Rikku closed her eyes, listening to all of that. Trying to find a real answer. Because 'no, seriously, everything's fine' was just as bad coming from her as it was from him, right?

Okay.

"You're ... making me think that any minute now, you're gonna ... stand up, and brush your pants off, and go, 'okay, the hell with it.' And pack a bag and kiss me good-bye and catch the next chopper to Gaia. Because ... being without the Turks is killing you, and there has to be something back there that's gonna be close enough." Inhale. Exhale. Getting words out: good. "I wouldn't blame you. You're not ... you lately. You're not happy lately. If you'd be happy there, then go. Please. Just that ... maybe I'm trying not to hold on too tight so it's not gonna hurt so much when you do."