A/N: My special wholehearted thanks to all of you lurkers, reviewers, readers. Your support really helps motivate me on a daily basis. So thank you for taking your time to do that. Shout outs to those who put me on fav author, the story on favs, and alerts!

This chapter was a tricky pickle to write, but thanks to the help of some awesome friends, I was able to stick it out. The next one will also be a tough one, so go get some tissues and chocolate or ice-cream (except you, Bonkzy, just tissues for you!) You have been warned.

BioWare owns Ali...

Chapter 10

Alistair followed and watched helplessly as they rushed Frankie and Tess into a large room, filled with equipment. What felt like a crowd of people suddenly descended on them from all directions and just like in the ambulance, words he didn't understand were being shouted, a complete flurry of activity going on.

"Alistair?" a soft familiar voice spoke beside him and he tore his eyes away from the chaotic scene in front of him.

"Come with me Alistair, you don't need to see this." Louise said, with a worried frown.

"Louise..." he said, and drew in a ragged breath.

"Come now, she and Tess are in the best hands," Louise insisted, drawing him gently with her, out of the room and away.

"Shouldn't you be in there with her? Aren't you on duty?" Alistair asked as he saw Louise was dressed in her nursing scrubs.

"Yes I am, and I want to but I can't, because I'm too close to them both. I can't be detached enough for them." she replied.

She led him to a quiet room nearby and stared out of the window. He couldn't believe this had happened in the time that he had been at the Bistro. It felt like such a short time, but who could have done this to them and why? All he could see in front of him was Frankie lying on the floor in a puddle of blood, her blood, her blood, her blood. His mind started racing. What if he had gotten there later, would she have survived? IS she going to survive? Why wasn't he quicker? Why did he take so long to get back? Why did he leave them there alone? He'd sworn to himself that he would always keep them safe, and now he could lose both of them for his failure.

"What the hell happened, Alistair?" Louise asked quietly.

Alistair scrubbed his face with his hands, "Maker, I wish I knew. I had to go to the Bistro for Tess. I got back to the house, the place had been trashed and I just found them lying there. Thank the Maker Frankie had showed me how to find your number on speed-dial, otherwise I..." He noticed his hands were shaking and he clenched them into fists to stop them. "Who could have done this Lou? Who the hell would hurt either of them? It just doesn't make any sense."

Louise turned back to look at him "I don't know either, but I could just kill them right now," she said angrily. "Let's get you cleaned up, Alistair," she said suddenly, realizing he had blood all over his hands and clothes.

Alistair looked down, as if only just realizing and he felt sick to his stomach. He couldn't figure out why, since it was hardly the first time he had been covered with someone else's blood.

"You are in shock Alistair. It might not be the first time you've had a loved one's blood on you, but coming across them like that..." she said, and Alistair nodded dumbly. That was it, he had Frankie's blood over him. Her precious blood. Once again his mind started spinning, her blood, her blood, her blood.

He let Louise help him change into some spare scrubs she found for him and she gently washed his hands and face. He felt so numb right now, but knew there was a roaring fury behind it. She made him eat and drink and he couldn't honestly tell what it had been. All he could see was Frankie lying there, her last whispered word and Tess's too still form.

Louise left the room periodically and he learned to read her expressions when she came back. Fear at first, then worry, then anger and finally, hope.

She took his hand and made him look at her. "They aren't out of the woods yet Alistair, but it's looking good."

"How are they?" he asked immediately, his mind suddenly focusing. Louise looked relieved to have him respond.

"I won't lie to you, they are both pretty banged up. Tess is better off than Frankie but her age is against her. Frankie... I don't know what to tell you... someone beat the living hell out of her. Severe concussion, broken ribs, her right arm is fractured, her spine has been injured but that's relatively minor in comparison," she took a deep breath. "The real worries are the head wound and there is some internal bleeding, she's going up to surgery for that now. We can only wait but she really is in the best hands, Alistair. I work with these people, they are the best."

"And Tess?" he asked.

"She has a concussion and a fractured arm. Nothing too serious but as I said, her age is against her. She's a stubborn old lady though, and I can't see something like that keeping her down for long," and she shared a smile with Alistair at the thought of stubborn Tess being forced to take it easy and recuperate.

Louise's pager went off and she frowned down at it and cursed.

"I'm sorry, I have to answer that. I will be back soon, I promise" she said.

"I will be fine, don't worry" Alistair replied.

