[ the twist in emma's chest does little for the rising anger that threatens to push the boundaries of her composure, of that carefully untouched expression, because she sure as hell doesn't want him to see that his vicious attempts to see her riled are working. her jaw clenches, fingers curling around her own elbow as she looks at him with that intense focus, hawk-like and precise.

breathe. breathe and don't let it slip.

don't let it show exactly the kind of stinging wounds those words dig into her. ]

I have no delusions about what you plan to do when that leg of yours is strong enough to carry you out. If it ever is.

But you saved my life. [ a begrudging admission. ] I thought at the least I ought to do right by you while you're barely able to take one miserable step without keeling over.

[ she doesn't want to let the edge of emotion show as she speaks, but it's threatening to creep in, threatening to push up into her words and make her voice crack.

goddamn it, no. ]

But I'm not countin' on you to stay. I know you haven't got a reason to— [ but part of her, part that she won't let anywhere near the surface, had hoped so badly that he might find one ] —so I can guarantee I haven't been suffering through your company simply out of the hope you'll find it in that black hole you call a heart to finally appreciate a speck of kindness.

I know why you're still here, Faraday, and if I had any inclination to keep you, I certainly would have asked rather than holding my damn breath.