Laughter followed them out into the night and a light unseasonable rain.

*~*~*~*

Marina drove, eyes on the sheen of rain on asphalt, while Jenny applied her makeup under the passenger side overhead light that cast a slight glare on the windshield. 

The radio played softly in the background, Women Sing the Blues Hour on NPR.  Appropriately, Lena Horne was singing “Stormy Weather” as she pulled into the parking lot and the sky opened up.  Rain pounded the roof of the car.  She turned off the ignition and lights, turned in her seat and looked at Jenny.

“What’s wrong?” Jenny asked.  “Are you all right?”

Marina smiled and nodded.  “I just¼I have something to tell you, and I don’t think you’ll like it.”

Jenny’s heart hammered against her breastbone and she caught her breath.  Eyes wide, her face paled beneath the fresh makeup.

“I¼I keep thinking about¼about what I did to you. When I¼.”

Jenny reached out and touched Marina’s hand, shaking her head.  “It’s all right, Marina.  It’s over.”

“No, Jenny.  I need to say this.  It was wrong.  I was wrong.  I had no right to sell you out, to Susan or to anyone, not for any reason.  You are to precious to be sold¼”

“I had a say in this, Marina,” Jenny interrupted.  “I was the one who told you to make a deal with the devil if you had to, to save the Planet.  And I agreed to go to Susan.  I could very well have said no.”

“For me.  You did it for me, Jenny, and I feel like I owe you so much more than I can ever repay.”

“Well,” Jenny blinked, “I did learn some useful skills, did I not?” She gave her lover a wicked grin.

Marina laughed softly and tossed her head.  “Yes, you did.”

“And you rescued me.  Me and Susan both, from Fran.  That wasn’t easy for you.”

“It was my fault Fran had you in the first place.”

“No!” Jenny shook her head vehemently.  “I think she would have come for me eventually anyway.  Now she won’t.  She won’t dare, now that she knows you’ll fight her for me.”  She looked away for a moment, face sobering.  “You don’t know how that feels to me, knowing that you actually fought for me.  Marina, no one’s ever done that for me.  Not ever.”