New Beginnings.
CONCLUSION
[Complications of Life Series]
Commenced: 01.01.2000
Completed: 10.02.2000
Story number 10
Summary: When you know it's over there is no turning back.
But it doesn't mean the surprises stop. Are Frank and Rachel's lives are about to get less complicated?
Disclaimer: They are mine Hal. They look nothing like the ones you used to play with. Only the names are the same in this realm! Nah.. only joking… Don't think I can do it. You all know the drill, Mr. McElroy, Southern Star and Channel Nine own everyone/thing that you recognise.
But everyone else belongs to me!
Authors notes: Well here it is.
The final one.
The song used is "Runaway" by "The Corrs"
I heard it on the radio when I started thinking about this last story, and realised how I was going to finalise this series.
Several thanks are required.
First to Sarah (Saz!) and Simone who wanted a sequel to "Last Goodbye." If it wasn't for that suggestion, this series may never have happened!
To all my buddies who have beta read bits and pieces to this series over the past five months, thanks!
Also thanks to everyone who has given me feedback for the stories so far.
And finally…
Special thanks and recognition to one of the best sub-editor a fan fic writer could have.
Sonia, you are brilliant!
Sincere thanks for all the help, suggestions and honesty!
~*~*~*~
It had all started out as some innocent banter. Nothing unusual, just the regular stirring that Frank and Rachel participated in on a daily basis.
Frank had seen yet another birthday come and go. Rachel loved to remind him of *exactly* how much older than her he was! He had always laughed it off. The usual '…you're only as old as you feel or the woman you're feelin'…' joke was recited for yet *another* birthday. Rachel always hassled him about such a crude remark '…tasteful Holloway, very tasteful…' He figured that by now she'd probably be more shocked if he *didn't* say it.
This year when everyone bagged him about getting old… he actually *felt* old.
And that bothered him.
That night in bed he lay there thinking.
Rachel noticed and debated whether to ask or wait until he spoke up.
As she rolled over to face him she winced in pain.
"What's wrong?" asked Frank with a look of concern. "That shoulder giving you some trouble again?"
"Yeah… yeah. It'll be right," she replied in her usual offhanded manner.
"No, it *won't* be right. You should go and see a Doctor about it," he stated tracing the scars that ran across her shoulder with his fingers. The doctors had done their best patching her up. The scaring had faded somewhat over what was nearly 10 years, but the damage inside could never be measured.
"And what can the doctors do?" she asked wearily. "Open me up again and have a play? Or write a report that says it's getting worse and that there's nothing they can do? You know how that would go down with the brass? I spend enough time as it is at the office these days just pushing paper around. They'd want me out."
"I've actually been thinking of getting out myself," Frank replied.
Rachel looked at him. "What?"
"Yeah serious. I'm gettin' too old for this game I think," he replied. Frank was surprised the menagerie of thoughts that had been spinning in his head had formed this conclusion.
"You leave? Ah, give it a couple of days Frank, you'll forget about this birthday and everything will be right with the world again," said Rachel.
"Nah, serious really," he replied. "My reaction times are getting slower. I'm starting to notice it. I think the old body is gettin' a bit worn out."
"Works fine for me," she smiled as reached out and ran her hand across his chest.
"I wanta get out of it Rachel. I don't trust myself anymore. It's risking lives me being like this. Your life and Donna's and anyone else who's relying on me."
She looked at him and decided to give in trying to convince him that he was wrong, she could see his mind was made up. He was so damn stubborn.
"What would you do?" Rachel asked.
"I dunno. Maybe I could play around with the boat a bit. I mean we haven't done much with it. Those few trips up the coast on holidays over the years," he replied.
"And the New Year's Eve parties out on the Harbour," added Rachel.
"Yeah, it *has* been worth keeping it," he replied. "Not that I think we had a choice. The kids had their hearts set on it."
"Maybe you could go to Venezuela?" grinned Rachel. "You know the *proper* trip that you wanted to take and…"
"And didn't get far off the coast of Queensland," he laughed.
"Yeah that one. Why *was* it that you didn't get to Venezuela?" she teased.
"Oh I don't know," he said softly as he took her in his arms and pulled her body close to his. "I think there was this beautiful woman that I was in love with. She was hell bent on raising my kid without me. Couldn't have that now could I?"
"Hmm and look what happened. Three kids, a house – without a mortgage now… thank God."
"Yeah and you in my life still," he added with a smile. "But nah… I couldn't go that far by myself."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing, me in your life still?" Rachel queried sitting up slightly.
"Oh definitely good," he replied kissing her.
Rachel put her head back on his chest.
