For a while Fred remained quiet. The silence felt like a solid, expansive thing -- to settled to fit words into. All she could do was continue you her conversation with Elektra's back. It was an exchange that had nothing to do with sound.

Her friend looked as if she would shatter if Fred touched her She couldn't bring herself to test the theory.

Fred knew Wesley's childhood was less than idea. She'd long suspected some level of abuse. But somehow the evidence still caught had at the back of her knees. She'd sit, except there was still a need to keep straight. To confront what was long gone.

"But you did succeed. You succeeded in earning his trust. At least that's how it seems. And that's no small thing, especially with Wesley.