I pull her back. "Oh, no you don't. You've had enough. Now answer my question."

Joanna turned to face him wobbling as she stood " Yes, he asked me too, if he loved me that much why me? " she said and looked at her hands where her claws sat still glinting in the light, " I cut him down with these, now all i want to do is forget" she said

I need to see. I need to understand. Where are my psychic powers when I need them?

I'm watching the display from the roof of the bar. This is fascinating. 'Very well, Mister Carpenter. Here are your psychic powers.' I snap my fingers.

My mind is flooded with images from all the minds around me. People in the bar, and from Joanna. I hit my knees, and my nose starts bleeding. Come on, Alex. You can control this. You've done it before. I stand, and take a deep breath. I filter everything out, except Joanna. I see everything. "It wasn't your fault, Joanna. It was Death. The Horseman of Death."

she closes her eyes " he was my husband" she said " no one will take his place" she took a step towards the bar again.

I step in front of her, blocking the door. "No one has to. He's gone. It's sad, yes. But it doesn't have to be devastating. You've got a good pair of legs, Joanna. Pick yourself up, and move forward."

"how can i, he was my anchor, he kept me calm now ..." she paused " let me pass, let me get rid of the pain "

"Let him anchor you. He's still here." I point to her head. "And here." I point to her heart. "He can still help you."

she let a tear fall " I'll never hold him again or feel his warm skin"she said now sinking to her knees

Yes you will. I think silently. I reach into her mind, and bring her memories of him forward, making them seem real.

In Joanna's mind she is stood back in the shack Kurt stands in front of her " Kurt?" she says suprsedi

Oh, damn. I need to supply the voice. "Yes, Joanna. I'm here. I'll always be here, just on the edge."

she moved forward holding him close to her in her mind " don't leave me" she said

"Never. I'll never leave you." It'll take a little of her brain power, but it'll be worth it. I make the Kurt persona a permanent part of her, so she can talk to him whenever she wants.