I'm still working on this!

Puck stares, frozen. His eyes widen as recognition hits him like a blow.

“That… that kid looks like… After all this time… to just stumble on her like this? No… it’s not possible…”

His gaze lingers, frantic. “But that hair… that face… that mindless love of snack foods… like a human version of—” He falters, swallowing hard. Then he makes a face. “…Those ears. Oof. Genetics can be cruel.”

He grips the fence, breath quickening. “Twenty years of searching… I can’t afford not to find out!”

Without warning, he begins to climb. His escort stares, alarmed. “What…? What are you doing?!”

Puck calls back over his shoulder. “Sorry! Go ahead without me! Just take my bag! I’ll meet you at the base!”

She throws up her hands. “Where are you going?! What the hell am I supposed to tell my boss?!”

Puck drops down on the other side of the fence, crouched and determined. “Just tell him something came up. Call it… an unexpected research opportunity.”