOW that
they're only done to save money after all...

but especially when it's the last (what was going to be) ever episode... I
wanted more from it... but the blooper reel at the end was good... would
have been better to have an hour of bloopers than that drivel... In fact I
would LOVE an hour of bloopers.

other than that it's the last 5 minutes of COTW which really wound me up...
but then I did come up with my own explanation for that... so in a way it
was good that it was so crap...

The opposite of this of course is my fave epi of all time... this one I
don't find difficult to answer at all... In fact it's the easiest question
you could ever ask me...

JIB... Why? cos it's fabulous...well written...well acted... great story
line and gives OFCD chance to shine as we all know he does...

RF

Vic
-----Original Message-----
From: Manna LaDroit <mannaladroit@...>
To: RideForever@onelist.com <RideForever@onelist.com>
Date: 20 September 1999 17:13
Subject: [RideForever] Least fave up?


>From: "Manna LaDroit" <mannaladroit@...>
>
>All right, let's get some healthy negativity going around here.  What's
your
>least favorite episode, and why?
>
>Mine is "Chicago Holiday."  For one thing, it's far too long, and should
>never have been a two-hour ep.  Yes, it has that lovely Holly Cole music,
>but Fraser looks like a Duffus for most of it, I find the girl-daughter
>irritating, and Ray is fairly worthless.  He couldn't even find the list on
>the matchbook himself.  I'd still rather watch it than any episode of
>"Friends," but I do wish they'd made it a one-hour and put maybe one more
>Cole song in there.
>
>Manna
>
>>Pouring liberal quantities of oil on the flames
>http://www.due-south.currantbun.com/list.htm
>

-----Original Message-----
From: Icecat62 <dmanahl@...>
To: RideForever@onelist.com <RideForever@onelist.com>
Date: 20 September 1999 17:14
Subject: [RideForever] rules


>From: Icecat62 <dmanahl@...>
>
>I know I am being a bit dense here. but I thought originally this place
>was supposed to be a free for all forum. Flames and otters, etc.
>Anything goes. Now I read my e-mail and there is a list of rules. Is
>this neticate? Just asking...just curious. Not attempting to start
>anything here...but.........
>


Ummm free for all ... up to a point... The only exception is the personal
flame law... and that's pretty lax... Say what you like by all means... I
won't be shouting at people... I might occasionally put out a 'friendly
warning' ie cool it it's getting out of hand and ppl are going to get
hurt... but that's all I'll be doing unless I feel someone is being
intentionally cruel to an individual... and I might feel bound to step in...

The rule will only ever be inforced if people tell me that they are upset...

I'm *trying* to keep this rule free but you guys aren't making this very
easy....

RF

Vic.



>>Pouring liberal quantities of oil on the flames
>http://www.due-south.currantbun.com/list.htm
>

Having been one of the people to break the rules (Vicki told me to cool it,
she was right, I did, life goes on), I thought I'd jump in, though
doubtlessly Vicki will say it better.

You can say whatever you want here, but if the others on the list tell you
you're hurting feelings and generally spoiling the fun, you're expected to
be nice enough to stop.  Someone who has nothing to say and just wants to
insult people and spoil everyone's good times will be asked by Vicki to
stop.

So she's discouraging personal flames.

When Vicki and I talked about this list before she set it up, we had both
been chastized on another list for teasing each other a little.  It was all
in good fun, until we were told we were being insensitive.

The idea of this list isn't to promote cruelty, but to provide a free forum.
   As long as we have something to say and aren't purposefully trying to be a
jerk for no reason, I think we're fine.

Uhhhhh.  Right, Vic?

Manna

I know I am being a bit dense here. but I thought originally this place
was supposed to be a free for all forum. Flames and otters, etc.
Anything goes. Now I read my e-mail and there is a list of rules. Is
this neticate? Just asking...just curious. Not attempting to start
anything here...but.........

All right, let's get some healthy negativity going around here.  What's your
least favorite episode, and why?

