"Hey, babe," Shay said softly as she entered Frankie's hospital room, finding Jake sitting beside the bed, reading the newspaper to Frankie.  She smiled when she noticed the Fichus tree in the corner of the room that Frank had sent over.  He wanted her to wake up to something alive; not the sterile white of the hospital room.

Jake managed a small smile. 

"How's she doing?" Shay asked, moving closer.

Jake's eyes clouded with tears, but he fought them back.  "The same...Shay...she has to wake up," he choked.  He tossed the newspaper aside, stood and threw his arms around her in a fierce hug.

Shay held him and stroked his back softly as he clung to her, silent in his misery.  "Jake...take a break.  Go get something to eat...sleep for a few minutes...anything.  I'll stay with her."

Although he didn't want to leave, he could see that Shay would not take no for an answer.  He managed a nod before he walked quietly from the room.

Sitting in the chair Jake left unoccupied, Shay looked sorrowfully at the sleeping woman.  How miserable Jake was without her and how guilty Shay felt that Francesca was in this state.  "Why did you do it, Frankie?  I'm sure it was all for your love for Frank, because you sure don't give a damn about me."   Shay paused, almost as if she was waiting for Frankie to spit out some scathing comeback, but all she received was silence.

"So, Battles...how long do you plan on laying here raking up the sympathy?"  Shay laughed softly.  "Sorry...I don't mean that...I figure, if I piss you off enough, you'll wake up just to deck me."

Still, there was no response.

"Well...I could spew all kinds of crap at you...but here's the bottom line.  Ya know, there's this guy here...he's been sitting by your side, day and night since you've been here.  I've never seen such devotion...well, except for Frank...but let's not go there," she said with a grin.  "And let me tell ya, woman...if you don't get your happy ass up and forgive Jake and love him the way he deserves to be loved...I'll find a way to crawl inside that head of yours and beat you senseless within your dreams!"

And Francesca Battles remained quiet...the only sound in the room was the breathing of the two women and the machines that occasionally beeped their presence.

--

Two days later found Jake walking in after a short return to the nest to check in and let everyone know what was going on. The nurses must have washed her hair while he was gone, it smelled of vanilla and orange and it was brushed out. It still looked like a shaggy lion's mane. She looked so peaceful, her chest rising and falling softly of its own power as she breathed. The oxygen line that ran right under her nose was gone too. Apparently the doctor felt she didn't need it any longer.

"Hello Francesca" he whispered in her ear softly. Kissing her forehead, he pulled the chair up close and sat down. "I remember... the first time I saw you. I called Frank and told him about this biscuit I'd seen. You. He asked me what a biscuit was in definition of a woman. I told him that you were beautiful enough to give even him heart palpitations. And you were. Even as shy as you were then... and when I saw you fresh out of the shower a day or two later. Jesus Firecracker... I wanted you then."

Jake stood up and walked over to the window. "He gave me a paid furlough. To watch over you until you woke up." He laughed and ran his hands through his hair. "Actually, he said 'if'. But I know you. You're damned stubborn and won't give up without a fight. Don't make a liar out of me Francesca. Don't give up!"

He turned around and came back over to the bed and sat down on the edge. Jake took her hand in his and turned it over to kiss the inside of her wrist sensually. "I need you Frankie... I need you to come back. Just open those beautiful eyes of yours and look at me." He paused, watching her face for a moment. "I've tried everything I can to get through to you."

He leaned forward and brushed her bangs from her forehead. "Francesca..." whispered. "Francesca baby, please open those beautiful eyes of yours." His voice cracked in the whisper to her. The reality was setting in that she might never wake up. He brushed a soft kiss across her lips. "I love you."

He sat back, wiping the tears from his eyes. "There, are you happy? I said it finally Firecracker. I love you. Always have; always will. I just can't believe I'm saying it to you when you're comatose and can't slap me... or whatever." He shifted and laid his head down across her stomach, the fingers of his hand twining with hers again. "Please wake up baby..." he whispered as he closed his eyes.

Jake lay there for some minutes, silent tears running down his cheeks into the blanket over her stomach. His thumb brushed rhythmically over the back of her hand as he lay there. For a moment he could have sworn he felt her breathing change, or some other sound. Was.... he feeling someone touching his hair?

Frankie's fingers combed gently through his hair as he lay on her stomach. He had said he loved her... tears streamed down her cheeks softly as she looked down at him. As he lifted his head, his deep brown eyes wide in shock, she smiled softly. Her fingertips traced down his cheek, then pulled back. She rubbed her thumb and forefinger together, feeling the wetness of his tears.

Feeling embarrassed, Jake wiped his cheeks dry of the tears.  "You... you're awake...  Francesca, you're awake!!  You.."  he stopped short of throwing himself at her and hugging her tight.  "How long have you been awake?" he asked skeptically.

Frankie smiled softly and traced his forehead tenderly.

"Say something damn you...  Did you hear everything I said?"  Jake's voice was strained with concern.  Why wasn't she saying anything?

Her thumb brushed his full lower lip lightly.  He loved her.

"Francesca... baby?"

"You had me from hello." she whispered.

***********