When Malory was finally in the airport, things only got worse. She was frozen, standing tall, stiff, and silent among the many people.

She hadn't been out in public in a very long time, and it was making her extremely uncomfortable.

Rachel had to be the medium for everything, the ticket, the checking-in, even the casual speaking.

Things are always easier in theory.

Once at the gate, Rachel sat like an exasperated parent next to the immovable Malory, who was looking rather pale, and a bit sweaty.

"You do know you'll have to speak to actual people in Montana, correct? People you don't know? When was the last time you travelled? Or was in public?

"Six years. Since I travelled." Malory replied, flatly, bluntly, and quickly.

"Six? But you moved down here six years ago. There is no way it's been that long." Rachel scoffed, shaking her head.

Malory nodded and said nothing, staring ahead.

Rachel rolled her eyes and glanced around.

"You're impossible. Well, I'm not going to be there to help. You're going to have to manage."

Malory didn't reply.

"After you call your sister, call me."

Still no reply.

"If you call me once you get off the plane I can talk you through interacting in society." Rachel teased, smiling playfully.

Malory nodded.

"Seriously?" Rachel laughed, just reviving another nod.

Malory looked down at her lap in embarrassment, but her head jerked back up when she heard the boarding call. And as her head went up, her stomach dropped. She didn't know why, she had always been fine with travelling before. Then again, it HAD been six years.

But what if the plane crashed? What if her phone didn't work when she landed? What if her sister didn't pick her up? What if she had a panic attack in public? What if the medications made her worse again? What if they couldn't get into the money? What if her phone didn't work?!

"Malory?" Rachel's worried tone interrupted her paranoid thoughts... Her medication's (that she was forced to take that morning) work no doubt.

The taller looked to the shorter, and the shorter took her hand and pulled her up so she was standing with her.

"Calm down, alright? Everything will be fine. Just listen to your music on the plane and relax, okay?" Rachel smiled softly and hugged Malory again, and this time Malory managed to hug back.

"I'll call you." The patient said flatly once again.

"Thank you." She added, picking up her bag and hoping Rachel understood that she was thanking her for everything that she had ever done for her, not just for that moment.

Rachel nodded with a soft smile, and Malory knew that she didn't understand.

But, she didn't allow herself to say anything else and marched over to the gate, and made her way through onto the plane without looking back once.