I don’t look away.
“He’s not out of it yet.”
“But he will be.”
Not a question.
A statement.
I study her for a second.
Then nod.
“Yeah,” I say. “He will.”
Because he has to.
Because we don’t leave people behind.
Not like that.
The transport shifts slightly, turbulence rolling through.
Nothing serious.
But enough to remind us—
We’re still not home.
Not yet.
“You always go back out there,” Olivia says quietly.
Not accusing.
Not uncertain.
Just… understanding.
I glance at her.
“Yeah.”
“And you will again.”
“Yeah.”
Silence.
Then—
“I’m not going to ask you not to.”
That gets my attention.
I turn fully toward her.
“Most people would.”
