Ellen goes quiet, and Neal realizes for the first time that she’s scared. Which, for him, is terrifying. Even as a 35 year old trauma survivor, Ellen is still his measure of calm. The child in him still uses her moods as a marker of stability.

It’s a little harder to breathe than it was a minute ago.

“Stay with us,” he says, quietly pleading. “Or if not… with us, then somewhere Mozzie or Malcolm can set up. It’s going to be more secure than staying here.”