Paris was beautiful this time of year. Well...it was always beautiful...but this time of year was perfect. Summer was turning into autumn, causing the tree leaves to turn into wonderful colors and the crisp air to gently wrap itself around strolling Parisians like a comfortable lover. Couples walked among hidden streets and passageways, holding each other close and whispering through smiles. Children laughed and skipped along grassy knolls, their parents watching lovingly from patient park benches.

Bianca ignored all of this.

Usually she would be striving to finish her work as quickly as possible, wanting nothing more than to take her children to the park and watch them, while huddled against Reese. But not today.

The tall brunette turned from the window and pressed a button off to the side, automatically closing the blinds and silencing the sun that was bathing her rather large and expensive office. With an agitated sigh she walked over to her desk and lowered her body into the dark leather chair. A pale hand ran across her face and through her long locks, unsuccessfully attempting to wipe away the stress and confusion.

A crazed stalker was threatening her mother in Pine Valley. He had sent letter after letter, taunting and threatening her with each word and phrase spread across the plain paper. Then, he had changed tactics. He stepped up his game. No longer was he just taunting Erica Kane through simple letters. No...he decided to bring her family into this...her precious daughter. When the first letter threatening Bianca and her family arrived in Erica's hands, the FBI immediately became a part of her life. Security details were everywhere, following the young mother and her family to everything. At first they had been discreet, blending into the background. Not anymore. As the letters got more and more violent, the agents became more and more visible. It was like the Satin Slayer all over again.

Except this time Reese and her children were involved.

The FBI was involved.

Fra...Fran...god damn it she was involved!

Bianca angrily slammed her hand down on the desk, causing pens and paper to fly everywhere. She rested her elbow on the polished wood surface, cradling her head on an open palm.

She. Frankie Stone. Agent...Frankie Stone. How could this be happening? How...Why...Who did she think she was...just waltzing back into Bianca's life like nothing had happened. Like she hadn't died! Like Bianca hadn't mourned her and watched as they lowered her casket into the cold hard ground. There was a grave, for crying out loud! A grave and a tombstone and everything!

Bianca rubbed at her eyes, blinking back the sting of tears. No..she wasn't going to do this. She wasn't going to waste one tear on Mary-Francis Stone. Not one. She did enough of that when she was seventeen.

But Frankie was alive. She was alive and somewhere in Paris. She had to be. They had taken the same train. She was assigned to protect her. The FBI was everywhere in the godforsaken city...she had to be too.

Three days.

It had been three days since that fateful train ride from London to Paris. Three days since she had seen those mischievous eyes and that impish grin. That face...that face that looked so much like Maggie's.

Maggie.

Did Maggie know her sister was alive? No...she couldn't have. She would have said something. Bianca hadn't spoken to her in years, but she knew the other Stone girl would have mentioned it. She would have gotten word to Bianca.

So, Maggie didn't know. Didn't know that her sister...the girl she had first come to Pine Valley for...was alive. Her twin sister.

"Bianca, are you ok? What's wrong?" a concerned voice broke through the hazy cloud of confusion in Bianca's mind.

She looked up to see Reese standing in front of her desk, a worried look plastered across her face.

"W-What are you doing here?" questioned Bianca as she subtly wiped at her wet eyes.

"I was on my way to work, and I decided to stop by and see you. I was going to see if you wanted to get lunch together later. I knocked on the door and called your name, but you just sat here. What's wrong?" explained the architect as she reached out a hand to caress the worn face before her.

"What's wrong? My family is being threatened by some crazy stalker!" shot out Bianca as she pushed her chair back, out of reach of the offered hand.

Reese watched as she jerkily stood up, tension surrounding the angry woman. "I know that. But everything will be okay. We have guards. They'll protect us. I won't let anything happen to you or our daughters."

"How can you be so sure? It's been weeks since mom's been getting these letters, and no one knows who it is. It's like the Satin Slayer...and he killed people, Reese! He killed people." Bianca raised her voice, a tinge of emotion showing through.

"Baby...nothing is going to happen to us. We're safe." Reese watched as her wife gripped the back of her chair, fingers digging into the cool leather.

"Did...did something happen in London?"

"What? No...besides the fact that all of a sudden I had FBI agents swarming around me, Miranda, and Gabby."

"Are you sure?" Reese ventured, trying to capture brown eyes with her own.

Bianca's head shot up, eyes meeting the other woman's, "Of course I'm sure. Why?"

Reese shrugged, feeling the tension in the room skyrocket, "It's just...you've been distant since you got back. You're always thinking...always in your head. Since you returned we haven't..."

"Haven't what, Reese? Haven't had sex? Is that what this is about? My family is in danger, and all you care about is getting off!"

"Whoa...whoa...that's not what this is about at all." backtracked Reese, "I'm worried. I love you."

