I'm only too aware that we might not all survive this anyway. What if Jin makes his sacrifice, but something else goes wrong? What if he makes his sacrifice, but the subdimension blows up, and we lose Emeric, Hiromu, Ryuuji, Yoko, as well?

What if Jin makes his sacrifice but Messiah still escapes?

We've lost so many people already. There's nothing to limit this final loss to just one.

But I'm not about to dwell on that. It's hard enough for Jin to do this anyway, without thinking that it might not be enough.

"It's not your fault," I say hoarsely. And I still can't touch him. Not really. The last time I touched him, spoke to him, was before that goddamn Christmas party. Fourteen years ago.

I find professionalism deep inside, to match his, and I give him a nod. "After you."