[mm; a long-awaited return]

[bythatmuch]

When Ben and Max step through the door from Milliways back into their France hotel room, Max doesn't even try to cover up the sigh that leaves him. It's a mix of relief and sadness - his vacation is very much over, but he is, at least, back in his own world. With Ben.

(Alex will come through later, after they're back in DC. Max doesn't want to put

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[imthegoodguy]

"Yeah," Ben says, a little distant.

[bythatmuch]

"Okay."

No turning back, this time. Max takes a breath and grabs his cell, dialing.

"Not hungry, right? I know we had breakfast but it's almost l- oh, hi, Chief."

He holds up a finger to Ben, bidding him wait, then disappears into the bathroom.

[imthegoodguy]

Ben obediently keeps silent, perching himself onto the edge of the bed with his hands folded between his knees.

Hard to believe that what lured him out of this bedroom was a chance encounter with his mother in the bar, harder still to believe everything that happened after, Alex and marriage in particular.

[bythatmuch]

When Max returns about ten minutes later, he's wearing a very relieved expression.

"So, I told him."

And before Ben can go HWAT - "And he said he sort of figured, because of that little encounter we had. He won't be mad if we can finish this thing up and get on a flight home before Friday."

That gives them four days, not counting today.