Somehow they’d managed to get back home, Reese becoming more uncoordinated the nearer they were. Finch thought it must have taken all Reese’s powers of concentration to stumble the last few steps to the bed; he had lost consciousness as soon as he toppled in. Unbidden Bear had appeared at the bedside and watched as Finch undressed the other man and tended the more serious wounds. The dog had then nosed the exhausted Finch away before resuming his seat by the head of the bed.

Later, when Reese began to moan and thrash his arms around, Bear barked twice and Finch returned instantly to redress the wound the movement had re-opened. As Finch left once more he saw Bear rest his head on the bed, his nose pressed against Reese’s shoulder.