There could be no small victory here. He wouldn't let it go and she didn't have the heart to apparate away to avoid the whole situation. Normally she appreciated, even valued Hatch's ability to really dig in and stand by whoever was struggling, but there was no salvation for her this time that anybody else could provide to her. Sloane had to sit down on the bottom for a little while with herself before she started to dig her way out again.

He was waiting exactly where she thought he would be and Sloane had to pause at the door to take a deep breath before stepping out. She was so unprepared to do this that she just didn't even know what she could possibly say to him. "I don't have time, I have to keep on my rounds." If he was going to be kind, he would take the hint. Sloane wanted nothing more than to just slowly slip away and hope everyone forgot about her. Quietly and without a fuss, without saying things she would regret and without ruining things any further.

In was in hopes of that, Sloane strode right by him, not even making eye contact as she headed for the mooncalves, praying he might just let it go.