Kutee: You've been waiting on the PV crowd for a while. It's about time they showed up! What Erica will say about Frankie? Won't she welcome her with open arms and be gloriously happy that the other Stone is alive? Maybe? Possibly? Just a little? Hmmm…perhaps she won't even find out. Who knows?

Note: As promised to be lovely twitter followers - Germany beat Portugal in the Euro Cup and thus there is an update! Enjoy! (And follow me on twitter if you're not already. You get the latest news on my fics, and hear awesome daily messages from me. How cool is that? Very cool, if you ask me.)

Bianca silently shut off the light and closed the door to the bedroom the children were sharing that evening. She shuffled over to the sofa in the living area and sat down, exhaustion consuming her.

Dinner had been brutal. Once her mother learned she was no longer with Reese, her curiosity had grown. Once she heard the name Maggie fall from Miranda's lips, she was unstoppable. Where there had been sympathy before was replaced with disappointment and orders. Maggie had cheated on Bianca. Maggie had broken Bianca's heart. Maggie was the villain.

No one listened as she desperately tried to tell them she was not with Maggie. Yes, Maggie was back in her and Miranda's lives, but not in that way. Maggie was with Ally, a nice girl. Erica wouldn't listen, though. She went on and on, Opal and Jack joining in when appropriate. Kendall had even made a remark or two, but mostly stayed quiet, a strange look in her eyes. Like she had heard what Bianca was saying.

Bianca dropped her head in her hands. Everything was so mixed up. Miranda and Gabrielle had both been deeply affected by the fight. Gabrielle had clammed up, only opening her mouth to emit a sob. Miranda had hidden in the kitchen. Bianca fought with her family until it became apparent nothing was going to be resolved. Then, she stormed around the home, searching for Miranda. Spotting the girl under a table, she scooped up the shaking child and swept out of the house, ignoring the voices shouting after her.

The tall brunette bit her lip and chewed on the soft skin. She needed to talk to Frankie. They needed to talk so badly it hurt. It hurt inside. The minute she left Zach and Kendall's, she had sought out her phone, wanting to hear the calming tone. Frankie could always calm her down and make it seem as if everything would be ok. That they could face anything together.

Now, Frankie was far away, both mentally and physically. It broke her heart to hear Miranda asking if Frankie was leaving. She felt so helpless seeing the sadness on her children's faces, in their eyes. They had both become so attached to the agent, just like their mother. Bianca had been so certain Frankie felt the same. No, she was still certain.

It was hard, though. So hard.

A rapid knock on the door startled Bianca out of her thoughts. Her brows knit together in confusion. Who could that be? Joan was in for the night. Oh no, she hoped it wasn't her mother.

The knocks grew louder, and Bianca jumped to her feet. The person was going to wake Miranda and Gabby. She strode over to the door and pulled it open, peering out.

Frankie pushed past her, wild eyes scanning the room.

"Frankie?" Bianca gasped, frozen in place. Frankie was there.

Frankie walked around the room, checking behind furniture. Her hand hovered over her hip, and Bianca noticed the slight bulge on her right side. Frankie was there. Frankie had a gun.

"Frankie, what's going on?" Bianca shook her head and moved to close the door.

"Where are the kids?" Frankie asked, flipping the light on in Bianca's bedroom.

"In their room, why? What's going on?" Bianca stepped up to her side.

Frankie swung around her and opened the other door to be greeted by two slumbering children. She walked up to the crib first to see Gabrielle tangled in her blanket. Making sure not to wake her, she fixed the blanket and covered her completely. Miranda was next. She pulled the covers up to her shoulders after checking her for injuries. Certain the kids were fine and no one was hiding in the room, she strode out.

"Frankie, stop. What's wrong? Did something happen?" Bianca grabbed her shoulders.

"You tell me." She had broken every speed limit known to man, outdrove a state trooper, and ran more than one red light before even hitting town. She had run around the small city, using every means she could to track down Bianca and the kids. The teenager at the front desk had nearly fainted when Frankie flashed her badge and gun.

Bianca stared at her. Frankie was breathing heavily and there was a sense of frantic fear in her brown orbs. "Tell you what?"

"I don't know, Bianca. Tell me why Miranda calls me up crying that you guys are in trouble." Frankie gestured. She felt like she was going insane on the drive up. Hearing that little girl crying, all she could imagine was the people she loved being hurt. She could see them covered in blood, being attacked. She wasn't there to stop it. She had prayed that she wasn't too late. Asked God and whoever else was listening to let them be ok.

"Miranda called you?" Hiding under the table, the spilled contents of her purse, it all made sense.

"Yeah, she called me. What's going on? Are you hurt?" Hands started trailing up and down Bianca's sides, feeling for any wounds.

