Just like that she's in his arms. Michael is, sadly for him, not that used to having Maria Deluca in his arms, and there's the barest second of surprise. But it makes sense, doesn't it? He's a familiar thing in a world that's gone crazy. He wraps her up, and glances around to see what attention they're attracting. His first day here, he'd started a hell of a commotion on this train. He knows better now.

Thank god she's not submissive. It's the best news he's had in a long time.

Then she pulls back, and her touch makes him smile. He brings his good hand up to catch hers.

"That should be my line. God, you must be freaking out."

His eyes search hers, seeing the tears.

"I'm not new, Deluca, I've been here a while. I can explain," he adds, quickly, knowing how it had thrown him when Alex told him the same thing. "But just...tell me they didn't hurt you. If anyone so much as made a pass at you, I swear--"