TC Stark: Hello! So, my dearies, this is the start of what I've planned for this story. Thank you all for your lovely reviews and I hope you all continue to enjoy!

Disclaimer: I only own Frankie, Clara, and my ideas.

Chapter Four

Frankie couldn't help, but stare at her engagement ring. It's all she could do since Forrest had given it to her almost two weeks prior. She didn't want to make too big a deal of it, considering it was meant to be just for the two of them. But, she did of course show Maggie, who simply loved it. Though, she only showed her that Forrest got her a ring; the story that it was his mother's was a private one. Just meant for the two of them.

Unfortunately, Frankie wasn't feeling well that particular day. One thing that she didn't very much like about being a woman, was that one time during the month. The problem with living primarily with men, was that she couldn't very well tell them that the reason for the pained look on her face, was that she was menstruating. It wasn't something the males liked to hear. It wasn't something she'd even share with Forrest. It would probably make him very uncomfortable.

But, Jack was so kind that day to ask her if she wanted to go into town with him. Whether it was because he knew she needed to go to the store or just wanted some friendly company, she was happy either way. The youngest Bondurant was still her best friend and no matter what, she made time to hang out with him whenever she could.

As Jack drove his own spiffy car along, Frankie sat back and rolled a cigarette. The younger man wore a cheeky grin on his face; so large she thought his lips might hurt. Raising an eyebrow, the blonde asked, "And what's that big grin for?"

"Gee, Frankie, you know, you're gonna be my sister-in-law some day," Glancing over, he smiled, "Pretty cool when your friend becomes family."

Licking the cigarette, she winked over, "Oh, Jack, come on."

"What? I'm happy."

Reaching over, she patted his shoulder and nodded, "Me too."

The two continued to grin, as Frankie placed the smoke in between her lips and lit it. The ring on her finger was clear as day and she wondered if Jack had noticed it or not. It could have been that he didn't know. After all he was quite young and Forrest and Howard had a habit of shielding their younger brother of all that that was too unbearable.

So, she decided not to say anything, rather concentrate on what was known between them, "So, how's it going with Bertha?"

Whenever anyone brought up the young pastor's daughter, Jack's eyes lit up like the fourth of July. Grinning from ear to ear, he proclaimed, "Boy, if I don't love her, Frankie. Her and I gonna get married one day. We'll all be a big family, maybe have kids around the same time," Quickly glancing at her, he then nervously asked, "You, ugh...you want kids, Frankie?"

"I think I would," She pondered, while involuntarily running her hand across her stomach, shuddering at the pain, "I would like to have kids with Forrest though," She smiled, "But, one step at a time."

Nodding, Jack agreed, "Hey, Frankie, I got a question."

"Go for it."

He gulped, slightly nervous; before asking, "It never...you don't ever feel...I don't know...ain't it weird having Maggie around?"

It was at this question that Frankie was truly shocked and she asked, "Do you not like Maggie?"

"No, no, no, that ain't it at all," He quickly defended, "No, Frankie, I really like Maggie, but...she did...you know her and Forrest-"

"You think I would be uncomfortable because they dated?" The blonde asked.

Awkwardly shrugging, Jack nodded, "Yea."

Taking a pull of her cigarette, she let out a wry grin and teased, "Well, you know, I don't mind much. Especially at night when the three of us have a little fun." She punctuated her sentence with a wink.

"What!?"

Laughing at Jack's gawking, Frankie shook her head, "I'm joking. Just joking. Jack, it doesn't bother me at all. Maggie is...is the only female friend I've ever had. I feel like she's the older sister I've always wanted. The past is the past. She's just as much a Bondurant as any of us."

It didn't take long for them to drive into town after the Maggie discussion. Jack needed to pick up some supplies such as salt, pepper, and only condiments customers used at Blackwater. Not revealing what she was shopping for, Frankie had made her way to the section of the store that sold sanitary napkins, as well as some pain relievers.