"You know, I couldn't work with another partner," she continued. "Not that I get out from behind that damn desk much these days. I mean Donna is okay, but you're around still. Maybe I should get out too? With this shoulder starting to play up as well, maybe it's time? We could both go to Venezuela. Before we are too old to enjoy ourselves."
"You'd want to? I mean it would be… well do you remember all the things I said it would be?"
"Yeah I remember them. Look if I get sick of it you can always drop me off somewhere and I can find a plane and come back," she laughed.
"Oh yeah, sure. You'd trust me out there by myself would ya?" he grinned. "Trust me not to pick up any hitchhikers?"
Rachel laughed. "You couldn't handle a twenty-something blonde these days Frank.
"Oh but I could try," he grinned.
"You'd want to?" she inquired.
"Nah, you're all I want," he replied thoughtfully and seriously, running his hand through her hair. "All I've ever wanted."
"Yeah? Really?"
"Yep. All I want to do right now," he breathed in her ear as he rolled her back to her pillow, "is to have you in my arms and for us to make love until the sun starts shining through that bedroom window."
"Ooooo you're always a charmer Francis and you *still* know how to turn me on," she smiled, offering no resistance to his advances and surrendering her body to his.
"I want to be able to turn you on," he said between the gentle kisses he was placing on her yielding smooth skin, "until they have to lower me into the ground."
His seriousness overwhelmed her. With an open hand into his chest, she pushed his body upwards. He balanced, hovering there for a few seconds before transferring his weight to rest on his own arms, now placed either side of her body.
She looked deep into his eyes and stroked her hand across his cheek and through his greying hair. Her deep blue eyes still focussed on his.
She felt so damn good in his arms.
She elevated her wanting, aching body up to him. Her mouth embracing his hungrily, their tongues now engaged in warfare.
Rachel wielding an erotic force that stirred his craving to take her – mind, body and soul.
He lowered her tenderly back down to the bed.
There would never be anyone else for either of them.
They shared a love that had never diminished, could not be abandoned or betrayed.
Two mortal bodies that shared one immortal heart.
He knew how to arouse the desire that burnt wildly within her.
He had always known.
~*~
The next morning, like young lovers who had just discovered a mutual passion, they sat down over breakfast and wrote a letter of resignation. A radiant smile danced across Rachel's face as she penned their freedom. The light of day hadn't changed their minds and a joint letter seemed more than appropriate.
"What *are* you doing? You both seem to be in an unusually happy mood before having to go to work?" quizzed Gabby as she wandered in. After finishing her year the Academy in Goulburn, she couldn't see the point in having to pay exorbitant rent for an apartment when she could live at home. And after just over four years in uniform she enjoyed still coming *home* at the end of the day.
"Ah," started Frank casting a glance at Rachel. Her expression told him 'not yet'… "tell ya later, it's a surprise."
"Oh no Dad! Could we handle another one? Last time you decided to surprise us, you nearly burnt the house down!"
"What? When?" replied Frank defensively.
"Remember? Christmas lights on the house," replied Gabby, "oh we were about… 15? Yeah… Mum was still home after she was shot. You decided to do something 'special' for Christmas. Convince Mum that non Jewish holidays were just as much fun as Chanukah. Don't you remember? Short circuit due to overload, switchboard on fire, major rewire of the house? Ring any bells Dad?"
'This is different," said Rachel, " I know about this one!"
"Oh good, that'll make a *big* difference then won't it," she said sarcastically, but with a smile.
"Hey what's that supposed to insinuate?" questioned Rachel. But she guessed she only had herself to blame for her daughters acidic wit.
"Ah... gotta go, I'm going to be late. Don't want to get up the sergeant's nose today," she laughed as she headed out.
"Hey, you're a Holloway, it's your birthright to annoy the hell out of the boss," Frank called after her.
~*~
They were grinning like loons when they fronted Helen in her office.
"What *are* you two up to?" she asked, seeing their smiling faces.
"Is there an echo in the air this morning?" asked Frank.
"The last time I saw you two grinning so damn madly was… shit Rachel… you're not? Not again? Not at *your* age…?"
Rachel's eyes opened wide when she realised what Helen was *really* asking.
"Pregnant? Christ Helen!… no bloody way! Gees, give us a break will ya…" she exclaimed. She grinned. "He's firin' blanks these days anyhow. Shit… fixed that little problem after the twins, thank you *very* much! The way we were going… God, didn't want to end up looking like the bloody Waltons!"
"Thanks Rachel for divulging *that* little piece of information," said Frank slightly miffed.
"What?" said Rachel looking at him. "Oh shit Frank… it was years ago now, and this is *Helen* do you think she cares?"