Louise looked at him for a few moments, reluctant to go, but her pager went off again, she sighed and left the room.

The door slammed open a few minutes later and Bella stormed in, tears in her eyes.

"Louise said I'd find you here, what the FUCK happened Alistair? Where were YOU?" she shouted, advancing on him, anguish and fear on her face.

"Tess sent me to show someone around the Bistro, Bella." he said, trying to stay calm himself.

"You should have been there, to protect them for fucks sake!"

"Yes, I should, but I wasn't and don't you think that is eating me up too?" he said, a hint of anger creeping into his tone.

Bella just stared at him and burst into tears. Alistair couldn't think of anything to do other than put his arms around her while she cried. He knew how close she was to Frankie and Tess and she was blaming herself as much as he was.

Finally her sobs slowed and she pulled back. "How are they?" she asked, "Louise called me and told me to get here as fast as possible and that things look good now but... fuck, Alistair, what happened?"

"I don't know!" he said a bit sharply. He shook his head in mute apology.

Louise came back into the room, her face as white as a sheet. Alistair and Bella both looked at her in horror, dreading any news that could make Louise look like that.

"Is she..." Alistair began hollowly.

"No! They are both fine at the moment, Frankie's surgery is going well so far," she said. She looked at Bella for a moment before Louise turned towards Alistair. "Can I talk to you for a second, outside?" Alistair raised an eyebrow and looked to make sure Bella was okay and she nodded worriedly.

They stepped outside and Louise was quiet for a few moment, wringing her hands, obviously struggling with something.

"I really shouldn't be doing this but GOD, if I could do something myself, I would." she said in agitation.

"What is it Louise? Have you found something out?" Alistair asked.

"I just saw Frankie's ex-boyfriend in the emergency room, waiting to be prepped for surgery. He... he looks like he's been in one hell of a fight and he's been stabbed. But Alistair. His knuckles are all banged up as if he'd been hitting someone." she babbled.

Alistair scowled, "Is this the man that hit her before?" he demanded.

Louise looked worried and nodded.

"Show me where."

Louise looked torn and hesitated but finally nodded and took him to the ER. She checked there was no one attending Joey and then with a determined look, she left to go check on Frankie and Tess before going back to Bella. Alistair knew that she was battling her conscience by telling him, but it was time for that son-of-a-bitch to finally learn his lesson, and Alistair was the perfect person to give it to him.

Alistair slid into the cubicle and looked at all of the machinery. He wondered how the machines were helping the worthless human being lying in front of him. He shrugged angrily and walked over to the bed. Alistair could see that Joey was a little out of it but as he approached, he could see that he somehow knew who Alistair was. He saw everything he needed to know in the man's guilty gaze.

"You might be a thug and a bully but you still live by rules in this society," he said softly, "I don't." He put his hand gently over the oxygen mask on Joey's face and removed it. Then put his large hand over the man's mouth and nose, holding him down with easy strength. Joey's eyes bulged in fear and he batted futilely at Alistair's hand.

He bent down until he was by Joey's ear.

"You ever touch them again, and you'll see just how easily I can kill you, without thought or remorse. You have no idea how many monsters I've killed to keep those I love, safe. I'll look into your eyes as you piss yourself and you breathe your last breath. I promise you this, do not EVER touch them again."

He let go and Joey gasped for breath as alarms started ringing from the machines around him.

"Y-you're crazy," whined the pathetic excuse for a man.

"Yes. So don't test me. You have been warned." Alistair said, implacably and just as quickly, left the room as people started rushing in.

He was on his way back to the waiting room when Louise caught up with him, looking worried.

"It was him, he did it, the son of a bitch." Alistair said, clenching his fists.

Louise paused, "Did you..." she started and sighed in relief as he shook his head.
"Maker knows I wanted to, but where would that leave Frankie? I might have had 'words' with him though and who knows, maybe he'll even listen" he said with a shrug. "If he tries it again, he'll have to go through me and next time I won't be so gentle."

"I shouldn't have told you about him but I couldn't just let him go." Louise confessed and Alistair hugged her.

"I'm glad you did. Thank you, I know it wasn't easy." he said.

Louise stepped back and ran her hands through her hair. "Lets get back to Bella before she implodes," she said with a small smile.

"Actually, I need some air," he said, I'll come back in a little while, I just need some time to... process it, I guess."

Louise nodded in understanding and told him how to get outside and back in again before she went back to Bella.

