["around\ta\tpoker\ttable.\t\\\"Congratulations\\\"\tseemed\tthe\tsafest\tpossible comment. \\\"I\tdo\tokay.\tJust\tlet\tme\tknow\tif\tyou're\tin\tthe\tmarket.\tWe\tgot\tin\ta\tshipment of\treal\thoneys\tthis\tweek.\\\" Jacob\tspared\ta\tglance\tat\tthe\tbrunette\ton\this\tother\tside\tas\tshe\trubbed her\tarm\tagainst\this.\t\\\"I'll\tdo\tthat.\\\" Relieved\tthat\tSunny's\tnew\tfriend\tno\tlonger\tlooked\tas\tthough\the\twanted to\trearrange\this\tface,\tMarco\tshifted\this\tchair\ta\tlittle\tcloser.\t\\\"So\twhat\tdo you\tdrive,\tJ.T.?\\\" There\twas\ta\tuniversal\tmoan\taround\tthe\ttable.\tMarco\taccepted\tit\twith\ta good-natured\tshrug\tand\tpopped\ta\thandful\tof\tpeanuts\tinto\this\tmouth. \\\"Hey,\tit's\tmy\tjob.\\\" \\\"Like\ttaking\tlittle\told\tladies\tfor\ttest\tdrives\tis\ta\tjob,\\\"\tsomeone\tjoked. \\\"It's\ta\tliving.\\\"\tMarco\tgrinned.\t\\\"None\tof\tus\tare\trocket\tscientists.\\\" \\\"J.T.\tis,\\\"\tSunny\tsaid. \\\"Are\tyou?\\\"\tThe\tbrunette\tscooted\ther\tchair\tcloser. She\thad\tbig\tbrown\teyes,\tJacob\tnoted.\tEyes\tthat\tjust\tbrimmed\twith invitations.\t\\\"In\ta\tmanner\tof\tspeaking.\\\" \\\"Oh,\tI\tjust\tlove\tbrainy\tmen.\\\" Amused,\tJacob\tpicked\tup\tthe\tbeer\tthe\twaitress\tset\tin\tfront\tof\thim.\tHe caught\tthe\tlook\tSunny\tshot\tacross\tthe\ttable.\tHe\trecognized\tit.\tJealousy, it\tappeared,\twas\tcontagious.\tNothing\tcould\thave\tpleased\thim\tmore.\tHe took\ta\tlong\tswig\tand\ttolerated\tthe\tsmoke\tthe\tbrunette\tblew\tin\this direction.\tIt\twas\tno\tuse\ttelling\ther\tthat\tshe\twas\tendangering\ther\tvery attractively\tpackaged\tlungs. \\\"Do\tyou?\\\" She\tkept\ther\teyes\ton\this\tas\tshe\tslowly\tcrushed\tout\tthe\tcigarette.\t\\\"Oh,","She\tkept\ther\teyes\ton\this\tas\tshe\tslowly\tcrushed\tout\tthe\tcigarette.\t\\\"Oh, yes.\tI'm\tvery\tattracted\tto\tintelligence.\\\" \\\"Let's\tdance.\\\"\tSunny\tshoved\tback\ther\tchair\tand\tsnagged\tJacob's\tsleeve. \\\"Nice\ttry,\tSheila,\\\"\tshe\tmuttered,\tand\tdragged\tJacob\tonto\tthe\tdance\tfloor. \\\"Is\tthat\ther\tname?\tSheila?\\\" She\tturned\tto\thim,\tinto\thim,\tand\ttilted\ther\tchin\tupward.\t\\\"Who\twants\tto know?\\\" \\\"Don't\tyou\twant\tme\tto\tbe\tnice\tto\tyour\tfriends?\\\"\tHe\tsettled\this\thands\ton her\thips.\tWith\ther\theels,\ther\teyes\twere\tlevel\twith\this.\tAnd\ther\tbody\tfit\this perfectly. \\\"No.\\\"\tHer\tmouth\tmoved\tinto\ta\tpout\tas\tshe\ttwined\ther\tarms\taround\this neck.\t\\\"At\tleast\tnot\tthe\tstacked\tones.\\\" Curious,\the\tlooked\tback\tat\tthe\ttable.\t\\\"Is\tshe\tstacked?\\\" \\\"As\tif\tyou\tdidn't\tnotice.\tUnfortunately,\ther\tI.Q.\tmeasures\tthe\tsame\tas\ther bustline.\\\" \\\"I\tlike\tyour-I.Q.\tbetter.\\\" \\\"Good\tthinking.\\\"\tGrinning,\tshe\tbrushed\ta\tkiss\tover\this\tmouth.\t\\\"I\tcan't blame\ther\tfor\tgiving\tit\ther\tbest\tshot.\tYou're\tawfully\tcute.\\\" \\\"Small\tdogs\tare\tcute,\\\"\the\tmuttered.\t\\\"Babies\tare\tcute.\\\" \\\"You\tlike\tbabies.\\\" \\\"Yes,\twhy\tnot?\\\" She\ttoyed\twith\tthe\tends\tof\this\thair.\t\\\"Just\tchecking.\tAnyway,\tyou\tare cute.\tAnd\tsexy.\\\"\tShe\ttook\ta\tplayful\tnip\tat\this\tbottom\tlip.\t\\\"And\tbrainy.\\\" She\tsettled\ther\tcheek\tagainst\this\tas\the\tdrew\ther\tcloser.\tAnd\tmine,\tshe thought.\tAll\tmine.\t\\\"What\tdoes\tthe\tT\tstand\tfor?\\\"\tshe\tmurmured. \\\"Which\tJ?\\\"","\\\"In\tJ.T.\\\" \\\"Nothing.\\\" \\\"It\thas\tto\tstand\tfor\tsomething.\\\"\tShe\tlet\tout\ta\tsound\tof\tpleasure.\t\\\"You dance\tvery\twell.\\\"\tThe\tsax\twas\tplaying\tagain,\tcrying\tthe\tblues\tthis\ttime. Sunny's\teyes\tdipped\tclosed\tas\tJacob\tmolded\ther\tagainst\thim. They\twere\thardly\tmoving\tin\tthe\tpress\tof\tbodies\tsurrounding\tthem.\tAs\this hands\troamed\tover\ther\tback\tand\this\tlips\tdown\ther\tthroat\tshe\tdidn't\tcare if\tthey\tever\tmoved\tagain. Her\tthighs\tbrushed\tagainst\this.\tThe\tleather\tfitted\ther\tlike\ta\tsecond\tskin, one\the\twas\talready\timagining\tpeeling\taway\tfrom\ther.\tAs\the\tturned\ther\tin his\tarms,\tslowly,\tsinuously,\the\tshifted\tto\ttaste\tthe\tbare\tflesh\tof\ther shoulder.\tEven\tover\tthe\techoing\tmusic\the\tcould\thear\ther\tskin\thumming. Lazily\the\ttrailed\this\tlips\tback\tto\ttoy\twith\thers. \\\"You\tsmell\tincredible.\tLike\tspring\tin\tthe\tdesert,\thot,\twith\tsome\tlingering trace\tof\tflowers\tgone\twild.\\\" Unable\tto\tresist,\tshe\tdeepened\tthe\tkiss\tuntil\ther\thead\tswam.\t\\\"J.T.?\\\" \\\"Yes?\\\" \\\"I'm\tnot\tsure,\tbut\tI\tthink\twe\tcould\tget\tarrested\tfor\tthis.\\\" \\\"It\twould\tbe\tworth\tit.\\\" She\topened\ther\teyes,\tmet\this.\t\\\"Let's\tgo\thome.\tI\tdon't\tlike\tcrowds\tthe way\tI\tused\tto.\\\" They\tstayed\ta\tweek,\tso\tthat\tshe\tcould\tdrag\thim\tto\tmovies,\tmalls,\tmore clubs.\tShe\tattributed\this\tconstant\tfascination\tto\tthe\tfact\tthat\the'd\tnever been\tin\tthe\tNorthwest\tbefore.\tEach\ttime\tthey\twent\tout,\tit\twas\tas\tthough he\twere\tseeing\tthings\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime.\tBecause\tof\tthat,\tshe\tenjoyed\tthe hours\tand\tthe\terrands\tmore\tthan\tshe\tever\thad. When\tthey\twere\talone,\twhen\tshe\ttrembled\tin\this\tarms,\tshe\trealized\tthat it\tdidn't\tmatter\twhere\tthey\twere.\tThey\twere\ttogether.\tAnd\tif\twith\teach","it\tdidn't\tmatter\twhere\tthey\twere.\tThey\twere\ttogether.\tAnd\tif\twith\teach passing\tmoment\tshe\tfell\tmore\tdeeply\tin\tlove,\tshe\tdid\tso\tfreely\tand\twith absolute\tjoy. For\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\ther\tlife\tshe\tbegan\tto\tthink\tof\ta\tfuture\twith\ta\tman,\tone man.\tShe\timagined\tpassing\tthrough\tthe\tyears\twith\thim-not\talways content,\tbut\talways\tsatisfied.\tShe\tthought\tof\ta\thome,\tand\tif\twhite\tpicket fences\tand\tcar\tpools\tdidn't\tenter\tthe\tfantasy,\tchildren\tdid.\tShe\tcould picture\tthe\targuments,\tthe\tnoise\tand\tthe\tlaughter. Before\tmuch\tlonger,\tshe\tthought,\tthey\twould\ttalk\tabout\tit.\tThey\twould plan. He\tallowed\thimself\tthe\tweek.\tA\thandful\tof\tdays\tmeant\tso\tlittle\tin\tthe vastness\tof\ttime.\tAnd\tmeant\tso\tmuch\tto\thim.\tHe\trecorded\teverything\the could,\tand\tbranded\tthe\trest\ton\this\tmemory.\tHe\tdidn't\tmean\tto\tforget,\tnot an\tinstant. Yet\the\tworried\tabout\thow\the\tcould\ttell\ther\twhere\the\thad\tto\ttravel\twhen he\tleft\ther\tso\tthat\tit\twould\thurt\tthe\tleast.\tMore,\the\tworried\tbecause\the was\tno\tlonger\tsure\the\thad\tthe\tcourage\tto\tlive\twithout\ther. When\tthey\tleft\tto\tgo\tback\tto\tthe\tcabin\the\ttold\thimself\tthat\tit\twas\tthe beginning\tof\tthe\tend.\tIf\tit\thad\tto\tend-and\the\tsaw\tno\talternative-it\twould end\thonestly.\tHe\twould\ttell\ther\teverything. \\\"You're\tso\tquiet,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tas\tthey\tturned\tup\tthe\tlong,\tbumpy\troad\tthat led\tto\tthe\tcabin. \\\"I\twas\tthinking.\\\" \\\"Well,\tthat's\tfine,\tbut\tyou\thaven't\tpicked\tone\tfight\tin\tfive\thours.\tI'm worried\tabout\tyou.\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\twant\tto\tfight\twith\tyou.\\\" \\\"Now\tI'm\treally\tworried.\\\"\tShe'd\tknown\tthat\tsomething\twas\ton\this\tmind, something\tthat\tcaused\ther\tpalms\tto\tsweat.\tDeliberately\tshe\tmade\ther voice\tlight\tand\tcheerful.\t\\\"We'll\tbe\tback\tin\ta\tfew\tminutes.\tOnce\tyou're trapped\tinside\tthe\tcabin,\thauling\twood\tand\teating\tout\tof\ta\tcan,\tyou'll\tbe","trapped\tinside\tthe\tcabin,\thauling\twood\tand\teating\tout\tof\ta\tcan,\tyou'll\tbe your\told\tcranky\tself.\\\" \\\"Sunny,\twe\thave\tto\ttalk.\\\" She\tmoistened\ther\tlips.\t\\\"All\tright.\\\"\tHer\tnerves\tbegan\tto\thum\tas\tshe stopped\tthe\tcar\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tcabin.\t\\\"Before\tor\tafter\twe\tunload?\\\" \\\"Now.\\\"\tIt\thad\tto\tbe\tnow.\tHe\ttook\ther\thand\tand\tsaid\tthe\tfirst\twords\tthat came\tto\tmind.\t\\\"I\tlove\tyou\tso\tmuch.\\\" The\tlittle\tfist\tof\tfear\tin\ther\tstomach\tunclenched.\t\\\"We're\tnever\tgoing\tto fight\tif\tyou\tkeep\ttalking\tlike\tthat.\\\"\tShe\tshifted\tcloser\tto\tkiss\this\tcheek.\tIt was\tthen\tthat\tshe\tnoticed\tthe\tsmoke\tpumping\tout\tof\tthe\tchimney. \\\"Jacob,\tsomeone's\there.\\\" \\\"What?\\\" \\\"In\tthe\tcabin.\\\"\tShe\tsaw\tthe\tfront\tdoor\topen.\t\\\"Libby!\\\"\tWith\ta\tlaugh,\tshe shoved\tthe\tcar\tdoor\topen\tand\tbounded\tout.\t\\\"Libby,\tyou\tscared\tme\tto death.\\\"\tAs\tJacob\twatched,\tshe\tthrew\ther\tarms\taround\ta\tslim\tbrunette. \\\"Look\tat\tyou!\tYou're\tso\ttanned!\\\" \\\"There's\ta\tlot\tof\tsun\tin\tBora\tBora.\\\"\tLibby\tkissed\ther\tsister's\tcheeks. \\\"When\twe\tgot\tback\tlast\tnight\twe\tthought\tyou'd\tskipped\tout\ton\tus.\\\" \\\"Just\ta\tquick\ttrip\tinto\tthe\treal\tworld\tto\trecharge.\\\" Libby's\tlaugh\twas\tsmooth\tand\teasy.