She hadn't realized how much she been hoping he would say yes until he actually did. In an incredibly short time, she'd been overwhelmed by holding on to the tiniest glimmer of hope that maybe she'd been wrong, that things could be different between them. He owed her nothing and she felt so much in his debt for his agreement to this crazy plan.

It's a relief when he crouches down, his usual towering height worrisome if she did accidentally took too much. Being crushed by a toppling mountain of metal isn't exactly the way she wants to go out, you know? And it makes this more personal, letting her be close enough to watch his expression as she tugs off one glove and reaches out. Her hand hovers over the beautiful rich red of his chest plate, just an inch of space between them, and with a steadying breath, she presses her skin against him.

One. Two. Three. That spark grows brighter as she strains to feel any stirring of her power where it would usually be kicking in full force by now. Four. Five. Her fingers spread out and she presses harder against his metal. Six. Seven.

"Nothing's happening," she says in a hushed voice, eyes wide and expression etched with wonder.