Mercifully, Jo was too caught up in her head to register the term of endearment Zach used. Love was a term she was not quite ready to use, and likely wouldn't say anytime in the nearby future. Not because she didn't feel the same, but simply because she had too much going on to try and put voice to her feelings.

Eventually, the crying had to subside. The grief still lingered, the fear was still evident in how tightly she held onto his hand, but the pain became too much. Again, Jo swallowed back bile. "Could we rest? I promise to tell you everything in the morning…" She asked quietly. And she would. Whatever Zach wished to know she would share. He deserved at least that much.