It's a simple question, all things considered, that Chris Miles poses to Claire as soon as he's stepped into the clinic. Maybe that's the tricky thing about Chris. You never figure that a guy like him is going to have all too many layers, that he's the opposite of subtle, that you can see what there is to him and know what to expect. But it's never true. Claire knows that well already, has learned time and time again that there's more to Chris than what meets the eye. There was a time when she allowed him to wear down at her inhibitions, when he had her feeling freer than she ever did before. Of course, that came to a screeching halt, as things like that were apt to do, but what matters is that there's a certain level of honesty between them, that makes meeting his gaze simple and stomach-flipping all at once.

"All's well on the western front," she replies, a soft smile the only apology on her lips as she holds a hand out in his direction, to where he lingers as though hesitant. Of all the things that she could have done to scare him, Claire hopes this one isn't the last straw. "Seriously. I'm fine."

Her lower lip feels chapped as she runs her tongue over it, betting that she looks a mess right now. Probably needs a decent shower, or at the very least a comb. But something tells Claire that Chris isn't going to mind.