Helena woke up shortly before noon after finally having managed to get to sleep. She'd stayed up until almost seven in the morning, talking with Hunnigan, telling her about how the demeaning voice which had always been there to tell her how worthless she is had gotten really loud and impossible to ignore lately, which in return had resulted in her wanting to give up. Hunnigan had argued that voice was wrong but understood that it wasn't as simple as that because the "ignore it and it'll go away"-method of dealing with that particular type of unpleasantness didn't work.

By the time she'd finished talking and literally crying on Hunnigan's shoulder, she'd felt better (and had soaked Hunnigan's sweater with her tears and with her runny nose). Hunnigan hadn't offered platitudes, she hadn't said it would be okay and expected it would be enough, she hadn't tried forcing a solution to the problem. She'd just been there and listened, and Helena hadn't realized until just then that being heard was what she'd needed the most. That and the hug she'd spent most of the early morning in until she'd decided she'd been done talking and crying, and just wanted to sleep.

Oh, doesn't this look nice, hm? Sergeant Good inquired in the back of Helena's head when she noticed the generous view of Hunnigan's chest. She'd had to borrow a shirt from Helena after the younger woman's tears had soaked her own, and the only shirt Helena'd had clean was the one she never worse because she hated the low-cut neckline. She'd gotten it from Deborah a few years ago, her younger sister stating that with a decent push-up bra, the shirt would do justice to Helena's rack. She hadn't realized Helena had no desire to show off said rack, but she'd accepted the gift regardless and forgotten about it over time.

Stop , she scolded herself but didn't do anything to avert her eyes. Instead, she found herself paying more attention, glancing over the thin white stretch marks, counting the freckles on the olive skin, shamelessly staring at the curve of the breast.

God, I just want to bury my face in her tits and disappear from the world.

Helena snorted quietly at the thought lancing through her head. It was ridiculous, sounded like something someone in one of those poorly-written romance novels might say.

Why am I like this? she asked herself once again. She jolted a little when a demanding and loud noise came from the bedside table when Hunnigan's phone vibrated. Helena then quirked an eyebrow when she felt Hunnigan press her palm against her back and rub a comforting circle on it.

She thought I jumped because I was having a nightmare, this is what she did at the cabin too, Helena mused. She tucked her head under Hunnigan's chin, not waking Hunnigan up completely to let her know of the incoming phone call. She knew she was being selfish but she didn't think she'd get many more chances like this. She'd feel bad over it later, she was sure. But right now that didn't matter.

"Oh, crap," Hunnigan muttered after reaching for her phone and unlocking it. Helena turned to lay on her back and opened her eyes slowly, hoping to still look sleepy enough to pass for someone who'd only just now woken up.
"What's wrong?"

"Seventeen missed calls from my mother and, I kid you not, thirty-six text messages. Half of them are empty. She's not an experienced texter," Hunnigan smirked, sat up and dialed her mother. Helena leaned her head into her palm and watched Hunnigan get up from the bed as her mother answered the phone. Helena couldn't make out what she was saying but she could hear the agitated tone through the phone.

"Sí, lo sé, mamá, pero esto era una emergencia. Literalmente de vida o muerte. A ver, si quisiera hacer algo solo para ponerte mal, no me habría molestado siquiera en venir en un primer momento."

Hunnigan pinched the bridge of her nose before lowering her hand to rest on her hip as she listened to the angry rant continue.

"Soy una adulta, no necesito pedirte permiso. No me importa que seas mi madre, no te da el derecho a actuar de la forma que haces. No voy a tener esta discusión, voy a colgar. Te veré cuando te vuelva a ver."

Hunnigan ended the call and muttered something under her breath before turning to face Helena, who slowly got out of bed as well.

"I don't speak Spanish and I only understand it if it's spoken slowly and in a horrible American accent, but I get the feeling your mother was not happy with you and wants you to come home," she chuckled.
"That about sums it up," Hunnigan confirmed. "So, get ready and let's go."

"What are you talking about?"
"If you think I'm just gonna leave you alone in here, you are sorely mistaken."

"Jesus Christ, Hunnigan, I'm fine, I'm not gonna do anything!"
"No you're not because you're coming with me. Unless you'd rather I'll have you involuntarily hospitalized."

