Paul had never done emotions right. He had never had the appropriate reactions, he lacked the compassion and care when things like this happened. Of course he knew the script, knew how to arrange his face to seem sympathetic and say the expected words and send a grandiose flower arrangement to the funeral if he could not attend. But Gabriel was not some acquaintance or client or Asset, he was Paul's angel. Paul would not pretend, Gabriel would see right through it, but he would not leave the boy to handle it alone.<br/><br/>Paul ignored Gabriel's words and grasped the boy's hand, knowing that he needed the contact desperately more than ever. His grip was dry and firm as it always was.<br/><br/>"This is what will happen," Paul said as he looked squarely into Gabriel's eyes, "you will go to the bathroom to shower, and then you will dress and pack your luggage. I will arrange for the plane tickets and we will go and handle what needs to be handled. Do you understand?"<br/><br/>Do you understand that I will not leave you? Paul did not say, would never say, but it was there hidden in his words, in his touch, in the hard darkness of his eyes. He would never leave his angel, not now, not ever. Gabriel belonged to him and he took care of what was his.