By the time Booker was back, Joe was sitting hunched over at the table, looking down at a cup of tea. He didn't even glance up when he returned. "She might not be able to dream of you but that doesn't mean you're not at risk. We're stronger together. Well. We are 99.9% of the time, historically speaking." He needed to get one dig in. When he finally glances up, then, it's with a quick glare but the heat behind it is more akin to pot taken off the fire ten minutes ago: still not able to be touched, but cooling down rapidly.

He sipped at his tea and sat back, looking at Nicky instead of at Booker. His blunt nails tapped against the mug.

"The only way we got you out of that place was with Nicky. We just can't take her on alone. Throw mortal Andy into it and the more fragmented we are, the more likely we all end up holding hands in a cage at the bottom of the ocean."

He sipped his tea again, stood up, and walked off to double-check the doors were all locked. Over his shoulder he threw out the parting words:

"Until this is over, you're with us."