"I needed you too, a chroi," he breathed, barely voicing the words in his warm baritone. "Needed, need ... and if you need more time, I'll give it to you." Generosity toward her hesitation, or cowardice in the face of the confessions their talk must eventually drag out? Ruddy hells, you know just which you're feeling, don't deny it.

Summoning his nerve, he continued, determined to at least open the door. "But when you are ready to talk, I'm here. Anything you need to say, I'll listen. Anything you need to ask, I'll answer." No matter how difficult the words would be.