Rebecca eagerly gathered some comfortable PJs to lounge in for the evening and wrapped them, her bottle of almost obnoxiously minty commercial camping soap — not her favorite, but space efficient — and a tube of face wash in the towel she'd left on the rocker. She poked her head back into the kitchen for an all-clear, at which point Laura suggested she use her robe from the back of the bathroom door and save the one in the linen cupboard for Sam, then shooed her off with a jovial "Enjoy!"

She drummed her fingers impatiently on the edge of the shower stall while holding her other hand under the spray, waiting for the hot water to finally make it through the pipes. When it finally hit, she tapped her phone's timer button on the counter opposite the shower and dove in. Her experience with the timed showers back at Broadway came in handy, but she hadn't experienced hot water during cold weather and real pressure in... oh god, who knows how long. Probably since she and Jaime snuck into a condo with a For Lease sign before utilities broke down.

Getting all of the dirt out from under her nails, cleaning her hair to the point it squeaked, and washing her face with hot water... this day just kept getting better and better once they got up on the damned hill. Stupid flatlands.

It was almost decadent enough to keep her from worrying about what kind of conversation her girlfriend and mother might be having in her absence — almost. Perhaps it was actually a good thing she was on a clock. Tomorrow though, she was totally making sure the house was warmed up, and maybe Sam could help stop and restart a timer so she could turn the water off while soaping up and get a few extra minutes out of it.

She dutifully shut off the water when the timer started dinging, not wanting to cheat any of her friends — especially Sam, who was going last, her girlfriend, sensitive to cold, and likely to recover any body heat she felt cheated of from the backs of Rebecca's knees — a potentially very bad combination. The tile floor was a little chilly under her feet when she was off the bathmat, but once she was dressed, bundled up in her mother's robe for good measure, and wearing cozy socks, the air was just the right temperature for catching her breath after all the steam.

That didn't stop her from sitting right next to the big stove when she returned to the living room and Chrissie started her turn in the other bathroom, claiming precedence based on having more hair to dry. She basked in its radiant warmth and wiggled her brush in front of Sue for a bit before starting to run it through her hair — but was interrupted when her mother and Sam soon finished the dishes.

Laura pulled a dining chair over to where Rebecca was parked on a cushion (to courteously keep the borrowed robe clean), and took the brush from her hand. She probably didn't count on Rebecca choking on a sob and starting to cry after the first few strokes. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, I didn't mean to upset you."

Rebecca reached up and grabbed for Laura's wrist as she started to pull away. "No, Mom. Please don't stop. Please. It's just overwhelming." She saw Sam's blurry form walking quickly to kneel in front of her, and noticed Epstein and Patrick had vanished, probably into the side rooms. Somehow, the firewood holder by the stove had magically been refilled and Walt had disappeared too.

Sam held out a hand in front of Rebecca, which she reached for.

"Mom, I just never..."

When her voice trailed off, Sam touched Rebecca's cheek with her free hand. "Shhhh, Remy. Don't try to talk, you'll make it worse and spoil the moment for yourself. Just close your eyes and enjoy. Mrs. C, due respect but stop apologizing."

Rebecca's sniffling was interrupted by a hiccuping laugh. "Oh man, at least it can get spread around a little now."

Sam squeezed her hand and patted her cheek before she withdrew. As she backed away, Rebecca heard her mother whisper a tight thanks to Sam punctuated by a sniffle of her own.

Sam smiled at them both from the kitchen and picked up a dish of leftover tidbits of fish from people's plates to lure Sue with. That made Rebecca laugh again as she recovered. "Look, Mom. This is what she does. She feeds people's pets and then steals them. She did the same thing with Rufus the same day I found him, the little minx."

Laura laughed as she started running the brush through Rebecca's hair again, making Rebecca sigh happily at both. "I see that."

Sam stuck her tongue out in their general direction. "Hey, I just feed them and make them love me. Would you like me to give you some privacy?"

