“I don't want to lose you," he whispered again. "And I didn't want to be lost.”

“Ana. I want you to know I'd choose you. If it were up to anyone, if what I wanted counted for anything, I'd have chosen you.”

“What I want." I slid my hands over him until cloth folded between my fingers. "I don't even know what that is. It feels like too much, but I'll fall apart if I don't get it.”

“I only meant the impulsive part.""I'm a passionate person, that's all."His mouth turned up in a sly smile."If I only get one life, I don't want to waste it by hesitating.”

“You don't listen do you? Go away." ..."You don't listen," he said.Why wouldn't he just leave? I was going to burn up, anyway, with fire creeping up my arms to consume me. My eyes ached with fresh tears. I hated crying."But if you listened," he murmured, "I'd be dead.”

“His ascent was slow - the blow to the head must have disoriented him worse than he let on - so I went behind, ready to catch him should he lose his balance. Well, I could soften his landing when he hit the floor. Maybe.”

“What a powerful feeling, love, able to withstand time and distance and disagreements. No wonder I wanted it so badly.”