The Vigil Series

Fraser/Vecchio Fanfiction
Title:	The Vigil Series
Author(s):	Laurie Taylor
Date(s):	1998 or before
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	due South
External Links:	originally at Together (a Due South slash site), now at series on AO3
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The Vigil Series is a Vecchio/Fraser series of stories by Mitch Hudson and Elaine Walker.

Reactions and Reviews

The Vigil series, begun by Elaine and continued by both Elaine and Mitch, consists of six stories so far: The Vigil, Vigilance, Vigilant Life, Vigilant Love, Vigil: Fathers and Sons, and Vigil: Wednesday's Child.

This is a very hard story series to summarize, but basically the series deals with Fraser (I'll refer to him as 'Ben' after this) and Ray and their life as the gay parents of Ben's natural son, Fraser Metcalfe Vecchio (poor kid, with a name like that).

In The Vigil, Victoria is killed by Meg Thatcher when she threatens Ben's life. Ben goes almost catatonic after this, and Ray looks after him while Meg searches for the baby that an autopsy reveals Victoria had. When they get the baby, it does bring Ben out of it, and he and Ray embark upon a relationship.

Vigilance was the third story written, but it comes second in the sequence. Ray tells his family about himself and Ben, and his mother tells him never to come back. He and Ben manage to get a life going despite obstacles like having to deal with outsiders and trying to look after a tiny baby. Then Ray is attacked by gay-bashers while he and Ben are at the park with the baby, but Ben is told he will be okay. Ray's sisters come to see him, and, while Ray's mother does not accept the relationship, she comes to the hospital to pray for Ray.

Vigilant Life picks up where Vigilance left off, with Ray trying to juggle his job, his financial commitments to his family, his commitment to Ben, their commitment to Fraser (the baby), the residual effects of the beating he received, and his fear of living in such a bad neighbourhood. That things do eventually work out--as much as they can in such a complicated story--says a lot for Mitch's writing skill.

Vigilant Love details Ray's mother's final acceptance of his relationship with Ben, and the fact that they have a son.

Fathers and Sons deals with Ben's inability to handle the fact that his mother died and his father left when he was six years old, and he takes it out on his own son, who is approaching the same age. Ben actually leaves for a while, leaving Ray to tend to an understandably confused Fraser.

Wednesday's Child is the saddest story, for a number of reasons. Ray's one mistake (sleeping with Anita Cortez, from the episode The Edge) comes back to haunt him when Anita calls to tell him she's pregnant and can't keep the baby. With Ben's grudging permission he goes to Mexico for the birth, and comes back with his daughter. Ben is understandably hurt and resentful, Ray's family are angry with him but adore the baby, and Fraser protests that he doesn't want a sister. But when the baby dies, everyone rallies around, and Ben finally forgives and comforts Ray.

This is the best fan fiction series I have ever read. It grabs hold of one's heart and just won't let go. The emotions in the series are almost palpable, and every part of each individual story is well-drawn and consistent. Fraser is written as an adorable little thing, and Ben and Ray make wonderful fathers (except for the incident where Ben tells Fraser his mother was a criminal).

Before you ask, yes there is sex in these stories. And while the sex is excellently written and very erotic, it is only a part of the overall story of the life of Benton Fraser, Ray Vecchio and their son.

Maybe the whole thing sounds extremely complicated, but it is truly a wonderful series, and well-worth reading. I would recommend that you read the stories in the order I have given above, although they were not written in that order. Also, check back frequently for more, as Mitch is working on another one, and if I have anything to do with it, Elaine will be writing more as well!