[Again, it. The thing Zevran won't even put a name to, though the more he describes it, the more Jack is sure he knows exactly when he means, and the heavier and stranger the feeling inside him becomes as it tangles with that dread in Zev's voice. It's like after the fall that left Eugene's leg a mangled horror, after he became at least a little coherent through the pain, when he started trying to argue that the best thing was for Jack to leave him with the gun and keep going.

It makes just as much sense, too. Some, but not enough to obey.]

Shh, shh- listen. I think I speak for both of us when I say that keeping you around is worth taking some chances. [That does it, just a little smile and he's grinning, heat welling up behind his eyes and vision going blurry. He has to smudge them clear, and ignore the way the heel of his hand comes away wet.] You're not the only one here who's let themselves get to that point.