"You wouldn't dare!" Helena narrowed her eyes, quickly becoming genuinely agitated.
"Watch me."

"If you do that, I'll never forgive you."
"At least you'll be alive to hold a grudge," Hunnigan shrugged.

"You really are serious," Helena muttered and Hunnigan nodded before tugging the borrowed T-shirt over her head and tossing it to Helena before reaching for her own clothes, oblivious to Helena's gaze washing over her.
"Of course I am. Now, chop-chop, take a shower while I scrounge up something to eat and let's go," Hunnigan said and headed out toward the kitchen, Helena following behind her.

"I doubt your parents would appreciate you showing up with a stray human at Christmas."
"According to my mother, I've already ruined everything, so you being there wouldn't make things worse. If anything, it might save me from my mother's wrath. She's less likely to murder me if there are witnesses."

"This makes me very uncomfortable. Don't make me do this," Helena pleaded. It was bad enough that her mind was in the gutter first thing in the morning and she doubted it would resurface anytime soon, add to that the fact that she was extremely hungover. She genuinely didn't believe she would be capable of handling meeting Hunnigan's parents in this state.

"I'm not going to force you, but I really am worried about you and wouldn't want you to be alone."
"How about a compromise; I'll text you every five minutes so you'll know I'm alive," Helena smirked and Hunnigan smiled.

"I guess that'll have to do," she said and opened the fridge, hoping to find something to make breakfast out of but found only an almost empty bottle of cola and half a bottle of rum, along with an expired jug of milk, one egg, and ketchup.
"You live like this?" she quirked an eyebrow.

"I wasn't really planning on living."
"Helena."

"Too soon?"
"Much," Hunnigan sighed and slammed the fridge door shut. "Okay. Plan B, we're going to my place."

"Look, I can just order take out, I'll be fine!"
"You know I won't let this go, so just indulge me," Hunnigan rolled her eyes. Helena exhaled deeply and gave up. She got dressed, grabbed her shoulder bag and was about to grab her gun when Hunnigan gripped her wrist.

"The gun stays here."
"I feel naked without it."

"I don't care," Hunnigan said and tugged on Helena, dragging her outside.
"Nice wheels," Helena commented when Hunnigan pointed out the black SUV and they climbed in.

"It's Major's. Then again, he did admit he used the alimony as the money down for this, so technically I did pay for a part," Hunnigan chuckled as she started the engine.
"I don't think I've ever heard of the ex-wife paying the alimony, usually it's the other way around," Helena muttered.

"I suppose it is rare. We agreed on a lump sum and got it over with. Back then the intention was to cut ties and not have to deal with each other, but then Seeley happened, and I couldn't just not tell him," Hunnigan shared.
"He seemed glad to have him," Helena said and only when Hunnigan frowned a little, she realized she'd slipped information she shouldn't have had, she wasn't supposed to know about how happy Major had been when he'd discovered Hunnigan had been pregnant. "You know, based on how he interacted with Seeley, granted I didn't witness much, but compared to how my parents were, you know," she tried saving it, barely managing to not stammer and trip over her words, an unpleasant heat rising to her face when the terror of possibly getting caught spying gripped her heart.

"Well, you're not wrong," Hunnigan commented and Helena dared to breathe again when Hunnigan seemed to let it go without questioning Helena about it. After a few minutes, they arrived at the apartment building where Hunnigan lived.

Helena had half expected Hunnigan's home to be decorated with black and chrome, and with minimalist furniture. Instead, she seemed to prefer shades of brown and beige, the tones giving the apartment a warm overall feeling.

"Watch your step," Hunnigan said as she went ahead, kicking Seeley's toys cluttering the floor to the side to clear a path.
"No worries," Helena said.

"You can leave your bag and coat there, I'll go grab you a fresh towel."
"Towel? What, why?"

"For drying off after a shower, unless you're the type who just shakes off like a wet dog," Hunnigan smirked.
"Well, no, but... okay, fine, I do need a shower," Helena sighed and took her shoes off before following Hunnigan to the bathroom. She accepted the towel and closed the door behind Hunnigan who excused herself to make breakfast while Helena showered.

