Surprises

McNally, open the door.

Oh thank God, you're OK. You're here and you're OK.

"Hi."

"Hi. How was your trip?

You're really OK – not dead, not hurt. You're safe.

"Good."

You look different. Thinner. Your hair is longer.

"How are you?"

"Great. It's good to see you."

"Glad to have you back."

I was so afraid I'd never see you again, never be able to tell you...no, I can't tell you anything. You made your choice – you left me. So I moved on, with Marlo. But it is good to see you, to have you back where I can keep an eye on you, be sure you're safe.

Later, in the lunchroom:

"So McNally's back...what does that mean?"

"Nothing. It's in the past."

Oh, McNally. You saw that, I guess. So now you know. What's that look for? You made it pretty clear you didn't want...us. Me. You have no right to look at me as if I cheated on you. Go on, get debriefed. We have nothing to talk about.

Damn it, why do I feel so guilty?