“I love you,” Anna whispered to his chest as she buried her face in it in an attempt to prevent more tears.

“I love you Anna,” Jack whispered just as quietly. He started to move a little bit to make Anna more comfortable. In the process of doing so he pulled away from her a little bit. A look of terror came over Anna’s face & she clutched his hand tighter.

Jack looked at her in alarm, “Anna what is it?”
Anna suddenly felt silly, “I thought you were leaving again.”

Jack’s face changed from alarmed to sympathetic, & the same love that was there so long ago showed again now.

He placed both of his hands on either side of her face. “Anna, I need you to know, that I am never leaving you. I may get into trouble like this, but you have to know that I will always come back for you. Okay? Do you hear me Anna? Always.”

Anna had started crying again, & Jack just took her in his arms. Anna buried her face in the safeness of his chest again while Jack whispered “I’m always here” over and over again.