Early the next morning, Frankie sat in a cell at the police station. She was waiting for a lawyer to be present before she said anything, but was preparing to face the consequences of her actions. Oh Jeez. An arrest record, a hearing, maybe even jail time? I might as well kiss my job goodbye. The boss has always told me he doesn't like these kinds of incidents, especially for someone in management. Who knows? Maybe this girl won't press charges. Frankie let out a sigh. Who am I kidding? I spent all those years running around, getting into trouble and managed to escape the law. I turn my life around and am close to finishing school, starting a career and I get busted for a bar fight? A bar fight…over a girl, at that. Another thing I have managed to stay clear of. Oh my God, if this is what love does to you…heh…crazy.

The door buzzed opened and a guard approached the cell. "You have a visitor." He stated plainly and then stepped back to stand against and out of the way wall. He muttered something in his radio and at that moment the door buzzed again. When Frankie turned to look, she saw David enter the room. He had a sympathetic smile on his face and spoke softly.

"Hey, kiddo…How are you holding up?"

Frankie shrugged. "I guess as good as can be expected. Do you have any word on my lawyer? I feel like I have been waiting forever."

David smiled again. "Well the court appointed attorney showed up, but I sent him away. I am having my friend Liza represent you. She is out there right now preparing. I want you to talk to you first though."

"Okay." Frankie said. "I want you to know that I am sorry. I don't usually do this sort of thing. I mean, I have a temper, but I don't go around just randomly slugging people. I thought that girl was hurting Bianca. I just…"

David grinned and gestured for Frankie to relax. "I understand. You don't have to apologize to me. I don't know how much she has told you, but Bianca has always meant a great deal to me. She means a great deal to this entire town. And you mean a great deal to her. She is the one that called me. She is worried for you and what this could do to your future. She feels to blame."

"What? No!" Frankie protested. I can't let her carry anymore guilt than she is already carrying. I knew I shouldn't have come on this trip.

"I assured her that these things do happen. If you had not been the one to hit the girl, there were many others right behind you who had the same miscalculated impression of events. I accompanied the girl to the hospital and had her examined. She is going to be okay."

"Oh, good. I swore that I broke her jaw." Frankie said relieved. "I am pretty sure I may have broke my hand. It has been hurting like mad for hours now. Is the girl gonna press charges? Cause I am willing to accept my fault. I don't run from my mistakes."

David gave a concerned look at Frankie's hand. "Well, we will get your hand looked at as soon as possible. There was some damage done to the girl, but I can't go into that with you. I did get the call from Bianca while at the hospital. I also received a call from Erica. It seems your act of…chivalry, has caught her attention. While she is not necessarily your biggest fan, she was impressed by your immediate response to possibility of a threat against her daughter."

"Hmm…really?" Frankie said a little amazed.

"Yes really." David leaned in closer towards the cell and spoke lowly. "I made an offer to Ms. Cooper." Frankie's eyebrows perked. "I suggested that she reconsider pressing charges. After all, there were multiple witnesses to her drinking alcohol while serving. That may fly in some bars, but I happen to know Kendall Hart-Slater. She is the owner and Ms. Cooper's employer and she frowns on such behavior. I explained how that may come to light if she pressed charges and there was an inquiry. Although it could result in a win legally, she could also be risking her livelihood."

"Well, that is crazy." Frankie spoke out. "I hit the girl…she shouldn't be left to suffer."

"That is very noble, Frankie. I am glad to see that you have fallen so far from our family tree. You are being very hard on yourself, though. Listen, I explained to Ms. Cooper how the events appeared to the other observers in the room. I explained that there is a very strong bond between you two and that you were merely concerned for Bianca's safety. I proposed that if Ms. Cooper let this go and were to continue to receive full treatment for her injuries, an anonymous benefactor may see fit to cover her bill. On top of that, I informed her that there was a position available in Llanview that was paying twice what she was currently making. She just had to say the word and I could see to it that she be first in line."

Frankie processed what David was telling her. She leaned in a little closer and whispered. "David…that's way more than anyone should ever do. That could be dangerous. Isn't that tampering? You could get in serious trouble. My studies, my whole future is planned out on following the justice system. How could I possibly…"

"Frankie, I really appreciate your character, but that is exactly why I want to do this for you. You are bound to do great things. I don't want that to change. I know what life must have been like with Aunt Gwen and I know that my mother got you involved in some of her schemes. I want to make up for that. I want to keep you on the right path." David then smirked. "Trust me, you do not have to worry about me. Despite the presence of my very capable wife, this town couldn't make something stick to me with super glue."

Frankie gave David a contemplative look. I don't know. He is family, but when has that ever been something to rely on? But there is Bianca, she would probably stick by my side and feel awful the entire time. I don't think I could live through that. What have I got to lose? Everything…if I don't go for this deal.

