Chapter 11. Puzzle Pieces

The room was silent for what felt like an eternity for all occupants. Sydney held Francie in her arms; both had tears gently rolling down their faces. Hell, even Weiss wanted to cry.

The silence was eventually broken when Francie, pulling back from Sydney's arms and glancing between Sydney and Weiss, began speaking in a very small voice.

"Um… guys…do you know why this happened to me? I mean, I don't understand…any of it." She sniffled, using the back of her hand to wipe the tears from her eyes.

Sydney sighed, and Weiss took a seat nearby, figuring it was safe to do so now they were at peace with each other.

"Believe me Fran…Chloe…Uh… Ok, first of all, we have got to figure out what I'm going to call you…do you prefer Francie or Chloe? It's only right you choose" Syd surmised, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Fran… I kinda like that… and I think it's who I really am…, so yeah, let's call me Francie. Chloe seems like a lie. A lie I want to stop living and figure out." Francie said firmly, not needing more than a few seconds to make the decision.

"We will figure it out, won't we Eric." Sydney stated strongly, asking Weiss to back her up. Weiss nodded. "I have this feeling it's going to take some time, but Fran, we will help you discover what happened and who you really are." She gave her friend a half smile, which was immediately returned with gratitude.

"Thank you. I knew I needed to find you. I knew you would know how to help.' She replied enthusiastically.

"Guys? I hope you don't mind the gorgeous guy in the corner butting in, but I think there is one major thing we should figure out first… just how did you survive the bullet Allison Doren put into your skull Francie?" Weiss interrupted.

At this both girls flinched at the thought.

"I don't know for sure Eric, it is Eric isn't it?" She asked, unsure. Weiss nodded and smiled. "I can tell you what I know from piecing together what I've been told though." Francie replied, smiling at Weiss to show she didn't mind the inquisition.

"Ok, what have you been told?" Sydney butted in calmly, a miracle she could really, since she was that overwhelmed.

"I was told that just over two and a half years ago I was working in a bank. There was a robbery and I was shot in the head. Apparently it didn't go too far in, and neurosurgeons managed to save me by inserting a titanium plate…in fact if you press on my forehead right now you can feel it. It's pretty smooth and I rarely feel it anymore. They said a side effect was amnesia though; I lost all my memory from before the robbery took place. I was only supposed to remember everything that happened once I woke up from the coma I was in. When I started to get the visions, the ones of you and your friend, Will was it?

Sydney nodded and smiled at the thought of her old friend. God I miss him. And what the hell is he going to make of all this? How much more can you take when it comes to close friends coming back from the dead? How much can you take when it comes to anybody coming back from the dead for that matter? Oh God, and Alison, he could have sworn he had killed her, and he had a clearer conscious since Francie was dead… this is gonna be a long week…She sighed inwardly, and averted her full attention back to her friend.

"After a few weeks I told my husband, Rob, about the visions and he told me that they weren't real. At this point, I didn't know who to trust… I had no memory of these people… I had no trusting relationships… I felt like I was on my own in the world. Anyway, the second time I went to the psychiatrist I was having mandatory sessions with, he said the exact same thing as Rob… and that basically, along with what I told you before, is all that I know." Francie ended on a sigh.

"Your husband… Rob… did he have any links to the psychiatrist that were formed before the accident?" Sydney enquired thoughtfully.

"Uh… I guess you could say he did." Francie said, slightly surprised, because as she thought about it… the pieces of the puzzle in her head were starting to fit together. She carried on. "When my family supposedly moved from London to Austria, it was for my parents' job at a private medical research facility. Rob worked there too and that is how I met him, it's how I seemed to have met all my close friends in Graz actually. I apparently worked there for a while. Anyway… the neurosurgeons and the psychiatrist that treated me, they had strong links with the faculty, did lots of work with them."

"Sounds to me like a major cover up job" Weiss interjected, before realizing he may have just put his foot in it. "I'm so sorry Francie… I didn't mean that your husband was…" he started to apologize but Francie interrupted him, shaking her head.

"No, don't apologize Eric, I'm pretty sure you are right. I've been thinking the same thing for a couple of days now. I'm starting to think that he isn't really my husband… that they aren't really my family" She frowned and lifted her hand to her face to stop the tears that were threatening to form.

"What can you guys tell me? What did you know about what happened to me?" She added.

Review Feedback

Whitelighter Enchantress- Weiss really is the best ;) And thank youuuuuuu!

Fair Cate – Oooh I love the roses, sorry for not updating sooner! And thanks!

Rogue 151 – Thanks for the happy new year wishes (and Kate starts torealise just how long its been since Chapter 10)—Thanks!

Liz – You making me blush! Im glad you like the concept… it is really hard to write something a lot of people can't believe in! Thanks!

Ren201 – Keep on saying the nice things then lol! Still looking for an update from you! Thanks!

Tricia – Thanks hun! I love it when people say it sounds believeable!

Rach5 – Thanks! Glad you can understand it!

I love all your reviews so much, they bring the biggest smile to my face! And lets all keep our fingers crossed that the muse is gonna hang around a little while longer this time!