Tim recoiled at the sharp tone, a wounded look on his features for a split second as he tried to bring up the words.

When he did speak, it was quiet, ashamed, almost. "Emily...I....I don't want to impose....but....I....I....I think a child...would be...alright to have." He watched her with a wary look, subconsciously leaning away like a dog expecting to be hit.

Her aggressive stance suddenly disappeared. "Oh." She studied his face and took his hand, "I thought you were having second thoughts..."

She bit her lip, "But what of our work? I don't want to put a child in harms way."

Tim closed his eyes for a moment, then glanced away. There was...a logical point to what she was saying...In actuality, he had realized that he had not wanted to come back. It had come slowly, the feeling of misplacement...but now it was...undeniable.

"I want a family Tim," She misread his actions.

"You....I..." Tim hesitated, then nodded, gingerly reaching out and holding her hand.

"You don't plan on returning do you...." She suddenly understood. "You don't want to return to the brigade."

Tim met her eyes for a moment, a pained expression on his face. "I...have to. I...I can't leave the men, not un...til this is over...."

"But you don't want to," She pressed, "You may have to do it, but I can tell you don't want to."

Tim closed his eyes, pained. "I...don't," he said softly.

She wrapped her arms around him. "It's alright, Tim."

Tim rested his head on her shoulder, nodding gently. "I..."

She stepped back and looked up at him, "I'm conflicted Tim, I'm afraid of how long this war will last. I'm afraid...a child...if something should happen to either of us."

Tim bit his lip, closing his eyes for a moment before he nodded. "I---I understand..."

"I'm sorry," She whispered. "I don't know.......I don't know what to do."

Tim shut his eyes again, swallowed. "...You...don't have to be sorry, Emily..."

She was silent, staring at the ground, holding back tears.

"Emily...please....I...I....emily, please, just forget that I said that....!"

She wrapped her arms around his neck, Emily whispered as she buried her face against his shirt. "I love you."

Tim smiled gently, looking down at her and gingerly cradling her against his form with an awkward, cautious expression.

She didn't move away from him, "Was this a mistake? Should we have waited till after the war to wed?"

A wounded look came across his face and he held her close for a moment. "Emily...it...it wasn't..."

"I didn't mean it like that." She stepped back. "But can we really start a life with this war looming over us?"

Tim bit his lip, closing his eyes for a moment. "I...I....Emily, I made a mistake...I...I'm sorry..." His voice wavered.

"No," She looked at her hands, wringing them nervously. "I'm sorry."

"I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."

"It...it's okay." Tim stated quietly, despite the hollow feeling now resting in his chest.

"Well," She stood awkwardly and looked away. "Now that I've ruined the day...." She wrung her hands together again.

"Emily....you---You haven't..." He stated softly, cautiously approaching her and wrapping his arms around her.

She allowed herself to lean into the embrace, mumbling something against his shirt.

"Emily...what....what is it?"

She looked up at him finally and smiled slightly, "Nothing really."

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