Frankie woke up in Newton County Hospital, groggy and in pain. She looked around at the room, then lifted her arm to see IV tubes coming up from the creases. Lifting her hands to her face she felt around; swelling, definitely bruising, and stiches. She walked her mind back to the bench with Lonnie and a smile spread across her lips remembering the amazing kiss. She loved that he grabbed her, and yanked her, and held her so tightly she couldn't move. But more over she loved that it was him doing it.

She was slapped out of her thoughts by an excruciating sharp pain in her side that was so intense she almost lost her breath when and curled forward with her arm around her mid-section. It was hard for her to breath. She saw the call bell dangling off the wheeled table at the side of her bed that held a paper cup of water. She reached out for it and the tips of her fingers grazed the cord making it swing back and forth so she couldn't grab it.

The door to her room swung open and Tracy, the Charge Nurse, and Bubba's girlfriend, rushed to her side and sat her upright. After the pain began to subside and she was able to speak, Frankie asked Tracy what happened. She explained that the Xray and ultrasound she was given when she was admitted to Emergency showed some spleen trauma. She further explained that Frankie was in the ICU under observation for the first hours after being admitted.

"Am I okay?

"Yes it will heal, and you're lucky you're okay." Tracy walked around and checked the bags of solution hanging from the metal poles. "Anything serious would have shown already. We kept you in the ICU to monitor your condition. Spleen injuries can be tricky. There's bruising but no tear, and bruising of the surrounding tissue, so when you breath it will hurt for a bit, but it's not your lungs." Frankie tried to sit up more, and Tracy helped her placing pillows behind her back.

"You certainly fared better then another women who was admitted yesterday. She'll be in the ICU for some time."

"Yesterday?"

"Yes, you've been here since yesterday. We gave you medication so you could rest and you've been sleeping. That's a good thing, your body needs it to heal."

'Mellisa' Frankie thought. 'Must be. Unless…' Worry gripped her. 'God I hope it's not Reba'.

"Was her name Reba? The other one that was admitted?"

"I'm sorry, I can't disclose personal information regarding patients."

Frankie nodded. "Was a police officer here? Lieutenant-"

"Lonnie?" Tracy said with raised brows "Oooh yes, he was here" She laughed and shook her head. "He almost got himself removed from Emerg 'cause he wouldn't leave you." Frankie sighed. "He knows the protocol, but he was adamant; he even argued with the doctor that he had to be with you at all times – which he has never done." She tucked the corner of the blanket in at the base of the bed, smiling at the recollection. "The only reason he wasn't removed was because he is the Lieutenant, and everyone knows that's not his normal behavior. Doc Rob pulled him aside to find out what was going on, it was definitely out of character for him... He certainly likes you!" She said with a wink. "I'll be back later to give you your meds and check in."

Tracy left and Frankie smiled. 'He wouldn't leave me…' She felt a bit giddy. A knock at the door pulled her attention away and a huge grin ran across her face.

"Hey Sis, what's shakin'?" From the door way, a stout, bearded man with jet black hair and bushy eyebrows stood with flowers. Frankie could smell the cigarette smoke on his jacket from across the room.

"Tog!" He walked up and kissed her forehead, placing the flowers on the side table and sat on the edge of the bed with his hands crossed.

"See what happens when I'm not there to keep you outta trouble." He chuckled. "The shit really hit the fan down there…"

"How's Reba? Marty?"

"Whoa, slow down there Texas" He said with sarcasm "Marty's all good, back at the house - not Floyd, but Scollin Ave. She told me to punch you for her." Frankie smiled "Of course she did…Reba?"

"The bullet hit close to her liver so she's being transferred to the hospital in Gulfport where there are specialists that deal with that type of injury regularly. They have to monitor the bilirubin?" He shook his head " And function – a whole lot of other big words I don't know what they mean. We were told she's doing well. You know the deal; Roach is with her…"

"I think he's in love with her." Frankie concluded; brows raised.

"Oh for sure he is, and doesn't care who knows it, he's like a puppy when she's around him!" They both laughed and Frankie held her side at the sharp pain that came from it.