Rebecca looked up at her. "You don't have to, but..."

"But. I know, sugar. Don't worry, I have my new furry buddy to cozy up with." Sam leaned to feed Sue another morsel and clicked her tongue at him as she coaxed him to the hallway.

"Thank you, Sam," Laura said behind Rebecca. "You're a remarkable young lady, even if you're kidnapping my cat."

Sam gave Laura much the same smirk Rebecca got in reply to comments like that, and rested her eyes on Rebecca's for an affectionate moment before she disappeared down the hallway, Sue trotting traitorously along after her.

Laura chuckled, and leaned closer to Rebecca's ear when they heard the bedroom door shut. "She's quite the character, that one."

"Yeah, fortunately she uses her powers for good, or we'd all be screwed."

"Mmm. I'm glad you found good people, Rebecca."

"It's starting to seem like the good folks gravitate together eventually, once they find each other. Or get pushed together by the tides of shit around them."

"Indeed. Thanks for the image, by the way." They lapsed into a content silence while Laura finished her hair. When she was done, she patted Rebecca on the shoulder. "Couch?"

"Sure."

"Great." As they relocated, Laura groaned. "My butt may have a little more padding than it did when I was your age, but I still can't last in one of those chairs for too long. There's a decent chance they're older than you."

"Jeez." Rebecca settled on the couch, sitting with one leg tucked under her and the other hanging to the floor so she was facing her mother. "Seems like everyone is always harping on my age if they're more than a year or two in either direction."

"Sorry, but that's one thing that doesn't get better with age. It just starts happening more in one direction than the other. There's a certain satisfaction that comes with being able to wave your metaphorical cane at more people though."

"Great. At least there's something to look forward to." Rebecca sighed. "I missed you, mom."

Laura patted Rebecca's hand with hers, leaving it there afterwards; the look on her face spoke volumes in reply. "You've been telling me bits and pieces all night, things you think are interesting. But... tell me about you. I know things are terrible out there, and you know I've been worried sick. How have you been, how are you, Rebecca?"

Rebecca quirked the side of her mouth in a half smile. "It's been rough, but things are headed in the right direction. Mom... I was a wreck after Jaime died. Not that I really need to tell you what that's like."

Laura sighed. "No, you certainly don't. But, to be honest, I feel worse for you. I lost your father, but you lost him and Jaime. I'm glad you said you were a wreck, though. Time has helped?"

"Yeah, and the good people you mentioned. Especially Allison and Ronnie, who I told you about, Rufus being such a big lovable lug, and, well. You just saw Sam in action a minute ago."

"And quite the sight it was. I take it that's a pattern?"

"She's a force of nature."

Laura chuckled. "It's good to have at least one person in our lives who can give us a good kick in the butt when we need it, you know?"

"Well, now that I've had it for a while, I do."

"Mmm. Yeah, convenient how sometimes we learn what we needed only after we've found it, isn't it."

Rebecca raised one eyebrow and smirked. "Some times?"

"A majority is still 'some'."

"Fair." She squeezed Laura's hand. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Rebecca." She paused in thought for a moment, while Rebecca waited patiently. "It's a little different, talking to you now. Like, I knew in every conversation I had with you when you were away at school, and when I'd see you now and then, that you were becoming more of an adult. But now, learning about everything more that you've been through, you're unquestionably a grown woman now. You'll always be my girl, but I simultaneously feel like your a kind of peer now. It's just going to take some getting used to. But, sorry... I got off on a tangent there. I was asking about you, not all the existential stuff swirling in my own head."

"God, we really do apologize all the time, don't we?" Laura laughed, and Rebecca continued with a smile. "There are worse things to turn into than my mother, though."

"Aww. Stop it, you're going to make me cry again."

"Sorry. See what I did there?"

"Yes, yes I did. I'm still your mother, young lady. And I also see how you steered my attention away from what was bothering me."

