It was almost midnight when the front door was slowly pushed open. Ali entered quietly, nose twitching. Inside, she smiled at the scent of Molly's soup filling the room. As she quietly closed the door, her clothing shifted—mukluks becoming anklets; tights to light shorts; tight top to loose camisole. She sat heavily on the couch and began to softly sob.

Softly from the kitchen: "Ali? Is that you?" Molly entered the main room and stopped. She rushed over, kneeling in front of her wife. "What is it, love?"

"It's done. They won't be hurting others. Micha is safe. And I… I did things tonight I never thought I'd do. I feel… unsettled, numb…"

"What did you do?"

"I confronted them. I… Ronnie is writing his confession for Mr. Hemanez. He's also handin' over a list of his filmin' women without permission, and the predators involved, to the cops. It's a magick compulsion. He's also never gonna film things like that again." She paused, ears drooping slightly. "The vid of Micha is gone. Destroyed. And then I visited Keltam…"

Molly gently stroked the fur of her wife's shoulder. "Ali…"

"It's ok, Molly. He's been taken care of. He won't be a threat to others for the rest of his life. And his nickname is physically accurate." She sighed, her voice very soft. "What type of monster am I? I tinkered with their minds. I cursed them. I emasculated Keltam. And I have little regret. They hurt Micha. That was enough. I've always put family first, tried to be between you and trouble. Between her and danger. This was so much more. Visceral, almost instinctual."

"Love, my Cajun queen, you are not a monster." Molly wrapped her arms around Ali, holding her tight. "Both Micha and I have known you're a protector, a defender, by nature for a long time. It seems that is only stronger now that you've found yourself—you are fierce, strong, powerful, and wise. You didn't go for blood, but for justice."

Ali nodded. "I worry." She curled into her wife's embrace. Her voice was faint. "I worry what I may do. What I may become."

"That you worry is good, you are aware of who you are. Remember that." Molly gently stroked her chin. "You should have some soup."

"I think you're right. It smells delish."

—«—»—

The next morning Micha woke from a dreamless sleep. Pulling herself out of bed, she wrapped the covers around herself and shuffled to the door. She crept down the hall to the kitchen, the faint smell of chicken soup leading her temptingly.

She found Ali and Molly sitting at the table, empty bowls pushed to one side. Molly was up and hugging her before she could say a word.

"Come on sis, sit. I'll warm you some soup."

Sitting, Micha looked between the others. "H-have you two been up all night?"

"Yeah, Sugha."

Squinting, Micha asked, "What happened after you put me to sleep. You look like hell Ali, and you're fidgeting—your 'bad' fidget."

"I went out."

Micha blinked. "Wha? 'Out'? Oh, Ali, why? What did y—"

Ali's voice was soft, still. "I went to see Ronnie and Nutless. Ronnie had recorded the…" She fell silent a moment, not wanting to hurt Micha. "I confronted him. We talked. The recording an' his phone are a pile of small, useless bits. Never went anywhere but his phone. He was paid by Nutless, and it wasn't the first time he'd done this. Nutless is now dealing with consequences of his action. And he also now fits his nickname."

"R-r-ronnie? He recorded…" Her voice dropped. "I wanna scream. I wanna just…" She fell silent.

Ali moved over to her and lay a hand on her shoulder. "It's gone. Irretrievable. He'll have written a letter to Julio. He'll have turned himself in along with a list of his patrons and his victims before you. An' if ya really wanna scream, ya can use my study—no neighbours to hear."

Micha looked up, stood, and hugged her sister-in-law tight. "Thank you, sis. Sweet Lady, thank you for being here."

Molly slid the bowl of soup onto the table. Her voice was soft and comforting. "Soup's ready, sis. Take your time.."

Micha nodded and faintly smiled as she sat back down and ate.