Arms of an Angel Part 53
Title: Arms of an Angel
Author: Fab_fan
Fandom: All My Children
Pairing: Frankie/Bianca, Maggie/Other
Rating:R
Disclaimer: Not mine!
Summary: What do you do when you are forced to face the past?
Maggie released her breath slowly. The air took its time leaving her lungs, and she could feel the movement in her chest. She nuzzled further into Ally and traced small circles on her stomach. The oversized shirt the redhead wore bunched slightly under the fingers.
“What are you thinking about?” Ally trailed her finger up the brunette’s back.
“Different things.”
“Such as?”
Maggie lifted her head, “Today was intense.”
Ally nodded, “Very intense. Your sister was really frantic.”
“I know,” Maggie sighed, “it’s not good for her to be like that.”
“Because of her heart.”
“She knows she shouldn’t get worked up like that.”
“Maybe she had no choice.”
Maggie’s circles turned into rectangles, “We’re in a safe house. Bianca and Miranda were put here. Something is going on. I can’t believe no one told me. Miranda and Bianca are in some kind of danger, and I didn’t know. We’re in danger.”
Ally’s fingers trickled into Maggie’s hair, “I know, baby.”
“How long has this been going on? Is this why Bianca brought Miranda here? If it was to keep her safe, it didn’t work.”
“You could ask her.”
“I don’t know if I should be mad she kept this from me…”
“Or?”
“If I should be scared she didn’t know.” Maggie thought back to the hotel room. “She didn’t seem to know what was happening either. Only Frankie knew.”
“Maybe it had something to do with her job.”
Frankie was a government agent, “This is crazy.”
“Yep.”
Maggie rested her head back on Ally’s shoulder, “Miranda must be so confused. This isn’t good for her. She’s being moved around to strange places, surrounded by people she doesn’t know.”
“We can help her if she needs it.”
“What could be happening to make Bianca have to go to a safe house?” the thought struck her, “Do you think it has to do with when Frankie was shot?”
Ally blinked, “It could.” It made sense.
“Oh, no. That was really bad. I thought it was over.”
Ally cuddled her close, “I’m sure it’ll be ok.”
“This is really bad. They wanted to kill Bianca and Miranda. Frankie…she was shot! She can’t go through anything like that with her heart.”
Ally took a second before asking, “Do you think Frankie is ok?”
“What do you mean?”
She wasn’t sure she should broach this subject, “You keep talking about Frankie’s heart.”
“She has a serious medical condition, Ally.”
“I know she does. But, I don’t know, you two have been talking lately.”
Maggie smiled bitterly, “And now she’s running around getting attacked. She almost died today. How could she do that? Doesn’t she even think about Bianca? That’s Frankie for you, always doing what she wants, not caring what it does to others.”
Ally frowned, “You don’t believe that.”
“It’s true.”
“Is it? Or, are you scared of losing her again?”
Maggie bit her lip and remained silent.
****
Hearing the distant click of a lock and the low squeak of a door, Frankie’s mind instantly went on alert. The light slumber she had fallen into disappeared and her eyes blinked open. She squinted into the darkness. She rubbed at her eyes with the palm of her hand, wiping away the blurry sleepiness that still resided in the corners or her eyelids.
“Mmmm, baby?” Bianca felt Frankie shift in her arms.
Bianca’s warmth weighed down on Frankie. During the night, the younger woman had wrapped her arms and legs around Frankie, cocooning her in place. She was half on top of her. Frankie’s head was gently tucked underneath her chin.
Frankie gave her head a firm shake, willing away the cobwebs and confusion. What was going on? Why had she woken up? It slowly came back to her. The move to the safe house, deciding to stay the night with Bianca. Lips pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head, and she traced her fingers along the length of Bianca’s arm.
Footsteps.
Frankie’s eyes widened. She pushed at the arms around her, “Bianca, let me up.”
Bianca’s brow furrowed still half asleep, “Hmm?”
“Let me up.” Frankie untangled their legs. Someone was in the house. Her gaze darted around the room. Where had she put her gun?
Bianca woke fully as Frankie rolled out of her grasp. Cold air hit her naked skin when the agent pushed away the blankets and stood up. “Frankie? What’s wrong?”
