Their Bloody Rose

What's Wrong With Joanie?

About a month and a half had passed since they'd finished renovating Marissa's room. While not much else thrilling or out of the ordinary had happened, it was one of the happiest months of Marissa's life. Usually at this point she'd be moving on to a new city and having to start over again. But not this time. She had a home now, and she wasn't going anywhere.

Not only that, but Marissa also had a best friend for the first time in, she didn't even know how long. She and Joanie were as thick and thieves these days. She'd even had Joanie over to their house a few times to hangout and spend time together.

That was why when Marissa got to the club that night and saw Joanie wasn't there yet, she got worried. Joanie practically never missed, or was even late for work, and on those very rare occasions she was, she'd always let them know in advance.

It was less than 5 minutes before they opened, nearly 30 minutes after Joanie usually started her shift, when Joanie finally came rushing in. Marissa could tell she'd been crying. Joanie hid it well, but Marissa knew her well enough by now to be able to tell.

Marissa tried to ask Joanie about what was wrong, but Joanie brushed her off, giving her a random excuse saying she overslept a nap and got flustered and upset she'd be late. Marissa didn't buy that for a second, but it didn't seem like she should press her on it.

That feeling quickly changed, however, when Marissa saw Joanie reach for a bottle on a high back shelf. Her shirt lifted a little and Marissa was able to see multiple bruises on Joanie's side and back.

Marissa knew those kinds of bruises well from all the times she'd seen them on the girlfriends of her "uncle" Cain when she was growing up. Perfectly placed in some of the most sensitive, painful spots on the body, but still concealable and able to be explained away by some form of clumsiness.

Joanie was being abused.

Pure rage flooded Marissa at the thought of someone hurting her sweet, bubbly best friend. She'd kill who ever dared to put their hands on Joanie, and she'd make sure that death was the slowest and most painful she'd ever inflicted.

Trying to think of a way to get Joanie somewhere they could talk privately without spooking her, Marissa saw Fiona out on the floor and made a quick beeline for her. "Hey Fi," Marissa said quietly, getting Fiona's attention as discreetly as she could. "I need a favor."

Fiona smiled at her as she replied, "Whatever you need, just name it."

"Something's happening with Joanie," Marissa said, stepping close so only Fiona could hear her words. "I don't know for sure what it is cause she's got a pretty big wall up, but it could be something really bad. I need to talk to her somewhere private, but I feel like if I try to get her to go somewhere she'll just shut me out even more. Is there any chance you could find a reason to call her up to the office and convince Logan and Eddie to give me and her some privacy up there for a bit? I'm just really worried."

"Of course I can," Fiona said with a kind, caring look in her eyes. "I'll let the boys know and then figure out how to get her up there without making it obvious. You just go on up. And let me know if you need anything else, especially if there's some asses we need to kick."

"I will," Marissa said. "Thanks Fi. You're the best." She gave Fiona a quick kiss on the cheek before sneaking up to wait for Joanie in the office.

Marissa wasn't waiting up there long before Fiona walked in with Joanie and then quickly made an exit.

"What's happening?" Joanie asked confused as to why she'd just been brought up here to talk to Logan about bar supplies only to find Marissa waiting there for her instead.