THIS IS IT. I am sorry for the huge delay in posts, but I just moved my family across the country. Not something I suggest doing without way more planning involved.

Anyway, I really hope the ending is worth the wait. =) Once I get settled and get internet established, I will be back with another story. =)

Enjoy!

New Year's Eve was fast approaching. Bianca had been a mess. She returned to Boston on Christmas day and Sarah wasn't home. Bianca was surprised. She had turned down spending Christmas in Pine Valley, because she had too much studying to do. When Bianca came home, she called Sarah and found that she had ended up staying over at her mother's. Bianca pretended to still be in Pine Valley. She just wanted to be alone with her thoughts. The words of Maggie, mixed with all her other emotions were beginning to eat her alive.

She had left PV without a word to her sister or any of her friends. She couldn't bring herself to face anyone. She sat alone in front of the tree and drank some wine. She held a necklace in her hands and was looking at the photo of Frankie she had kept hidden in her purse. The necklace was for Frankie. Bianca had picked it up from a vintage jewelry shop a month ago. She hoped to give it to her for Christmas. Now it just sat in a box in her purse.

Bianca was regretting every step she had taken. Sarah had been her past, and she cared dearly for the girl. They were far too different. Sarah was selfish. It took Bianca time to see it, but she was. Yes she treated Bianca well, and there was no doubt of a love being present, but Sarah never really listened to Bianca until things were out of control. She was driven by her own wants and desires, not what worked for the two of them together. Bianca realized all the ways she was making the inevitable break –up so much worse. The move to Boston, Bianca's declarations of love, even their continued attempts at a clumsy and disastrous sex life…all of these things were going to make it hurt Sarah all the more. The one thing that Bianca had never wanted to do was now a reality.

A few days later, on New Years' Eve, Bianca sat in front of the tree alone…again. Sarah had come home that morning. She had been surprised to see Bianca home already. She was very touchy and clingy. With Bianca's latest self-discovery, she was not feeing it. Sarah had not gotten the hint. Eventually, she saw that Bianca was not very receptive and it led to a fight. Sarah stormed off and said she would be home very late.

Bianca pulled out the picture and the necklace again. She traced the outline of Frankie's face and held the chain reverently. After a few glasses of wine she reached for her cell phone and just stared at it. Now is not the time for pride, Bianca. You can fix this. You can confess to all the ways you messed up. Take control and fight for the woman you love. She took another sip of wine and dialed.

During the week following Christmas, Maggie and Jamie had begun to bond over the care of Frankie. Jamie made sure that Frankie ate at least three times a day. He would even drag her out of bed in the morning for a run. Maggie called her on any excessive drinking, and as much as it pained her to admit it…Frankie was grateful. She knew she was falling to pieces but didn't have the energy or will to fix it. A life without Bianca was just not interesting. Although she would never take her own life, she also did not wish to live it. Having the two of them there restored her will. She had a family and that was worth keeping it together for.

Frankie was feeling better, so she allowed their abuse. She refused to hear their opinions of Brook Lynn, however. Frankie was frustrated with Maggie and Jamie's constant critique of Brook. They had heard of some of her poor choices from Robin.

"I heard she is up to her neck with credit issues." Jamie would say, you don't need that kind of girl hanging around.

"Robin told me she was sleeping with two guys at once." Maggie shared. "Both of them were involved in relationships at the time. One she was trying to steal and the other guy she was paid to try to break the couple up. Who does that Frankie? Who?"

It all fell on deaf ears. Frankie just put her response on repeat. "She is a friend. We all make bad choices. She has been there for me and I will be here for her."

Jamie watched though. He saw the cycles. When Frankie was low and reaching out, Brook wouldn't come if she was busy with one of her boyfriends. The second she was bored or something went wrong for her, she was at Frankie's door. Day or night.

"She is using her to validate herself." Jamie griped one morning. "How does Frankie not see this? For God's sake it is so similar to what I just went through with Bella." Maggie just shook her head as she made breakfast for the two of them. "I know, Jamie. I don't get it. She is the polar opposite of this Bianca chic. Not that I get her deal either."

"Maggie, really…I know what has happened sucks, but Bianca was really, really good for Frankie. You haven't seen Frankie in a long time. You didn't get to see the change in her after Bianca. Bianca made her better. Truly. They were the real deal."

"Then how did everything get so colossally fucked up?" Maggie asked.

