A/N - Happy Hump Day people... Wednesday, my favorite day of the week! Here is chapter 22 for all my lovely followers. This one is a bit of a filler for several sections of the story, I do hope you enjoy it! I spent yesterday proof reading up to chapter 31, and writing several more chapters. trying to piece little bit's here and there. I'm trying hard to keep a good mixture of fluff and story line in this one, there are snippet's of story line hidden everywhere, so keep your eye's peeled to try and find the clue's about what's coming up.

Thanks to all of those who have reviewed so far, as someone who suffers with severe depression and bipolar, the reviews are a godsend to me, they really bring a lot of joy to me, help with my self confidence and really make me smile. So for those who have taken a few second's of their day to review, thank you from the bottom of my heart, your messages bring more love than you could ever imagine... and for those reading silently... thank you for joining me on this journey, the hit's and follow's on this fic amaze me every time i check them, i'm still surprised that over a thousand different people from over twenty countries have taken their precious time to read this little story of mine, if you could find it in your heart to drop me a line to say hello and give me your honest opinions, i would be forever grateful, if you have any suggestions for thing's you would like to see featured in this fic, please let me know... suggestion's are always welcome, as is constructive criticism, i am always looking for way's to improve my writing, my story lines, my character referencing, my proofreading and my attempt's at humor.

Please enjoy this chapter, there is a few smaller sized chapters upcoming before we hit the bigger chapters again that will be full of drama, angst, romance and comedy... all the things that we love about Wentworth!

AL xxx

Frankie watched as Vera played with the wine glass in her hand nervously. She had been surprised when she had received the txt message from the Governor asking for the brunette lawyer to meet with her after work for a drink alone, initially she had thought it was some kind of prank her fiancé and her new bestie were playing on her, but as she sat inspecting the woman before her, she knew that it was a serious meeting from Vera's straight face and nervous mannerisms.

"Frankie I need to make a confession, but I need to know that it will stay between us, you absolutely can't tell Bridget and you can't use it in your case…. Can you assure me these things?" Vera finally broke the silence, the tears in her eyes confirming everything Frankie needed to know about how serious this meeting was

"Look I swore to Gidge that I would never lie to her, and I can't make any agreements that require me to break that promise… saying that, as long as she doesn't ask me outright, she will never hear it pass from my lips" Frankie said honestly.

"and the case?" Vera asked as she ran her hands through her hair, which was trailing down past her shoulders.

Frankie sighed, knowing she was in a catch 22. "look… why don't you tell me what's going on as friend Frankie and once I will know what we are dealing with, legal Frankie can work out how to use it to our advantage without your name being linked to it" Frankie offered.

"friend Frankie may want nothing to do with me after she finds this out" Vera frowned.

"Vera… take a sip of that wine, loosen those lips, and let's deal with this together, yeah?" Frankie watched as Vera downed the remainder of her wine, closed her eyes and with a sigh she began.

"It was me who let Smith out that day… with Ferguson"

Frankie stared in shock at Vera, she could swear that she had just imagined the words coming out of her mouth, but the way Vera sat with her eyes closed, the lone tear breaking free from her eyes and speeding down her face, she knew that she had heard right. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

"Ok, I need you to start from the beginning, and tell me everything that happened, don't leave out any detail, regardless of how small you may think it is"

"Right… well when we knew Ferguson was going to be released, Bea came to see me with a proposal, she told me that she if she could get her hands on a mobile, she would be able to face Ferguson and try to dupe a confession out of her. So I agreed… I let her outside with a promise that she would return, and I watched her the whole time with the walkie in my hand so if she even looked like she would escape, I could call for backup. I watched her approach the freak… they exchanged a few words, then all of a sudden Bea launched at Ferguson, she had something in her hand, I thought it was the phone, but I'm guessing it was actually the screwdriver. Bea stepped back… then all of a sudden she stepped forward and I swear it looked like she forced Ferguson to thrust the driver into herself. After the altercation I inspected Beas cell… the phone was on her bed, she didn't even take it with her." Vera announced, still not looking up into Frankie's eyes.

