Bow and Glimmer came and checked on them several more times throughout the night and next day, sitting on Adora so she would sleep for a few hours at least. Once she woke up from her nap, Adora determined that her girlfriend would feel better if she could take a bath and wash away all the grime and sweat. Convincing Catra of that was...difficult. But in the end, the sick girl grumbled a bit but agreed as long as it was a quick bath.

Adora helped Catra to the bath room, letting her get settled on a bench.

"Do I really have to?" Catra's voice was still rough as she tried the puppy eyes at her girlfriend again, hoping to distract her from the watery doom that awaited.

"Don't you feel gross? You've been sweating and coughing the last two days, please, it'll help you clear out the gunk that's caught in your fur." Adora pleaded

Catra sighed, allowing the blonde to help her pull her clothes off, shivering at the cool air.

"Come on, let's get you in the warm water, you'll feel better."

Stepping into the bath, Catra tried to suppress a shudder at the memories that arose unbidden: lowing green water and a crackle of electricity...

"You doing ok?" Adora's voice broke into her distress

"I--I think...," The sick girl began as she sank into the water, but as her shoulders were covered, the memories rose in a rush.

"Little sister, come into the light. Release your fear and pain and be made into Prime's image..."No, not again! Nonononononononono!

"--tra! Catra! Breathe! Come on, breathe with me. Breathe..." Adora's worried face swam in front of her eyes.

The cat girl shivered, curling in on herself, one hand clasping the back of her neck, searching to remove a chip that wasn't there anymore. It was several minutes before Catra slowly started taking in her surroundings again. The cool tile floor pressed against her back and rear, the bath water dripping from her fur into little puddles around her feet. Warmth spread from Adora's hands that were placed on her cheek and her right shoulder. Rubbing--Adora was gently rubbing her thumb over Catra's soft cheek fur...oh, smoothing away the tears pouring down her face. Blinking, Catra realized that she wasn't in the tub anymore. She had apparently launched herself out of the porcelain bath to huddle against the wall across the room, judging by the water all over the floor.

"Catra? Can you hear me? It's ok, I've got you...it's ok." Adora murmured, her hands continuing their comforting motions.

"Huhn, A...Adora?" The cat girl's voice was so quiet that Adora only caught it because she saw her lips move.

"I'm here, I'm right here," the blonde whispered soothingly, " I'm so sorry, I should have thought about Pri--about before." She caught herself, "Here, do you want to sit on the bench?" Catra nodded, staggering to her feet, Adora looped herself under Catra's arm, supporting her for the few steps to the bench. Grabbing a towel, Adora began gently drying the tan fur on Catra's back and shoulder.

"Don't you have...have to use soap...first?" Catra's voice was a little louder this time. Adora stopped, shocked at what the cat girl was saying.

"Y-You still want a bath?"

Catra flinched, but nodded, mumbling,

"I do feel pretty gross...but maybe...maybe less water...in...in the tub."

Adora bobbed her head, pulling away for a moment, murmuring,

"Hang on, I have an idea." Catra shuddered, bereft of Adora's body heat next to her, watching as the blonde drained the tub. Adora filled several basins with steaming water, placing them on the floor near her before striding back over to the cat girl. "OK, ready?"

"Yeah..." Catra struggled to her feet, leaning into strong arms that suddenly encircled her shivering frame.

"Easy does it," Adora encouraged, "I'll get this over with as quick as I can, k?" Steadying her girlfriend as she stepped into the now empty tub, the blonde grabbed the lavender chamomile soap and a couple wash cloths, creating a nice lather on each. Glancing at Catra who gestured for one of the soapy rags, Adora started gently scrubbing the other girl's back and shoulders while Catra cleaned her face and arms.

"Do you want me to wash your hair?" Adora questioned, knowing that Catra's ears were sensitive and so she usually didn't want anyone touching her head.

"Hmm, yeah, probably." Picking up on her exhausted tone, the blonde tenderly massaged the soap into the chocolate brown hair, taking extra care around the furry ears, eliciting a small purring rumble from Catra.

"I'm going to start rinsing out the soap, ok?"

"Sure."

Pouring only a little at a time so Catra (hopefully) wouldn't get overwhelmed again, Adora washed the bubbles out of Catra's fur and hair.

Catra actually felt better, albeit tired, after her bath; she couldn't comprehend why that was though, being doused with water was doom itself. Must be the fever or brain fog or whatever. A large cloth suddenly wrapped around her and she jumped, fearing a trap. It was just Adora though, drying her off with a towel, paying special attention to her hair. She would have a hard time admitting it, but Catra enjoyed the gentle touches. A hand on her shoulder brought her gaze up to meet Adora's eyes.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

The cat girl ran a hand through her bangs, enjoying the clean feeling.

"Pretty good...thanks, Adora." The blonde beamed back at her, setting a pair of fresh night clothes on Catra's lap as she made her way to the little vanity in search of a hair brush. The cat girl pulled the cotton bottoms on and shrugged into the button-up top but a wave of weariness caused her arms to shake so badly at that point that she left it open, focusing her energy on staying upright.

"Almost done, just have to brush out your hair and then back to bed with you." Adora stated as she began combing through the short, brunette locks. When she received no response after several minutes, the blonde knelt down in front of her girlfriend, noting her flushed cheeks and dazed expression. Looking down, she also noticed the pajama shirt was undone. Reminding herself that she had literally just helped her girlfriend through an anxiety attack and so of course she would be worn out, Adora buttoned the shirt up quickly before getting to her feet.

"Catra? I'm gonna pick you up, ok? We're going to get you back in bed."

Sleepily, Catra's eyes fluttered, latching onto the wavy blonde figure in front of her in an effort to stay awake, the cat girl managed a slow nod of acknowledgement. Strong arms lifted her up, cradling her against a warm chest. Catra finally let her eyes close as she listened to the steady thumping of Adora's heart.

After Catra settled back in Adora's bed, the blonde let the strained tears fall silently, gripping the sleeping girl's hand. She had witnessed Catra's panic attacks before, and Catra had seen her through her attacks, but today was uber intense, probably due to the water? Adora knew a little bit about what had happened on Prime's ship, but Catra couldn't tell her much before the memories would flood in, halting her words. But Adora would let her have time to process all of it, she wanted to make Catra feel safe and so she's going to stay right by her side as long as it takes...for the rest of their lives. Lifting up Catra's hand for a tender kiss, she whispered even though she knew the cat girl couldn't hear her,

"I'm staying, ok? I pomise."

Adora stretched out under the blanket with her girlfriend, curling up and carding her hand through Catra's soft hair and let herself fall asleep, listening to Catra purring