I stand up as Frank approaches me. I'm wearing one of his favorite outfits. Too late, I realize wearing the blue summer dress was a horrible mistake as his eyes light up in appreciation.

"Hi!" he says as he walks towards me. "You look good." Frank pronounces this as he reaches me.

"Thank you," I say without enthusiasm. He reaches for my hand in concern; I cross them behind my back.

"Callie, what's the matter?" he asks, bewildered.

"We need to talk," I say. He looks at me confused.

"About what?" he asks.

"Us," I say as I turn around. I can't face him after saying that. I just can't. So I head towards one of the benches in front of the river.

"Us?" Frank asks, confused as all get out. I reach a bench and thankfully sit down. He follows me and sits down. He reaches for my hand and this time I let him. Ironic isn't it? How I'm going to be drawing strength from him when I break up with him. Besides, right now I'm too selfish to not want that strength from him.

Frank waits patiently as I struggle to find words. That's one of the things that I love about him. He's so incredibly patient.

"What's up?" he asks. With those two words, I blurt out the one thing that I didn't want him to know that I knew, that pretend secret of ours.

"I know what happened in Cairo."

There, it's out. Frank looks flabbergasted. There's an uncomfortable silence between us until he speaks.

"How?" is the question he asks.

"Do you remember Astrid Pannier?" At his slight nod, I continue. "She was there on vacation and saw you. Astrid didn't know that you were on a case and was going to go over and say hi to you. She saw you and Nancy kiss. When she came home she told me."

Frank sputters, trying to speak. Probably to apologize and to tell me why. I interrupt him.

"I'm…upset that you didn't tell me. Okay? But I think I know the reason why you didn't. And I understand why."

"I'm sorry, Callie," Frank says, a look of sorrow on his face. He starts to say more when I put my finger on his lips.

"But that's not the reason why I asked you out here today."

Realization breaks out on Frank's face. "You're….you're breaking up with me, aren't you?" A hurt puppy dog type of look comes on his face. Please Frank, I beg him silently. Don't make this any harder than it has to be.

"Why? I thought that we were doing fine."

"But we're not, Frank. We haven't been for a long time."

"Why aren't we doing fine, Callie?" Frank asks, a hint of anger in his voice. "Why aren't we doing fine according to you?"

"Because…" my heart is breaking now and I have no idea how either one of us is going to recover from this, "you've fallen for another girl."

Frank sits back, shocked. He rubs his hands over his face and head.

"No, I haven't," he states. I nod, not trusting myself to speak. He thinks for a bit, realization hitting him.

"Nancy…you think it's Nancy," he says in disbelief. "But we're just good friends-"

"No," I interrupt softly. Frank looks at me, my tearstained face. I look back at him, tears gathering in his eyes.

"The two of you are just more than 'good friends'. I've come to terms with that." Frank looks down at the ground, at a loss for words with this announcement.

"Besides," I say and sniffle, "we weren't going to make it much longer anyway." At this, Frank looks back up at me, ready to argue his points.

"We've been fighting more than usual. More than what any couple should be doing. And admit it, we haven't been putting everything that we could into this relationship."

"We can try harder…" Frank says half-heartedly.

"That's just it, Frank. We have and it hasn't worked. If anything, it's just pushed a wedge further between us." I look at Frank and think that he finally understands as he slowly nods.

I need to say one more thing even though it may be the worst thing to say. "Frank, you've been one of the best things to ever happen to me but it's time to say good bye." I squeeze his hands and gently kiss his cheek in good-bye. I stand up and look down at him. He looks up at me. "Go after her. She's the best one for you." I release his hands and walk away.

I barely make it into my car before I burst into tears.

Author's note: First off, this story is dedicated to one of the best betas ever-Alaina over at the Hardy Detective Agency. (www dot hardydetectiveagency dot com)

Secondly, thank you so much for the reviews! I've had a very bad week and they brighten my days up quite nicely.

As for the anon Reviewer's review. Yes, it was a formatting problem. It was first Callie then Vanessa.

Any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to e-mail at queenof1000days at gmail dot com.