Alex hadn't heard from Emily since they'd both returned to DC.

It was odd, granted...but they'd agreed that it was in everyone's best interest that Emily take some time for herself to figure out what she wanted, moving forwards. Whether or not Alex would be a part of it...well, that remained to be seen.

It hadn't taken long, though, for Alex to grow concerned. Emily wasn't responding to her texts or answering her phone calls. She wasn't even updating her Facebook page...or the bookstore's socials, in spite of the fact that she'd re-opened the store. She'd tried to tell herself that it was no reason to worry...to no avail.

Which is how she'd once again found herself on the bookstore's doorstep, trying to convince herself that everything was fine, she was just a worrywart.

Nothing seemed amiss as she entered, the little bell above the door cheerfully announcing her presence. Emily wasn't behind the little counter, but she often was elsewhere in the shop, doing various chores and upkeep, so Alex didn't immediately jump to the worst case scenario.

"Hello?" she called out. "Emily?

No reply.

With a frown, she headed deeper into the shop, trying not to let her fears get the best of her. The first sign of Emily's presence was the retching sounds coming from the little staff bathroom. Alex's first reaction was a sigh of relief that she was clearly still alive (or not so alive, as the case may be), followed quickly by concern.

She knocked on the bathroom door. "Em? Are you okay?"

Almost immediately, the door flung open and Emily poked her head out. "Alex!" she exclaimed, clearly surprised to see her. She was doing her best to shield Alex's view of the inside of the bathroom and if Alex found that suspicious, she chose not to immediately voice it. "What... What are you doing here?" Emily asked.

"I came to check on you," she said, a little hurt by the curt greeting. "I was worried..."

"Oh..." A beat. "Just...give me a second." The door closed and was followed by the sound of running water, then gargling, spitting. When she reemerged, her face was damp from the water she'd splashed on her skin; it did nothing to hide the sickly green tinge to it, though. "Why don't we go back to the front," she suggested, attempting to divert Alex's attention while she surreptitiously slipped out of the bathroom.

As the bathroom door swung open behind her, though, Alex couldn't help but see the toiletries lining the little ledge behind the sink. "Are you living here?" she asked, whipping around to fix Emily with an incredulous expression.

"What... No, I... I'm not..." she stammered, feeling a flush creep up her cheeks under Alex's scrutiny. Her inability to finish a sentence gave the answer away and earned her a pointed glare in response. Heaving a sigh, she admitted, "Maybe..."

"Emily!" Alex scolded.

She shrank in on herself, hunching her shoulders up near her ears sheepishly, already well aware of what she was going to say.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Alex demanded, not sure who she was more upset with – Emily for not saying anything or herself for not checking in sooner.

"You said you needed some space and I didn't want to impose," she said quietly. "Clara got a new roommate while I was gone, so I couldn't go back to the apartment and it's so hard to find a place on such short notice, so I've been staying here while I wait for something to open up. It's fine. Not a big deal."

Alex clearly begged to differ. "Emily, you're pregnant... Old books are full of mould and mildew and dust mites and all sorts of things that are probably terrible for you to be breathing in right now."

She shrugged in a manner that seemed to say what choice do I have?

Leaving no room for argument, Alex said, "Pack your things."

"But..." The meagre attempt at protest earned her a glare, so she wisely decided not to argue further and held up her hands in surrender. Retreating into the storeroom/employee break room where she'd been sleeping on a threadbare old couch, she began packing up her things. Sensing Alex watching her, she glanced over her shoulder and offered a contrite smile. "I really don't want to impose," she said and when that earned her a pointed stare, she amended, "But since you insist upon it, I want you to know that I really appreciate this. It won't be for long; I'm on the waitlist for several different apartments, so hopefully it won't be more than a week."

Alex didn't seem to be concerned about that, though. "Did you really think I wouldn't take you in?" she asked quietly, sounding almost wounded.

"I knew that you would," she replied. "I knew that you would feel obligated because of our history and because I'm pregnant and then I would feel guilty because I'd know that every single day I was there was another painful reminder of how I betrayed you. I wanted you to have the space you needed, so you wouldn't feel like I was trying to pressure you into a relationship. I respect you too much to do that."

"Emily..." she started, stopped, struggling for the right words. "You are not an imposition. Or a burden or an obligation. You're a friend. You're someone I care about deeply. Regardless of whether we're together or not."

Emily smiled faintly in appreciation of the sentiment, though it was quite clear she didn't really believe it. "Well, thanks. I'm lucky to have you in my life."

Alex took her bags from her and carried them to her car, in spite of Emily's repeated insistence that she could carry them herself. And, once they were safely stowed in the trunk and her hands were free, she turned and wrapped Emily in a tight embrace. "Always, Em," she whispered beside her ear. "I am always here for you."