"Doesn't really feel like a win though, does it?"
The Grid is empty, nothing but a skeleton staff, those last stragglers who have no pressing need to return home... and his words seem to echo around the small back room. Colin's desk remains how he left it, perfectly tidy except for a comic book perching precariously on one corner and for a moment Zaf feels a tightness in his chest, a catch behind his ribs that suddenly makes it feel as if its far too difficult to breathe. One thumb pushes the comic gently backwards so its no longer in danger of falling, brown eyes flickering over it before moving to meet the gaze of his mentor .. chief .. friend.
Adam's eyes are tracing his expression, lingering on the swell of a bruised cheekbone, and the younger agent gives a soft smile, reaching upwards to prod at a well split lip as if testing for further damage. "I was worried it might've messed up my looks but I'm beginning to change my mind now. Ruth couldn't keep her eyes off me...though maybe that was because she was trying to assess if I had a concussion." His smile is less amused and more fatigued this time, almost pained by the burden of exhaustion that has started to settle heavy on his shoulders. The older agent is silent, features painted with an expression that Zaf doesn't recognize, and he frowns in response. "Colin wasn't your fault, Adam. We couldn't have known."
He waits a moment, feels his heart thumping in the hollow of his chest (one beat, two...) and fidgets as if his hands want to instinctively reach out for something. Instead, he offers another grin, words teasing despite the shadow lingering just beneath the surface. "I do remember you sending me onto that airfield though. So this ..." He points to his face, fingers gesturing as if encouraging his companion to take into account the full picture. " ... I'd say that might be worth a round or two, wouldn't you?"