"I need you to stay put right now, chère," I say, trying not to sound too desperate as I reach out to lay a hand on her shoulder and pull her off him. I know touching's supposed to be a big no-no right now, but I got to keep her attention on me so de good doctor can slip out to do his t'ing. "Just for a minute, nothin' bad's gonna happen, not dis time, y'hear?"