Her fingers curl around his, the brief squeeze a bare fraction of its usual strength.

She remembers how grueling the morning had been, how unsteady she felt when she staggered into the house, lungs and side burning.

(running water and a wave of dizziness)

She must've poured herself a glass of water and all but collapsed in a chair at the kitchen table.

Her eyes crack open; his haggard features swim in her vision while her thumb brushes his knuckles.

"S'okay, sheriff."