A slight brush of the hand wasn't enough to sustain her through this goodbye. Jo reached for his hand and clutched it in her grasp. If a random stranger thought them improper she wouldn't care. Why should she? They were hundreds of miles away from home and those they had to fear. She could allow herself the comfort of holding his hand one last time, she had to if it meant making this last.

Jo was greedy, though, and ought to have known she wouldn't stop at only holding his hand. Quickly, likely before Zach could register what was happening, she stepped forward and kissed him one last time. "Safe travels to you too, Zachariah." Jo replied as she stepped back. She hoped he knew the words being left unsaid between them. How she would miss him and pine for him. How afraid she was that the bubble would pop and they'd be broken. How deeply she now knew she cared for him.

With one last longing look, Jo released her grip on his hand and said, "goodbye, Zach." Then, with greater reluctance than she ever felt, Jo turned from him and began to make her way towards the ship.