"Vera… you know as well as I do that that when Bea has a plan to do something… nothing and no one can get in her way and her mind won't be changed. You are not to blame for Bea being attacked ok?" Frankie stated, making sure that Vera understood her.

"But if it wasn't for me Bea wouldn't have been so badly injured. And wouldn't have memory loss…. And I put my career on the line" another lone tear ran down Vera's face.

"and because of you Bea was able to get Ferguson locked up for good… where she can't hurt anyone" Frankie was adamant she would put a more positive spin on this situation.

"So tell me, how fucked is my career?" Vera asked eventually after taking a few minutes to compose herself while Frankie ordered them another round of drinks.

"Your career is fine because no one needs to know that it was you who let Bea out… I'm guessing you were careful about there not being any evidence of your involvement?" Frankie waited for Vera to confirm. "right well in that case no one will ever know unless you tell them… but as a friend… I would like you to talk to Gidge… be honest with her and let her help you deal with this, if you don't deal with it then it's going to eat you up inside…" Frankie trailed off. She watched the cogs turning behind Vera's eyes before she nodded in agreement.

"You can trust Gidge, she wont betray you. I have told her some pretty incriminating things in the past, and instead of lagging she helped me through it… she knows how to be discreet and you're her friend, she will want to help you with this" Frankie soothed Vera who nodded a little more confidently. They finished their drinks before Vera followed Frankie home to talk to Bridget whilst Frankie made some more notes for the case, the information wasn't the best as she knew she couldn't use it and throw her friend under the bus, but it did complete another part of the puzzle. One more question answered and another step closer to having the case ready to go to trial.

"Frankie Doyle… as I live and breathe" the tall blonde grinned as her eyes trailed over the professional looking ex inmate.

"Officer Williams, long time no see" Frankie grinned, she had walked into the police station on the opposite side of Melbourne, not expecting to run into an old face. Frankie watched as the slightly older, but still just as attractive officer bent over the desk seductively, a flirtatious smile plastered on her lips as she made an effort to push her breasts together so that they were straining against the material of her work shirt.

"Too long, I'm guessing your out… as you're stood here.. unless you've come to hand yourself back in?" Officer Williams asked cheekily. She had been one of the arresting officers on Frankie's case, and during the investigations they had grown quite close, close enough for Williams to risk her job for a quick fuck in the interview halls toilets.

"Nope I'm a free woman, and have no intention of ever going back… I'm actually a lawyer now, I've just recently passed my bars" Frankie grinned proudly.

"So Frankie Doyle, what can I help you with today?" The smirk on the blonde woman's face took Frankie back a little, she was being far less obvious than the last time their paths had crossed.

"I have some questions regarding a case I'm working on and was hoping I could get an officer to give me some answers and shed some light on a few things" Frankie said, keeping her tone professional and making sure that she didn't give the other woman any wrong ideas.

"sure.. ask away, it's a quiet day today so I should be able to help you out" Williams smirked, motioning for Frankie to come closer, which she did but stopped short of the counter so that she could keep some distance from her past.

Frankie removed a file from her briefcase and laid it on the desk, pushing it towards the officer. "Smith, Bea. I have been led to believe that this was the station she was brought to after her arrest"

"No way… are you building a case against 'THE' Bea Smith?" Williams asked, her eyes widening in excitement.

"Actually I'm just looking into a few things for a friend. I know Bea from my days inside and she asked me to check up on something" Frankie answered feigning disinterest and down playing the case, not wanting to raise any suspicions with anyone she didn't trust completely.

"Right… well I had just moved to this station a few weeks before she was arrested. I had nothing to do with her case but I saw her in passing. She looked so innocent back then, completely different from the psycho that was charged with two murders not long later" Williams laughed softly. "she was one fine piece of arse… don't tell me banged that?" Williams raised her eyebrows suggestively, her flirtatious smirk never leaving her lips, Frankie didn't remember the woman being like this the last time they met, so forward and uninhibited. Back then she was a lot more reserved, less forward, not as suggestive.

"No Bea's just a friend, a sister almost… and she is far from a psycho" Frankie growled, trying her hardest to keep her temper under control and her professional mask on.