"Watch yourself" Tog helped her sit up and gave her the paper cup of water to drink.

"So. Who's this cop?" The inevitable question, his tone suspicious and curious at the same time; just like an older brother.

"His name is Lonnie. He's a Lieutenant with the Sparta PD" Tog fluttered his eyes and cupped his hands in front of his chin while he mocked her in a high voice.

"His name is Lonnie the Lieutenant" He teased and she slapped his arm. "Look at you all goo goo."

"Shut up I'm not" Frankie tried not to laugh when she looked at him. Not because it hurt, but because he was right.

"You are so. I'm not buying any of that denial bullshit" Tog laughed out loud.

"I' gotta say hon, I'm glad he was with you. He got you help fast; not sure what condition you'd be in now if you were off on your own. I want to meet this Lonnie Lieutenant".

There was a knock on the door and Frankie turned to see Lonnie standing there in his uniform holding a bouquet of orange roses. 'God he looked good in uniform'. Frankie could tell by the look on his face he was a bit taken back by Tog sitting close to her on the bed, and she smiled at him before she spoke.

"Lonnie!" It came out more excited then she wanted it to and she felt her cheeks get hot and Tog laughed at her, only adding to her embarrassment. He smiled and walked up to the bed, staring at her adoringly.

"You're looking better; I see I'm not the only one that brought you flowers." She saw- was that jealousy in his face? Frankie liked that. "They're lovely, thank you."

"Lonnie this is Tog – Tog, Lieutenant Lonnie Jamison." They shook hands and Tog got right to it – never one to beat around the bush.

"I want to say thanks for takin' care of my Sis here; I know she's a handful." Frankie hit him again. "I appricate you looking out for her the way you did." Lonnie nodded and placed his hands on his hips. No one spoke for a few seconds and it was Tog that broke the silence.

"Well… I'm gonna get outta here hon; this awkward silence is too much for this guy." And he pointed at himself with both thumbs and Frankie rolled her eyes.

"You're an idiot". Leaning over the side he gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and nodded to Lonnie on the way out.

When Tog was gone Lonnie closed the door behind him then sat on the bed close to Frankie. He took her hand in his and held it, rubbing her thumb with his as he stared down at their hands.

"You have a brother here?" He looked confused and Frankie shook her head. "No – well yes. Kinda. He's my brother from another Mother. We're not related by blood but we've known each other since we were kids - came out of the same place together. I don't really want to get into it right now if you don't mind." Lonnie couldn't hide the disappointment on his face.

"I'd want to know you Frankie – things like this; where you're from, what you're doing here, why you came to Sparta…" He trailed off and she put her hand on his cheek. He brought his mouth to hers and he kissed her slow and deep, and she was in heaven. He was careful not to grab her and aggravate her injuries. However, if the circumstances were different, he would have thrown her down and pinned her under him. He had thought about it. A lot. He wanted to possess her; for her to be his and only his, to want him…love him…only him. Always.

Frankie sighed when he pulled away and opened her eyes to see him staring at her. She thought perhaps this may be a good as time as ever to just talk. They were alone - finally. There was a look of realization on her face and Lonnie smiled.

"What?"

"We've never been alone before." He thought about it momentarily and shook his head in agreeance.

"This is true."

"Seems a good a time as any to talk I guess. I mean, you're here now, and I'm clearly not going anywhere." She moved her hands down the hospital gown.

"In that sexy thing? You're kidding" Frankie laughed out loud then grabbed her side and Lonnie felt a bit bad for making her laugh. She grinned from ear to ear, liking his sarcastic humor.

"Okay. What do you want to know?"

It was like he had prepared for this moment; he had a ton of questions lined up which seemed to much of a coincidence to just be off the top of his head. Frankie guessed it could also be a cop thing…maybe.