Mine is "Chicago Holiday."  For one thing, it's far too long, and should
never have been a two-hour ep.  Yes, it has that lovely Holly Cole music,
but Fraser looks like a Duffus for most of it, I find the girl-daughter
irritating, and Ray is fairly worthless.  He couldn't even find the list on
the matchbook himself.  I'd still rather watch it than any episode of
"Friends," but I do wish they'd made it a one-hour and put maybe one more
Cole song in there.

Manna

Title:Thunder Only happens when it’s Raining.
Author: Victoria West
Rating: PG or NC17 (Please miss out PART 2 for PG version)
Code: BF/F(Tor - Yes she’s back) RV/MT
Disclaimer. Not mine.
Archive: yes but tell me where. DuSC and RSY of course.
Series :The series that wouldn’t die WHETHER OR NOT PART 10 ... follows from
Somewhere under the Sun... (But there is a nod to Cycle of the Seasons.)
Notes: This story is the result of my writer’s block on another story... but
somehow I managed to write this... in the process of doing so I have got the
other story going again...
This was kinda written on demand... the reason it’s got 2 ratings is that
the demands varied so much. The general consensus was write another Tor
story... but the ratings varied from G to NC 17... so that’s what I’ve
done... PG apart from part 2. but if you miss part 2 the story will not be
compromised much.

THERE IS ONE USE OF 'THE F WORD' in this part...

*****

“Hello.”

“Tor?” Meg asked cautiously down the phone.

“Yeah it’s me...”

“So that’s why Ben’s been walking round in a dream all day.”

“Is he not pulling his weight?”

“Oh no... he is... but it’s just with this inane grin on his face... It’s
great to hear your voice.”

“Yours too.”

“How’ve you been?”

“You’re going to want the entire story, aren’t you?”

“Me gossip.” Meg sounded vaguely astonished be the idea.

“Yeah you... gossip.”

“Well maybe I’d like the edited highlights.”

“As I thought... can you get away for coffee?”

“Yeah... I’ve just got to write a coupla letters first. Shall we say Luigi’s
in an hour?”

“OK. That’d be great... cos I’ve got to pack up all Charlotte’s stuff... an
hour it is.”

****

“...So anyway Ben arrived and I went off at him... you know the kinda
thing... ‘You don’t love me... you’re a crap husband’ a complete load of
shite and all of a sudden he shouts ‘WOULD YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP!’”

A few people looked round at the small, centrally situated table where Meg
and Tor were sitting. Tor blushed but Meg remained unphased. She gave the
onlookers an icy stare and they soon went back to drinking their coffee.

Once the reaction had settled down Meg spoke. “He used ‘the F word’?”

Tor nodded. “Very loudly.”

“This is Benton Fraser we are talking about.. not the generator repair guy.”

“Benton Fraser, no less, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who first came
to Chicago on the tra--”

“Yeah I think the entire city knows the rest.” Meg interrupted. “And after
that you decided to come back?”

“No after that I cried for two days straight. But that’s what finally got
through to me. I’ve never been the type to cry and having someone swear at
me? Well that’s just not like me.”

“So what did you do?”

“Decided I needed help. So I came back and checked myself into the hospital.
Three weeks later the pills are beginning to work and I suddenly realise I
want to go home. Home to Ben and the girls... not to some crappy hut in the
middle of nowhere. Going home... now that took some guts. I had this image
of Beth hating me and Ben throwing me out of the house.”

“But that didn’t happen?”

“No... no I couldn’t have been more wrong. Beth’s a bit clingy at the
moment, but that’s understandable and I think I’ve been spoiling her a
bit... and Ben keeps telling me how sorry he is that he didn’t notice that
there was something wrong.”

“So things are all right between you then... you know what I mean?” Meg
nodded in a knowing way.

Tor blushed smiled. “Does it show?”

“It shows.” Meg smiled back.

“So how’s the Vecchio household holding up then?”

“Ray’s great. I can’t think why I didn’t realise it years ago. He’s so kind
and caring. He may not be an oil painting but he’s so... oh I don’t know...
he’s so Ray.” Meg glowed.

