Again hello to you. Hope you enjoyed the last Chap. This next one is good. It's after Chapter 4 and it goes into Stella's way of "coping" deeper. People have told me that the last 2 chapters were a bit sad and I'm sorry to tell you that it is going to get sadder, but hopefully it will get better.

Chapter 7- Old Wounds

Stella P.O.V.

A few weeks had passed and I was feeling better. Frank had been round every evening to make sure that I was ok. It was just like when we were together. It felt like we were back together. When I was at St Hearts, he would always ask me how I was feeling and if I'd slept ok. Every day without fail he would ask me and every day I would tell him that I was fine and he didn't have to worry. Then again deep down I wasn't sure if I was ok.

Keri P.O.V.

I noticed it first

It wasn't a big thing. At least I didn't think so

We came down to HQ and saw Stella and Frank standing there talking

"Morning team" Stella said "Some technology from one of our science facilities has been taken. They were fitted with homing beacons so you'll be able to find them easy enough but your mission is to recover them. The details are on the stick." She finished and handed Tom a memory stick

I saw it on her sleeve. It was a white shirt so it was clear enough to see. It was a spot of blood. Actually lots of spots of blood. I was going to ask her about it but Dan ushered me out and into the lift. When we were back in class I decided to tell Aneisha

"Did you see it?"

"See what?"

"The blood on Stella's shirt"

"What?" she repeated

"There were spots of blood on Stella's shirt. A little line of them actually, down her sleeve."

"Shall we tell Frank?"

"Do you think it would help?" I wasn't sure

"I think so. He might know something about it."

*Next Day*

"Morning team. Here's some more on the parts that were stolen." Stella handed Tom a file. There was more blood. It was like the spots yesterday but they had blended into a line. I nudged Aneisha and she nodded. Stella left and the boys were ready to go.

"You coming?" Dan asked

I didn't say anything but nudged Aneisha again

"Um…Frank me and Keri wondered if we could have a word with you." She looked back at the boys "In private."

We watched the boys leave.

"What can I do for you girls?" he started to walk over to one of the desk

"Frank we want to talk to you about Stella."

He looked up at us

"What about Stella?"

I looked at Neish.

"Yesterday and today we saw …. We saw blood down her sleeve.

We now had Frank's undivided attention

Franks P.O.V.

No. No. No.

She told me she had stopped this. How could I've missed it?

"Frank are you ok?"

"I'm fine Keri." I looked up "Can you both go back to class please."

They left. They looked disappointed that I hadn't told them what I knew about it but I promised Stella that I would never tell anyone. She trusted me and if I told the girls I would be breaking that trust. I would be breaking that promise. I had to find out what was going on.

I walked into the main building. I was determined to find out what was going on. I wanted to know why Stella hadn't told me. She knew that I was there for her. She knew she could trust me. I wouldn't have told anyone but she had insisted on keeping this to herself. Why?

I saw Stark coming out of his office as I walked down the corridor. Just what I needed.

"What are you doing here London? Shouldn't you be with those junior agents of yours?"

"Shut it Stark." I walked straight past him. I wasn't in the mood

I got to Stella's office. I knocked and went straight in. I had no plan and no means of finding out what was going on but I would.

"Hi Frank you ok?"

"I'm ok. You?" I spotted the blood on her sleeve "What's that?" I pointed at her arm.

"Oh it's nothing." She brushed it aside

"Stella what it is?" I asked again. I wasn't going to give up

"It's nothing Frank. Just leave it."

"Stella give me your arm." I gave her an imploring look "Please."

She walked round the desk and held out her arms. I took her arms and started to roll up her sleeves. She had her eyes to the floor. She knew what I was going to find. I looked down at her arms and saw new cuts. They looked deeper than the other scars. I looked into Stella's eyes. They were full of remorse.

"Oh Stella. What have you done?"

That's it. Hope you liked it. I know it's a bit sad and I apologise for it. Please review and tell me what you think and if you have any suggestions please share them because I'm a bit stuck for the next bit.