"Okay," said Helen. "Before World War 3098 starts between you two, what is this all about? You don't come into my office with grins like that unless you're up to something."
Frank handed her the letter.
"I'm resigning," he said.
Rachel's face broke into a smile again.
"And so am I."
Helen sat back. Shock number one – Frank. But shock number two…
"Both of you?" she asked as she opened their letter. "But why?"
"Time to do other things," said Frank. "Enjoy life together."
"See if this works without the job," added Rachel.
"After all this time? What it must be nearly twenty-five years?" said Helen sitting back in her chair.
"Ah probably close to thirty since I first wandered in that front door," replied Rachel.
"I've been puttin' up with you for *that* long?" he quizzed.
"Goes both ways Francis," chipped Rachel.
"So, after nearly thirty years together," continued Helen, "you want to see if it still works?"
"Somethin' like that," said Frank.
"Although I'll probably kill him after a week out on the boat," scoffed Rachel.
"What… the Footloose?"
"Yeah… remember the trip to Venezuela? Well we're going," said Frank.
"Oh this is too much for me in one hit. Are you guys trying to give me a heart attack?" asked Helen.
"Hey Helen, if you want some time off *you* could always come with us too," added Frank.
"Oh yeah… now that *would* finish me off," she laughed. "Go on… out. Go do some work. Let me get my head around this. You two are part of the furniture around here."
"Well we're rearranging the deck chairs," grinned Rachel on her way out the door.
"This isn't the Titanic!" Helen called after them.
"God… hope not!" said Frank as he closed the door.
~*~
Three weeks later, paperwork completed, superannuation forms filed and disbelieving phone calls received and answered; Frank and Rachel wandered into the office for their last working day with the Sydney Water Police.
They had tied up most of their current cases. Donna was still left with a couple of problem ones that she would have to battle on her own with until replacements arrived.
After lunch they decided it was time to clear their desks of all the accumulated clutter from years of occupation.
Rachel sat at her desk and looked up at Frank as she started to pack her things into a box.
"Can you believe we're doing this Frank? We're actually doing this. Were actually getting out."
"Ahhh yeah… it's pretty weird isn't it," he replied. He was trying to decide whether he *really* needed to keep the desk diary that was out of date by at least five years. He glanced at Rachel and held it up.
"Any notes in it?" she asked.
He flicked through the dog-eared pages. "Oh yeah… nah… sort of. A coupla notes," he replied.
"Keep then," she replied.
He threw it into his box.
Gabby appeared in the doorway.
"Hey Angel," said Frank surprised to see her there. What are you doing here? Why aren't you at work?"
"Oh you're such a *Detective* Dad. Asking the *serious* questions!" laughed Gabrielle leaning in the doorway. "I'd just love to see you at work in the interview room! I've got a day off today remember? I was still in bed when you guys left this morning? I thought I'd just pop down for a visit."
"Ah there's a bit of a bash on, bit of an afternoon tea. You can hang around if you like," said Frank.
"I suppose I could do that," she replied with a grin. She looked at her Mother and then back to her Father. "Hey Dad… you got a coin?"
"Ah yeah, why?" asked Frank as he fished around in his pocket. "Don't you know the trick with the coke machine? Ya just have ta…"
"Want to toss one for me?" she interrupted.
"Toss it?" asked Frank looking his daughter with a puzzled expression, but then did as she asked.
He tossed it in the air, caught it, threw it onto the back of his left hand and covered it with his right.
"What do you reckon Mum? Heads or tails?"
Rachel smiled, not knowing what this game was about, but deciding to play anyway. She wondered just how much of their lives had been decided on by the toss of a coin?
Eh… I sense a deja vu here but umm… heads because he seems to find two headed coins," she grinned.
"Looks like you get stuck with tails Dad. Okay… well I pick…. heads… like Mum."
Frank uncovered the coin.
"Ha! I win, tails."
"Oh damn… okay then… I guess it's your desk then Dad."
"Say what?" asked Frank. He remembered a time when he understood *everything* that Gabrielle said.
"Your desk."
"What about my desk?" he continued looking at it and hoped that he could figure out what the hell she was talking about.
"Oh *you're* joking?" said Rachel, the penny had dropped. "No, can't be… oh they couldn't take another one?"
"What's going on?" said Frank, confused as ever.
"I wonder sometimes Daddy dear, how you managed to be a damn detective for so long," said Gabby rolling her eyes. "Well… you know how you two are leaving and hey they need a couple of replacement D's here? I scored a guernsey Dad."
"You did what? But you're a uniform! You're not a 'D'?" he spluttered.
