"Tara. I am here with you. You are still my girlfriend and I'm learning you again." He wrapped her up into a tight hug, shaking his head as his fingers wound into her hair. "If it hurts you too damn much to say, then you don't have to."

Knowing wasn't worth the pain that ran through Tara with all her hauntings. He kept hoping, one day, that something would drive those ghosts out and make her smile again. They were still precious and rare, those moments when Tara was beaming and happy.

"You're not a thing, Tara. That woman I knew, maybe you're not her, but you got the same heart, the same love."