Winnie doesn't have a cold, like the call from daycare made it sound like, she's sick. Her skin almost burns against the cheek that Harding presses to her forehead.

"Oh, poor lovey." She balances her on her hip, receiving no help from the limp arms and heavy head that's resting on her shoulder. A plastic bag dangles from one wrist, filled with cough syrup and juice.

"Mummy…wanna go home," Winnie mutters, half-asleep.

"I know baby, but Mummy's got to work. We'll tuck you in all nice, all right?"

They're almost to the office when Chase appears. "I've got to go check this place out. Keys?"

"Back pocket."

He takes them, replacing them with her's he'd snatched. "She right?"

"She's sick," Harding eyes him. "What's wrong?"

He grimaces. "My dad."

"Here?"

"Talking to House."

"Fuck." she shifts Winnie, grunting a little.

"You okay, then? After Gabe's dad-"

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me: I've dealt with worse." she jerks her head down the hall. "Go on then. I'll hope your dad doesn't remember me."

He frowns. "You were the only one of my girlfriends he ever liked."

"Well then: I'll pretend like I don't remember him."

She doesn't, of course. She clasps his hand and kisses his cheek. "How are you, Rowen?"

"Very well, my dear. And you?"

"Oh, you know, a sick little one. Never a fun day. Let me go put her down." She returns after laying Winnie down in House's dark office. "What are you doing state-side then?"

"Conference in the city. I was going to come and say hello to Robert, but-"

Harding puts a cup of tea into his hands. "Well, I see both sides, so not sure I'm the one to convince him."

Rowen chuckles. "There's that Aussie honesty. You and Robert going back any time soon?"

"Oh no we're not- I came out here in June to take care of my aunt. Winnie and I are moving back as soon as possible." That was the plan, but now - like everything - a wrench has been thrown into it.

"You two aren't together? So that's-" he gestures to where Winnie sleeps.

"What, you think we had a kid and didn't tell you?" she laughs sardonically. "No, we haven't been together for almost four years."

Rowen just 'hms' and sips his tea, but he knows the eyes of the little girl that blinked at him sleepily.

"I'm not gonna be much fun," she warns. "Grab her then, will you?"

Robert looks down at Winnie, then stoops awkwardly, scooping her up. She's still warm, and oddly heavy for someone so small. He arranges her in his arms as best as possible. It's like being a kid again, picking up his baby sister.

"That's all right. I just don't really feel like drinking alone." He's overly conscious of the arms around his neck, the cheek on his shoulder. "I'm surprised he didn't convince you to tell me to see him."

"You know how I feel about fathers. Though I assume on a base level that yours is better than mine."

Robert grunts noncommittally. "If you want to take her in the car, I'll take the bike and go get food, since I'm imposing. What do you want?"

"Whatever. And don't bother for her, I've got soup at home." She hesitates, playing with her bun as he slides Winnie into the backseat. "And I know it's not a fantastic time but could we…talk about something?"

"You never want to talk."

"Oh, don't look so suspicious." she leans up on her tip-toes to kiss him, taking the keys from his hand. "Nothing bad. Just to make me feel better."

"Right." His eyebrows raise, then lower just as quickly. "See you in a sec, then. Thai good then?"

The sun is like an oven, even through the scarf she's wrapped around her head. She stands at the pump under the awning, watching petrol leak away her cash. All there is along this part of Highway One is land, dry and packed. Scrubby trees eek out an existence under a dome of a sky.

"You look like you could use a drink."

She jumps, not having heard the door of the small store squeak open. An elderly woman sticks her head out.

"I'm all right, thank you."

"It's too hot to be crying like that. Come inside."

Bowen nods, grateful. A/C hits her like a wall, drying her tears. The woman cracks open a bottle of water, icy from the cooler.

"There ya go. I'm Sarah."

She stops drinking to answer. "Bowen."

"What you running from, Bowen?"

"Who says I'm running?"

"You're crying and have your life tied to your bike. A man?"

"Sort of."

"Where you from?"

"Sydney. I'm going to Perth."

Sarah nods. "Everyone who passes through here is. Did you love him?"

"Still do. It's why I'm leaving."

"Sounds like some fucked up logic to me."

"It isn't. Not in my shoes. Thank you, for the water."

"No problem. If you drive fast, you'll be at the nearest motel before nine."

"Thank you. I really…I really appreciate it."

"Not many things to appreciate in life somedays."

Bowen touches her stomach accusingly."Isn't that the truth."