AMCGL7: Suspense and tension? It could be what makes a good story. I hope so, because I have a feeling there might be a lot of that in the very near future. Withdrawals? Can't have that. That doesn't sound good at all. Glad you liked the Ally/Maggie time. A little more of them, you say? I'll see what I can do. Jones? How can you not like him? He's Jones!
Me? Merciless? Yeah, probably. Blame the curveballs and slap shots on my obsession with sports. Mimo is pretty smart for a kid, isn't she. Erica? Hehe, you don't think she'll welcome FAB with open arms and a big smile? Opal? Who knows who will make an appearance. It is Pine Valley, after all. Oh, and make sure you buckle that seatbelt extra tight. Just in case. It might get a bit bumpy from here on out.
Bianca sat in the passenger seat, watching the familiar scenery pass by. The sun was slowly rising above the treetops and glistened off the sparkling white snow. Most of Pine Valley was still asleep, basking in their own peaceful dreamlands.
Not her.
Her sister and brother-in-law had been attacked. Zach and Kendall's house exploded. She didn't know if they were ok. She didn't know if her nephews Spike and Ian were ok. All she knew was that the explosion had to do with her. The drive had been tense. Each mile seemed to take longer than the next. She couldn't call or text anyone. Frankie had confiscated all of their cell phones the minute they left the hotel room to go to the safe house. They said it was possible to track her by her cell phone, but she didn't care. She wanted to know if Kendall was ok.
How could someone do this? How could they attack her family? They weren't involved in this. They were innocents. Just like her children. Miranda and Gabrielle were two beautiful healthy children. They did what they were told and stayed out of trouble. But, because of their DNA some crazy psycho killer had decided he wanted to kill them. He wanted to kill her, too. He just wanted to kill.
He wasn't going to do it. This was her family. She loved them. She was ready to fight for what she cared about most in this world. She was going to protect her children, her sister, nephews, mother, and anyone else. That included Frankie.
Bianca quickly glanced at the woman driving the car. She could see the fatigue in her eyes. Frankie always needed her coffee. They hadn't had time to stop for one. Frankie was driving as fast as she could. The early morning hour afforded them nearly empty streets, which she thanked heaven for. The bruises and cuts on Frankie's face were healing. The bruises were changing colors and becoming more pronounced. They must hurt. Frankie didn't say anything about them, however. She just drove and spoke on her tiny communicator with the two agents driving behind them.
She also would periodically rub at her chest.
It frightened Bianca to think Frankie's heart was bothering her. That something could be wrong with it. So much had happened in such a short time. It was only a few weeks ago at most that she had no idea of the problems residing in her girlfriend's chest. Heck, it was only a few months ago they were together in Paris with the children, enjoying Christmas. She would give anything to go back to that time. They were happy. Things were peaceful.
For one fleeting second, Bianca wondered what would have happened if she fought Frankie. If Frankie never left Paris. She could have fought harder and made her stay. Frankie never would have returned to work. Would any of this be happening?
She couldn't think like that. Frankie had returned to work. Now, people were trying to kill everyone she loved. Reese was on US soil in custody. Maybe the peaceful bubble she thought existed never had. The killers were only regrouping and waiting for the right moment to strike.
They weren't going to win. They were not getting near her children. She prayed they were safe at that house with Maggie and Ally. She knew Frankie had as much protection as possible assigned to them. But, she still worried. She couldn't stay there, though. She had to go. She needed to see her sister, and she needed to be with Frankie. Frankie acted tough. Unfortunately, Bianca knew her. She knew Frankie needed help, even when the older woman hated asking for it. She was going to help her.
She was going to make sure this ended.
The car pulled into the hospital parking lot. The sun had fully risen, casting its light across the pavement. Numerous cars were scattered about, filling various parking spaces. Frankie guided the car into an open space and cut off the engine. Eager to see her sister, Bianca's hand immediately went for the door.
"Wait." Frankie stopped her, eyes in the rearview mirror.
"What? Frankie, I have to see if she's ok." Bianca tried to unlock the door.
"Wait for the others." Frankie watched the other car park. Two agents quickly got out and scanned the area. They walked up to Frankie's car and stood behind it. Frankie turned to Bianca, "Ok, stay with me. Don't go anywhere without me."
"Frankie, unlock the door."
"I'm serious, Bianca. This is dangerous."
Bianca sighed and looked at her, "I know it is. But, I need to see Kendall, Zach, and the boys. I need to make sure they're ok."
Frankie stared at her for a moment. The doors unlocked, "God, you shouldn't be here."
Bianca pushed open the door and exited. She raced around the car. Frankie got out and locked the doors, nodding at the two agents to follow. She caught up with Bianca who was speeding toward the hospital. They moved side by side, the two agents right behind. The group burst into the busy hospital and went to the desk.
