"Why would I be? It was an accident, and my fault, too, when you come right down to it."

What. The. Holy. Hell. Gabriel sat heavily on the recliner once more. She'd never quite understood Tegwen, and she didn't know her very well at all, but something seemed beyond amiss.

"What?" Asked Tegwen defensively, noticing Gabriel's expression.

Gabriel barely managed to shake her head, utterly dumbfounded. Maybe a good clunk on the head was just what Tegwen needed to simmer that sour and hot-tempered attitude of hers. "Nothing," she said stiffly, "it's nothing." She squeezed her eyes shut, attempting not to drown in her deluge of thoughts. Nothing was completely right at that point; nothing was what made sense. "You want breakfast or something?"

"No, thank you." Tegwen stood and took a moment to stretch, something in her arm snapping loudly in furious protest.

"Oh."

"I sure wouldn't mind getting lunch, though. I'm starved."

"We can. . . Do that. Sure, we can do that if that's what you want!" It was surprisingly difficult to muster any enthusiasm. Not when Gabriel felt so guilty for so many reasons.

Slowly, Tegwen asked, "Do you mind if I get freshened up first?"

"Not at all. Towels are in that closet --" she pointed down the hall, "-- and the bathroom is the door just behind it."

"Thanks, Gabe."

"Yeah. Don't mention it," muttered Gabriel. "I'll be ready to go whenever you are."

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