Miles simply nodded, reaching into the pocket and - he wasn't sure what he'd been expecting. One of those pieces of stone, maybe, but not a photograph. Once he got a clear look at the subject of the photograph, however, everything became clear. "They wanted to test you with someone they knew would get a reaction out of you, even if she's dead. They knew she was hiding things, and probably hadn't come clean before her execution, and..."

I know. We've switched positions. But... I'm the only one that can do this right now. You'll be back to your old self sooner than you think you will, I'm sure of that, but right now... right now let me face the shadows. I've had to grow used to them, as much as they frighten me. He wanted to say all that, but the words wouldn't come out.

Instead, he fell silent, putting the photograph back, then clicking off the light and tossing it to one side as he sat down next to Phoenix and wrapped both arms around him. "Whatever your response was, don't worry about it. You don't want to know what kind of shape I was in when they were done with me, but...I can't imagine you were in much better shape. Whatever you said or did, remember that you were in no shape to think critically. You were going on instinct because you didn't have anything else to go on."

He got a stern tone in his voice when he continued. "Phoenix? Do not blame yourself. It doesn't get you anywhere. You can't play the what-if game, not here. It will eat you alive."