“Hey, my career is going to take off from this. That’s one bright side.” And this time, she isn’t kidding. This case was already – clearly – swinging into her favor. Now? She’s going to have Barclay and his lawyers in the palm of her hand.

Hannah just hums, still clearly distracted.

“All right. Tell me about Abbie’s night. Was her Christina Tosi costume a hit?”

Hannah groans, but this time she can already hear how much more lighthearted it is. “As predicted, no one knew who she was. She got some people thinking she was Rachael Ray, which she was pretty grumbly about when I picked her up.”

“Getting hit with that E.V.O.O.” She can’t help but laugh, perfectly imagining the offended look on Abbie’s face.

“If only you had been able to trick or treat with her, because I can assure you that no one would have identified you, either. Per usual, you and Ab would have been two peas in a pod.” Hannah teases back and it sounds like she’s shifting back against her pillows, now. The same way Caroline is.

Her jaw drops in offense. “People know Dana Scully! It’s not my fault you’re weird and never watched The X Files when you were younger.”

“Suuuure, but I would definitely hedge my bets that most people would be confused at first about who you were.”

“Plebeians, all of you.” She deliberately sniffs, before sucking in a breath at the pain. Ow.

“I’m sure The X Files is a great show.” Hannah says in a deliberately placating tone, that’s laced with just enough laughter, Caroline can’t take an affront. “Maybe we can watch it.”

“Name the time and place.”

“Now?” Hannah coughs. “I just – I’m too keyed up to sleep. But if you’re tired – actually, you should probably get some more rest.”

Caroline is already reaching for her remote. “No way.”

They watch the pilot episode, Hannah’s commentary soft in her ear the entire time.

“Okay. She’s pretty. I can see why you’d want to be her for Halloween.” Hannah comments as Scully’s first scene is over.

“Beautiful and brilliant,” she corrects, comfortably settling her phone on speaker on the pillow next to her.

“Like you have to be in costume to accomplish that.” Hannah scoffs before she draws in a breath and clears her throat. “Do, um, we get to see the aliens?”

Caroline is blinking still, a pleased smile forming on her face at Hannah’s compliment. “I’m not spoiling you.”

It’s after two when she’s settled back under the blankets, her phone warm against her ear. “You see? It’s good.”