Grace was avoiding Boyd as much as she could, asking Spencer to join her for lunch, sitting in her office drinking tea with him as she attempted to get him to open up about what he was thinking and feeling. She did get him talking, but barely. She managed to finish two of the three reports she had sitting on her desk, taking both through to Boyd and putting them on his desk without saying a word. She left him to his brooding, his own reports and the demons he had yet to deal with. By the time her office clock showed six o'clock she was packing up and heading out. Spencer was doing the same, not that she had seen him do much, other than stare at Mel's empty desk.
"Night, Spencer." She said as she patted his arm before turning to look at Boyd's office.
Boyd was still in there, his feet on the desk and his glasses in his hand. He was again staring at the wall like it held all the answers to the universe if you stared at it long enough, she turned her attention back to Spencer, saw him watching her.
"This team is a mess. What's the point anymore?" His tone and body language that of a broken man.
"It will get better, we all just need time, Spence." Grace squeezing Spencer's arm as she stood looking through to Boyd's office.
"Tell that to Frankie. Night, Grace." Spencer making a quick exit, Grace's hand falling from his arm as he walked away.
Grace sighed, she needed a miracle to fix the team, starting with Frankie. She slung her back over her shoulder as she climbed the stairs and left the big grey brick building. When she reached her car she got in and placed her bag on the passenger seat. She knew where Frankie lived, she just hoped she hadn't done a complete runner and moved as well. On the drive to Frankies, she went over the different scenarios that could have made Frankie leave. She knew it had been tough on her more so her. The home office had no other pathologist to do the scene so she had to do it, do the autopsy, process the scene, everything. That obviously took its toll on Frankie, both emotionally and physically. She also wondered if Frankie and Boyd had had a massive row, one of their usuals spats that ended with them screaming at each other.
As she pulled up outside Frankies flat she was pleased to see the lights on, it was a start at least. She got out the car and looked up to what she knew was the living room window of Frankie's flat, hoping to catch a glance of the woman in question. She didn't see any movement so made her way to the front door after getting her bag and locking the car. She stood and steeled herself, not sure what if anything she was going to face. Maybe she should have rung first, checked she was in, made sure it was okay to come over. She reached up and pressed the buzzer, deliberately standing so she could be seen from the window. If she knew Frankie like she hoped she did she would check before opening the door. Sure enough, she saw a quick glance of Frankie as she looked to see who was at the door. She waited for the door to open but nothing happened so she pushed the buzzer again. When she still didn't get a response she pulled out her phone, sending Frankie a text instead.
"Frankie, I know you're in. I only want to talk, nothing more. Whatever has happened between you and Boyd is none of my business. He swears there is nothing and no doubt you'll do the same. Just let me in so I can at least say goodbye properly."
She stood looking between her phone and the window above, not bothering to look at the door. She was startled when the door opened to reveal Frankie, her face pale, huge black shadows under her bloodshot eyes. Frankie held the door open and gave Grace a weak smile, letting it close on its own once Grace was inside.
"Hi." Frankie's voice low and hoarse.
"Hi, Frankie." Reaching out and taking Frankie's hand in hers. "Come on, let's have a cup of tea and then maybe you can tell me all about it." Slowly guiding them both back up the stairs to Frankie's flat.
Depositing Frankie on the settee, Grace turned to look at her before she headed into the kitchen. Frankie looked so withdrawn, so down, and quiet, everything the pre-Mel's death Frankie wasn't. Frankie was loud, stubborn, happy, funny, open. She left her sitting as she went and made tea, even though she knew Frankie would complain about tea. When she came back Frankie hadn't moved, it was like watching Spencer all over again. Once the cups were on the table she took Frankie's hand again, saying her name quietly.
"Frankie, what is it? What's happened? If you tell me then maybe I can help you. You don't have to be alone Frankie, you know that right." Watching as Frankie turned to face her, great big tears rolling down her cheeks. "Oh, come here, love." Letting go of her hand and reaching to pull Frankie into a bone-crushing hug.
Frankie crumbled against Grace, her arms going around Graces back as she clung to Graces coat. Frankie sobbed while Grace held her, talked to her, reassured her everything would be okay. Grace had no idea how long they sat there, Frankie clinging to her as her tears stopped.
"What is it, Frankie? You can tell me, you know that right." Feeling Frankie loosen her grip as she went to sit up.
"I know Grace, but this is such a mess. This is for the best, for everyone. I can't go back, not now. Too much has happened, too much has changed." Her words measured and sure.
"Frankie, I know it's been tough since Mel died. We're all suffering, you, me, Spencer, Boyd." Not missing the slight flinch at Boyd's name. "We need each other, now more than ever, we can get through this as a team, we just need to stick together. Frankie, why did you leave? You didn't even say goodbye to anyone. Boyd said you were gone before he got in this morning, and we all know how early he gets in." Seeing a far-away look in Frankie's eyes. "Frankie, Mel wouldn't want this, for you to just leave. We need you, I need you, Spencer needs you, even Boyd needs you." Again not missing how uncomfortable she got when Boyd's name was mentioned.
Something had definitely happened between the two of them, something big enough for Frankie to walk away from the last four years of her life, her friends, her Colleagues, everything she had worked towards.
"Frankie, what on Earth happened between you and Boyd?" Frankie's head shooting up at the question. "And don't lie, I can tell."
"Grace, you know better than anyone what he's like. He said stuff, I said stuff, it went nuclear and I left. I can't work with him anymore, Grace." Knowing she wasn't exactly lying but not sharing the whole truth.
"You've had fallouts before, what made this one different? You two are too much alike for your own good, that's your main problem." Grace pointing out the obvious as she watched Frankie fidget.
"I don't know Grace. The team is better off without me. We can stay in touch though, we don't have to cut ties completely. You have my number, I have yours, it doesn't have to end here. I love you guys and I am going to miss you." Her eyes filling with tears as she finished talking.
"We will definitely stay in touch, meet up for coffee and brunch of course." Slipping her arm back around Frankie's shoulder to give her a one-armed hug.
Grace and Frankie spend the next three hours together talking, sharing memories and tears. When Grace went to leave Frankie gave her a fierce hug, holding her tightly as she said goodbye.
"Tell Spencer I'll be in touch soon, I just need a little time that's all." Kissing Graces cheek before she let her go.
"I will. Don't be a stranger okay." Returning the kiss on the cheek and hugging Frankie one last time.
Frankie watched Grace get in her car and drive away, feeling a mix of guilt and relief. She had lied to Grace, but she had her reasons. She was best off away from the CCU, away from him. By leaving she could deal with the consequences of her actions all by herself with no outside interference.