Disclaimer: I do NOT own Desperate Housewives or any of the characters, and I do not own the quote this chapter begins with. I do not own the songs I named the chapters after. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: This episode takes place during the 5-year gap, after Bree's flashback in Mirror, Mirror.

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Three years before

'I'm gonna get you through this' Katherine said, taking Bree's hand 'And when we're done, that scary woman over there, she's never gonna be seen in this house again'

Two days after finding out about Bree's addiction and promising she would help her, Katherine moved in with her friend. She did not take too many things with herself, for she could easily go to her place whenever she needed something in particular. The most important thing to her now was to be there for Bree to take care of her.

In spite of having had their differences at the beginning, Bree had been a lovely friend to Katherine. Their relationship had improved notably when they first started working together, and even more after that fateful day in which Katherine had had to kill her ex-husband before he killed one of them. She would never forget how Bree had talked the other women on Wisteria Lane to provide an alibi for her or how she had called her and visited her every day after that, giving her company and helping her get over the shock. Now it was time for her to return the favour.

After her days as a volunteer in a hospital back in Chicago, Katherine knew a couple of things about addictions. One of the best ways to get over them, especially at the beginning, is finding something to occupy the mind so as not to think about it. As Peter McMillan had done years before, whenever Bree had a moment of weakness, Katherine would look for a distraction. Therefore they would go for a walk or shopping together, invent and improve new recipes or watch movies. Although it seemed to help, Bree still looked very tired and depressed every day. Nevertheless, Katherine was sure that it was just a matter of patience. Recovery always takes time.

The truth was, though, that for the whole week Katherine had been living with her, Bree had not slept at all. Staying sober was too much of an effort for her. During the daytime, her friend was there to help her, but at night she was completely alone. Even though she was only a few steps away, in the guest room, Bree was feeling uncomfortable in her own bedroom. Her bed felt cold and lonely. She could not stand the darkness and the silence, which reminded her every instant of the emptiness in her life. The quiet was driving her insane, and the lack of sleep was slowly taking its toll on her. She could not go on like that anymore. If only there was something to help her close her eyes again…

She stepped outside her room, walking slowly and barefoot, trying not to make the tiniest bit of noise. If Katherine woke up and found out what she was doing, she would be very upset. The floor was cold and the corridor looked endless. Breathing with difficulty, she made her way to the stairs and started heading for the living room. She would be there soon… it was just a couple of meters away from her… She could already see the kitchen door standing in front of her. Anxious and excited, she pushed it and moved into the kitchen.

Upstairs, a strange dream about falling from a cliff made Katherine open her eyes abruptly. It took her a few seconds to remember where she was, but then she felt calmer. She turned to the other side and tried to fall asleep again. Yet she suddenly had to sit up. She thought she had heard a noise. Without thinking twice, she got up and listened carefully. There was definitely someone downstairs. Fearing the worst, she tiptoed to the ground floor, following the noise.

Meanwhile, Bree had already found the bottle of white wine she had been hiding at the back of one of her cupboards. She had managed to uncork it relatively silently and mentally congratulated herself on that. Her hands trembled as she poured the beverage in a cup. She knew she was doing wrong, but she also knew she needed it. She took the cup close to her mouth, but right before the liquor touched her lips, a voice behind her made her give a start.

'What do you think you're doing?!'

She turned back to see Katherine standing by the door, her arms crossed in front of her chest, with a very angry look in her eyes.

'It was just… it was just one glass…' Bree stuttered.

'Of course! First it's only one glass, but then there's another one… and another one… and another one' Katherine said as she walked slowly towards her friend 'Now get your hands off that cup!'

'Katherine, please…'

'I SAID GET YOUR HANDS OFF THAT DAMN CUP!!!' Katherine yelled.

Bree stood motionless. She wanted to obey, but if her friend only knew how desperately she needed that drink.

'Leave the glass on the table' Katherine ordered, a bit calmer 'For God's sake, do you really want to ruin all the work we've done this week?'

'I couldn't sleep' Bree's eyes were filled with tears 'I haven't sleep for days and I'm exhausted all the time… I just needed some help…'

'And you thought you'd find it at the end of a bottle, very clever! Now move over, I have something to get rid of'

Reluctantly and still shivering, Bree left the kitchen. From the sofa, where she was sitting, she heard Katherine empty the cup and the bottle on the sink. Then she sat next to her and stared at her.

