[ He bends to bury his face in her robes and brings his arms up to cling to her, accepting her simple comfort. But his tears come a little harder and his throat clenches at her words. His voice is thick. ]

But I wasn't. I wasn't! She was calling for me, and I...

[ Failed her. Wasn't even conscious enough to know it was happening. He clenches his fists in her robes. ]

She was only trying to save me. She wouldn't have been taken... It's my fault. [ A crack. ] My fault she was taken and... ah... [ His voice fails him completely. The utter truth of it slams into him again now that he has the luxury to accept it. Useless. Powerless. Quietly he begins to sob into her shoulder, trembling uncontrollably. ]