He gathers her close to him, a strength suddenly manifesting itself, surprising, from his wasted frame, slightly underneath the physical. Like a vein of iron ore bound deep within crumbling silicate.

"Max," And he says her name with quiet devotion, a wealth of meaning in the syllable. He suspects, strongly, that she might just need him as much as he needs her--and his next sentence is precise. "Max, may I just... stay here... for a short time? Please?"