Bianca shut her eyes for a moment at the worried touches. "I'm ok. We're ok."

"It didn't sound like it." Frankie ran her eyes over the body so close to her own. "She was crying and saying you needed help. She…your eyes are red. You…you're upset."

Bianca captured the calloused hands in her own and brought them up to her face. The palms cupped her cheeks gently, "It's ok. I was just with my mother. She learned about Reese and Maggie, and she wasn't happy." She offered the anxious woman a soft calming smile, "You know how she can be."

Frankie blinked rapidly, trying to process what she was being told, "You…she…"

"We're ok. We are ok, Frankie." Bianca spoke clearly, looking into her eyes.

They were ok. It was a false alarm. They didn't need her. Without a word, Frankie pulled her hands away from Bianca, but the younger woman tightened her hold.

"Don't." Bianca whispered.

"I should go."

"No, stay,"

Frankie brushed her thumb across a pale cheek, "You're ok."

"Not without you."

Frankie swallowed hard at that. It couldn't be true. Bianca didn't know; she didn't understand. She jerked back with as much force as she could muster. Swiftly, she spun around and sped toward the door.

"No! You are not leaving me again." Bianca chased after her. As Frankie's hand grasped the doorknob, she wrapped her arms around the shorter woman. "You are not going."

Frankie exhaled sharply. "Let go, Bianca."

"No, do you hear me? I'm not letting you walk through that door." They were going to talk about this. They were going to fix this.

"It's not your decision."

Bianca pressed a kiss to the back of her head, "No, it's our decision."

"You don't understand." She willed herself to stay strong.

"Help me. Help me understand, baby." She kissed the back of her neck.

Frankie held in a shudder and leaned forward, resting her forehead against the door. She never should have come, never should have answered that phone. She could still be in DC, away from temptation. Away from what she wanted, what she couldn't have.

"I know something's bothering you. I know you." Bianca molded their frames together.

"There's nothing…"

"Don't lie to me. Please, don't lie to me. Not anymore."

"Bianca…"

Bianca carefully turned Frankie so the agent's back lightly tapped the door. She folded her hands around her face, "Talk to me."

Frankie averted her eyes and didn't say a word. She had to stay strong. If she didn't, Bianca would suffer. The kids would suffer.

Bianca pressed their foreheads together, their noses bumping softly. Her voice broke, "Why won't you open up to me? Why won't you let me in?" She dropped a hand to rest over Frankie's heart.

"You are." You are the only one.

"No, I'm not. You hide from me, from us."

"No, you don't understand."

"You're pushing me away. You're hurting me so much. I know you're hurting, too. Do you hate me? Is that why you don't want to be with me?"

Frankie shook her head, tears glistening on her eyelashes, "God no, baby. I could never hate you. I…I love you. More than life itself. I would do anything for you."

"Then let me in." Bianca tapped Frankie's chest, "Talk with me. Don't hide."

Frankie laid her hand over Bianca's, "Bianca'la."

"I feel like I'm losing you." Bianca sobbed quietly, her emotions taking over. "I can't lose you."

Unable to take the feelings crashing over her, Frankie brought the hand up to her mouth and kissed the smooth skin, "You'll never lose me. I'm yours. I've always been yours."

Tears fell from Bianca's eyes, "Show me. Be with me."

Frankie trembled as hot breath blew over her cheeks and lips. Her breathing quivered. Their bodies pressed together. One hand fell to cup Bianca's hip while the other swept across a wet jaw. Hands held her face, and she could feel Bianca getting closer and closer.

Soft lips tenderly brushed against hers, and she felt everything drop away. The world disappeared and all that was left was her and Bianca.

Bianca trembled at the kiss. Frankie pressed further against her, hands and fingers tightening as their lips slid together. It felt so damn good. Their tongues touched, and a moan purred in the back of Bianca's throat.

Frankie whipped back at the sound, her eyes snapping open violently. She gasped for air. What was she doing? She couldn't do this to Bianca. She was so stupid. So weak.

"Frankie?" Bianca reached out for her, but Frankie ducked away. The agent stumbled to the opposite side of the room. The look on her face scared Bianca, "Sweetheart?"

Frankie battled for control. Unstable hands wiped at her face and ran through her hair. She couldn't give in. She loved Bianca too much to do that to her. To hurt her. Bianca deserved so much more.

"Franks?" Bianca cautiously approached her.

"Stop! Don't…just stay there." Frankie pointed at her. She had slipped up. She had been so scared from that phone call that she let her guard down. Being in those arms had lowered her defenses.

"What's wrong? Talk to me, baby." Bianca begged, frightened.

Frankie balled up a fist and shoved it against her mouth, "I'm sorry."