She undressed and humphed agitatedly at herself when she noticed the dried white stains in her underwear from last night's self-indulgence, cursing her stupidity over not having taken the time to change. Now she'd need to wear them even after showering, or go commando, neither option sounding exactly appealing.

Oh, come now, it's not the end of the world, and it's not like this is the first time you've had to go about the day wearing cum-stained undies, Sergeant Good reminded her and Helena suddenly felt like vomiting.

You're disgusting. You're sick! her grandmother's voice joined in. Right now, Helena was inclined to agree, even though a tiny voice within was trying to contradict the statement, rather reminding her there was nothing wrong with her. It was quickly silenced, assassinated by the loud chorus of hate.

She showered quickly and toweled off just as fast before proceeding to pull her jeans back on in the humid air, the fabric clinging to her skin. Getting her bra on was worse and even more uncomfortable. She muttered every curse she could think of as she unrolled the garment and pulled it down while having to lift her breasts to adjust them in a desperate attempt to find a comfortable fit.

I'm getting a breast reduction, she grumbled internally after finally getting everything in place and put on her T-shirt. She then shoved the panties into her pocket and finally exited the bathroom.

When she entered the kitchen, Hunnigan told her to take a seat and placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her, then retrieved the bread from the cabinet and finally, the butter, tomatoes and cucumber from the fridge. Helena didn't honestly think she could eat all that, but didn't bother telling that to Hunnigan who seemed determined to ensure she had a decent breakfast.

"Coffee's almost done, grab some if you want, I'm gonna go shower and I'll be with you soon," she said.

"Thank you," Helena managed before Hunnigan went. She ate the eggs and the bacon first, slowly growing more hungry as she did, and when she was finished, she decided she had room for a sandwich. She made one and went to grab coffee to wash it down with. She let out an amused scoff when she looked into the fridge and saw how immaculately clean and well organized it was; somehow little things like that were so Hunnigan. Helena grabbed the small glass container and poured milk from it into her coffee and walked around the apartment as she sipped it and ate her sandwich.

The apartment's walls were mostly decorated with framed photo collages, most with pictures of Hunnigan with Seeley, some of them had pictures of people Helena assumed were relatives and friends. Helena leaned in to take a closer look of a photo in which Hunnigan seemed to be on a small stage with a guitar, accompanied by a few others with their instruments. She looked like she was probably in her late teens in the photo.

Well, who knew, you used to be a rock star, Helena smiled a little. There were a few similar ones, and more that seemed to be taken at parties, there was even one in which she was apparently grabbing a drink with Leon, his arm over her shoulders as she leaned her head to his, both of them raising their drinks to whoever had been holding the camera.

Next was a series which Helena assumed was from Hunnigan's college days, the photo of her in action on a basketball court catching her attention immediately.

Oh, that's going in the wank bank, amirite?

"For the love of God, just shut up," Helena muttered to herself and sighed, moving to look over the bookshelf. The books there were mostly crime novels and some science fiction, a collection of various trophies and medals on the top of the shelf in a neat row.

She really likes to win, Helena smiled and returned to the kitchen. Hunnigan joined her shortly after finishing her shower and getting dressed, tying her wet hair back.

"Want a refill?" she inquired as she poured herself a mug and Helena nodded.
"Thanks."

"Where'd you get milk?" Hunnigan frowned as she turned to put the pot back in its place.
"...the fridge, where else?" Helena chuckled as she sipped her coffee.

"Yeah, but I don't... oh, dear."
"What? What's happening, why are you making that face?" Helena narrowed her eyes when Hunnigan bit her lower lip as she was desperately trying not to laugh.

"It's breastmilk."
"It's what! "

"I still nurse Seeley, but I donate the surplus, I just put it in the fridge to wait until I could freeze it," Hunnigan explained and lost her poker face.
"I just thought you'd stored the rest of a milk jug in a smaller container to make more room in the fridge!"

"Well, if it's any consolation, it has a lot of health benefits," Hunnigan wheezed and doubled over.
"It's not funny," Helena pouted.

"It's huh-larious!"
"Promise me we'll never speak of this!" Helena said and without thinking went to take another drink from her mug, realizing she was doing it only when Hunnigan howled with laughter at what she was doing. Helena let the coffee dribble back into the mug.