The nurse pointed them to the correct floor and room. With a hasty thank you from Bianca, they darted to the elevator and rode to the right level. Inside the small contraption, Bianca's mind buzzed. She hoped with everything she had they were alright. If her family got hurt or worse because of her, it would be terrible. The last time she saw them was when Frankie was brought to the hospital. It had been a confusing mess. Her mother was furious. Kendall was somewhat confused. Yet, she still supported her. Kendall did her best to help Bianca when their mother started her interrogation about Reese which turned toward Maggie and finally Frankie. They still had their issues. They were not as close as before Zach became the donor for Gabrielle, but they were working on it.
She wished she could give Kendall a hug.
The elevator doors dinged open, and Bianca automatically reached for Frankie. Their hands tangled together tightly. She took a deep breath, seeing all the people milling about in the hallway and waiting room.
"It's alright." Frankie murmured. "You know she's ok."
"What if she's not?" Bianca whispered in fear.
"If she's like you, she's fine. Just making her monthly trip to the hospital. It's the thing to do in this town." Frankie joked lightly.
Bianca looked at her, and tears stung her eyes. Frankie shot her a crooked grin, and Bianca felt a sense of calmness wash over her. Facing forward, she stepped off the elevator. She put one foot forward, then the next. With each step, her courage grew. It was going to be ok. Her sister had survived worse. She had lived through comas, tornadoes, and giving birth to two wonderful boys.
A lot of chatter stopped as they got closer to the room's door. Bianca recognized many of the faces. Ryan Lavery was there along with Dr. Jake Martin and Tad Martin. Their gazes widened at the sight of Bianca and Frankie. Ryan opened his mouth to say something, but Frankie's glare shut him up.
Filled with nerves, Bianca reached the door. She peered inside to see Kendall on the hospital bed, a few bumps and bruises on her face. She was awake, though, and talking with Jack and Erica. Bianca froze in the doorway.
Sensing another pair of eyes, Kendall looked toward the door. She smiled at her sister, "Hey Binks."
With a choking gasp, Bianca released Frankie's hand and flew forward. She wrapped Kendall in a giant hug, a few tears dripping down her cheeks, "Kendall."
Everyone watched the two women embrace. Seeing the two sisters together was right. Bianca pulled back after a minute, "Are you ok? Zach? The boys?"
"We're ok, Binks. Just a few bumps." Kendall assured her. "We just got home when it happened."
"Thank goodness. Jessie said if anyone was inside, they wouldn't have made it." Erica added, quoting the chief of police.
"Where are Zach and the boys?" Bianca asked.
"Getting one last check-up before we're released." Kendall answered.
"I can't believe someone would do this. Who would want to hurt you?" Erica shook her head.
Bianca felt her face pale at the question.
"I don't know mother." Kendall shrugged. "Maybe it's about Fusion or the Casinos."
Bianca jumped slightly but relaxed as a hand touched the small of her back. "I have to go talk to the cop making the report." Frankie whispered in her ear, "I don't want to leave you."
"What is she doing her?" Erica's eyes narrowed at the agent.
"She came with me, mom." Bianca answered, turning to face Frankie.
"She can leave. This is family only." Erica crossed her arms.
Frankie ignored her, "I saw him outside."
"Go. I'll be fine." Bianca replied. Seeing Frankie bite her lip, she placed a hand on the agent's hip, "Go before you miss him."
Frankie reluctantly nodded, "I'm right outside the door."
"I know." Bianca squeezed her hip.
Frankie glanced at Kendall, "Good to see you're ok."
"Thanks." Kendall dryly responded, shooting her sister a curious look.
Frankie gave Erica and Jack a nod before leaving the room, zeroing in on the uniformed man writing in his pad a few feet outside the door.
"I can't believe you brought her here." Erica scolded Bianca.
"She's my girlfriend, Mom. I need her here with me."
"She's using you, Bianca. Is she the reason you haven't been answering the phone? We've tried calling you hundreds of times." Erica flipped her hair in agitation.
"No, she's the reason I'm here. She found out and drove me."
"What happened to your phone?"
Bianca shrugged, "I lost it." Well, she lost it to a bunch of agents who took it away from her. "Mom, Frankie isn't using me or hurting me. She wants to help."
Erica huffed, "That's what she wants you to think, Bianca. She's a bad person."
"Ok, ok, I think maybe we should get some coffee." Jack curled his hands around Erica's biceps, "I know I need some, and I'm sure Kendall and Bianca want to talk."
Bianca sent him a grateful smile as he herded Erica to the door.
"Jack, Bianca needs to hear this." Erica's voice echoed from outside the room. Jack's reply was drowned out by the walls.
Bianca turned away from the door they left through to see her sister gazing at her with a raised eyebrow. "What?"
"Oh, nothing." Kendall sang.
Bianca frowned, "Are you sure you're ok?"
