"Well, I just hope no one saw you", she said as if the previous outburst had not happened.
    Garas drew up behind her and put his arm around her.  
  "Hey, Tom", he said, also staring out the window.
    "Yes?"
    "I think you should go out. Spring looks like he could use a walk".
    Tom looked up with a puzzled expression. He'd never seen these two like this, especially with Mari being so on edge lately. Usually she was so calm and collected but recently, she always looked so distant. And Garas was being uncharacteristically not angry. Most of the time it was him who'd be yelling at him for doing something like this, not Mari.
    He stared at the two, still looking confused. Then he got to his feet and walked slowly out of the room, turning his head back a couple of times to look at the two of them. Spring followed him loyally, wagging his tail, apparently oblivious to the events that had just transpired.
    The couple by the window heard the door creak open and then shut quietly. Mari pushed away the arm around her shoulder and turned to face it's owner.
    "You didn't need to do that. I can take care of myself".
    Garas put his hands on her shoulders.
    "Maybe, but not right now, at least. And it's not like you to take it out on him".
    She stared at him, then pushed him back and turned away.      
    "It's not that, It's just...". She stopped, her voice dying away. she held her arms across herself and looked down at the floor.
    "Mari...", Garas started. He paused, still looking at her. "I understa-".
    She snapped round suddenly.
    "No! No you don't!", she shouted at him. She sounded angry, but her voice was shaking.
    "Don't you dare say that. Don't you... Don't...". Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared up at him.
    "You can't... You... I....". He reached out and pulled her close to him, arms around her.
    "I know. I know".
    He held up a hand to her cheek and wiped away a tear. She turned her head up at him, and looked up into his eyes.