‘Are you okay?’ Carmen asked softly as she walked over to her. It was just then that Shane opened her eyes and noticed Carmen. She smiled weakly and nodded. She held out her hand, gesturing for Carmen to join her in the bathtub. Carmen slowly lowered herself down in the warm water behind Shane. She drew her arms and legs around Shane’s thin frame and pulled Shane back against her chest. ‘Mmm, this feels so good,’ Carmen purred contently and she kissed Shane’s damp hair. Shane nodded and relaxed into Carmen’s embrace. She rested her head against Carmen’s collarbone and took Carmen’s hand. She kissed Carmen’s fingers, one by one.

‘So..  you wanna tell me why we are having a bath in the middle of the night?’ Carmen asked, her lips resting against Shane’s cheekbone. ‘I couldn’t sleep,’ Shane answered softly.

‘Why not?’ Carmen asked, nuzzling Shane’s cheek. Shane kept silent for a few moments but Carmen waited patiently. She kissed Shane encouraging behind her ear. ‘I was worried about you,’ Shane admitted. ‘Don’t.. don’t worry about me. There’s no need to,’ Carmen spoke softly as she pulled Shane tighter to her. ‘No.. there’s a lot to worry about,’ Shane said, feeling sorry for having to contradict her. ‘I.. I wish I could help you Carmen. But I don’t know how. I can’t solve your problems because.. because I’m responsible for it all,’ Shane spoke, her voice cracking from the hot tears she could feel burning in her eyes.

‘You’re not responsible for my shit,’ Carmen stated firmly, her voice still not losing her soothing tone. Shane let out a soft sob. Carmen pinched her eyes shut and pressed a firm kiss against Shane’s cheek, slowly rocking them back and forth. Shane’s pain felt so painful, it was almost unbearable.  ‘Don’t you get it Shane? You don’t need to say things to make me feel better, you don’t have to solve my problems. Because the truth is, no-one can. If there’s one person who could, it would be me, but even that seems like impossible,’ Carmen spoke, her voice cracking from the lump that was forming in her throat.

‘I want to help you.. like you helped me,’ Shane whispered desperately as she placed Carmen’s hand tighter against her mouth. ‘You are helping me,’ Carmen answered as she raked a hand through Shane’s wet hair. ‘How?’ Shane asked, ‘how could I be helping you? I haven’t done anything.’ Carmen swallowed with some effort and shook her head. She couldn’t believe that Shane really thought that. ‘You help me.. because you are there for me and because you care. Because you ask me how I feel and really listen to my answers. Because you.. you love me and I love you. That’s why Shane. I just need you around, that’s all,’ Carmen spoke. Shane smiled weakly. ‘I love you,’ Carmen repeated softly. ‘I love you too.. so much,’ Shane whispered back as she wiped away her own tears. ‘That’s all I need from you,’ Carmen said smiling and she kissed Shane again on her cheek.