[There is some relief in seeing her relax, even just a hair. Even if the rest is hard to explain, it is true that he values her, and appreciates all she has done for him. No matter what else might happen, he has no intent of tossing her aside or leaving her to feel abandoned, and if he can reassure her on that point, all the better.

The rest is...harder to put into words.]

I still do care for him. And he for me, as much as that may sound strange to say.

[WHICH MAKES EVERYTHING FINE.]

Years have passed since New Orleans -- even more for him than for me. We are not the same as we were then, and I truly do not think he would ever harm me in such a way again. Nor would I treat him in such a way to inspire him to.