Closing his eyes, Leonard continued to hold her close against him. He tilted his head, nuzzling her temple. Back in the Academy, he had been the first person she had ever slept with, but she had also been the first person he had been with since his divorce, and it was because of her that he knew he could love again.

Because of that, he knew he couldn't let her walk this path alone. No matter where it led. And no matter how long it took.

"Then I won't," he promised her. "I'm gonna be there with you every step of the way."

Nudging her head up so he could look at her, he gently wiped her tears from her eyes.