He raised his head and stepped closer until he was standing right in front of her. "I... Please tell me you're really here. That you're really you? I can't... I need... The woman said you were, but that you're called Shine now."
"I am, Dove chose it," she reached out to touch him
Daniel's breath hitched, visibly swallowing. "But you're still Angel Starr?" He reached a shaky hand out to touch her face, almost expecting her to disappear.
"Of course I do," Angel smiled and settled beside him
Daniel returned her smile. "Hi."
She took his hand. "Hello, it's been a little while."
Daniel looked at her hand in his, almost as if he wasn't sure her touch was real before he curled his long fingers around hers. "I know. Too long."
"From the second I walked out the door and you didn't follow was too long," Angel whispered
"I'm sorry. I just... I... God, I'm sorry."
"You just what?" This was what she'd needed to hear
"I couldn't think properly. I shut down. When you started talking, saying that you had to go, I wanted to stop you, I wanted to come with you but with Mands in hospital and how we had been... I couldn't breathe, let alone do anything I wanted to." He lowered his gaze to his hands, shame colouring his face. "I'm sorry. That's crap."