Two weeks later Frankie and Jake walked into the nest.  Cody was the first to see them and grinned a wide cheesy grin.

"Heeeeeeeey Frankie!!"

"Hey Cody" she smiled a bit tiredly.  Her physical therapy had been killing her since she got out.  But, in addition to the 12 inch long scar running from her collar bones down to right under her ribcage, she was upright and alive.  As long as she was alive, she didn't care how much therapy hurt or how tired she got from it.

"I'm going to stop going on vacation." Alex grinned and stepped from behind her desk and gingerly hugged the taller woman.

"Nah.  I got a few good things out of this mess Alex." she winked with a smile.

"Yeah?  Like what?"

"Like... a clearer understanding.  And redemption."

"Redemption?"  Alex's forehead wrinkled in confusion.

"Yeah.  Redemption.  I paid a debt owed." Frankie said with a smile as Frank and Shay came down from his office.

"FRANKIE!" Frank shouted.  "I thought I heard your voice.  How are you feeling?"

"Like I was shot, out cold for three weeks and now being twisted and pushed and pulled in each direction.  Other than that I'm fine.  Hey Shay."

"Well, I'll be go to hell.  You actually called me by name!"

"Close your mouth, it's rather unladylike." Frankie grinned and eased down into a chair.  Jake was right beside her, watching to make sure she didn't hurt herself more.

Just as she did, the doors to the warehouse burst open and in ran LJ, his grandfather and little sister right behind him.  Frankie chuckled as Jake scooped up LJ.  Thomas handed Ariel off to her mother and smiled.  "Hello again Miss Battles.  How are you feeling?"

"Hello Mr. Renquist."  She smiled and looked around.  Deciding against the 'usual reply' she gave everyone else, Frankie just said, "I'm feeling better every day."

"That's good.  I can't thank you enough-"

"You've thanked me enough." She held up a hand in defense.  "Please... I did what had to be done."

Jake frowned a bit, but then shrugged it off as he slipped his fingers into Frankie's.  She replied by smiling up at him and tugging him down so she could whisper in his ear.  He blinked, and then looked up at everyone.

"We... uh... have two announcements.  The first one...Shay... Frankie said she wanted to talk to you alone."

"And the second?" Alex asked.

"Can wait until after I talk to Shay alone." Frankie grinned.  Shay was looking a bit nervous but quelled it down.  "Five minutes please, guys?"

"I'm not in a position to argue."

"I agree Thomas.  All right Cody and Alex.  Help me wrangle LJ and Ariel into the break room?"

"Ariel is fine, she can stay." Frankie said as Frank started to take the little girl.

Frank blinked, then nodded.  Shay turned around, little Ariel in hand. "Well Battles?  What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"While I was under...I remember this mouthy broad coming to me." she smirked as she leaned back in the chair.  "This woman kept talking; wouldn't shut up.  Little Harpy kept asking me questions.  The one I remember the most is 'Why'?"  Frankie carefully stood up and walked over to Shay.

Ariel looked up at the lady with big brown eyes, and then held out her arms. Frankie chuckled and picked her up, wincing softly at the weight.  "You shouldn't be carrying her.  You'll pull your stitches open." Shay insisted and reached for her daughter.

"Oh pipe down Shay."  Frankie said and shifted the little girl's weight so she sat on Frankie's hip.  "THIS is the reason I did it Shay.  Not for you, not for Frank.  But for Ariel and LJ."  She smiled and blew raspberries at the baby while turning to walk into the break room to join the others.

Shay stared after her for a moment before following Frankie, shaking her head in bewilderment.  Francesca Battles was a soft touch under that tough exterior, just as Frank has said.

"All done?"

"Yup Frank.  All done."  Frankie winked and looked at Jake.  "Do you want to tell them, or shall I?"

Shay joined Frank and her father as LJ wriggled down out of Daddy's lap and ran over to Uncle Jake.  Alex laughed, as did Cody.  Shay looked between the two, puzzled.  Frank watched Frankie's face for a moment, and then looked at Jake. Frankie and Jake looked at one another so long without a word. Finally Jake put LJ down and walked over to Frankie, sliding his arm around her waist.  He took her left hand in his and pulled it up to his lips.  Turning her wrist slightly, he ever so lightly licked the warm inside of her wrist before pressing a kiss to it.  As he did, the slight glitter on Frankie's left hand caused Shay and Frank both to shout at the same time.  "OH MY GOD!..."

--

``finis

We truly hope you have enjoyed this story as much as Gypsy and I have enjoyed writing it.  This may not be the end of the Frank/Shay Jake/Frankie pairings...unless, of course, you scream ...ENOUGH!!  LOL....thanks for the reviews here at ffnet, the lists we posted this on and at the Fehr Ladies Message Board.