"Fine." Kendall tilted her head, "Looks like you have some problems, though."
Bianca rolled her eyes, "Mom is just…being Mom."
Kendall smirked, "I'll admit Mom can be overprotective, especially of you. But, she really hates Frankie. She hasn't stopped complaining about her since you left."
Bianca groaned, "No."
"Yes. And, I gotta say Binks, this is all a little weird."
"Weird?" Bianca perched on the edge of the bed.
"She looks just like Maggie."
"They're identical twins, Kendall. You knew this."
"I knew you dated Maggie's twin. But, seeing her is…weird. She's like Maggie…"
"No, she's not." Bianca interrupted. She peeked out the door to see Frankie talking with the cop, features twisted in a serious stare, "They're very different."
"You were in love with Maggie. Then, you were in love with Reese." Kendall chuckled, "Hell, you said Reese was the love of your life. You changed because of her."
Bianca exhaled softly and faced Kendall, "I know. I'm so sorry about…everything."
"So you've said."
"It was a…very confusing time for me. So much happened, and I made some bad choices. I can't say I regret having Gabrielle. She's my daughter, and I love her. I'm sorry you were hurt because of it."
"Bianca,"
"And Reese…she was using me. She never actually loved me." It hurt to know that. She loved Frankie, but she married Reese. Even if the relationship was over and she was with the person she loved, it stung to know the whole marriage had been fake for Reese. "Frankie loves me."
"What does Maggie think about this?"
"Why?"
"It's her twin. Her previously thought dead twin. Considering how serious you got with Maggie…"
"Maggie knows how I feel about Frankie. She's always known." That was a mess, too. "She understands."
"Do you?"
Bianca's brow furrowed, "Pardon?"
"That woman isn't Maggie. If you're trying to relive your love or…"
"Whoa, stop. Just stop." Bianca raised her hands, "I am in love with Frankie. I've always loved Frankie. What we have has nothing to do with Maggie or Reese or anyone."
"Really?" Kendall asked in slight disbelief.
Bianca ran a hand across her face and through her hair, "You weren't there when Frankie first got here. It was…she means everything to me, Kendall." Her eyes clouded over as she remembered, "I've always been in love with Frankie. Even after she died, it took me so long to even think of moving on. Now, she's back. She's in my life again, and I'm not going to lose her."
"Wow." Kendall blinked, "You're serious."
"I can see spending the rest of my life with her." Bianca picked at the thin hospital bed sheet, "Miranda and Gabrielle both love her."
"Saw that when Miranda defended her to Mother. Oh, did Mom love that."
"It's over with Reese. It's been over with Maggie. It…it never was over with Frankie, not really. I still missed her. I didn't always think about her or anything like that. I did love and care about Lena, Maggie, and Reese. But, sometimes, it would strike me."
"What would?"
"Just little things. Like, I'd hear some stupid line from Shakespeare or smell the scent of amber. I'd flash back to Frankie. I could still see her grin." Bianca shook her head ruefully, "Sometimes I tried to picture what life would be like if she'd lived. I still do. I wonder what would have happened if she didn't go away."
"And?"
"And…it doesn't matter. Because I have her now, and that's all that matters."
Kendall's mouth twisted into a smile, "I can't wait to see Mom at the wedding."
Bianca blushed, "Shut up."
Loud voices crashed in from outside the room.
Kendall lifted a hand to the door, "Looks like Mom's already arguing over flower arrangements."
Through the door, both could see Erica in Frankie's face, her hands waving wildly as she barked. Jack stood at her side, trying to calm her down. Frankie stood still, jaw clenched. The cop was backing away, wondering what was going on.
"Oh no," Bianca stood up and ran out of the room. She sprinted to Frankie's side, "Mom? What are you doing?
"This is all her fault!" Erica shouted, pointing at Frankie, "She did this."
"What?"
"She did this to your sister. She's responsible, Bianca!"
"Mom, Frankie had nothing to do with this."
Frankie rolled her eyes, "Told her that. I don't think she heard me over her screeching."
"Why you little…you did this! You were a part of this! Admit it."
"I wasn't even in this state." Frankie smirked sarcastically, "What? Let's blame it on Frankie. Oh, she wasn't there? She was hundreds of miles away? She still did it."
"Frankie," Bianca touched her elbow.
Frankie released a long slow breath, "I need to finish with this cop."
"Why would she be talking to him?" Erica asked.
"Maybe because I'm a federal agent who can help with this investigation." Frankie shrugged, "Just a thought."
"Bianca, you need to get away from her. I know she had to have been a part of this. Everything was fine until she came here. Now, Kendall and Zach's house blows up."
"Erica, this isn't the best time or place to do this." Jack indicated the interested bystanders.
"Jack, you know this is all wrong."
"Uncle Jack, please," Bianca stared at the man.
