"We all should," Alain said, meeting Nariko's eyes. "But you saved all our lives, and did a damned sight more than most people would or could." Getting to his feet, he cleared his throat and pulled her rather awkwardly into a hug. It was brief and a little uncomfortable, but it felt necessary. Pulling away, his cheeks pink, he rested his hands on her shoulders for a moment. "Thankee. If for nothing else, then for what you do for Roland. And I cry your pardon for keeping so much resting on you."

Clearing his throat again, he rubbed the back of his neck and went to sit back down, looking back at Kaine with a rather dry little smile. "As for you... I've known Bert for what, fifteen years or more? I've never seen him look at a woman - or a man - the way he looks at you. And," he added, his smile fading, "I've never met someone who mattered so much to him that I can imagine him leaving us for them. Not until now."