[ A long pause, his gaze flickering away from her own, finding some distant point in the room. ]

...Not so long ago, I would have said yes. To go out on one grand, final gamble, one that was all my own... [ But then, a shake of his head. ] But what would happen then? Well — I wouldn't have anything worth sharing with those who are waiting for me.

[ A beat. He had touched on this before with her, hadn't he? A small smile touches the corners of his lips. ]

So, even if I'm never free...I won't give up my chance to be.