Four in the afternoon, and Frank was wide awake. He had slept for a while in his office chair. The dream had been different this time. This time, Fay had not resisted. He wondered if that meant that she would accept his being a transvestite years ago.if he managed to tell her.

He refused to believe that the dream meant something else. He hated the thought that the Frank side of him wanted her. Moreover, that side of him wanted something else. Freedom.

Frank shivered and walked to the window. He watched as Fay's car pulled into the driveway. He smiled as she trotted toward the building until he couldn't see her anymore. Suddenly, a song played for a moment in his head. So come up to the lab, and see what's on the slab. I see you shiver with antici-

Frank shook his head regretfully, "Not hearing it.. Nope.. No, sir.."

"Hey, Frank.."

The door had opened behind him. He turned, "Fay, hi." He looked closely at her, "Fay? Is something wrong?"

She let a tear roll down her cheek, "It's really nothing.. I saw Mick with.. her.. on the way here."

He made a sympathetic noise, "Oh, I'm so sorry.." He felt awkward, then said finally, "That isn't all.."

She shrugged, "He called my house at around two. He told my mom about what happened.. She asked me if you ever.. If you ever touched me.. She slapped me when I said no.. I ran out the door.."

He moved toward her, "Oh, Fay, I'd never.."

She put up a hand, "No, no, that's not it. When I left, I heard her lock the door.."

He felt at a loss. He wasn't sure what to do to comfort her. After her recent confession of her mother's suspicions, he was afraid to hug her. It would only be for comfort, but he wondered if she would think otherwise.

All the same, a few more tears came, and she couldn't suppress a tiny sob. He felt then that she would never think of his intentions as sexual, and he hugged her softly. She squeezed back. She cried into his shoulder. The afternoon was sunny, but the office was cold.

After a long few moments in that close hold, Fay pulled back, "Thank you, Frank.. I needed that.."

He nodded, "I know.."

She sat in her usual chair, "I think.. I think I'll be ok.."

Frank felt very unusual. Before he could help himself, he blurted, "I was a transvestite."

She looked at him, confused, "Hmm?"

He sighed, knowing it was too late now, "You wanted to know all of my secrets. That's another one. I was a transvestite as well as a bisexual."

She wiped her eyes hurriedly, "I.. I.. Whoa.."

He shook his head, "I didn't mean to say anything.. It's like it was some other side of me, pushing it out of my mouth.. Sorry."

She shook her head, "I'm just.. That's weird.."

He smiled, "I know, it's an odd lifestyle-"

"No, no.. I Have this novel I'm reading.. It's a plan to check out Earth's society written by transvestite aliens.."

His eyes widened, "Er.. May I see it?"

She raised an eyebrow and pulled a backpack off of her shoulder. Frank hadn't noticed it before. He realized that she must have packed with intentions of running away. Fay pulled a small, old-looking book from her bag. "Here.."

He frantically flipped to the back page. It had something scrawled on the inside back cover:

Property of Prince Frank N. Furter

He gulped, "It's mine.."

Her eyes looked as though they might roll out of her head. She choked, barely audible, "Yours? It's a.. It's a real journal? You wrote it?"

He nodded, disbelief in his face, "Yes.. I was given this book to keep record of mission findings.. I abandoned that mission rather quickly. I opted instead for practically raping that Weiss girl-"

Fay's jaw dropped, and she fell backward in her chair, "What?!"

He looked up, realizing that he had slipped. He didn't know how to begin explaining. He felt it was already to late for Fay to ever trust him again. He did all he could think of: he rubbed his eyes wearily and sat down as if he would never get up again. He put the book on his desk. Finally, he risked a few words, "Rape is such a strong word.." She remained silent. He continued, "I seduced her.. I asked her permission.. She said yes.. I guess the truth is harsh sometimes.. I'd say I'm sorry if I thought it would do any good.."

She stood up, "Dr. Furter.. I think I should be getting home."

He looked at her helplessly, "Dr. Furter? I thought you said you didn't want to go home-"

She looked sad and hurt, "I've decided that maybe my mother does know what she's talking about.. Maybe you're the one that I should ignore.. I should see my doctor tomorrow.. After all, I'm not in full mental health.. My mother said so.."

She began to walk away from his desk, looking as though she really didn't want to leave. Frank was frantic, "Oh, Fay, don't agree with them! They just want you in their hands! Under control! I know I've been a sinner, but I changed-"

She was crying as she turned to face him, "You won't make this easy, will you?! Oh, God, Frank! I thought you were the one person who might understand me! You avenged me by punishing my boyfriend.. Who are you to talk?! You really do rape people! I saw the news articles about Brad and Janet! You were just going to rape me, too! Weren't you!?" She was sobbing harshly now.

Frank looked thoroughly sad, and very pale, "No, I swear I would never, Fay! You and I, we're friends.. Aren't we?"

She looked at the floor, "There must be a pattern in the men I fall in love with.."

With that, she walked, sobbing, from the office. All Frank could do was stare at the now shut door.

I've done a lot, God knows I've tried, She found the truth, Even when I lied, Now that she knows,