She turned the faucet off and straightened up; she let out a tiny gasp when her eyes lowered from her face. The real horror parts of yesterday just smacked her senses and she raised a hand to her mouth. The bruises on her arms stood out like a tattoo job gone wrong, very wrong. Anyone looking at them would think she was one lucky girl for getting away from the brute that did that to her. Why, oh, why, did she not end it with Helena sooner – I was such a fool. Tears were running through her fingers.

Bette heard the sound of water from the bathroom stop several minutes ago, but Tina had not emerged. T? Tina, everything all right in there? No response. Baby, can you hear me? Still no response.

Bette leaped up – geez, Im doing a lot of superhero movements lately – and rushed to the bathroom. She pushed open the door and saw Tina staring at herself in the mirror, hand still to her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

Bette, look at these bruises. I cant believe I was such a fool about Helena – I cant believe I let it get to this, looking at one arm, then the other. She was near hysteria.

Bette took hold of Tinas shoulders and turned her around. She pulled Tina into her arms and she lay her head on Bettes shoulder. Bette reached up with her uncasted arm and placed her hand on Tinas head, slowly moving her fingers up and down through her hair.

T, listen to me. Yesterday was horrible – it was a nightmare come true BUT it was not your fault –

but you said she was a monster and I just didnt listen to you and –

Tina, baby, number one, you didnt want to hear anything from me at that time, whether it was about Helena or anything; number two, you cannot blame yourself for the type of person Helena is (***** ***** is what she is, Bette thought) – there was no way for you to see that the rage brewing inside of her was going to come out in such a way. Dont do this to yourself.