Gabriel stood still as he listened to Vanessa speak. [i]Just as I thought.[/i] he thought to himself. [i]She feels the same thing.[/i]
[i]"It's not that I don't want a thing to do with you, it's just... I feel like I'm endangering you if we get too close."[/i] he said, and turned around as she let go of his hand. [i]Just like back then.[/i] he added to himself in his mind. He stood quiet for a moment before continuing.
[i]"I feel the same thing. I feel like I know you. Like I've met you before, long ago. Like there's a ... Connection."[/i]
Of course, he knew more than he told her, but he wasn't ready to tell her their big secret yet.

[i]"Tell me, what is this help you want to offer us? We are homeless, a family without anything but each other. What could you - a young girl working at a flower shop - possibly offer us?"[/i] he asked her, sceptical at first but realizing afterwards that he might have come off as rude. [i]"I... Mean no offence, of course, I just..."[/i] he stuttered, unsure of how to save the situation. It had been a long time since anyone rendered him speachless. [i]"What I mean is, we are a bunch of hobos. Why would anyone want to help us? Why could you possibly want to help complete strangers? There's some sort of connection between you and me, but... Why?"[/i]
He was genuinely concerned about her.