\tShe\tknew\ther\tsister\tvery\twell. \\\"That's\twhat\tI\ttold\tCal.\tAll\tyour\tbooks\twere\tstill\there.\\\"\tSuddenly\tshe gripped\tboth\tof\tSunny's\thands.\t\\\"Oh,\tSunny,\tI'm\tso\tglad\tyou're\tback.\tI can't\twait\tto\ttell\tyou.\tI-\\\"\tA\tmovement\tcaught\ther\teye.\tGlancing\tover,\tshe saw\tJacob\tas\the\tclimbed\tout\tof\tthe\tLand\tRover.\tAs\ttheir\teyes\tmet,\ther half\tsmile\tof\tgreeting\tfaded\tand\ther\tfingers\ttightened\ton\tSunny's. \\\"What?\tWhat\tis\tit?\tOh.\\\"\tSmiling,\tSunny\tturned. \\\"Guess\twho\tdropped\tin?\tThis\tis\tJacob,\tCal's\tbrother.\\\" \\\"I\tknow.\\\"\tLibby\tfelt\tas\tthough\tthe\tground\thad\tvanished\tfrom\tunder\ther feet.\tShe'd\tseen\this\tface\tbefore,\tin\tthe\tpicture\tCal\thad\tkept\ton\this\tship.","feet.\tShe'd\tseen\this\tface\tbefore,\tin\tthe\tpicture\tCal\thad\tkept\ton\this\tship. But\tthis\twas\tno\tpicture.\tIt\twas\ta\tflesh-and-blood\tman,\ta\tfurious\tone.\tAs they\tstared\tat\teach\tother\tin\tsilence,\tthe\tblood\tseeped\tslowly\tout\tof\ther face. He's\tcome\tfor\tCal,\tshe\tthought,\tand\thad\tto\tbite\tback\tthe\tscream\tof protest\tthat\trose\tinto\ther\tthroat. She's\tterrified,\the\trealized.\tSomething\tmoved\tinside\thim\tthat\the stubbornly\tignored.\tHe\twouldn't\tfeel\tfor\ther.\tHe\twouldn't\tthink\tof\ther\tas anything\tbut\tthe\tobstacle\tpreventing\this\tbrother\tfrom\treturning\thome. \\\"J.T.?\\\"\tInstinctively\tSunny\tput\ta\tprotective\tarm\taround\tLibby's\tshoulders. There\twas\tsomething\there,\tshe\trealized.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tthe\tonly\tone\tnot\tin on\tthe\tsecret.\t\\\"Libby,\tyou're\tshivering.\tYou\tshouldn't\tbe\tstanding\tout here\twithout\ta\tcoat.\tLet's\tgo\tinside.\\\"\tShe\ttossed\ta\tlook\tback\tover\ther shoulder.\t\\\"Let's\tall\tgo\tinside.\\\" \\\"I'm\tall\tright.\\\"\tShaken,\tLibby\twalked\tinside\tto\tthe\tfire\tand\ttried\tto\twarm her\ticy\thands.\tNo\tamount\tof\theat\tcould\twarm\ther\ttrembling\theart.\tShe wouldn't\tlook\tat\thim\tagain,\tnot\tuntil\tshe\thad\therself\tunder\tsome\tkind\tof control.\tIn\tthe\tback\tof\ther\tmind,\tthe\tlittle\tgerm\tof\tfear\thad\tlived.\tSomeday they\twould\tcome\tfor\thim.\tBut\tshe\thadn't\tbelieved\tit\twould\tbe\tso\tsoon. They'd\thad\tso\tlittle\ttime. Time,\tshe\tthought\tbitterly.\tIt\twas\ta\tword\tshe\tcould\tlearn\tto\thate. Sunny\tstood\tbetween\tthem,\tbaffled.\tThe\ttension\twas\tso\tthick\tin\tthe\tsmall room\tthat\tshe\tcould\tsmell\tit\tas\teasily\tas\tthe\twoodsmoke.\t\\\"All\tright.\\\"\tShe looked\tfrom\tLibby's\trigid\tback\tto\tJacob's\tstony\tface\twithout\tany\tidea\twho she\tshould\tgo\tto.\t\\\"Would\teither\tof\tyou\tlike\tto\ttell\tme\twhat's\tgoing\ton?\\\" \\\"Hey,\tLibby,\tif\tthat\twas\tthat\tsexy\tsister\tof\tyours,\tI\twant\tto\ttell\ther-\\\" Barefoot,\this\tsweatshirt\ttorn,\tCal\tstrode\tin\tfrom\tthe\tkitchen.\tEveryone turned\ttoward\thim.\tIt\twas\tlike\ta\tslow,\tdeliberate\tballet.\tHis\teasy\tgrin froze.\tAll\tmotion\tstopped. \\\"J.T.\\\"\tHis\tvoice\twas\thardly\tmore\tthan\ta\twhisper\tas\tjoy\tand\tdisbelief flooded\tthrough\thim.\t\\\"J.T.,\\\"\the\tsaid\tagain.\tThen,\twith\ta\twhoop,\the\twas","flooded\tthrough\thim.\t\\\"J.T.,\\\"\the\tsaid\tagain.\tThen,\twith\ta\twhoop,\the\twas across\tthe\troom,\tgrabbing\this\tbrother\tin\ta\thard\thug.\t\\\"Oh,\tGod,\tJacob!\tIt's really\tyou!\\\" Libby\twatched\tthem\tuntil\ttears\tblurred\ther\tvision\tand\tshe\tturned\taway. Sunny\tbeamed.\tThe\ttwo\tbrothers\theld\teach\tother\tin\ta\tfierce\tembrace. She\tcould\tsee\tthe\temotions\trun\tover\tJacob's\tface\tand\tfound\tthem beautiful. \\\"I\tcan't\tbelieve\tit,\\\"\tCal\tmurmured,\tpulling\this\tbrother\tback\tto\tstudy,\tto devour,\this\tface.\t\\\"You're\treally\there.\tHow?\\\" He\tkept\this\thands\ton\tCal's\tarms,\tneeding\tthe\tsimple\tand\ttangible contact.\t\\\"The\tsame\tway\tas\tyou,\tbut\twith\tmore\tfinesse.\tYou\tlook\tgood.\\\" Somehow\the'd\texpected\tto\tfind\tCal\tpale\tand\tthin\tand\ttired\tfrom\tcoping with\tthe\ttwentieth\tcentury.\tInstead,\this\tbrother\twas\ttanned,\talert\tand obviously\thappy. \\\"You,\ttoo.\\\"\tHis\tsmile\tfaded\ta\tbit.\t\\\"Mom?\tDad?\\\" \\\"They're\tfine.\\\" Cal\tnodded.\tIt\twas\ta\thurt\the\thad\tlearned\tto\tlive\twith.\t\\\"You\tgot\tmy message.\tI\tcouldn't\tbe\tsure.\\\" \\\"We\treceived\tit,\\\"\tJacob\tsaid\tdully. \\\"You've\tmet\tLibby,\tthen.\\\"\tRegret\tvanished.\tTurning,\the\theld\ta\thand\tout for\this\twife.\tShe\tdidn't\tmove. \\\"We've\tmet.\\\"\tJacob\tinclined\this\thead\tand\twaited.\tShe\tcould\ttake\tthe\tfirst step. \\\"You'll\tboth\thave\ta\tlot\tto\ttalk\tabout.\\\"\tUsing\tevery\tounce\tof\teffort,\tshe managed\tto\tkeep\ther\tvoice\tsteady. \\\"Libby.\\\"\tHer\tname\twas\ta\tmurmur\tas\tCal\tcrossed\tto\ther.\tHe\tlaid\ta\thand on\ther\tcheek\tuntil\tshe\tlifted\ther\teyes\tto\this.\tHe\tsaw\tthe\tlove\tand\tthe\tfear in\tthem.\t\\\"Don't.\\\"","in\tthem.\t\\\"Don't.\\\" \\\"I'm\tfine.\\\"\tCalling\tup\tmore\tstrength,\tshe\tsqueezed\this\thand.\t\\\"I\thave some\tthings\tto\tdo\tupstairs.\tYou\ttwo\tshould\tcatch\tup.\\\"\tShe\tshifted\ther glance\tto\tJacob.\t\\\"I\tknow\tyou've\tmissed\teach\tother.\\\" Turning,\tshe\tfled\tup\tthe\tstairs. Sunny\tshifted\ther\tgaze\tfrom\ther\tsister's\tretreating\tback\tto\tCal's unsmiling\tface\tand\tthen\tto\tJacob's\tangry\teyes.\t\\\"What\tthe\thell\tis\tgoing\ton here?\\\" \\\"Go\tup\twith\ther,\twill\tyou?\\\"\tCal\tlaid\ta\thand\ton\ther\tshoulder\tbut\tcontinued to\tlook\tafter\this\twife.\t\\\"I\tdon't\twant\ther\tto\tbe\talone.\\\" \\\"All\tright.\\\"\tShe\tcould\talready\tsee,\tjust\tby\tlooking\tat\tthe\ttwo\tof\tthem,\tthat she'd\tget\tno\texplanations\there.\tShe'd\tdamn\twell\tget\tone\tfrom\tLibby. Cal\twaited\tuntil\tSunny\thad\tclimbed\tthe\tstairs.\tFacing\this\tbrother\tagain, he\trecognized\tthe\tfury,\tthe\tpassion,\tand\tthe\thurt\tin\thim.\t\\\"We\thave\tto talk.\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\" \\\"Not\there.\\\"\tHe\tthought\tof\this\twife. \\\"No.\\\"\tJacob\tthought\tof\tSunny.\t\\\"We'll\tgo\tto\tmy\tship.\\\" Sunny\tpaused\toutside\tthe\tbedroom\tdoor.\tTaking\ta\tdeep\tbreath,\tshe pushed\tit\topen.\tLibby\tsat\ton\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tbed,\thands\tfolded.\tThere were\tno\ttears.\tTears\twould\thave\tbeen\tless\theartbreaking\tthan\tthe despair\ton\ther\tface. \\\"Honey,\twhat\tis\tit?\\\" Libby\tfelt\tas\tthough\tshe\twere\tin\ta\tdream.\tLooking\tup,\tshe\tfocused\ton\tthe reality\tof\ther\tsister.\t\\\"How\tlong\thas\the\tbeen\there?\\\" \\\"About\tthree\tweeks.\\\"\tSunny\tsat\ton\tthe\tbed\tto\ttake\tLibby's\thand\tin\thers. \\\"Talk\tto\tme.\tI\tthought\tyou'd\tbe\thappy\tto\tfinally\tmeet\tCal's\tbrother.\\\"","\\\"I\tam-for\thim.\\\"\tHoping\tthat\tmuch\twas\ttrue,\tshe\tpressed\ta\thand\tto\ther jittery\tstomach.\t\\\"Did\the\texplain\tto\tyou\twhy\the's\there?\tWhere\the's\tfrom?\\\" \\\"Of\tcourse.\\\"\tPuzzled,\tSunny\tgave\ther\ta\tlittle\tshake.\t\\\"Come\ton,\tLibby, snap\tout\tof\tit.\tJ.T.'s\ta\tlittle\trough\taround\tthe\tedges,\tbut\the\tisn't\ta monster.\tHe's\tjust\tconcerned\tabout\tCal,\tand\tmaybe\ta\tlittle\thurt\tthat\the chose\tyou\tand\tsettled\there.\\\" \\\"Oh,\tGod.\\\"\tUnable\tto\tsit,\tLibby\trose\tto\tpace\tto\tthe\twindow.\tShe\theard the\thum\tof\tan\tengine\tand\tsaw\tthe\tLand\tRover\tdisappear\tinto\tthe\tforest. \\\"I\twould\thave\tlet\thim\tgo,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tquietly,\tand\tclosed\ther\teyes.\t\\\"Back then\tI\twas\tprepared\tto.\tI\tcouldn't\thave\tasked\thim\tto\tgive\tup\this\tfamily, his\tlife.\tBut\tnow\tI\tcan't\tlet\thim\tgo.\tI\twon't.\\\" \\\"Where\twould\the\tgo?\\\" Libby\trested\ther\thead\ton\tthe\tcool\tglass\tof\tthe\twindow.\t\\\"Back.\\\"\tShe laughed\ta\tlittle.\t\\\"Forward.\tJacob\tmust\thave\ttold\tyou\thow\timpossibly complicated\tit\tall\tis.\\\" Rising,\tSunny\twalked\tover\tto\tlay\ther\thands\ton\tLibby's\tshoulders.\tThey were\ttaut,\tlike\tbundles\tof\twire.\tAutomatically\tshe\tworked\tto\trelax\tthem. \\\"Cal's\ta\tgrown\tman,\tLibby,\tand\tstaying\there\twas\this\tchoice.\tJ.T.'s\tjust going\tto\thave\tto\taccept\tthat.\\\" \\\"But\twill\the?\\\" \\\"When\the\tfirst\tgot\there,\tJ.T.\twas\tangry\tand\tresentful.\tHe\tjust\twasn't\table to\tunderstand\tCal's\tfeelings.\tBut\tthings\thave\tchanged.\tFor\tboth\tof\tus.\\\" Slowly\tLibby\tturned.\tWhat\twas\tin\ther\tsister's\theart\twas\tclearly\twritten\tin her\teyes.\tLibby\tfelt\ta\tlurch\tof\tpanic.\t\\\"Oh,\tSunny.\\\" \\\"Hey,\tdon't\tlook\tat\tme\tlike\tthat.\\\"\tShe\tgrinned.\t\\\"I'm\tin\tlove,\tnot\tterminally ill.\\\" \\\"But\twhat\tare\tyou\tgoing\tto\tdo?\\\" \\\"I'm\tgoing\tto\tgo\tback\twith\thim.\\\"","With\tan\tinarticulate\tcry,\tLibby\tthrew\ther\tarms\taround\tSunny's\tneck.