“You need me,” she said, looking down at him. He was tired, more than that, exhausted, drained almost past his limits.

“Cassy…” he said, the beginning of the old argument in her name.

“No, don’t push me away. We’re a Touched pair now you and I, and I would have it no other way. This life I chose joyously when I chose you.” She watched his eyes well with tears as she leaned down to kiss him.

“Cassy,” he said again. This time her name was warm, soft, loved. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pressed his face into her stomach and held on tightly. She ran her fingers through his hair, down his neck, then rubbed his back. His breathing hitched and she felt his muscles relax.

Finally he loosened his hold on her and raised his head. “How someone like me could ever pair with you, I will never understand.” He smiled then, his eyes warming until they sparked, his sanity fuzzing around the edges.

She felt the change, her breathing automatically aligning itself to his as she stepped back. She Reached.