"Right" Williams grinned showing she didn't believe the other woman. "so what do you want to know?" Williams asked hoping to move the conversation along so that she could ask the hot brunette out and hopefully re-enact their hot encounter several years back.

"Everything there is to know, statements, interview dialogues, opinions, station gossip…" Frankie trailed off.

"Well you should really have a court order to obtain those files... but seen as we go way back, I suppose I could help you out. You scratch my back and I will scratch yours" Williams winked. "wait here… I will go and get the paperwork" Williams smiled and left Frankie alone in the reception area. Frankie pulled her phone out and texted Bridget telling her all about her run in with a blast from the past.

'Should I be worried, I know you have a thing about uniforms' Frankie scoffed at Bridget's reply, instantly replying and correcting her that she had a thing for Bridget in uniforms. Her flirting was interrupted as Williams returned. Frankie made her way to the desk to continue their discussion, flicking through the files and asking the other women if she would be able to get a copy of them. The file contained a plethora of information that wouldn't be detailed in the final reports. There would be notes from the arresting officers and interviewing officers, observations, theories, links to evidence that hadn't made the cut for the original trial, and all of that could help Frankie paint the picture that Bea should never have originally been held on charges at Wentworth.

Williams nodded and moved off to the copier, bending over seductively to refill the paper tray and turning to throw Frankie a wink, determined to show the other woman that she was interested in second helpings of their past fuck fest, but Frankie wasn't watching her, she was smiling down at her phone.

"Here you go" Williams passed the paperwork over in a way that ensured she could stroke the fingers of Frankie's right hand that made to collect the photocopies, Frankie flinched away from the contact.

"I get off in two hours…. How about we go for a drink and then help each other... get... off?" Williams offered with a sexy smile as she leant in towards Frankie, making sure that the second part of her comment was just between the two of them.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm in a relationship, engaged in fact" Frankie flashed her new engagement ring that Bridget had surprised her with the night before.

"That doesn't change my offer" Williams smiled greasily.

"and that doesn't change my answer" Frankie said, placing the paperwork into her briefcase and taking a step back, hoping that the blonde would read her body language as well as hear her words that she had absolutely no interest in pursuing anything sexual with her.

"I'm asking you for a fuck, not a relationship" Williams laughed and Frankie had to make a conscious effort not to cringe. "nobody but us would ever need to know" Frankie glanced at the smirk on her past lovers lips thoughtfully. She couldn't believe that she used to be the person that would snap her hand off for an offer like that, but she wasn't that person anymore. Having one night stands with random women was definitely not something that appealed to her anymore, the only thing that appealed to her was spending a romantic evening making love to her fiancé.

"I appreciate the help Officer Williams, however I am here only in a professionally manner and have no interest in being with anybody romantically that isn't my fiancé. I'll see you around" Frankie practically ran out of the door before the blonde had any opportunity to reply. She felt proud of herself for standing her ground, and more so felt proud of herself for not even being slightly tempted in the offer from the attractive woman.

She made her way back to work, knowing her lunch hour would be coming to a close, and she needed to focus on the case she had been given 2nd chair in at work by Jane, it was a fantastic opportunity for her and would give her some amazing experience in any future cases.

Boomer had spent the day at the hospital going through several tests for her pregnancy, they had tried to get Maxine to be able to go, but unfortunately the request has been denied by the board, Vera had petitioned it and had put a good case forward that Maxine was the paternal mother of the child and it was breaching her human and parental rights by denying her the right to be there, but the board was adamant in their decision and wasn't going to budge.

"So Miss Jenkins would you like a copy of your ultrasound picture?" the obstetrician offered.

"Oh yes please… Maxi will want to see our little bub" Boomer grinned, her eyes never once leaving the screen and the grainy black and white image of the tiny child inside her.

"Maxi?" the obstetrician asked as she hit print and typed in several copies for the patient to take with her.

"She's the baby's father" Boomer said, she could see the confusion on the doctors face from the corner of her eye. She knew that this doctor would be with her for the remainder of her pregnancy and so decided to be open and honest about the situation.

