Some days were great with Anna. She appeared to be flying sky high. Unstoppable, invincible. It didn't take much to get a smile out of her, and that was one of the things Butch loved about her. She could be the bright, vivid color in a word of muted ones. Butch wasn't sure if thats how everyone saw her, or it was just him. Not that is matter. He figured if everyone saw her the way he did, everyone would be in love with her.

Some days, however, were different with Anna. She'd get quiet, so quiet you could forget she was in the same room as you. She'd appear so small, curling up in a corner and just stare. These were the days that reminded Butch she was only human. Because some days, Anna would stop pretending, and it'd all finally wash over her. Everything that she had ever done. Leaving her home, killing countless individuals to find her father, only to lose him too.

On a rare night, Anna would actually talk about it all. She would admit it was the death that bothered her the most. To her, it didn't matter if they had shot first and asked questions later. Anna could never shake the hanging question of what would happened if things went even slightly different. Anna knew most of who she killed were truly evil, but a life was a life, and there was so much blood on her hands.

Some days it'd get even worse. She'd lock herself up completely, emotionally and literally. Explaining she was going to wash up, only to not return after a few hours. Butch always had to go and fetch her out of the bathrooms. He was always afraid of what he'd find after she'd been alone so long. Her tears were hard enough, but she always worried him when she got like this. He worried she'd go and do something stupid, just like him when he was feeling low.

Anna always kept a large supply of drugs in places... for trading of course. At least that was what she said. Anna didn't seem to be the junkie type to Butch, she hardly even drank. But he still couldn't shake the fact the idea scared the freaking shit out of him. She'd finally snap and throw everything away. He didn't blame her of course, having the whole wasteland virtually depend on her.

Butch swallowed, finding himself staring down the same horrible nightmare again as he walked to the girls bathroom. Hands stuffed in his pockets, eyes not daring to look at any of the citizens that passed. It was just one of those days again. He gave a few soft raps on the door and waited. When there was no response, he knocked harder. Silence again, his heart leaping into his throat as he tried for a third time.

"Anna?"

He heard movement in there, thank god. He cleared his throat.

"You okay in there?"

Silence again.

"Want me to come in?"

He glanced around nervously, no response again. He sighed.

"Alright...I'm comin' in. You better be decent."

He braced himself as he entered. For what, he had no clue, but he felt himself let out a breath when he saw her sitting up in the bathtub. He let the door swing shut behind him. Anna stared down at the floor, her hands doing a series of robotic movements, washing her arms and legs over and over again.

"Hey..." Butch blurted, awkwardly, that was far from his definition of decent.

"Hi..." her voice came out as a hoarse whisper, her eyes flicking up, then back to her own hands. Butch wasn't sure what to do, or say, or even think. He took a few more cautious steps towards her, as if she was some wild animal, ready to bolt at a moments notice. There wasn't enough soap left in the bath or obscure the view.

"A-Anna?" He found himself stammer a bit. Her eyes finally looked up at him. They were a bit red from crying, but very cold and distant.

"Yes?"

"You...You feelin' alright? Well, I guess that's stupid. Of course you're not feelin' right." He scolded himself, why did he always have to sound like an idiot when he really wanted his words to mean something. "Just..." He took a breath. "How about you dry off and we can just bash ears, ya know? That might help. You know I suck at all this feely junk." He looked down, kicking some dirt with his boot. Man, he was such a loser. Anna's silence didn't encourage him any further.

Finally she made a move, nodding she stood up. The splash of water dragging Butch's attention upward. He felt his cheeks heat up at the sight.

"Uhm-urh-" He knew he should do the polite thing and turn away, but too late for that now. The corner of Anna's mouth twitched upward into a small smile, but it didn't hold any feeling behind it.

"Never seen a naked women before?"

"What? No! It's not that!" Butch focused on the ceiling. Of course he'd had his share of one night stands in the vault, and down at the muddy rudder, but this was different. This was Anna. Standing in front of him, dripping wet and completely naked.

"Hand me that towel?" She asked, exiting the tub. Butch assumed she pointed, but wouldn't dare look. He fumbled, looking around until he found it laying on one of the sinks. Grabbing it, he thrust it out to her, eyes still trained at the floor. He felt Anna hand ghost over his, but didn't take the towel. It traveled up his arm settling on his shoulder as she stood inches away from him.

"Butch..." She said, voice hushed. He dragged his eyes upward. Was this right? He wasn't stupid, he knew what she was leading them both towards. Butch almost lost it when he watched her glance down at his lips just before stretching up to capture them with her own. Her touch was warm and soft. Nothing too desperate or sloppy, as if she had been planning every move days in advance.

He dropped the towel, hands came up to rest on the damp skin of her hips as she continued to kiss him, picking up the pace as she gripped his jacket. She gave a soft shiver, parting to gasp for air, her body flush against him.

Something in Butch finally snapped. Pressing her up against the wall, he latched onto her neck. Panting, Anna shivered a bit more. Her mind was going a mile a minute and she was having trouble keeping up. One thing she knew for sure; this wasn't right. It didn't feel right at least, for reasons Anna would figure out later.

"Butch." She started to tug on his wrists. Butch's grip only tightened, pressing her harder against the wall. "Butch, Stop." Anna pleaded. If her heart went any faster, she was sure it'd burst. Butch seemed to ignore her and carry on, coming back up to kiss her roughly. Anna gave a muffled cry, feeling tears start to come up again. Anna felt a wave of panic was over her, sapping her of any strength she had to push him off. "S-Stop!" She sobbed out, causing Butch to finally freeze.

What the hell was he doing? He looked down at her, was she crying because of him? She hiccuped, wrapping her arms around herself as she cried. Butch loosened his grip, but didn't let go completely.

"Hey..." He said softly, she wouldn't meet his eyes. She just stared at the ground and cried more. He leaned forward again, causing her to flinch. Butch simply buried his face in the crook of her neck. "I'm sorry...It's ok. I'm sorry." He whispered, a hand rubbing up and down her arm. "I didn't mean to..." he trailed off a bit. "I Just...I love you...a lot."

Those words made them both feel a bit nauseous. Butch ignored the fact that it was the first time he had ever said anything like that too her. He lifted his head once her crying had died down to only a few sniffles.

"We gotta get you dried off, babe. Before you catch a cold." She looked up and nodded, still clinging to him as he moved to grab her towel off the floor.