Might as well go with it.

Sam felt a little panic rise in her as she said the words, but it subsided as fast as it had come. Jake whispered the same back to her, and she knew it. She knew it more than anything.

He turned around to face her. Looking into his eyes, she could feel herself sliding into oblivion.

"Sam?" he asked.

"... yes, Jake?"

"Are you still there?"

There was a long silence. "I don't know."

She felt very, very sad. Tears appeared in Jake's eyes. She reached up and wiped them away.

"I haven't died, Jake. I haven't gone away, either. I'm just not sure what's you and what's me anymore. I don't mind, though. It's... nice. I know it bothers you. That makes it bother me. But when you forget about it - when you sleep, or when you get so curious or nervous or distracted that it's no longer on your mind - then it doesn't bother me." She smiled. "Do you understand? The part that's still me loves this. It loves you."

Jake was still troubled. Sam cradled his head against her chest. He could hear her heartbeat. "Do you hear that, Jake? That's still my heart. These are still my breasts, this is still my body. I hear what you think but I'm not a ****, Jake. I'm not a robot or a servant. I'm not me or you anymore. I'm us, and I love what I am."

She felt the hot tears on her breasts and on her cheeks. She felt the acceptance flowing from Jake like a stream of cool water. She held him, and he held her. Their union was complete.