"I don’t wanna go," Tina said quietly, stepping toward Bette with her face still in her hands.

Bette panicked – still feeling socially awkward and unsure of how to soothe her troubled friend. Was a hug alright?

Tina didn’t give her a choice, taking an extra step and then wrapping her arms around Bette. "I’m gonna miss you so much."

Now her tears were starting to have an effect on the usually strong and silent brunette. Bette just felt weak, her emotions screaming loudly at them both. She held Tina in her arms, resting her head on the girl’s as she allowed herself to feel the pain.

She knew there was a price to pay for letting anyone that close to her, and she was paying for it now. She swore to herself that she wouldn’t befriend anyone else that way, holding Tina there in her kitchen.

"I’m sorry, Tina" she whispered, still somewhat in control of herself. "None of this was your fault."

"Please don’t make me go," Tina sobbed, holding Bette tighter, who found it nearly impossible to finally see her to the door and make it clear she was to go back that night.

"Hey, maybe I’ll see you again some day," Bette said, as hopeful as she could be for something she knew to be astronomically improbable. She just touched Tina’s cheek and put on her best imitation smile, holding back what she slowly understood as a desperate need to cry. To just let out all of her anger and frustration. "But I’ll really miss you."

They both stood there, feeling as though something was missing, but neither understood it was a kiss goodbye.

Tina left sniffling down the road and Bette stood and watched to make sure she got home safely. She would have driven her if only Tina wouldn’t be further punished for associating with her.

When she was sure the girl was safe, she walked back into her house, just then realizing how chilly it was outside as she rubbed her arms for warmth and closed the door behind her. She went straight to her room and lay down, trying to push aside her own emotions.

She was even able to ignore them for three more days before it became too much, and she surprised herself with the outburst; one moment she was washing her plate at the sink, and the next minute she sank to the floor with the cupboards at her back, crying into her hands. She was stronger than Tina, but still with just as much weakness when she was filled with such emotion.

It was easier to calm her tears when she told herself it may never really happen, and it had a fantastic effect on her until she was working outside one afternoon and she saw the girl that had already affected her so. In a van driving slowly down the road toward the city, Tina sat in the back with her face twisted in anger and sadness – her hand pressed against the window.

Bette had to cease her work as she watched the vehicle pass, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. There was nothing left to do but give up. Give up on everything society knocked over or kicked down, but she couldn’t close herself off that way or she would drive herself mad – alone in isolation.

With more effort than ever before, she lifted the axe in her hands, balanced the weight, and dropped it down to spilt the wood in pieces. She found her anger more easily managed with the aggressive outlet for her emotions.

She also unknowingly warded off any combatants with the habit.