"How do you know that guy that was here?" She told him that her and Tog came out of the same shitty, drug and crime ridden town up north, that his real name was Geoff. When he saw a way out of that hell, he took Frankie with him, and they've stuck together ever since. They both shared stories about their past's, their parents, and their parent's deaths. Neither had any siblings, and both said if they ever had kids they would have more than one, which surprised both of them. The ease they felt discussing things that would be uncomfortable with anyone else was amazing.

"So, you want a family? Down the road?" Lonnie was smiling. When he realized he had a grin on his face he cleared his throat and looked down. Frankie watched his cheeks turn a rosy blush and she lifted his head up and placed a passionate kiss on his full lips. He wrapped his hand in her hair and pressed his mouth in to hers. The feeling of her tongue on his was heaven, and let himself just feel for a moment. When they parted, Frankie licked her lips, and could taste him there; he tasted so good.

He placed a dark, wavey strand of hair that had fallen to the front of her face behind her ear and continued.

"Why are you here Frankie?"

She let out an aggravated sigh. She could think of a million other things to talk about, but it was an inevitable question.

"The ports; I'm sure you're aware-" Lonnie nodded and his guts tensed up. "The Kaczynski crime family out of New York has been expanding operations from Tennessee and Kentucky, into Mississippi and Louisiana through the ports on the river. OPS was called in to take down the targets and seize and hold the shipments until the U.S Marshals took over the arrests, seizure's etc.. The grunt work is all ours." She rolled her eyes "When all hell broke loose at the station you can bet that was Kaczynski's men were running distraction, or trying to eliminate those who were sent to eliminate them; most likely both. The team delt with them before back in New York…"

"Is that where you live? New York?" Lonnie sensed she wasn't telling him everything he wanted to know.

"Sometimes."

"Sometimes?"

"We live where we work."

"Don't you have a home?"

"Yeah we have tons of homes, depending on where we work."

"Your own home?"

"By myself?"

"Yeah."

"I own a few places, yes – of my own."

"Do you live there when the job is finished? Do you go home?"

Frankie didn't like the interrogation she was getting from him. She made a conscious decision to answer Lonnie's questions honestly, which she never did - half-truths ruled when it came to her job, or anything personal. Honest answers were a liability, and it was easier to tell people what they wanted to hear, rather than the way it actually was. This also avoided the entire interrogation bit, which she had to do given her situation. Her choice to be honest with this man; this man with whom she felt she had known for a hundred years, the one who she felt on the inside, the one she couldn't get out of her head not even for a second, she knew she had to put all her cards on the table with him; so maybe they could be something. Maybe…But this was ticking her off.

Lonnie saw she was thinking, and not looking at him. 'Will she lie to me?' he wondered suspiciously. He hated that he had these thoughts, but the cop in him couldn't help it.

"Do you go home Frankie? Just answer the-"

"I haven't been home in a year. There, you happy?"

Lonnie knew he pushed, but given how she just spat at him, he began to worry he had pushed too much.

"No, I'm not happy. I didn't mean to push you; I'm trying to make sure…"

"That I wasn't lying?" She sounded upset; he felt a hard lump in his throat forming.

"I…" He trailed off, not knowing how to continue.

"Lonnie, when we began talking, I made a choice that I was going to be honest with you – which is dangerous to me, literally. I have never made that choice for someone before…" Frankie rubbed her hands down her face and winced when she rubbed the stiches the wrong way.

"It's hard to want to continue when you know the person you're talking too thinks your full of shit." He started to speak and she cut him off. "When I say I have never been honest with anyone who has ever asked me the things you did, I mean it. I've never had conversations like this with anyone but you." He went to take her hand in his and she pulled away and his heart cracked down the middle. 'No' He thought he fucked it all up.

"Frankie please don't pull away from me. I didn't know what you were thinking. I…I'm a cop. It's what I do… It's all I know how to do." He sighed and rubbed his face. Looking at her cautiously, he slowly reached out again for her hand. This time she didn't pull away, and he felt a rush of relief and held it tightly. She placed her other hand on top of his and blew out a heavy breath, leaning over to kiss him gently.

