Trigger warning: crude language.

***

Jessie was upset, the Doctor knew that. Right after they had left Adam at his house, she'd stormed off. He hadn't tried to stop her.

Especially when moments later, he'd heard the sound of gunshots from the shooting range the TARDIS had apparently made for her.

He headed right for the kitchen instead, smirking a little when he saw that she'd taken two bottles of water with her. "You clever girl," he chuckled, setting the tea kettle on the burner. As he watched it go, he couldn't help a growl escape when he thought about how Adam had thrown those insults right in her face. And her expression afterwards . . . it was like she wasn't even there.

She was sexually abused two years of her life. That was what Saleen had said. Seven years ago.

Jessie was twenty now. It had all started when she was thirteen.

No wonder why she was still haunted by those memories.

But he knew there were other secrets she kept.

***

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Jessie unleashed round after round, letting thoughts out with each shot.

Worthless.

Dirty.

Bitch.

She stopped for a moment, thinking. "Don't let anyone tell you you're not important," Coulson had told her.

"Someone's gonna be there to help you through, Jessie," Grant had also told her. "As long as I live, I promise I'll be that person."

And now Grant was gone.

Because you weren't there on the mission, the little voice inside her head taunted. The one mission you didn't take, and now he's dead.

"Shut up!" she barked at the voice.

You weren't there for either of them. Coulson had no reassurance the first time he died. And Grant had no one.

Useless.

Abandoned.

Selfish.

Jessie squeezed her eyes shut, walking over to the table to get one of the bottles of water. This couldn't go on. She didn't know how many more voices she could take.

And then she had it.

Taking a deep breath, she headed for the showers.

***

The Doctor reclined in the captain's chair, still drinking his tea. There was definitely something Jessie still wasn't saying. The question was what.

The Face of Boe had said she would break at some point. The Doctor looked into his cup, frowning. How can I tell when she'll break when she's not telling me everything?

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he didn't hear her come in.

Not until she said his name. "Doctor?"