“Huh” Tor grinned. “An oil painting don’t keep you warm on a cold Chicago
night does it?”

Meg laughed. “That’s too true... Sexy, well dressed Italians... now there’s
another story.”

Tor grinned and raised an eyebrow causing Meg to blush the colour of her
dress uniform and she hid her face with the pretence of drinking the last
dregs of her coffee.

Charlotte cried. Tor grabbed a bottle out of the bag and was settling
herself into a comfortable position to feed her when Meg piped up. “Can I?”

“Sure.” Tor answered and passed her child across to her friend. Tor watched
Meg feeding Charlotte and noted the look in her eye. You could practically
hear Meg’s maternal clock ticking...

***3 Months Later***

Meg walked out of the bathroom and practically threw the strip at Ray.
“Negative... I don’t know why I get my hopes up...”

“Because you’re human Meg... come here.” Ray held his hand out to his wife
and she walked slowly towards him.

“I’m sorry Ray... You know it’s not fair... All those years of using
contraception trying desperately hard not to get pregnant... Huh... I needn’
t have bothered.” She sat on the bed next to him and rested her head on his
shoulder.

He kissed the top of her head. “It’ll happen Meg... we’ve just got to be a
bit patient is all...”

Meg’s voice cracked as she started to cry. “I’ve not got all that much time
left Ray. If it doesn’t happen soon it’ll never happen.”

“It’ll happen... It will.”

“How do you know? You some kinda expert all of a sudden.”

“Meg! Do you think that getting angry with me’ll help?”

“No. I’m sorry.” Meg buried her head in his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“Look why don’t you talk to Tor. She might know something that might
  help...”

“I couldn’t ask Tor.”

“Why not? She’s your best friend... she’s a doctor... seems sensible to me.”

“She’ll tell Ben.”

“Would that be so bad... maybe I feel like talking to someone about it.”

“Do you?”

“I don’t know... maybe... Meg... I do love you, you know... I want you to be
happy and I want you to have our baby but if it doesn’t happen I won’t stop
loving you. You do know that don’t you?”

“I know it... It’s still nice to hear you say it though.”

Ray tilted her chin up so that her eyes met his. “Dragon Lady. I love YOU.”

“I love you too. Detective Armarni.”

“How’d you find out about that?” Ray smiled at the name that Benny had once
used for him.

“Oh Tor and I talk about everything.”

“What everything...?”

“EVERYTHING.”

“Then you won’t have any trouble talking about this then will you?”

Ray had backed her into a corner and she finally agreed to talk to Tor.

*****

“...So we were considering IVF.”

Tor shook her head. “ You do like to jump in at the deep end don’t you?
There are several options before you get to IVF... “

“Such as?”

“Well there’s the fun option...”

“Which is...?”

“Trying a bit longer... you’ve only been trying for six months.”

“Other than that?”

“Well firstly you might try some fertility drugs. A lot simpler than IVF...
that is of course if the problem’s yours... It could be his you know.”

“I know... we thought of that... he’s normal... he’s been checked out.”

“As opposed to you who’s an alien from another planet?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah I know what you mean. I just don’t like you thinking of yourself as
‘not normal’.”

“Even if I’m not?”

“Who says you’re not. As I understand it your tests came back normal too.”

“Yeah well....”

“Well what?”

“Well nothing... so what’s the next step.”

“Well if you ain’t going to go for the natural method, what you want is some
kinda follicle stimulating drug...”

“And how do I get some of that?”

“You make an appointment to see your OBGYN.”

“Uh hu.”

“And then they will take it from there.”

“Uh hu... and then what?”

“Then you have to go at it like rabbits and keep your fingers crossed....”

“That part I think we can manage. But what if that doesn’t work...”

“Then you think about the other options...”

“IVF?”

“Amongst others, but most people don’t need it honestly.”

“With my luck?”

“Look my advice is cross that bridge when you come to it... for now... make
an appointment with your own doctor.”

“Tor?”

“Uh hu?”

“You won’t tell Ben will you?”

