He didn't look up this time, not meeting her eyes. "I couldn't exactly leave and have time to search for the others at the same time," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "If they survived, they're not going to report to me. I...I am not one to hope, in vain, that someone had."

Hot crocodile tears streamed down his cheeks that he hastily wiped away as if ashamed that she'd seen him like that. He gingerly rested his hands on his knees, forcing himself to breathe deeply as he rested his head back against the lockers again. "I do have to admit, my surprise you haven't called the others about my appearance here." His lips twitched into a faint wry smile at his jest, but that expression quickly faded away as his eyes finally locked onto hers. "Nor will I blame you for doing so now."

He made no effort to move to prove his point.