\tShe clung,\trocking. \\\"For\tLord's\tsake,\tLibby,\tyou're\tas\tbad\tas\tJacob.\tIt's\tonly\tPhiladelphia. You're\tacting\tlike\tI'm\tgoing\tto\tset\tup\thousekeeping\ton\tPluto.\\\" \\\"There\taren't\tany\tsettled\tcolonies\ton\tPluto.\\\" With\ta\tstrangled\tlaugh,\tSunny\tpulled\taway.\t\\\"Well,\tI\tguess\tthat\tleaves that\tout.\tWe'll\thave\tto\tmake\tdo\twith\ta\tcondo\tin\tPhilly.\\\" Libby\tstudied\tSunny's\tface,\tand\ther\texpression\tgradually\tchanged.\tThe tears\tthat\thad\tdampened\ther\teyes\tdried.\t\\\"You\tdon't\tunderstand,\tdo you?\\\" \\\"I\tunderstand\tthat\tI\tlove\tJ.T.\tand\the\tloves\tme.\tWe\thaven't\ttalked\tabout life\tcommitments\tyet,\tbut\tit's\tonly\ta\tmatter\tof\ttime.\\\"\tShe\tstopped,\twary. \\\"Libby,\twhy\tare\tyou\tlooking\tat\tme\tas\tthough\tyou\twant\tto\twring\tmy neck?\\\" \\\"Not\tyours.\\\"\tLibby's\tvoice\thad\tfirmed.\tShe\tmight\tbe\tthe\tquieter\tof\tthe two,\tbut\twhen\tthose\tshe\tloved\twere\tthreatened\tshe\tcould\tput\tan\tAmazon queen\tto\tshame.\t\\\"The\tbastard.\\\" \\\"I\tbeg\tyour\tpardon?\\\" \\\"I\tsaid\the's\ta\tbastard.\\\" Sisterly\tlove\tnotwithstanding,\tSunny's\thackles\twere\trising.\t\\\"Now\tlook, Libby-\\\" She\tshook\ther\thead.\tShe\twasn't\tabout\tto\tbe\tstopped\tnow.\t\\\"Did\the\ttell you\the\tloved\tyou?\\\" Nearly\tout\tof\tpatience,\tSunny\tsnapped\toff\tan\toath.\tThen:\t\\\"Yes.\\\" \\\"And\tyou've\tgone\tto\tbed\twith\thim.\\\" Sunny's\teyes\tnarrowed.\t\\\"Have\tyou\tbeen\ttaking\tlessons\tfrom\tDad?\\\"","\\\"Of\tcourse\tyou've\tgone\tto\tbed\twith\thim,\\\"\tLibby\tmuttered,\tpacing\tthe room.\t\\\"He's\tmade\tyou\tfall\tin\tlove\twith\thim,\ttaken\tyou\tto\tbed,\tand\thasn't had\tthe\tdecency\tto\ttell\tyou.\\\" Sunny's\tfoot\twas\ttapping\ta\trapid\ttattoo.\t\\\"Tell\tme\twhat?\\\" \\\"That\the\tand\tCal\tare\tfrom\tthe\ttwenty-third\tcentury.\\\" Sunny's\tfoot\tstopped.\tIn\tthe\tsudden\tsilence,\tshe\tgaped\tat\tLibby.\tAll\tthat sun,\tshe\tthought.\tHer\tpoor\tsister\thad\thad\ther\tbrain\tfried\tin\tBora\tBora. Slowly\tshe\tcrossed\tthe\troom. \\\"Lib,\tI\twant\tyou\tto\tlie\tdown\twhile\tI\tget\tyou\ta\tcold\tcloth.\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tStill\tfueled\tby\tfury,\tLibby\tshook\ther\thead.\t\\\"You\tsit\tdown\twhile\tI\tgo get\tyou\ta\tbrandy.\tTrust\tme.\tYou're\tgoing\tto\tneed\tit.\\\" When\tCal\tstepped\tonto\tthe\tbridge\tof\tthe\tship,\tthe\twave\tof\tnostalgia rolled\tover\thim\tlike\twarm\twater.\tThe\tcargo\tplanes\the\tpiloted\tin\tthe\tlife he'd\tchosen\tsatisfied\this\tneed\tto\tfly,\tbut\tthey\tweren't\tmuch\tof\ta challenge.\tUnable\tto\tresist,\the\tran\this\thands\tover\tthe\tcommand\tconsole. \\\"She's\ta\tbeauty,\tJ.T.\tNew\tmodel?\\\" \\\"Yes,\tI\tthought\tit\tbest\tto\thave\tit\tdesigned\tspecifically\tfor\tthis\ttrip.\tWe made\tsome\tadjustments\tfor\theat\tand\tmaneuverability.\\\" Cal\tcouldn't\tprevent\this\thand\tfrom\tgripping\tthe\tthrottle.\t\\\"I'd\tlike\tto\ttake her\tup,\tsee\twhat\tshe\tcan\tdo.\\\" \\\"Be\tmy\tguest.\\\" Cal\tlaughed.\t\\\"We'd\tbe\tspotted\tin\tthe\tfirst\tthousand\tmiles\tand\tfind ourselves\ton\tthe\tfront\tpage\tof\tthe\tNational\tEnquirer.\\\" \\\"Which\tis?\\\" \\\"You\thave\tto\tsee\tsome\tthings\tfor\tyourself.\\\"\tReluctantly\the\tturned\taway from\tthe\tconsole\tand\ttemptation.\tAgain\the\tstudied\tJacob's\tface,\tfeature by\tfeature.\t\\\"God,\tit's\tgood\tto\tsee\tyou.\\\"","by\tfeature.\t\\\"God,\tit's\tgood\tto\tsee\tyou.\\\" \\\"How\tcould\tyou\tdo\tit,\tCal?\\\" Blowing\tout\ta\tlong\tbreath,\the\tsat\tin\tthe\tpilot's\tchair.\t\\\"It's\ta\tlong\tstory.\\\" \\\"I\tread\tthe\treport.\\\" Cal\tgave\thim\ta\tlong,\tsteady\tlook.\t\\\"Some\tthings\tdon't\tcome\tthrough\tin reports.\tYou've\tseen\ther.\\\" \\\"Yes,\tI've\tseen\ther.\\\" \\\"I\tlove\ther,\tJ.T.\tI\tcouldn't\tbegin\tto\ttell\tyou\thow\tmuch.\\\" Jacob\tfelt\ta\tspark\tof\tempathy\tand\tbanked\tit\tdown.\tHe\tcouldn't\tthink\tof Sunny\tnow.\t\\\"We\tthought\tyou\twere\tdead.\tAlmost\tsix\tmonths.\\\" \\\"I'm\tsorry.\\\" \\\"Are\tyou?\\\"\tJacob\tswung\tto\tthe\tviewscreen\tto\tstare\tout\tat\tthe\tsnow.\t\\\"Five months\tand\ttwenty-three\tdays\tafter\tyou\twere\treported\tlost,\tyour\tship crash\tlanded\tabout\tsixty\tkilometers\tfrom\tthe\tMcDowell\tbase\tin\tthe\tBaja. Empty.\tWe\thad\tyour\treports.\\\"\tHis\tgaze\tflashed\tback\tto\this\tbrother.\t\\\"And\tI had\tto\twatch\tMom\tand\tDad\tgrieve\tall\tover\tagain.\\\" \\\"I\twanted\tyou\tto\tknow\twhere\tI\twas.\tAnd\twhy.\tJ.T.,\tI\tdidn't\tplan\tthis.\tYou saw\tthe\tlog.\\\" \\\"I\tsaw\tit.\\\"\tHis\tjaw\tset.\t\\\"You\tshould\tbe\tdead.\tI\tcalculated\tthe\tprobability factor\tof\tyou\tpulling\tout\tof\tthat\tvoid\tin\tone\tpiece.\tThere\twas\tnone.\\\"\tFor the\tfirst\ttime\the\tsmiled.\t\\\"You've\talways\tbeen\ta\thell\tof\ta\tpilot,\tCal.\\\" \\\"Yeah,\tbut\tyou\tcan't\tinput\tfate\tinto\tcomputer\tbanks.\\\"\tHe'd\tthought\tabout that\tlong\tand\thard\tover\tthe\tpast\tmonths.\t\\\"I\twas\tmeant\tfor\tLibby,\tJ.T.\tYou can\tcalculate\tinto\tthe\tnext\tmillennium\tand\tthat\twon't\tchange.\tAs\tmuch\tas I\tlove\tyou,\tI\tcan't\tleave\ther\tand\tgo\tback.\\\" In\tsilence,\tJ.T.\tstudied\thim.\tHe\thated\tmost\tof\tall\tthat\the\tunderstood. Weeks\tbefore,\tonly\tweeks,\the\twould\thave\targued,\tshouted.\tHe\twould have\tlocked\tCal\tin\ta\tcabin\tand\ttaken\toff\tfor\thome\twithout\tgiving\thim\ta","have\tlocked\tCal\tin\ta\tcabin\tand\ttaken\toff\tfor\thome\twithout\tgiving\thim\ta choice.\t\\\"Does\tshe\tlove\tyou\tas\tmuch?\\\" A\tghost\tof\ta\tsmile\tplayed\ton\tCal's\tlips.\t\\\"She\tnever\tasked\tme\tto\tstay.\tIn fact,\tshe\tdid\teverything\tshe\tcould\tto\thelp\tme\tprepare\tfor\tthe\treturn\ttrip. She\teven\tasked\tto\tgo\twith\tme.\tShe\twould\thave\tgiven\tup\teverything.\\\" \\\"Instead,\tyou\tstayed\there.\tYou\tgave\tup\teverything.\\\" \\\"Do\tyou\tthink\tit\twas\teasy\tfor\tme\tto\tmake\tthe\tchoice?\\\"\tCal\tdemanded.\tHe pushed\thimself\tout\tof\tthe\tchair,\tdriven\tby\tfury\tand\tfrustration.\t\\\"It\twas\tthe hardest\tthing\tI've\tever\tdone.\tDamn\tit,\tthere\twas\tno\tchoice.\tI\tdidn't\tknow if\tthe\tship\twould\tmake\tit\tback,\tand\tI\tcouldn't\trisk\ther\tlife.\tI\twas\tprepared to\trisk\tmy\town,\tbut\tnot\thers.\tIf\tI\thad\tleft\ther,\tI\twould\thave\tbeen\tright\tback in\tthe\tvoid\tagain.\tAnd\tI\twouldn't\thave\tcared.\\\" Jacob\tdidn't\twant\tto\tunderstand.\tBut\the\tdid.\t\\\"I've\tspent\ttwo\tyears working\ton\tperfecting\tthis\ttime-travel\tprocedure,\thaving\tthis\tship designed,\tfine-tuning\tall\tthe\tequations.\tI'm\tnot\tsaying\tthat\tmore\twork, more\tstudy,\tisn't\tnecessary,\tbut\tI\tmade\tit\twithout\tany\tmajor\tproblems. The\tsuccess\tfactor\tis\t88.57.\tCome\thome,\tCal,\tand\tbring\ther\twith\tyou.\\\" Cal\tstared\tat\tthe\tviewscreen.\tHe'd\tlearned\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tover\tthe\tpast year.\tThe\tmost\timportant\tlesson\twas\tthat\tlife\twas\tnot\tsimple.\tThe choices\tto\tbe\tmade\tcould\tnot\tbe\tmade\tlightly. \\\"There's\tanother\tpiece\tof\tdata\tyou\thaven't\tconsidered,\tJ.T.\tLibby's pregnant.\\\"","CHAPTER\t11 She\tdidn't\tspeak.\tIn\tthe\tpast\tthirty\tminutes,\tSunny\thad\tgone\tfrom believing\ther\tsister\thad\ta\twicked\tcase\tof\tsunstroke\tto\twondering\tif\tshe herself\thad\tgone\tquietly\tmad\twithout\tnoticing\tit. The\ttwenty-third\tcentury.\tBlack\tholes.\tSpaceships.\tSunny\thad\tfinally lapsed\tinto\tsilence\tas\tLibby\thad\trecounted\ta\tstory\tabout\ta\tmission\tto Mars-dear\tLord,\tMars-and\tCal's\tfateful\tencounter\twith\tan\tuncharted black\thole,\twhich,\tthrough\ta\tcombination\tof\tluck,\tskill\tand\tthe\tmysterious hand\tof\tdestiny,\thad\tshot\thim\tbackward\tfrom\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\ttwenty- third\tcentury\tto\tthe\tspring\tof\tlast\tyear. The\tconfused\tCal,\tan\tintergalactic\tcargo\tpilot\twith\tan\taffection\tfor\tflying and\tpoetry,\thad\tbecome\ta\ttime\ttraveler. Time\ttravel. Oh,\tGod,\tshe\tthought.\tTime\ttravel. She\tremembered\tclearly\tthe\tfaint\tsmile\ton\tJacob's\tface\twhen\the\thad\ttold her\tof\this\tcurrent\texperiments.\tBut\tthat\tdidn't\tmean-No.\tShe\ttook\ta steadying\tbreath,\tdetermined\tto\tcontrol\ther\twandering\timagination. It\thad\tto\tbe\tsome\tsort\tof\tjoke.\tPeople\tdid\tnot,\taccidentally\tor\totherwise, zoom\tthrough\ttime\tand\tfall\tin\tlove.\tJacob\twas\tfrom\tPhiladelphia,\tshe reminded\therself\tas\tshe\tgulped\tdown\tbrandy.\tHe\twas\ta\tscientist\twith\ta bad\tattitude,\tand\tthat\twas\tall. \\\"You\tdon't\tbelieve\tme,\\\"\tLibby\tsaid\twith\ta\tsigh.\tCare\tand\tpatience,\tSunny told\therself\tas\tshe\tdragged\ta\thand\tthrough\ther\thair.\tHer\tsister\tneeded care\tand\tpatience.\t\\\"Honey,\tlet's\tjust\ttake\tthis\tslow.