"So you can," he breathes, his own chest rising and falling at a rapid pace, heart pounding hard against his ribs. With a little bit of effort, he matches his lungs to hers, and closes his eyes, and tips his head back against the wall. "So you can. You don't get a head start next time," he tells her.

After another few minutes, he looks down at her again. His arms are still snug around her, but he moves one hand to tuck some of her hair behind one of her ears, adjust that scarf around her neck a bit.

"Y'almost had me, there," he tells her. Impressed.

Doc grins.

"But I'm still buyin' dinner, later."