TITLE: Constables Are Cops, Too
E-MAIL: eli @ popullus.net
RATING: PG
POSTED: Feb. 7, 2006
SUMMARY: Weeks this long needed to end.
NOTES: For Tracy, who requested Welsh and Fraser.
DISCLAIMER: Read

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A cop was a cop, even if they were a constable. That was maybe the dumbest observation it had ever been Welsh's cross to hear, but it no longer surprised him to hear it. What surprised him was to hear who it came out of this time this time, casual, despite all of its heavy and portentous glory.

"Did someone say that to you, Constable?" he asked with more of a rumble than he usually would have used. It was very wrong to hope that the offender had been Dewey, but it was also very wrong to wish for the mayor to fall into the lake, so Welsh didn't worry about that, either.

Fraser blinked, pure Canadian innocence. Which wasn't all that pure, Welsh knew, especially when it was coming from this Canadian. He sometimes wondered if it was Vecchio or Kowalski who had been the straw that contaminated the Mountie's mind. But then he remembered the bright-eyed, buzz-cut, and dry-as-an-old-uncle guy who'd come down looking for vengeance.

"It's a valid statement, Lieutenant," Fraser said. "Law enforcement officers are charged with doing just that: enforcing the law. The titles and terminology are secondary, although necessary for structure."

"Yeah," Welsh said shortly. He leaned back in his chair until it squeaked and examined the man standing no stiffer than normal in front of him. "I'm willing to wager it wasn't said in that tone, though," he said. "And given the joy that's been running through this station the past week, I will take great pleasure in informing that cop that being a cop isn't a lifetime appointment."

Fraser shook his head, a frown that was deep enough only to come from worry starting between his eyes. "That won't be necessary, Lieuten--"

"Never mind, Fraser," Welsh sighed, deep and headed toward irritated; he was not in the mood to deal delicately. He rose from behind his desk. "I'll tell them all. Something has got to be done to shake up this place -- something that isn't courtesy of our fine elected officials -- and you being the trigger just might keep everything from exploding."

"You think so?" Fraser said.

Welsh scowled at the hint of amusement in Fraser's tone. "Metaphorically, Constable. Even you couldn't manage to blow up this station."

Fraser raised his eyebrows. Welsh felt his scowl lines get even deeper than they had started. "I'd rather that you didn't take that as a challenge," he said.

"Indeed, sir." Fraser stepped back and tilted his head toward the door. "I'll follow you out, then."

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