Rowan was released from ECBS after recuperating from her journey into the monster’s lair. When Phelps escorted her outside, Cameron was waiting with his old pick-up truck, and Rowan felt both relieved and guilty to see him.

She’d been ignoring his calls for two days.

“I contacted him for you, since I thought it was good that you had someone to at least get you home safe,” Phelps explained. “It’s important you take care of yourself. Make sure she does, will you, Cameron?”

“Will do, boss!” Cameron replied playfully before engulfing Rowan in a smothering hug and muttering under his breath to her ear, “Right after I kill you for not returning my calls.”

After allowing Rowan her lungs back, she turned to Phelps, letting her eyes go to the ground. “Thank you for calling him. I really appreciate it. I was worried you were upset with me for agreeing with Miller today.”

Phelps expression became slightly more guarded, but as usual, he couldn’t stay sour.

“Of course it’s hard to be the odd man out, but I’m not someone to be as petty as getting angry over someone disagreeing with me. Just… Just make sure your decisions are yours, and you’re not letting Miller influence you in any way. Ok, Miss Platts?”

Rowan smiled and nodded, although it felt forced with her name attached to Miss again instead of doctor.

Once in the passenger seat of Cameron’s truck, the thoughtful moment between her and Phelps faded off as her guilt settled in. Rowan gave Cameron a sheepish grin when he glared at her.

“You’ve got some ‘splainin to do.”

The words were hardly out of his mouth before his bad impression had Rowan snorting as she held down a laugh. Trying her best to stay serious, she pouted and whined through her giggles, “I know. I’m so sorry, Cam. Things just got really crazy really fast.”

“No kidding. Nearly had a heart attack when I got a call from Phelps.”

Cameron turned on the vehicle's engine as he responded, offering a smile even though the look was obviously strained.

Rowan groaned, ashamed that she made him worry. “I’m an idiot. I’m so sorry.”

“So you’re alright then, at least?”

“I’m alright. Just a little shaken up. A lot has happened.” It was an understatement.

Truthfully, Rowan felt completely out of control the last few days and was only now starting to gain some of it back. She didn’t want Cameron to know what had been going on. He worried about her far too much. If he found out about her almost quitting the project the previous day, he wouldn’t shut up for the next month.

Besides, no matter how much he teasingly pressed for details during the drive into town, it wasn’t like she could reveal any even if she wanted to.

When Cameron admitted defeat and suggested they grab takeout, she enthusiastically agreed. She was not interested in making dinner that night, and fatty food was great for generating some feel-good vibes, which she desperately needed. They picked up Chinese and drove to her place, where Cameron flipped through the channels while Rowan gathered some cutlery. They settled on a bad horror movie to watch with dinner, but he set the volume on low, suggesting he intended to talk.

A silence hung between them as they ate, and she could tell that he was trying to figure out the best way to ask what was on his mind.

“So, you’re sure you’re alright. Like, physically. Right, Row? Because when Phelps called he said something about you being in the infirmary. I didn’t even know we had an infirmary at ECBS.” He shoved a bunch of rice into his mouth with his conclusion.

Rowan smiled to try and ease his nerves. “I’m fine. Just felt a little tired, lightheaded. They gave me some saline to perk me up.”

“Miller also said you’ve been through a lot the last few days. Rumors around the halls is that someone got hurt?”

“For someone who’s not supposed to know anything about what’s going on, you sure seem to know a lot.” Rowan smirked when he shrugged and made a faux innocent face. “Someone got hurt. Yeah. He’s alright, but... It was a close call.”

“Just an accident?” His question was hopeful.

Cameron must have been expecting her to confirm that William had perhaps dropped a bottle of nasty chemicals or wasn’t careful around dangerous machinery.

Rowan lowered her eyes to her food and played with it before answering, “No, it wasn’t really an accident. More like, results of an on-the-job hazard.” She hated being so cryptic with him, but she was already saying too much.

He frowned, nodding, even though he was likely understanding even less than what Rowan felt she was revealing. He stayed silent again for a moment, but couldn’t help asking more, despite knowing he wasn’t supposed to.