"I think they both were truly in love. The problem was that neither of them had ever experienced that before. It was new and intense and scary. It forced them to face the darkest parts of themselves. But both of them were new and inexperienced to the whole thing and not equipped on how to handle it. So they both made a multitude of mistakes and forgot the most important part, to trust in and rely on each other. If they had communicated any of their feelings or fears, they could have been happy. Instead they let the crazy stupid part of love take over and here we are."

"You are a smart man, Mr. Martin." Maggie said. She smiled brightly and Jamie blushed. "You know that Brook is coming over for our New Years' countdown tonight?" Maggie asked.

"Aww, can't we have one holiday without her here?" Jamie whined. He sat down and Maggie ruffled his hair affectionately as she served him his eggs. Frankie had just exited the shower and came into the dining room in time to witness it. She was still drying her hair, and as she passed Jamie to sit across from him, she stole a strip of his bacon. She looked between the two, who just stared at her in confusion.

"What?" Maggie asked. "You want me to make you something?"

Frankie grinned from ear to ear. "I just want you both to know that I see this thing that is happening and I approve." Maggie and Jamie looked surprised. Jamie's ears flushed and Maggie returned to the kitchen muttering. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

Frankie laughed out loud and then went to the front door. "I am going for a run. Brook came by early this morning. If she wakes, can you tell her where I am?"

Jamie had errands to run, so Maggie agreed to keep a watchful eye on Brook Lynn. She opted to sit in Robin's room, where she had been staying, and watch TV. With the door open and the proximity to Frankie's room, I will know the second that skank breathes Maggie thought with a smile.

An hour or so later, she heard a phone ringing. She lowered the TV just a bit and then eased over by Frankie's door. She heard Brook Lynn mumble something and then must have ignored the call. The phone rang out again, almost immediately. This time she answered it.

"Frankie's phone?"

"Nope, she's not here. She must be in the shower."

"It doesn't matter who this is…who are you?"

"Oh, Bianca! Oh I have heard a lot about you. Why don't you get the hint, honey? If she ain't calling, it's probably for a good reason."

"Don't you worry about, Frankie. I'm taking good care of her."

"Sure, yeah…I will pass that along." Brook Lynn disconnected.

"Not. Bye bye, Bianca."

Maggie was livid. "I knew she was trash." Moments later Brook exited to use the restroom. When Frankie got back from her run, she had started a shower. Maggie seized the opportunity. "Frankie, We really need to talk."

Frankie dropped to the couch. "Tell me this is not about Brook, again?"

"Yes and no. Just hear me out."

"What?"

"There is something you don't know that I need to tell you. It is about Bianca." Frankie's eyes grew wide and glazed a little at the sound of her love's name. "At Christmas, I met her. There was a misunderstanding and she thought I was you. We cleared that up, but it seems that on Thanksgiving she saw something and it was misunderstood too. She must have seen you being consoled by Robin on the terrace. That, coupled with your refusal to see her, led her to believe you had moved on. Leo and I believe that is why she made the hasty decision to move in with Sarah. Leo is pretty sure that Bianca is very much in love with you and has been trying to tell you since October. Now I am not going to lie. I have had my reservations about her. I was also not very nice to her when we met. I see and hear that she was the real deal for you though and in the end, that is all that matters. I have also not been silent about my feelings toward Brook, but if it wasn't for my mistrust, I would not know that she answered your cell phone moments ago and it seemed to have been Bianca. She was horrible to her. I do not expect you to believe me at just my word, but I wanted you to know, so that you could handle it however you see fit."

Frankie looked like she had been punched in the gut. She sat and stared for a while. Her eyes were wet with tears and Maggie could see the various muscles in her jaw tensing and un-tensing. Suddenly she stood up and walked into the bathroom. Seconds later, she was standing with a very naked dripping wet Brook. Frankie went to her room, returning with Brook's clothes. She threw them at the young girl.

"Baby, what's going on? What did I do?" Brook pleaded as she struggled to get dressed.

Frankie held up her phone. "Tell me…and tell me the truth dammit cause so help me I will call back and check…did you answer my phone?" The rage in Frankie's eyes scared Brook. Truthfully, it scared Maggie too. Jamie showed up and froze at the sight that was transpiring in the living room before him.

"Yes" Brook muttered, trembling from the mixture of the cool draft of the open door and the fear of the look raging behind those hazel eyes.

Frankie closed her eyes, momentarily, and just breathed deeply. When she opened them, the hazel was clouded with a dark tint. "Was it Bianca?" Frankie said through gritted teeth. Brook nodded. "Say it out loud!" Frankie shouted. "Did Bianca call me? WHAT did you say to her?"

