I thought Clare's decision was correct in from a tactical point of vew. We've been through how Rakki is metaphorically a time-bomb, and how he's not very potent at the moment. Live to fight another day. Instead of pursuing happiness that may last for, say, a couple of hours to maybe a week, Rakki could leave just for a little while, and make up that time later. And that later would last longer if he made himself stronger during his leave.