Vera felt like she could get used to falling asleep in Joan's arms. She smiled at the heat radiating from the other woman's body. She was enjoying the moment when it lasted, until she heard Joan inhaling then exhaling sharply. She was waking up. Her grip on the smaller woman's frame loosened as she realized what brought her to the floor.

Vera moved away from the other woman and stood up. She put her tie on its place and ran her hand through tousled hair. She was turned from the other woman with her back. She didn't know what her presence meant. Was she looking after her or was it another game? Vera was overwhelmed with the feeling of being used. She let the Governor do things to her. She was the one to insinuate them. Yet, she felt used. "Did the last two days mean anything to you?" She asked.

"Vera, you know better than to ask..."

She turned to face the Governor. "Listen! I told you about my condition because I trusted you. I told you about Fletch because I trusted you. Hell, I did things to you, things I've never done to anyone. But it doesn't matter anymore, does it? My disease disgusts you. You don't need to pretend ..."

Joan approached her. "I'm not pretending." She draw her hand to Vera's cheek but the other woman stepped away.

"I disgust you, don't I? I'm just your little toy. I easily fell into your embrace and you're enjoying it. Just when I wasn't convenient anymore, you wanted me out. Now you just feel sorry." She swallowed back her tears and waited for a response.

Joan put her head down. Her little mouse was right. She was playing with her. She treated her like crap. But she wasn't like that anymore, was she? "I couldn't have you there with me."

"Bullshit. Don't tell me you gave Anderson the special treatment because you felt like it. You fancy her. I noticed it, the prisoners noticed it." She was talking in the tone she's never used before.

"It's not like that."

"The gossips are true, then? You like young pregnant inmates. What does that make me?"

A hushed whisper came out of Joan's mouth. "Don't talk about my Jianna." She turned around and headed to the door. She attempted to hide her tears but the loud sobs made it impossible. She wanted to get out of the room. That woman wasn't her Vera anymore. She walked through the empty corridors of the prison, making her way to the parking lot. Silent clicking of heels was following her, but she stretched her long legs wider and walked faster. She couldn't handle any more humiliation.

But Vera walked fast enough to catch the Governor before she reached her car. She grabbed her arm from behind and didn't let go, until the strong muscles underneath relaxed. She made two steps further, standing in front of the taller woman. She noticed dried tears on Joan's red face and swollen eyes. She wanted to reach out her small hands and caress the other woman's cheeks but she couldn't.

"Why did you tell me to get out of there?" She silently asked. Her voice was empty. Joan gazed into Vera's eyes only to look away. She couldn't stand the sensation of the younger woman's look. Even after that she could feel the blue orbs piercing holes in her skull. The smaller woman wanted to ask the Governor to respond but she had to do it the right way. She cleared her throat. Seeing the other woman's weaknesses made her feel tall. She took a step further and Joan backed up. Vera approached her one more time to see her recede. After making a few steps backward, Joan hit the fence with her back. Vera pressed herself closer to her, making her heartbeat dangerously fast.

She couldn't decide if she was shocked, frightened or turned on by her deputy's actions. She achingly wanted to take the charge but she wasn't strong enough. She was waiting for whatever Vera was going to do. She couldn't read her face. She didn't know what to expect. When nothing happened, Joan let out a long sob. "I'm sorry." She whispered in a husked tone. Vera's expression didn't change. "I failed you."

The deputy snored.

"I failed you." Joan repeated. "I failed daddy." She let out a tear. "I failed Jianna."

"Don't say that."

"I don't recall requesting you pity." Vera let go of her. "I didn't want to make that mistake again. I didn't want to disappoint you. But I did. And I'm terribly sorry." She started walking in the direction of her car. She was still in Vera's earshot but didn't turn back. "I am a Freak." She hoped the other woman would walk away. She got inside her car and fastened the seat belt.

When she was about to start the car, Vera got inside as well. Once she closed the door, she turned her face to Joan's. "You're not a Freak." The Governor looked at her, dumbfounded, her eyes wide opened. The deputy put her hand gently on Joan's knee and squeezed it reassuringly. Joan flinched at the contact. She glanced at the small hand and smiled. It didn't go unnoticed by Vera. "For the record, I'm not over your reaction to my confession."

Joan nodded. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words didn't come. She run her right hand down the steering wheel, pleased with the softness of leather. She ran her fingers up. Vera was still in her car. Vera was still touching her knee. The younger woman's hand was beaming with heat through Joan's slacks straight to her core, and she didn't even move it.

Joan's cheeks were flushed. Vera felt some kind of satisfaction from causing it, even if it was unintentional.