"Sorry, I lost track of time," she apologized. "That's alright, what did you rent?" I smiled. I liked the way she apologized. I liked a lot of things...about her. "It's a new vampire one, and an old haunted house one" she said, looking at me in my fuzzy pajamas and blanket. She put one of the first movies on and went into the kitchen. I waited eagerly for her to come sit with me. She came back in the room with a couple glasses and a bottle of wine. I laughed to myself, thinking she was trying. She knocked politely on the door, causing the startled (male) secretary to leap to his feet and begin to apologize to Sato.Armis: “Please don’t. It is I who am intruding.”Sato: “Oh. Ms Armis. I have been expecting a visit from you for several weeks.”Armis: “I apologize for the delay. I have many things to do, and there is only one of me.”Sato: “No need for an apology, Ms Armis. Won’t you please come in ... Hideki, will you please set up the comm meeting we have talked about ... Ms Armis, I have. . ." Well. . . you are, aren't you?" I don't know. . . I gave birth to you, but I didn't raise you. . ." In my book, that counts."We turned to each other, and held each other tightly for a long time. "I don't ever want to lose you again," she sobbed."I promise, you won't."After a long period, Andrea whispered in my ear. "I didn't finish my question before." Okay, what's the rest of it?" I. . ." she exhaled heavily; "I always wished that I could have taken inventory of your body – count your. "I was watching, yes? He deserved his Sloaning."I looked over at him, a little startled, but there was no deception to be seen in my teammate."Thanks," I said."No problem," said Frenchy, sounding quite happy. He trotted back off to his own assignment, leaving me just a little bewildered.The next afternoon, in the bus on the way back to Florida, I was sporting a bandaged forehead and a black eye. Everybody seemed to be considering it an honorable badge, but I certainly didn't. It hurt like.