It was possible, wasn't it, that he loved her, and that in this time of terrifying opportunity he was willing to weaken himself before her in order to win her love.

In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him.

She worked her toes into the sand, feeling the tiny delicious pain of the friction of tiny chips of silicon against the tender flesh between her toes. That's life. It hurts, it's dirty, and it feels very, very good.

I didn't want to see you."
"They told me."
"I was afraid that I'd still love you."
"I hoped that you would.

He loved her, as you can only love someone who is an echo of yourself at your time of deepest sorrow.

So you love me," said Petra softly when the kiss ended.

I'm a raging mass of hormones thet I'm too young to understand," said Bean. "You're a female of a closely related species. According to all the best primatologists, I really have no choice."

That's nice," she said...