For a while. It was hard to trust anything, after that. [It was the first time she tried to keep her heart in a box, and the first time she realised it wouldn't work.]

Eventually - I found a middle ground. My second dad, he's as solid as a rock. That was my foundation. And then...I found others. [Her smile is one of worn, aching fondness.]

They weren't perfect, no matter how much they wanted to be. But I always knew I could rely on them.

Trust isn't something you should just give away, but it can be earned.