"Yes well that is something *else* I have been meaning to tell you both for awhile," she grinned. "I have been doing the training. I didn't want to say anything about it in case I was really bad at it and got knocked back. I've got a lot to live up to. The famous detective team of Holloway and Goldstein. It is a daunting task following that."
"You make us sound like comic book characters," laughed Frank.
"Ah… but it's about your standard of reading eh Frank?" grinned Rachel.
~*~
"Okay you lot... quiet down a bit. Hey over there in the corner… Brownie will you shut up!" complained Helen. She was trying to be heard over the group that had congregated in the meals room. And no one seemed to be too interested in listening to her.
Rachel put her fingers to her mouth and let out a shrill whistle. Everyone stopped and looked at her.
"Well I *do* want to get out of here before midnight," she shrugged.
" 'ey I didn't know you could do that?" said Frank.
"Ah lots of things you *still* don't know about me Francis," she smirked.
"Now that we've got everyone's attention," said Helen. "I've got a few announcements to make. Firstly, it's obvious that there were going to be a few vacancies around here as of tomorrow. Well one of them has already been filled. And may I say its not going to be like losing a Holloway, but gaining a Holloway. Everyone, you should all know Gabrielle over there with Frank and Rachel. She's going to be joining us in the D's office."
The announcement was met with wolf whistles and cheering and at least one 'oh shit not another Holloway'.
A remark was met with simultaneous cold glares.
Rachel *and* Gabby.
A reminder to everyone that despite the fact that she was a Holloway, she was *Rachel's* daughter too.
And just when they thought they were safe from *that* look.
"They haven't found a replacement yet for Rachel, well as if they are going to find a *replacement* for our Rachel, so it will be Gabby and Donna. They will be the D's for the next couple of weeks before we get another one in. I want you all to make Gabby feel at home, despite the fact it's *been* her home for longer than most of you here. Otherwise… well she is a combination of these two," continued Helen nodding towards Frank and Rachel, " and the consequences of annoying her will therefore be double of what they would have given out."
Gabby smiled. "Oh Helen, you make me out to be sooo dangerous," she said sweetly.
Too sweetly.
"Hmm see what I mean," Helen replied with a straight face. "Now moving along; Frank and Rachel. I've been trying to figure out where to start a bit of history for any newcomers. I had to put up with nearly five years of listening to this pair argue before they realised what a great team they were *away* from the office and then almost another 25 years worth of yelling at each other after. It's been entertaining if nothing else!
But really, it's been a lot more. They're damn good detectives, despite the fact that Frank's copy of the rule book went AWOL about five minutes after he arrived.
I am going to miss their enthusiasm for the job, but certainly not all the paperwork they created! But most of all I'm going to miss their friendship. Don't become strangers you guys. Send us a few postcards. So, before I get emotional up here, I think they should come up here and say a few words. Come on you two…"
Gabby patted her Dad on the back and gave her Mother a gentle shove.
"Come on," she grinned.
Frank and Rachel walked to the front of the room.
They never liked fuss and attention.
Today wasn't any different.
"Umm, okay," said Frank. "shit, I don't know really what to say."
"That'll be a first!" someone called, creating a few chuckles.
"Yeah, ta for that," smiled Frank. "Ah… look it's been good working here. I never thought when I joined the Water Police that I would have stayed this long. Actually I *did* leave for a short time, had the sense to come back. Someone told me once that they thought working here with the Water Police was one big holiday. Well they were wrong, but if I had my choice, my time over again… well I wouldn't change it. Ah Rachel, you wanta say something?"
Rachel smiled at him. This was all rather surreal. What were they doing?
"Well… ditto to what Frank just said. Time for new things I guess. I've had some interesting times here, made a lot of good friends and it's going to be strange not coming to work here anymore. Ah… look after Gabrielle because you will have her father in here after you if ya don't. That's about it really."
"Okay, my turn again. I have a couple of *parting* gifts," said Helen stepping back up again, handing a package to Frank.
"Oh ta!"
Frank ripped the paper off with all the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas morning.
"Gees a bit late for it now don't you think?" he grinned.
Rachel gave him a puzzled frown.
"Police Service Handbook. So it's got a blue cover has it?" he grinned holding up the thick volume. "Perhaps Gabby could borrow it?"
"Nah Dad, I still *have* my copy," she called out from the back of the room.
"Rachel," said Helen passing her a small gift.
"Thanks Helen. Gee I don't know if I am game to open it after that one," she replied, tentatively looking around.
She unwrapped the small package thoughtfully, in complete contrast to Frank's attack. She smiled.
"A compass!"
"Yeah well…" explained Donna, "you always used to drive and we figured with Frank navigating the 'Footloose' you may need it."