“Shhh.” Frankie stumbled over to her clothing. She rooted around, rapidly throwing on her shirt and pants. She buttoned a few random buttons and flew to the dresser where her gun sat on top. Her fingers collided with the worn wood as she hastily picked up the weapon. “Stay there.”
The footsteps grew louder.
Bianca sat up, the sheets pooling at her waist, “Miranda and Gabby.”
By the sound of the footsteps, the person was walking very quickly. Frankie released the safety on her gun, “I’ll get them. Stay here.”
Bianca slid to the floor, wincing as the sensitive bottoms of her feet met coldness, “I’m coming with.”
Frankie went to the door, “Stay here.”
Bianca yanked a sheet off the bed and wrapped it around her form.
Frankie reached the door and cautiously inched it open, pointing the barrel through the crack, “Bianca, get back over there.”
Bianca didn’t listen. She crept up next to the agent. She felt Frankie stiffen and could imagine the glare the woman wanted to throw at her. She wasn’t going to stay behind, though. Her children were in this house. If someone had broken in, she was going to protect them. Frankie was not the only one whose job it was to keep this family safe and happy. Besides, Frankie was not doing this alone.
Bianca held her breath as a figure appeared in the hallway. Frankie steered her behind the door and pressed her own back against the wall beside it. She held a finger to her lips, silently instructing Bianca to remain quiet. She could hear each swift footstep the person made as they practically jogged down the hall.
The moment they were outside the door, Frankie sprung into action.
Ripping the door open, she bolted through the opening. Catching the intruder by surprise, she grabbed the front of their shirt and used their momentum to slam them into the wall. The intruder gave a startled yelp as they hit the unforgiving surface. Frankie captured their wrist and spun them around so their face hit the wall. She jerked their arm behind them and shoved the gun against the back of their head.
Lights turned on. Maggie and Ally opened their door and peered out in anxious surprise.
Jones groaned in pain.
“Jones?” Frankie panted, still holding him against the wall.
“A-Agent…Stone.” he breathed out, grimacing as the gash on his arm burned.
Frankie released him with a frown. He carefully turned around to face her angry look. He went to explain, but stopped upon seeing Bianca. His mouth dropped open and his face turned red. He looked back and forth between his superior and Bianca. Frankie’s shirt was loosely buttoned and the belt buckle hung open from the loops in her pants. Bianca was only covered by a thin sheet which did nothing to hide the hint of her luscious curves.
“Jones! What the hell are you doing?”
His head snapped to attention, “Agent Stone, ma’am. I…something happened.”
“What’s going on?” Maggie asked as she and Ally walked over to them.
“What?” Frankie clicked the safety back on, “I could have killed you, Jones. You can’t enter a damn safe house like that.”
“I’m sorry.” he apologized, not enjoying all of the stares directed at him, “But, I thought you should know.”
“Know what?”
“M-Maybe you should c-call Director Michaels, ma’am.” he was strictly told not to tell her, but she deserved to know. If she called Michaels, Jones technically wasn’t the one to tell her.
Frankie ran a hand through her hair, “Jones,”
“You should call Director Michaels.” he gave her a pointed look.
“Frankie?” Bianca placed a hand on her back.
Frankie studied Jones’s face. After a few seconds, she held out her hand, “Give me your phone.”
Jones handed over the small piece of plastic, and she began to dial. She walked away from the group, holding the phone to her ear. Maggie and Ally went up to Bianca, standing on either side of her. Maggie took in the sheet and met Bianca’s gaze. The taller woman hefted the sheet tighter around her and raised an eyebrow. Maggie rolled her eyes and turned away. Leave it to Bianca to confront a possible intruder in a bed sheet.
Bianca moved her gaze to Frankie. The agent was pacing back and forth, listening intently to who she assumed was Michaels. She wondered what would make Jones sneak into the house in the middle of the night and basically order Frankie to call Michaels. A glance at the young man showed his still embarrassed redness, but there was something else. He looked worried.
