Staring at herself in the mirror, not sure she even recognized the woman staring back, dried blood on her upper lip, putting her mangled hands under the warm water, wincing at the pain.  Splashing water on her face, trying to scrub the blood off her face, but it seemed rather futile, since Sam’s blood was on her hands also.

            “Jo,” said Bette from the door, having heard the water running, and since Angelica was across the street with Tina and Quin, it could only have been Jo.  Or a very hygienic thief had broken into the house.  Bette rushed into Jo’s arms, almost lifting the tomboy off the floor, “I thought I’d lost you.”

            Jo didn’t say anything her voice failing her, Bette pulled away, looking Jo over, seeing how dirty and crestfallen she was.  Bette saw the cut and torn hands of her lover, tears threatening in her ebony eyes, but Bette didn’t let them fall.  Instead she reached down and began to undress Jo slowly, with careful and deliberate fingers.  Tearing the tattered shirt off her, Bette took long hard breathes, trying to keep herself calm.  Jo was in a state of shock, and Bette just wanted to clean her up and get her into a warm bed, let her sleep away some of the pain that she was harboring in her heart for the fallen Sam Vance.

            Bette turned, quickly turning on the water, filling the tub as she continued to remove the soiled clothing from her girlfriend’s body.  Running a finger down Jo’s cheek, feeling the muscle quivering under her touch, Bette got the rest of Jo’s clothes off and led her to the tub. 

            They didn’t speak, they didn’t have too, and Jo lowered herself into the tub, the water changing color as Bette lathered a sponge and methodically began to wash away the grim of Jo’s experience.  Using one of the cups that Angelica liked to use in the tub, Bette washed Jo’s hair, kissing her shoulder lightly, Jo rested her head on Bette’s, both unmoving.  They stayed that way for a long time, Bette’s hand on Jo’s cheek, waiting.  Finally, the water grew cold and Bette pulled Jo from the tub.  Slowly drying her off, Jo’s hair instantly spiking, having a mind of its own.  Bette took her bathrobe from the back of the door, and wrapped it around her, kissing Jo’s lips for the first time; Jo kissed back with equal gentleness.