He kissed her back, his touch slow and soft, and when it broke he pulled his shirt up and away entirely. "You know I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that they're ready, right?" He shifted more on top of her, his knees straddling her thighs. "By the time I'm done some of them are gonna hate me, but they'll all be able to fight. I'm going to make absolutely sure of it. And you're gonna be right there next to me, making sure your friends get what they need to survive, too."<br/><br/>Carson kissed her again, still gentle, but deep and warm too. "Everything is going to be okay, Malia. Everything is going to work out exactly like we planned." He lowered himself for another kiss, head tilting slowly over hers. He knew promises like that were irresponsible, but he couldn't stand to see her upset. All Carson wanted in this world was to make sure she could live happily within it at his side, and he at hers. He would do any task, fight any enemy to make that a reality.