The parkwas supposed to be restored to its glory, so Dory didn't blame Mabel for wanting to believe it to be true. Still, it was a challenge for him to not lean in and beg her to flee while she still could. He had already saved her from a building's collapse once before, and that was when he wasn't responsible for anyone but her. If the sinkhole were to reopen — if she disappeared into the abyss — Dory wasn't sure he would be able to focus on his work until she was safe.

But, the park was supposed to be safe, and she wanted to enjoy it. Ripping that joy from her was as unfair as warning her off Coyle when she seemed to enjoy his attention. (It was killing him not to ask about the kiss to her hand.)

“The gardens are reportedly beautiful.” He was still smiling, still overjoyed to be spending a rare minute with her, but a shadow seemed to cross his face now. “Have you gone yet?” They were on the far edge of where the hole once was, which stood a better chance of remaining in place if the hole were to reopen.

Dory nodded. “Yes, there are a few of us working tonight. Just another safety measure.” He kept his voice low to lower the risk of being overheard. That, and he didn't want to have to answer questions with responses he didn't necessarily believe in. (After all, what was he supposed to do if they all fell in a magic-siphoning sinkhole again?)

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