****

"You're joking!"

"No baby, I wish I wasn't. Right there in front of God and country your brother got decked by Alex's sister."

"What on earth for?!" Sasche wasn't sure if she should cheer for Amanda or dislike her for striking Frank.

"I have no idea. Alex doesn't either."

"Oh my. Now I am curious."

"Sasche..." Her voice had taken on that sweetness and light innocent tone. Which meant she was up to something.

"Yes baby?"

"What are you plotting?"

"What makes you think that I am?"

"I can hear it in your voice. You're up to something."

"Jacob Shaw how dare you think that!" she gasped in mock anger.

"It's easy - I sleep with you. You talk in your sleep and I know that tone of your voice. Last time you were up to something you surprised me with that picnic after the Embassy Ball."

On the other end of the line, Sasche blushed and giggled. He was right after all, she was indeed up to something. But it would take Jake's help. "I'll tell you later when you come home to rub my feet..."

As she and Jake sallied back and forth, Alex was continuing to stew and stare at Frank's closed office. Monica and Cody had woken up shortly after Mandy had left and they both tucked into the lunch she'd brought up.

"DAMN this is good food Alex!! Is your sister looking to settle down?" Cody teased as he licked his lips of the white clam sauce and linguine.

Alex turned her glare on Cody, who shrank back a bit. "Sorry Alex... was just paying her a compliment." he mumbled

"What's eating you Alex?"

"Nothing Monica."

Monica looked at her closely. If her jaw torqued up any tighter, Alex would be cracking molars right now. "Yeah, and I'm Prince Charles."

"Nice ears there Prince." Alex snorted and got up, stalking up the stairs to Frank's office.

Monica grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back. "That's not the way to do it and you know it. Talk to Amanda first, get her side. When you're calmer, then you go talk to Frank. If you go see him right now, without anything other than what you saw, you'll blow a fuse and probably say some things that you'll regret later."

Alex looked at Monica, then at Jake who was also staring at the two of them. With a slight nod of her head, Alex turned and left the nest for her place to talk to Amanda.

"I sure as hell hope Frank's got life insurance." Cody chirped.

****