Not if you don’t want me too... but I have a feeling he knows something...
he and Ray do talk you know?”

“I know, I know.”

*****

END OF PART 3


-Proud, Diligent keeper of the Riv's cigarette lighter, also Ben's ever
useful
annoyingness. OFM's electrocution (not) and the infamous *SWEEEEEEEEEEP*
Proud, if un co-ordinated member of the duesettes
Founder member of the 1st international DS musical ride.
http://www.due-south.currantbun.com


-Proud, Diligent keeper of the Riv's cigarette lighter, also Ben's ever
useful
annoyingness. OFM's electrocution (not) and the infamous *SWEEEEEEEEEEP*
Proud, if un co-ordinated member of the duesettes
Founder member of the 1st international DS musical ride.
http://www.due-south.currantbun.com

NB THIS IS THE NC 17 PART... MISS OUT FOR PG VERSION...

Title:Thunder Only happens when it’s Raining.
Author: Victoria West
Rating: PG or NC17 (Please miss out PART 2 for PG version)
Code: BF/F(Tor - Yes she’s back) RV/MT
Disclaimer. Not mine.
Archive: yes but tell me where. DuSC and RSY of course.
Series :The series that wouldn’t die *WHETHER OR NOT* PART 10 ... follows
from Somewhere under the Sun... (But there is a nod to Cycle of the
Seasons.)
Notes: This story is the result of my writer’s block on another story... but
somehow I managed to write this... in the process of doing so I have got the
other story going again...
This was kinda written on demand... the reason it’s got 2 ratings is that
the demands varied so much. The general consensus was write another Tor
story... but the ratings varied from G to NC 17... so that’s what I’ve
done... PG apart from part 2. but if you miss part 2 the story will not be
compromised much.

*****

He swung round and kissed her so forcibly that she was still reeling in
shock when he came up for air. “I love you... Please don’t leave me
  again...”

“I’m not going anywhere... ever... I promise.” she paused for a moment
before adding. “Ben?”

“What?”

“Could you kiss me like that again?”

He smiled down at her and kissed her deeply. She shuffled down so that she
was lying on the bed, bringing him with her. She wrapped her arms round his
neck and her hands into his dark thick hair. It wasn’t long before he was
unbuttoning the buttons on her flannel pyjamas. She returned the favour by
pulling at his thick red plaid shirt. A couple of buttons popped off but for
once the Mountie didn’t notice. His mind was on quite other things. He’d
forgotten how tiny she was. So perfect, but so tiny. He’d forgotten how her
skin felt, but he’d never forgotten her smell. He rested his face against
the skin of her neck and inhaled deeply filling his lungs with her scent. It
was as if a drowning man was offered one last breath of air. It was
necessary for his very being.

She let her hands wander down his back. How could she have forgotten how
good this felt. He was hers and she was his. It was a vow they had taken
before their friends and their God. She meant every word of that vow. To
think that she’d almost broken it. But now everything was right again. She
was naked in his arms once more. Her body was hungry for him, her soul
parched. She stooped her head down so that she could kiss his mouth once
more. She needed him to kiss her. She needed to feel that he wanted this as
much as she did. She got all the answers she wanted. His hunger was obvious.
He trailed his tongue into her mouth, tracing every inch...

He pulled his undershirt roughly over his head. The feel of his skin against
hers alone was enough to bring her to the verge of orgasm and when his arms
came round her and lifted her off the bed towards him, she crossed that
verge. It was enough for her... but there was to be more. There was  to be
no going back.

Something caused Ben to hesitate, but the communication channels were at
last completely clear. She understood his hesitation and managed to breathe
‘It’s OK... The pill..’ into his ear.  He kissed away her words and then let
his mouth wander to her neck. As his lips gently touched there, her body
spasmed, and relaxed. After a few seconds he looked down at her. She looked
up at him expectantly. He entered her, before rolling over, allowing her to
take control. She kissed his face as the wave of passion took over... and as
they came down together he wrapped her up in his embrace. Yes, she was home
at last.

