There wasn't an immediate answer, other than trying not to let the emotion of the moment catch him too much. This wasn't the time to break down - even if there had been so much tension that night that it was hard not to after that. I guess this is why we end up like this so often when something bad happens. It's either that or break down completely. And I think we'd both rather wind up in bed than wind up crying somewhere.

Miles inhaled and exhaled slowly, kissing at the spot just under Phoenix's ear. He didn't - couldn't - say anything before turning his head up and bringing the hand that was on his shoulder up to his cheek. In the end, the answer was a single word that tried to convey a dozen mixed-up emotions: "Good."