"You were doing what you had to do, but..."

Nick trails off, his voice strangled in his throat; his voice modulator does a wonderful job of replicating the emotion laden in his tone. He finally releases Rey, his hands sliding down to grasp hers, but he can't bring himself to meet her eyes as he tries to regain his composure. He's supposed to be the string one here, isn't he?

"It's been a hell of a month without you." But it could have been worse. It could have been far, far worse, and for that, he's grateful.