'Why did you lie to me?' Katherine asked 'You said you had got rid of all the alcohol in this house'

'This was the last one' Bree replied 'I was just keeping it for an emergency'

'Bree, there's no such thing as a drinking emergency. No excuse is good for drinking'

'But I had to…'

'No, you didn't' Katherine said firmly 'It's all just on your mind. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. It starts from time to time to celebrate the good times… then you also drink in the bad times to cheer yourself up… then everyday… until you finally lose control' her eyes began to fill with tears 'And suddenly you find yourself throwing the person you're supposed to love against a wall because you didn't get your fix'

Bree shook her head.

'I'm not like Wayne. I'm not hurting anyone'

'You're hurting yourself, don't you realize that?'

'Who cares? I'm alone, I'm useless. No-one would miss me'

Unable to hold herself, Katherine slapped Bree across the face, who touched her cheek to ease the pain.

'I'm so sorry' Katherine cried 'I didn't mean to do that. But I just couldn't take any other stupid comment like that. I know you feel your life is meaningless, I'm going through the same as you, trust me. But don't you ever again dare to say that no-one cares about you, because that's absolutely not true. There's someone who does care about you… a lot'

Bree broke into tears.

'I'm sorry. I feel so stupid right now. I'm sorry I lied to you and nearly let everything go to waste. But it was late, and I didn't want to be a burden. Can you forgive me?'

'Come here' Katherine hugged her friend 'No more lies. You know I'm here for you, so next time you're feeling the urge to drink, promise me you'll call me… no matter what the time is'

'I will'

They stayed in that embrace for some time, crying together. Katherine broke it and cupped Bree's face to look deep into her eyes, smiling amongst the tears.

'And now we should go to sleep. We have things to prepare tomorrow'

'But what will I do if I can't?' Bree wondered.

'Call me' Katherine said 'Call me and I'll do whatever it takes. I don't care if I have to stay up all night watching you, if I have to sing or if I have to tell you a story like you were a little child'

Bree laughed at that comment. Katherine caressed her cheek, wiping away the tears that were still falling. Then she held out her hand.

'Come on, let's go to rest'

Hand in hand, both friends walked upstairs. Hopefully, they could still sleep a couple more hours…

The next day, Bree had more energy than she had had in months. She had only slept two hours the night before, but that already made a difference. This made it easier for her to spend the whole day doing flower arrangements and cooking fancy dishes for a christening party she had had to organize together with Katherine. It had been exhausting, but the hard work was worth it, so the two of them were smiling with satisfaction on the way home.

'I think we're doing better each time' Katherine commented.

'Definitely' Bree nodded 'You were right – being busy really helps'

'I'm glad to hear that' Katherine smiled and put her arm around her friend's waist, encouragingly.

Bree smiled back. She usually did not like public display of affection much, but for some reason she was getting used to Katherine who, although cold and distant at first, enjoyed showing tenderness every once in a while, especially to those she cared about.

'I know it's late, but I'm having a bath before going to bed' Katherine announced once they were already home 'Do you want me to prepare anything for you?'

'No, I'm fine' Bree responded 'I think I'll just go to bed and try to sleep'

'Are you sure you don't want me to bring you anything? Seriously, it wouldn't be a problem for me to bring you a tea or something warm to help you relax'

'I'll be fine' Bree assured her 'Just go and enjoy your bath'

Of course, Bree was too proud to admit that she was scared. She is not the kind of person who likes to ask for help. Even if the thought of spending one whole night alone in her bedroom frightened her, she would not tell that to Katherine. What would she think of her? That was not the way she was. Bree was a lady, a strong woman in total control of herself, not a child afraid of bedtime.

Changing her party clothes and putting on her nightdress was easy, and getting to bed was alright. She looked around herself before switching off the light, telling herself that there was no reason to feel strange. It was her own bedroom, she had been sleeping there for years and years, and nothing had changed about it. Everything was in its place, perfectly tidy. Besides, she was not alone. Katherine was also there to give her anything she needed. Anyway, she did not need anyone.

