Having Elizabeth talking to them again, alive and well, after her being gone for so long was a bit strange, John had to agree with Fred. Taking her hand, he squeezed it gently as Sam asked Elizabeth what had happened. While she explained, he felt he throat tightening. She had been inside the whole time, aware of what was happening. Looking over at Fred, he swallowed hard - that had to been that the alternate universe Fred was still inside as well, aware of what what going on.
Oh God.
"It's all right, Elizabeth," Sam assured her when she began to worry about there being two of her in this universe. "It's not going to--."
She looked up at her then over at John and Fred. "I'm dead," she interrupted. "That's why you all have been looking at me like you haven't seen me in months. And why you're not worried about me being here."
With a soft sigh, John nodded before moving closer to the bed. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth," he told her.
She blinked and looked up at the ceiling, tears collecting in the corner of her eye before running down her face. "I should have realized that's why you were here, Sam."
"If it's any consolation, you left pretty big shoes to fill."
John looked back at Fred then down at Elizabeth again. "Is...you said that you came through with others. Was Fred...your universe's Fred...was she...?"
"She stayed behind."
Nodding, John stepped back, trying to push down the thought that crossed his mind. As much as he wanted to, they couldn't. It would be too dangerous and unfair to his wife and children here.