The Kaleidoscope Eyes Challenge: In My Life

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

559 words. I can't listen to this song without a bit of melancholy. I think that's where this story came from.



“A friend is someone who won't stop until he finds you and brings you home.” The journal of Robert Fraser


[Mid-morning. The only customer is deep into his third beer when a mountie enters the bar.]

"I’ve been looking for you."

[The mountie takes a stool as the bartender brings him coffee.]

"Congratulations, although it took you long enough."

"I didn’t say it was easy."

"Where’s the challenge in that? Still, I suppose you’ve turned into a decent tracker."

"Not as good as you, of course."

"Of course. However did you manage it?"

"My usual blend of skill and luck. Skill because I can drive a sled through this weather - "

"I admit that you are more skilled with a sled..."

"And luck because the bartender called me five days ago."

"Why’d he do that?"

"Because he’s never seen you finish a single beer. He called me after you ordered your fourth one on Monday."

"I have every reason in the world to get drunk. I’m thinking about doing it often."

"Fine, but you can get drunk later. Right now I believe we have a job to do."

"We? I don’t think so."

"I do. You’ll need my help if you’re going to find him."

"Already did. I know exactly where Muldoon is."

"Then you’ll need my help to bring him in."

"No. Definitely not."

"You aren’t going after him without backup."

"Don’t need backup. Don’t need to go after him at all."

"Why not?"

"Because he’s at the bottom of Six Mile Canyon. Without the benefit of climbing gear."

"How did it happen?"

"You know, I’m not altogether certain. We were fighting. One minute he was laughing at me, the next minute... I’m not altogether certain that I didn’t push him."

"I am. Bob Fraser is capable of many things, but not murder."

"Bob Fraser wasn’t. I don’t think I’ve been Bob Fraser for some time."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Go back to work, I suppose. That’s the only thing I know how to do."

"And what about Benton?"

"He’s fine with my parents. They’ll do a good job with him."

"He needs to be with you."

"He needs to be with people who can take care of him. I can’t. Not any more."

"Bob, he’s young and he’s already lost his mother."

"I’ve lost my wife, Buck. I’ve lost my Caroline."

"So you’re going to let Muldoon take Benton's father away as well?"

"I will not put the only thing I have left of her at risk. I won’t make him a target. No, he’ll stay with my parents. He’ll have a normal childhood and a normal life. Caroline - Caroline wanted that for him more than anything."

"And he can’t get that with you?"

"Not even close."

"Bob, I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I didn’t tell you this is the worst decision you’ve ever made. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life."

"Maybe. Maybe so. But not as much as I’d regret it if something happened to him. He’ll be safe."

"He’ll be miserable. And he’ll turn out just like you. Face facts, Bob. Caroline and Benton are the only reason you have even a passing acquaintance with normal."

"Nothing will ever be normal again."

[the quiet sound of a man sobbing echoed in the bar]

Comments

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Marginally difficult to read because of a lack of quotation marks, but well worth it. I think the quiet desperation is very clear, as is the affection and friendship between the two men. I wish he'd taken Buck's advice.
Face facts, Bob. Caroline and Benton are the only reason you have even a passing acquaintance with normal.
And that is a wonderful line, one among many.

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

I knew I forgot something. I usually add the quotes later. Thanks for the reminder!

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

BTW Thanks - quiet desperation was the idea.

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

I think Welsh is as close to normal as dS gets. Everyone else is pretty damn quirky! And you're right - that is what makes the show so much fun to watch.

[dracostella.livejournal.com]

Very good. I liked this a lot.
Like Buck a lot.

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

If Fraser is in his mid 30s, and Bob was 57 when he died (as per Gordon Pinsent's page...) that makes Bob in his mid 20s when Caroline was killed. I wonder what decision anyone else would have made under the circumstances.

[dracostella.livejournal.com]

Wow, I never thought of it that way. Bob was quite young when Caroline died... (and wow, he was with Buck longer than he was with Caroline...)

[akite.livejournal.com]

At first I thought it was Ray and Fraser up until:
"Because he’s at the bottom of Six Mile Canyon. Without the benefit of climbing gear."
Then I got on the clue bus and figured out it was Bob and Buck. I must be still in a turkey coma. ::g:: Good one, Ches.

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

I coulldn't think of any way to get their names in there earlier - other than Fraser's "Ray Ray Ray" chant, most people just don't talk that way.

Thank you.

[imkalena.livejournal.com]

Nicely done, but very sad to ponder what it must have been like for Bob then, to lose his wife and his guiding principles both. *sigh*

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

I've always had an urge to kick Dead Bob in the head - I wanted to see things in a different way. Now if you read a Ray/Ray story from me, you'll know I've conquered all! Thanks.

[imkalena.livejournal.com]

I've always had an urge to kick Dead Bob in the head

You know what? I've always felt the same way. He was the adult, dammit!

[maj-cliffhanger.livejournal.com]

Boy, I am being blown away by the talen here. Another unexpect twist on the challenge - taking us in a completely unexpected direction. I think thats what I like best in fics - the unpredictable element is what helps to keep the show new and fresh. This was a mostexcellent look at Bob and Buck - and I thought perfectly in character. Poor Bob... - Janice

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

A friend says my fan fiction is a pretty good indication that I'm bi-polar. Personally, I think being a little moody is a good thing! Thank you!

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! That was just terrific. Very insightful.

(and writing Ray/Ray would be a good thing!)

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I just wasn't convinced that I could channelDead Bob and Buck as young men - I didn't want them to sound too world-weary yet.