I wake up and I'm warm...and wet...it feels like being back in Mistress Minthe's hot springs. I smile for a moment before opening my eyes. A very haggard looking Bellamy is sitting next to me, eyes closed, lips moving soundlessly. Her face is tear-stained.

I reach out wearily for her, brushing my fingertips against her shoulder. She startles out of her reverie with wide eyes and a wild look before focusing on me.

"Oh, Claire." She whispers, barely audible. "I should've come back sooner." She clasps my hand between hers. "How are you feeling?"

I close my eyes tiredly. "Don't know." My voice is hoarse and I feel dry, parched. My head aches and I feel like sobbing. My eyes prickle with tears but I blink the feeling away. "I'm sorry, Bellamy." My voice cracks as it comes out.

"I just hurt so much...it hurt so much." The tears start flowing. "Why does it hurt so much?" I slowly raise my hand and press it over my chest. "Right here. Like it will burst."

Bellamy sighs softly and strokes my hand soothingly. "It gets better, but you have to let it. You have to let it heal. Not just cover it up. Not just let it fester."

"Why though." I wail, my eyes stinging.

"A broken heart is like a broken leg, but much trickier to heal."

"You're good at healing...better than me." I look up at her with hopeful eyes. "Can you fix it for me?"

"Oh Claire." She squeezes my hand. "It's not that easy, dear." She sighs. "I can do my best, but you have to let me. And you have to be ready for it to take some time. It's not an easy road. If anything, you've made it harder on yourself these last several months."

I cast my gaze down, avoiding her eyes.

"Come along. It's to bed with you." She carefully helps me out of the tub.

I feel weak. Like I'm just learning how to walk again. One foot in front of the other. Try not to fall. Arms out for balance. Naked as the day I was born. Still wet from the bath, like a mother's placenta.