"Where are Miranda and Gabrielle?" Erica swung her hands, "Did she do something to them?"
"They're safe." Bianca answered. She could feel Frankie tense. She traced her hand up to the back of Frankie's neck and rubbed slow deep circles.
"Did she tell you that?"
"I'd never hurt the kids." Frankie ground out. She did not have the time or patience for this. The ache in her chest mixed with exhaustion and worry was wearing down her ability to remain calm.
"Erica, let's talk about this later. We should concentrate on Kendall right now." Jack soothed.
"Kendall is in the hospital because of her."
"Mom," Kendall called from the doorway. She balanced both hands on the frame.
"Kendall, what are you doing up?"
"I only have a few bruises; I can stand." Kendall replied, "Now, do you think you can stop having a fight in the hallway?"
"We still need to get that coffee." Jack once again grabbed Erica's arms.
"Plain black for me." Frankie said as he steered Erica to the elevator.
"Frankie," Bianca scolded half-heartedly.
"You two ok for a few minutes? I should find my husband and kids." Kendall moved into the hallway. Ryan rushed up to her, but she waved him off.
"Yeah, we're ok." Bianca watched her sister walk down the hall, Ryan at her heels.
Frankie cursed, "Where the hell did that cop go?" He'd disappeared during the confrontation.
"What did you find out?"
Frankie tugged at the collar of her shirt, "That you need to be back at the safe house."
"Frankie,"
"No, Bianca. I mean it." Frankie scrutinized the hallway, spotting both agents milling about, "You can't be here."
"I had to see my sister."
"You saw her, now you can go."
Bianca continued to massage the back of Frankie's neck, "I'm not leaving you."
Frankie's eyes fluttered at the touch, "You have to stop doing that."
"Why?"
"Because you know I can't think when you do."
Bianca pressed her fingers harder into the flesh and muscle.
Frankie bit back a groan, "Bianca, it's not safe."
"When has my life ever been safe?"
Frankie forced herself to take a step away from her, "I don't like you being in the open like this. This explosion was real. It's real."
"I know it is."
"Anyone in that house would have died. You need to be in hiding with the kids."
Bianca felt a flash of terror at the certainty in Frankie's voice, "Do Kendall and Zach need to go into hiding?" Did her family need to be protected?
"You're one of the main targets. You need to be there the most."
She knew Frankie was right. But, she couldn't listen to her, "I'm staying."
"Damn it, Bianca. Please," Frankie grasped her hand and led her to a corner. She ducked her head and griped both of Bianca's hands, "I need you safe. You and the kids. I'll handle this, but you…I can't be worrying that someone is going to get you."
Bianca cupped her cheek, "I am not leaving you."
"It's not safe."
"They almost killed you. If I'm in hiding, you should be too."
"I'm a trained federal agent."
"And I'm your lover." Bianca tilted her face so their eyes met. "If the people I love are in danger, I'm going to do everything I can to help. That includes you."
"I know what I'm doing."
"Never said you didn't. I can see how tired you are, though. You're hurt, Frankie. Let me help you." She brushed their mouths together, "I love you."
"Bianca,"
"They want you dead. They attacked you. They've been after you since you got back to the States." Their forms melded together. "You're in as much danger as I am. So, if you're going to be out here, so am I. I'm not going to sit back anymore while you do this. We're together no matter what." she caught her lips in another kiss.
"Why can't I win with you?" Frankie muttered as their lips broke apart.
"I thought you won when you got me."
Frankie grinned, "Touché, Ms. Montgomery."
They kissed again.
Frankie sighed as they parted, "I want to see the site. Then, we're leaving."
"Where to?"
"The house." Frankie couldn't believe she was saying this, "It's better if we're there from now on."
"We?"
"I don't want you out here."
Bianca sighed, "Frankie, if I go back, you go with me." She drew her thumb across Frankie's bottom lip, "We're a team."
Frankie rolled her shoulders silently.
"Frankie," Bianca waited for their eyes to lock, "let Michaels and Jones handle it. I need my family safe."
"I can keep them safe."
"I want you safe with us." She rested their foreheads together, "Why can't you let them do this?"
"It's my case."
"It's your life." Bianca growled, "God Frankie, don't you get it? I want my family safe just as much as you. I want these bastards caught just as much as you." Frankie tried to look away, but she griped her chin and kept their eyes locked, "I love you. I want you. I need you. I am begging you, Frankie, as the woman who loves you. As the mother of two little girls who see you as another parent. As the first person who ever told you they love you. As the person who has a life with you. Please, sweetheart, stay with me."
Frankie swallowed thickly. Her voice trembled, "I'll get protection for Kendall and the rest of them. Then…I'll stay."
Bianca gave a sigh of relief and kissed her, "Thank you."
"We should go."
"Just let me so goodbye to Kendall and Mom."
