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Jack felt as if he were being strangled "No" Their gazesto mock him, but she didn't She just stood there, still as a stone, her strangely focused eyes searching his face He sensed that she saw more?far more?than he wanted her to

"Your clothes are filthy Why don't you bathe with them on?"

She was trying to make him comfortable At the realization, hisher best to make him comfortable She moved closer, her hand outstretched "Co?he had no idea what?but the words jaers brushed his sleeve He felt the war deep and dark and desperately weak, ain tomorrow" "Hate you?" The words see portion of his soul "I wish to hell it was that simple"

She touched his cheek "I know you're tired"

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He shivered, chilled by the heat of her caress, and squeezed his eyes shut It was true; he was tired So goddamn tired

She took hold of his wrist In a gentle but firm motion that brooked no resistance?even if he had been able to suth for it?she led him toward the copper tub already half-filled ater

"Get in," she coet more water"

He shouldn't do it Of that, he had no doubt He knew also, and the knowledge caused a sinking feeling in his stoht her With a ragged sigh and a hopeless prayer, he climbed into the tub

Warainst his stohs He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, letting his arle over the tub's metal

sides

Amarylis shuffled quietly toward hi, he waited for her to say?or do?so

She added water to his bath The falling streaush of powerful heat His eyes flipped open, but she was already gone He twisted around and saw her standing at the stove

Leaning tiredly against the ain

"Jack?"