"Yeah." Jane snuggled closer, mindful of her injured arm. She had told Red that she wanted to get a real job and a real address. If ... when her mother got out, Jane wanted her to be able to come visit, or to stay if she wanted. Red had panicked at first, thinking Jane was leaving her and the Strays, but Jane wanted to remain a part of the group, even if she couldn't find a way of living with them. It had taken a lot of kissing on Jane's part to convince Red that the younger woman still very-much wanted the lycanthrope in her life.

"I don't know how it's going to work," Jane added.

“But we'll make it work. I'm not giving up the best thing that's happened to me in my adult life. I just . . . I want my mom to have a place too."

"She will," Red said.

"I won't leave you like Natasha did," Jane said, then wished she hadn't. She had little knowledge of that relationship, so it wasn't fit for her to comment.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. But Nat isn't a villain. She and I. . . just didn't work. But she helped me out a lot. Believe it or not, she was a good influence on me."

"How?"

"I used to be a lot more temperamental."

Jane blinked.

"How?!"

Red smiled. She wasn't known for her cool and collected mind.

"Imagine my temper with my brother's self control, and you pretty much have it."

Jane's eyes opened wide. Robbie was a rash young man, and Red often found herself bailing him out and being responsible for him.

"Yeah, that's it," Red said, noticing Jane's realization.

"But Nat helped me get my head on straight and start taking responsibility for things in my life. That's kinda when I got stuck being second in command. And I used to be a lot more butch."

"Butch?"

Red looked quizzical, but realized that Jane was still somewhat new to the lesbian "lingo." "Yeah, I. . . I wasn't very interested in attracting . . . you know . . . a mate. I wasn't concerned with my appearance or being friendly to anyone. When I started to calm down... well, let's just say that Nat made me realize what effect a pretty girl can have on you when you're paying attention."

Jane slowly cracked a smile.

"I think I understand that."

“I'm not THAT pretty," Red replied.

"Yeah, you are. Even when I thought you hated me, I couldn't take my eyes off of you." Jane slid on top of Red's body, using her magical hair to keep her weight off her arm.

“I still can't. Seeing you made me feel alive in a place I thought was dead." She kissed the redhead.

"Seeing you helped bring me back from going insane.” She kissed her again.