That night, they lie in each other's arms, unable to sleep.

"You think they're going to kill me?" Susan says. Her head is on Channing's chest.

"I don't think so."

"Liar."

"I don't think Alia would let you die. She's not the type. She thinks you're kindred spirits. You share a common bond. That is, you've both been majorly fucked by me, and I don't mean it in a positive way."

"So why am I here?"

"As a pawn to keep me in check before they kill me." His tone is a matter-of-fact.

She realizes he has come to accept that he is going to die.

"I don't think she'll kill you," she whispers, stroking his chest. "She still loves you. I can feel it. As a woman, I know these things."

He is silent, but his heartbeat thuds erratically.

"Permanent imprisonment isn't on my bucket list of things to do either," he says.

"Channing . . . I love you." It seems as though she has loved him forever.

He lifts a tendril of her hair.

"I love you too," he says hesitantly.

She tenses and holds her breath. This is the first time he has ever said it to her.

"But I'm afraid to jinx you by saying it too often," he adds. "So don't expect me to say it again until . . . unless we get out of here."

His eyes are shining the dim light of the flickering lamp on their bedside table.

"It's all right. You said it . . . and that's all that matters," she says.

Tears come to her eyes and her heart expands with sudden emotion. She has always wondered why folks made such a big do about those three little words, and now she understands. They are monumental. They represent anything and everything that has happened in their relationship, and for it to come to this pivotal moment . . . well, it's as good a time as any to say them.

She clasps his body to hers, and he does likewise. They hold each other like this for a long, long time, gazing into each other's eyes, studying each other's faces and thinking about what might ensue tomorrow.

About what may never be.

After a while, he says, "You want to try again?"

She knows what he refers to. Do you want to try to make love again? Because we may never get the chance . . . again.