"Maxi is a post op transgender who lives in Wentworth with me and the other girls. Before her op she banked some spunk in case she ever needed it for the future… and that's how she is the father of this child.. well the other mother of this child" Boomer explained, finally forcing her eyes away from the screen and her little rugrat to inspect the doctors reaction.

"Do you have access to a DVD player or a computer back at Wentworth?" the doctor asked completely unphased.

"Err yeah" Boomer asked, a little in shock at the lack of reaction from the other woman.

"Then if you want to wait just a few more minutes I can run a copy off of the ultrasound recording for you to share with Maxi, that way she will be able to see little rugrat moving and hear the heartbeat" the doctor notified her as she grabbed a disk and started the writing process, making sure to adopt the nickname for the baby to ease her patient about her concern of being treated poorly after her admission.

"Why didn't you look shocked about Maxi?" Boomer asked eventually, ignoring the questioning look from Officer Stewart.

"For two reasons really… the first is because it is none of my business, it is your's and Maxi's business and I have no right to judge you. The second is because I'm a fully trained obgyn, I'm under no illusion that the creation of a baby comes in many forms, and as long as you both are committed to being good parents to rugrat and keeping him or her healthy and safe and look after each other as parents of this child, then nobody has the right to judge you" the doctor grinned, handing Boomer an envelope containing a DVD and seven Photos .

"Miss Jenkins…"

"Call me Boomer or Booms… it's the only name I respond to" Boomer interrupted with a smile.

"Very well Booms, so… we can tell by your measurements that you are approximately 10 weeks along, which puts you in the tail end of your first trimester which ends at 12 weeks. Everything looks good, the baby seems to be formed appropriately to their size. I will write prescription for some prenatal vitamins, with your diet of prison food, it's important that you take these vitamins daily to help keep the baby strong and healthy" Boomer nodded at all the information as the doctor wiped the remainder of the lubricant from the woman's slightly showing stomach before motioning for her that she could pull down her shirt and sit up.

"So before we wrap things up, is there any questions you have?" upon seeing the lost look on Boomer's face. The doctor took pity and grabbed a spare copy of 'what to expect when your expecting' from her desk drawer, handing it to Boomer and telling her to read it, then read it again, and then study it further with Maxi.

Boomer ran her fingers longingly over the books slightly battered cover and with a nod and a smile she thanked the doctor and rose. Officer Stewart held out his hand to take the items, before they could enter the prison they would need to be inspected for things like drugs, money, weapons and notes. Realizing it would be pointless to argue about the topic, Boomer handed them over, smiled her thanks to the doc and led Officer Stewart towards the transport van.

"Of course we would love to come.. in fact your father and I would like to pay for your engagement party Bridget, if you would allow us too, we paid for both of the boys engagements" Sally Westfall hugged her daughter and inspected the ring.

"Mum you don't need to do that, Frankie and I can afford the party" Bridget claimed, returning to Frankie's side an sitting at the opposite end of the couch out of Frankie's reach, much to the brunettes amusement.

"Bridget dear, we know you and Frankie are both doing very well for yourselves, but that is not the point, we would like to do this for you both, like we did for your brothers, please say you will let us do this for you" Sally pleaded. Bridget glanced to Frankie who just shrugged, granting Bridget the support in whatever decision she made.

"Ok well thank you, I guess. We would appreciate that… we have a wedding to pay for too so the help would come in handy" Bridget smiled, she couldn't help the grin that exploded on her face as her Mum practically leaped across the room and hugged her tightly, pulling Frankie into the embrace.

"Now tell me Frankie love, will we get to meet your parents at the party?" Sally asked as she perched on the table opposite the two women, holding one of each of their hands in her own.

"Mum…" Bridget started but was shocked when Frankie cut her off.

"My mother passed away several years ago, and I am not close to my father, I will of course invite him, and my little sister, but I'm not sure whether he will come" Frankie smiled at her soon to be mother in law.

"Oh I'm sorry to hear that Sweetheart" Sally said with a squeeze of her hand.

"Please don't be. The world is a far better place without my mother in it, and up until a year ago I had no contact at all with my father, so the progress we have made is good" Frankie offered, Sally's thumb rubbing softly over her hand as she watched her with no trace of judgment, just empathy.