Rebecca tilted her head in the direction Sam had gone. "I learned from a true master. But... you were asking about me. Things have been really good back home, maybe a little scary with lots of changes starting to happen, but generally positive ones. Like some folks have told me, things will never get better if we don't push for them to. But getting here was... rough. Sam's parents—"

"She told me the high-level stuff. Were you there when she popped her father in the face? Please tell me she did a good job."

"Oh yeah, she got him good. She's a hellcat in a fight, Mom. I've watched—" Rebecca sighed and her tone changed. "I've seen her fight up close a number of times. She can take care of herself." She gingerly touched the bruise on her chin, glad to see it didn't hurt to touch anymore. "Some of these... are from her, Mom. Not—"

"What?" Laura interrupted and was leaning forward in her seat.

"No!" Rebecca put her hand on Laura's arm, trying to get her to settle down, and keep their volume lower. "I was saying, Mom. Not like that. She's super protective of me, she's saved me plenty of times and would again in a heartbeat. We were helping people who needed it, and it was dark, she was already wounded—" She gestured towards her own forehead. "That one that's healing above her eye. And I was trying to stop her from accidentally hurting a stupid kid. I don't know if I just tripped or if the queen bitch of the badguys shoved me into her, but she didn't know it was me,  thought I was someone attacking her. It was in the middle of a huge fight, and an accident. If anything, I can think of a bunch of things I could have done differently to prevent it."

"Is this queen bitch rotting in the ground?" Laura was only marginally mollified.

"Yes," Rebecca said with finality. "Epstein actually got her, while Sam was trying to protect me after realizing what happened. Please, Mom. She feels terrible about it, especially since it's ambiguous whether her dad ever raised a hand before the time she clocked him."

Laura sat back, still unhappy. "Well, good. I can stay on this couch then, and I need to make sure to thank him later." She continued after a moment's glowery brooding. "And you're right, it sounds like it wasn't her fault, and I hope she can really internalize that. I don't like hearing about you getting in that situation though. I worry that you go out looking for trouble."

"Well, not usually... and these assholes were literally keeping people as slaves, Mom. Abducting them off the road. They had a kid tied to a cross."

"What the fucking hell..."

"He's okay now. That's a big part of why we went in, instead of leaving and coming back with help later. I... actually have been struggling with a lot of doubt over how a bunch of us got hurt, if I could have pushed things towards a better outcome, done anything different. But telling you about it, and hearing myself say it... kinda helps."

"That kind of thing often does." Laura sighed. "With what you've told me so far, and knowing the kind of woman you've been and become, I guess I'd trust your judgement in the matter."

"Thanks, Mom. That means a lot."

Laura rubbed the back of Rebecca's hand. "I'm glad it does. I still worry though!" She shook her head. "I think that's enough heavy-hitting stuff for the night, and I just heard the third person finish their shower over there. Why don't you go tell Sam it's her turn while there's still water for her?"

"Okay. Maybe there's still time to get Sue back."

"Quick, while there's a chance!" Laura smiled and waved Rebecca off of the couch, and they both laughed and drifted back towards lighter spirits.

**

Sam wasn't entirely sure if she'd subconsciously planned it, but realized there was an advantage to going last, especially since Walter and Laura both indicated they didn't need a turn that evening. It was a risk, since nobody really knew how much hot water was still in the tank, but if there was any extra, she could use it all.

When she closed her eyes under the spray, she was glad the big cut on her head had healed enough it didn't sting. Rebecca was right to have been so excited though. If someone could guarantee her absolutely and utterly that there'd be no asshats along the way, she very well might have made this drive just for the shower, even without Rebecca's mom in the picture.

Hmm. Picture. Last she saw, Remy was sitting at the foot of Laura's bed, showing her mother her knitting. She should ask if they wanted her to take one before turning in for the night, mark the occasion and all.

