i 'd like to see you again before i go . i sat on one of the benches , putting the notebook down beside me . `` i ca n't help feeling that this conversation is losing its focus , '' nick said gently . she was so excited she could hardly contain herself . one more slip and you 're fired . well , youve certainly been in the wars , havent you ? it was a gesture of solidarity that had become familiar to them over the last while . at least then id die happy . 