"Nothin' else is gonna happen right now," he murmured. "And don't you worry 'bout shoulds and shouldn'ts. We c'n talk 'bout that all later. All you're gonna do now is be."

Adam kicked open the door and with Wensley's help manipulated Pepper inside and onto her bed. Then he sat by her side and started gently running his fingers through her hair, asking nothing and demanding nothing, simply being there.