"No, don't be sorry. There's nothing to be sorry for." Bianca took another step toward her.

"I shouldn't have…I'm not doing this." Frankie breathed in deeply. "I have to go."

With Frankie's first step, Bianca leapt forward. She crashed into Frankie. They tumbled onto the couch, Bianca on top. Frankie flailed her arms, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I love you! That's what's wrong with me." Bianca captured her arms and held them down, "I love you. I love you. I love you."

Frankie's jaw clenched. Every declaration was like a shot against her ever weakening walls, and Bianca knew it.

"I love you." Bianca kissed her temple. "I love you." Her jaw. "I love you." Her ear.

"You can't." Frankie breathed out, unable to stop herself. She mentally cursed herself for speaking.

Bianca felt her heart stop. "I do."

"No." Frankie struggled again.

Bianca easily countered the half-hearted attempts. "Why?"

Frankie moved her head. She couldn't look into those caring eyes.

"Sweetheart." Bianca wound a hand around her cheek and guided Frankie's eyes to meet hers.

The second their eyes connected, Frankie was done. Her trembling walls broke, "I'll hurt you."

Bianca trailed the pad of her thumb over a cheekbone, "What?"

Frankie gulped, "I'll hurt you. You and the kids. I will, I know I will."

Where was this coming from? "You would never hurt us."

"I will. I can't help it. I-I'm not a good person, Bianca."

"Who told you that?" Bianca gazed into brown eyes that reminded her so much of the unsure girl she had glimpsed when she was seventeen. "It's not true. You know it's not true."

"It is."

Bianca traced the curve of Frankie's neck, "You know it's not. You know it, Frankie. Whatever is happening, whatever people are telling you, you know deep down who you are. You know. And, that person who you know you are is the person I love. You are smart and funny and brave. You can be so gentle. You love the kids unconditionally. The way you look at me is breathtaking."

Frankie shook her head.

"You are so beautiful, Frankie. Inside and out. You think you're a bad person? A bad person wouldn't take a bullet for a child. A bad person wouldn't drop everything so they can read a bedtime story. They don't touch someone the way you touch me, with so much love. I love you, Frankie. I love you because I know you. The person I know is the same one you know you are."

Frankie's chin quivered. "I'm just like him."

"Who?"

"Just like him. I'll hurt you, hit you. Hit the kids. I-I have p-problems."

"Don't say that. You would never hit us." Bianca said.

"I get angry, lose my temper."

"You would never hurt us. You love us."

"I can't be trusted."

"Frankie, you know that's not true. I would never be with someone like that." Bianca kissed her chin. "Miranda and Gabby would never love someone like that. They love you. They trust you. Miranda called you because she knew you would never hurt her."

"The things I've done…seen…"

"You saved my life. You saved the kids' lives."

"You deserve better."

"You're the best there is for me." Bianca sniffled. "I want you. I love you. Do you love me?"

"Yes." Frankie murmured.

"Then, you'll never hurt me."

Bianca pressed one more kiss to her temple and stood up. She held out a hand to Frankie. Frankie stared at it. It couldn't be that easy.

"Trust me, and let me trust you."

Their hands joined, and Bianca tugged Frankie to her feet. Wordlessly she led the agent to the empty bedroom. As the door closed behind them, the only light came through the window, pale moonlight casting a glow over the room. Bianca pulled Frankie to stand at the end of the bed. She pushed the thick black coat off Frankie's shoulders.

"Bianca…"

"Shhh." quieted Bianca. Next off was the suit jacket. She tossed the clothing to the side. Carefully, she unclipped the gun holster from Frankie's hip. She placed it on the dresser.

Frankie held her breath as nimble fingers slowly undid the buttons on her shirt. Her eyes slipped closed as Bianca's mouth connected with her own in long languid kisses. Her tense muscles relaxed inch by inch with each swipe of the tongue and touch of the lips.

Bianca undressed the woman. As the last article of clothing left the warm body, she straightened from her kneeling position. Her fingers wrapped around Frankie's and she brought her hands up to the hem of her shirt. Together, they lifted it up and over her head. With Bianca's guidance, Frankie undressed her. Bianca nibbled at her ear and jaw while the barriers were removed.

Completely bare, Bianca kissed her cheek and sat down on the edge of the bed. She positioned Frankie's arms on either side of her, palms flat against the comforter. Frankie bent at the waist, voice shaking, "Bianca…"

"You can't hurt me." Bianca ran a hand down her face and throat. She tilted her head and kissed her.

Frankie kissed her back, willingly following as Bianca gradually fell backward. Their lips stayed connected as Bianca unhurriedly crawled up the bed until her head met the pillows. Frankie's hands slid up beside her, never touching.

