[It was almost like reading his mind at times, seeing that look on his face, and Alex just sighs softly again, reaching up and touching his cheek.]

No matter what, I'm never going to be able to do that, Richard. It's just not in me to do it and you know it. And it's not in me to avoid meeting people or liking them, or to suddenly stop loving you. That's not something that you're ever going to be able to prepare me for.

[A beat before she adds softly:]

Not and still have me be me. So I guess those are the options you've got to think of: me closed off or me being me. Can't have both.