[he squeezes her hand back immediately, drawing more comfort from it.]

[the quiet settles over him again, ruminating over her words and knowing she won't rush him.]

I could not bear it, if anything happened to the memory core. If I did it.

But it might not hurt. To at least... see what options there might be.

[he's been too afraid to try, out of avoiding disappointment and that fear of ruination.]