"Can't have you getting lost out there," added Helen.
"Ye of little faith," scoffed Frank.
~*~*~*~
"What ya doin'?" asked Frank as he wandered into the bedroom.
Rachel was folding clothes and stacking them on the bed. She thought it was pretty obvious. She shook her head in disbelief. But then again, this *was* Frank.
Frank plonked himself down on the bed beside one of the stacks of clothes. The bundle collapsed to the floor.
"Bloody hell Frank, do something to *help* will you?" she complained as she picked the clothes up and put them back on the bed.
He leaned back and grabbed a framed photo that sat beside the bed, putting it on top of one of the piles.
"There!" he grinned.
"Oh you're such a *great* help," Rachel said shaking her head again and picking up the frame. She wiped the dust from the glass with her finger and smiled. It was of David and his three musketeers at his wedding.
"That was a pretty good day, they all looked so damn happy," said Frank.
"Yeah.. pity it didn't last… David and Jen. I mean," she sighed.
"Well… what can I say? You can advise them, but you can't live their lives for them."
"That's a bit deep for you?" she chuckled.
"Ah you know… I have my moments," he replied.
"Well come on Sigmund, help out here," she said putting the picture down and picking up a shirt to fold.
"But you're doing such a *wonderful* job Rachel. I wouldn't want to muck up your system there."
"God you're a suck Francis!"
"Ah ha…" he replied, catching hold of her and dragging her down on to the bed with him. Clothes went everywhere.
"Bloody hell Frank!"
"MUM…. DAD…. YOU HOME?" came the call from the kitchen.
"Ha! Saved," she laughed as she struggled to get free of Frank's grasp. "IN HERE DANIEL."
"Mum…" started Daniel from the doorway. He stopped. Frank hadn't let Rachel go. "Ah… do you two *ever* give up! I can come back later if it is more convenient?" he grinned.
"No. That's fine Daniel, your Father is just…"
"Nah really Mum. No explanation required. I can see *just* what Dad is *trying* to do!" he laughed back.
"Well he isn't," replied Rachel as she took a swipe at Frank. "Come on move you big bully!"
"Daniel, we will have to have a chat one day about your timing. Did you know it's shocking?" said Frank as he moved and stood up.
"Ah you won't have to worry about that when you two are all alone out on the boat," Daniel replied, leaning in the doorway.
"You've got a point," Frank grinned as he looked at Rachel.
"Oh shit… perhaps I don't want to go after all," she declared.
"Nah, come on Mum, you'll have a great time. You know you will."
"Yeah… I know," she said breaking into a smile. "Anyway, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"
"Yeah," added Frank. "What do you want?"
"Oh that's lovely," Daniel replied, pretending they had hurt his feelings, "Do I have to *want* something when I come and visit my loving parents?"
Frank and Rachel looked at each other.
"Yes," replied Rachel.
"Usually," added Frank.
"Humph! I resent that remark," he said trying to sound serious, "but…"
"Ah here it comes," grinned Frank.
"But," repeated Daniel with a smile, "we want to take you out to dinner tonight. Before you leave tomorrow. David is booking a restaurant."
"Who's we?" asked Rachel.
"Just us… David, Sam., me, Gabby and you guys," he replied.
"What about Terry and Megan?" asked Frank. "And that one you were seeing. What was her name?"
"Ah Bethany?" Daniel queried.
"Yeah *that* one. The blonde with the big…."
"Frank!"
"Yeah *that* one," said Daniel with a grin. "Well she met Marc over in finance. And the last I heard he was being investigated."
"What for?" quizzed Rachel. "Insider trading?"
"Yep. Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke! Anyway, tonight, we are making it just family. You guys didn't have any plans did you?" he continued.
"Nope. What time and when?" asked Frank.
"Ah Gab, said she'd drive. She told me she would be home about six. I think David was booking for seven. Anyway, I'll let you guys get back to it shall I?" he said grinning at his Father.
Rachel closed her eyes and shook her head. Holloway men she thought. One bloody track minds, all three of them!
"Ta Daniel," Frank grinned back.
"Packing!" stated Rachel. "We are packing the last of it or we won't be going anywhere tomorrow morning."
"Well keep a decent shirt and tie out for Dad will ya Mum. You know what he's like," said Daniel as he disappeared out the door. "See ya!"
"Shirt and tie?" quizzed Frank.
"Hmm they're obviously not taking us to Macca's or Hungry Jacks!" she laughed.
~*~
"Hey sorry I'm late," said Sam pulling up the remaining chair at the table. "I had a meeting that wasn't *meant* to go late."
