Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"A club. Maybe the haft of a shortspear or staff. Possibly a rolling pin or just a stick," Beth says very, very softly, eyes locked to Liz's face. "The bruising is criss-crossed, layered. So unless you fell, got up, fell again, got up and fell a third time..." I have seen this... dozens, scores of times. The injury pattern, then evasive explanation, the guilty, ashamed way her eyes slide away. The hesitations and jerky delivery of patches of smooth explanation, as if trying to patch together well worn explanations into a new story."

[Marian Hawke]

"I, it must have been the stairs -- bumping down them, you see -- each step must have-- I should get home before Cindy worries." She takes a step back, then another, eyes anywhere but on Beth.

[Bethany]

Beth's hand snaps out to grab her arm, clearly determined to not let this go without a fight.

[Marian Hawke]

Liz jumps, freezing in place, stock-still, eyes wide, nostrils flared. 

[Bethany]

Beth's heart stills, feeling crushed inside her chest. That's... victim behavior, her mind provides almost absently. "...Liz?" she asks in a tiny voice, needing it to not be true. "It's Beth. Your sister."

[Marian Hawke]

It's Beth (my sister) this is my sister (stop it stop it stop it stop it) 

With almost divine levels of restraint, she manages to croak out in a hoarse whisper, "Please let go of me."

[Bethany]

Bethany hesitates, her twin needs of not letting her sister run and needing to respect her independence warring. It's the later that wins after a trio of heartbeats. "Please talk to us," Beth begs as she drops her hand. "Please Liz, we can help, just...""

[Marian Hawke]

She takes a few steps back, her fingers twitching -- an old habit, more to remind herself than anything else. She doesn't put any magic into it. She takes a deep breath, letting it out, then another, slowly forcing relaxation into her shoulders. 

"I... I need to go home," she whispers. "I'll, I'll see you tomorrow for dinner?"

[Tethras Clan]

Beth licks her lips. "Are you... are you... safe there?" she ask carefully, trying to keep any hint of accusation out of her tone.

[Marian Hawke]

Liz nods, vigorously. "Yes. I-- I want my girlfriend and my cats and a big mug of cocoa," she half-whimpers. "Okay? But I'll be back tomorrow, okay?"

[Bethany]

"Promise me?" Bethany asks, forcing a smile. "I'll make roast duck and... and that rosemary bread you love. Oh! And let me..." She reaches for Liz, pauses, then extends a single finger. "Finish healing your arm," she offers weakly, hating that she needs to explain, that Liz is so traumatized she can't trust her sister.

[Marian Hawke]

"Of course," she says, forcing a smile on her face. "I wouldn't miss your rosemary bread for anything."

And that, at least, isn't even a lie.

[Carver Amell]

Carver swallows hard, closing the door behind his sister, then turns back to Beth. "Should I get Aveline?" he asks quietly. "Set up a sting for tomorrow?"

[Bethany]

Beth is silent a long moment, then wordlessly reaches out towards him.

[Carver Amell]

He heads for the sofa, kneeling to pull her into his arms without making it harder to get up and get help in a minute.