Jake looked up to see Alex standing next to him. "Frank's outside, he needs to talk to you. I'll stay with Frankie until you get back." She smiled and hugged him tight. Alex had suspected for some time now that he was in love with Frankie and just wouldn't admit it to himself.

Outside Frank watched Frankie through the window. "Jake... I see she's got the breathing tube out. That's a good sign."

"What did you need Frank?"

"I'm giving you a paid furlough. Take as long as you need or want." At Jake's incredulous expression, Frank held up a hand. "You need the rest and the time to stay here with Frankie. But Jake, promise me you won't throw it all away on the hopes that she'll wake up. Chances are that if she hasn't come up by now, she might not ever come up."

"She will Frank. I know it. She's just tired and needs her rest. It's good that Alex is back. Maybe the workload won't be that bad while I'm gone."

"Take care of yourself too Jake. If Frankie wakes up-"

"WHEN"

"WHEN Frankie wakes up, she's not going to be thrilled to see you wasted away."

Jake nodded and went back in to sit with Frankie. Alex came out and sighed. "She doesn't look good Frank."

"No, she doesn't. But she looks a helluva lot better than she did a week ago."

************

Frank pulled his Blazer into the driveway and parked along side Shay's Jaguar.  It had been difficult seeing Frankie lying in that hospital bed, looking so small and vulnerable.  He was comforted by the fact that Jake was there by her side to look after her.  For Jake's sake, as well as everyone else's, he prayed that she would wake soon.

The early evening shadows were enveloping the house as he stepped through the front door into the foyer.  The lights were off and he squinted into the dimness of the hallway.  "Shay?" he called, but received no answer.  What was that smell?  Flowers...roses.  He stepped forward and felt something soft and slightly slippery under his shoe.  "Rose petals," he whispered.  He followed the trail of the delicate petals down the hall, up the stairs and saw the trail lead to his and Shay's bedroom. 

He opened the door slowly and found the room lit dimly by white candles that lined the room.  More Rose petals littered the floor and were spread over the turned down bed.  "Shay?"

Shay was sitting on the widow seat at the far end of the room awaiting his arrival.  She stood and moved toward him slowly.  She wore a long silk black negligee with a flowing black lace robe.  In her hand he saw that she was holding the stereo remote.

Shay smiled silkily as she neared him and lifted her hand slightly as she pushed the play button on the remote before placing it on the dresser nearest her.  The soft acoustical sound of Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes" sounded through the speakers. 

She moved to his side and lightly touched the back of his right hand that rested against his thigh as he stood still, afraid to move lest he frighten away the beautiful apparition before him.  He watched as she trailed her fingers up his arm and turned his head to follow her as she circled behind him, her fingers never leaving his body as they traveled the width of his shoulders, down his left arm to twine her fingers with his.

You're a song

Written by the hands of God

Don't get me wrong

Cause this might sound to you a bit odd

Shay leaned against the strength of his body, her lips just a mere breath from his ear and she whispered, "That night...when you came for me...all I could think of was how much I love you."

"Shay," he groaned as her fingers made their way across his chest to the top button of his shirt.

"Shhh...let me finish," she admonished softly as she unbuttoned his shirt and peeled it back off his chest.  As she pressed soft kisses over his chest, he encircled her with his arms, pulling her closer against him as he slowly danced with her.

But you own the place

Where all my thoughts go hiding

And right under your clothes

Is where I find them

"I've found my heaven, Frank Dovovan, and it's within you.  I wouldn't last a minute on this earth without you," she confessed as she pushed his shirt past his shoulders and let it fall to the floor.

Underneath your clothes

There's an endless story

There's the man I chose

There's my territory

And all the things I deserve

For being such a good girl, honey

He softly removed the lace covering from her shoulders to let it fall to the floor at her feet.  Shay smiled up at him as her fingers slid into the waistband of his slacks before releasing the catch of his belt buckle.  He smiled sexily as she gently unbuttoned his slacks and pulled the zipper downward.

Because of you

I forgot the smart ways to lie

Because of you

I'm running out of reasons to cry

When the friends are gone

When the party's over

We will still belong to each other

Their movements stopped as their desire grew.  His hands traveled down her sides to her hips before cupping her bottom lovingly.  He stopped Shay's removal of his slacks long enough to toe off his shoes and socks.

Underneath your clothes

There's an endless story

There's the man I chose

There's my territory

And all the things I deserve

For being such a good girl, honey

Frank stood naked before his wife, her eyes roamed over his body, her love and desire visible in her sky-blue eyes.  He cupped her face with his hands and bent down to brush his lips to hers gently.  "You've given me love, happiness and the most beautiful children in the world.  No man could ask for more," he whispered, pulling her close.

I love you more than all that's on the planet

Movin', talkin', walkin', breathin'

You know it's true

Oh, baby, it's so funny

You almost don't believe it

As every voice is hanging from the silence

Lamps are hanging from the ceiling

Like a lady to her good manners

I'm tied up to this feeling

His fingers slid under the thin straps of her negligee and eased them off her shoulders.  He watched with pleasure as the thin, silky garment slid downward to pool at her feet.

Underneath your clothes

There's an endless story

There's the man I chose

There's my territory

And all the things I deserve

For being such a good girl, honey

He bent and picked her up, sliding his arm under her knees and around her shoulders and carried her to the bed and laid her gently down amongst the soft rose petals.  She smiled invitingly as she pulled him slowly downward to lie fully against her.  She whispered huskily against his cheek, "now it's time for this 'good girl' to show you all the ways she deserves to love you." 

Frank shifted slightly to look down upon her face.  "I don't deserve you, mon cadeau...but I'll never let you go," he promised as his lips descended to hers in a fiery kiss that would heat the coldest of hearts.

************

**This chapter is dedicated to "Shakira" Cara, my Fehr Sistah at the FLMB.  ~g~  Lurve you girlie!! --Shel