Frankie waited for Luke to answer his phone. The small clock in the corner of the screen told her it was early morning. There were still a few hours till sunup. She walked back and forth, hoping the movement would help keep up the already fading adrenaline rush she experience earlier. Exhaustion was setting in, and she couldn’t have that. Jones wasn’t the best agent in the bureau, but he wasn’t a complete fool. He knew better than to enter like that. He must have found something out and didn’t take the time to follow procedure so he could tell her.
But what was it?
“Michaels.” the man gruffly answered.
“What happened?”
“Stone?” he cursed. “Why are you calling me?”
“What happened?”
“Agent Stone, we will meet later today to discuss the rest of the case. Until then,”
Frankie was growing agitated, “Don’t play diplomacy with me, Luke. Something happened. I need to know what.”
“You need to rest. You went through a lot yesterday.”
Frankie growled, “Was there an attack? Did something happen to Williams?” Please don’t say something happened to their final witness. Williams was their only option now.
“Williams is fine.”
“Then, what is it?” she rubbed at her chest, feeling the dull ache intensify.
“It is none of your concern, Agent Stone.”
Frankie pressed the phone harder to her ear, “Damn it, Luke. Tell me what happened? Is it…does it have to do with Bianca?”
There was a slight pause.
Frankie swallowed thickly, “Luke, you have to tell me.”
“Junior,” he sighed, “you’re too emotional over this. This is why I did not want you working this case.”
“I don’t really have a choice now, do I?” her hand shook.
“You need to step back and let me handle this.”
“Handle what?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?” Frankie threw her hand in the air.
“You will not use your head.” he spoke evenly. “Junior, we both know how you react to certain…situations.”
Frankie took a deep breath, fighting to calm down, “If you don’t tell me, I’ll find out from someone else.”
“Stone,”
“Luke, please.” Frankie hunched her shoulders. Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she worked to form the words, “T-They’re my family.”
Which is why she was compromised on this case, “You know agents do not work cases involving relatives.”
Frankie scratched the back of her neck, “Then, take me off the case. I don’t care anymore. I’m not going to let anything happen to them.”
“I know you won’t.” it was like her mantra or something. He had never seen someone so firm in a belief before, and he had seen a lot of things in his lifetime.
“Luke, I have to know.”
This was a mistake, but what could he do. Stone was as stubborn as anyone. She would find out. “There was an explosion.”
“Where?”
“Zach and Kendall Slater’s.”
Bianca’s sister and brother-in-law’s house in Pine Valley. “When?”
“Earlier this evening. We don’t know much. The news just got to us thirty minutes ago.”
“Were there any…” casualties.
“We don’t know.” Luke exhaled, “Stone, I am ordering you to stay put. Do not go up there.”
“An order, huh?”
She wasn’t going to follow it, “Yes.”
“Copy that, boss.”
“Be careful.”
He knew she was going, “Yes, sir.”
He would send another team up to watch her back, “Check in with me.”
“Sure thing, dad.”
Frankie hung up the phone. She tapped it against the palm of her other hand, mind whirling. There was an attack against Bianca’s family. Her sister’s house had exploded. That was a message if there ever was one. Carrington wasn’t holding back now. She had to get up there and investigate. If anything happened to Kendall or anyone else, Bianca would never forgive herself. She’d take the blame for it. It would crush her.
Spinning around, Frankie nearly smacked into Bianca. She looked up to see a look of pure horror on Bianca’s features. Her trembling hand flattened on her chest.
She’d heard.
“Bianca,” this was bad. She wasn’t going to tell her this.
“My…my sister,” Bianca clenched the sheet in her fingers.
“She’ll be fine. I’m going up there.”
Bianca pursed her lips, “You don’t know if she’s ok. Her, Zach, the boys. They have two little boys, Frankie.”
“I know,” she’d read the file a hundred times in Paris. “I’m sure she’s ok. If she’s anything like you, an explosion won’t stop her.”
Bianca’s eyes watered, “I have to go see her.”
“No, you aren’t.” Frankie held up her hands.
“Yes, I am.”
“You are not leaving this house.”
“It’s my sister, Frankie!” Bianca’s voice rose.
“And it’s your life! These people are after you. You can’t go to them like that.”
