["Why ask?" Is she serious? He stares, searching her eyes for the answer with the pen held flat against the paper, between his hand.]

Because it's not like you to do something so foolish. [He doesn't look away.] It's not like you to make mistakes, but you did here. It cost you your life.

[And he will hold that gaze for as long as he can. Only then does he shift his chin out of her hand, and write down those words exactly.]