Was it When Friends Become Lovers by Kathy Brown and Demi?

There's a scene like that in this story, but she goes to find him after a bad rescue and he tells her he's not very good company right now and she should leave (she doesn't)


"HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE." -Terry Pratchett, Hogfather