\\\" \\\"You\tthink\tI'm\tmaking\tit\tup.\\\" \\\"I'm\tnot\tsure\twhat\tI\tthink.\\\"\tShe\ttook\ta\tcleansing\tbreath.\t\\\"Okay,\tyou're trying\tto\ttell\tme\tthat\tCal,\ta\tformer\tcaptain\tin-what\twas\tit?\\\"","\\\"The\tInternational\tSpace\tForce.\\\" \\\"Right.\tThat\the\tcrashed\this\tspaceship\tin\tthe\tforest,\tafter\tbeing\tsent through\ttime\tby\tan\tencounter\twith\ta\tblack\thole.\\\" She'd\thoped\tthat\twhen\tshe\tsaid\tit\therself,\twhen\tLibby\theard\tit\trepeated, her\tsister\twould\tcome\tout\tof\twhatever\tspell\tshe\twas\tin.\tBut\tLibby\tjust nodded.\t\\\"That's\tfairly\taccurate.\\\" \\\"Fairly\taccurate.\\\"\tSunny\ttried\tagain.\t\\\"And\tnow\tJacob,\tgoing\tabout\tit through\tmore\torganized\tmethods,\tfollowed\tthe\tsame\troute\tso\the\tcould visit\twith\this\tbrother.\\\" \\\"He\twants\tto\ttake\thim\tback.\tI\tcould\tsee\tit\tby\tthe\tway\the\tlooked\tat\tme.\\\" The\tmisery\ton\tLibby's\tface\thad\tSunny\treaching\tout\ta\thand.\t\\\"Cal\tloves you.\tNothing\tJ.T.\tdid\tor\tdidn't\tdo\tcould\tchange\tthat.\\\" I \\\"No,\tbut-Sunny,\tcan't\tyou\tsee?\tHe\tdidn't\tpop\tup\there\ton\timpulse.\tHe must\thave\tworked\tfor\tmonths,\teven\tyears,\tto\tfind\tthe\tway.\tIf\ta\tman's obsessed\twith\tsomething-\\\" \\\"All\tright,\\\"\tshe\tinterrupted.\t\\\"He\tdidn't\tpop\tup\there\ton\timpulse.\tFor reasons\tI've\tnever\tfully\tunderstood,\the's\tangry\tthat\tCal\tmarried\tyou\tand decided\tto\tlive\tin\tOregon.\\\" \\\"Not\tjust\tOregon,\\\"\tLibby\tshot\tback.\t\\\"Twentieth-century\tOregon.\\\" \\\"Now,\ttake\tit\tslow,\thoney.\tI\tknow\tyou're\tupset,\tbut-\\\" \\\"Upset?\\\"\tLibby\tcountered.\t\\\"Damn\tright\tI'm\tupset.\tThe\tman\ttraveled\tover two\thundred\tyears,\tand\the's\tnot\tgoing\tto\twant\tto\tgo\tback\twithout\tCal.\\\" At\ta\tloss,\tSunny\tflopped\tback\ton\tthe\tbed.\t\\\"Libby,\tyou've\tgot\tto\tget\tahold of\tyourself.\tYou're\tthe\tsensible\tone,\tremember?\tYou\thave\tto\tknow\tthis\tis all\tnonsense.\\\" \\\"Okay.\\\"\tDeciding\ton\ta\tdifferent\ttack,\tshe\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath.\t\\\"Can\tyou","\\\"Okay.\\\"\tDeciding\ton\ta\tdifferent\ttack,\tshe\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath.\t\\\"Can\tyou tell\tme,\thonestly\ttell\tme,\tthat\tyou\thaven't\tnoticed\tsomething\todd\tabout J.T.?\\\"\tShe\theld\tup\ta\thand\tbefore\tSunny\tcould\tanswer.\t\\\"Not\tjust eccentric,\tnot\tjust\tendearingly\tdifferent,\tbut\tdownright\todd?\\\" \\\"Well,\tI-\\\" \\\"Ah.\\\"\tTaking\ther\tsister's\thesitation\tfor\tagreement,\tshe\tpressed\ton.\t\\\"How did\the\tget\there?\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\tknow\twhat\tyou\tmean.\\\" \\\"I\tmean-did\the\tdrive\tup\tin\ta\tcar?\tI\tdidn't\tnotice\tone.\\\" \\\"No,\the\tdidn't\tcome\tin\ta\tcar.\tAt\tleast-\\\"\tShe\trubbed\ther\tsuddenly\tdamp hands\ton\ther\tthighs.\t\\\"He\twalked\tout\tof\tthe\twoods.\\\" \\\"Walked\tout\tof\tthe\twoods.\\\"\tLibby\tnodded\tgrimly.\t\\\"In\tthe\tmiddle\tof\twinter.\\\" \\\"Lib,\tI'll\tconcede\tthat\tJ.T.'s\ta\tlittle\tunusual.\\\" \\\"The\tway\the\tseems\tfascinated\tor\tpuzzled\tby\tordinary\tobjects?\\\" She\tremembered\tthe\tkitchen\tfaucet.\t\\\"Well,\tyes.\\\" \\\"The\tway\the\tdoesn't\talways\tunderstand\tcolloquialisms\tor\tphrases?\\\" \\\"That,\ttoo,\tbut-Libby,\tjust\tbecause\tthe\tman\tacts\ta\tlittle\todd\toccasionally and\thas\ta\thard\ttime\twith\tslang\tdoesn't\tmean\the's\tan\talien\tfrom\touter space.\\\" \\\"Not\tan\talien,\\\"\tLibby\tsaid\tpatiently.\t\\\"He's\tas\thuman\tas\tyou\tor\tI.\tHe's\tjust from\tthe\ttwenty-third\tcentury.\\\" \\\"Oh,\tis\tthat\tall?\\\" \\\"Maybe\tthere's\ta\tsimpler\tway\tto\tconvince\tyou.\\\"\tShe\trose\tand\ttook Sunny's\thand.\t\\\"Whatever\thappens\tbetween\tCal\tand\tme,\twe'll\twork\tit\tout together.\tBut\tyou\thave\tto\tunderstand\tit,\tall\tof\tit.\tI'm\tonly\tdoing\tthis because\tyou\thave\ta\tright\tto\tknow\twhat\tyou're\twalking\tinto.\\\"","She\tnodded.\tShe\tdidn't\tdare\tspeak,\tbecause\ttoo\tmuch\tof\twhat\tLibby\thad told\ther\tmade\ta\thorrible\tkind\tof\tsense.\tAnd\tshe\twas\tafraid,\tvery\tafraid. With\tcompetent\tmovements,\tLibby\ttook\twhat\tseemed\tto\tbe\ta\twatch\tfrom the\tdeep\tdrawer\tof\ther\tdesk.\tWhile\tSunny\tlooked\ton,\tshe\tattached\ta\tline of\tclear\twire\tfrom\tthe\tstem\tof\tthe\twatch\tto\tthe\tcomputer.\tAfter\tbooting\tup the\tmachine,\tshe\tgestured. \\\"Come\ton\tover.\\\" Cautious,\tSunny\tjoined\ther.\t\\\"What\tis\tthat\tthing?\\\" \\\"It's\tCal's\twrist\tunit.\tComputer.\\\" Working. Sunny\tjumped\tback\ta\tfoot\tat\tthe\tsound\tof\tthe\tmechanical\tvoice\tand\tsent a\tchair\ttumbling.\t\\\"How\tdid\tyou\tdo\tthat?\\\" \\\"With\ta\tmix\tof\ttwentieth-century\tand\ttwenty-third-century\ttechnology.\\\" \\\"But-but-\tbut-\\\" \\\"You\thaven't\tseen\tanything\tyet,\\\"\tLibby\twarned,\tand\tfaced\tthe\tscreen again.\t\\\"Computer,\trelate\tfile\tinformation\ton\tJacob\tHornblower.\\\" Hornblower,\tJacob,\tborn\tPhiladelphia,\tJune\t12,\t2224.\tAstrophysicist, currently\thead\tof\tAP\tdepartment\tat\tDurnam\tScience\tLaboratory, Philadelphia.\tGraduated\tPrinceton\tUniversity\tmagna\tcum\tlaude\t2242, earned\tdegree\tin\tlaw\t2244.\tStatus\tAAA.\tDoctorate\tin\tastrophysics\tfrom O'Bannion\t2248.\tNamed\tMVP\tIntergalactic\tSoftball\tLeague\t2247-49. Position:\tpitcher.\tERA\t1.28. Sunny\tbit\tback\ta\thysterical\tgiggle.\t\\\"Stop.\\\" The\tcomputer\twent\tsilent.\tOn\trubbery\tlegs,\tSunny\tstepped\tback\tuntil\tshe collided\twith\tthe\tbed. \\\"It's\ttrue,\tisn't\tit?\\\"","\\\"Yes.\tTake\ta\tfew\tdeep\tbreaths,\\\"\tLibby\tadvised\ther.\t\\\"It\ttakes\ta\twhile\tto absorb\tit.\\\" \\\"He\ttold\tme\the\twas\texperimenting\twith\ttime\ttravel.\\\"\tShe\tfelt\tthe\tlaughter bubble\tup\tagain,\thot\tand\tuncontrollable.\t\\\"That's\ta\tgood\tone.\\\"\tShe squeezed\ther\teyes\tshut.\tIt\twas\ta\tdream,\tshe\ttold\therself,\tjust\ta\tridiculous dream.\tBut\twhen\tshe\topened\ther\teyes\tagain\teverything\twas\tthe\tsame. \\\"Looks\tlike\tthe\tjoke's\ton\tme.\\\"\tShe\theard\tthe\tdoor\tslam\ton\tthe\tfloor below.\tInstantly\tshe\twas\ton\ther\tfeet.\t\\\"I'm\tgoing\tto\thave\tthis\tout\twith\thim, right\tnow.\\\" \\\"Why\tdon't\tyou-\\\"\tLibby\tcut\therself\toff\twhen\tSunny\trounded\ton\ther. \\\"Never\tmind.\\\"\tShe\tsunk\tback\ton\tthe\tbed\tas\tSunny\tcharged\tdown\tthe stairs. But\tit\twas\tCal\tshe\tran\tinto,\tnot\tJacob.\t\\\"Where\tis\the?\\\"\tshe\tdemanded. \\\"He's,\tah-out.\tIs\tLibby\tupstairs?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\"\tFeet\tspread,\teyes\tchallenging,\tshe\tblocked\tthe\tstairs.\t\\\"She's upset.\\\" \\\"She\tneedn't\tbe.\\\" Because\twhat\tshe\tsaw\tin\this\teyes\tanswered\tsome\tof\ther\tquestions,\tshe relaxed.\t\\\"I'm\tglad\tyou\trealize\twhat\ta\tlucky\tjerk\tyou\tare,\tCaleb.\\\" \\\"I\tlove\tyou,\ttoo.\\\" She\trelented\tenough\tto\tkiss\thim.\tLater,\tshe\tdecided.\tLater\tshe\twould think\tall\tthis\tthrough.\tAnd\tprobably\tgo\tinsane.\tBut\tfor\tnow\tshe\thad\ta\tjob to\tdo. \\\"I\twant\tto\tknow\twhere\tyour\tcreep\tof\ta\tbrother\tis.\tAnd\tdon't\ttry\tto\tput\tme off.\tLibby\ttold\tme.\\\" But\the\twas\tstill\tcautious.\t\\\"Told\tyou\twhat?\\\" She\ttilted\ther\thead.\t\\\"Is\tit\ttoo\tlate\tto\twelcome\tyou\tto\tthe\ttwentieth century?\\\"","century?\\\" A\tnew\tsmile\ttugged\tat\this\tmouth.\t\\\"No.\tJ.T.'s\tout\tin\this\tship.\tIt's\tabout\tfive kilometers\tnortheast.\tJust\tfollow\tthe\ttracks.\\\"\tHe\tcaught\ther\tarm\tbefore she\tcould\trush\toff.\t\\\"He's\tgoing\tthrough\ta\tbad\ttime,\tSunny.\tI've\thurt\thim.\\\" \\\"Not\tnearly\tas\tmuch\tas\tI'm\tgoing\tto.\\\" He\tstarted\tto\tspeak\tagain,\tbut\the\tremembered\tthat\tJacob\thad\talways been\table\tto\ttake\tcare\tof\thimself.\tHe\twent\tupstairs\tto\this\twife. She\twas\tstill\tsitting\ton\tthe\tbed,\tstaring\tat,\tbut\tnot\tout\tof,\tthe\twindow.\tHer face\twas\tcomposed,\ther\thands\tfolded\tin\ther\tlap\tso\tthat\tthey\tpressed lightly\tagainst\tthe\tlife\tgrowing\tin\ther.\tLooking\tat\ther,\tCaleb\tfelt\ta\tsingle stunning\twave\tof\tlove.\t\\\"Hi.\\\" She\tjolted,\tstruggled\tto\tsmile.\t\\\"Hi.\tBusy\tday.\\\"\tBefore\the\tcould\tspeak,\tshe sprang\tup.\t\\\"I've\tgot\ta\tdozen\tthings\tto\tdo.\tI\thaven't\tfinished\tunpacking, and\tI\treally\tought\tto\tfix\tsomething\tspecial\tfor\tdinner\ttonight.\\\" \\\"Wait\ta\tminute.\\\"\tHe\ttook\ther\tarms\tbefore\tshe\tcould\twalk\tby,\tthen\tsimply brought\ther\tinto\this.\t\\\"I\tlove\tyou,\tLibby.\\\" \\\"I\tknow.\\\"\tWith\ther\thead\ton\this\tshoulder,\tshe\theld\ton. \\\"No,\tI\tdon't\tthink\tyou\tdo.\\\"\tGently\the\tpulled\ther\taway\tto\tstudy\ther\tface. \\\"Even\tafter\tall\tthis\ttime,\tI\tdon't\tthink\tyou\tdo.\tHow\tcould\tyou\tthink\tI\twould leave?\tThen\tor\tnow.