When he opened his eyes again, a profound tenderness had returned to their depths.
He lowered his head, lovingly caressing her swollen, kiss-bruised lips with his own. His voice was a barely audible whisper.
"Wait for me."
Though he was loath to leave, he had to go himself.
The energy pool was immovable, and the power it contained was incredibly unstable and dangerous.
Only by testing the data himself could he possibly convert that power into a viable resource.
He needed more trump cards, greater power.
In this dog-eat-dog apocalypse, only absolute power could carve out a true sanctuary for the treasure in his arms.
He gazed at her for a long time in the faint light of dawn before carefully slipping out of bed and getting dressed.
He took one last look at Josie, curled up and sleeping soundly amidst the rumpled sheets, then silently closed the door behind him.
Outside, the biting apocalyptic wind rushed to meet him.
