He cocked his head and was quiet for a moment. "I can't watch you die, Avice," he said eventually, his voice heavy. "I just... I can't be with you if I feel like you're going to die at any moment. I can't do it."
"So you're just going to leave me?" Her voice sounded choked. "After one of my slip-ups.. You're just gone for good?" She took a shaky breath. "That's not fair."
She ran her hands through her hair, pacing. "Leave me. You're going to leave the ship and I would never see you again."
“Avice, Avice, Avice,” he said, shaking his head as he stood up and took her hands in his, stopping her pacing. “You’re my partner. I would never leave you.”
“I was just letting you know that I planned to leave tonight. I always want you near me, even though I am technically still furious with you.”
He shook his head slowly. “Avice, I love you more than I ever have. I’m just...” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know if I can keep living like this.”
He tilted his head, his eyes tired. “No, Avice. Of course not. I’m not even really angry. I’m just... I’m worried. I’m scared.”
He hesitated, eyeing her hesitantly, clearly wanting her embrace but conflicted. “You still scare me.”
She sat down next to him, but wasn't close as she added distance. "I won't do anything bad.. Find courage."
“You did,” he said sharply, his voice still frustrated. “You did do something bad. You died, Avice. You died in my arms and I couldn’t do a thing to stop it.”
