A little quiet dinner, in a little quiet pub. Maldon.

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear was noticeably quiet during the baked fish and beans.

[John Hino]

John watched her with a concerned expression.

"Are you alright?"

[Byrna Cooper]

"Hmm? Yeah.."

She wasn't, and John knew it.

[John Hino]

"You know you can tell me anything, right?"

[Byrna Cooper]

She nodded, putting down her fork. She took a deep breath.

[John Hino]

"Do you want to go somewhere more private?" he asked with gentle concern.

[Byrna Cooper]

"No, this place is good. Ideal, even."

She gathered her words, and then spoke.

"John, I have two things I need to tell you, and I feel terrible I haven't told you these sooner."

[John Hino]

Oh God... isn't that what women say before... No. Gotta be something else.

John just put a hand on hers and nodded for her to proceed.

[Byrna Cooper]

"I've.. I've been having some troubles with my abilities," she began, trying to sum it up as best she could.

[John Hino]

John let her finish before saying anything.

"Is that what you really think? That the most beautiful, most incredible person I've ever met is some kind of cosmic mistake?" he asked disbelievingly.

[Byrna Cooper]

"I don't know.. it's all crashing together right at this moment. I really need to think about my position in the teams.. I just don't know."

[John Hino]

"I know it's easy for mister bulletproof to say, but... why not just step back for a while until your elbow gets better? Nobody would hold it against you."

[Byrna Cooper]

"My elbow.. I don't think it will get better. Eventually, it's going to tear again, and again. Scar tissue is going to build up, and eventually.."

Bear covered her face with her hands.

[John Hino]

He just squeezed her hand gently.

"Whatever happens, I'll be there for you."

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear got up walked around the table and hugged her boyfriend. She needed it.

[John Hino]

He moved back just in time to catch her in his own wordless hug.

[Byrna Cooper]

"I don't see a happy ending.."

[John Hino]

"I've already found mine. With you. Whatever else happens is just epilogue." He knew it sounded corny, incredibly so, but it was honestly how he felt.

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear stayed where she was, for a good long while.