\\\" She\tjust\tshook\ther\thead. \\\"Sit\tdown,\\\"\the\tmurmured. \\\"Caleb,\tI\tdon't\tknow\twhat\tto\tsay\tto\tyou.\\\"\tShe\tsat,\ttwining\ther\tnervous fingers\ttogether.\t\\\"I\tcan\tonly\timagine\thow\tyou\tmust\tfeel,\thaving\tyour brother\there\twhen\tyou\tthought\tyou'd\tnever\tsee\thim\tagain.\tBeing reminded\tof\teverything\tyou\tgave\tup,\tand\tthe\tpeople\tyou\tleft\tbehind.\\\" \\\"Are\tyou\tfinished?\\\" Her\tonly\tanswer\twas\ta\tmiserable\tshrug.","Her\tonly\tanswer\twas\ta\tmiserable\tshrug. \\\"J.T.\tgave\tme\ta\tcopy\tof\ta\tletter\the\tfound\twhen\the\tdug\tup\tour\ttime capsule.\\\"\tHe\tpulled\ther\tfingers\tapart\tto\tlink\tthem\twith\this\tas\the\tsat beside\ther.\t\\\"He\tdidn't\tread\tit,\\\"\the\tcontinued\t\\\"It\twas\tstill\tin\tthe\tenvelope.\\\" \\\"How\tdid\the\tcopy\tit\tif\tit\twas\tstill\tin-\\\"\tShe\tcaught\therself\tand\tmanaged\ta small\tlaugh.\t\\\"Stupid\tquestion.\\\" \\\"You\tput\tit\tin\tthe\tcapsule\tso\tI'd\tbe\table\tto\tread\tit\twhen\tI\tgot\tback.\\\"\tHe took\tit\tout\tof\this\tpocket.\tLibby\tfrowned\tat\tit.\tIt\tlooked\tprecisely\tas\tit\thad when\tshe'd\tslipped\tit\tinto\tthe\tbox.\tAnd\tyet-the\tpaper\twas\tdifferent,\tshe realized\twhen\tshe\ttouched\tit.\tThicker,\tstronger.\tAnd,\tshe\tadded\tto herself,\tprobably\tnot\tpaper\tat\tall.\tAt\tleast\tnot\tas\tshe\tthought\tof\tpaper. \\\"I\tstopped\ton\tthe\tway\tback\tfrom\tthe\tship\tto\tread\tit.\\\"\tHe\tspread\tthe\tletter in\this\tlap.\t\\\"If\tI\thad\tbeen\tcrazy\tenough\tto\tleave\tyou,\tthis\twould\thave brought\tme\tback.\tSomehow.\\\" \\\"It\twasn't\tmeant\tto\tdo\tthat.\\\" \\\"I\tknow,\\\"\tHe\ttook\ther\thand,\tkissed\tit.\t\\\"What\tit\tmeans\tis\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tto me.\tDo\tyou\tremember\twhat\tyou\twrote?\\\" \\\"Some\tof\tit.\\\" \\\"This\tpart.\\\"\tHe\tlooked\tdown\tat\tthe\tletter.\t\\\"\t'I\twanted\tyou\tto\tknow\tthat\tin my\theart\tI\twanted\tyou\tto\tbe\twhere\tyou\tbelonged.'\t\\\"\tHe\tset\tthe\tletter aside.\t\\\"Did\tyou\tmean\tthat?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\" \\\"Then\tyou'll\tbe\thappy\tto\tknow\tthat\tI'm\texactly\twhere\tI\tbelong.\\\"\tWith\tlong, slow\tkisses,\the\teased\ther\tback\ton\tthe\tbed.\t\\\"And\tso\tare\tyou.\\\" Sunny\tdidn't\thave\tany\ttrouble\tfinding\tthe\ttracks.\tThere\twere\tonly\ttwo sets,\tboth\tfrom\tthe\tLand\tRover.\tOne\tleading\taway\tfrom\tthe\tcabin\tand one\tleading\tback.\tHer\tface\tgrim,\tshe\tkept\ther\thands\tfirm\ton\tthe\twheel and\ther\tmind\tempty.","She\twouldn't\tthink,\tnot\tyet.\tOnce\tshe\thad\tbegun\tto\tthink\tit\twould probably\tsend\ther\tscreaming\toff\ta\tcliff.\tTrue,\tshe'd\talways\thad\tan affection\tfor\tthe\tunusual,\tbut\tthis-this\twas\tgoing\ta\tbit\ttoo\tfar. When\tshe\tsaw\tthe\tship,\tnestled\tcomfortably\ton\ta\tblanket\tof\tsnow,\tshe\thit the\tbrakes\ttoo\thard\tand\tsent\tthe\tLand\tRover\tskidding\tsideways.\tIt\tlooked as\tbig\tas\ta\thouse. She\timagined\tit\twas\thalf\tthe\tsize\tof\tthe\tcargo\tship Cal\thad\tpiloted.\tProbably\tsleeker,\tjazzier.\tIts\tsmooth\twhite\tfinish gleamed\tin\tthe\tsunlight.\tShe\tsaw\twhat\tappeared\tto\tbe\ta\twindow\tthat banded\taround\tthe\tbow.\tAs\tshe\tgaped,\tJacob\tstepped\tup\tto\tit\tand looked\tout\tat\ther. The\tsight\tof\thim\tinside\tit,\tinside\tof\tsomething\tthat\tshouldn't\teven\texist, turned\ther\tblank\tastonishment\tback\tinto\tfury.\tAbandoning\tthe\tLand Rover,\tshe\tleaped\tout\tand\tstormed\tover\tto\tthe\tship. He\treleased\tthe\thatch.\tThe\tdoor\tslid\tsilently\topen,\tand\ta\tset\tof\tstairs flowed\tout.\tShe\tmounted\tthem,\tmoving\ta\tlittle\tslower\tnow.\tGoing\tover the\tspeech\the'd\tplanned,\tJacob\treached\tout\tto\ttake\ther\thand\tand\thelp her\tthrough\tthe\tentranceway. \\\"Sunny,\tI-\\\"\tWhatever\the\thad\tplanned\tto\tsay\twas\tinterrupted\twhen\ther fisted\thand\tconnected\tsolidly\twith\this\tjaw.\tOff\tbalance\tand\tseeing\tstars, he\tstumbled\tback\tand\tlanded\thard\ton\tthe\tdeck. She\tloomed\tover\thim,\trighteous\tfury\tglowing\tin\ther\teyes.\t\\\"Get\tup,\tyou miserable\tcoward,\tso\tI\tcan\thit\tyou\tagain.\\\" He\tsat\twhere\the\twas\tfor\ta\tmoment,\trubbing\ta\thand\tover\this\tjaw.\tHe didn't\tmind\tthe\tblow\tso\tmuch.\tHe\tknew\the'd\thad\tit\tcoming.\tBut\the\tdidn't care\tto\tbe\tcalled\ta\tcoward.\tUnder\tthe\tcircumstances,\tthough,\tit\twas\tbest to\tlet\ther\tget\tit\tall\tout\tof\ther\tsystem. \\\"You're\tupset.\\\" \\\"Upset?\\\"\tThe\tword\thissed\tout\tbetween\ther\tteeth.\t\\\"I'll\tshow\tyou\tupset.\\\" Because\the\tobviously\twasn't\tgoing\tto\tget\tup,\tshe\tdived\tonto\tnun.","Because\the\tobviously\twasn't\tgoing\tto\tget\tup,\tshe\tdived\tonto\tnun. She\tknocked\tthe\twind\tout\tof\thim\twith\tanother\tpunch\tas\the\tgrappled\tfor her\thands.\t\\\"Damn\tit,\tSunny,\tstop.\tI'm\tgoing\tto\thave\tto\thurt\tyou.\\\" \\\"Hurt\tme?\\\"\tBlind\twith\tanger,\tshe\tstruck\tout\tas\the\tstruggled\tto\troll\ton\ttop of\ther.\tThis\ttime\ther\tknee\tslipped\tby\this\tguard\tand\tlanded\tdead\ton.\tAs the\tair\twhistled\tout\tof\this\tlungs,\the\tcollapsed\ton\ttop\tof\ther.\t\\\"Get\toff\tme, you\tcreep.\\\" He\tcouldn't\thave\tmoved\tif\this\tlife\thad\tdepended\ton\tit.\tThe\tpain, deserved\tor\tnot,\twas\tlike\ta\tsilvery\tshimmer\tfrom\tcrotch\tto\tbrain.\tHis\tonly defense\twas\this\tweight\tas\the\tsprawled\tbreathlessly\tover\ther. \\\"Sunny-\\\"\tHe\tdragged\tair\tinto\this\tlungs\tand\tsaw\ta\tnew\tconstellation. \\\"Your\tmatch,\\\"\the\tconceded. The\tfight\thad\tdrained\tout\tof\ther.\tShe\tdidn't\twant\thim\tto\tknow\thow\tweak and\thelpless\tshe\tfelt.\tWith\ther\tjaw\ttensed,\tshe\tprayed\ther\tvoice\twouldn't tremble. \\\"I\tsaid\tget\toff\tme.\\\" \\\"As\tsoon\tas\tI'm\tsure\tI'm\tstill\tintact.\tIf\tyou\tlet\tme\tget\tmy\twind\tback,\twe can\tgo\tanother\tround.\\\"\tHe\tmanaged\tto\tlift\this\thead. She\twas\tcrying.\tHuge,\tsilent\ttears\twelled\tup\tin\ther\teyes\tand\tslid\tdown her\tcheeks.\tMore\tstunned\tby\tthem\tthan\tby\tthe\tblow,\the\tshook\this\thead. \\\"Don't.\\\"\tHe\tbrushed\tthe\ttears\taway,\tbut\tmore\tfell\tto\treplace\tthem.\t\\\"Damn it,\tSunny,\tstop\tit.\\\" \\\"Let\tgo\tof\tme.\\\" He\trolled\taside,\tdetermined\tto\tleave\ther\talone\tuntil\tshe\tcomposed herself.\tBefore\the\trealized\tit,\the\twas\tgathering\ther\tclose,\tdragging\ther onto\this\tlap,\tstroking\ther\thair. \\\"Don't\ttouch\tme.\\\"\tHer\tbody\twas\trigid.\tAnger\tand\thumiliation\tbattled inside\ther.\t\\\"I\tdon't\twant\tyou\tto\ttouch\tme.\\\"","\\\"I\tknow.\tI\thave\tto.\\\" \\\"You\tlied\tto\tme.\\\" \\\"Yeah.\\\"\tHe\tpressed\this\tlips\tto\ther\thair.\t\\\"I'm\tsorry.\\\" \\\"You\tused\tme.\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tHis\tarms\ttightened.\t\\\"No.\tYou\tknow\tbetter\tthan\tthat.\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\tknow\tyou\tat\tall.\\\"\tShe\ttried\tto\tarch\taway,\tbut\the\tonly\tcradled\ther closer.\tAbruptly\tshe\tthrew\ther\tarms\taround\thim,\tburying\ther\tface\tagainst his\tthroat.\t\\\"I\thate\tyou.\tI'll\thate\tyou\tas\tlong\tas\tI\tlive.\\\" The\ttears\twere\tno\tlonger\tsilent.\tThey\tpoured\tout\tin\thard,\tracking\tsobs\tas she\tclung\tto\thim.\tHe\tsaid\tnothing,\thad\tnothing\tto\tsay.\tThe\twoman\twho had\tknocked\thim\tflat\twith\ta\tright\thook\the\tunderstood.\tThe\tone\twho clawed\tand\tspit\tand\tfought\the\tknew\thow\tto\thandle.\tThis\tone,\tthis\tsoft, weeping\tbundle\tin\this\tarms,\twas\ta\tmystery.\tDefenseless,\theartbroken, fragile. And\the\tfell\tin\tlove\twith\tthis\tSunny,\tas\twell. She\tclung\tto\thim,\thating\therself.\tShe\twanted\tto\tstrike\tout,\tto\tmake\thim pay\tfor\tbreaking\ther\theart,\tbut\tshe\tcould\tonly\thold\ton,\ttaking\tthe\tcomfort he\toffered. Carefully\the\trose\twith\ther\tin\this\tarms.\tHe\tneeded\tto\tsoothe,\tto\tprotect,\tto love.\tHe\twanted\tto\tstroke\ther\tuntil\ther\ttears\tdried,\thold\ther\tuntil\ther\tbody calmed\tagain.\tMost\tof\tall\the\twanted\tto\tshow\ther\tthat\tof\tall\tthe\tthings\the'd done\tfalling\tin\tlove\twith\ther\twas\tthe\tmost\timportant. She\tcouldn't\tstop,\tthough\tshe\tdespised\tevery\ttear.\tShe\tcouldn't\tfight\thim now,\tat\ther\tweakest\tpoint.\tNow\tshe\tcould\tonly\thold\ton\tto\thim,\tlet\tthe storm\trage\tand\tfind\tsome\tsmall\tcomfort\tin\tthe\tgentle\tway\the\theld\ther. He\ttook\ther\tinto\this\tcabin,\twhere\tthe\tlight\twas\tdim. The\tbed\twas\twater-soft,\tcovered\twith\tpale\tblue\tsheets.\tThe\twalls\twere blue,\tas\twell.\tA\tquiet,\trestful\tcolor.\tStill\tholding\ther,\the\tlay\twith\ther\ton\tthe","blue,\tas\twell.\tA\tquiet,\trestful\tcolor.\tStill\tholding\ther,\the\tlay\twith\ther\ton\tthe bed\twhile\ther\ttears\tdampened\this\tcheek. When\ther\tsobs\tbegan\tto\tlessen,\the\ttrailed\this\tlips\tdown\ther\ttemple\tto her\tmouth.