"Only a dream," he agrees. "It's not really happening."

His voice is a little too thick. Gabriel knows how much of it has been real, and could be real still. Tiānna, he prays silently, desperately, let it be only a dream.

"It's all right." He pulls back a little, looking down at Regan. Gabriel tries for a smile, although it's a sick, weak effort.

"I didn't mean to scare you."