Aaaaand... thinking of family photos was probably not the best idea for her, given. She sighed and bowed her head into the water, trying to lose herself in the novel warmth as best she could. When she could no longer compensate for the temperature's decline by adjusting it closer and closer to full hot, she sighed, flipped the drenched curtain of hair out of her face with a hand, and shut it off. Scrubbing at her wet hair aggressively with a towel was a good release of her pent up negative emotions, and their passing just left her feeling somewhat empty. At least all the positivity floating around the house that night still kept some a few warm fuzzies going inside. Plus, kitty.

She must have really made an impression, because she saw furry paws reaching under the bathroom door as she finished up, feeling around and trying to find something to bat at. She wrapped herself in the robe Laura had suggested, ensconced a dry towel around her head, and opened the door. Sue was still right there and presenting such a tempting target as he rolled around, she couldn't resist poking at his fluffy belly with a toe and suffering his playful nips at her ankle in return. "What are you doing, you silly goofball. There's warmer spots by the fireplace, other people you could go mooch after while I was busy... Ow! You cute little shit!"

Laura leaned into view through the bedroom door across the hallway and laughed. "Well, he's definitely taken a liking to you. Just be glad we've got him doing his business outside, or I might make you help with the litter box."

Sam grinned and peeked around the door into the rest of the room, expecting to see Rebecca and surprised she wasn't there. "Oh, I was going to ask if the two of you wanted me to take a picture before bed, but I guess I'm too late?"

"Yeah, she already said goodnight a few minutes ago. We can do it tomorrow, like so many things that are tripping over themselves in my head to get to go first. It's... really good knowing she'll be here when I wake up, you know? Thank you again for your part in that, and what it sounds like you've done for her over the last year."

"Oh, it was my pleasure. She's a—" Sam stopped herself and covered her face with her hand briefly. "Okay, I'm tired, and I almost called her a treasure. That's just too much rhyming."

"Yeah, that might be a little much even for Fezzik and Inigo, even with good timing."

Sam sputtered and laughed as she lowered her hand. "Oh god, you're great, Mrs. C. Good night."

"Sleep well, Sam."

"Oh believe me, I will!" Sam ducked back out, closed the door most of the way for Laura, and went to the bedroom at the end of the hall. As she entered and closed the door behind her, she saw in her peripheral vision that Rebecca was already tucked into in bed where it occupied the corner to the left of the door. She'd apparently stoked the fire about as full as the stove would go, a whole-heartedly approvable act. Warm good, cold bad.

Sam set her compact pop-up lantern/flashlight combo down on the table to the right, along with her toiletries and bundled up clothes. She'd only worn them for a few hours inside the house, so they could totally be breakfast attire. When she turned around and put one knee on the mattress to reach for her pajamas, she stopped. "Oh. Hello."

Rebecca lay on her side at the back edge of the bed, propped up on an elbow. Sam noted how her left leg was exposed from the knee down and the way she held the sheet over herself, strongly implying the only thing she was wearing under there was her necklace. Rebecca's tone when she replied was playful, and almost a question. "Hey, you."

Without taking her eyes off of Rebecca, Sam took a half step back, turned off the lantern by feel, and then lowered herself to sit on the edge of the bed. The fire crackling quietly in the stove lit the room in a dim cozy flicker, and her vision gradually adjusted enough to see it reflecting from Rebecca's face. "I like where this is going, whether just for some grade-A snuggling or something else."

"I figured... we're both feeling as clean and refreshed as we've been in months. We're safe, in a comfy little cabin up in the woods. There's a steady rain falling on the roof and a nice fire going... we should make the most of it all, y'know?"

"I absolutely do, but point of order. Now that I've seen it myself, this ain't no 'little' cabin, and... you're good with that much contact? You're not chasing some foolish notion again, pushing yourself for my sake?"

Rebecca reached her left hand out to Sam invitingly. "I promise. Maybe it's seeing my mom again, cuddling Sue, feeling safe — all of it. I've been feeling pretty good all night. And, even when it's my own head interfering, I miss being close too."

"Well then." Sam rose just enough to fold back the edge of the covers and took Rebecca's hand.