Just a joke. Malou certainly didn’t think that, behind most jokes there was an element of truth. But Fallon hadn’t seen the worry in Mr. Hatchitt’s eyes, hadn’t read the letters he had sent her and the haste in which he had replied. “I shall reserve judgement till then.” Malou agreed, although she doubted it would change her mind.

Searching Fallon’s face as she admitted that she didn’t know why she’d kept such a thing from Malou, it was easy to see that was the truth. “Offended, no. I might have been more cross if I hadn’t spent the last week trying not to think you were dead.” Malou admitted. “I’m too grateful to see you alive to be cross though.”

  

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It was clear Malou didn't believe her (as she was likely right to do) but Fallon wasn't in a spot to call her out on it. That they were talking about JP and the easy joke the pair had shared was distracting her from the trauma, something the red headed woman sorely needed after a day of recollection. Fallon laid her head on Malou's shoulder. All the confusing feelings would be dealt with later when she could focus better.

"Definitely alive," she sighed. "I didn't think we were going to make it home." It was a quiet admission, one Fallon had made only once before in the cave. But then Lachlan became more lethargic and ill, and Fallon simply couldn't stand by and watch him die. She just couldn't. Her body tensed as the morning's events replayed in her mind, the fight or flight response engaging once more. "If the portkey hadn't activated when it had we would be dead." They were seconds away from crashing into the ice, the broom having shrunk back to its original twigs.

  

Fallon’s head on her shoulder was a gentle reminder of their friendship, of the trust they placed in one another’s. At her admission Malou felt cold, but instead she wrapped her arm around Fallon’s shoulder and stroked her hair, running fingers through it was a maternal gentleness. “Oh Fallon.” She whispered, no matter what Fallon told her Malou doubted she would ever truly understand what her friend had went through.

“But you did make it home, that’s the important part.” Malou stated firmly, refusing to let either of them forget the fact that Fallon was very firmly back where she belonged and Malou would be damned if anyone took that from them.

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   Fallon Gillespie

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She relaxed into the comforting embrace. It wasn't even twelve hours ago that she believed herself dead and with it her friendship with Malou. Were the situation reversed Fallon wouldn't rest until she knew what had happened to Malou. Unfortunately for Malou, Fallon was the one with the abilities to pursue such answers. Had she not made it home, her best friend would've been waiting an eternity for a resolution.

"Yeah," she answered simply. That Lachlan's condition was a mystery to them both would remind her of the horror until answers were had. "I'm sorry for scaring you."

  

“There’s nothing to be sorry for.” Malou gently assured her, “You did everything you could to get back to me.” A rogue portkey was hardly something Fallon could have controlled. The Ministry on the other hand….

“You should rest.” The healer in Malou knew it was selfish to keep Fallon awake any longer. “I can stay till you fall asleep, if you’d like.” Like Fallon had when Malou had been a second year consumed with nightmares. Then her friend had crawled into her bed and held Malou until she no longer saw the terrors when her eyes closed. Now Malou could return the favor.

  

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That she had given up wasn't something Fallon was going to confess to Malou presently, if ever. There were some parts of being in the cave she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to retell. Malou would do her best to be supportive and sympathetic, but she hadn't been there. Malou hadn't curled up against Lachlan with the fear that she'd wake up to a dead body, that his warmth would stop and she'd have to deal with his corpse.

Sleep wouldn't come easily tonight, but she would fake it for Malou. Their weeks were vastly different, but Fallon couldn't deny that Malou had gone through hell too. "Yeah, that would be nice," she murmured quietly. "Thank you, Malou."

  

“Of course.” Malou murmured as she continued to run her fingers through Fallon’s hair. The room grew silent as Malou leaned her head back against the wall. She couldn’t imagine what Fallon had been through, nor did she think she wanted to, but she could give Fallon the unconditional care that she had always given Malou.

There was so much in Malou’s life that was uncertain, but her friendship had never been one of those things… up until the last two weeks. It reminded Malou of how vulnerable her friend could be, of the danger that could lurk near her at any time, something she had come to terms with as Fallon had slowly completed her training. Now it was unavoidable but to face it, to face it and prepare as best she could for if Fallon ever needed her help beyond offering a soothing presence and the friendship that they had built over the years.

  

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