Nicky hadn't ever really known what it was like to be a burden, but Jay didn't seem like he was much of a burden at all. He seemed very polite and warm and down-to-earth. He could see why some of the girls talked so warmly about Jay when he wasn't around, to be honest.

In spite of himself, Nicky smiled. "I'd like to, but I sometimes wonder if asking her out should entail a night saving the world instead of dinner and a carriage ride through the city. I mean, it isn't as though we really get a moment of peace." It wasn't a complaint - Nicky would never change who he was or what he was able to do for anything in the world - but he was being realistic.

He wondered if she'd ever be interested in going abroad with him to work with Habitats for Humanity or something. For a weekend.

"I heard about you and May, by the way," Nicky said. He indicated that they should go to the intersection on their right side. "I'm sorry."