She's reluctant to part from him, and grips his hand so tight, he might think she was afraid he was going to dissolve in front of her eyes.

One hand swipes across her eyes, and she pretends to push her hair back again.



And her thoughts have settled on something, something ridiculous and archaic, something so ludicrous, she doesn't want to give it voice yet. But she will, if it comes down to it.


'Gene, it would make us both feel better, but that isn't... I mean, that's not why I want to. And I don't want you to think I'd do it because I'm afraid I'll never get another chance. That's not fair to either of us. But it's important to me that it not feel like goodbye again. I want it to be a beginning for the two of us. A promise, and a declaration, and...'

Yeah, she's babbling now.