His heart seems to stop as the answer becomes clear. Crystal and shining and horrible. But it is the only answer. The only one that makes sense.

Are there others that could go? Yes. Always. Always. Of course. And do they have enough time to find someone? No. No, of course not. Never enough time. Never peace. Never rest.

Never someone else.

The girl needs his help. And his help… it means leaving… her. His heart. His Dearest Heart.

When they finally have everything they’ve ever wanted.

He turns from the door where his friend stands, desperate for his aid… and faces his wife. Tears fill his eyes. His lower lip trembles, his breath going from him. He takes a step toward her, lifts a hand to caress her face, cupping her cheek gingerly.

“Ask me to stay,” he breathes.

She looks up at him, her jaw set. “I can’t do that… They need you. They…” Her words trail off and tears form in her own eyes. “They need you more than I do right now…”

His eyes close in a long blink and then he tilts his head, looking at her with more sorrow than could be borne by the world. “What if something happens? What if something happens while I’m gone…?” The first tear slides down his cheek and she pulls him into her arms, resting her cheek beside his.

“It won’t.” A promise.

A lie.

Something always happens.

But he holds her tight. Shuts his eyes against the truth and when he pulls away, even he believes her false promise. Belief born of hope and sorrow.

She kisses him, setting her lips to his, a seal to the vow. “I love you. Come back to me.”

“Always,” is his reply. “Always. My Dearest Heart.”