Waiting For You

Synopsis: Franky reflects on the events that happened one year ago to the day.

Rating: PG

A/N: I'm currently in the mountains close to Yosemite National Park, enjoying the serene view from the balcony of my AirBNB. I thought it would be fitting to work on some of my fics as the house I am staying at is on Westfall Rd (and one of the roads leading up to it is Silva Rd). If that isn't fate, I don't know what is.


"A year ago today, reality television star Franky Doyle was exonerated from the murder of former reality television host Mike Pennisi. After many months of eluding police custody following her escape from Wentworth prison, Doyle turned herself in to the authorities. Her lawyer had miraculously submitted undeniable proof framing Pennisi's actual killer – alleged lover Iman Farah. Doyle's charges were quickly dismissed and in an interesting turn of events, was issued an apology by the justice system citing inadequate investigatory practices and corruption within the correctional system."

Franky stared blankly at the news anchor on television screen. One year… One whole year since her life had once again been turned upside down and then right side up. How could a whole year feel so long ago yet so much like it was just yesterday?

The brunette leaned back into the sofa and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes, her mind replaying the events that had happened a year ago to the day.


(one year ago..)

Franky inhaled deeply, her eyes settling on the familiar porch that was a part of the place that had felt like home. Her first REAL home. It had been months since she had step foot in the house she shared with the woman who held her heart.

It had been months since she had seen her beautiful Gidget. Their only form communication was a few short texts or calls from a burner phone placed to let the blonde know that she was still alive and pursuing evidence of the truth. Franky stayed far enough away, for fear that the woman she loved would be implicated and eventually charged with obstruction of justice. After all that she had put Bridget through, Franky dare not place any more dangerous and damaging issues onto the blonde's plate.

The tall brunette willed her legs to move, one foot in front of the other until she crossed the street and stood inches away from the door – millimeters separating Franky from the life that once was. A life that she had both cherished and taken for granted until she had been forced to leave it all behind.

Franky took another deep breath, raising her hand to knock on the single piece of wood that served as a barrier between her and the woman she loved.

Moments after knocking, the front door slowly swung open revealing a stunned blonde. Bridget stood speechless at the sight in front of her, not trusting her eyes; her rational mind believing that this was merely a mirage produced by a foolishly yearning heart.

"Franky…" Bridget's voice came out all but a whisper barely heard by both women.

"I… uh…" Franky fidgeted, uncertain whether or not this was a welcome intrusion into Bridget's life. "I heard on the tele… They finally figured out who killed Mike Pennisi."

"Yes," The smaller woman stood in the doorway, legs frozen, her body unable to step any closer or further away. Her heart unclear whether or not she would be ready to take the plunge into Franky's world once again. "They did."

"I just…" The brunette took a deep breath, willing hazel to connect with sapphire orbs. "I wanted to see you before I… um… Turn myself in. For you know…"

"…For escaping prison." Bridget quickly completed the brunette's sentence, her tone a bit more heated than she had intended. "For evading officers of the law."

"Yeah… I, um…" Franky paused, not knowing whether or not the words she was about to say were going to produce the desired outcome. "I'm sorry."

"I'm not the person you need to say that to." The blonde quickly countered, feeling her internal walls instinctually rise.

"Yes, Gidge. Yes, you are." The younger woman stood her ground, hazel begging sapphire for any semblance of understanding. "I put you through hell this past year. I made shit decisions because I was so scared to lose my freedom, my life… You. And it happened anyway… So yeah. What I did was inexcusable and I'm sorry."

An uncomfortable silence surrounded the pair as both strong-willed women waited to see who was going to make the next move. It had been so long… So many months of sparse and scattered communication. So many nights spent wondering where the other woman was and how she was doing. So many days spent trying to heal the crevices that had settled into passionately loving hearts.

After what seemed an eternity of internal struggle, Bridget's stern exterior began to break and she cracked a pensive smile. "Thank you, Franky. I accept your apology."

"Listen Gidget," Franky's eyes slowly brightened, the prospect of reconciliation becoming to feel like a true possibility. "I know we can't just go back to what we had before this mess happened. But I want you to know that I still care deeply about you. Maybe someday… you know, we could give it another go. If you're willing, that is… Um… Anyway, I better go. Wentworth is expecting me before the end of the day."

The brunette smiled meekly then quickly turned away, beginning her journey back to the place where this all started.

"Baby…" The blonde suddenly called out, the woman who still held her heart already a few steps away.

Franky turned back, slowly returning to the threshold; eyes beholding a glimmer of hope.

"I'll be here… waiting."

The taller woman's hand cautiously reached forward, crossing the threshold with her fingertips. She delicately brushed the older woman's hand; smaller fingertips instantly taking hold.

"I love you," Franky's fingers squeezed gently, her voice echoing the words of affirmation that she proclaimed the day she escaped from Wentworth. "And I'll be back."

Bridget watched as the taller woman sadly smiled then turned to make her way back to Wentworth. The blonde smiled sorrowfully in return, her heart praying for Franky's safe and quick return.


Franky sighed, a reflective grin creeping across her face. It had been such a bittersweet moment for the pair. The following few days she spent apart from Bridget had been difficult but it helped Franky appreciate all that life had given her. From that day forward, she was forever grateful and finally believed in her heart that she deserved this life… this home... this love. She was no longer the 'bad girl' who belonged in Wentworth. She was a woman whose life had worth and love was now happily and willingly reciprocated.

Suddenly, the familiar clicking of heels on the hard wood alerted Franky to the woman walking into their shared home. The brunette was so engrossed in thought that she had not heard the front door open.

Franky instantly stood, meeting her beloved blonde and capturing her into her loving arms. She leaned in, placing an adoring kiss onto the smaller woman's lips. Bridget gasped, enjoying the unexpectedly affectionate welcome home.

"Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?"

Franky smiled, knowing that Bridget wouldn't quite understand until they had their nightly talk over dinner. "For keeping your promise."