****

-Proud, Diligent keeper of the Riv's cigarette lighter, also Ben's ever
useful
annoyingness. OFM's electrocution (not) and the infamous *SWEEEEEEEEEEP*
Proud, if un co-ordinated member of the duesettes
Founder member of the 1st international DS musical ride.
http://www.due-south.currantbun.com

Title:Thunder Only happens when it’s Raining.
Author: Victoria West
Rating: PG or NC17 (Please miss out PART 2 for PG version)
Code: BF/F(Tor - Yes she’s back) RV/MT
Disclaimer. Not mine.
Archive: yes but tell me where. DuSC and RSY of course.
Series :The series that wouldn’t die *WHETHER OR NOT* PART 10 ... follows
from Somewhere under the Sun... (But there is a nod to Cycle of the
Seasons.)
Notes: This story is the result of my writer’s block on another story... but
somehow I managed to write this... in the process of doing so I have got the
other story going again...
This was kinda written on demand... the reason it’s got 2 ratings is that
the demands varied so much. The general consensus was write another Tor
story... but the ratings varied from G to NC 17... so that’s what I’ve
done... PG apart from part 2. but if you miss part 2 the story will not be
compromised much.

Thunder Only Happens When It’s Raining.

Tor stood over her daughter’s bed and watched her  as she slept. She’d been
home for less than ten hours and already she couldn’t understand why she had
left.

Ben just stood in the doorway watching. He couldn’t believe that she’d come
back to him. His heart felt light and yet heavy at the same time. He was
angry with himself. How could he have missed what she was going through? He
was supposed to love her. *Love is blind*. Those words kept entering his
head but it  didn’t really seem like an adequate explanation. He should have
known. He knew her so well. Was he so hung up in his new child that he
missed what his wife was going through? He walked across the small room and
stood behind Tor wrapping his arms around her. He finally had her back.

  She leant back against his chest, breathing in his scent that she hardly
remembered. She listened to the sound of his heart. Lub - dub... lub - dub
.. slow and rhythmic... comforting. She turned in his embrace and looked up
into his eyes.

“I’m sorry.” the words left their lips at the same instant, causing them
both to smile.

“No more apologies, Tor, what’s done is done.”

“I don’t think I understand. How can you just forget all that I’ve done to
you, done to Beth, to Lottie?”

“I won’t forget. I won’t forget that I should have been there for you but I
wasn’t... and you won’t forget that you are not invincible.. that sometimes
even you need help. I’d like to be the one that helps you, Tor.”

“I’d like that too.” She reached up and stroked his cheek, he caught her
hand and held it against his skin. She’d touched him, as if for the first
time. He’d never let her go again. Never. For the rest of his life she’d be
his. Sharing his life, sharing his world, sharing his bed. That was it. The
thought of her once more in their bed was enough. He pulled her to him and
kissed her deeply on the mouth. She took a second to respond. He hesitated
slightly but as he did he felt her tongue push it’s way into his mouth. His
Tor was back, mind, soul and body. He picked her tiny frame up and carried
her towards their bedroom. He walked quickly, time was of the essence.

She pulled at the clip that held her hair off her face and threw it with
some force across the room, before running her fingers through her long
blonde hair to allow it to fall freely round her heart shaped face. “Oh God
how could I ever walk out on you?” her voice was breathy.

“How could I ever let you?” His lips met hers again.

“You’re so beautiful....” she looked at him in awe unable to believe that
anything could make her leave this man. Yes, she concluded, she was
certainly certifiable.

He lay her back on the bed and ran his hands through her long hair. He’d
missed the feel of her hair, he’d missed  he feel of her hands, he’d missed
the feel of her skin against his. His hands wandered up and down her body,
reliving every inch of her. Loving every second he spent with her. His body
moved over hers...

“MUMMY.” A voice broke the mood quickly. Tor looked across the room to see
Beth’s form running through the doorway.

“What?!” Ben asked, sounding ever so slightly annoyed. He rolled away from
Tor slightly.

Beth stopped short of the bed. “I...I...I just....” she broke down into
tears, making the guilt in Ben’s heart grow to massive proportions.

