“Will stared at him with utter disbelief. “Am I really supposed to answer that? What do you think I want? I want you.” He added bitterly, “Who wouldn’t want you? Seeing you’re so sweet-tempered and understanding.”

“I’m not going to let go of you. I’m going to hold you all night. So go ahead and feel whatever you feel. If you’re still craving cocaine, go ahead. You’re safe. You can crave it all you want, but I won’t let go, and if you still feel like you can’t trust yourself in the morning, and it’s what you want, I’ll drive you to rehab myself. Okay?" ~ Max”

“Why can't you say it?" I hardened my voice. "Because I'm telling you, you never have. I'd have remembered."He stared at me with disbelief. [...]"Love you? Of course I love you. Baby, I fucking worship you.”

“Rick said, "Is there some place we can go and talk?""You want to talk?," Keir raised an eyebrow. "I never thought I'd see the day.""Nah, I want to tell you this joke I heard."Keir nodded, patient. "Shoot.""Two Irish cops walk into a bar. The first cop says..." Rick's voice dropped. He said gruffly, "I love you. Come home."Keir managed to keep his voice steady. "What's the other cop say?"The sweetness of Rick's smile was like a kick in his chest. "That's what I'm here to find out, boyo.”

“Look, Paul. I appreciate what you’re telling me, but I gave Jake my word. Not to mention the fact, he’d throw my ass in jail if he found out I tried to go around him.”“He wouldn’t, you know,” he said. “Jake’s a pussycat.”Yeah, just a big old saber-toothed tiger.”

“He never lied to me. I just didn't ask the questions I didn't want to know the answers to.”

“So, tomorrow night. My house or yours?""Mine. I...want to show you something.""Oh yes?” Will said hopefully, suggestively.There was a smile in Taylor's voice, but he sounded absent. “Will?""Right here."There was a pause. “When I was shot—"Will's heart quickened; he wasn't even sure why. “Yeah?""It wasn't because of you...turning me down. It wasn't because my mind wasn't on the job.""No?""No. I know—at least, I think I do—that you thought you were somehow to blame for me getting nailed. It wasn't anything to do with you.” He heard Taylor sigh. “It was when I saw how young they were. Kids. And I hesitated. I hesitated a couple of seconds too long. That's all."Something inside Will relaxed, like the clutch of a child's hand on a balloon. The balloon went sailing free and happy.(...)He couldn't even explain why he felt so happy. “You think I'm with you out of guilt?""No, you ass. Of course not. I just mean—""You're a nut, MacAllister. I'm with you because I love you."There it was, out. Three little words. Three of the most common words in the world, but string them together and they were more powerful than any warrant, any extradition papers, or even treaty. Stronger than any magical spell. Had he really never said them aloud to Taylor? Something in the ringing silence that followed made him think he maybe hadn't.It was a relief when Taylor said, at last, in that irritable voice that always signified nerves or great emotion, “That's fine. I just thought you should know.""I love you,” Will repeated firmly, having got the hang of it. “I'll see you tomorrow night, you lunatic.""Love you,” Taylor said tersely and hung up.Taylor stared at the receiver in its cradle and then got ready for bed.”