The sound of Beethoven's ninth symphony interrupted her, and she quickly began to rummage in her purse. She pulled out her cellphone and glanced at the incoming name.

"Work calls. You should go." Bianca walked over to the small bar at the side of the room, her back facing the architect.

Reese sighed as she watched the dark haired woman open a bottle of scotch. "We still need to talk about what's happening. I'll see you at home. I love you."

"I love you, too." quietly replied Bianca as she heard the door to her office close.

She grasped at a thick glass, pouring some of the potent liquor into the cup. She replaced the cap on the bottle and pushed it back. It came to rest between a bottle of brandy and whiskey, a soft clink signaling it's arrival.

Bianca glanced down at the drink. She rotated her wrist, watching the liquid swirl around, drops bumping against the sides of the glass.

What was she going to do? What was she supposed to do? She was so confused. Why was all of this happening? At first she was worried for her mother, but deep down she knew Erica Kane could handle anything. A letter writing stalker was no match for the strong diva. Her worry turned to fear when she heard about the threats towards her family. While there was a twinge of annoyance with the FBI's presence, she was grateful for their protection. The protection they afforded her children and wife.

Without warning Bianca lifted the glass to her lips, draining the glass in one long swallow. The liquid burned its way down, causing a soft cough to escape her lips.

She loved her family. Reese and the children were her world. Bianca hated to fight with Reese. She loved her and Reese loved her back. Ever since the train ride though...god damn Frankie Stone! She was not going to do this. She was not going to enter her life and leave it without some kind of explanation. The little talk on the train was not nearly enough. Bianca had been too startled at the sight of the long-lost twin to ask the questions she needed to ask. Well...she was going to get those answers; and then, she was was going to get on with her life. Her life with Reese, Miranda, and Gabby.

Slamming the glass onto the table, she spun around, her long hair whipping across her face. With a determined look, she stormed across the room until she reached the door to her office. Flinging it open, she stepped outside, immediately spotting one of the agents assigned to her. She marched over to him, eyes hardening with each step.

His expressionless face turned to her, "Good morning Mrs. Williams. May I help you?"

She almost laughed at his question. Help her? "I need to speak with your boss...whoever is in charge."

He stared at her, face never changing, "Is there something I can help you with, ma'am?"

"No, I wish to speak with your boss." she firmly replied.

Thinking she was nervous about her security, the protectees usually were, he hastened to reassure her, "There's no need to be worried, Mrs. Williams. We have the entire building secured. Your wife is with her detail, as are your daughters. You are all safe ma'am. Everything is under control."

"Agent, you could have the entire army surrounding the building, and I wouldn't care. I wish to speak with your superior."

He opened his mouth to reply, but was quickly cut off, "No. This has nothing to do with my protection. I need to speak with your superior concerning another agent."

He furrowed his brow in slight confusion, wondering who she could be talking about. "Ma'am, has one of the other agents acted unprofessionally towards you or your family?"

She shook her head, getting impatient with the man, "No. I need to find out about one of the agents."

"Mrs. Williams...all agent information is personal and classified." he informed her, taking note of her twitching hands.

Bianca wrung her hands together, trying to work the tension out, "Agent, I want to speak with the head of this operation NOW!"

Hearing the unrelenting tone and feeling the burn of her penetrating eyes, the agent let out a breath and lifted his wrist, speaking softly into the radio hidden there. "Command this is Agent Jones, over."

Bianca watched as the man turned away from her, inhibiting her from hearing his conversation. She ran a hand across her face again, wishing for all of this to be a dream. Maybe she would wake up soon and find herself in Reese's arms, their children laughing with glee as they tried to scramble into their bed to be with their parents. All of this would be just a dream.

"Excuse me, Ma'am. My superior is currently in a meeting, but will be available within two hours to meet with you."

Bianca locked eyes with Agent Jones and nodded, "I'm heading home. Let your boss know I'll be there waiting for when he wants to speak with me."


Bianca paced around the living room, stopping every few minutes to re-straighten the pictures on the mantle and the curtains by the windows.

The agent was late.

The two hour time span had expired forty-five minutes ago. Where was he? This agent was supposed to help clear all of this up so Bianca could go back to the way things were.

Why did it even matter? Bianca made her twentieth trip around the room, forming a path in the plush carpet. Frankie Stone...all of the Stones for that matter...had been out of her life for years. They were no longer a part of it. She didn't care what was going on with them...it didn't matter.

Stopping at the pictures once again, she took in the smiling faces starring back at her. There was one of her and Miranda at the park; the little girl was holding her hand out to feed a passing duck while her mother watched on silently. Next to that was a trio from her wedding to Reese. The two women were decked out in their designer white gowns, expressions gleaming with joy at the photographer as they held one another. Resting her hand on the mantle, Bianca fixed her eyes on the support, her mind flashing back to a few days ago.

