[Don't make him laugh. Really, don't; he bends forward, and hacks and coughs and gasps for breath. After a moment he manages an answer, rasping and amused.]

If this were for my sake you'd drop me and let me rot. Didn't I say it? Circle number seven. Shoulda been nine, treachery fits, doesn't it? But violence against the self, that's, you know, fine. Guess you don't get to choose. And you, you just - a partner wouldn't touch that shit. A partner's just - just for cases! It's not like the movies. Did one of your programmers just watch Lethal Weapon one too many times, so you think that's what we're supposed to be? A partner means I work with you. And then I carry my own weight.

[He pauses, panting, frowning at the gate, swaying a little.]

That's all. That's all that means.