"You're being quite open," he hadn't expected that of her yet, not when they were still acquaintances. He was strangely comfortable with that, as if she respected him enough to be so open and honest. Not many people were these days.

"My family is from Italy, father a military man. I know nothing else but this. So moments slowed down in this way, it is a challenge to stop and not think in terms of combat." He was always on the defense, checking surroundings, and loud sounds tended to make him stop cold. He didn't sleep anymore than necessary, and even then his mind never stopped. There was something in her presence that made it slow down, and it was a nice change of pace.