[ she feels a flash of indignant response swell up when he talks about his fear of being 'just the story'. she wouldn't do that. would she? the realization that there could be any grain of truth to it does a lot to deflate her self righteous bubble right off the bat.

but it's when he starts talking about his flight plans and how he keeps subconsciously wanting to add her into them, her expression cracks a bit as well. his last words cause a choked laugh to escape her throat, that she bites down on just in case it opens the floodgates.

she shakes her head for a moment as she swallows down any impending tears, strengthening her voice for when she responds. ]

Ollie, whoever or whatever else you are, or have been, you have to know that it doesn't change what you are to me.

It never could have. But I can't-- [ her resolve folds for a moment, and the words drop out from under her. she swallows, eyes scraping the floor as she regathers herself. ] I couldn't be left out of something that was so much a part of you, not if we ever were going to make this work.

I knew, Ollie, that something was missing. That you were holding something back. What was I supposed to think?