Forever With You

Chapter Nine

"Franky?" Erica looks at her surprised. "Erica." Franky says then looks anywhere but at her face. "I didn't realize you were the one working this case, though it shouldn't surprise me." Franky looks up at her and narrows her eyes. "Well, I am. Should we get down to business?" Boomer can sense the tension in the air and looks at Franky with raised eyebrows. Franky catches her look and nods before clearing her throat. "So, Erica, what do you know about Boomers' case?"

An hour later, the tension was still there, but the sole focus was kept to the matters at hand. "I can see why Fessler let you take on the case Franky. It is in Sue's best interest for sure." Erica says while returning papers and folders to her briefcase. "You definitely didn't leave anything out in your research and investigation. With any luck Sue..." "Boomer. Please call me Boomer." Erica smiles. "For now, okay. But in the courtroom..." "Yeah yeah." Boomer says while waving her hand. Franky stands and looks at Boomer. "As Erica was saying, with any luck, we should be able to get the charges thrown out, or at least down to involuntary manslaughter." Boomer looks at them with hope as Erica glances down at her watch. "I'm sorry. I need to get going. I have another case in less than an hour." Franky shrugs and motions to the door. "I'll see you Friday with a court date Boomer." Boomer nods as Erica turns to Franky. "I'll be in touch." She reaches out and squeezes Franky's forearm before turning and leaving. They watch the door close then look at each other. "You good?" Boomer asks as she watches Franky relax before her eyes. She shakes her head. "Gidge is going to hate this."

Before anymore can be said, a guard Franky doesn't recognize opens the door. "Ready Boomer?" Boomer nods, then gives Franky a hug before turning for the door. "It'll be alright Franks. She loves you too much." Franky nods then wipes at her nose as she feels tears welling in her eyes. As slow as Boomer can seem at times, she can pick up on the tiniest of emotions without even trying. Then again, their friendship has been the longest and closest Franky ever had, even with their ups and downs. If Boomer thinks everything will be okay, Franky has faith that it will be. She just doesn't know when.

Around five o'clock, Franky is finishing the last of her paperwork and looking forward to being home with Bridget. Vera's words have floated through her head every time she had a moment to herself. She knows Bridget's insecurities about her age have gotten worse since she's been out and cleared of all charges, but she still doesn't understand why. Franky is nowhere near as flirty as she was while in Wentworth, and the thought never crosses her mind to say anything of the sort to others when Bridget is around. Granted, there are times where she has flirted, unconsciously, but never with conviction. She knew from the time Bridget picked her up upon her release that she was the only woman for her. The only woman she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. But according to Vera, Bridget had been hurt in the past by exes "upgrading" to new and younger women. Age never mattered to Franky, so it's hard for her to totally grasp the insecurity. Erica showing up, on the other hand, is something that will be harder to prove given their illicit past, however nonsexual it was. Bridget is well aware that Franky wanted Erica; and wanted her bad.

She lets out a sigh as she packs her bag and reaches for her keys. As she stands, she hears the door to her office open. "I'm glad I caught you. We need to talk." Franky looks up and sees Erica standing in the doorway, one hand on the doorknob, her hair falling loose out of her bun and her blouse unbuttoned just enough to show the top of her breasts. Franky feels her stomach tighten and sets her keys on the desk. "There is nothing to talk about Erica. You left and we both moved on." Erica frowns and walks into the office, closing the door behind her. "I panicked Franky." Franky looks down at her desk. "The way I felt when you kissed me; I didn't know what to do. I couldn't tell up from down or right from wrong. I just..." "Ran away." Franky finishes for her as she looks up into her eyes. She sees the tears forming but stays where she is. "I loved you Erica. I trusted you, more than anyone in my life, and you just ran away." Erica shakes her head. "You didn't love me. You loved the attention. You loved the challenge." Franky drops the keys and marches up to Erica, close enough they can feel their breath against one another. "Yes, I loved the challenge of the work itself, but then I fell in love with you. Why else would I risk going to the slot to kiss you? And I wouldn't have stopped there if you had reciprocated." She takes a breath and a step back, realizing this could look bad if someone walked in. "You knew what I wanted from the beginning and I was too stubborn to believe you." Erica says as a tear slides down her cheek. "After you kissed me, I thought of everything I had done since meeting you. Every time I watched you, in person or on camera. Thought about how I felt when I was near you or thought of you. It all became clear, but it scared the shit out of me. I was engaged and what I felt for you felt so wrong." Franky looks out the office door window as Erica looks at the floor, tears falling more rapidly. "I was out of line at the wine store and I'm sorry. I never should have touched you and certainly shouldn't have kissed you. But the look on your face as you turned around, before realizing it was me..." "Did you really divorce Mark?" Erica looks up into Frank's green eyes. She shakes her head. "We're still working out the details." Franky sighs. "Why did you lie to me?" Erica blushes. She doesn't need to say anything. Franky already knows. "Nothing can happen between us Erica. I'm serious. I..." She stops as Fessler knocks on her door. "Everything okay?" She asks as she pops her head into the office. They both nod in her direction. Erica wipes her eyes. "Just got a little dust in my eye." She says, hoping to erase any concern. Fessler looks from one to the other. "Okay. I'm heading out. Franky, I'll see you tomorrow?" Franky nods. "Yep." "And Erica. I'll call if anything changes before Friday." "Sounds good." Fessler closes the door and heads down the hall. Franky and Erica look at each other. "I really need to get going Erica." Erica nods. "Yeah, sure. I'll stop by Thursday and we can go over the case again." Franky nods and Erica opens the door and heads out. Franky lets out a long sigh. 'This is going to be a mess.' She thinks as she picks up her keys.    

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If you all read my "Story Notes" chapter before reading this far, you will know I'm not big on leaving notes before and after my chapters, but I felt like I had to this time.  

First, I would like you all to know that I'm going to write any thoughts I have about the story as a comment after each chapter.  No need for you to comment as well, but it would be appreciated, and I feel that this way I can get feedback on where your thoughts are as I write the next chapter(s).

Second, I have to admit to you all, the next chapter is causing me great heartache to write. It may end up being a short chapter cause I just can't take it anymore.