Three steps. That's how long Bridget stalled and almost turned back."What are you afraid of", echoed in her head. Everything. I'm afraid of everything she thought. Afraid of falling in love, afraid of Franky's feelings and afraid for both of their futures. Despite Franky's cold demeanor and harsh words she couldn't help but feel that there was something there. Something more than the flirting and the sexual tension. Actual feelings, maybe even love? She was torn. So torn that she found it hard to sleep at night. So torn that it was hard for her to concentrate on other patients. Francesca Doyle consumed her. She had to fight hard with every fiber of her existence to keep herself from acting on those feelings.

The first time Bridget saw Franky she clammed up for a moment. It happened during a group session in the library. She was talking about self-respect to the women when she saw a tall, dark and an absolutely beautiful human being stroll past the library's large window. The look they gave each other lasted a bit longer then a casual look exchanged between strangers should last. And there was something in Franky's eyes that made Bridget want to hold on to that look. Bridget stammered, forgot what she was talking about. She had heard all the stories about Franky but to actually see her was something else. She knew then that she just had to find out more about this gorgeous woman.

In the kitchen she had almost kissed Franky. If Franky had tried to kiss her, would she have resisted? "No", she said to herself out loud. The way Franky looked at her lips made her want her even more and made her own lips feel like they were burning. She could feel tears rising her eyes. Bridget felt disappointed in herself, mostly because she couldn't keep he feelings in check. She had to get away, right now.

"Fuck", thought Franky. She did it again. She hid her feelings in the fear of being rejected once again and acted like a fool. She fought the urge to run after Bridget and say.."Say what?" "I love you", "Please don't go"? The truth was she didn't really know how she actually felt or what to say to Bridget. But what she did know was that every time Bridget smiled at her or flirted back she had this feeling in her stomach, she felt like puppies in jelly. Seeing Bridget at least once a week during their session kept her going. It was why she got up every morning.

Her feelings were a mess. It started out as flirting and fun, but Franky could feel something deep developing along the way. She flirted because she didn't know what else to say. She felt helpless with Bridget. Franky never really loved anyone in her life so these feelings were all new to her. She had to do something about it. She felt like she needed to let Bridget know that it wasn't all fun and games to her.

Once Bridget got home she took Franky's folder and a drink and sat herself on the sofa. She touched Franky's picture and caressed her face. She knew she did the right thing by giving Franky's case to someone else. There was no way she would jeopardize everything by giving in. She was supposed to be the cool and the calm professional. She was supposed to handle things the right way but this was also all new to her. She had never felt this way about anyone. Of course she had loved and lost before but the butterflies in her stomach were bigger this time. Every time Franky smiled or flirted at her she couldn't help but smile back with a smile from ear to ear, Bridget just couldn't resist her. And when Franky took her hand in the hallway..god.. She just wanted to hold her and tell her that everything´s going to be okay.

The next morning Bridget woke up before her alarm went off. She went for a run to clear her head. She was satisfied with the decision she made. She didn't want anything to come between Franky and her parole. She was content. But she wasn't happy. Not by a long shot. The turmoil inside was starting to catch up, she needed release. She needed the weight to be lifted off her shoulders. But how? The only person who could free her was Franky.

Franky moved her breakfast around, not really hungry. She was hungry for something else. There was something heavy on her chest. Like she needed to let something out. She hadn't seen Bridget for a couple of days and wondered what she was up to. The new shrink was ok, but there was no way Franky would open up to him like she did with Bridget. So Franky played along, said all the right things he wanted to hear. Only a month and her hearing was up. She thought about Bridget constantly.

Franky played all the scenarios in her head, practiced what she would say if they met. Another week went by and no sign of Bridget. It was getting unbearable for Franky. So she asked one of the officers to take her to see the cause of her anxiety.