\tHer\tlips\twere\twet,\tand\tthey\twere\tstill\ttrembling.\tAs\this touched\tthem,\tshe\tpulled\taway\tto\troll\tonto\ther\tside. \\\"Sunny.\\\"\tFeeling\tawkward,\the\ttouched\ther\tshoulder.\t\\\"Please,\ttalk\tto\tme.\\\" She\tdidn't\tbother\tto\tjerk\this\thand\taway.\tShe\tjust\tstared\tat\tthe\tpale\tblue wall.\t\\\"I\tfeel\tlike\tsuch\ta\tfool.\tCrying\tover\tyou.\\\" He\tdidn't\tknow\tif\tany\twoman\thad\tever\tdone\tthat\tbefore.\tCertainly\tnone had\tever\tcried\tin\this\tarms.\t\\\"I\tnever\twanted\tto\thurt\tyou.\\\" \\\"Being\tlied\tto\talways\thurts.\\\" \\\"I\tdidn't\tlie.\tI\tjust\tdidn't\ttell\tyou\tthe\ttruth.\\\"\tHe\tcould\tsee\tthe\tlogic\tof\tit, needed\tto.\tBut\the\tdoubted\tshe\tcould.\t\\\"I\twas\tgoing\tto\ttell\tyou\teverything today.\\\" She\tnearly\tlaughed.\t\\\"Do\tthey\tstill\tuse\tthat\told\tchestnut\tin\tthe\ttwenty-third century?\\\"\tShe\thad\tsaid\tit\tout\tloud.\tThe\ttwenty-third\tcentury.\tAnd\tshe\twas in\twhat\tcould\tonly\tbe\tcalled\ta\tspaceship\twith\ta\tman\twho\twouldn't\tbe born\tuntil\tshe\twas\tlong\tdead.\tShe'd\thave\tpreferred\tto\tbelieve\tit\twas\tall\ta dream,\tbut\tthe\tpain\twas\ttoo\treal. \\\"I\tcame\tfor\tmy\tbrother,\\\"\the\ttold\ther.\t\\\"I\tnever\tplanned\tto\tbecome\tinvolved with\tyou,\tto\tfall\tin\tlove\twith\tyou.\tIt\thappened\ttoo\tfast.\\\" \\\"I\twas\tthere,\tremember?\\\" \\\"Look\tat\tme.\\\" She\tshook\ther\thead.\t\\\"Let's\tjust\tforget\tit,\tJ.T.\tA\tman\tlike\tyou\tprobably thinks\the's\tentitled\tto\thave\ta\twoman\tin\tevery\tcentury.\\\" \\\"I\tsaid\tlook\tat\tme.\\\"\tPatience\tgone,\the\tpulled\ther\tback,\tholding\ther\tby\tthe shoulders\tso\tthat\tshe\twas\tforced\tto\tmeet\this\teyes.\t\\\"I\tlove\tyou.\\\" The\twords\tseeped\tinto\ther\tand\tweakened\ther\tresolve.\tHer\tonly\tdefense","The\twords\tseeped\tinto\ther\tand\tweakened\ther\tresolve.\tHer\tonly\tdefense was\theat.\t\\\"Apparently\tthe\tdefinition\tof\tlove\thas\tchanged.\tDon't\tlose\tany sleep\tover\tit.\tI'll\tbe\tfine.\\\" \\\"Will\tyou\tlisten\tto\tme?\\\" \\\"It\tdoesn't\tmatter\twhat\tyou\tsay.\\\" \\\"Then\tit\twon't\thurt\tto\tlisten.\\\"\tShe\tshook\ther\thead\tfiercely.\tNow\tthat\tthe tears\twere\tover,\tshe\twas\tready\tto\tlash\tout\tagain.\t\\\"You\tnever\tintended\tto stay\twith\tme,\tto\tbuild\ta\tlife\twith\tme.\tIt\twas\tjust\ta\ttemporary\tarrangement for\tyou.\tBut\tI\tcan't\tblame\tyou\tfor\tthat.\tYou\tnever\tpromised,\tyou\tonly implied.\tAnd\tyou\tnever\tused\tthe\told\tcandlelight-and-wine\troutine\tto romance\tstars\tinto\tmy\teyes.\\\" But\tthe\tstars\thad\tbeen\tthere,\tshe\tthought.\tShe'd\tbeen\tblinded\tby\tthem. \\\"In\tany\tcase,\tI'm\tresponsible\tfor\tmy\town\tfeelings.\tBut\tI\tcan\tblame\tyou, and\tI\tcan\tdetest\tyou,\tfor\tnot\tbeing\thonest.\\\" \\\"It\twas\ttoo\tcomplicated.\tI\tdidn't\tknow\thow\tyou\twould\treact.\\\" \\\"I\tthought\tscientists\twere\tsupposed\tto\texperiment.\tYou\tare\ta\tscientist, aren't\tyou?\\\" \\\"Yes.\tAll\tright.\tThe\tfact\tis,\tI\tjust\tdidn't\twant\tto\tthink\tabout\tanything\tbut you\twhen\tI\twas\twith\tyou.\\\"\tWhen\tshe\tstruggled\tto\tturn\taway\tagain,\the held\ther\tstill.\t\\\"You\twanted\thonesty,\tso\tlisten\tto\tit.\tWhatever\tI\tdid,\tit\twas because\tI\tcouldn't\tstop\tmyself.\tI\tdidn't\twant\tto\tstop\tmyself.\tIf\tthat\twas wrong,\tit\twas\tbecause\tI\tstopped\tthinking\twith\tmy\thead.\tIf\tI\thandled\tit badly,\tit\twas\tbecause\tI\tdidn't\tknow\thow\tto\tapproach\tyou\there,\tnow.\tI didn't\tfeel\tI\tcould\ttell\tyou\tabout\tall\tof\tthis.\tAnd\tthen\tI\twas\tfalling\tin\tlove and\tdidn't\tknow\thow\tto\tdeal\twith\tit.\tDidn't\tknow\thow\tyou\twould\texpect me\tto.\\\" Frustrated,\the\tstroked\ther\tcheek.\t\\\"Sunny,\tI\tdidn't\tthink\tit\twas\tpossible\tto tell\tyou\tthe\ttruth.\tAnd\tI\tdidn't\tknow\thow-\\\"\tHe\tstopped,\tswore.\t\\\"If\tit\thad been\tpossible,\tI\twould\thave\tshown\tyou\tmore\tromance,\tbut\tI\tdidn't\thave a\tgift\tfor\tyou.\\\" \\\"A\tgift?\\\"\tShe'd\treally\tbelieved\tshe\twas\ttoo\tweary\tto\tbecome\tannoyed","\\\"A\tgift?\\\"\tShe'd\treally\tbelieved\tshe\twas\ttoo\tweary\tto\tbecome\tannoyed again.\tShe'd\tbeen\twrong.\t\\\"What\tthe\thell\tare\tyou\ttalking\tabout?\\\" \\\"Romance,\\\"\the\trepeated,\tmore\tthan\ta\tlittle\tembarrassed.\t\\\"Attention, flattery,\tthe\tgiving\tof\tgifts.\\\" \\\"That's\tthe\tstupidest\tthing\tI've\tever\theard.\tRomance?\tIs\tthat\tyour superior\tspecies'\tdefinition\tof\tromance?\\\"\tShe\tpushed\this\thands\taway. \\\"Idiot.\tRomance\thas\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tpresents\tor\tflattery.\tIt\thas\tto\tdo with\tcaring\tand\tcompassion,\twith\tsharing\tyour\thopes\tand\tyour\tdreams.\tIt means\tbeing\thonest.\\\" \\\"This\tis\thonest.\\\" He\tlowered\this\tmouth\tto\thers.\tShe\tprepared\tto\tresist,\tto\thold\thim\toff\twith icy\tdisdain.\tBut\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\this\tmouth\twasn't\thungry,\tit\twasn't passionate,\tit\twasn't\tdesperate.\tIt\twas,\tinstead,\tinfinitely\ttender.\tThe beauty\tof\tit\tshimmered\tthrough\ther\tlike\tliquid\tsunlight.\tHer\tdefensive front\tof\tdisinterest\tmelted\taway\tlike\tsnow\tin\tthe\tspring. He\tlooked\tat\ther.\tWas\tthere\tconfusion\tin\this\teyes?\tshe\twondered.\tIt couldn't\tmatter,\tshe\ttold\therself.\tShe\tcouldn't\tallow\therself\tto\tcare\tso much\ta\tsecond\ttime.\tBut\the\tlaid\ta\tsoothing\thand\ton\ther\tcheek\tand touched\this\tlips\texperimentally\tto\thers. He\thadn't\tknown\tbeing\tgentle\tcould\tbe\tso\tweakening.\tOr\tso\tfulfilling. There\thad\talways\tbeen\tpower\twhen\the'd\ttouched\ther.\tBolts\tof\tpower. Now\tthere\twas\tonly\twarmth,\ta\tquiet\triver\tof\tit,\trunning\tthrough\thim.\tHe wanted\tto\tshare\tit\twith\ther,\tto\tshow\ther\thow\tprecious\tshe\twas\tand\twould always\tbe. \\\"I\tlove\tyou,\\\"\the\tmurmured.\tWhen\tshe\ttried\tto\tshake\ther\thead,\the\tonly repeated\tthe\twords\tagain\tand\tagain\tas\this\tmouth\twhispered\tover\thers. She\tcouldn't\tfight\thim\tlike\tthis.\tNot\twhen\tthe\tfog\thad\trolled\tin\tover\ther brain\tand\ther\tbody\twas\tsinking\tin\tsome\tthick,\tsyrupy\tdarkness.\tHer breath\tshook\tas\tshe\ttried\tto\tsay\this\tname.\tHe\tcovered\ther\ttrembling\tlips with\this\town.\tPatient,\tso\tpatient,\tas\thers\twarmed\tand\tmoved\tbeneath his.","Time,\the\tthought\tas\the\tslowly\tdeepened\tthe\tkiss.\tThey\twould\ttake\tall they\tneeded.\tAnd\twhen\tthe\ttime\thad\tended\tshe\twould\tknow\tthat\the would\tnever\tlove\tagain\tas\the\thad\tloved\ther. He\tundressed\ther.\tThough\this\tfingers\tshook\tfrom\tthe\tpull\tof\this\town emotions,\tthey\tdidn't\thurry.\tButton\tby\tbutton\the\tloosened\ther\tshirt, pressing\this\tlips\tlightly\tto\teach\tnew\topening.\tSoftly,\tsweetly,\the\ttrailed his\tfingers\tover\ther\tflesh,\tparting\tthe\tmaterial. There\twas\tno\tgreed\tnow,\tonly\tan\taching,\tbittersweet\ttenderness. Surrendering,\tshe\teased\this\tsweater\tup\tover\this\tshoulders\tso\tthat\tshe could\tfeel\tthe\twarmth\tof\this\tskin\tagainst\thers.\tIf\tshe\tonly\thad\ttoday,\tshe would\tforget\tall\tthe\tyesterdays,\tall\tthe\ttomorrows.\tAs\this\tmouth\tmet\thers again,\tit\twas\tas\tthough\tit\twere\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tthey\thad\tkissed.\tThe\tfirst time\tthey\thad\tloved. This\tshe\twould\tremember.\tThe\theady\tflavor\tof\this\tlips,\tthose\tquiet,\tlovely words\the\tspoke\tagainst\ther\tmouth.\tNot\tpromises.\tThere\tcould\tbe\tno promises.\tBut\tthere\twas\tthe\tdepthless\tgreen\tof\this\teyes\tto\tdrown\tin. There\twas\tthe\timpossible\tgentleness\tof\this\thands\tto\tbe\tlost\tin. He\tslipped\ther\tjeans\tover\ther\thips,\tfollowing\tthe\troute\twith\this\tmouth, down\ther\tthigh,\tover\ther\tknee\tand\ther\tcalf.\tIn\tthe\tdim,\tsilent\troom,\tthere was\tno\tday\tor\tnight.\tAnd\ta\theart\tso\tfilled\twith\tlove\tcould\tnot\tbreak. She\tenchanted\thim,\tuntil\the\tbelieved\tthey\twould\talways\tbe\there together,\talone,\twith\tonly\tthe\tsoft\tsigh\tof\tthe\tbed\tshifting,\tyielding beneath\tthe\tpressure\tof\ttheir\tbodies.\tAlone,\twith\tonly\tthe\tsoothing\tstroke of\ther\tfingers\tover\this\tskin.\tWith\tonly\ther\tdrifting,\ttenuous\tscent swimming\tin\this\tbrain. And\tthe\tlove\the\tfelt\tpulsed\tthrough\this\tblood,\tseeped\tinto\this\tbones,\tuntil he\tknew\the\twould\tnever\tbe\tfree\tof\tit.\tThere\twas\tjoy\tin\tthat.\tShe\twould\tbe with\thim,\tdespite\tall\tdistances. He\tslipped\tinto\ther\twith\ta\tyearning\tthat\twas\tdeep.\tShe\tenfolded\thim\twith an\tunquestioning\tgenerosity.\tAs\tthey\tmoved\ttogether,\ttime\tstood beautifully\tstill.","beautifully\tstill. She\twoke,\tblinking\tin\tthe\tdarkness\tand\tafraid.\tBeside\ther,\tthe\tbed\twas cool.\tHe\twas\tgone.