"No," she says, turning over her shoulder to look at him. She jumps slightly when she sees Doc so much nearer to her, but he's not her focus right now.

Bill is.

"I'm not sayin' y'can't look out for yourself, Bill. I know that ain't true. But I know that y'wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for me, like Kate said. I started trouble, and I got you dragged into it, and it's my responsibility t'make things right. Keepin' you, and Kate, and Boo, and Doc, and everybody else from harm is just part of that."

She purses her lips together, regarding her boots.

"Long as I'm here it ain't safe for nobody who loves me. Lady Demeter and her kin can't bail me out forever. Sooner or later, someone's gonna git hurt. So, y'see, it's better that I go. I've made my choice."