The sound of Quark's barking doesn't give Sookie the immediate relief that it normally does. Usually, Quark's barking is enough to earn a chastising from Jason whenever he's around — nothing sharp, but instead a soft, sweet coaxing that he usually reserves for those in his care. There's nothing this time, not even when the lock of the door slides free.

And then the look of Fred's face tells Sookie everything.

Drawing in a deep breath, Sookie's hands immediately tighten into fists. Only a second later does she release them, knowing that it won't do any good for her to dissolve into anger or grief. Not when Fred must be feeling just as much, if not more so, having lived directly with Jason recently. Sookie presses her lips tightly together, but in spite of her best efforts, she can feel her brows furrowing and sees her vision already blurring, though she manages to keep the tears from immediately spilling over.

"How long has it been?" she asks, voice strained and quiet.