[Gallagher]

Nik slipped his arms around the small girl's shoulders, returning the embrace. "Y'know, just as good as I thought I would. No surprises there. What about you?"

Looking down at the girl's side when she lifted her shirt, Gabriel sighed softly, bending slightly to bring his face closer to hers and settle his hand gently on her side. "Deep breath, please," he ordered, the usual light air to his words all but missing completely even in the soft murmur that he used.