With every single muscle in his body protesting, his brain screeching that there must be another way, and his face a tight grimace, Cobra did the most (mentally) difficult thing he'd ever done in his life. Which essentially, boiled down to him leaning over just barely enough so that his silhouette was visible on the lacrima screen and croaking out, "Hey, I got back early."
Lucy's eyes and mouth went into circles of surprise that quickly gave way to an almost painful level of joy, which was then replaced by a forced neutral face as Cobra's grimace grew. She didn't know why he'd thrown himself to the wolves, but that didn't make it any less miraculous to her. "Ah, you scared me there Fix-It! This is my partner. Sorry if you can't get many words out, I'm the one who does most of the talking."
Cobra desperately searched for any hint of acknowledgment at his presence, but all he could glean was mild surprise from Sorano. Well, I suppose that confirms a second person. Although that timing does seem a little too quick… Equally quickly, however, was the dropped idea of coming back to this place. Cobra would have groaned in relief if he hadn't been on the clock. Then, as if to spite his optimistic thoughts, Sorano added "Hmm, that's what I've heard. Sorry, I know I said I wanted your opinion, but I think this situation calls for your partner's instead."