Lost Creek Hollow looking back to look forward

To say his response threw her would have been a massive understatement. He was entirely too casual, given the circumstances, and rather than be offended by this implication that he didn't really care, Bat dared to hope. Was it really going to be this easy? She knew he was feigning it at least somewhat, though if Tegan wanted to play it like this, honestly, she would simply be grateful.

"Thank you," she breathed, the words heartfelt. Her limbs had gone jellylike with relief and disbelief. "I'm going to miss you, a lot, but I'll be back," Bat added, certain he would pretend the feeling wasn't mutual but she wasn't bothered by that. She knew Tegan far too well by now.

Bat wanted to give him a big old goodbye hug, yet she didn't want to tempt fate. She was still partially expecting an explosion. For this reason, she also held back from apologizing about blindsiding him with this change in plans. It played better into Tegan's approach to the whole matter: it was no big deal, right? And they'd see one another again.