\tPanic\tsnatched\tat\ther\tthroat\tand\thad\ther\trearing\tup. She\tbit\tback\tthe\tcry\tand\tsteadied\therself. He\twasn't\tgone-or\tat\tleast\the\thadn't\tgone\tfar,\tfor\tshe\twas\tstill\ton\tthe ship,\tin\this\tbed.\tWith\ther\theart\tpounding,\tshe\tlay\tback\tand\ttried\tto\tthink. The\tway\the\thad\tloved\ther\thad\tbeen\tso\tsweet,\tso\tkind,\tso\tpatient.\tAnd\tso much\tlike\tgoodbye.\tShe\tcouldn't\tcry\tagain,\tSunny\tpromised\therself\tas she\tsqueezed\tback\ttears.\tCrying\tsolved\tnothing.\tIf\tshe\tloved\thim,\tand she\tdid,\tthe\tonly\tthing\tshe\tcould\tdo\tfor\thim\twas\tto\tbe\tstrong. She\tdressed\tin\tthe\tdark,\tthen\twent\tto\tlook\tfor\thim. The\tship\tconfused\ther.\tThere\twas\tanother\tcabin,\tsmaller\tthan\tJacob's but\tpainted\tin\tthe\tsame\tpale\tblues.\tShe\tpassed\tthrough\tanother\tarea she\tassumed\twas\tthe\tgalley\tonly\tbecause\tthere\twas\tan\tempty\tcarton\tof some\tsort\tof\tdrink\ton\ta\tsmooth,\tnarrow\tcounter\tand\ta\tmetal\tdoor\tbuilt into\tthe\twall\tthat\tafter\ta\tcritical\tstudy\tshe\tdecided\twas\tsome\tsort\tof\toven. She\tfound\thim\ton\tthe\tflight\tdeck,\tsitting\tat\tthe\tcommand\tconsole.\tHis wore\tonly\this\tjeans.\tThe\tviewing\tscreen\tshowed\ta\tpanorama\tof\tforest and\tthe\tshadow\tof\tdistant\tridges.\tHe\twas\tstaring\tthrough\tit\tas\the\tspoke to\tthe\tcomputer. \\\"Set\tcoordinates\tfor\t1500\thours.\\\" Affirmative. \\\"Preferred\tdestination\tas\tclose\tas\tpossible\tto\toriginal\tdeparture\tdata, time\tand\tposition.\\\" Understood. \\\"Estimate\tapproximate\tflight\ttime\tfrom\tlift-off\tto\ttime\twarp.\\\" Working-Estimate\tthree\thours,\ttwenty-two\tminutes\tfrom\tlift-off\tto\torbit\tof sun.\tIs\tcloser\tcalculation\tdesired?","sun.\tIs\tcloser\tcalculation\tdesired? \\\"No.\\\" \\\"Jacob.\\\" He\tspun\tin\this\tchair,\tswore\tunder\this\tbreath.\t\\\"Disengage.\\\" The\tcomputer\tscreen\twent\tblank. \\\"I\tthought\tyou\twere\tsleeping.\\\" \\\"I\twas.\\\"\tAccusations,\tthreats,\tpleas,\tsprang\tto\ther\tlips.\tShe\tbit\tthem back.\tShe\thad\tpromised\therself\tshe\twould\tbe\tstrong.\t\\\"You're\tgoing back.\\\" \\\"I\thave\tto.\\\"\tHe\trose\tto\tcross\tto\ther.\t\\\"Sunny,\tI've\ttried\tto\tfind\tanother\tway. There\tis\tnone.\\\" \\\"But-\\\" \\\"Do\tyou\tlove\tyour\tparents?\\\" \\\"Yes,\tof\tcourse.\\\" \\\"And\tI\tlove\tmine.\\\"\tHe\ttook\ther\thand,\tweighed\tit\tin\this.\t\\\"I\tcan't\tbegin\tto explain\twhat\twe\twent\tthrough\twhen\twe\tthought\tCal\twas\tdead.\tMy mother-She's\tvery\tstrong,\tbut\twhen\tthe\tnews\tcame\tthat\the\twas\tlost, presumed\tdead,\tshe\twas\till\twith\tgrief.\tDays,\tweeks.\\\" \\\"I'm\tsorry,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tquietly.\t\\\"I\tcan\tonly\timagine\thow\tyou\tmust\thave\tfelt.\\\" He\tshook\this\thead.\tThose\tdays\twere\tstill\tdifficult\tto\tspeak\tof.\t\\\"And\tthen, when\twe\tlearned\tthe\ttruth,\tthey\tboth\ttried\tto\taccept.\tHe\twas\talive,\tand that\tmeant\teverything.\tBut\tto\tknow\tthat\tthey\twould\tnever\tsee\thim\tagain, never\tknow.\\\"\tHe\tbroke\toff\tin\tfrustration.\t\\\"Maybe\tthey\tcan\taccept, especially\twhen\tI\texplain\tto\tthem\tthat\the's\thappy\there.\tWhen\tI\ttell\tthem about\tthe\tchild.\\\" \\\"What\tchild?\\\"","\\\"Cal's-Libby's\tcarrying\ta\tchild.\tDidn't\tshe\ttell\tyou?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tShaken,\tSunny\tpressed\ta\thand\tto\ther\ttemple.\t\\\"Everything\twas\tso confused.\tAnd\tI-Libby's\tpregnant.\\\"\tWith\ta\tlittle\tlaugh,\tshe\tdropped\ther hand.\t\\\"How\tabout\tthat?\tWe're\tgoing\tto\thave\ta\tniece\tor\tnephew.\\\"\tIt seemed\tright,\tonly\tright,\tthat\twhen\ther\tworld\twas\tat\tits\tdarkest\tthere should\tbe\tthat\ttiny\tglimmer\tof\tlife,\tand\tof\thope,\tin\tthe\tfuture. Yet\tit\twas\tthat\tsame\tfuture\tshe\twas\tlosing\thim\tto.\t\\\"Having\ta\tbaby\tonly takes\tnine\tmonths,\\\"\tshe\tbegan,\ttrying\tto\tsound\tcasual.\t\\\"I\tdon't\tsuppose you'd\tconsider\thanging\taround\tto\tsee\twhether\twe\tshould\tbuy\tblue\tor pink\tballoons.\\\" It\twas\tso\teasy\tto\tsee\tbeyond\ther\tsmile,\tinto\ther\teyes,\twhere\tthe\tsadness hovered.\t\\\"I\tcan't\ttake\ta\tchance\ton\tleaving\tthe\tship\there\tso\tlong-and\tI've already\toverstayed\tmy\tprojected\tequations.\tSunny,\tmy\tparents\thave\ta right,\ta\tneed,\tto\tknow\tabout\tCal's\tlife,\tabout\tthe\tchild.\tTheir\tgrandchild.\\\" \\\"Of\tcourse.\\\" \\\"If\tI\tcould\tstay-There's\tnothing\tthere\tthat\tmeans\tas\tmuch\tto\tme\tas\twhat I've\tfound\twith\tyou.\tYou\thave\tto\tbelieve\tthat.\\\" She\tstruggled\tto\tremain\tcalm\twhile\ther\tworld\tsilently\tfell\tapart.\t\\\"I\tbelieve that\tyou\tlove\tme.\\\" \\\"I\tdo.\tBut\tif\tI\tdon't\tgo\tback,\tif\tI\tdon't\tgive\tthem\tthat\tmuch,\tI\tcould\tnever live\twith\tmyself.\\\" She\tturned\taway,\tbecause\tshe\tunderstood\ttoo\twell.\t\\\"Once,\twhen\tI\twas nine\tor\tten,\tI\twandered\toff.\tWe\twere\tat\tthe\tcabin\tfor\tthe\tsummer\tand\tI wanted\tto\texplore.\tI\tthought\tI\tknew\tthe\tforest\tso\twell.\tBut\tI\tgot\tlost.\tI spent\ta\tnight\tunder\ta\ttree.\tWhen\tMom\tand\tDad\tfound\tme\tthe\tnext afternoon\tthey\twere\tfrantic.\tI've\tnever\tseen\tmy\tfather\tcry,\tnot\tlike\tthat.\\\" \\\"Then\tyou\tknow\twhy\tI\tcan't\tjust\tturn\tmy\tback\ton\tthem.\\\" \\\"Yes,\tof\tcourse.\\\"\tShe\tmanaged\tto\tsmile\tas\tshe\tfaced\thim.\t\\\"I'm\tsorry\tI caused\tsuch\ta\tscene\tbefore.\\\"","\\\"Don't.\\\" \\\"No,\treally,\tI\tam.\tI\tdidn't\thave\tany\tright\tto\tsay\tthe\tthings\tI\tsaid.\\\"\tBut,\ttry as\tshe\tmight,\tshe\tcouldn't\tapologize\tfor\tdecking\thim.\t\\\"I\tcan't\tbegin\tto understand\twhat\tit\tmust\thave\tbeen\tlike\tfor\tyou\tall\tthese\tweeks.\tTrying\tto fit\tin\tand\tbide\tyour\ttime\tuntil\tCal\tcame\tback.\\\" \\\"It\twasn't\tso\thard.\tI\thad\tyou.\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\"\tShe\tlifted\ta\thand\tto\this\tcheek,\tlet\tit\tfall\taway.\t\\\"I'm\tglad\tyou\tdid.\tI want\tyou\tto\tknow\tthat.\\\" \\\"Sunny-\\\" \\\"So\twhen\tdo\tyou\tgo?\\\"\tDeliberately\tshe\tmoved\tout\tof\treach.\tIf\the\ttouched her,\thowever\tgently,\tshe\tmight\tshatter. \\\"Tomorrow.\\\" She\thad\tto\tlock\ther\tknees\tto\tkeep\tthem\tfrom\tbuckling.\t\\\"So\tsoon?\\\" \\\"I\tthought\tit\tbest,\tfor\teveryone.\\\" She\twondered\tthat\ther\tsmile\tdidn't\tcrack\ther\tface.\t\\\"I'm\tsure\tyou're\tright. But\tyou'll\twant\tto\tspend\ta\tlittle\tmore\ttime\twith\tCal.\tYou've\tcome\ta\tlong way.\\\" \\\"I'll\ttalk\tto\thim\tin\tthe\tmorning.\tAnd\tto\tLibby,\\\"\the\tadded.\t\\\"I\twant\tto\tset things\tright\twith\ther.\\\" Now\tthe\tsmile\tcame\tmore\teasily.\t\\\"They're\tgood\tfor\teach\tother.\tYou\tsee that,\tdon't\tyou?\\\" \\\"I'd\thave\tto\tbe\tblind\tnot\tto.\\\" \\\"Science\tand\tlogic\taside,\tsometimes\temotions\tare\tthe\tmost\taccurate equations.\\\"\tFeeling\tstronger,\tshe\theld\tout\ther\thand.\t\\\"I'd\tlike\tto\tstay\tthe night,\there\twith\tyou.\\\" He\tbrought\ther\tclose,\tstruggling\tnot\tto\tcrush\ther\tagainst\thim.\t\\\"I'll\tcome","He\tbrought\ther\tclose,\tstruggling\tnot\tto\tcrush\ther\tagainst\thim.\t\\\"I'll\tcome back.\\\"\tWhen\tshe\tshook\ther\thead,\the\tpulled\ther\taway.\tThe\tpassion\twas in\this\teyes\tagain,\tand\tthe\tanger.\t\\\"I\twill.\tI\tswear\tit.\tI\tneed\ta\tlittle\tmore time,\tto\ttest.\tI\tmanaged\tto\twork\tit\tout\tthis\tfar\tin\tonly\ttwo\tyears.\tWith another\ttwo,\tI\tcan\tmake\tit\tsmoother,\tuntil\tit's\tas\tbasic\tas\ta\tshuttle\tto Mars.\\\" \\\"A\tshuttle\tto\tMars,\\\"\tshe\trepeated. \\\"Just\ttrust\tme,\\\"\the\ttold\ther,\tdrawing\ther\tback. \\\"When\tI\twork\tit\tall\tout\twe'll\thave\tmore\ttime\ttogether.\\\" \\\"More\ttime,\\\"\tshe\tmurmured,\tand\tshut\ther\teyes.","CHAPTER\t12 She\tleft\tbefore\the\tawakened.\tIt\tseemed\tthe\tbest\tway.\tShe\thadn't\tslept\tat all.\tShe\thad\tlain\tawake\tduring\tthe\tnight\ttrying\tto\tfind\tthe\tbest\tway. He\thad\tput\tmusic\ton,\tsomething\tdreamy\tand\tbeautiful\tby\ta\tcomposer she\thadn't\theard\tof.\tBecause\the\thad\tyet\tto\tbe\tborn.\tHe\thad\tadjusted\tthe lights\tso\tthat\tthe\tcabin\thad\tbeen\twashed\twith\tsimulated\tmoonbeams. To\tadd\tromance.\tShe\tunderstood\tthat\tnow,\tloved\thim\tfor\tit.\tHe\thad wanted\tto\tgive\ther\teverything\tit\twas\tpossible\tfor\thim\tto\tgive\ther\ton\tthat last\tnight.\tAnd\the\thad\tgiven\ther\teverything\tbut\twhat\tshe\twanted\tmost.\tA future. It\toccurred\tto\ther\tas\tshe\tthought\tover\tthe\ttwist\ther\tlife\thad\ttaken\tthat\tup until\tthis\tpoint\tall\ther\tdecisions\thad\tbeen\tblack-and-white.\tA\tchoice\twas either\tright\tor\twrong.\tBut\tthis\ttime,\tthis\tmost\timportant\ttime,\tthere\twere dozens\tof\tshades\tin\tbetween. She\tdrove\tback\tto\tthe\tcabin\tslowly.\tHow\tcould\tshe\thave\tsaid\tgoodbye again?\tSome\tpains\tcould\tnot\tbe\tendured\ta\tsecond\ttime.