"I'm glad that your father is making the effort to be in your life" Sally smiled.

"Me too, I was always close to my dad, it broke my heart when he left. I mean I understand why he did, my Mum was toxic and he needed to be away from her so that she didn't completely destroy his life, but it broke my heart, I was angry for him for many years, there is a tiny part of me that still is, but every time I see him and spend time with him that anger diminishes a little bit more" Frankie admitted, appreciating Sally's knowing nod.

"You should be proud of all you have achieved without having two parents behind you to support and guide you" Sally smiled, knowing that the compliment would mean a lot to the young woman that had stolen her daughter's heart.

"They may not have been around, but I learnt a lot from them that I am thankful for. My dad taught me that no matter what the consequences are, you can't stay in a toxic environment, you need to get out. And that you can move on with life and be happy again"

"and your mum?" Sally asked when Frankie trailed off, her eyes darkening slightly as she got lost in her thoughts.

"My mum taught me what pain and hatred is, she taught me that some people are just cruel for cruel sake, that true evil does exist in the world, she taught me how to cover up burns and bruises so nobody would see them, how to stitch a wound so you didn't need to go to the hospital where they would ask too many questions, she taught me that some people are just violent monsters and nothing you can do or say will change that. But mostly she taught me what kind of person or mother I didn't want to be, she taught me everything in the book about bad parenting and for that I am grateful, because if Gidge and I are lucky enough to bring a child into this world, I know he or she will be safe and happy, I know they will never have to fake being asleep in hope that she wouldn't be beaten, I know they will never cower under the bed, scared for her little life, I know she will never experience the pain of having a cigarette extinguished on her body, or the feel of a wooden handle of a broom or mop against her back, legs or stomach, the feel of a leather belt against her backside, the sting of a slap from someone who is only meant to love her... and the only broken bones she… or he… will ever gain will be from living life and making memories like a normal child should" Frankie felt Bridget's arms wrap around her shoulders and pull her into a loving embrace, both of Sally's hands now soothed her, but she refused to cry, she had shed too many tears over her so called mother, no more. The room was silent, not awkward nor tense silence… a comfortable, respectful silence.

"I'm proud of you Frankie, to overcome everything that you have, to go through so much pain and torment, both at the hands of your parents and what you must have gone through in Wentworth, and to come out on the other side and be able to recognize that you deserve a better life, and to actually start working towards it, you're a strong woman, and a role model to all of us about what's achievable if your prepared to try... I have never been prouder to be inviting someone into our family" Sally soothed as she watched the young woman struggle to control her breathing as she tried to not let the tears fall. She could see from the way that Bridget was clinging onto her, the expression in her daughters blue eyes, that at least some of what Frankie had said was new information to her.

"Thanks" Frankie muttered softly, the emotion evident in her cracking voice.

"She's right honey, you're so strong and I'm so proud of you, and one day you're going to make an amazing mother, and between us both, our child will never feel anything but safe, happy and loved" Bridget smiled softly as she placed a tender kiss against Frankie's temple.

"Right, I think it's time for a glass of wine each, I will be back in a few moments" Sally announced, sensing that the two women needed a few moments of privacy. She stood up and excused herself into the kitchen to grab three glasses and a bottle of white from the fridge, she paused in the doorway as she returned, the scene before her pulling on her heart strings as she watched her daughter cradling her fiancés face in her hands, whispering support and love to the brunette, she couldn't help but smile at the sight, Bridget's sexuality had never been a concern or problem for Sally, she loved her eldest child, and was proud of the work that she did and all that she had achieved in her professional life, but she had always felt that personally, Bridget pulled back and didn't allow herself to love, she worried that it was a result of her father's disapproval to her life 'choices' but as she stood watching the tender intimacy that flowed between the two women on her couch, she knew that Bridget was finally allowing herself to love and be loved, she was done hiding her relationships and the part of her which Derek disapproved of, and she couldn't be prouder of her eldest child.