Buying feminine products was never a comfortable one. She had been menstruating since she was twelve years old and she always felt slightly uncomfortable going to the store to purchase them. It was as if she were doing something illegal, the way her eyes shifted around to make sure no one was around, to witness her crime. For the most part, it looked like everything was okay.

"Frankie?"

Shit. Someone had spotted her. Once the New Yorker had gotten over the fact that someone was addressing her, she took a moment to register who it was. The voice didn't sound like Jack's...rather someone more feminine. Maggie had been at Blackwater when they left and there was no way Ashley Hillcoat would even approach her after what happened to her brothers. Besides that, she didn't know any other girl in Franklin.

When Frankie did finally turn around, she was shocked at who was standing before her. Mouth hanging open, she managed to stammer out, "C-Clara?"

Clara Fontaine was certainly a blast from the past. In a matter of seconds Frankie felt stuck. Despite her parents having come down and them somewhat mending their relationship, flashbacks of when her mother had caught her going down on her girlfriend appeared her mind. Some could even say that Clara was the reason why Frankie had left New York, too frightened to be sent back to the asylum because of what she had done.

Clara looked just as good as she had the last time Frankie saw her. They were the same age and the same height, but besides that they were very different. The former girlfriend had milky colored skin and the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen. While the blonde preferred a more boyish attire, Clara was very feminine. She always wore the nicest dresses that usually ended at her knees and tied in at the waist. Today she was wearing a green dress with white collars and short sleeves, along with black Mary Jane shoes. Her hair was jet black and curved in to her chin, and had a full set of bangs.

The dark haired girl looked equally as shocked, as she covered her mouth with her hand, "Oh my God, Frankie."

The two girls stood shocked for a second. Slowly, they closed into a hug. Frankie's eyes were wide the whole time; she couldn't believe she was hugging Clara Fontaine. When they pulled back, her Hazel eyes stared, "Clara, what are you doing in Franklin?"

Almost dumbfounded, the blue eyed girl shook her head. As if she had seen a ghost, "Frankie, I can't believe it's you. You...you just left, I never heard from you. I've been so worried, I-"

"I know, I'm so sorry. It's just after that day...I-"

Clara smiled while taking a hold of her shoulder, "I understand."

Clara knew about the former asylum experience that Frankie was forced to endure, so it was good not having to explain it. With a nervous smile, she shifted her feet, "Wow, I just never thought I'd see you in Franklin County."

"I never thought I'd see you again."

Cracking a weak smile, Frankie nodded, "Me neither."

"My grandmother lives her...she's not doing well. My family and I are here until she...well, you know – and then we're just going to figure out what to do with the house."

Frowning, Frankie offered her sincerest condolences, "Clara, I'm so sorry. I never knew your grandmother lived here."

With a small shrug, she gave a bright smile, "It never came up. So, Frankie...what are you doing in Franklin County?"

"It was the furthest place I could think of going, away from my parents."

Clara nodded in understanding, a permanent smile on her face, "Frankie, you have no idea how happy I am to see you. Please tell me we can see each other; maybe meet for coffee or something? I feel like we need to catch up. I have so much to tell you."

With a smile, Frankie nodded, "I live at Blackwater Station. The coffee there is really good...you should come by."

"Blackwater?" Clara raised an eyebrow, "I've heard about that place...that's where the Bondurants live. They're bootleggers."

Grinning widely, the blonde haired girl confirmed proudly, "Yea. Their stuff is real good. Much better than that bathtub gin you and I used to drink."

"Sounds great."

The two girls grinned for a second, remembering all the times they would sit around, drink, and just talk about nothing in particular. While she was reminiscing, Clara lifted up Frankie's hand and ran her thumb across the ring, "What's this?"

Frankie looked down at her hand and instantly smiled at the ring. Retracting her hand and holding it to her chest, she answered, "I'm engaged."

"Engaged?" Clara's facial features fell. She attempted to pick her smile back up, while nodding, "Frankie, that's so great. You deserve happiness."