Brook was tearing up now. She choked a little and cleared her throat. Jamie just stared speechless. "I..I…I just told her you weren't interested anymore and to get the hint because you had me to take care of you."

The silence in the room was almost palpable. Frankie's eyes closed and she seemed to be deep breathing. No one was quite sure what was happening. Jamie stepped to Brook Lynn. "I highly suggest that you leave this instant. Keep walking and don't come back. I have never seen this reaction before, but it can't be good." Brook was out the door in a flash.

Jamie came up behind Maggie and put his arms around her. They stood there watching Frankie, waiting for her to do something. After what felt like an eternity, she opened her eyes. She looked at her sister and held her gaze for a while. When she finally spoke, it was in a hoarse whisper. "What am I supposed to do now? How do I…" Frankie's hands covered her face as she dropped to her knees. Her breathing became rapid and labored as she struggled to fight back the tears.

Both of them rushed to Frankie's side to hug her, but it was Jamie who spoke. "You need to make this right." They eased Frankie up and onto the couch. Jamie held the girl tightly to him as her stifled cries turned into heaving sobs. Maggie just looked at the image of the sister she once knew. The once strong, hard-headed and rebellious teen, was now a broken mess. Her own fears and the lies of another had twisted up her chance at love, happiness, family. "No." Maggie spoke. "I am not going to just sit here and see you hurting." She pulled Frankie from Jamie's arms and forced her to look into her eyes. "We can fix this. Together. I am right here, Frankie and I am going to help you. I swear it. Somehow we will…" Maggie's look of worry grew thoughtful and she pulled back, got up from the couch and walked away for a minute. Jamie and Frankie just looked at her, confused as she stepped into the kitchen. She was on her cell phone, but Frankie couldn't make out what she was saying or who she was talking too. When Maggie returned she had a piece of paper in her hand. "This is her address in Boston. If you catch I-90 all the way, I am thinking maybe 7 hours? That should get you there just around midnight."

Jamie smiled a huge grin, but it seemed to take Frankie some time to process. "You can do this Frankie, you can make this right. There is no room for pride right now, no room for fear. Go." Maggie said.

Frankie wrapped her arms around her sister. "Thank You." She whispered. Then she walked out the door and was on her way.

At ten minutes to midnight, Frankie was pulling up to the apartment building. She checked and re-checked the address to be sure. She exited her car and walked the last few steps to the door. She closed her eyes, let out a breath and raised her hand to knock. After two or three minutes, she heard the door locks and her heart seemed to stop beating.

Bianca opened the door and her mouth dropped. Her eyes were puffy and swollen from crying. She was still holding the picture of Frankie, but after seeing her in the flesh, it dropped to the floor. Frankie bent to pick it up and then asked quietly "May I please talk with you? After what you have heard today, you have no reason to let me in, but I've been thinking of what to say for months now and over the last seven hours I think I've figured it out. I am asking for the chance to say it."

Bianca stared at Frankie. The tears were streaming from her eyes and she tried to wipe them away. After a moment, she wiped her eyes dry. Her lip quivered slightly but her dark eyes remained set as she shook her head No. "No, I have heard plenty today from your new girlfriend. I am sorry you wasted so much of your day." Bianca closed the door. Frankie stood in silence. Bianca cursed herself for what she had done. I am done. I am done opening the door to have people hurt and reject me. Dammit Frankie! Why did you show up? Bianca threw herself down into the sofa and held herself tightly as she cried.

Frankie found a chair near the door and pulled it closer. She sat and settled in. I will be damned if I am going to cry anymore. I am here. I am finally here, right by Bianca's side. I never should have left, but dammit I am not moving one step until she hears me. I know that I screwed up, but seeing her face, I know she still loves me and that is all I need. Frankie sat quietly for what felt like hours. The sound of the fireworks to celebrate the arrival of the New Year, signaled that it had been mere minutes. She pulled out her picture of Bianca and touched it reverently. "Happy New Year, Biancala."

Sarah was walking up the steps to her front door and noticed the figure sitting in the chair. She had been out with friends and had come home to face the inevitable discussion with Bianca. This stranger now perched outside her door was a surprise, but she had a hunch. She walked over and took the other seat next to Frankie. She reached down into the bag she carried and produced two beers. She popped them both and with an extension of her leg she nudged Frankie. Frankie startled awake and looked to Sarah. "Wha?" She cleared her throat. "Who are you?"

