Chapter 5

It was a quiet night, and here I was drinking' a malt with Frenchy. We'd just watched our movie, and were winding down. Frenchy smiled.

"This is wonderful," she said softly. She stood up. "I'll be back… grabbing a smoke."

As I'm a non-smoker, I stayed back and chatted with none other than Rizzo.

"Frenchy says you're a helpful guy."

I smiled. "What's up?"

"I'm not sure Kenickie really is into me. We just got together."

"Have you talked to him?"

"The hard part is… I have an image to maintain. I don't wanna seem soft or weak."

"Ah," I said, "the tough, no-nonsense type. What I'd do is…"

That was when I heard the gunshot. It had to have been, I thought. I ran outside.

Frenchy was just Lyin' in the parking lot… not moving.

I ran over, gently turning her over and holding her close.

"Sweetie…" I said softly, shaking her. "Wake up… you can't fall asleep, alright? Hey… hey!" I stroked her cheek. "Don't do that!"

She gasped weakly. "Ezio…?"

I placed two fingers on her neck, feeling a strong pulse. He'd missed her heart. Good. But her breathing was labored.

"Yeah… it's me, Frenchy."

Everyone in the place was now outside. "Frenchy!" Jan squealed.

"Am… Am I gonna die?" She choked slightly. "I'm gonna die, aren't I?"

"No you're not, sweetheart. I'm gonna get you some help."

"Get her in the car," Rizzo said frantically. "The ambulance is gonna take too long."

After I'd carried her to the car, I held her gently in my lap as we sped up. Her breathing was a bit worse. I tilted her head back and placed my hand over the stain on her blouse, putting pressure on it. "Keep your eyes open," I said firmly. I placed my mouth over her soft lips, helping her breathe.

"It'll be okay, French," Jan said thickly as I kept breathing for Frenchy. I was genuinely afraid that she was gonna die in my arms! I stroked her cheek to keep her awake as I kept at what I was doing all the way to the hospital.

When we got their, they had me place Frenchy on a gurney. She took my hand and we shared a kiss for good luck.

"Before ya go in there, I gotta say something," I said breathlessly. "You can't die! I can't lose you… I…"

I kissed her forehead and whispered into her ear just before they took her away… "I've fallen in love with you, Francesca."