Around

She was the one person he couldn't be around without softening somehow. A small measure of respect for her always floated to the surface whenever he was in her presence. It wasn't even a conscious decision on his part, but more of an admiration for the way she stood up for her beliefs even in the face of his most intense opposition, when most people folded like corrugated cardboard. It was that quality that made him want to keep her around.

A/N: Meh. Just as I started this, my husband interrupted and totally killed the mood. :-/