Allof a sudden, I saw one of the big differences between men and womenillustrated for me very starkly.Men were problem-solvers, women were nurturers. ... had heard it before, butit was all so clear to me now. I didn?t need to be reminded of things that Ialready knew; I just needed to be held, to be soothed, to receive lovingreassurance.As I dried my eyes, I smiled at Sandra, thanked her, and told her she betterget going before Dan started wondering what had happened to her. We hugged,I told her I. Something like concern. And at the moment, it seemed genuine. It was like nothing she had seen previously in her friend, and it threw her off.Both of the people who seemed to see past Shannon's defenses had now weighed in on her decision. Bethany was pushing her away from pledging, and Elizabeth Fisher was pushing her towards it.The puzzle was not yet complete, and Shannon had very little time to work at it. The initiation ritual would commence this evening. There was just too much to. Stan, take northern intercept. Ops order delta. I say, put 'em down hard." Flight Lead, Charlie. Confirm order delta, bust 'em and dust 'em." Angel Flight, Lead. Lead will take eastern intercept. Make status reports to Guardian, as per usual. Stay cloaked, guys. Assume the hostiles carry hot loads. Don't get tagged." Angel Flight all units, Guardian. Be advised we have ident on bandit aircraft. We have eighteen Chengdu F-10 Vanguard strike fighters. Chinese manufacture. Mach 2.2, one 23mm. I checked the battery. It was almost dead of course. "Well, I should go charge this thing. Good to see both of you again," I said."Bullshit," Cheryl said. "If you really need to charge the phone, go hook it up and then come back. Come have a drink and lets catch up." I don't know Cheryl, I think you two would prefer to be alone," I suggested."Look, I know you did it with Kate, and Kate knows I did it with you. We are really sort of family. So go plug your phone in and come back. That is an.