**Writer's note:  For those of you still with me, your patience will be rewarded…this is the next-to-the-last chapter.  Yes, this sucker actually does have an ending!**

Neither Andrea nor the Queen could hear what was being said up on the platform.  Andrea turned to her royal companion.  "Do you know what's going on?"

Queen Electra smiled.  "No, but I suspect Frank is intent on teaching the two of them a lesson they'll never forget, before he sets them free."

Andrea allowed her hopes to rise.  "Do you really think he's allowing them to go free?"

The Queen looked up at the platform.  "It would appear so.  He had the nooses removed.  Were he planning to actually have them executed, he would have quite deliberately kept the nooses around their necks as he spoke to them."

"You aren't upset that he's apparently releasing them?"

Electra shook her head.  "No, of course not.  It would be evidence of a great deal of personal growth on his part.  My decision to allow him to set the sentence was intended as much to test his response as it was to punish Riff Raff and Magenta.  In years past, he probably would have gladly murdered them himself.  An understandable reaction, perhaps, but one ill-suited to an enlightened ruler – which is what he will one day have to be."

"What would you have done if he'd really intended for the execution to go forward?"

The Queen shrugged.  "I would have allowed it.  I can't say I was overly concerned with Riff Raff and Magenta's fate, as they did intend to murder my son.  I was more concerned with what that decision might have done to Frank.  The last thing I wanted was for him to become bloodthirsty and cruel.  I wouldn't want it for him, nor would I want it for our people.  I would have had to spend considerable time with him in an attempt to get him to see the error of his ways." 

Andrea stared at Frank.  His posture held none of the rigidly controlled rage she'd seen yesterday.  His expression was serious, but lightened somewhat by a slight smile, as if he were explaining an important scientific concept to a somewhat uncomprehending student.  He looked…well, he looked like himself again.  She could barely contain the joy and love surging through her body, warming her like a cozy fleece blanket.  She felt tears welling up in her eyes.  Her true love was back.

She watched as Frank descended from the platform, leaving Riff Raff and Magenta in a tearful embrace behind him.  He walked up to his mother and his lover, smiling.  His eyes danced, and he looked to be at peace.  "All done.  Are you ready to go?"

Andrea, unable to control her emotions any longer, flew into his arms and burst into happy tears.  He held her close, stroking her hair and speaking softly into her ear.

"It's all right, my love.  Everything is fine.  It's all over now…"