Sucking on Frankie's bottom lip, Bianca guided the tan hands across her belly and up to her chest. Frankie broke the kiss as her hands came into contact with her breasts. They automatically molded to the mounds.

"You would never hurt me." Bianca whispered in her ear. She arched into the touch. "These hands would never hurt me."

Frankie gasped as hard nipples pushed into her palms. She began to massage the skin. At Bianca's increased breathing, she bent her head and kissed the valley between her hands. Her lips swept up, kissing and suckling the tender flesh.

"I love you." Bianca moaned as teeth scraped behind her ear. Her hands ran over Frankie's back.

Frankie's breath caught, "I love you, too."

Bianca kissed her shoulder, "You feel so good. God, your hands feel so good." She turned her head and captured Frankie's mouth in a searing kiss.

Frankie's hands swooped up to tangle in long dark locks as Bianca's dropped to Frankie's lower back, pushing their bodies even closer. Frankie kissed her harder, letting go more and more.

As their lips tore apart, both gasping for air, Bianca's hips bucked up, "I need you. I need you so much."

Frankie's eyes opened. Sensing the hesitation, Bianca traced the edge of her ear, "I love you. You won't hurt me."

Their eyes locked and Frankie felt the trust and love in the shared gaze. Smashing their lips together for a quick kiss, she nestled between long legs. Fingertips trickled down a tone belly, tickling a strong hip. When she felt wet heat, her eyes ticked up to look at Bianca.

Bianca's head was thrown back, her hair spread out across the pillows like a halo. Hooded glazed eyes peeked at her. "You won't hurt me."

"No, I won't." Frankie mumbled, promising it, believing it. "I love you."

"I love you."

Two fingers dipped inside. A gentle whimper sounded. Frankie held still, overwhelmed. Bianca was giving herself fully to her. She trusted her completely. How could Frankie let this go? How could she hurt her?

"It's ok, baby. We're ok." Bianca soothed. "We're going to be ok."

"I'm so messed up." Frankie choked out, any sense of composure falling at that heartfelt voice.

"Frankie, honey, look at me."

Frankie's face began to crumple, "I can't…you…there's so much in my head. I messed up so much." She touched Bianca's face, "I keep hurting you. No matter what I do. I don't want to hurt you anymore."

She pulled out of Bianca and scrambled away. Her legs swung over the side of the bed, and she folded over, head falling into her hands.

The bed shifted as Bianca crawled over to her. Frankie glanced over her shoulder, vision blurred by tears, "Why can't I do the right thing? Why aren't I strong enough?"

"You are strong enough. You are so strong, Frankie." Bianca embraced her. "You don't have to be. Not with me."

"I'm not right for you. You…you should be with someone better. Someone who can love you the right way. Who's not a screw-up."

"I am. You're not a screw-up, Frankie. You love me. You love me the way I've always dreamed of."

"You don't understand."

"Help me understand."

"Then what?" Frankie looked so lost.

"Then we become us again."

Frankie wanted that so badly, but there was so much in her head. So much pointing at her being bad.

Bianca nuzzled her hair, "Why shouldn't I be with you?

"I'll hit you."

"You would never hit me." Bianca edged around her to search her eyes, "Why would you ever think that?"

"I'm just like my dad. I've got his temper and…"

"You are not your parents, Frankie!" Bianca spoke firmly. "You are nothing like them."

"How do you know?"

"Because, I've seen you with Miranda and Gabby. You would give your life for them."

Frankie blinked hard, "I'm an addict."

"You got clean."

"I've killed people."

"To protect others." Bianca stroked her arm. "You kill bad guys to protect people."

"I've broken the law."

"Because you had to."

"It's not that simple." was sighed.

"Yes, it is." Bianca tangled their hands together.

Frankie desperately tried to process this. Everyone said differently. But, Bianca wasn't lying to her. Bianca believed what she was saying. Frankie trusted Bianca, more than anyone.

"Let me in your heart."

"You are." Frankie mumbled. "You're the only one I've ever let in."

"What is your heart saying?"

"That I believe you. I love you." quietly admitted Frankie.

The agent slowly turned, lips seeking Bianca's. Their mouths met, and Frankie could feel it. The trust, the love, the faith in her. It washed over her and ran through her veins. Their tears mixed together, and their bond strengthened. Tears slipped faster down Bianca's cheeks as she felt it.

"I love you." murmured Frankie.

"I love you."

"I'll never hurt you." she vowed.

"I know. I'll never hurt you." was gasped in reply.

"I'll be better."

"No." Bianca nipped her bottom lip. "Just be you. That's all I want."

Bianca kissed her again and again, driving away the voices lurking inside, their criticisms leaving with each touch. "Make love with me."

"Always."