Happy. Closing her eyes, she breathed in a breath of fresh air before proclaiming, "I am happy. Very happy."

"What's her name?"

It was then that Frankie's eyes flicked up into Clara's. Biting her lower lip, she whispered, "His name is Forrest Bondurant."

Clara blinked a few times, "His? His? Frankie...I don't understand."

"I fell in love with Forrest. With a man."

A sympathetic frown formed on the black haired girl's lips, as she cooed, "Oh, Frankie, what have they done to you? I...I never thought they'd break you."

It was then Frankie's turn to blink a few times. She should have known that Clara wouldn't understand. While the blonde considered herself somewhere in between gay and straight, Clara identified herself as completely homosexual. She didn't understand a gray area. To her the world was just black and white and they would spend hours talking about rights for people like them. It would shock her that her former girlfriend was engaged to a man.

Sighing, Frankie tried to explain, "Clara, they didn't do anything to me. You've always known that I don't care about gender. It's who the person is on the inside that matters to me. I met Forrest and...I love him, Clara. He's...he's freed me from the shackles of oppression. I am a new person because of him."

"You mean he manipulated you. That's what men do to girls like us." Clara stated firmly.

"What? No, that's not how it is at all. You don't understand."

Tightening her lips, the other New Yorker murmured bitterly, "No, I don't."

Tension was high between them and Frankie felt highly uncomfortable. Clara was really taking the news to heart. She remembered when they were dating. How they'd lie around for hours, looking at the sky above them. Telling each other than they loved each other and one day they wouldn't have to worry about what society thought about them. As long as they had the other in their lives, nothing else mattered.

Frankie had meant all of that at the time. Clara had been one of the only serious relationships she had ever had. Mostly her interactions with anyone was just physical. At that time she loved the other woman and there was part of her who would always hold Clara close to her heart. They hadn't broken up because of any problems between them. They were forced apart. She could count her as her first love and as sweet as that way, she recognized that Forrest was the one for her. Different people came into their lives for certain reasons.

Shifting her feet, she was thankful when Jack came around the corner looking for her, "Frankie, hey, I'm done shopping. You ready?"

It was then that Jack saw Frankie speaking with another girl. From the looks of it, it wasn't a good conversation. Clearing his throat, he awkwardly took his hat off his head and nodded towards the other girl, "Hi. Name's Jack. Jack Bondurant. I'm a friend of Frankie's."

Clara clearly didn't have any intention of being polite to the Bondurant brother. Unfortunately, Clara wasn't very fond of the male gender. While she never had to go through an asylum, she had felt the reigns of discrimination. Everyday she lived with it and although she was a sweet girl, she had no time for men. To her, they were the enemy.

Shifting her eyes back to Frankie, Clara begged in a whisper, "Don't lose yourself."

Without another word, the black haired girl turned on her heels and walked away. Jack blinked a few times, confused. He turned to Frankie and asked, "Who was that?"

"Someone from my past."

Gulping, he politely asked, "Are you alright, Frankie."

Frankie sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. She really never thought she'd see Clara again. She also never thought that she'd be so bitter. Folding her arms, she shrugged gently, "Yea, I'm alright. Can we go home now?"

Jack nodded, "Yea, sure we can go."

Jack didn't understand and she didn't blame him. She wasn't ready to say anything. She understood that when she had first met them all, she was pretty open in what had happened to her. But, really at that time they were just strangers and she hadn't confided in anyone. So, even talking to a wall would have been sufficient enough. But, she knew them all now. They were her family. Her friends. She was engaged to Jack's older brother. She didn't even want to think about Clara's disapproval.

But, she couldn't help it. Not because she was having conflicting feelings, but because she felt bad for Clara. They had dated and she had loved her. That kind of bond would never go away and she had always hoped for the best for the blue eyed girl. She couldn't imagine how hurt and confused she was in that moment and it pained her that she had caused that.