Tim instantly felt horrible. He hadn't eant for his question to be a sad one. Then again, she probably hadn't meant for [i]her[/i] question about the holidays to send him into the same place as he sent her, but he still felt awful. He wanted to do something, but he didnt know what to do. He wanted to hug her, comfort her the same way she comforted him. But he just couldn't force his body to make the movement. He couldn't find the strength to move. And god knows he wouldn't be able to find the words. But he had to try, dammit, he had to.

And so, slowly, he reached his hand across the stretch of space between them, his heart pounding. He put his hand on her knee, gently, gently, gently. He then spoke softly, just letting words fall out of his mouth now.

"It uh its going... It's gonna be okay and you're better... than, um... them." He stumbled on his words, but he looked at her like he meant them.