Zoe leaned heavily against him. She could be strong, and she knew she should be. She knew she should be happy that it was said, that he had said it. But for the moment she also needed to recognize why she hadn't before now.
She looked up at him, tears in her eyes, but they wouldn't fall. She took a slow ragged breath, nodding. She let the breath out just as slowly. Her hand found his and held it tight, as if the City might actually try to take him away at that very moment. She took yet another breath, and finally smiled a crooked by real smile.
"I know. I'm sorry." The laugh was a little shaky. "I didn't know that would happen; don't think I could have."