"Oh shut up, Anthony," she said almost companionably.  She was at her best when they were arguing, it kept her on her toes.  Karen settled on her bottom and leaned into Anthony's strong back, catching herself just before she sighed.  She relied on him more than he knew, more than she would admit.  It was comforting to have him close although that was something else she would certainly never admit to anyone, least of all herself.  Anthony was the closest thing she had to a friend, and was really the only equal she had ever found.  He could hold his own in verbal sparring and physical fighting, although she did wonder why she sometimes caught him staring at her with an odd expression on his face and why he shivered just now when they touched.  He certainly couldn't be cold.