He says thought about you so casually, unashamed, and she manages to meet his eyes for about a full five seconds or so after it before she finally averts her eyes, lowering them momentarily.

"Guess we see what happens when you're not around to offer your southern pervert protection services."

Her laughter is understated, barely more than an exhale, but it's there and genuine, and she shakes her head a little before she looks him in the face again.

"It's a long story. I was heading downstairs to look for more people and ran into Bruce in the lobby before we heard gunshots coming from nearby. We hid behind front desk while a group of Dragons went through, and Bruce knocked out the guy who lagged behind. Another one doubled back for him, and we" -- she -- "had to take them both out. In the meantime, we hear the rest of the group run into resistance somewhere around the lounge. There was a big gunfight there. But Bruce and I had gone that little office by the shops." He'll know the one, probably; he was with her that first night. "And I heard something outside." She shrugs her shoulders slightly. "Opened the window to look out" -- thinking he could be out there needing help -- "and saw Vincent lying there with two Dragons standing guard. I climbed into a tree from the window, thinking I could get down there and help him."

She presses her lips together, then offers him another half-smile.

"This is going to sound crazy, but I promise this is how it happened."