He hated being the cause of her expression falling, hated seeing her upset that he couldn't express what he felt. But how could he when he knew she didn't want what he did? That, if he did tell her, it would force them apart or together in a way that wouldn't work for them, or so he thought. Not when she wasn't ready, not after John.

And it was proving to be difficult, letting her settle, letting her heal. When he wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and...

Well now wasn't that nice.

He didn't fight it, saw no reason to really. And he even shifted his arm to wrap around her shoulders, hesitantly of course. This was going against everything, every rule, every norm they lived by to sit like this. But he didn't care, and he showed it by squeezing her hand gently with the hand hers was resting on, turning it over to take her hand in his, relaxing more. This was, doing things, sending all the wrong messages, did she want more? Or did she want him to wait, and was teasing? Or what?

For now though all he could do, and did was hold her close, enjoying the fire and her company. "Of course Helen, always. I will, always, be here for you." And longer, she would always have a home with him, even if she chose not to see it.