[Closed - backdated to the day before the siege]

[incaution]

It's late in the afternoon when she seeks Neal out, much against her better instincts that scream at her to leave well enough alone. But the fact she's just spent a month of time contemplating his death as well as all kinds of what if situations has left her wanting to just check up on him, to see for herself that he's safe and alive and not doing

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[itchafes]

He's inside. He drags the window open and leans out, looking at Jo in that wide-eyed innocence he uses in place of surprise. It's almost embarrassing to see her. Not unpleasant, mind, just... strange and a little awkward and a reminder of vulnerabilities he'd as soon pretend were never there.

"Hi," he says. Articulate. "You're looking..."

Not quite as beaten up? "Better."

[incaution]

Better is about as good as she can say for herself too. "Yeah, so do you." She smiles, in spite of the fact she feels she should be backing away from him and his cabin. "I just wanted to drop by and check up on you, make sure...the clothes fit okay."

Oh yeah, that's exactly why she wants to come over. To see if his clothes that she gave him fit. Maybe he'll actually believe that, and she can just stand there and look awkward.

"Is..." She pauses, fidgeting a little. "This isn't a bad time, is it?" It's hard to tell, with that look on his face.

[itchafes]

He withdraws from the window without closing it, and a moment later there's the sound of a cabin door opening and closing. Neal tries to force his thoughts in to some kind of proper shape as he rounds the corner to meet her, the borrowed clothes hanging off his trim frame. He stops in front of her and spreads his hands in a shrug.

"They're miles better than what I had." He lets his hands drop. "Is that really why you came by?"

[incaution]

"What?" She forces an awkward laugh and tries to act like she can't imagine why he would be asking that, but she can only pretend like the question is foolish for a grand total of ten seconds before her shoulders lean forward and she sighs.

Well, shit.

"I did wanna see if you were okay." That part isn't a lie, but it's not the main reason she came by. "But mostly, I just wanted to see you." That admission feels cheesy and annoyingly girlish, but there's not much she can do about it now that it's out of her mouth.

"I...I guess I missed you."