And it's killing Mick, killing him that he has to watch he confusion and panic and despair unfold across his features and not be able to reach out and draw him into his arms and comfort him. He sucks in a breath and keeps his arms folded around his middle to keep from doing just that.

It would have saved them a lot of fights and so much heartache but that doesn't matter now. The point is Mick knows and there's no way on this earth that he's gonna run from his partner.

"Shh," he soothes. "Lenny you got nothing to be sorry for. Okay? I'm right here. Not going anywhere."

"I love you Lenny. Nothing's gonna change that."