Rescinding her promise to Lachlan via letter was perhaps the most vile act Fallon had ever committed in her life. When confessing her decision to choose Jesse the first time, he'd forced her to promise she would break the news in person. He hadn't wished to be surprised in a letter (who would), and yet, here she was, sitting with her head on her desk after sending Minnie with her final farewell. Lachlan would never reply to it, she knew, but she silently prayed to whatever spirit guided the universe that he survived. Fallon meant it when she said his death would destroy her, and, regardless of their relationship, that would never change.

She didn't know if Malou was home, in truth she hadn't thought to check. All Fallon had thought of after watching Minnie fly away was how desperately she needed to be comforted. Jesse. She needed Jesse. He wouldn't judge her for doing it through letter, or if he did he wouldn't call her out on it. Not when it was his final pleas that had changed her mind for the second time.

A second letter and treat was waiting for Minnie when the small owl returned a short while later. She didn't know whether or not Jesse was working late, on call, or home, or whether he'd be able to come at all. But, she had to try. There was no point in considering him hers if she couldn't reach out in moments like these. She would be there for him just as readily were the situation reversed.

She readied herself for his visit as a distraction from her rising emotions. Her hair was brushed and twirled over one shoulder, her pajamas dewrinkled. The bed was made neatly with a second pillow duplicated from the first, as he would hopefully be spending the night. Fallon, still not wanting to face Malou presently but knew she had to least warn her roommate of a male visitor, then ducked out of her room and left a third note for Malou on the counter explaining. Ordinarily, she might've left in in her friend's bedroom, but on the off chance that was where Malou was hiding Fallon didn't want to risk it.

At long last, she was back in her bed with the door cracked open halfheartedly re-reading a case file when he finally arrived. "Hey," Fallon greeted with a smile as she stood from the desk to quietly lock the door behind him. The room had been magically soundproofed in the event things took a different turn from the way Fallon was expecting tonight to go, but she didn't dare risk Malou missing the note and attempting the most obvious route of entry.

"Long day?" Their letters hadn't flowed much in their day and a half apart, though Fallon had spent more time out of the office than in today. Stepping forward, she then closed the distance between them with a tight embrace. Merlin, she really needed a hug.