She held her breath as he took her hand.  No one had touched her in such a familiar way since Reed and she found it disorienting, her hand limp in his.  He explained his reason and it was something she knew they'd have to do in order to make it safely through this next stage of their escape.  Acting like a couple gave them far more of an advantage than any other plan ever could.  Even if it was short-term, it was a good feeling knowing that someone had her back.<br/><br/>The decision already made in her mind, she committed to their ruse of being a loving couple and let her smaller hand fit neatly into his much larger one.  Stepping closer, she glanced up and offered a half-smile.  Just a normal couple walking through town, albeit dressed a little strangely.  Clara knew more they had to project an air of confidence for their little ruse to work.  It was the small things that made a couple believable, the way they looked at each other, the way they naturally fell into sync when they walked together.  Acting this way with Hanz felt bittersweet and sent a pang of longing through her gut.  Pushing it aside, she took a deep breath and committed herself to being the best female half of this couple she could be.<br/><br/>Clara froze next to Hanz, her body instinctively reacting to his.  Her nostrils flared and her lips pressed tightly together.  Stupid cop throwing a wrench in their plan.  Didn't he know they just wanted to get the things they needed and then they would just disappear and leave his precious town alone?  She forced her breathing to slow down before turning toward Doan and angling herself toward Hanz, adopting what she hoped was a loving gaze as she looked up at him.  The loving look faltered when he offered the explanation that their strange appearances were due to her 'womanly times'.<br/><br/>Her smile felt more forced as she glanced at the rotund sheriff.  Her eyes fell on the gold ring on his left hand before rising up to meet his eyes.  "You know how it is, don't you, Officer?  Laundry day so we're down to the most ridiculous clothes we own and then I just<i>had</i>to have some chocolate ice cream."  Clara shrugged.  "Jack is just so sweet and wanted to make me happy so we went exploring while our clothes dried.  We're just headed back to the laundromat to get our things."  She stepped closer, practically wedging herself under her companion's muscular arm as she offered the policeman her sweetest smile.<br/><br/>Doan hitched at his belt, his large belly rising then falling.  There were three things he never argued against - a kid who was on the verge of throwing up, a person claiming they had the shits, and a woman who said she had her period.  It was just tempting fate and he wasn't a man who wanted to tempt fate.  He stared at the pair silently, his thumb sliding back and forth across the strap holding his sidearm in place.  Clara's whole body was vibrating with adrenaline.  The second that gun started to leave the holster, she was ready to launch herself at the man.  The sheriff nodded once.  "Get your things, change your clothes, and don't let me see or hear about either of you causing trouble."<br/><br/>The breath she didn't even realize she'd been holding slid out from between slightly parted lips.  She smiled and nodded.  "Of course, we won't make a peep.  You won't even know we're here."  That was the ultimate goal.  Despite the miles between them and the facility, it wasn't far enough.  To stop running, to let their guards down even for an instant was inviting Nowak to find them.  There was no way in hell she was going back to that place again, consequences be damned.<br/><br/>Doan coughed, spit, then hiked at his belt one more time before glanced down the sidewalk pointedly.  This nice little conversation was over and now it was time for the couple to move along.<br/><br/>Taking the hint, she squeezed Hanz's hand then started walking the direction they'd originally been headed, forcing him to join her or be left behind.