Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. Pooh! he whispered. Yes, Piglet? Nothing, said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. I just wanted to be sure of you. ~ A.A. Milne
"I brought you coffee."
"Thanks."
"Feeling better this morning?"
"Much. Face..."
Face stopped, hand on the doorknob.
"I...I just wanted to say...well, thanks."
"For what, Colonel? I only did what you would have. We don't leave anyone behind, remember?"
"Yeah, but you put up with Stockwell to do it." Hannibal tried a smile and was relieved to see it returned.
"Yeah, but he had to put up with me, too." He looked down. "Couldn't have been easy."
"No, but I haven't been easy for him either." He sipped Face's coffee, trying not to grimace. "And...I've found easy things usually aren't worthwhile."
Face hesitated a moment, then reached for the door again. Hannibal was reluctant to let him go.
"Your disguise at the bank was very good. You make a great papa san."
Face smiled almost shyly, opened the door and stepped into the hall.
"So do you."