Bianca shook her head, “I am not going to hide while my family is attacked. They are all there. My sister, my mother, my uncle, everyone is in Pine Valley.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“I’m going with.”
Frankie clasped her arms, “You are staying here.”
“If you go, I go.”
This was ridiculous, “What about the kids? You have to be with them. You’re their mom.”
“They went after my sister.”
“And they’ll kill you!” didn’t she understand? “They will kill you, Bianca. If you leave and go up there, you will be attacked. I am not going to let you do this.”
Bianca broke away from her, “You can go, but I can’t?”
“Yes,” she was a trained agent, not a corporate CEO.
“This is my sister.”
“You are not leaving.”
Bianca glared at her, “If it was Maggie, would you stay?”
Frankie’s jaw twitched, “It’s too dangerous for you.”
“Would you, Frankie?”
Frankie peeked over where Maggie and Ally stood by Jones.
“I’m going to see them, whether you want me to or not.” Bianca was not backing down. “I am not hiding away while he goes after everyone I care about.”
“This is stupid, Bianca. It’s nuts.”
“Remember what you said last night? Everything you said goes for me, too. This is my family, and I have to keep them safe. You are not the only one.”
“I’m not letting you get yourself killed.”
“And, I’m not letting you get killed, either.” Bianca stood her ground. “I am going with you.”
“Why can’t you just listen to me on this?”
“We’re together. That includes this.” Bianca replied.
“Bianca,”
“Together, Frankie.”
***
“Mommy? Frankie?” Miranda sleepily opened her eyes.
“Hi, honey.” Bianca smiled at her. She crouched beside Frankie at the little girl’s bedside. She had changed into a fresh set of clothes and was ready to leave. Frankie’s car was running outside, waiting for them to get in. She knew Frankie was not happy with letting her go, but she had no choice. Bianca would find a way up there. She was not going to have her family in danger because of her.
Miranda let out a big yawn and snuggled under the blankets, “Hi.”
Bianca brushed a few strands of hair out of her eyes and tucked them behind a tiny ear, “Frankie and I have to go away for a little bit.”
Miranda’s mouth turned down, “Go?”
“Yes, sweetie. We have to go see your aunt. But, I promise we’ll be back really soon. Maggie and Ally are going to stay with you, ok?”
Miranda frowned harder. She liked Maggie and Ally, but she did not want her mommy and Frankie both to leave, “Do you have to?”
“Yes, we do. Something happened, and we have to go visit her. It’ll be very quick, though.”
“Really really quick?”
“Yes, really really quick.”
Miranda looked at her. “Can I go?”
“I’m sorry, Miranda. You have to stay here with your sister. You have to help take care of her.”
Gabrielle did need a lot of help sometimes, “Ok.”
“Good girl,” Bianca pressed a kiss to her head, “Now, go back to sleep. I’ll see you very soon. I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Miranda watched as her mommy stood up and went over to the crib her sister was at. Maggie and Ally stood in the doorway watching them. Maggie stepped up to Bianca and spoke in quiet tones.
“Bianca, this isn’t smart.” Maggie slid next to Bianca.
Bianca pulled the blanket up to Gabrielle’s shoulders, “I have to see them.”
“I can’t believe Frankie is letting you go.”
“She has no choice in this. It’s my decision.”
“You should be here with Miranda.”
Bianca traced her thumb over Gabby’s cheek, “They attacked my sister, Maggie. They will keep going after my family until this is done. I can’t have my children growing up like that.” She looked at Maggie, “We’re in a safe house, Maggie. What sort of life is that for my children?”
“Bianca,”
“And Frankie can’t do this alone.” Bianca bit her lip, “You know she’s not feeling well. I have to help her. I’m not letting her do this by herself.”
“You both should stay here.”
“We can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s our family.”
Miranda couldn’t hear anything they said, but she quickly ignored them. She turned her gaze back to Frankie who was still crouched beside her.
“Hey, kiddo.”
“Don’t go.” Miranda pleaded.
“I have to. I have to go with your mom.”
“Stop going.”
“I will soon.” It hurt to see the sadness in her little eyes.
“When?”
