She takes another step back and that's when he feels it, when he starts to get the picture.

But he would never have imagined the phrase I can't ever coming out of Kate's mouth. Not from her.

"You can't what?"

As soon as he says this he regrets it. It comes out too rough, demanding, maybe even hurtful, and he's quick to apologize.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-- I'm--"

And then everything she's told him punches him in the gut.

Because it's not the curse itself, you selfish asshole. It's her pain and her loss that she's had to bear, curse or not, and thinking that just because you think you're immune to it doesn't make it any easier for her to let go of that I can't. Because you can't save everyone.



shit.


He ducks his head in a nod.

"I'm an ass, and-- I'll go."

Eyes straight head, he strides past her to get his jacket where he left it with their breakfast on the desk.