Disclaimer: I do not own the copyright for Waking the dead or its characters – all rights belong to the BBC

Content: Season nine spoilers, friendship, angst.

Rating T – angst

Hey everyone. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing ….. your time is very much appreciated. I have come to realise while writing this that it really is a piece of fluff …. There's no pressing case to be solved – except if you count the personal one between Boyd and Frankie. I am sorry to all those who like the nitty gritty and drama of solving a case, I really hope you are not too disappointed with this. Maybe one day I will get past the fluff … unfortunately today is not that day! However I do hope that you enjoy this second chapter …. Would love you hear your thoughts. Thanks again xx

Atonement

Chapter Two

Frankie Wharton had been nervously pacing for the last hour. The familiarity of her surroundings giving rise to feelings of both deep comfort and terrifying apprehension.

What am I doing here?

It had been over five years since she last set foot in the CCU and when she walked out she was certain that she would never return and had Alan not walked on her a few months ago leaving her with a huge mortgage to pay on the plush riverside apartment they had bought together she would not have considered it. The apartment had been up for sale for almost five months already, but the London property market was almost at a standstill and apart from one or two viewers at the beginning there had been virtually no interest. The research projects she had been working on since leaving the unit were beginning to dry up, another victim of the credit crunch and she knew that she needed to find regular employment soon to stop her from defaulting on her mortgage.

When she contacted the Home Office to inform them that she was available for mainstream work again she couldn't believe her luck when they told her there was a post vacant that needed to be filled immediately, one which they were having difficulty finding the right person for at such short notice. As she was still registered on the list of Home Office Pathologists the job was hers if she was interested.

"Of course I'm interested, wow, this is great, I didn't think I would be placed so quickly." she said hope evident in her voice as she began to see light at the end of her financial crisis. "Where is it based?"

"Actually, this is perfect for you, It's right here in the centre of London. I believe you are familiar with the Cold Case Unit and Detective Superintendent Boyd."

The silence at the other end of the phone was deafening as Frankie tried to process what she was hearing, her stomach lurching as she tried to supress the nausea that was beginning to overwhelm her body.

"Dr Wharton? Dr Wharton are you still there?"

"You are kidding me right?" She eventually found her voice to reply.

"Erm no, I thought you'd be pleased to get involved with your old team again, something familiar, get you back into the way of things."

Frankie sighed deeply. "Not exactly no." she replied unable to hide the disappointment in her voice. "Is there nothing else you have at all, I don't mind travelling?"

"Sorry Dr Wharton, there are no other vacant posts anywhere at the minute, in fact there are even waiting lists for most posts should they eventually become available. This one has just came up as the pathologist contracted with the unit, Eve Lockhart, has decided to continue her work at the Body Farm on a full time basis and there is currently no such waiting list for CCU."

"Yea I wonder why?" She sarcastically replied.

Frankie closed her eyes, her heart racing as she weighed up her options.

I can't believe I am even considering this.

Wearily she rubbed her hand over her face in an attempt of finding clarity. She needed this job, she knew she was dangerously close to losing everything and the last thing she could face was having the apartment repossessed and being homeless. She had worked to damn hard for that to happen.

Her mind was screaming in frustrated anger, but she couldn't decipher if it was aimed at Alan or Boyd but finally accepted that it was probably towards both.

"When do I start?" She tentatively enquired?

"A week on Monday."

She breathed in deeply as she replied. "Okay, I'll take it."

"That's great news Dr Wharton, I am sure DSI Boyd will be delighted to have you back on his team again …"

"Yea I bet he will …." She mumbled under her breath.

"… can you call into the offices on Friday morning and we will get the relevant paper work and contracts sorted out?"

"Yes that's fine, I'll see you Friday."

Frankie swallowed hard as she observed her surroundings her mind taunting her with the idea that maybe being homeless might have been the lessor of the two evils. There was no doubt that it was here, working for this unit, that she had been at her happiest. She had formed deep relationships and strong bonds of friendship with the team, too deep as it happens in some cases. When things fell apart they did so spectacularly and very painfully. It had hurt her more than she thought was possible. She closed her eyes as she recalled the moment her happiness began to unravel.

The sound of the lab doors opening had startled her and she turned smiling as she saw Spence enter. He didn't return her smile, the haunted look of devastation written across his face, tears welling in his eyes could only mean one thing.

She steadied herself as her heart began to beat so hard she thought it was about to explode. "Who?" Was the only word she managed to get past the lump that threatened to choke her.

"Mel." He quietly replied unable to contain his hurt or his tears.

It had taken only a second for her world to change. Mel had been her closest friend, her death had been overwhelming and the only person Frankie had wanted to receive comfort from seemed completely devoid of it. Over the years she had attempted to separate her feelings, which ones were directly attributed to the loss of Mel and which to the hurt of rejection and coldness she received from him. One it seemed was inextricably linked to the other, each causing her heart unbelievable pain every time she thought of that time. Now she was going to have to deal with the demons that had haunted her for five years face on and even after all this time she wasn't sure if she was strong enough to face it, or to face him.

The doors to the laboratory opened and she instinctively knew exactly who was standing behind her without the need for turning. His breathing was shallow, his musky scent unmistakable. She briefly closed her eyes while taking a steadying breath trying to control her increased heart rate. Slowly she turned and lifted her gaze to meet his, momentarily loosing herself in the darkness of his eyes while fighting to suppress the intense force of emotions rising from deep within her.

How does he still have the power to make me feel this way?

"Hi Frankie."

"Hello Boyd."

"It's good to see you, you …. You look well." He said softly swallowing hard as he allowed himself to observe her form and to remember the time when they were closer.

Frankie could see how intensely Boyd was staring at her and she hated herself for the effect the scrutiny of his eyes was having on her. Her whole body internally trembling under his dark gaze. Forcing herself to break the spell she immediately looked away.

