"My perception was that you were the only one doing a bloody thing." Fred was dead serious when she said it, leaving no room in her tone or expression for misinterpretation. If all this serious kept up Malcolm might actually think Fred was possessed. She never went so long without smiling. "Charlie admitted he had nothing to do, he just sat on his arse pretty much until the end. The only person even trying to ask what was going on inside was you. I don't know what happened on your side of the wall, but from my side you were the only one trying to help us. And the only one letting us know we hadn't just been left there until we were all dead."
Fred frowned, Malcolm looked tired. He looked like he needed rest and that he wouldn't get it. She might have even gone so far as to say he needed contact, affection. If he was someone else she probably would have just gotten up and curled up in his lap. For her contact was comfort and he seemed like he needed that. Fred was pretty sure it wasn't her place to offer that though, at least not from where he sat. "I appreciate that. I've been wrong about people but I was hoping I wasn't about you. I don't think you'll break my trust, but anyone knowing is a position I'm not in often and it's not a comfortable one. It's like staring down a larger, stronger predator and knowing you're not strong enough to fight it off if it chooses to attack. Fatal vulnerability. I'm not a fan."