“So, was it a body?”

Rowan swallowed a mouthful of noodles before humming to herself, sliding into a teasing tone. “Maybe.” He wasn’t completely wrong, after all. It was a body. Just not a dead one.

“Someone famous?”

Rowan rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Was it an alien?” His hopefulness was too obvious.

She gave a sympathetic look for having to let him down. “No. Sorry, Cam.” At least, she didn’t think the boy was an alien. He certainly seemed human enough, even with his superhuman powers.

“Well, that’s a downer. I’m not nearly as interested anymore.” Cameron gave a cheeky grin when Rowan scoffed. “How about those nicely dressed men that were following you around?”

Rowan had seen more of the security since that day. A number of people worked to keep what was down in that basement a secret. “Government agents, I think. It would make the most sense.”

They spent a few more minutes in comfortable silence, finishing up their meals and watching the movie. It was about a demon dog, hunting down the main characters. There wasn’t much more context.

“You’re taking care of yourself, aren’t you, Row?” Cameron asked, while the black dog on the screen chased a screaming girl down a dark alley.

Rowan put down the bite she had been moving to her mouth. “Yeah. I’m ok.”

“I just get a weird vibe.” Cameron tried to laugh off the comment, but it was obvious he was shaken by whatever feeling he had.

“You have no reason to be worried, Cam.”

“If you say so.” He saw right through her but was too kind to argue. His disappointment felt like a stab in Rowan’s gut regardless.

The comfortable silence soured because of her, and they finished their food with awkwardness lingering between them. When Cameron finished, he checked his phone for the time.

“Getting late. Phelps said you should focus on getting some rest, so maybe I should leave you to go to bed.”

Panic struck at the idea of his departure, not realizing how unsettled she still felt until he suggested leaving her alone with the memories of everything that happened.

“I hate to be a bother, but… Do you think you could stay tonight? I’d sleep so much better knowing someone else is in the house.”

Cameron, who had stood to gather up their leftovers, stopped to consider. “I guess I could do that. I work evening tomorrow though, so try not to wake me when you get up, early bird.”

“Thanks, Cam.” Rowan rose, moving over to give a thank-you hug.

“Don’t mention it.” He hooked his elbow around her head, pulling it towards his chest and pressing his lips to her hair.

She wrapped her arms around his torso tightly, humming at the comfort the gesture provided. Rowan hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed someone to simply hold her, and it led to her lingering in his arms a moment longer than usual. She sighed, some tension loosening from her shoulders, and his hold around her tightened a little more.

“Rowan...” His voice resonated in his chest as he said her name, clearly sensing her reluctance to withdraw. “If something was wrong, you’d tell me, right?”

She hesitated with her response. He had no idea how badly she wanted to recount every detail for him so he’d know what was going on. She wanted his reassurance, because there was a small, nagging voice in her head that wondered if she was crazy for agreeing to enter the containment room that day, or if her career was worth endangering herself like this. She wanted him to tell her whether or not she was simply indulging her curiosity, or if her selfishness would get her killed this time. After all, he’d been there for her through everything; he knew her better than she knew herself. She trusted him.

She couldn’t share these details with him though, not just because it was against her contract, but also because a part of her wished someone had been there to protect her from the things she now knew.

In hindsight, she never wanted to know what true terror felt like. She never wanted to see someone almost killed in a brutal attack. She didn’t want to be forced to make the difficult decisions she had been faced with over the last few days. If she could, she would keep this secret from Cameron forever, because no matter how much he asked, he didn’t want to know, and she knew that.

“Like I said, you don’t have to worry,” Rowan replied, finally pulling out of his arms.

Cameron deflated, a little more convinced, and messed a hand over her head. “Get some rest, Dr. Platts. I’ll be here if you need me.” He gestured for her to go, then sat himself back down on the couch and snatched up the remote.

The next morning Rowan left as quietly as she could to avoid waking him, knowing she wouldn’t be able to stand the guilt of lying to him once again.