"What do you mean Agent Stone will not be joining us?" questioned Bianca as she moved her face closer to the window, desperate to see the faded image of the lost Stone. The two agents ignored her, their attention focused on the road and any possible threats.

Not hearing an answer, she turned to glare at the suit clad men. As she opened her mouth to repeat her question, a small voice pipped up, "Who's Agent Stone?"

Bianca looked down at Miranda. The little girl had an arm wrapped protectively against her sister, the baby of the family cuddled up against her side. Big brown eyes so much like her own peered up at her, a curious gleam in them.

"No one, baby." answered the mother as she smoothed down an errant hair on the child's head. She caught the brief glance in the mirror from the agent in the passenger seat. She ignored Agent Taylor and returned her attention to her daughter.

"Than why are you looking for them?" Miranda furrowed her brow in thought.

"Because baby...she reminded me of someone I once knew." replied the older woman after a few seconds. Sensing her inquisitive daughter had more questions, she reached into her purse and expertly pulled out a coloring book and box of crayons. Living with two small children had left her prepared for moments when they might become bored or full of questions. "Here Miranda, why don't you color a picture for Reese?"

The little girl took the book and crayons happily, momentarily distracted from her previous thoughts. With a sigh, Bianca turned her attention back to the agents, their stoic countenance deterring her from asking anymore questions...especially if it would jump start Miranda again. She loved her daughter, but at times she could be as curious as a cat and as stubborn as a dog with a bone. Thank goodness she hadn't really seen Frankie on the train...that would have brought up a whole slew of questions the woman was in no way ready to answer...let alone think about.

After a while, the car pulled up in front of the apartment building the family called home. Opening her door, Bianca climbed out of the backseat, turning to help her children out as well. The two agents moved to the back of the car and began to pull out the suitcases. Three more agents walked out of the building, eyes darting around the area. Two of them grabbed the suitcases and lugged them into the building; the third kept a standing vigilance.

Making sure her children were safely standing on the sidewalk next to the agent and were occupied with him as well, Bianca walked up to the agent she had spoken with so briefly in the car. She stepped in front of him, blocking him from re-entering the car.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Williams." he spoke without an expression, his tone flat.

Bianca reached out to grasp at his sleeve, her eyes searching his own, "You...you know Frankie...Agent Stone. You know who she is."

He stared at her, taking in the emotion spilling from her eyes. After a few moments he imperceptibly nodded, signaling his agreement.

Taking in a deep breathe, attempting to control her feelings, the brunette took this in. "What...what do you know about her? Is she...is she ok?"

Before the agent could answer his partner appeared next to them, "Mrs. Williams, would you please come with me. Your luggage is in the apartment, and it would be safer if you were as well."

She kept her eyes on the agent in front of her, silently pleading with him for something...anything. He stepped back from her, nodding his head at his partner, "Welcome home, Ma'am."

Pulling herself out of the memory, Bianca dropped her hand from the mantle and rubbed it hard against her face. She spun away from it and continued her pacing. She didn't care...it didn't matter. So what if the agent didn't tell her anything...it was for the best. It was a sign. She wasn't supposed to know...she didn't care.

She began lap number twenty-one. But Frankie owed her. She owed her! She had spent so much time on a girl who had repeatedly lied to her. She had lied about everything. That was just like the Stone twins...to lie and deceive. She was a grown woman...she had children and a wife. She ran one of the largest companies in the world. Her mother was Erica Kane, damn it!

Reaching the middle of lap twenty-two, Bianca changed direction and moved towards the front door, ripping it open in anger. Turning her head, she spotted Agent Jones and swooped down on him.

"Where the hell is he? It's been almost three hours!"

Agent Jones attempted to hide his surprise at the venomous tone directed at him, "I don't know Ma'am. The meeting might have ran long. I was assured she would come here right after."

"Well...where is he...she?" Bianca corrected herself.

"He/She? Are we talking about your rockstar ex?" an amused voice spoke from behind the duo.

Bianca froze, her anger disappearing in an instant at the shocking voice. Agent Jones turned to his superior, a grateful look flashing across his face.

"It's ok Agent Jones. I got it from here. You're relieved." the other agent placed a hand on his shoulder as he walked away.

She stepped into the now vacated spot in front of Bianca, the brunette business woman still frozen in place. "Jeez Bianca, you were really going into him. I was getting flashbacks of your mother, again. Guess those Kane genes are making themselves known, huh."

Bianca blinked, her eyes taking in the slightly rumpled blue shirt and black slacks. A gun was holstered on the woman's right hip. Her own startled eyes met dancing brown. "Frankie."

"Yep, sorry I'm late. You know how traffic can be in this area." replied Frankie with a shrug.