The soundproofing meant she couldn't hear him approaching the apartment, though she did hear a car stop outside and then pull away again. It was the third such one since he'd first texted her, and she had to stop herself from practically climbing out the window to peer down at the street below. She was a grown woman and she could wait with at least a modicum of patience, damnit.

Patience went right out that window when he stepped inside. He walked in, closed the door, and then just... stood there. There was something in the way he held himself, in the way he didn't move, that had her worrying even more than she already had been. She felt like her stomach was folding in on itself while she watched him just stand there and finally she had to make the first move.

"Steve?" It was hesitant, small, very clearly concerned as she carefully stood and slowly made her way over to him. "Sugar, what is it? What happened?"