The rational part of Ami agreed with Scott's words. He could help and his help was needed. People she cared about were hurt, and Scott had to help. It was the irrational part wanted to throw her arms around him, cling to him and never let him go. It took a few moments for her to push back the irrational part and nod.

"I will," Ami nodded. "You go."

Scott frowned, and cupped her cheek in his hand. Ami closed her eyes and leaned into that touch, drinking in everything about it. It was foolishness, but she couldn't help herself. The phantom fear of abandonment and loneliness simply wouldn't go away.

"I'm not going far," Scott promised quietly. "I'm not going to leave you."

Opening her eyes, Ami turned her face into his hand and kissed his palm. She held onto his hand for a moment longer before releasing him. "I know."

(Strong. I have to be strong. I can do this. I won't let them win.)

"Go on, then," Ami told him, "I'm -" She couldn't lie, not to him, and I'm okay wasn't believeable right now anyway. "I'm going to lie down and rest."

"Daniel, shut up," Megabyte's voice rang out from across the room. She was tempted to ask what was going on, anything to distract herself, but realized that she was far more drained than she thought. Now that the crises had passed -- whatever percipitated it -- she really did want to rest a bit.

"Go on," Ami repeated, lying back on the mattress. "You're needed. I'll be resting right here."

(He'll come back, they won't take me away from him again.) Ami reached for the covers, repeating the new mantra in her head.