When John texts her to say that he might be gone for a few days but that he's okay, Karen has no choice but to take him at his word. She worries, sure, a little, but she's both known and worked with him long enough that there's no doubt in her mind that he can handle whatever it is he's doing. Maybe it's some sort of last-minute job, one she hasn't been told about; maybe it's something else. Regardless, though she waits, her heart starting to race a little in anticipation every time she hears her cell phone chime, she also trusts him. Given how many secrets people have kept from her in the past, she's mostly just glad — a little relieved — that he's told her that he'll be gone at all.

It shouldn't be a lot to ask for, but having gone without that before, it really, really is.

Mostly, she tries not to let herself get hung up on what ifs and maybes. She focuses on her work instead, curled up on her couch in her pajamas with a mug of tea and finally making some progress on an article when she hears a knock at the door.

She's been distracted enough in doing so that it doesn't even occur to her until she sees him that it might be John standing there.

"You're okay," she says on a heavy exhale, instinctive and relieved, as she steps back to let him into the apartment. Then she really gets a look at him, at how much less put together than usual she is, and she frowns, resting one hand against his arm. "What happened?"