This fic comes with a soundtrack, of which some songs semi-inspired it (or at least the mood of it) and others I chose afterwards to fit with the theme. To listen, go to: 8tracks dot com slash alex_laramie slash if-you-love-her-let-her-go ((points if you can guess what film they're watching))

When Frankie answered her door, it was to see Andy, wearing his best jeans and carrying their takeaway of choice for the night - fish and chips. They had arranged to meet up for dinner after work, a few days after he and Ian had been round on the same day. There had been a tension between them then that she had never really seen before. It was sweet that Andy was angry on her behalf, though she suspected there was another reason for their antagonism.

Frankie smiled and stepped back to let Andy in. "Hello, you," she said fondly.

As he entered, Andy paused in front of her. Giving her time to back away, he leant forward to give her a slightly lingering kiss on the cheek before making his way through the hall into the kitchen. She followed him, watching happily from the doorway as he dug out plates and cutlery. The fact that he knew his way around her kitchen so well gave her a fuzzy feeling inside.

There was only the unwrapping of chips to be done now, so Frankie sat opposite her best friend at the table and peeled away the paper, nearly burning her fingers once or twice. They tucked in, discussing their patients of the day. When they had finished, they left the plates in the sink on top of Frankie's breakfast bowl and teacup.

With the chips a warm weight inside her, Frankie turned to suggest they watch TV when Andy, a solid presence on the tiled floor, said, "I love you."

Frankie smiled at him affectionately. "I know."

But Andy took a step closer and said more urgently, "No, Frankie... I'm in love with you."

Frankie put a hand on his upper arm, and her smile turned more sad. "I know," she said again, gently. "I'm sorry."

This was all she needed to say; Andy nodded and dropped his eyes to his feet, as though resigning himself to love unrequited. Frankie rubbed his arm with her thumb, her heart aching in sympathy, until Andy seemed to steel himself, straightening his spine and meeting her gaze again.

"But more importantly," he continued, "you are my best friend and I will always be grateful for that." He pulled her into a hug and she squeezed back tightly, standing on tiptoe to rest her chin on his shoulder.

"Come on," she prompted after a moment. "Let's go stick the telly on."

Frankie drew the living room curtains against the darkness and they settled down in front of the TV, bickering good-naturedly about what to watch. They ended up with a fantasy film that was just starting on a movie channel.

The narrator began to speak melodically over the night sky on the screen. Out of the corner of her eye, Frankie saw Andy looking at her, and when she glanced at him a moment later (when his gaze had returned to the film, his eyes lit by the image of the moon) she saw a beautiful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. She nudged him playfully with her elbow and they shared a grin.

Half an hour into the film, Andy asked carefully, "Do you think you'll get back with Ian?"

After a moment's thought, Frankie shook her head. "I don't think so. I just don't... don't feel as though I can trust him, you know? He was supposed to be the person I could always rely on and it seems I can't."

"I'm not asking because I - um... I'm just curious." He watched her nervously for a few seconds, biting his bottom lip. "Frankie... I'm sorry I kissed you, just out of the blue like that. I shouldn't have."

"Don't worry, I forgive you," she said at once. "I do love you, you know, " she added, snuggling closer into his side.

Andy rested his head on top of hers and smiled. "I know."