[ He shakes his head softly, finally looking away from the ceiling to shoot her a sidelong glance. Lavi offers a smile, small and subdued, sincere.

It's so like her to consider that rather than the anger she should rightly have. Still, he means it in his heart and soul when he gently denies her assessment-- ]

No, it's important. Someone has to remember. War is pointless, but it's endless. Someone has to keep score. Has to know everything and everyone we lose.

[ He swallows audibly, fighting against the lump building in his throat. ]

But to do that, we aren't supposed to get attached--and Kate, I don't know if I can keep doing that. If I can just stand by and watch. Again.

[ He doesn't know that he deserves to call himself Bookman anymore. ]