She accepted the kiss and suddenly Max felt so good. He could feel his heart pounding, and he closed his eyes too, let himself feel the softness, the touch of lips, the love.
"It's real. Tell me it's real."
He heard Althea's voice in his head and opened his eyes. She was also looking at him, and her voice was quiet over the bond.
"I know it is, I want to believe it is, but please, tell me. This is no trick, it's real?"
Max paused, just taking in the moment, and thinking. She had seen him die, she'd seen an illusion out over Max, making him look different. She'd fought against a very powerful psychic. For a moment Max tightened his embrace comfortingly and smiled.
"It is real," he said over the bond, kissing her again. "I'm not going anywhere,"