It was hard to believe it had only been days since he'd seen her last; since he'd been up in her room and had seen her all but breakdown. And yet, when he she finally met his gaze, if only for a brief moment, he could see that she wasn't doing any better than she had been when he'd last left her. His heart ached for that very reason and it was with every ounce of willpower that he held himself back from crossing to her and tugging her into his arms.

Irritating how that seemed to be his first impulse around the burnette.

"The hunt's going well," he said, his voice polite and distant before he paused and took a step towards her before halting, suddenly very aware of his less than fresh appearance. Running a hand over the top of his head, he gave her a crooked smile. "How about the...the um..." he furrowed his brow and waved his hand vaguely, "...what exactly is it that you and the women are doing?"