Sarah just handed Frankie the beer and looked at her thoughtfully. Frankie reluctantly took the beer after considering the circumstances of where she was. Sarah…shit.

"Relax, friend." Sarah began. "You are, Frankie…I am guessing?"

Frankie nodded. "I guess that would make you Sarah, then?"

Sarah nodded. "You know, Frankie? You are a tough act to follow. Funny thing is that I was here first."

Frankie was caught off-guard. "I…I'm not sure what you mean?"

Sarah laughed a little and raised her bottle in Frankie's direction before taking a sip. "I have to hand it to the both of you. You really know how to stick to a story. Let's stop with the fairy tales though, shall we? I have known Bianca for a very long time. We were in love once, or so I thought. I know how she is when she is in love. I have felt it. It has taken me a long time to realize it, but I took it for granted. I was so used to it just being there, that I relied on it. Knowing that whatever, or however long it took to figure my own life out, that she would be there waiting."

"No one waits forever." Frankie mumbled.

Bianca had fallen asleep on the couch. Her head ached from crying, her heart hurt. She sat up when she remembered Frankie. I am such a fool, I should have listened to her. She drove all this way."I wonder if I am too late? Maybe I can still catch her?" As Bianca got up to grab her keys, she heard voices outside her door. "Sarah?" she whispered and stepped closer to try and hear what was being said.

"No. At least, no one should be expected to." Sarah continued. "I know that now. I knew it that first day when Bianca was away. She didn't answer my call. She always answered my call. We had a routine, a schedule for over a year now. She was always so excited. So willing to talk about our days and share with me. She didn't answer though. I didn't hear from her for most of that weekend. That should have been my first clue, but no…no, I had to be cocky and sure of myself. Then you suddenly appeared in Pine Valley. That is when I knew. Bianca had been different the whole week and then suddenly there is a strange girl in her room…out of the blue? I tried to believe Bianca's BS, but my heart could hear the change."

Frankie was in shock. "I…"

"No…don't. I knew what was up. I fought for her then. I started to be the person that I should have been all along for Bianca. Heh, the sad thing is, it was already too late. It didn't matter how present or attentive I was…she was gone. She was never with me anymore. She was always slightly distant, sad, and just beyond my reach. I was about to give up and then when Thanksgiving came, I gave it one last effort. I threw myself all in and offered her the life she had always wanted from me. When she said Yes, without hesitation, I couldn't believe it. I was actually starting to believe there was hope. I thought that if I got her here and we had the chance to actually really be together, alone, officially and intimately Well…we all know that that wasn't a possibility, now was it? Tell me, when? When did you sleep with my girlfriend? Was it that night in Pine Valley? Before? After? When?!"

Bianca gasped.

Frankie didn't quite know how to handle this. This girl is a straight shooter, it seems. Just tell her what she wants to hear. Tell her that you aren't gonna walk away. Tell her, Stone. Tell her she is in for the fight of her life. "Look Sarah. It wasn't some devious under-handed thing. I never would have even approached her, if I had known about you. Well, I want to believe that is true, anyway. I have some boundaries, believe it or not. I met her and well, it was like a fairy tale…for me. Those are few and far between in my life and I couldn't quite believe it. Still don't. She was lost. Dammit, I have never seen someone so giving and loving look so lost. She loves you, and what you had once still mattered to her. You may not believe it, but that is why she kept pushing me away. But we did. We did make love, and I won't lie to you, it was the first night in Syracuse. When Bianca and I made love…it started out for the wrong reasons. She was trying to do something, fix something, something that you left seriously lacking. It turned into something else though, something pure. It changed the both of us in the process. We opened each other's eyes, answered the unanswered questions and filled in spaces that had been empty for so long. We connected and it was never ever about hurting you, or making you a fool. I was never out to take her from anybody. I swear it."

Sarah drank her beer. She didn't look at Frankie, as she began to speak again. "I know. I don't know you, but I know Bianca. She doesn't hurt people. That is not who she is. I know that she loved me once, I do. The problem is that I have never believed or loved myself enough. I never lived up to all I wanted to be for her. I even pushed her away once or twice. I cared about her so much, but I know that I am partially to blame for allowing her the space to find you. I was angry. I have been hurt…but after these last few months of living this farce, I am glad to know the truth. I don't know what is going on here, between the two of you, but I am not going to stand in the way. Bianca and I have been done for a long time now and I see it. I was coming home to tell her. Heh, I don't know why I was surprised to find you here."

