( shared experience is important, but it ain't by any means necessary. gene shakes his head. )

Folks form bonds outta need, you know? An' we can't be all things to all others. You're exactly what he needs you to be, an' it's okay that there're things you can't touch.

( he draws a breath, just a bit on the shaky side. )

I think I can speak for him just as well as myself when I say we'd rather no more folk than necessary know what it's like to be in war. It ain't. Pretty or easy or. ( his hands are trembling faintly an' he ain't got the first notion why. withdrawal, maybe. ) Lord, it ain't anythin' else but Hell.