Alexx was horrified to see Frankie's eyes the next morning. They were rimmed in red, and it was clear she had been crying most of the night. The coroner immediately pushed a hot cup of coffee into her friend's hands and led her into a quiet room.

"Sugar, what's happened?"

"Lex, please, I can't talk about this. Let's just say that I don't think this new relationship of mine is going to work out." Frankie smiled weakly at her friend, hoping to dispel her fears. "Really, Alexx, I'll be fine. I just need a few days and a lot of ice cream, and I'll be fine." She gave Alexx a one-armed hug and headed off to her office, leaving a very thoughtful ME behind.

Frankie was approaching her six months anniversary of working in Miami, and her first court date was coming up. It was from the first case she had worked on, a paedophile that raped and murdered young boys. Calleigh and Horatio had been the main CSIs on the case, and Calleigh had been called to testify on behalf of the lab as well. Although Frankie had given evidence many times in court before, this would be her first performance in Miami, and she was a little nervous. At least she would be with a friend, she thought. There would be no moral support if Horatio had been the one who had to testify with her.

She had dreaded seeing him the next day, but he had acted as though nothing had happened, treating her with the same polite concern he normally did. Only his eyes betrayed him. It was ironic, she thought sourly, that she had longed to be allowed to see some real emotion from him, and now she was, except that emotion was anger and humiliation. In other words, not exactly what she had been hoping for. But he remained the perfect gentleman around her, and she doubted whether anyone else could spot the occasional coldness in his tone.

At least she had not ruined their ability to work together. She had tried to apologise once for hitting him, but he had cut her off, ignoring her hesitant 'sorry' before telling her not to mention it ever again. The budding friendship that they had been cultivating was dead and buried though, and he now always avoided any social event if he knew she would be there.


Horatio was certain that no one would notice his occasional coldness towards Frankie, and so they would be safe from the inevitable gossip. However much he resented her right now, he would not want anyone talking about her behind her back. He was sure that no one had a clue about what had occurred between them, but he had reckoned without the considerable deductive powers of Alexx Woods. She cornered him in his office on the first day of Frankie's testimony over at the court house.

"Hey Alexx, what can I do for you?"

"Sit down," Alexx, said, her tone brooking no argument. It was the tone she used to get through to her children when they were playing up, and it was as chilly as he had ever heard. To her surprise, he sat down without a word. "Now, I want the truth, Horatio, and don't think you're leaving this office until I get it."

"The truth about what?" he asked weakly.

"Frankie. I want to know what you said to make her cry, and why you won't apologise to her."

Horatio raised his eyebrows in astonishment. He had thought Frankie had kept their relationship quiet. Clearly he gave her too much credit. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."

"Oh, don't you play innocent with me Horatio! The DA may fall for that butter-wouldn't-melt look, but I know you better! And don't you go blaming Frankie, either. She hasn't said a word about you to anyone, but I know what's going on, and you are going to explain yourself Horatio Caine." Alexx was really fuming, he realised.

"Why are you assuming whatever happened between us is my fault?"

"Hah! Men, always trying to blame someone else! Listen sugar," Alexx said taking a deep breath and calming down slightly, "I don't know exactly what happened, but I know neither of you is happy about it. Tell me what happened, and I'll do my best to help."

He smiled sadly. "There's nothing to be helped Alexx. Frankie and I were, um, involved for a short time, but it didn't work out. That's it."

Alexx snorted derisively. "Yeah, that's it. That's why Frankie looks as though she hasn't slept in a fortnight, and her eyes are almost permanently red from crying, and you're snappier than you've ever been. Sure, of course, you're both over it. Nothing more to say," she said, snorting again.

Horatio looked away. Frankie was looking exhausted recently. He'd noticed, of course, but had not wanted to say anything. He hadn't realised she'd been crying though. The thought of her in tears because of him was surprisingly painful. He had never meant to upset her. "I don't know what to do Alexx," he admitted quietly. "She wants more than I can ever give her."

"What does she want?" Now that he was talking to her, Alexx had lost the last vestiges of temper, and was speaking just as quietly as him.

"Everything."

"She wants to be allowed to get to know you properly," Alexx corrected him gently. He jerked around to meet her gaze. "She never told us your name, but she always complained that her lover never let her in, that he always shut her out when it came to his feelings. All she wants to do is be allowed to care for you honey."

"I don't know if I can give her that," he whispered, closing his eyes and burying his head in his hands.

Alexx watched him in silent sympathy for a moment. Of all their friends, she was probably closest to him, and knew the most about his background. There were things he would never discuss, even with her. His father was one of those things, as was his ex-wife. An intensely private man, she thought, but that isn't always a good thing. He needed to open up to someone.

"Do you know what else she told Calleigh and me about you?" He looked up, hesitant but curious. "I asked if this man was worth all the heartache she was putting herself through. Frankie started crying as she told us how much she cared, and how much she would go through for him. Calleigh told her that he would be mad to let her get away, and I agreed, then and now. She cares a great deal about you Horatio. Don't throw that away." The coroner stood up to go then.

"Thank you Alexx."

"Your secret is safe with me, sugar. Don't throw this chance away Horatio." She smiled and shook her head as she left, leaving him to his thoughts. Did Frankie still care for him? Horatio hardly dared to hope for that, after everything that had happened. He couldn't think why she still would care, not after how he had treated her. He shook his head: Frankie deserved better than he could ever give her. She'd realise that in time.