I wake up the next morning to find Ringo already up and walking around the room.

"Ringo?"

He looks at me. "Good morning."

I smile at him. "Good morning. Um, can I ask you a question?"

He nods.

"What is this?"

"Huh?"

"I mean...is there a reason you wanted me to come with you? We...We've kissed twice now and both times, you were the one to start it. Is this genuinely a thing or are you just toting me around because you don't want to get lonely?"

He looks surprised by my forwardness and takes a minute to answer.

"I suppose I should tell you now, huh."

"Tell me what?"

"I have a sister, Ser. A sister that your brother used to date. They'd gotten into a fight, which is what had led Stephen into the car at the same moment that my mother just so happened to be driving back from the grocery store. I brought you along because...once Catherine realizes that I'm gone, she's going to try and come after you."

"Excuse me...?"

"What I'm trying to say, Serenity, is that I'm trying to protect you."