[ She can feel his heart beating beneath her palm, the faint sensation one of the most wonderful she's ever experienced. The bullet had just barely missed that most vital organ, grazing his heart rather than fully puncturing it, and if it had been even a millimeter closer...

It hurts to meet his gaze, her chest tightening painfully at the look in his eyes. She'd nearly lost him, and now she has to face those emotions as well as her growing affection toward him. Rushing out that door almost seems like a viable option except that she'd rather cut off her own hand right now than leave his side. ]

I couldn't leave you there. [ Her voice just barely squeezes out, cracks woven through the words from a fresh surge of tears she skillfully manages to suppress. ] I didn't know if this would work, but I had to try. You deserved to see that things could be better.