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Early morning. Dino's at the house before the guests start stirring. Gen's called him about an hour earlier. He's sitting in the kitchen, sipping at his mug of coffee. Gen leans back against the counter, sipping her own mug of coffee. They're not talking. They're waiting.

And then Franki stumbles into the kitchen, her eyes blinking in the sharp light. She acts as if she doesn't care that they're both looking at her. Instead, she stops and gives a leisurely stretch. She gives a long, loud yawn at the end of the stretch. Then and only then, does she nod at Dino, acknowledging his presence.

"Good morning, princess," Dino says. "How'd you sleep?"

Dino isn't taken in by Franki's bravada. He never has been. He knows her much better than she may even know herself. He and Gen trade looks. Gen hides a snicker. She's enjoying watching Dino figure out how he's going to smooth the path for the two lovers who have quickly become the focus of this entire team's desire that at the end of this, they're not just saving Franki and Bud's lives -- but that in the process, these two don't lose their way.

Gen clears her throat as Dino returns his gaze to Franki. She says, "Yeah, actually, that was Sheila. Bringing the girl stuff for you, Franki. I'll let her know you appreciated it. Seems she's always in the background, not usually noticed for all those details she sees to that make our lives easier.

If Franki were looking at Dino, he's see the sharp look he gives Gen. And then if Franki had followed that look toward Gen, would she have been surprised at the wide-eyed, innocent look on Gen's face, as if Gen were saying to Dino, "What'd I say?"

Dino shakes his head and turns full attention to Franki. "I understand you had a night out burning off the wacked out day you had yesterday, Franki. The Phoenix was a perfect choice."

She looks up at him, startled.

He grins. "You didn't really think you'd gotten away from us, did you? We're pretty good at what we do. And what we most want to do is keep you alive -- you and your boyfriend. Which brings me to my next subject: Bud White."

Franki shrugs and turns to fill her coffee cup again. Anything but look at me, Dino says to himself.

"Look, Bud's got a temper. But I suppose you know that. Hey, don't shoot me -- and don't think we're being nosy but we just can't help knowing things went south after you got in last night between you and lover boy. Whatever he's said, however he's acted, Bud was worried sick about you last night -- not because you were gone, but because he wasn't right there with you, keeping an eye on you. You should have heard the names he called us and just how often he questioned our mothers' virtues. Y'see, a man like Bud doesn't feel like much of a man if he's not the man protecting the woman he loves. That's all it was, Franki. I've known Bud White a long time -- and I'm hoping you'll be the woman I think you are: the woman strong enough to stand at his side in bad times and in good."

Franki's looking at Dino like he's grown a few extra heads.

"Just be straight with him, Franki. He can handle anything you toss at him, honey, trust me. Give him some undivided time today, will you? Just chill with him -- let him see you're fine and he's gonna start relaxing."

Gen shifts around, suddenly awkward to be witnessing this moment. And then Franki glances at her, probably just trying to avoid looking at Dino. Gen shrugs. "And, hey, next time you want to go blow off some steam, invite me along. I like a good girls' night out. We can invite Sheila along, too. I know we may not look it, but we're a lot of fun to drink with."