David cleared his throat. "You go along with this, and Liza will get the PVPD to drop it. She is more than capable of convincing them that they don't stand a chance without a victim. I know that Reggie, Leo and even Erica are all willing to stand up for you. You go back home, finish school and maybe agree to some anger management classes and I bet I can have you back here working with Anna before the ink is even dry on your diploma. What do you think about that?"

Frankie looked shocked at the offer. "Alright, I mean, don't get me wrong…this seems like an awful big risk, but I will do it. I don't want Bianca carrying this around with her. It was my stupid mistake. I will take whatever classes that you think will help my case. Just one thing though, I appreciate the offer for getting me a job, but it won't be necessary. After this weekend, I won't be returning to Pine Valley…ever."

David looked concerned, but then his look turned to one of satisfaction. "Well, I am sad to hear that, but I am grateful that you have seen the light. I am sure that if I speak with Anna, she can get you in at the Port Charles PD. She has pull there too. I had just assumed that with Bianca…"

"I am not Bianca's future." Frankie cut in. "The sooner I get out of here, the better off she will be."

A few hours later, Frankie was released. The charges had been dropped and David had tended to Frankie's hand. She then contacted Jamie, so that they could leave town. After making a stop at the Pine Cone and collecting their things, Frankie convinced Jamie to drive her by Myrtle's so that she could say goodbye. When they arrived, Frankie was surprised to find Leo and Reggie there.

"Hey." Frankie muttered quietly, as she stood in the doorway.

The three friends turned to see Frankie and all jumped up at once. Bianca rushed over and hugged Frankie tightly, carefully minding her bandaged hand. "I am so glad that you are out of that awful place. I knew David would know how to help. How does your hand feel? Is it bad?" Frankie bit the inside of her cheek. "Aw, it will be alright. David fixed me up." Frankie examined Bianca's expressions and the gentle way she seemed to be around her…like she was afraid to hurt her. Like she just wanted to scoop Frankie up and care for her. Frankie felt a flutter in her stomach and turned to shake it off. You cannot cave in, Stone. This is it. You are leaving and not looking back. It's the right thing to do.

Leo patted Frankie on the back and smiled. He could see the look in her eyes and knew what it meant. "Hey Bianca, why don't you let her come on in and sit. I am sure she has had a rough night." Bianca released Frankie and gingerly took her hand, leading her to the sofa. "Oh, of course. I am sorry. Here, have a seat. Hey guys, could you give me a minute with Frankie?"

Reggie and Leo nodded and both gave Frankie a squeeze on the shoulder. "I have to get going anyway." Reggie said. "I promised Dani I would let her know as soon as you got out. You want to walk out with me, Leo?"

"Sure." Leo replied and with a wink at Frankie, he followed the young man out the door.

Frankie cleared her throat. "Hey, look…Jamie and Bella are waiting outside. I just came by to say goodbye before we headed back."

Bianca's expression changed. "Oh. Well, I was up thinking a lot last night. I was so worried about you. I wanted to talk about it."

Frankie stood up and pinched her leg through the pocket of her jeans in an attempt to distract from how hard it was going to be to refuse the younger girl. "I am sorry. I am just so tired. I really need to get back. I have work and all tomorrow, and I need to schedule these anger management classes as a condition of my release. I really want to talk, though." She brushed her hand across Bianca's cheek. The brunette smiled. "You understand, right? You know I want to hear what you have to say? I just really have to go right now."

"Of course I understand." Bianca replied. She pulled the older girl in close and wrapped her arms around her tightly. "I am gonna miss you. You think maybe you can visit during the holidays?"

Frankie buried her face in the long brown locks and bit on her lip to fight the tears. "We will see. Things get pretty crazy at the store. I will call you." She pulled back and with one last stroke of Bianca's cheek, she leaned in and kissed her softly. "Goodbye Bianca."

Bianca felt a chill in her spine at the sound of the words and the look in Frankie's eye. Before she could react, Frankie was out the door. "Bye."

Leo returned seconds later and approached Bianca from behind, wrapping her in a hug. "Hey, Binx…you okay?"

Bianca wiped a tear from her eye. "No. No, I am not."

"What happened?" Leo asked puzzled.

"I was trying to tell her that I want her…that I choose her." Bianca sniffed. "I was going to tell her that I love her and that I want her. Then I was going to talk with Sarah. But she wouldn't let me talk."

"Well, I am sure she is just frustrated and tired from all the drama. That is great news. You can tell her soon, right. It will be okay."

"No, Leo…you didn't see her face. I am pretty sure she just said goodbye for good." Bianca turned and sobbed into Leo's waiting shoulder as he hugged her tighter.