He found a bench outside and sat down, breathing deeply. He'd felt like he couldn't take a full breath in there since he'd seen Joey. Everything in him wanted to kill the bastard for what he'd done, but he had to remind himself, this wasn't Ferelden and there would be consequences for Frankie and that is something he didn't want. He wasn't joking about his threat though, he'd meant every word.

Finally he relaxed a little and decided to head back in, he didn't want Louise and Bella to have to worry about him too.

As he entered the waiting room where Louise and Bella were sitting close together, he could hear they were in deep conversation and although he didn't want to interrupt or cause more stress, he felt that they were all part of his family now too and he needed to find out why it all happened by all means that he could.

"For all we know he could have been stalking her for months, seeing her with Alistair," Louise said as she saw him enter.

"Yeah, that bastard could have been waiting outside the apartment when we dropped them off last night and none of us realized it. Just waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike." Bella replied angrily.

"Wait a minute, you think that he'd been waiting there all that time?" Alistair asked incredulously.

"Yes, and it wouldn't be the first time." Bella looked at him with both rage and heartbreak in her eyes. "This whole thing is a lot more complicated than you think, Alistair. I don't know how much you know, but when Frankie recovers, I think she needs to tell you. Because I can see that in just one night, she has become a lot more to you, hasn't she?"

"She's my life, Bella, I can't live without her. I don't want to live without her, and yes, a lot has changed, but it's not just from last night. I have been in love with her for months, and only found out last night that she loves me too." Alistair said as he dragged his fingers through his hair and started pacing the room.

"But you're worried now, aren't you? Talk to us Alistair, we can help and we are all in this together." Louise asked with concern.

"Yes, I am worried. I know what this kind of thing can do to a woman. What if she thinks I'm the same, that I'll do that to her or that I will allow it to happen again. Worst of all, what if he finally broke her?"

"Don't underestimate her, Alistair. And please don't start doubting now. We all know she loves you, just as you love her. We've known it for quite some time already. Why do you think we went out of our way to minx the two of you? It's because you were meant to be, you were meant for each other, Alistair. And you always will be." Louise said.

"I agree wholeheartedly and I also know and can guarantee you that Frankie won't push you away because of this. She knows you're not Joey or her dickhead of a…" Bella stopped mid-sentence and shook her head with a curse. Alistair wondered why she'd stopped and more importantly, what else had happened to Frankie that he didn't know about, who else had hurt her?

"Her dickhead of a...?" Alistair asked.

Bella drew a shaky breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. "It's not my place to tell, I swore I wouldn't and I have said too much already. I am sorry Alistair, but this is something you'll have to hear from Frankie. I can't tell you, even if I wanted to. I'm sorry."

Before Alistair could push any further as to whom Bella had been talking about, Louise stepped in. "I agree, I think it should come from Frankie directly. I asked her once, why she has such a extensive medical file here at the hospital. She was in and out of here like a yo-yo as a teenager. But she just said she was a tomboy and got hurt a lot while climbing trees and such, but I doubted that was all it was. It's also something I'm not allowed to talk about, but she means a lot to us and she needs to start talking, before it eats her from the inside out."

That thought alone made Alistair worry even more. What else could have happened to her? Why had she been in hospital so often and who else could have hurt her? Why? His mind stared reeling at all the new questions he had, but for now all he could do was pray that the Maker would keep her alive, just so he could see her face once more.

xxXxx

A heavy fog coated Frankie's brain, impairing her ability to clearly process everything going on around her. She heard a steady and annoying beating that kept pulling her further and further out of her unconscious state. She could feel something softly stroking her arm, and she felt the warmth of a strong body pressed against her. She opened her eyes, squinting at the bright lights in the room, as she heard a voice she never thought she would hear again.

"How are you feeling?" Alistair asked, looking at her with love and concern.

"Alistair," she said with a cracked voice. "I'm doing okay, I guess," she replied softly and she fought back tears that were threatening to overwhelm her as she realized where she was. Again. "How's Nonna, Is she okay? Please tell me he didn't... please tell me she's still..."

"Shhh, it's okay. She is in the room next to yours and she's recovering. She managed to block some of the attack. The doctor says she has a concussion and a broken arm, but they are keeping her here to run tests of some sort. You'll have to ask Bella or Louise about those. It's all still a bit confusing to me," Alistair explained.