"I am sorry that you were hurt, Sarah. I am. I know you mean the world to Bianca and I wouldn't wish this mess on anyone. I am glad that you have reached your decision though. I am very much in love with Bianca. While I know that she and I have made some horrible choices lately, I'm not going anywhere, anymore. I will not run. I am going to fight for her." Frankie confessed.

Sarah stood up and finished her beer. She took the bottle from Frankie and went to unlock the door. "If you are here to fight, then what are you doing on this side of the door?" She asked. As both women began to enter, they were stopped by Bianca's presence in the entry. Sarah approached timidly at first.

She reached out to touch Bianca's face and looked into her tear-filled eyes. "I imagine you are up to speed on everything. I am going to pack a few things and stay with some friends tonight. I just ask that you go quickly and don't leave any trace behind." She began to walk up the stairs to the loft. Bianca cried out "Sarah" and grabbed her hand. "Sarah…you were my very first love, there was never a question of that. I…I am so sorry that I hurt you." Sarah half-smiled and touched her other hand on top of Bianca's and said "I know". She released her grasp and continued up the steps.

Bianca turned, crying, to see Frankie still lingering outside the door. She approached her, not yet allowing her entrance. Bianca's lip quivered and her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides. After a moment, she stepped to the side and allowed Frankie to enter. They moved to the sofa and sat. Frankie exhaled and began. "We could go on all night about mistakes, but there is no point. We can't change the past. I only know what I can learn from them, what I have learned. I love you, Biancala. It started the moment you first took my hand and it has been growing impossibly stronger with each passing day. You enhance my life, you bring me joy and you fill me up in a way I have never known. It is something that I didn't know before, or understand, and that scared me. I made some really poor choices. Leaving you, for starters, I take full responsibility for that. It was the stupidest thing that I've ever done. Nothing that occurred after would have if I had only stayed and fought. I didn't believe enough in love and fairy tales and I guess in myself. I didn't believe that I was the right and safe choice for you, no matter how much I loved you, therefore I let us down. Not trusting in all we were and could be. That is on me. And when I failed in all of those ways, I pushed away the one thing that I cannot live without. I have learned and if you can give me a chance, I will never make those mistakes again."

Bianca blinked rapidly, fighting back the tears. She wiped her eyes. "The girl…on the phone?"

"That girl was a crutch that I used to continue my denial. She was like a band-aid to pretend everything was gonna be just fine. To make believe that I wasn't dying inside, from the choices I made and the thought of a life without you. I met her in Port Charles when I was at my lowest and found myself using her for comfort. What I didn't realize until today is that she was only pulling me down even lower. I foolishly trusted in her as a friend and found that in the end, she was using me too. Using me to build herself up, and validate herself. She only helped me when it suited her and I guess you posed a threat to her set up. She tried to chase you away, by hurting you so she could keep me on her shelf. I will never be able to apologize enough for putting her in a position to cause you pain. I swear to you that it was never about replacing you. I could never forget you. I could never just pick up and move on, no matter how many times I tried. I am completely and totally in love with you…you have got to believe me. I don't feel like it will ever be enough, but I'm so sorry. "

The tears were flowing out of Frankie's eyes now. She made no effort to wipe them. Sarah came down the stairs and paused. Bianca and Sarah exchanged a knowing glance, but then Sarah was out the door without a seconds notice. Bianca turned to the small girl that stood crying before her.

Bianca raised her hands to Frankie's cheek. She softly wiped her tears. "Don't cry. I failed you too. I failed us. I should have told you how I felt from the start. It was always you Frankie. Always. I feared you couldn't love me and I never just asked you. I ran and hid as much as you, instead of just talking to you. This whole confusion with Robin would have never spiraled out of control if I had fought for you, and for us. I spend so much time trying to look out for everyone's feelings. All these months I was neglecting my own. I love you, Frankie. All my life my heart has been your's, I just had to find you to know it."

Frankie processed the words in slow motion. She reached out and grasped the sides of Bianca's face, her fingers entangling in the ebony locks as she pulled her close and crashed their mouths together. Bianca wrapped her arms around the older girl's body tightly. When Frankie parted for air, she looked into the shining brown orbs, still glistening with tears. "Leave with me tonight. Come be with me. I cannot live another second without you. Pine Valley, Port Charles, hell… Ohio…I don't care. Just say that you will leave this place and I will follow you wherever you wish." Frankie looked at Bianca with hopeful eyes.

"I thought you would never ask." Bianca said with a smile and laid back pulling Frankie's lips to meet hers .

The End