She doesn't understand. He's speaking English - she knows he's speaking English. She's very good at English. If there's one thing she's good at, it's understanding English - but it hardly seems to make sense. Or he doesn't realize what he's saying...

His touch is a help, though, keeping her here, staving off the darkness, drawing her focus. Something painfully bright and hot is twisting and flaring in her stomach, too. Something she knows, but can't quite put her finger on.

I want you here. I want you closer.

His words resonate so strongly that she shivers and something in her cracks. Tears begin to trail down her cheek, and she makes an indistinct sound, helpless to stop them. It's everything she wants, everything she needs, and yet... Everything she touches dies. The library. Brigadier Hughes. The station. The Avengers - twice. Kate. Kaylee. Anita. Chief Shepard. The Striders. The Once-ler. Timothy Drake. Julie. Chief Beifong. Sirius.

Itsuki.

For a moment she closes her eyes and breathes, trying to fight back the fear and despair, to compose herself and try to find the words. "Itsuki, I... I don't want to hurt you!" She opens her eyes to focus on his face, unable to keep her emotions shuttered and out of her voice, but it's too late now. She's started and now she can't seem to stop. "I'm not... I've never been any good at relationships. I hurt everyone... I've hurt you! I don't... I don't want to do that again... You deserve better. You deserve more! Someone who can make you happy, who can focus on you, who isn't..." Her eyes drop to her lap, the passion in her voice faltering and going quiet. "Who isn't broken."