"So I was thinking" Sally announced as she entered the room, smiling again when she saw Bridget place a gentle kiss on Frankie's lips, then her hands were clutching to one of Frankie's as she relaxed into the chair, no longer putting any physical distance between them. "Maybe next weekend if you are both free, we could get the boys over and have a nice family meal, maybe a barbeque out in the yard and make a day of it, I think it's time Frankie was introduced to the rest of her new family" Sally smiled, knowing her words would be clear that Frankie was now considered her family.

"We are free... what do you think Frankie... do you want to meet the others?" Bridget grinned as Frankie nodded nervously.

"Frankie Doyle, all shy... who would have thought" Bridget grinned, unused to seeing this side of her partner.

"Piss off" Frankie grinned, before throwing an apologetic smile for her language to Bridget's mother who just laughed as she poured the wine.

"Excellent, well I will call the boys tonight and organize it, just be here for 10am ok? And bring your swimmers incase it's a nice day and we can get some use out of the pool" Sally suggested, relaxing back in her armchair. Both women nodded as they grabbed their glasses and took a much needed sip of the alcohol.

"So... please don't think me too interfering... but after Frankie's visit, I anticipated the arrival of you both with this news, and bought a few magazines in for us to have a flick through, have either of you thought about any details of the wedding, where you want it to be? What time of year? That kind of thing?" Sally asked as she grabbed a heavy pile of magazines from the coffee table drawer and placed them on top of the table, laughing as Bridget rolled her eyes at her.

"You ok babe?" Bridget asked when they finally arrived home later that night. Frankie had been silent on the drive home and Bridget had been content to just hold her hand and drive one handed, glad that her Porsche was an automatic. She could tell that Frankie was nearing being mentally drained, and having the hours drive to just process her thoughts, was probably the best thing that she could offer.

"Yeah... I just feel tired" Frankie dropped herself unceremoniously on the couch.

"Yeah I'm not surprised, you know I'm really proud of you, that's the first time I have ever heard you talk about your mother, it must have taken a lot out of you" Bridget dropped onto the couch next to Frankie and pulled the younger woman so that she was laid with her head in Bridget's lap looking up at her, her feet hanging off the arms. Frankie closed her eyes in contentment when she felt Bridget's fingers begin to play with her hair, every now and then they brushed against her scalp.

"You know... if you did this in our sessions, I would have opened up a lot quicker" Bridget could see the smile tugging on Frankie's lips despite the woman's current mental anguish.

"Yeah, well I'm pretty sure there are a lot of things I could have done to get you to open up quicker" Bridget couldn't stop the smirk from forming, as she watched Frankie's brown eyes open up, a mix of amusement and desire filling them.

"I tried, I really tried... but you seem to be immune to me" Frankie grinned, raising her arm so that she could run her fingers over Bridget's cheek, her fingers finally resting on Bridget's jaw and lovingly scratching in the way that Bridget loved, she watched as Bridget's blue eyes flickered shut at the feeling.

"I'm definitely not immune to you... in fact I think I'm the exact opposite, addicted and hooked on you" Bridget grinned eventually.

"Me too... you know, sometimes it takes me back just how much I feel for you. For a long time I swear I was incapable of love, I never thought I would ever be in a relationship that lasted more than a few weeks and revolved around anything other than just fucking" Frankie admitted almost shyly, definitely not the usual tone when Frankie Doyle spoke about anything sex related.

"I know baby, but your very much capable of loving, and you do an amazing job of it, you make me feel loved all the time, you make me feel special, important, needed and most of all desired. You're an amazing partner and I count myself lucky every day that I wake up in your arms" Bridget cooed.

"It's not hard to love you Gidge... have you looked in the mirror lately, your gorgeous, inside and out" Frankie moved her hand round to Bridget's neck and pulled her down to meet her in the middle for a quick kiss before resting her head back in the blonde's lap, nudging her to get her to restart playing with her hair causing Bridget to laugh softly.

"You ok about meeting the rest of the family?" Bridget asked after a few moments of silence, spent watching Frankie lay in contentment.

"Yeah of course, as long as your comfortable with it"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Bridget asked, her brow furrowing in frustration, Frankie opened her eyes and couldn't help smiling at how adorable she looked.

