Paula wasn't allowed to take any pain killers for her feet so it took almost 2 hours before her soles started to throb. Paula and Ortiz got to chat while they walked the Galleria and the market road.

Ortiz asked, 'So, you just ran into the fire looking for someone?'

Paula said, 'Yeah. Well, it was a heat of the moment kind of thing.'

Ortiz replied, 'I'd hope so. You don't just jump into a fire, without checking your guts, unless something's up.' Now they were outside The Fasan.

After seeing, in her mind, Franzi fall unconscious with her face covered in smoke, Paula came back to reality and said, 'Yeah.'

Paula didn't really want to talk about The Fasan for the rest of her life. She just wanted to get through the day without a scratch on her face. So Paula and Ortiz took a small break outside Mocca. Daniel was there so he gave Paula a warm welcome.

Daniel said, 'Paula' and held his arms open for her.

Paula responded, 'Hi, Daniel' and hugged him back.

Daniel asked, 'What are you doing here? I thought you'd be recovering.'

Paula said, 'Well, I was. And now I'm back to work.' Then Paula introduced, 'Daniel, this is my partner, Ortiz Esteban. Ortiz, this is my friend, Daniel. He's the owner of Mocca.'

Esteban said, 'It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Paula tells me you're pretty close with her and her family.'

Paula told Ortiz, 'He's practically part of the the family.'

Daniel said, 'Oh, she's just being nice. But listen, why don't you sit down and I'll have somebody take your order.'

Paula said, 'Thank you, Daniel' and kissed him on the cheek.

Ortiz said, 'Thank you, sir.'

When Paula and Ortiz got to drinking their teas and lattes, a few more details were spilled about Paula and her divorce.

Ortiz said, 'You know what? Don't worry about it all. I don't have to know everything, just like you don't have to know everything about me.'

Paula said, 'Yeah. Well, I figured it was only a matter of time before the whispers got too loud to ignore at the home office.'

Ortiz said, 'Hey. People say bullshit plenty of times. You're my partner and if you don't say something, then it's none of my business.'

Paula observd, 'Sounds like the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. I don't tell, and you can't ask.'

Ortiz responded, 'Mmmmm. I guess, when you put it like that, it probably is.'

The radio dispatcher sent out a call for an illegal parking; a car parked in a handicapped spot. Ortiz took the call because it was only 40 feet away. Paula stayed behind to finish her latte and Daniel approached her.

Daniel asked, 'So? How is Franzi?'

Paula answered, 'Franzi..was...doing pretty fine when I left this morning. We had breakfast and she seemed okay when I left.'

Daniel said, 'That's good. Do you think she'd mind a little company while you are working? I just don't want her to feel scared or alone. You know?'

Paula said, 'I know. Uh, if you can find the time....then I don't see why not. Especially from you. But thanks for coming by and everything. Esteban's okay but it never hurts to hear a friendly voice.'

Daniel said, 'Hmm. Not at all. Anytime.'

Paula and Ortiz reported what they saw and dealt with to the watch captain. Paula's shift was pretty short so she got to workout a little bit in the gym. Her kick boxing and takedowns were still strong. None of her partners took it too easy on her; she would consider that an insult qual to a person saying 'Women need special attention because they can't take the heat.'

While Paula was giving and taking a beating, Franzi wrote in her diary how she was feeling.

Franzi wrote, 'Paula has been the strongest person I've ever known. I can't begin to think of what I would be like if she was there for me in the hospital. She's strong and sensitive, caring and gentle....and I love her. Ich Liebe, Paula. And she loves me.' When Franzi closed her diary, she felt like taking a walk for some fresh air. She didn't plan this but Franzi did leave a note on the door: Went for a walk. Will be back soon. Liebe, Franzi

Franzi walked  on the sidewalk and nobody bothered her. She still had her sleeping pants and her tanktop on, and she was covered with her bed blanket. It drew some attention but for only a passing glance. It felt good to be back in her own neighborhood seeing people shopping, drinking a mocca, driving their cars and all. Franzi sat on a bench and just watched people go about their normal routines. It was like she was watching from an elevated plain; in a spiritual sense.

A voice said, 'Franzi?'

Franzi was surprised somebody caught her face from under the blanket. She wore part of it over her head like a monk.

Franzi said, 'Yes' and turned her head up to the right. It was Maike from Earth Friendly.

Maike sat down and hugged Franzi. She was happy to see Franzi back in the neighborhood. She'd head about everything through the grapevine and it was all unbelievable.

Maike asked, 'So, what now? Are you on pain killers, psychiatric counseling, back to school or work? What?'