"Story of your life these days," laughed Daniel. "Why don't you take it a bit easier for a change? You'll burn out before you're 30 at this rate."
"You should talk! What's her name *this* week?" he sniggered.
"Hey! Not nice," Daniel retaliated.
"You look nice tonight Mum," said David trying to change the subject from Sam's work routine and Daniel's sex life. "You don't wear a dress very often. You should you know. Remember that one you wore the day you and Frank got married? That was nice."
"You think so?" she asked. "I'm surprised you remember it so long ago."
"Well I remember it very clearly," Frank recalled putting his arm around her shoulder.
"You looked gorgeous down on the beach the day you decided you couldn't live without me."
"God you've got an ego!" she laughed.
"What? You just realised that after all these years?"
"No," she replied. "I think I figured it out the first day I walked into the office."
"I'm glad you did," he said kissing her. "Who knows where I'd be now if you hadn't."
"Here we go," said Sam. "Dad's trying to get into the good books again."
"Yeah, you'd think he'd learn," added Gabby. "Men!"
"Hey young lady, you just watch ya self there," said Frank grinning and pointing his finger at his daughter.
"Ah transparent Frank. You're so transparent," agreed Rachel.
"You must be slippin' Dad if we can see through ya," laughed Daniel.
"Ah I could always see through him, he's as bad as Mum," smiled David.
"They're ganging up Frank," laughed Rachel. "What shall we do? Call for back-up?"
"Buggered if I know, will it help?" questioned Frank cheekily. "I mean we've handed our badges in. Might have to fend for ourselves these days?"
"Well before you go racing off into the sunset on your merry little adventure," said Sam. "We've got something for you."
Sam handed over a carefully wrapped box to his Mother.
"Doesn't tick does it?" enquired Frank.
Rachel smiled and held it up to her ear. "Nah. Can't hear anything?" she replied.
"Well… don't just look at it then woman! Come on open it up," continued Frank impatiently. He *was* like a kid at Christmas.
Rachel opened the box and smiled as she realised what it was.
"Well?" asked Frank trying to look over her shoulder.
"Photos," said Rachel as she removed the album from the box.
"We had a few discussions," said David. "We thought you might like this."
"Oh my God!" she exclaimed with a wide eyed smile as she turned the first few pages. "Where did you *get* some of these?"
The photo's were very old ones.
Back in the days before Frank and Rachel were Frank *and* Rachel.
"Ah… Helen and Tayler turned out to be very useful accomplices," grinned Gabrielle. "Hey I'm a 'D' now, I have my contacts."
"Oh remember this night Frank?" she said pointing to a photo of them. Frank had his arm around her shoulder.
"Were we… ah um…" Frank stumbled over is words looking for the right one.
She smirked.
"No we weren't, not quite," she replied knowing what he was asking.
Frank looked at it, trying to pick the time and place.
"Ah it looks like the Cutter Bar… the original one before it was fire bombed and rebuilt."
"Yep, now do you remember when?" she smiled.
He looked closer at the picture and then a smile spread across his face.
"You remember?" she asked.
"Yeah… drinks with everyone before I headed off for my last trip to Venezuela," he nodded.
"What other pictures have you guys found?" asked Rachel turning the pages.
"There are a couple from work do's, from when you guys got married," said David. "Birthday parties, from when Jen and I got hitched."
Rachel glanced at him, surprised that he had mentioned Jen. She had avoided mentioning the split whenever possible. It had been nearly two years. Break-ups. She had been there. So had Frank. But this was *her* first born and she felt the pain with him the day Jen said she couldn't handle his attitude towards her job. The hardest thing was, that she knew exactly how Jen felt. Her career was important to her. Jonathon had made the same mistakes with their marriage. Of all his fathers traits David could have inherited…
"Actually," said David noticing her expression. "Jen and I have been seeing a bit of each other lately. Well a lot."
"How is she?" asked Rachel. It sounded like a safe question.
"Ah yeah… good. She's left the force, had enough after her partner was killed in a hit and run in front of her. She's working in an office just down the block from mine. And well, we've been thinking of giving it another go. She was gonna come down to see you guys off tomorrow with me. If that's okay of course?" he added.
"Of course it's okay," said Frank. He was disappointed when they split. Jen was a good kid. She had been good for David.
~*~
Farewells had been made to all their friends the previous day and there was a chill in the early morning breeze as the Holloway clan made their way towards the 'Footloose'. They were all unnaturally quiet this morning. Silence was rare amongst the siblings. Frank and Rachel's decision to embark on such an adventure was met with enthusiasm by their now adult children, but as the time rapidly approached for their departure, they were not sure how the wheel was still going to spin without its hub. They were a close unit, and their parents noticed it too.