Tor sighed and held out her hand to her daughter. “You want to sleep here?”

“Can I?” The little girl’s eyes lit up.

Tor just nodded and Beth leapt onto the bed. Beth wrapped her arms round her
mother and curled up beside her.

Ben leant over and kissed Beth on the forehead and Tor on the lips.

“I’m sorry.” Tor mouthed at Ben. Ben said nothing as he smiled and wrapped
his arms around his wife and pulled her so that her head rested on his
chest. Within minutes both Beth and Tor were asleep and Ben stayed awake
just quietly watching his family.

*****

Tor looked at the clock and stretched. She had slept for fourteen hours. It
was already, way, after noon. She was about to climb out of bed when Ben
entered the room, carrying a tray.

“Morning.” Tor said.

“Afternoon.” Ben replied.

“Don’t you have to be at work?” Tor asked, honestly suprised to see him
there at that hour of the day.

“I took the day off.”

“You did what?”

“I took the day off.”

“Since when did *you* start taking days off?”

“Since I missed the fact that you got so depressed that you had to leave me.
Never let it be said that I don’t learn from my mistakes.”

“I won’t. What’s this.”

“Well I suppose it’s lunch. It was going to be breakfast but I couldn’t
bring myself to wake you.”

Tor took the tray onto her lap and looked at it’s contents. “This looks...
umm...”

Ben looked at the dried up bacon and eggs and finished the sentence for her
“...awful.”

Tor gave a wry smile. “I don’t think it keeps very well...”

“I’ll go and make you something different.” he got up to leave.

“Ben!” Tor called after him.

“What?” he turned in the doorway.

“Come here.” she held out her hand to him and he made his way slowly towards
the bed. “I love you, Ben. I don’t think I’ve told you that since I got
back. Leaving was a mistake... and it wasn’t til I got back that I realised
just how big a mistake it was.... I know how much I hurt you... I mean you
swore at me... I never thought I’d hear you swear at me...”

Ben looked at her, the tears were visible in his eyes. “I could feel you
slipping away. I’m always in control... but when you left... I couldn’t... I
didn’t know how to get you back... I love you... too much... I couldn’t lose
you...”

“You didn’t lose me... I’m here.” Tor pulled Ben towards her so that his
body leant against hers. She brushed his hair away from his face and leant
over and kissed his forehead, “I’m here.” she repeated.

***End of part one..***


Comments welcome as always (good bad and downright ugly)

RF

Vic.

-Proud, Diligent keeper of the Riv's cigarette lighter, also Ben's ever
useful
annoyingness. OFM's electrocution (not) and the infamous *SWEEEEEEEEEEP*
Proud, if un co-ordinated member of the duesettes
Founder member of the 1st international DS musical ride.
http://www.due-south.currantbun.com

Results of the archive vote.

3 votes Public archive.
2 votes archive public or members only (no preference)
1 vote No archives.

And I guess the rest of you don't want to use your democratic right...(g)

So the public archives get reapplied...

I've deleted what was on them up to now... that will NOT happen in the
future. If you say something you will therefore have to take responsibility
for it...

RF

Vic.
-Proud, Diligent keeper of the Riv's cigarette lighter, also Ben's ever
useful
annoyingness. OFM's electrocution (not) and the infamous *SWEEEEEEEEEEP*
Proud, if un co-ordinated member of the duesettes
Founder member of the 1st international DS musical ride.
http://www.due-south.currantbun.com

IS that how it's spelt...???

Just thought I'd see if there's any interest in doing one of these circular
redbreasted bird things... if so... then Manna has kindly offered to get it
going for me... It might be nice to have a community project...

RF

Vic.(ListMum)

-Proud, Diligent keeper of the Riv's cigarette lighter, also Ben's ever
useful
annoyingness. OFM's electrocution (not) and the infamous *SWEEEEEEEEEEP*
Proud, if un co-ordinated member of the duesettes
Founder member of the 1st international DS musical ride.
http://www.due-south.currantbun.com