[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

Despite Roxy's glare, Jess knew she wasn't angry. Not at her, anyway. In fact, the emotions her jumpiness had set off in the anchor were more worry and guilt than anything else, eating away at her as she kept them bottled up under that tough exterior.

Jess only spoke to thank the till person, then remained silent on the way back to the garage. One, she didn't want to say anything that could be overheard by the wrong people. Two, trying to convince Roxy she didn't have to beat herself up hadn't worked earlier. The anchor avoided eye contact, not out of rudeness, but out of concern. Concern about what would happen if they didn't keep such a distance.

The irony of it, Jess thought as she trailed behind. They were bound, yet had to keep a wall between each other, and she'd have to find a way to keep loved ones on the right side of that wall.