Whatever this might be between them, he'll be a lot more comfortable with it if he gives as much as he takes. Whether he'll always be able to remember to do so, that's a whole other question, but for now this is what they both need. If he were in the shape to think it through he might almost find it reassuring that she's so shaken; Carol is hard to read, now, sometimes. He's forgiven her for the things she's done--the things she will do-- but that only means so much when he hasn't lived it. This isn't the reaction, though, of someone who's too far gone, it's entirely what he would have expected from her.

"We are," he says tonelessly, but he's trying to curb that line of thought. They're safer here, which is just why it's a problem that anyone-- much less Rick-- is anywhere else.

He snakes his other arm around her waist as she moves closer, probably dripping on the hem of her shirt.

"It'll be all right," he murmurs, probably trying to convince himself as much as her.