Title:Team Canada V Team Chicago PD
Fandom: Due South
Rating: NC17
Length: 1185
Content notes: Written for the Teamwork challenge, challenge 65
Author notes: We should all take a leaf out of Ray's book, we should do something to help others.s
Summary: Ray takes it upon himself to help a family in need.



Ray was stuck in traffic, Ray hated traffic. He was singing along to the song that was currently playing on the radio, but then something caught his eye. A woman was standing outside the door of a doctor’s office sobbing her heart out. No one stopped to ask if she was alright, so Ray pulled over and made his way over to her. “Miss, are you OK?” he asked.

Her huge brown eyes, red from crying, met his and her breath hitched when she answered, “I don’t know, I really don’t know?”

Looking around Ray spotted a coffee shop, so he suggested, “Look, I’m Detective Ray Kowalski, why don’t we go for coffee or something and maybe see if I can help?”

Taking in a huge gulp of air she nodded before speaking, “That would be great, thank you Detective Kowalski.”

Ray took her by the arm to help steady her and lead her across the road. “Call me Ray,” he said, “and it’s no trouble at all.”

Once inside the coffee shop Ray asked the manager, “Is there anywhere more private we can sit?” He showed his badge and continued, “She is very upset and I want to try and help her.”

The manager looked with pity in her eyes and nodded, “Of course, Detective,” she said in a soft voice, “you can use the staff room out the back.”

Only once they were sitting in there with coffee and cake in hand did the upset lady speak properly. Taking a breath she began, “My name is Mary, by the way…I don’t know where to start?”

Placing a hand on her arm, Ray replied, “Start anywhere you feel comfortable with.”

Sipping her coffee, Mary began telling Ray what was upsetting her so much. “I just found out that my baby, my little Hannah, needs another operation and after that she will need two new prosthetic legs. I have no clue how we are going to be able to pay for it, any of it. It’s going to cost thousands and our insurance won’t cover all of it.”

Sitting back in his seat Ray’s mouth went dry at the thought of a child having to through that. His voice matched what he was feeling, “”Do you mind me asking, how old is Hannah?”

Wiping the tears away, Mary showed Ray a picture of a beautiful smiling little girl. “She is four, only four. So we will have to change her legs every few months as she grows.” Mary started sobbing again and couldn’t be calmed until her husband came to collect her. He hadn’t been able to get the day off work as they just couldn’t afford it, as much as he’d wanted to be at the doctor’s with his wife he just couldn’t.

Later that night Ray lay in Ben’s arms telling him the story. “Ben, I want to do something to help. What would you think of organising a quiz night, or something like that to raise money to help them?”

Ben kissed the top of Ray’s head and held him closer. “I think that is a wonderful idea Ray, I am sure all of our friends would be happy to help,” he said.

So, with little Hannah’s parents’ permission, the wheels were set in motion and, before they knew it, every District plus the Canadian Consulate were on board.

So that is how they found themselves in an Irish bar holding the quiz night.

Ray was not happy as he was sat between Turnbull and Ben. Sulking like a child Ray crossed his arms, “Why do I have to be on the Canadian team? I thought it was the Chicago PD against Canada.”

Lieutenant Welsh shook his head, “They are short of team members, so since you have a Canadian cousin and you’re with Fraser now, you’re it Detective.”

Ben placed a hand on Ray’s back. “Don’t worry Ray, I survived all these years so I am sure that you will be fine,” Ben said with the hint of a curve of a smile to his mouth.

Crossing his arms like a child Ray, sighed. “OK, I guess, let’s kick some butt then!”

The quiz master called out the first question. “Who played the role of the first Darren in the TV show Bewitched?”

Everyone was scratching their heads except Ray. He whispered to his team, “It’s Dick York, guys, I know it’s him.”

Inspector Thatcher asked, “Are you sure?”

Nodding, Ray replied, “Yes, ‘cause the second guy was a Dick as well,” which actually got a giggle out of the Ice Queen.

The quiz master then called the second question out. “What is Elton John’s real name?”

Frannie frowned, whispering to her team, “You mean it’s not his real name?” The rest of the team were stuck again and they glanced around, hoping to see someone’s answer.

Turnbull smiled, he knew the answer and he whisped to his team, “It’s Reginald Kenneth Dwight.”

The third question was read out, everyone loved it, “What was Mickey Mouse’s original name?”

Ben knew this one and he leaned in closer so only his team would hear. “It is Mortimer Mouse, did you know that Walt Disney originally wanted…” but Thatcher cut him off.

“Fraser, we don’t have time for a story now, we have to beat these Americans!” she exclaimed.

Ray took offence, “Hey, I am an American!”

Thatcher smiled at him saying, “Not right now, you are on our team now, Team Canada.”

Laughing lightly Ray replied, “Oh yeah.”

Before Ray and Thatcher had chance to go off on the strange banter they’d had ever since the spa thing, Ben replied with, “Very well, Sir, maybe later,” which made the Inspector groan at the thought of another Fraser story.

The questions rolled on and everyone laughed and had fun.

Everyone eagerly waited to hear who had won the quiz and when it was announced that it was the smallest team, Team Canada, they were shocked and even more so when they heard that they got 100% right.

Thatcher asked Ray, “How did you know the Dolce and Gabbana question? I wouldn’t have thought you were into fashion.”

Shaking his head, ray smirked. “Why? Because I dress the way I dress? No I'm not into fashion, but Stella was, she loved D&G, so I knew about it from her.”

The most important thing that came out of that night was the money they'd raised for Hannah. The other Districts organised their own fundraisers like waxing, shaving and dyeing their hair and between them all they raised enough money for the family to pay for what Hannah needed. They even got a donation of a holiday for the family to enjoy when the time was right for them to go on it.

Mary and her husband were overwhelmed by what Ray and the others had done for their family. It gave them another outlook on the Police department and how kind these people who didn’t even know them could be. Mary hoped that she would be lifelong friends with Ray from now on.

The End