Jess could only imagine what it was like, the agony of being that cold was not something he'd ever had to endure for more than a few moments, let along over a week; he was afraid to ask if she'd lost any toes in the process, even jokingly. Gently he kept her hand in his, trying to imbue some of his own body heat into hers.

"I'm sorry it happened to you," He meant it, though it seemed a little out of place, considering this was only the second time they had met officially. He felt like he knew her better than that, like they were old friends, or perhaps something more. The implications of their letters, jokingly at the time, had brought about a level of fondness for her, he supposed. Anyone with a good head on their shoulders would be concerned, it was human nature, but Jess has always been a protective older brother, to his friends, anyone he cared for and to say he didn't care for Fallon on some level would be a lie.

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Fallon couldn't help but note the irony of his apology. She had offered a similar one to Lachlan numerous times throughout the past week. First starting as a result of the game, then as a way to help ease her guilt over bringing him to hell with her. However, unlike him, Fallon didn't brush the apology aside or drown in her sorrows. She was seeking comfort, not pushing it away.

"Hopefully they catch the bastard before they do it again," she said in response, squeezing his hand in an unspoken thanks.

Fallon then shifted, her hand pulling from his as a result. The loss was instantly felt and regretted, but she had to get it back beneath her cocoon. She did, however, impulsively ask, "would you mind moving closer? Since we are technically married, it can't be too improper, can it?"

  

"Hopefully," Jess would certainly be pressing his brother for any additional information he could get. Frequently.

Momentarily disappointed when she withdrew her hand, he chuckled when she requested that he move closer. "What are fiances for?" He joked, they weren't married, even fake married, but he could feign the fiance bit for a while longer if it made her happy. Slipping off the chair casually, he slid onto the bed beside her, snuggling in tight. It was body heat she was after anyway, maybe a little comfort, and he wasn't going to argue with her. He wrapped an arm around her easily accommodating her frame against his.

"Going to have to start wearing the ring again if anybody is to believe us. I daresay what would Miss Skovgaard say if she were to walk in?" Making himself comfortable against the headboard, Jess chuckled. "She wrote to me you know, based on the stack of letters on your desk that are still sitting there by the way."

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At least he hadn't looked at her odd for her request. Fallon would've balked at the idea of lying with a man a week ago, but now it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Why was this singular form of comfort so discouraged? Hell, Fallon would even venture as far to say that cuddling like this was as good a cure for dementors as chocolate was.

"Malou? She would probably just close the door and walk away." Her best friend was as nonconfrontational as they came. The water to her flames. Still, Fallon lifted her hand from beneath her chin and moved the ring from her wrist to her hand. Better safe than sorry. "We're very close, sort of a package deal. She told me that she wrote to you, but I wasn't surprised to hear it. I was more stunned by her resourcefulness than anything." With her hand tucked back under her chin, Fallon allowed her body to fully relax. "A stack of letters, though? Were you worried or something?"

  

Well, he hadn't expected that response. Miss Skovgaard would be the only to know their ruse was just that, he supposed, but if she wasn't going to say anything, he supposed they would be alright. It would be interesting if word got out that her fiance had been visiting however.

'She's quite impressive, very resourceful indeed. And  she very obviously cares a lot about you. I was in her office when you were brought in," He admitted, thinking back to this morning, that oddly felt like a week ago at this point. "But I thought it best not to intrude, then I was called out." He would have stuck around if he could have, but work had called. Jess first passed her an amused smile as the bracelet became a ring again, then faded to a grimace of sorts when she questioned his letters. "Just a bit, it was quite odd not to hear from you by lunch, but I hadn't come back from Ireland until the 25th, so I was a bit behind myself.

Then one day stretched to two and I thought perhaps you'd grown tired of our charade, but then I learned from Miss Skovgaard that you were indeed missing, but not before embarrassing myself in word form, certainly." He wasn't proud of it, but nor was he as embarrassed by it as he let on. Jess was not afraid to show concern or affection for those in his life who earned it. Idly he ran a hand over her arm and back up, trying to add warmth without really thinking about it.

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"We've been close since our first year. Pretty much inseparable. If not for her I would've starved to death years ago." Not because of financial matters, but because Fallon burnt water whenever she tried to cook. "I'd do anything for her, no questions asked."

Fallon was tempted to ask if he saw Lachlan when she was brought in, but didn't know how to address him in the current situation. Presumably, if he were nearby he at least knew she was brought in with someone. Unless Lachlan was dead and they just weren't telling her. No, Malou wouldn't have agreed to that.

"It's better that you came now. Between the healers, the ministry, and Malou this is the first time I've been alone all day." It almost sounded as though she was implying their cuddling was indecent, like she should be ashamed. To which she quickly added, "you wouldn't have been able to get a word in unless you shouted over the masses."

The letters couldn't be as embarrassing as he thought. In fact, had she not gone missing he likely would've had a check in letter or two on his desk. "Being anxious for the wellbeing of your fiance isn't embarrassing. I'm just surprised no one collected them to read."

  

Jess could easily see the two being friends, on opposite ends of the spectrum. They seemed to compliment one another very well. "Lucky that, then." He wouldn't have tried either. Coming from a big family, he'd learned long ago that fussing and making a big deal when other people were around was not worth it. He waited everybody out and then added his thoughts.

"I mean they were there yesterday when I went to see Gabe, but I make no promises now. If he knew they were from me, I'd never hear the end of it, nor would you." Oh the teasing he would endure, it would be worth it though.

Speaking of her well being, if she'd had as many visitors as she claimed, she likely need some rest. "I should probably let you get some rest." He'd come to make sure she was alright and she was, now she needed time to heal. "I'll stop by again tomorrow?"

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The letters would be something to look forward to, that was at least if she was ever cleared to work again. Prewett was bound to have her undergo some sort of sanity check. Much as she was pained to admit it, he would likely be right to do so. "You should probably collect them if you can," she told him quietly. "They'll likely have someone covering for me. They might mistake them to be part of a case."

She was disappointed for him to leave, but knew it would be for the best. It wouldn't serve either of their interests for their fake relationship to be suddenly forced into the real world. "I'd like that." Hopefully, she'd have a better grasp of her thoughts and emotions tomorrow. "Thanks for breaking the anonymity...it's nice having a face to the name." She rewrapped the cocoon around herself as he stood. Hopefully, sleep would come as easily as it had just before he walked through the door.