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

Husband? Jess shuddered at the word, and at the man's conviction that it was to be the case. That smile, however friendly, couldn't fool an empath. 

Reginald, of course, had to take his side, dismissing Roxy's reluctance - and the reason for it, which caught Jess by surprise. Gay? Roxy too? She believed her, she knew from experience that it wasn't a phase, but if she reassured her at any point, would it help? She had a loving, accepting family. Roxy didn't. They were still a world apart in that regard.

With a deep breath, she looked Maxwell in the eyes. She hadn't stood up to anyone since before her time in isolation, but she had to say something. [color=teal]"L-Look, if Roxy would rather not..."[/color] Her voice, although quiet, had an undertone of defiance more characteristic of Roxy than of her. She let the anger seeping through the shield fuel her, despite the fear, both their fear. [color=teal]"She'd rather not."[/color]

As the words hung in the air, Jess' entire body tensed as she braced herself for the response.