"Babe, I know they say love is blind, but surely you haven't forgotten that I'm an ex con, released from jail from her aggravated assault charges after losing her shit and throwing a pain of hot oil in some jackasses face... I'm not exactly meet the family material, are you sure you want me around your family, your nieces?" It was Frankie's turn to frown.

"Sweetheart, stop being so hard on yourself. You said it right, 'ex con' … you did your time for your crime and you are not the same person anymore... I don't worry that we are going to have some huge argument and your going to blow up and hurt me… I really don't worry that your going to get pissed off with anyone a hurt them.. It's just not who you are anymore" Bridget soothed

"You know, you really should consider being a psych" Frankie grinned cheekily.

"Perhaps… but then I would have to quit my other job" Bridget smirked.

"What other job?"

"Sex slave for the famous Frankie Doyle" Bridget wiggled her eyebrows causing Frankie to guffaw.

"Frankie… I didn't know I had an appointment with my hot lawyer" Bea's grin turned into a laugh when she saw the brunette falter.

"What's up Doyle?" Bea smirked.

"Hot?" Frankie asked, grabbing a chair with a bemused smile.

"Yeah you're right, appointment with my… meh lawyer" Bea laughed.

"I will stick with the hot lawyer thanks… what's got you all flirty and happy? I'm not complaining, it's taken me a long time to get you to admit you want me" Frankie flashed her trademark smile.

"I'm just in a good place… obviously I mean mentally" Bea laughed as she motioned to her surroundings.

"I'm glad to hear it, and the investigations are going well, we almost have more answers than questions for the first time" Frankie smiled as she picked at her fingers.

"You're doing an amazing job Frankie and I trust you completely and if anyone can do this, it's you… but cut the bull, you didn't come here to talk about the case did you, so what's going on?" Bea smirked as Frankie rolled her eyes.

"Can't a girl just visit her best friend without an ulterior motive?" Frankie flipped her middle finger at the older woman who was smirking knowingly.

"They can, but that's not why you're here today" Bea raised her eyebrow to prompt Frankie to spit it out.

"Bridget wants me to meet her family" Frankie was inspecting the room intently, looking anywhere but at her friend.

"I thought you already met her parents" Bea asked confused.

"I have, but I haven't met her two brothers… their wives… their kids… you know the family who aren't the parents" Frankie gulped.

Bea watched Frankie for a few moments, she was still inspecting the room intently, her hands were resting on the table, her fingers fidgeting nervously whilst the tapping of her foot was setting a constant twitch to her whole body.

"Frankie…" Frankie turned to her friend, barely meeting her eye but could clearly see the look in Bea's eyes that told her to cut the crap.

"Alright, alright… look I'm nervous as hell, in three days I have to meet Bridget's brothers, you know like the two people she grew up with, her two first friends, the women they are married to… Bridget's niece's… these are the people who can change our relationship with one word!" Frankie threw her hands in the air before resting her elbows on the table and throwing her head into her palms.

"Frankie… let me explain something to you as you grew up as an only child. Brothers and sisters, in fact siblings in general… they aren't a kids first friends, they are a kids worst nightmare. They annoy you… they borrow your things and break it or lose it… they harass you and embarrass you in front of your friends… they do something wrong and frame you for it so you get grounded… they pin you down and beat you up… they change the TV and the radio when your watching or listening to it… they are the worst people in the world" Bea rolled her eyes as Frankie leant forward, hanging off her every word.

"so your saying they are probably arseholes?" Frankie asked with an air of confusion.

"No Frankie" Bea laughed. "they are probably really nice people. You just have a really crazy idea of what siblings are. You know, Bridget would never put you in a position where you were surrounded by people who would negatively judge you… is this the first time you have met a person's family?" Bea reached across and took Frankie's hands in her own, mainly to offer her support, but also in an attempt to settle her fidgeting.

"I don't want them to hate me" Frankie admitted. "and no… I've never really had anyone who was important enough to do the whole family thing"

"Frankie… they won't hate you, they will see how much Bridge loves you, they will see how happy you make her, and they will see how funny, smart and kind you are… if you just be yourself. Just for fuck's sake, don't hit on your future sister in laws! Even if they are hot… or you get an opportunity to make the best innuendo, be Frankie… just don't be flirty Frankie" Bea grinned, glad to be able to help Frankie out.

