Jag wasn't sure why she was kissing him back. Did she truly want to, or was she being kind? But he didn't want to think about that; he wanted to be selfish, for this one moment. He focused on the kiss, every shift of her lips against his, the slide of her tongue, the way she felt in his arms. So familiar, and yet this wasn't Em, but the Emma he'd met here, so close to the one he'd met years ago. This moment was precious, and he savored it while it lasted.

She spoke when it ended, and his heart clenched again, with love, and hope of love returned. "I know," he acknowledged, reluctant to move away. Perhaps he shouldn't have kissed her. Suddenly, walking away felt near insurmountable. So he thought of Coby, and Curnen, and his love for them. He could not leave them to rot here. Coby ought to get back to his angel, and Curnen to her people. Both of them, to freedom. And Sunny, too, if Emma could find her.

Jag brushed his lips against Emma's again, briefly this time, the actual goodbye. "We ought to go. Find them." He forced himself to step back, all of his feelings shining in his eyes, free hand lingering on her arm, finding her own hand to squeeze it. "Thank you."