"Your American friends are sending some guy called Zhu Lui over to meet with my bosses to, and I quote, 'finally resolve outstanding difficulties'. Fr...m this, it appears that he might just get round to meeting you at some point as well. It looks to me, though, like politics hereabouts have just shifted to a higher plane ... and we're not in a particularly brilliant position."Brilliantly, my brain focused on the 'we' for a moment - quite a happy moment - before engaging with the issue at hand. I. There were a million reasons not to, but I called her.After four rings, Carrie answered, with a confused mumble I couldn't translate into words."Carrie?" Natalie?" she said, her words slowly beginning more distinct. "Can't this wait until morning?"I took a deep breath, knowing I had reached my Rubicon. "I want you, Carrie. Now."When you think these events ahead in your mind, it's like you're living in a movie, where the audience has just seen this promise half an hour earlier. But it took some. She just wanted to get the whole thing over with! Ally turned to Kaija, a serious expression on her face. "He didn't come here expecting to see you, Kaija. Somehow he knew it was me behind the keyboard instead of you."Kaija looked puzzled, but continued to listen attentively."Barc thought I had had a change of heart and was coming on to him." Whoa, back up a minute. A change of heart? You two have discussed having a relationship behind my back?" Kaija tried to remain as even-tempered as she. "Oh, stop fussing over me, Vanlo!" Doran snapped."It is necessary until I can secure the proper herbs for a potion to clear the plaques from the vessels around your heart," explained Vanlo. "Until then, it is best that..." Roquan, does she really need to be here?" Rennis suddenly spoke up, pointing.Silence fell. Amanda had just picked up the flask. Now she paused and looked uncertainly back at the others."Vanlo required her presence as part of his duties to Doran," Roquan said."And you can.