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Liam comes downstairs, trying to soothe an unusually cranky Megan, who's grizzling as he carries her in.

"Not a whole lot better," he admits as he folds Megan's clothes into the suitcase. "He's not exactly Mr. Warm and Open.

"I guess mostly I'm surprised that he wanted to try."

"Hidden depths?" Liam suggests lightly.

Charlie snorts, but still says, "I suppose, though I think he'd deny it."

"That would be the point of hidden", Liam responds, deadpan.

Charlie sticks out his tongue at him. "I don't know if he's aware he's got depths."

Liam looks thoughtful.

"Or maybe he wants other people to think so."

Charlie shrugs and zips up Megan's suitcase. "Could be. We can't all wear our hearts on our sleeves, I suppose.

"I just--after Valentine's Day I thought I understood him. Now I'm back to wondering."

Liam shrugs slightly, packing the last of his clothes into his duffel bag.

"Who knows. Maybe he doesn't want to be understood."

"Yeah . . . there's quite a few walls around our good Mr. Sawyer." He picks up Megan again and kisses her when she whines.

Liam reaches out absently to pet her hair, stepping close.

Megan leans out of Charlie's arms to Liam, with a petulant, "Daddy."

He looks up and holds out his arms to take her as Charlie hands her over.

"All right, sweetheart. Time to go home."

"More playing with Seth and Claire next time," Charlie says softly.

She nods against Liam's shoulder, with a quiet, "Sethie..." audible.

"Yeah, he'll be here." He picks up Liam's duffle bag and Megan's suitcase. "Ready?"

Liam nods quickly. "Yep."

He leads them back downstairs again, stopping for a moment to consider saying goodbye to Claire--but they'll be back, probably soon.

They head over to the front door, where Liam pauses, shifting Megan in his arms, to hug Charlie.

Charlie hugs back and kisses Megan lightly. "Look after your daddy for me," he whispers to her.

She lifts her head, her sulk lessening, and nods solemnly.

"Yes, Unca Char'ee."

"That's my girl." He rubs her back and looks at Liam. "Okay. See you soon."

Liam nods firmly.

"Soon."

He puts the handles for the bags in Liam's hand and steps back from the door.

Liam gives him a final clumsy hug and somehow manages to open the door.

Charlie waves as they go, managing to smile.

They'll be back.

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