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Dinner went well, just as Amanda promised. She didn't ask him or press him for more than he was willing to give. Instead they discussed Broadway, her work, his work, trivial little things. The restaurant wasn't Moroccan, but instead a nice low-key continental restaurant that served a little bit of everything. Soft music played most of the night and the two of them actually laughed quite a bit.

"I hope you're happy Starlet. You deserve it."

Mandy stopped, the glass of water halfway to her lips. "For the most part I am Frank. I've got my dream career and producers are counter-offering each other into oblivion to get my talents."

"Is that why you're here?"

"Yes and no. Harrold is dealing with the contracts for the most part and-"

"Who is Harrold?" Frank cut in. That was the second time he'd heard that name that night and jealousy was beginning to gnaw at him.

"Harrold? He's my agent. You're jealous!" Mandy laughed sweetly at him.

"I most certainly am not." But he was. And he felt like a complete idiot for getting that jealous of someone who was just her agent. But still...

"Harrold is baiting the producers on both 'Phantom' and 'Hello Dolly!' to see which one will give me the best terms for performance. He doesn't realize that I'm just as happy to stay with what I've got and play Christine."

"So tell him. It's your career."

"Easier said than done. He reminds me of you in that he doesn't take no for an answer."

"Then have Alex talk to him. Even I am sometimes afraid of that woman."

They both laughed and continued the conversation. When the music changed, Amanda looked up at Frank.

'Would you dance
if I asked you to dance?
Would you run
and never look back?
Would you cry
if you saw me cry?
And would you save my soul, tonight?'

"Amanda..."

"Frank, hush. You know how I feel about you. I've never denied wanting more of what we had in St. Croix. But if you don't, then tell me now. Don't lead me down the primrose path and then abandon me. I can't take it again."

'Would you tremble
if I touched your lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please tell me this.
Now would you die
for the one you loved?
Hold me in your arms, tonight.'

"Amanda, I did what I did to protect you. I work in a dangerous profession. It's not an easy life I lead and it's harder on the ones I love. At times I feel sorry for Sasche because she'll have to deal with it twice if something were to happen to my team and me. I couldn't bear the thought of you sitting at my funeral."

"So you push me away without explanation? How dare you make that decision for me! I'm a grown woman, Frank."

"It's not that I made the decision for you Mandy. I thought that after a while you would move on and find someone else. It wasn't until I saw Alex for the first time that I realized just how much I missed you and needed you."

'I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.'

"What? What are you saying Frank? That Alex is my substitute?"

"No... No!" He groaned and leaned forward. Taking her hands in his, he let her know just what he was trying to say. "I care for you, I always have. When I first saw Alex, I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't you. The thought scared me half to death. Last fall Alex became tangled up in an undercover investigation and it went sour. Each time I looked at her, I kept seeing YOU, your face instead of Alex. I was reminded again and again that I loved you. All I could think about was what if that was me in Alex's place and something happened. What would you do then?"

'Would you swear
that you'll always be mine?'

"I'd cry for your loss, the loss of you and I would do my best to move on with my life."

"It's easy to say that now Mandy. The thing is you never know what will happen. I could be shot tomorrow and never wake up. I could live for another 50 years without an incident."

"And that's all the more reason for you to take what is given. Please understand that I'm not the same as I was. Before, when I fell for you, I heard all the violins, the bells, the shooting stars and fireworks. I've had that with you and you left me. Everything from there on out is what you see is what you get. I told you before that you are getting ONE chance to make it right. And you for all of your thinking about my best interests Frank Donovan, you seem to be forgetting that I love you." She stood up and left him at the table to his own thoughts.

Solemnly he sipped at his water, musing over her words. Sasche had said the same thing to him, Alex had said the same thing to him. Was he being pig-headed and stubborn in pushing her away to arm's length?

'Or would you lie?
would you run and hide?
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care...'

--

- song titled "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias, CD titled 'Escape'

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