The marina was deserted but for a few heading back home after a spot of pre-dawn fishing. The sun was breaking across the sky with splashes of orange and gold, bouncing beams across the rippling water.
"Why was it that you want to leave at such an ungodly hour?" asked Sam as he yawned for at least the third time since they pulled up in the carpark.
"What are you talking about?" declared Gabby. "I've been up since I got a call out on this bloody case at two this morning. And, I might add, it would have been nice if the *previous* detectives had finished working on it *before* they decided to quit!"
"Ah… the butler done it!" laughed Frank.
"No," said Rachel grinning. "Wasn't it the bearded man with glasses in the parlor?"
"Ha, ha! Very funny you guys," Gabby retaliated shaking her head.
"Well we're here," said Frank as they reached the 'Footloose'.
"Yeah we are," added Rachel.
Gabby's mobile sounded loudly.
"Argh… bloody thing," she said she put her hand in her pocket to retrieve it.
"Yeah, worst thing invented I reckon," said Frank.
"Holloway," she said sounding more than a little annoyed. "Yeah Brownie… yeahhh… yep okay… Well where is Donna now…? Okay… umm… tell her I'm on my way… okay."
Rachel looked at Frank. The craziness was finally over for them, but it was just beginning for their daughter.
"Mum… Dad…" Gabrielle started as she put the phone back in her pocket.
"Yeah it's okay love, remember we know what it's like," said Frank walking over and hugging her. He stepped back, put a hand firmly on each shoulder and looked her seriously in the eyes.
"Now see if you can keep the house in one piece while we're away, stay out of trouble and don't get ya self killed. The bastard you're lookin' for is crazy. Oh if you ever have the need to go over our old files, there's a box at home, up in the top of our wardrobe with old diaries in it. There may be a few bits and pieces that *didn't* make it to the official reports," he grinned. "Okay?"
She smiled through the tears that started to well up in her eyes.
"Yeah sure Daddy dear," she replied throwing her arms around him again. "But hell I'm gonna miss you guys."
"Hey come on, don't start with the water works," said Rachel. Only because she knew if Gabby started, she would too. She put her arm around both of them. "Come on… off you go. You've got a job to do."
"Okay. Be careful," she sniffed. "I'm off then."
"Hey Gab. I'll call around tonight on my way home. We'll hit the grog. cupboard since they will be gone," said Daniel cheekily to his sister.
"Yeah, I should be home. Anyway *again* gotta go. Love you," she called as she waved and headed off along the pier in a slow jog.
"Okay," said Frank. "Let's get this show on the road or we'll still be standing here at lunchtime."
He walked over and hit Sam on the arm and threw a fake punch to Daniel's stomach. "You guys are too bloody big to hug, so just keep ya noses clean, okay?"
Sam and Daniel looked at each other and a mischievous grin crept across their faces.
Before Frank knew what was happening the two put him down on the pier. A tackle that would have made any rugby fullback jealous.
"See ya Dad!" said Daniel.
"Yeah look after Mum and keep her happy and look after her or she'll probably throw you to the sharks," added Sam.
"Yes.. yes… okay. Bloody hell just get off me will ya!" complained Frank.
They laughed and took an arm each to drag him up off the ground.
"Since when have I needed looking after?" enquired Rachel. "You better give your Mother a hug." She hugged them both of them together tightly. "Look out for each other will ya."
"Haven't we always," laughed Daniel.
"Yeah I guess, D'Artagan and his Three Musketeers," she laughed as she stood back and looked over at David standing with Jen.
"Got it in one," David replied.
Frank looked at Jen. "Glad you two are sortin' things out."
"So am I," she replied smiling up at David.
"See ya Frank," added David.
"Okay, time to go woman!" Frank called as he jumped over to the boat deck.
"You plannin' on ordering me around the whole trip there, Holloway?" she asked adding one of her more friendly glares to the end of the comment.
"Do I look suicidal?" he asked with a smirk.
"Nah!" she laughed.
"Then I guess I won't be boss!" he replied before disappearing below deck.
"Okay grandma," said David taking his mothers hand and helping her across to the boat. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do out there."
"Ha! Don't go callin' me grandma… I might be retired, but I'm not *that* bloody old yet," laughed Rachel.
"Ah well… actually," replied David with a sheepish look on his face.
Rachel looked at his face and then to the beaming smile on Jen's face.
"Oh you're kidding. You guys haven't done this to me… No. No way! Awww hell, I'm not *old* enough to be a bloody grandma yet…."
