Gabriel did not resist when Elijah grabbed his hands, but he looked away. He did not dare to meet Elijah's eye.

He slowly shook his head. "You are not responsible for my feelings, Elijah. But I want to be that good priest you believe I am... and I do not trust myself when you are so close..." He turned his face to look at his hands in Elijah's. He slowly pulled them back. "Please, we have a new priest and he's a good one. He can help you with all you spiritual needs. I think it is better if we..." The words nearly suffocated him, "...if we try to stay away from one another as much as possible."