[Alfie goes completely still, staring out at the road in the distance, watching as the headlights sweep by. It can't be more than a minute or two - they're driving slowly, but steadily - but it seems to take much longer. Finally, they're gone, the sound of the rolling tires fading. He has no doubt they'll be back, though, so he jumps up quickly and slips into the car, leaving the door open for Royce to follow. Once inside, he immediately wraps Mercy in a big bear hug, murmuring apologies into her ear.]
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