His eyes soften. His chest aches at the thought.

"Annie," Sweeney's voice is barely above a whisper. "You don't owe me anythin'." He bends to kiss her, feather-light, before he lingers, hovered above them.

"I'm in yer corner. We're lookin' at that mountain. It's a slippery piece'a shit, but I'm behind ta catch ya. I'm not gonna let ya fall just 'cause ya gotta take a step back ta get yer bearin's."

Another kiss, and he leans up just enough to let her see the supportive quirk of his smile.

"We can camp where we are as long as ya need b'fore we start up again."