"Cut the crap Boyd, let's just get one thing straight - nothing's changed okay! I'm not here through choice; I'm here because I have to be. If it was up to me I'd be a million miles away from here, and at least that far away from you."

Boyd sighed heavily as he dropped his head. "Frankie …."

"No Boyd! I'm serious. I can't do this, not now. I need to get my head round just being back here I can't deal with you right now as well."

"But we WILL need to deal with this won't we? So let's just …."

"Really? I needed to deal with it five years ago, where the hell where you then eh?" She looked at him fire raging in her eyes.

"I … I couldn't …" His voice faltered.

"Yea YOU couldn't …. Everything is always about YOU Boyd, on YOUR terms. Well the team needed you … I needed you, but YOU couldn't handle it and now we just have to get on with the situation the best we can, doesn't mean I have to like it!"

Boyd sighed deeply before continuing. "When Mel died, I felt so responsible, and what I made you do …. I …."

"Boyd stop it please, seriously I can't do this not right now" She held her hands up defensively as she began to turn away from him, tears welling in her eyes.

Boyd reached out and grabbed her arm "Frankie …." He said gently turning her to face him again. "Don't do this, please. I've missed you … it's true you never realise a good thing till it's gone."

Her pulse began to race sending shivers up and down her spine as she felt his touch on her arm her body longing to react as it cruelly reminded her of a time when his touch was tender and wanton.

"My replacements were very capable. I know both Felix Gibson and Eve Lockhart they are excellent pathologists." She answered trying to keep her tone even as she fought the tingling of her body.

"That's not what I meant and you know it …. Yea they were great at their jobs but they ….. well …. they weren't you!"

"How dare you Boyd!" She angrily replied releasing herself from his grip. "How dare you come in here after all this time and say stuff like that to me!"

Boyd shrugged "Well it's true."

"Get out Boyd."

"No, I'm not going anywhere. If we are going to work together Frankie we need to discuss this." His tone had begun to rise.

"Well not right now we ….."

"If not now, when then? Come on you tell ….."

The noise of the door opening behind them caused them both to stop abruptly and turn to see Grace entering glaring at Boyd as she passed having immediately picked up on the atmosphere and assuming he was the cause.

Ignoring Boyd's obvious displeasure at the interruption she continued towards where Frankie stood. "Now here's a sight for sore eyes, welcome back Frankie." She said gently hugging the younger woman.

"Hi Grace, it's so good to see you." Frankie warmly smiled grateful for the profiler's interruption.

"You getting settled back in alright?"

"Hmmm yea slowly, I think. It's just strange being back you know."

"I'm sure it is, it's been a long time. Well we're glad to have you back anyway, aren't we Boyd?" Grace turned and looked in his direction.

"Hmm What? ... Yea, yea ecstatic!"

"Boyd! …" Grace scolded rolling her eyes in disbelief "…. Don't be so flaming rude!" Turning back to Frankie she continued "Well you can see some things haven't changed round here anyway, take no notice of him." She said nodding her head in Boyd's direction.

"Yea I'd gathered and don't worry I stopped taking notice of him a long time ago."

"Aww this is crap! Right I've heard enough." Boyd threw up his hands sulking before turning swiftly to leave "Welcome back Frankie." He grumpily shouted behind him as he left.

Once outside he stopped and leaned heavily against the wall, rubbing his hand across his face. She was still so angry with him. He had hoped that somehow time would have lessened her hatred towards him, but deep down he knew that he couldn't blame her, what he had asked from her was unforgivable. Shaking his head regretfully he looked once more at the closed door he had just exited before making his way back to the safety of his office.

A gentle tap sounded from his door causing him to lift his eyes from the file he had pointlessly been starring at for the last hour. Grace didn't wait for a reply before she opened the door and entered his office.

"Hi." She opened sitting herself down on his sofa.

"Hi." He smiled meekly.

"What was all that about, before in the lab?"

"All what about?"

"You and Frankie, you could cut the atmosphere with a knife."

"It's ... It's really nothing." Gesturing dismissively with his hands.

"Haven't you sorted things out with her? You did apologise didn't you?"

"It's not that easy Grace ... It's ..."

"Yes it is Boyd, it's as simple as Frankie I'm sorry." She cut across him.

" ... complicated."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No!"

"Well you've both got to work together you can't go on with this awkward atmosphere or worse still completely ignoring each other. It's not good for the team Boyd, we've been through enough."

"You think I don't know that? It's just ..."

"Complicated ... Yea you said!" Grace paused briefly choosing her words carefully. "I'm assuming it was about Mel?"

"Aww Grace please …come on!" What part of I don't want to talk about it do you not get, Grace, eh?"

"The part that knows you well enough to know that even though you may not want too you need to talk about it."

"You think?" He sarcastically quipped.

"Come on Boyd ... you know you do."

"Well maybe so, but not here, not now! Okay?"

"Okay ….. so when?"

"Grace ... just leave it eh."

"No Boyd, the sooner you deal with this the better … for all of us!" She held his gaze while she continued. "Look I tell you what, why don't you come over to mine tonight, I'll cook, you bring the wine and we'll talk then. How does that sound?"

He starred at his desk for a while contemplating if he could face explaining himself "I dunknow Grace …"

"Don't think about it, just come. It's been ages since we've just sat down just the two of us and talked over some wine."

He lifted his head and smiled gently at her before nodding his head in agreement "Okay." he softly said.

Grace returned his smile as she got up to leave. "Good, 7.30pm okay with you?"

"Yea, 7.30pm is fine."

As she closed the door to his office he leaned back heavily on his chair and ran his fingers roughly through his hair. How am I even going to begin to explain this to Grace?