Heron Lake Plateau shadow, my sweet shadow

She could feel the tremor of his body, and she heard the subtle quaver in his voice. He pressed close to her and she kissed his chin and jaw tenderly, feeling a mixture of emotions overwhelm her. Deep, profound love for him. Gratitude for his diligent attention and care. Pride in him for managing to cobble together what little he knew about medicine to keep her wounds clean and medicated. And sorrow for what she had put him through, the signs of which were as clear as day on his face, in his eyes, in every line of his demeanor and body language. As he said the words -- I should have been there to stop it. -- she touched his lips lightly with her paw and shushed him, shaking her head. It wasn't his fault. It was no one's fault but Screech's. "I love you," she told him, her eyes meeting his. "Don't do this to yourself."

He had asked if there was anything else he could do, and actually, there was. "I'm really thirsty, and I need to tinkle. Can you help me to the lake?" It wasn't far at all -- the lake was visible from their little spot -- but she would need his help getting there due to her weakness and pain.