As Paula found the courage to march over to Franzi's flatshare, she decided she wasn't gonna let Franzi deny the shithole she was in. Coke sniffing, stealing, and then getting fired? She definitely wasn't gonna stand still and silent like nothing was going on. When she reached Franzi's apartment, Paula knocked on the door and got a stunned reception.

Franzi asked, 'What do you want?'

Paula said, 'Daniel told me everything.'

Franzi sensed an "I told you so" speech coming up and shifted into her tough attitude. Franzi closed the door as soon as Paula entered.

Franzi said, 'Yeah. And? Do I get a sermon now about not doing drugs or trying to rob my boss?'

Paula answered, 'No. That's not why I'm here.'

Franzi asked, 'Well, what? Do I get sued or am I lucky enough to get a fair warning?'

Paula asked, 'What do you want to do now?'

Franzi said, 'That can be of no interest to you. Unless you have a job in your pockets, get lost.'

Paula kneeled beside Franzi trying to comfort her friend. She knew Franzi was only venting her frustrations and that they weren't aimed at Paula.

Paula said, 'Franzi. What else must happen? Listen, you're breaking yourself up with the shitty coke sniffing and it's hurting me seeing you like this.'

Franzi threw away the paper, stood up and snapped, 'Stop babbling in my ears and running after me all the time! Why don't you take care of your own crap?'

Paula said, 'Because I care about you and I am not gonna walk away from this! You need help.'

Franzi said, 'It's my life and it's none of your business anyways! I don't matter to you anyways. Admit it!'

Paula looked Franzi in the eyes and said was was in her heart and all over her soul. With strength and determination, she let it all out.

Paula said, 'No.' Then she paused and resumed, 'I'm not gonna just leave you like this.' Pausing and the nresuming, 'It IS my business.....because' then she paused again, placed her hands on Franzi's head to keep her from moving and finished, 'because I Love You.'

Franzi was shocked and uncertain about what just happened. She and Paula had a brief closet relationship that was hidden from John and Phillip. It started with a simple scooter ride to a farmhouse, through some fields, a minor coming out for Franzi, heartbreak and drama, and Paula leaving John and town. All of this had come running through her mind and Franzi was all a quiver. It was as though time had disappeared without a trace.

Paula said, 'I Love You, Franzi.'

Still shocked, Franzi asked, 'You love me' and Paula nodded "Yes."

Franzi asked, 'Do you think you can fool me with this? Is this a trick or something?'

Paula said, 'No, Franzi.'

Franzi said, 'You ratty, stupid...' and pulled away from Paula grasp. But Paula held both of Franzi's elbows.

Paula said, 'I am talking seriously. Really.' Then she let her grip loosen up on Franzi's arms until it was just her hands on Franzi's shirt without them tightening.

Franzi said, 'Stop it.' Then Paula put her hands back on Franzi's face. Franzi said, 'Please.' When Franzi was about ready to cry, Paula gently kissed Franzi on the lips.

While Phillip and Emily were fighting about her job situation and John's stubbornness, Paula and Franzi were sitting on the couch in the company of a comfortable silence. Their hands were joined by fingertips. Paula didn't let her eyes move away from Franzi and Franzi kept a vigil on Paula's hand. Contemplating what had happened to them before, Franzi too a small step back.

Franzi said, 'Paula', and Paula looked at her. Paula held Franzi's hand in hers so her strength would go to Franzi. Franzi continued, 'I won't make it another time.'

Paula knew what Franzi meant. There was too much lying, deceit, and shame in what they called a relationship before. Phillip was angry when he found out Franzi was seeing Paula behind his back, John learned about it the hard way and practically lost Paula for months, and Franzi became the other woman nobody wanted for awhile.

Paula nodded "No" and said, 'You don't have to be afraid. Not this time.'

Nervously, Franzi said, 'I'll break if I lose you again.'

Paula stroked Franzi's hair and said, 'That won't happen anymore.' Then she paused and declared, 'Franzi, the two of us...we belong together. And I won't hurt you, ever again.' After kissing Franzi's forehead, Paula said, 'I promise.' Then she kissed her on the lips and said, 'I promise.'

After spending the whole day with Franzi, with John and Phillip believing she was working, Paula and Franzi fell asleep after making love more beautifully than any works of art. When they woke up at night, under the glaze of red candlelight, Franzi let her guard down completely.

Franzi said, 'I imagined that so often.'

Paula said, 'Me, too.'

Franzi asked, 'Really?'

Paula answered, 'I just couldn't let it happen somehow.'

Franzi said, 'I missed you so much. Everyday. It was like hell.'