Bridget sat in her office doing some paperwork. She had already done her report on Franky and passed it on to her colleague. So now she was free, in a way. But she did´t feel free. Completely the opposite. She felt trapped. Trapped by her feelings. She thought it would get easier if she avoided Franky but it didn't help. It got worse with each passing moment.

*knock on the door

"Come in"

An officer opened the door and Franky stepped in. Bridget inhaled deeply and was out of words. Franky looked so beautiful. So strong and vulnerable at the same time. Her dark hair was up and she had on some very dark Franky trademark eye make-up. The white, tight tank top clung to her upper body and contrasted her naturally sun-tanned skin. For a moment all Bridget could do was stare.

"Franky, what are you doing here? We talked about this". It hurt Bridget to say that because she saw how hard Franky was trying, she looked so heartbroken. "Bridget.. we need to talk". "We don´t have any more sessions and I've handed your case forward. So we have nothing to talk about". Bridget saw the pain flash in Franky's eyes and died a little inside for saying that.

Franky shut the door, sat down and started to talk. This was it. This was the first time in her life she was doing something like this and it took all her willpower not to bolt out the door. Bridget just sat there. She couldn't move, she couldn't speak. And she had this look in her eyes that could only be interpreted as caring and hurting at the same time.

"The thing is Bridget. The thing is.. I understand now why you did what you did. It was for both of our sakes." "Franky I.." Bridget felt like her heart would come out her chest soon, it was beating so fast and so hard.

"Just listen Bridget. What you said in the kitchen, I´m sorry for how I reacted. I`m messed up good on the inside, and can't deal with emotions that well, at all actually. But you..you Bridget. You started something inside me. I don´t know actually what it is yet but I know it´s something."

Bridget just stared at her. A single tear streamed down her cheek. Franky felt an urge to kiss that tear away so she stood up and took a couple of steps towards the desk and placed herself between the door and Bridget who was now standing up.

"Franky.. I can`t, please you need to go"

Her voice was almost a whisper. She was was so raw with emotions and shaking all over. Franky just wanted to close the distance and hold her.

Bridget squeezed past Franky and reached for the doorknob. Franky reacted quickly and took a step towards Bridget and took her hand. They were so close now, Bridget´s lips were just hair away. Both were breathing heavily and it was almost like time stood still. Franky looked down at their hands and stroked her thumb across Bridget's. Franky couldn't help herself, she lifted her other hand and gently touched Bridget's lips and then rested had hand on Bridget's neck. She so wanted to kiss that neck and she used her index finger to circle around that one single spot that was drawing her lips closer and closer.

Bridget couldn't look at Franky. If she did, it would be game over. She would lose it. Completely. Utterly. And she knew that losing it would feel oh so ineffable. So she didn't look at her. But she felt her. She felt her hand on her cheek. She felt her breath on her face and she felt her lips although they weren't touching. She felt all of Franky devouring her with just her sheer presence.

"Bridget..just look at me" Franky whispered. "Am I alone in this?"

If Bridget would have looked, she would have seen the desperation, the want, the need and the tenderness exuding from every pore. And her eyes, oh god, her eyes. Those emerald orbs would have sealed the deal.

So Bridget, quivering like a leaf, took a step back. Straightened her jacket and finally looked up and snapped backed to reality. Her voice was calm but she had to hold on the desk as if the desk would give magical powers and courage to go through with this. "Franky. I appreciate what you just said but we can't, I can't. do this"

"You appreciate what I just said? Well, thanks for appreciating Gidget. Thanks a lot. You know what? Fuck it. Fuck all of it." That was all she could manage from between clenched teeth. Franky was in tears. Her anger was rising and she felt so embarrassed and rejected. A moment ago she would have given anything if Bridget would have just kissed her. But now, the Franky everyone knew and was used to took over.

"I came here and fucking bore my soul to you and you don`t even have the guts to look me in the eye and come clean with me? Why did I even bother. This was a waste of time. I´m done. I´m so fucking done"