And she's surprised when suddenly her face is buried in the soft flannel of his jacket, his arms around her, and the familiar warmth of his skin is again near her own.

She can feel the burn of tears blazing down her cheeks and soaking into the fabric of Doc's jacket, and it's only with a great feat of strength she's able to repress a choked sob.

"That's not playin' fair."

She can only barely whisper, for fear she might break into hysterics trying anything louder.

But if Doc is curious as to whether this means she wants him to let go of her, she quickly answers that by slowly and cautiously bringing her arms around his back, and burying her face a little deeper into his chest.