She switched off the light. And for no apparent reason, as soon as the darkness surrounded her, all those terrible thoughts came back. Once again, her ideas seemed to echo in the emptiness, tormenting her.

'Look at yourself, you're pathetic' a voice in her head appeared to tell her 'Home? This is no home! Where's your precious family? Everyone has abandoned you. You're completely alone. And Katherine? She doesn't care about you either. She'll leave as soon as she thinks you're getting better. She'll just go away, like everyone else did. Why don't you have a drink? This is the only thing you can count on'

Shocked by all those tricks her mind was playing on her, Bree jumped out of her bed and headed downstairs. She had to calm herself somehow.

Katherine had already dried herself and put on her nightdress. Looking forward to her bed, it occurred to her first that it would be a good idea to check on Bree. Although she had sounded pretty sure, it was better to be safe than sorry. As soon as she stepped out of the bathroom, she felt a shiver down her spine when she realized that the light in Bree's room was on. She hurried there to find her friend dissolving a white pill in a glass of water.

'What is that?'

Bree gave a start before looking at her.

'It's… an aspirin' she lied 'I have a bit of a headache'

'It was a rhetorical question. Do you really think I'm that stupid? Give me that sleeping pill'

'It's not a…'

'Give me the pill'

'Katherine…'

'Right now!'

In a sudden, rebellious moment, Bree ignored her friend and took the glass to her mouth. Luckily, Katherine was quick enough to prevent her from drinking it, causing the glass to fall to the floor and break into many small pieces and the liquid to spill on the floor.

'I'm sorry, I'll clean it up'

'Why do you do this to me, Katherine?' Bree whined 'I just wanted to get some sleep!'

'The last thing you need right now is another addiction!' Katherine exclaimed.

It did not take her long to tidy up the mess. After that, she sat on Bree's bed, looking at her as she was a naughty child.

'What am I gonna do with you?' she wondered.

Bree looked down, slightly embarrassed. At that moment, she thought that she was acting like a drug addict and that made her feel very ashamed of herself. Nothing was harder for her than to admit her own weaknesses.

'I don't know what's wrong with me' she hissed 'It was a great day and I was fine, but even though I'm really tired, I can't sleep'

Katherine took her hand.

'But why? What is it that doesn't let you sleep?'

'It's hard to explain. I'm… scared. It's only when I'm lying here on my own when I realize how empty everything is and how lonely I am'

'But you're not. Sweetie, you know I'm only a couple of rooms away…'

'That's not enough…'

Suddenly, the shadow of a smile appeared on Katherine's face.

'You know what? I think I know how to help you. Make some place for me'

'What?' Bree asked, confused 'What are you doing?'

'I'm sleeping with you' Katherine got in the bed, next to her friend.

Seeing Bree's shocked expression, Katherine had to laugh.

'Oh, come on, don't look at me like that' she said 'I really meant sleeping'

Bree was feeling terribly awkward, which she could not hide. Of course, Katherine noticed it.

'Trust me, it's gonna be good' she whispered 'I used to do this with Dylan when she was little and it always worked. You'll feel very safe'

'I think I'm already feeling better' Bree lied 'You can go back to your room'

Katherine stared at her friend.

'No, I'm fine here. After the glass of wine yesterday and tonight's pill, I don't think I can really trust you. I just want to help'

'And you're gonna help me by making me feel uncomfortable?' Bree exclaimed.

'It won't be that bad' Katherine promised 'Now let's get some rest'

She turned off the light. Bree would have wanted to run away, but she was too weak. She could not bear that feeling of powerlessness and, unable to avoid it, she began to cry.

'Come here' she heard Katherine whisper.

She felt her friend's arms around her, one of her hands caressing her red hair. That extreme closeness, that contact with another human body, made her feel even more vulnerable, but strangely protected at the same time.

'It's gonna be fine. I'm gonna get you through this' Katherine's breath tickled her ear.

Minutes later, she was already calm. There did not seem to be any trace of the demons that tortured her at night. Maybe that was exactly what she had needed all along – a hug and someone to take care of her. As much as she hated to recognize it, she had no longer energy to play the strong woman. And without even noticing it, she closed her eyes peacefully and fell asleep.

To be continued…