It took a few minutes, but again the steady (albeit fast) rhythm of Dory's heartbeat against her cheek managed to bring her back down from the rising panic. She knew this wasn't her fault. Sure she had made a mistake getting involved with the prick who did this to her, but she had no way to know he was an aggressive monster either. No man had any excuse to put his hands on a woman like this.

Still, the unexpected layer of change that had settled over her relationship with Dory wasn't something she could ignore either. Their relationship had never been anything like this. They had lighthearted fun, mixed with mutual satisfaction. Or had, until the whole abortion fiasco. It had changed then too, but now this was altogether different and she didn't know what to do about it either. Not wasn't the time though. All she had room for now was to be grateful for him and the fact that he didn't seem to mind being here.

Her whole body was exhausted, she just wanted to pass out again, but was too anxious that the dreams would return. She had to have something in her bag that would help. Or a strong drink. Either. "Want a drink?" She settled on in a hoarse whisper. He probably needed one just as much as she did.