"Oh well," said David, "you don't have to be *old* to be a grandmother. Actually younger is better. You can babysit and still be able to chase after the little buggers."
"Come on Rachel or I'll leave without you!" called Frank coming back up onto the deck. He saw the look on her face and then the grin on David's. "So, ya told her then?"
"You knew?" she asked spinning around. "You bastard Holloway! Why didn't you tell me?"
"Ah Davy wanted it to be a surprise. Wanted to know when the best time to tell you would be," laughed Frank.
"And you told him *this* would be it?" she asked in disbelief.
"Come on Mum, get going. We will be fine. No complications and everyone's happy," he added.
"Ah there will always be complications," added Rachel.
"Nope. Not where we're going," said Frank putting his arm around her waist. "Just you and me and the ocean around us."
"And the storms and the container ships and …."
"You're such an *optimist* aren't you," he said sarcastically shaking his head.
"I've been with you too long I guess. I never know *what* I'm in for," she replied with a smile.
"Hell Mum, if you don't know now you never will!" laughed David.
"True," said Frank. "Hey guys, toss those ropes over here will ya. We're off!"
~#~ Say it's true, there's nothing like me and you,
I'm not alone, tell me you feel it too,
And I would runaway,
I would runaway, yeah, yeah,
I would runaway,
I would runaway with you, ~#~
Rachel watched them standing on the pier waving madly until their faces started to blur in the distance. The wind tossed her hair and the spray from other boats gently caressed her face.
Frank was concentrating on steering the 'Footloose' out of the harbour.
"Come here woman, you've got work to do. Don't think you're gonna get a free ride here," he called.
She wandered over towards him. "Watch yourself Francis, or I'll make you walk the plank before we've even left the Harbour."
"Come on wench!" he laughed cheekily as he grabbed her arm and dragged her over to the wheel.
~#~ Cause I have fallen in love,
With you, no never have,
I'm never gonna stop fallin' in love, with you, ~#~
"Ah… Frank. You *know* I'm not good at this!" she smiled as he put her in front of the wheel, before standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"If you've been able to drive a car the way you do all these years," he joked, "and not get yourself killed, or me for that matter, then you can handle this."
"Frank what the hell are we doing?" she asked leaning back into him.
"Having the time of our lives," he replied as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
~#~ Close the door, lay down upon the floor,
And by candlelight, make love to me through the night,
'Cause I have runaway,
I have runaway, yeah, yeah,
I have runaway, runaway,
I have runaway with you, ~#~
"Do you think they will be okay?" asked Rachel turning her head slightly towards him.
"Yeah they will be fine. They're all good kids – adults. I can't see them getting into *too* much trouble," he replied trying to dispel the fears he knew she had.
That he had too.
He found it difficult to believe, that even at their ages, he still worried about them as much as he did when they were first born, took their first steps, started school… The list continued. The guys had *regular* jobs, but Gabby? He knew he wouldn't be able to stop worrying about his little girl. He didn't think much of her current boyfriend either. Too smooth talking and he thought he had all the smart answers.
Frank saw right through him. Probably because he remembered being just like him at the same age!
Gabby was head strong and smart like her mother. She would sort it out.
Frank chuckled to himself. Daniel would be okay as long as he kept his libido in check. He would have to make sure that there wasn't a boyfriend lurking in the background! And Sam. Well, they hadn't seen much of him lately. He was working on a new project with a multi national corporation who was certain that Sydney needed one more bright and shiny shopping complex.
"What are ya doin' woman!" exclaimed Frank as he made a grab at the wheel, his daydream abruptly interrupted. "Ya not meant to hit anyone!"
"Well they shouldn't get in my way then," she stated firmly.
"What am I gonna do with you?" he said shaking his head.
"You usually have a theory don't you?" she grinned.
~#~ Cause I have fallen in love,
With you, no never oh, no,
I'm never gonna stop fallin' in love, with you, ~#~
"I still can't believe we are doing this though," said Rachel. "And now with David and Jen…"
"The last thing they need is *you* fussing around being all overprotective," he lectured her. "Let them find their feet themselves. It's the only way they are going to get though this. If we could make it, then they should be able to as well. They're no were *near* as stubborn as us."
"I'm not as stubborn as you," she stated.
"Yeah you are. But we're good together Rachel. I wouldn't want you any other way!"
"You're a charmer Francis," she laughed.
"Yeah but ya love me for it!" he replied.
"Yeah… I do!"
~#~ And I would runaway,
I would runaway, yeah, yeah,
I would runaway,
I would runaway with you,
'Cause I, have fallen in love, fallen in love,
With you, no never oh, no,
I'm never gonna stop fallin' in love, with you. ~#~
THE END.