She supposes it's the thought of John that stops her from intentionally playing on those fears, or from driving Cortana further away so that she can drive herself closer.

The truth is it's that tiny, common thread. It's that she knows what it means to be used and cast aside, to be afraid there'll be no more place for you. She even knows what it is to be afraid your mind is breaking down because it doesn't make sense anymore and something is so out of place, wrong. There's something strange about yourself, and there shouldn't be.

"When he wakes up," she says simply, "He'll see Cortana."