Despite the alarm on his face, Will's movements were still slow, considered. He read the message, but didn't appear to have processed what it meant, "Quinn, what's going on?" After her initial panic subsided, she sprung into action, tugging her panties off amid her struggle to breathe, then fumbling behind her back for the clasp of her bra. Will froze as he saw what she was doing. Coming slowly to her aid, he went behind her and carefully worked each of the connectors free from her bra. She shimmied if off, the collar finally relenting as she stood bare.

Taking a deep swig of air, she groaned with relief, standing...