He holds her gaze for a long few moments - and then turns abruptly, wheeling so he stands in profile to her.

"I am half tempted," he mutters, but the tension is broken, somewhat. There is another pause.

"I have told you that you are needed," he says, at length, not looking at her. "That I need you here. I told you once that I am hard to shake from desires I have -"

The words hang in the air a moment, before he goes on, "This is not a desire. It is necessity. I cannot keep you.

"But I will tell you that - I wish you would stay."