"No!" The word tore from him, pulled by the pain in Pippa's eyes and voice. "That's not true, I--" Rory couldn't not touch her, couldn't keep his hands at this sides. They rose to gently cup her face.

"Pippa, I love you. Nothing has changed that; nothing will change that." His thumbs brushed at the tears tracking down her cheeks. "I want to be with you no matter what, do you hear me? No. Matter. What."

His hands were shaking. When had that started? "You're not crazy. You're hurting. If I could heal your heart's wounds like the wounds of your body, I would. But I can't." His eyes stung. His chest ached. "I can't."