Frankie sighed and rested her forearms on the bed. Miranda poked out a tiny hand and placed it on her arm. Frankie gave her a small smile, “I never want to leave you.”
“But, you have to.” Miranda recited.
Oh god. Frankie moved closer, “Hey, can I tell ya something?”
Miranda nodded sadly.
“This job I’m doing, it’s going to be over soon. Then, I’m done. I’m not doing it anymore. I promise.” The fact she couldn’t with her health didn’t matter at that moment. Looking into eyes so much like Bianca’s, she knew she had to stop. She couldn’t be away from these girls.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. So, you have to think of stuff for us to do. Ok?”
“Ok.”
“Cool,” Frankie ruffled her hair. “You know you and Gabby are my two favorite kids in the whole world, right?”
Miranda giggled, “Frankie, we’re your only kids.”
Frankie froze. Her kids. She swallowed and glanced over at Bianca by the crib. She looked back at Miranda. Her kids. Her girlfriend. Her family. God, it sounded perfect. “Yeah,” she choked out, “I guess you are.”
Miranda didn’t understand the impact of what she had said, “I got some good ideas already, Frankie.”
“Cool.” Frankie nodded. She laid a hand on Miranda’s shoulder, “You tell me when we get back, alright?”
“Uh huh.” Miranda sat up. She wrapped Frankie in a hug, “Love you.”
“I love you too, Miranda.” She pulled back and stared affectionately at the girl.
“Frankie?”
“I’m coming back.” Frankie promised. “After this, I’ll never leave you guys again.” She brushed a short kiss in Miranda’s hair, “See ya later, kid.”
“See ya, Frankie.” Miranda curled back under the blankets.
Slowly, Frankie stood up. She walked over to the crib and stood next to Bianca. Eyes on the child, she bent over the tiny bed and gazed down at the slumbering form. Voice barely audible, she whispered, “I’ll be back soon, squirt. You stay with your sister. Be good. I love you.”
Frankie straightened and turned to Bianca and Maggie. She pointed at the door, “Time to go.”
Bianca touched her elbow. She had seen the flash of tears and heard the slight choke in her tone, “You ok?”
“Yeah, fine.” Frankie cleared her throat. She ushered them from the room, “Let the kids sleep.”
The three joined Ally and left, shutting off the light and closing the door. Frankie walked forward, picking up her pace as she saw Jones. The man was in the living room, checking the time.
“Jones,” Frankie rushed up to him.
“Agent Stone, Director Michaels called. He’ll be here later today. He can’t leave Mrs. Williams until then. Oh, we also got the nanny. She’ll come with Michaels.”
“Fine,” Frankie grabbed him and dragged him to the corner of the room. “You’re in charge until he gets here.”
“Me?” wasn’t there someone else?
“Yeah, you.” Frankie looked him in the eye. “You are in charge until Michaels gets her. You make sure nothing happens.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Frankie’s voice hardened, “That’s my sister and her girlfriend, Jones. Those are Bianca’s kids…kids I…you are in charge of their safety.” Her kids. Miranda had said they were her kids. It wasn’t true, but man, it sounded wonderful.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Nothing happens to them. I’m putting you in charge of their lives. Do not let me down.”
Jones understood, “Of course.”
Frankie patted his shoulder, “I mean it, Jones.” She was trusting him with her family.
“I know, ma’am.”
“Alright.” She stepped away from him.
“Frankie.” Maggie walked up to them.
Jones walked away, mind focused on what he needed to do. He’d never been in charge of something before. Maggie took his place. Frankie crammed her hands in her coat pockets, “What?”
Maggie folded her arms. The twins stood there.
There was so much to say.
“I’ll see you soon.” Maggie finally got out. She wished she could say what she should, what she wanted to.
“Yeah,” Frankie turned and walked away. What more could be said? She went to Bianca, who laced their hands together, “Stick with me. Don’t go anywhere without me.”
“Wasn’t planning on it.” Bianca answered.
Frankie nudged her, “You can still stay here.”
Bianca took a step forward, “I’m with you.”
She knew beyond a doubt this was a bad idea. Bianca should not leave the house. But, it would be a lie to say it didn’t feel good to hear those words.