[ She has a way with making principle--equal parts conviction and belief--look soft. Not the kind that is brittle and easily corrupted, but the kind that treads the footpath to salvation. People like that were rare.

He holds her gaze, blue on fearless blue. When he does close his eyes, it's to take it in rather than force her out.

It's something of a small victory. ]

"No man is an island", huh? While we're reciting clichés. You learn it the hard way, eventually. [ Like he did. He's not even sure that he believes it, entirely, but he'll be an island if it means safe harbor for those close to him. ] It's the stubborn ones who don't that get in the most trouble. Losing your measure of humanity when you think about it in terms of what's just and what isn't makes you no better than a doll.

[ I believe in you much more than that. Black, white, and porcelain. Don't mess it up. ]

Don't lose your way. [ Finally, he retracts his grasp. ] You're not anybody's soldier. Time isn't going to take that away from you.