[...And here Thane was thinking he was a shitty father. Damn.

He listens closely as she speaks, and when she looks up at him and meets his eyes with fear shining in hers, he reaches out to place a hand gently on her shoulder, hoping to reassure her while she finishes telling him what she has to say. This very neatly ties up everything she's already told him, and while the story in full is astonishing and unbelievable...he believes it. How could he not? With all of the unbelievable things that have happened since he'd been pulled here, what's one more to add to the list?

And, forgetting that, nothing about Elizabeth has ever struck him as untruthful. He would believe her on principle alone.

Her raw, undeniable youth has never struck him so soundly as it is at just this moment. She is so very young, and has not been brought up with the discipline that he had been, both at her age and when he was much younger.]

I am truly honored by the trust you've placed in me by telling me this, Elizabeth.

[He pauses briefly, considering, and continues:]

I have been used nearly my entire life by others for the abilities I possess. But this was something that I allowed, through my own choice. To have that choice taken away...[He frowns, and shakes his head.] I could not do that to anyone. Nor could I stand by and witness it happen to anyone.

[He's got your back, girl.]