[ oh come on, he's really going to use that one on her? really? what is she even supposed to say when he plays the "parents murdered in a dark, dirty alley right in front of my eyes" card? she turns her hand over in his, pressing the palm of it to his cheek. ]

Love is a lot of things. Love is me wanting to help carry the weight of the world that you always have resting upon your shoulders. So it doesn't crush you. Sounds like you and I are going to have to find some kind of balance there, but in the meantime? [ she lifts his chin, leaning in closer to press quick kiss to his lips. ] Let's find some answers.

If you hate the idea of me befriending Harding, even though we both know he's the exact sort of man I could have eating out of the palm of my hand, then I don't have to befriend Harding. But you better give me something useful to do.