"Tests? That's never usually a good sign. I have to go to her, I have to see her and make sure she's alright." Frankie said as she tried to sit up, but crumbled in pain and almost pulled out the drips in her hand and arm. Alistair held onto her and helped her lay back down.

"No, Frankie. Don't move, please. You have to stay still. You've been hurt badly, and according to the doctor that was just here, you won't be able to get out of bed or try to walk for at least a few weeks," Alistair explained gently.

"I need to see her Alistair, please let me see her," Frankie begged with no regard to the tears that were streaming down her cheeks.

"Louise works here, you know that. She will make sure you see Tess as soon as it's possible. The doctors just want to make sure you are both stable first, and neither you nor Tess would be able to handle seeing each other in the state that you were both in, and deep down, you know it too." Alistair whispered gently as he wiped the runaway tears from her face. "You'll see her soon, I promise."

"What's wrong with me? You haven't told me yet, or don't I wanna know?" Frankie asked as she tried to gain control of her emotions and stop her tears.

"Frankie, you've been severely injured." Alistair sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "You've been here over a week, slipping in and out of consciousness for the last three days. You had a bad concussion, four broken ribs, a fracture in your right arm, a minor injury to your spinal cord and you had some internal bleeding." Alistair drew a deep shaky breath as he continued. "According to Louise, if we hadn't gotten you to the hospital when we did, you might not have made it."

"So I'm all kinds of fucked up then?" Frankie smiled weakly through the pain she felt as she tried to make light of the situation. She focused on Alistair and saw that he looked tired, as if he hadn't slept in days. She looked around the room and saw flowers and get well soon cards throughout the room. It reminded her of all the other times she had been there before. The memories struck a painful chord in her.

"That's not funny, Frankie, tell me what happened and tell me how you really feel, please." Alistair said, looking into her eyes, stroking her cheek as she winced at the pain. "I'm so sorry, I should have been there, I should have protected you."

"It wasn't your fault, Alistair, and there is nothing you could have done. I knew he would come for me again, sooner or later."

"What he did to you, it makes... it makes me want to kill the bastard. What kind of man would do something like that? Does he think it makes him strong or godly to beat on women like that."

"I... I can't talk about it right now, please don't push. I'm not ready," she said, her voice cracking.

"Why didn't you tell me that you thought he would be back? And how did he manage to overpower you like that? In all the times that you and I sparred, you kicked my ass on more than one occasion. So what happened?"

Frankie sighed tiredly, and sadly turned her face away from Alistair. "You... wouldn't understand and I can't explain it right now. Please... just don't."

"Frankie, look at me, please." he asked, a pleading note in his tone.

She couldn't help but look back, afraid to see ridicule or contempt on his face, that she'd become less in his eyes than before. Most of all she feared seeing pity, that was the one thing she hated seeing most. She didn't want anyone, especially Alistair to feel sorry for her. She wasn't looking for the kind of attention that would just remind her of exactly how weak she was and how easily she could crumble. She worked up the courage to finally look at him and caught her breath when she saw the pride and love shining on his face. She blinked at him in confusion.

"I'm sorry Frankie, I shouldn't have pushed. I just... where I come from, this kind of thing, it happens a lot. And I hate it. I can't imagine how it feels to be on the receiving end and I won't ask again until you are ready, but know this. You are amazing. You are the strongest woman I know, and if my guess is right, you have endured so much and still survived. What happened with that bastard, you fought with everything you had in you and no one could ask for more than that..." he stopped as he started to choke up. "Just know, I love you and when you are ready, I will listen."

As much as it hurt, she tilted her head and moved closer to him, capturing his lips with her own as tears once again took over. Frankie couldn't believe that he understood in that way, much less that he still loved her after all that had happened. One part of her wondered why, why did he still love her and how was it possible for him to see her as strong when she only saw herself as weak and vulnerable. He pulled away reluctantly and once more wiped the tears from her cheeks.

Alistair leaned forward and kissed her forehead, about the only place that didn't hurt her, "Shhh, see yourself through my eyes, how I see you. I know you don't think the same, but let me be your strength until you are ready."

Frankie looked at him, wanting desperately to believe what he said, it was just...

The door opened and Frankie both cursed and felt relief at the interruption. Louise and Bella walked into the room slowly, as if they were both worried and relieved to see her awake. Frankie could see the mixed feelings in their eyes as they approached her bed side. She knew she would have to tell them everything sooner or later. She had tried so hard to hide it, just so that they wouldn't feel sorry for her or resent her for it if she told them later. She wanted to be strong in their eyes, as much as she wanted them to love her for who she was.

