She didn't fight him, didn't even really move as he scooped her up. She didn't need to, she knew she was safe in Barbie's arms. They were probably the safest place in the entire world. But Jessica still instinctively flinched when he spoke. She feared the admonishment, loathed the idea of him scolding and judging her. She knew she was bad; she'd been told so her entire life. If she wasn't a slut, then she was a drunk, and if she wasn't a drunk, she was an idiot, and if she wasn't an idiot... Well, she was all of those things, really. She just happened to be dressed up with a pretty face to cover it up.

"Don't be scared," she said finally, reaching up to poke his nose with her index finger. "You know me, lover. It'll be a cold day in hell before a couple of drinks'll have their way with me."