Well, she's not screaming anymore, and her response is mumbled past the point of comprehension, but the tone is unmistakably her, the real her, and I clutch her close to my chest and, to hell with anything approaching emotional reserve. I let out a dry sob into her hair.

"You're back."

It occurs to me belatedly that I should probably get her inside, now that I'm fairly certain she's safe. Messiah must be seething at this point, losing two of them.

How ever are we going to get Mako back?

First things first. "Can I carry you inside?" I have to ask, because even if she's half-dead, if she doesn't want me to pick her up, I'll get kicked from here to kingdom come.