The Crystal Palace-Reaper and Dead End's Quarters.

[Taliesin]

"Hell, if you could talk Sara into it, my past self would be eternally grateful, I think," he grinned.

[Reaper]

"God we were naive."

[Taliesin]

"We were," he nodded. "But there's something a little...invigorating about naiveté, isn't there?"

[Dead End]

"In this day and age? Yes. We had no idea what was to come."

Bear then slipped off her pants.

"Now, I think the reminiscing is done for tonight."

[Reaper]

"I agree." Reaper replied."You can stay or go, Will."

[Taliesin]

"Tempting, but I'll have to take a rain check."

[Dead End]

"Your loss."

Dead End slipped into the bathroom, and began to run a steamy shower.

[Reaper]

"More for me." Rachel said with a wink as she headed for the shower.

[Taliesin]

"Have fun with your girl--I'm gonna go try and win mine."

[Dead End]

"Good luck with that," Dead End chirped from behind the bathroom door.

"Now- where is my back scrubber? Ah.. here we go.."

[Reaper]

"Good luck." Reaper said as she shut the bathroom door "I still say it isn't fucking fair."

[Dead End]

"Hmm?"

Dead End was at the sink, looking at her grimy face and sighing.

[Reaper]

"It just....it doesn't seem fair that Sara came through, and Ryan didn't." she said quietly.

[Dead End]

Bear stopped, and stood still.

"Dammit."

[Reaper]

"Yeah."

[Dead End]

Dead End was holding stock still. It was clear in Reaper's experience that she was holding back a great quantity of tears.

[Reaper]

Reaper wrapped herself around her surviving love "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."

[Dead End]

Byrna leaned unsteadily on the sink, unable to stop the tears.

"three months. Three months I've blocked out his face.."

[Reaper]

"Shhh, I know. Baby, I know." Reaper said, stroking her hair. "Its so hard, not to think of him all the time."

[Dead End]

Bear stood up, turning to face her lover.

"Clean me. Clean me, and touch me like he would touch us."

[Reaper]

"Anything to put a smile back on your face." Rachel said, picking up a washcloth.

(fade to...something)

[Dead End]

A long, long time later, the bathroom door opened, revealing a much more familiar figure wrapped in a towel.

And there was a smile as well, as Rachel had intended.

"Thank you."

[Reaper]

"I've gotta take care of my best girl." Rachel said, smiling a little herself.

[Dead End]

"And I've got to take care of mine."

Warmly, she kissed Rachel's cheek.

[Reaper]

"And you do." Rachel said "You're all that keeps me human."

[Dead End]

"And you are what keeps me coming back to civilization.. I need you like air and water. I love you."

[Reaper]

"Its peaceful here." Reaper remarked.

[Dead End]

Bear looked around, nodding.

"I almost wish we could stay."

[Reaper]

"We can't." Reaper said, almost sounding like she was trying to convince herself.

[Dead End]

Bear nodded, hugging Rachel silently.