A/n: So. Heard from Zen. which is why you lucky peeps get a (albeit short short) chapter a day early. she is indeed still in the hospital, and the docs are waiting to see if she does indeed need a third surgery. I have an address for her if anyone would like to send her some get well wishes. please PM me if you would like the information. and yes reviews are still FUBAR.

Chapter Ten

Callie stood there, obviously very nervous and looking as if she were contemplating turning around and fleeing for her life. Frank stood there, showing no expression. Finally she spoke. "I wanted to come see you before, but Joe wouldn't let me."

"Since when do you let Joe dictate anything, especially when it comes to you and me?" Frank asked archly. "He's not my Keeper."

Callie flushed, embarrassed and ashamed. "I just wanted to say I was sorry." she finally blurted out in a rush.

"Sorry for what?" he asked, confused.

"For what happened to you." she refused to look him in the eye.

"Why should you be sorry? You didn't shoot me." Frank relented and went to her, forcing her chin up with one gentle finger. "Nobody blames you. Not me, not even Joe. If anything, you are as much a victim as anyone is in the whole mess." he looked steadily at her, refusing to let her turn away. "Have they found your son yet?" he queried.

She shook her head, tears springing anew in her eyes. "I'm so worried I can hardly eat or sleep." she admitted. Frank took pity and brought her closer for a simple hug. Her arms reached up around him and she clung desperately to her ex for a long while and when she finally stepped back, her eyes shone with more than just tears. She tilted her head up and stood on her tiptoes, lips parted.

Biff's timely arrival interrupted what could have been a very awkward moment between two former lovers. "Ready to get out of this dump, Frank?" he asked gaily as he pretended not to see the couple in their embrace. Frank gathered himself and stepped back, forcing Callie to drop her arms.

"Absolutely. But I want to stop by Gloria's Ward first, let her know I am officially discharged." he gathered his back pack again and faced Callie. "I am sure Joe will find your son, so just be strong until then. I hope your life turns out better going forward, Callie. Goodbye." and he and Biff left, leaving Callie alone in the room, where she broke down in tears, remaining until an orderly came in to strip the bed and prepare it for the next patient.

Biff looked sideways at his friend as they waited for the elevator to reach their floor, and continued to remain silent for the ride up to the 9th floor. Frank eventually sighed. "Say it. You know you want to."

"Say what? Biff asked, feigning ignorance.

"Quit playing innocent. You are not half as good as Joe is at it and he sucks." Frank looked his friend in the eye, no shame or embarrassment. "She came, we hugged, we said our goodbyes. Anything Callie may have wished to happen was not going to, even if you hadn't walked in when you did. I moved on a long time ago and she needs to remember that she did to. Even if her happy ending isn't so happy." they arrived at the correct floor and the doors opened with a chime.

They found Gloria taking a short coffee break in the nurses' lounge. Biff wandered over to hang out with a few kids who were playing in the large common area, which was decked out like a daycare center. He somehow sensed that Frank wanted alone time with her.

"Hey, babe." he said softly as he leaned over her chair and kissed the top of her head. She looked up and smiled.

"Finally paroled, huh?" she asked as she reached up to stroke his face.

"Stupid blizzard." he muttered darkly. " I could have been avoiding oatmeal 2 days ago."

"Poor baby. I stocked the fridge, so you should be okay with what is in there. Just no greasy cooking." she offered him a slice of banana bread that was sitting on the table. "And nothing too acidic either."

"Yes, Mother" he laughed as he took a bite. Then he sat down, pulled out the little velvet box and pushed it towards her. Gloria just stared at it. "Open it." he prompted.

She just continued to look at it, alternating with blank stares directed at him. Frank blushed and lifted the top himself before pushing the open side closer. Nestled in the dark interior was a platinum ring set with a pair of .75 carat diamonds. Her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped.

"I know this is not the most romantic place, or time or anything else most women envision this moment to be. But my original plan kinda fell apart when that gun went off. But if I do not do this right now, I am going to lose my nerve and never ask." he pulled it out and offered it to her left hand. She nodded, eyes brimming and extended her finger so that he could slip it on. They both stood up together and the embrace was quite tight indeed. The only reason they broke apart is one of Gloria's co workers came in and cleared her throat disapprovingly. Gloria broke away with a nervous laugh that was choked with tears. She hastily wiped her face with a napkin while Frank blushed a spectacular shade of crimson at being caught in the intimate moment. With a sniff, the older woman slipped past the two lovebirds and poured a cup of coffee into her travel mug before returning to the front desk but not before pointedly reminding Gloria that the nurses' lounge was for nurses only. She had barely gotten out of the doorway before both Frank and Gloria exploded into fits of laughter. He gave her one more quick kiss.

As he was leaving after having rescued Biff from underneath a pile of small children who had been climbing over the former football player, Gloria called out. "Frank!" she exclaimed, hurrying to join them. "You can do it properly later. I am off early tonight."

"Do what properly?" Biff asked.

"Propose." she lifted her left hand delightedly and wiggled her fingers in Biff's face, which broke out in a delighted grin. She turned to Frank and continue. "You never did actually ask me to marry you, you know."

Biff laughed. "You better do it right, Frank. Otherwise Joe will make good on his threat."

"What threat?!" both Gloria and Frank spoke simultaneously.

"Joe swore that if you didn't make an honest woman out of Gloria by the time you were discharged, he was going to propose to her for you just to get the ball rolling."

"He wouldn't?!" Gloria exclaimed, shocked.

"Have you met his brother? Damn skippy he would." Biff laughed and turned to Frank. "You just saved yourself a lifetime of grief. Well done." he gave a quick hug to Gloria. "Congratulations." he whispered into her ear before leaving the floor with the newly engaged eldest son of Fenton Hardy.

A/N: it's trite, I know but I figured that Callie would have wanted to revisit old times and even now she is still manipulative. she may not even realize it. However, Frank is ever the gentleman and would not lead her on nor allow himself to be distracted, especially given what he was about to do. so yes this is a short chapter but it contains two things that y'all have been clamoring about for months. of course this now means you will be waiting until next week for the last chapter or 2. and for those of you who will whine about it not being as squishy as Joe's proposal, never fear. next chapter he does it right. the last thing Frank wants is his brother co opting his love life.