"See, Bella, I told you she was awake!" Louise said with a smile at Frankie. Louise was dressed in her work scrubs so Frankie could only assume she was on duty. She was relieved to see nothing but care and love in Louise's eyes and relaxed slightly. She knew Louise wouldn't push until she was ready and that really, she wouldn't be hearing or seeing anything she hadn't already. That made it a little easier to know.

Bella seemed to be on the verge of tears and trying to hold them back, to show a brave face to Frankie. Frankie held out her good arm to her and Bella dashed for her, a sob sounding in her throat. Alistair stood and moved over to Louise, to let the two friends be closer. After Bella sat on the chair next to her bed, Frankie looked at Alistair and saw he had a pensive expression on his face, as if something was worrying him or something was wrong. She made a mental note to ask him about it later as she tried to move herself into a position for him to sit on the bed with her. She beckoned him closer with a smile on her face and he complied willingly. She would be lying to herself if she said she had no doubts about the implications the attack would have on her relationship with Alistair. But she trusted that he would never hurt her.

"We wanted to come and make sure you finally decided to once again grace us with your consciousness, did you sleep well?" Louise quipped. Frankie couldn't help but smile, knowing that humor was definitely needed at this moment.

"Why, yes I did, thank you. I couldn't wait to wake up just to get the chance to irritate you again," Frankie struggled to giggle, but tried all the same. "And all I needed to do was get my ass in hospital to get Bella crying."

"That's not funny. You scared me," Bella protested.

"I'm sorry, it was in bad taste, I take it back," She said sincerely at her friend. "Have you all been here the entire time? You look like hell."

"We feel like ass as well, if it helps. But we will do it over and over again, just for you," Bella said.

"Oh, so are we gonna do this often then?" Frankie asked, once again failing at being serious, trying to put all of them at ease.

"That's not what I meant and you know it," Bella shot back.

"Yes, I know. I love you all very much and thank you for being here," she smiled at each of them. "Hmm...Where's Sal?"

"She was sent out of town for work, she'll be back tomorrow or the day after. She was so pissed when she heard you were here and she couldn't come to see you, but she'll be here as soon as she gets back," Louise explained.

They sat there talking for hours until there was another knock at the door. It was Carrie. She had to speak to Frankie in private and the others left the room to go check on Tess while Frankie was busy.

Carrie informed Frankie that their Chief was planning on firing her from the force due to the fact that she was on her last warning. In his opinion, she had used unnecessary force when she'd stabbed Joey, and her long track record of beating the hell out of some criminals, especially abusers, was all weighing up against her. They wanted to avoid another scandal of police brutality in the media and were convinced that it could be avoided if they let Frankie leave quietly. She had to report to the station as soon as she was released from hospital.

A whole flood of emotions ran through Frankie, from outrage to resignation. She should have guessed this would be the perfect excuse the Chief needed. She'd had issues in the past, she knew that, but this time she did what she'd had to, in self defense and if that asshole thought she was going to take this lying down, he had another thing coming. Except, she thought wryly, all she could do right now was take it lying down. Ah fuck it, she thought, let them do what they wanted, she honestly couldn't care less right now...

Hidey Blankets and Endless Blushes.

It is a very rare thing in this day and age to find true friends we can completely rely on and trust. Yet, when we do find such true friends, it is also so easy to take them for granted. But today I would like to thank you for being my friends and making that special difference in my life. I appreciate your support and guidance, which was really needed. My life was in a hopeless situation until you swooped in and rescued me. It was my ray of hope. Your enormous faith and trust in me, gave me the strength to continue. And therefor I would thank you endlessly. You are my life, my love and most of all, my family.

Huge hugs and special thanks to Isabella Monroe and RandomWittering, my spankalicious betas. Without you, I would be hopeless and lost. You mean more to me than you will ever know. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Love ya lots and I will always be there for you, as you have been for me.

VERY Special Thank you to Random for helping me co-write this chapter. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you. The shining light in my endless night. ;-)

HUGE Hugs to All the Cheeky, Spanky and Smutty Monkeys.
;-)

Feel free to join us on the Cheeky Monkeys of Dragon Age site. ht tp :/ / www .darkstorm. co .uk/cmda (Remove the spaces). Please use the same Pen-name as you do here on FF .net , otherwise we won't know who you are..and would most likely not let you come and play with us. Thanks for reading.