[ Something horrible has happened to him, she can hear it in his breathing, in the cadence of his voice. It makes her want to wrap her arms around him and protect him from all the horrible things that might lay ahead for them. He is too good a person to be burdened with pain like this, and if she could she would take it for him and add it to her own. ]

You didn't do anything, sugar. I don't ever expect anyone to be so kind to me as you have, and I promise you, I handle things much better when I'm taking care of someone else. You've done me a favor by giving me something else to focus on for a little while.