"Thanks Bea… so you have siblings?" Frankie asked settling back in her chair, feeling much more relaxed.

"A brother and two sisters. I lost touch with them all" Bea admitted sadly.

"Ok… you made me fess up, now it's your turn" Frankie leaned forwards again, this time taking Bea's hands in hers.

"When I first met Harry… to begin with it was fine, they seemed to like him, then they started telling me these things about Harry, trying to turn me against him… and I couldn't believe it, I wouldn't believe it… long story short, he alienated me from them all, then he forced me to stay away from them… once there was a huge divide the bruises started and then the blackmail started, you know… if you show up with those bruises they won't understand that it was an accident… or a mistake… and then it was… if they see the bruises I will have to give you more and… well you can see what I mean" Bea frowned as she pulled up all the memories she had so far.

"When was the last time you had contact with them?" Frankie asked, her heart breaking at the torture her friend had experienced at the hands of her bastard ex husband.

"my mum wrote to me just after I arrived here… I was so embarrassed and ashamed of everything that I ignored the letters. I kept them for a while, figured I would read them one day… then Debbie died, and I decided that Harry was right the whole time, I didn't deserve them in my life… I was bad news… a fuck up… a disease, they are better off without me" Bea shrugged at the bluntness of her admission.

"you know the only one that was a disease was Harry. And you have nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of" Frankie could tell by Bea's reaction that Harry's violence was deep rooted and despite her bravado she was clearly still affected by it.

"Well thank God the disease is dead" Bea grinned comically, causing Frankie to roll her eyes at Bea's walls coming back up.

"Ladies and gentleman, time… is…. Up, if you could please make your way to the exit, thank you" a tubby guard called that Frankie didn't know.

"Let me know how it goes?" Bea asked with a smirk.

"of course, I'll come see you on Monday for an update on everything… bring blondie along, I miss making fun of how you blush around her" Frankie waved as she exited.

Bea went through the searches after visits before making her way to go and find 'blondie' she couldn't shrug the smile on her face, despite having just spoken about her family for the first time in decades.

"Oh hey… Miss Westfall, do you mind if I just borrow you for two seconds to ask a question?" Bea called as she saw Bridget near the admissions offices in the middle of a conversation with Officer Miles. Bridget motioned for her to give her a few seconds, said a few more things to Linda, and then made her way over to Bea as they slowly started walking towards H1.

"Everything ok?" Bridget asked, not really used to the former top dog accosting her in the hallways.

"Oh I'm fine, I just wanted to ask you about some advice for a friend" Bea smirked.

"Well you know I can't discuss other clients with you, but if you give me a name, I would be happy to organize a session with them" Bridget smiled through her usual speil.

"How about I tell you the problem, and you can advise me on the best way to help my friend… so you see I have this friend, someone I love very dearly… like a sister… yet a sister that thinks it's ok to hit on me everytime we see each other, anyway.. so this weekend she is meeting her partners brothers and their families for the first time and well… she has never done the whole 'meet the family' thing and she grew up as an only child in a fucked up home… and it's safe to say she has worked herself up into a bit of a state about it and im a bit worried that despite my briliant motovational speech, she will spend the next 3 days stressing herself out again" Bea glanced sideways, a playful smile gracing her lips as she inspected Bridgets reaction.

"Well then my professional advice as her partner would be to thank you for letting me know and thank you for giving her a pep talk… she has met my parents, what is she so worried about?" Bridget asked completely confused.

"that they won't like her, that they won't approve of her, that they won't think she is worthy of you, that they will tell you that you can do better and that you will listen because they are your blood family… do you want me go keep going?" Bea laughed softly.

"I swear, sometimes she is so thick headed" Bridget muttered to herself, raising a laugh from Bea.

"She is just feeling like she's out of her depth… but this conversation never happened" Bea winked cheekily before picking up her pace towards the unit.

"Thanks Bea" Bridget called after her.

"What for?" Bea threw over her shoulder.