"Okay. I get it." And she absolutely did get it. What you're training is beaten in to your brain so much that you don't have to think about what to do – you just do it. It tends to overflow to areas where it shouldn't be. It just can't be helped.

"Frankie, why haven't you been to your home?" He looked at her concerned and curious.

"Because of the contract. We're all contracted - told where to go and what to do. We have no say"

"That isn't legal."

"No, but happens all the time with these types of contracts. We're contracted by the government."

"So? It's still a contract. There's terms, conditions... Why can't you-"

"Because we're criminals. That's why we have no say."

Lonnie's eyes widened and his mouth parted. He sat up straight and looked at her with disbelief in his eyes. Frankie sat back on the pillows and crossed her arms.

"The deal was work for this facet of the government, or life in prison; not much of a choice, but an ultimatum. We were set up to be arrested, and recruited for our skill sets: extortion, money laundering, embezzlement, insider trading, data breaching, cybercrime… We had connections their agents couldn't get close to, passcodes, anything. They trained us to fight, taught us trade work we'd need, different languages…." Lonnie's mouth was fully open now and his eyes wide. He stood up and shook his head; he just couldn't believe it.

"They tell us where we're staying, when we can leave, where we're going, where we can live, what we're doing…" Frankie became quite before continuing. "It's impossible to have a normal life. They own us." She wouldn't look at him. "The only taste of freedom we'll get is when our team is disbanded, and the new recruits take our place. This isn't a sustainable job long term – your shelf life is about ten years if your lucky enough not to get killed before then. Then the recruits replace you, just like that. We've lost so many people…"

She didn't know what he'd do. If he left, she was sure he wouldn't come back. 'God please don't leave me'. The words ran over in her mind. Frankie couldn't look at him. If he was going to leave, it would kill her to watch him go. She buried her head in her knees and waited to hear the door open.

Lonnie stood watching her, trying to comprehend what she just told him. Things like this were in movies, not in anyone's real life; this doesn't happen in Sparta. His rational self struggled to combine his logic to what he heard. He believed her, but more importantly he trusted her, which said a lot of how he felt. She went out on a limb to tell him the truth – he knew she didn't have to, not by a long shot. It would have been so much easier for her to lie to him. But she didn't. He wanted to be with this woman, he wanted her in his life, but how was he going to do that? He shifted his weight and put his hands on his hips, looking at the cracks in the floor. He had two choices: Leave; or two: Make this work. Lonnie knew there was no way in hell he could carry on without her in his life now. Even the thought of living without her for a moment made his stomach hurt. So than, how? He had no idea.

Frankie's head was still in the crook of her knees when she felt weight on the side of the bed next to her. 'He's still here'.

"Frankie." Lonnie ran his hand down her shin. "Frankie, look at me." She raised her head and small tears rolled down her face slowly. Never had he seen more beautiful aqua blue eyes in his life; the honey gold center shone like fire - like ice and sunshine. She threw her arms around his neck and held him tightly.

"Lonnie, I don't know how to do this".

"Me either, but I know what I don't want." He kissed her cut hand "You not here with me. Stay with me". She ran her finger tips across his neck and gave him goosebumps.

He pulled her face to his and pushed his mouth on hers and she moaned at the feeling. He kissed her rough and fast, and her body went limp. His hand ran up the length of her leg, feeling her soft skin on his finger tips; passed her knee, up her thigh, underneath the hospital gown…

"Oh, my…I'll come back in five minutes!". Tracy snickered and Lonnie pulled his hand back so fast his elbow cracked. Neither of them heard the door open. Frankie covered her mouth in embarrassment and Lonnie ran his hand down his face, knowing she was for sure going to tell Bubba; not that Lonnie didn't have his fair share of dirt on him – he did. He just wished he was in something other than his uniform. Thank God he wasn't on duty yet or at the station.

"When do you get outta here?" He asked, than kissed her again.

"Don't know. Not long." She licked his lips.

"A few days?" He slid his tongue inside her mouth.

"Yes." She ran her hands down his chest.

"I'll get you. Let them know." He kissed her forehead and walked toward the door, adjusting himself as he left.