\tSunny\tcould only\thope\the\twould\tunderstand\twhat\tshe\twas\tdoing.\tShe\thoped\tshe understood\tit. She\tparked\tin\tback\tof\tthe\tcabin\tand\tsat\tfor\ta\tlittle\twhile,\tstudying\tthe\tway the\tglaze\tof\tice\ton\tthe\ttree\tlimbs\tglittered\tin\tthe\tmorning\tsun.\tListening\tto the\tsound,\tthe\tsound\tof\talmost\tperfect\tsilence.\tTasting\tthe\thint\tof\tcoming snow\tin\tthe\tair. Slowly,\tfighting\tback\tthe\tgrief,\tshe\twalked\tto\tthe\tcabin\tand\tentered\tthe kitchen\tquietly. Libby\thad\tleft\ta\tlight\tin\tthe\twindow.\tThe\tsight\tof\tthe\told\tkerosene\tlamp burning\tdully\tin\tthe\tmorning\tlight\tbrought\tthe\thateful\ttears\tto\ther\teyes again.\tShe\tswallowed\tthem,\tthen\tsat\tat\tthe\ttable\tto\trun\ther\tfingers\tover the\twood\tas\tJacob\thad\tonly\tweeks\tbefore. \\\"You're\tup\tearly.\\\"","\\\"You're\tup\tearly.\\\" Sunny\tlifted\ther\teyes\tand\tmet\ther\tsister's.\t\\\"Hi.\\\"\tHer\tlips\tcurved.\t\\\"Mom.\\\" Instinctively\tLibby\tlaid\ta\thand\ton\ther\tstomach.\t\\\"Jacob\ttold\tyou.\tI\twanted to.\\\" \\\"Great\tnews\tis\tgreat\tnews\twhatever\tthe\tsource.\\\"\tShe\trose\tto\tgather\ther sister\tclose.\tThere\twas\tjoy\there,\tand\tshe\tclung\tto\tit.\t\\\"No\tmorning sickness?\\\" \\\"No.\tI've\tnever\tfelt\tbetter.\\\" \\\"Cal\tbetter\tbe\tspoiling\tyou.\\\" \\\"Rotten.\\\"\tLibby\tdrew\tback\tto\tbrush\tat\tSunny's\tfringe\tof\tbangs.\tHer sister's\teyes\twere\tshadowed\tand\tsad.\t\\\"How\tare\tyou?\\\" \\\"I'm\tokay.\\\"\tBecause\ther\tlegs\tfelt\tunsteady\tagain,\tshe\tturned\tback\tto\tsit\tat the\ttable.\t\\\"I'm\tsorry\tI\tran\tout\tthe\tway\tI\tdid.\\\" \\\"That\tdoesn't\tmatter.\\\"\tLibby\twas\tdressed\tin\ta\tbaggy\tsweater\tand\tcords, her\tfavored\toutfit\tfor\tthe\tmountains.\tStudying\ther,\tSunny\tthought\ther sister\thad\tnever\tbeen\tmore\tbeautiful.\tShe\twondered\tif\tshe\twould\tever carry\ta\tchild,\tfeel\tthat\tlove\tgrowing\tinside\ther. \\\"I\tflattened\thim.\\\" \\\"Good,\\\"\tLibby\tsaid,\twith\ta\tnod\tof\tapproval.\tMovements\tautomatic,\tshe filled\tthe\tteakettle\twith\twater,\tthen\tset\tit\ton\tthe\tburner.\t\\\"Want\tsome breakfast?\\\" \\\"Later,\tmaybe.\\\" \\\"Sunny,\tI'm\tso\tsorry.\\\" \\\"Don't\tbe.\\\"\tSunny\treached\tbehind\ther\tto\tclose\ta\thand\tover\tthe\tone\tLibby had\tlaid\ton\ther\tshoulder.\t\\\"Really,\tit's\tall\tright.\\\" \\\"You\treally\tlove\thim.\\\"","\\\"Yes,\tI\tlove\thim.\\\" Wishing\tshe\tcould\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tgrant\ther\tsister\tthe\thappiness\tshe\tfelt herself,\tLibby\trested\ta\tcheek\ton\tSunny's\thair.\t\\\"Cal\tsays\tJ.T.'s\tplanning\tto do\tsome\tmore\twork\ton\tthe\tequations\tfor\tthe\ttime\ttravel.\tTo\thone\tit\tdown, to\tmake\tit\tsafer,\tand\tmore\tpractical,\tif\tthat\tword\tcan\tapply.\\\" \\\"Yes,\the\ttold\tme.\\\" \\\"He's\tbrilliant,\tSunny.\tReally\tbrilliant.\tIt's\tnot\tjust\tCal's\tbragging.\tI\tread the\trest\tof\this\tfile.\tAnd\tthe\tfact\tthat\the\twas\table\tto\tmake\tthis\ttrip\tafter only\ttwo\tyears\tof\twork\tis\tproof\tof\tit.\tOnce\the\tfinishes\this\ttesting,\the'll come\tback.\\\" \\\"I\thope\the\tcan.\\\"\tShe\tclosed\ther\teyes.\t\\\"I\treally\thope\the\tcan.\\\"\tThen,\twith\ta laugh,\tshe\tburied\ther\tface\tin\ther\thands.\t\\\"Listen\tto\tus.\tWe're\there\ttalking about\tall\tof\tthis\tas\tif\tit\twere\tthe\tmost\tnatural\tthing\tin\tthe\tworld.\tI\tmust\tstill be\tin\tshock.\\\" \\\"After\tmore\tthan\ta\tyear,\tI\tstill\twake\tup\tsome\tmornings\twondering\tif\tI imagined\tit\tall.\\\" \\\"But\tyou\thave\tCal,\\\"\tSunny\tmurmured,\tletting\ther\thands\tfall\tinto\ther\tlap. \\\"He's\tright\tthere\tto\tprove\tit's\treal.\\\" \\\"Sunny,\tif\tI-\\\"\tShe\tbroke\toff\twhen\tCal\twalked\tinto\tthe\troom.\tShe\tlifted\ther shoulders,\tlet\tthem\tfall.\t\\\"Is\tthere\tanything\tI\tcan\tdo?\\\" \\\"No.\tI'm\thandling\tit,\tI\tpromise\tyou\tthat.\\\" \\\"I'm\tgoing\tto\tget\tsome\tfresh\tair,\\\"\tLibby\tannounced.\t\\\"Cal,\ttake\tcare\tof\tthe tea,\twill\tyou?\\\" A\tlook\tpassed\tbetween\tthem.\t\\\"Sure.\\\" Sunny\tknew\tthem\tboth\twell\tenough\tto\tunderstand\tthat\tthey'd\tplanned this\tlittle\tbit\tof\tbusiness\tso\tthat\tCal\tcould\tspeak\tto\ther\talone. \\\"What\tdo\tyou\twant?\\\"\the\tasked\twhen\tLibby\thad\tshut\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\ther. \\\"Froot\tLoops\tor\tburnt\ttoast?\\\"","\\\"Froot\tLoops\tor\tburnt\ttoast?\\\" \\\"J.T.\tfixed\tthe\ttoaster.\\\" \\\"Oh\tyeah?\\\"\tHe\tgave\tit\ta\tcasual\tglance.\t\\\"He's\talways\tliked\tto\tfiddle\twith things.\\\"\tThe\tkettle\tbegan\tto\tboil,\tgiving\thim\tanother\tmoment\tto\tthink through\twhat\the\twanted\tto\tsay.\t\\\"Sunny-I\tthink\twe'll\tget\tsnow\tbefore nightfall.\\\" \\\"Cal,\twhy\tdon't\tyou\trelax?\tAs\ttempting\tas\tit\twas,\tI\tdidn't\tmurder\thim.\\\" \\\"I\twasn't\tworried\tabout\tthat.\\\"\tHe\tpoured\thot\twater\tinto\ttwo\tcups.\t\\\"Not\ttoo much,\tanyway.\tIt's\tmore\ta\tmatter\tof\twanting\tto\texplain.\\\" \\\"That\tyour\tbrother's\ta\tjerk?\tI\tknow\tthat.\\\" \\\"He's\talso\tsensitive.\\\" She\tcould\tstill\tbe\tamused.\tThat\twas\ta\trelief.\t\\\"Are\twe\ttalking\tabout\tthe same\tman?\tHornblower,\tJacob? Astrophysicist?\tThe\tone\twith\tthe\tbull\thead\tand\tthe\tnasty\ttemper?\\\" An\tapt\tdescription,\the\tthought.\t\\\"Yeah.\tI\tdon't\tmean\tlike\the\tcries\tat\tvid- movies,\\\"\the\tremembered.\t\\\"Or\tthat\the\ttakes\tit\tto\theart\twhen\tyou\tcall\thim names.\tHe's\tsensitive\twhere\tother\tpeople\tare\tconcerned.\tFamily.\\\"\tNot certain\the\twas\thandling\tthe\tsituation\tcorrectly,\the\tbrought\tthe\ttea\tto\tthe table.\t\\\"Half\tthe\ttime\twhen\the'd\tget\tinto\tfights\tit\twas\tbecause\tsomeone had\tsaid\tsomething\tabout\tme.\tIt\tused\tto\tannoy\tme,\tbecause\tI\twanted\tto take\tcare\tof\tit\tmyself,\tbut\the'd\talways\tplow\tright\tin\tbefore\tI\thad\tthe chance.\tAnd\tmy\tparents-I\tcan't\tthink\tof\ta\tsingle\ttime\the'd\tforget\ta birthday\tor\tMother's\tDay.\\\" \\\"They\tstill\thave\tMother's\tDay?\\\" \\\"Sure.\\\" \\\"Cal.\\\"\tAbsently\tshe\tstirred\tsugar\tinto\ther\ttea.\t\\\"How\tdid\tyou\tdecide\tto stay?\\\" \\\"I\tdidn't\tdecide,\\\"\the\ttold\ther.\t\\\"What\tI\tmean\tis,\tI\tdon't\tthink\tdecide\tis\tthe","\\\"I\tdidn't\tdecide,\\\"\the\ttold\ther.\t\\\"What\tI\tmean\tis,\tI\tdon't\tthink\tdecide\tis\tthe word.\tIt\timplies\tchoice.\tI\tcouldn't\tleave\tLibby.\tI\ttried.\tBut\tI've\tnever stopped\tthinking\tabout\tmy\tfamily.\\\" \\\"Whether\tyou\tconsider\tyou\thad\ta\tchoice\tor\tnot,\tit\thad\tto\tbe\tdifficult.\\\" \\\"For\tme\tit\twas\tpretty\tcut-and-dried.\tI\tcouldn't\teven\tbe\tsure\tif\tI'd\tmake\tit back.\tI\tsent\tthe\tship\tand\tthe\treports\tbecause\tif\tthere\twas\ta\tchance\tI could\tlet\tthem\tknow\tI\twas\talive,\tsafe,\tI\thad\tto.\\\"\tHe\tlaid\ta\thand\tover\thers. \\\"With\tJ.T.,\tit's\tdifferent.\tHe\tknows\the\tcan\tmake\tit\tback,\tand\tif\the\tdidn't\tgo he'd\tbe\tleaving\tthem\twithout\thope.\tHe\tcouldn't\tdo\tthat.\\\" \\\"No,\the\tcouldn't\tdo\tthat.\\\"\tShe\tlifted\ther\thead.\t\\\"It's\tbeen\thard\tfor\tyou.\\\" \\\"This\thas\tbeen\tthe\tbest\tyear\tof\tmy\tlife.\\\" \\\"But\tthe\tadjustments,\tthe\tseparation-\\\" \\\"If\tI'd\tbeen\ttossed\tback\tanother\tfive\thundred\tyears\tit\twouldn't\thave mattered.\tAs\tlong\tas\tI'd\tfound\tLibby.\\\" \\\"She's\tlucky\tto\thave\tyou.\\\" \\\"I\tlike\tto\tthink\tso.\\\"\tHe\tgrinned,\tthen\tsobered.\t\\\"He\tloves\tyou,\tSunny.\\\" Something\tflickered\tin\ther\teyes\tbefore\tshe\tlowered\tthem.\t\\\"Did\the\ttell\tyou that?\\\" \\\"Yes,\tbut\the\tdidn't\thave\tto.\tI\tsaw\tit\tthe\tfirst\ttime\the\tsaid\tyour\tname.\tI guess\twhat\tI\twanted\tto\ttell\tyou\twas\tthat\the's\tnever\tfelt\tabout\tanyone\tthe way\the\tfeels\tabout\tyou.\\\" \\\"Will\tyou\thelp\tme,\tCal?\tI\tleft\tbefore\the\twoke\tup.\\\"\tShe\tpressed\ther\tlips together\tto\tkeep\tthem\tfrom\ttrembling.\t\\\"I\tcan't\tsay\tgoodbye.\\\" Libby\tstood\tby\tthe\tstream\twatching\tthe\twater\tfight\tits\tway\taround\tthe\tice. In\ther\tmind\tshe\tsaw\tit\tas\tit\thad\tbeen\tin\tthe\tspring,\twhen\tthe\twater\thad gurgled\tlazily\tover\tthe\trocks\tand\tthe\tsong\tof\tbirds\thad\tbeen\teverywhere. The\tgrass\thad\tbeen\tsoft\tand\tgreen.","It\twas\tthere\tthat\tshe\tand\tCal\thad\tburied\tthe\ttime\tcapsule.\tAnd\tthere\tthey had\tmade\tlove,\twhile\ther\theart\thad\tbroken\tat\tthe\tpicture\tof\thim unearthing\tit\tagain\tin\tsome\tspringtime\thundreds\tof\tyears\tahead. Instead,\the\thad\tstayed,\tand\tit\twas\this\tbrother\twho\thad\ttaken\tout\tthe\tbox they\thad\tplaced\tthere.\tNow\tit\twas\ther\tsister's\theart\tthat\twas\tbreaking. Whatever\tcomfort\tshe\toffered\tSunny\twouldn't\tbe\tenough. It\tseemed\twrong\tthat\tshe\tshould\thave\teverything\twhile\tSunny\tlost.\tShe had\tCal,\tand\tthe\thome\tthey\tloved,\tthe\tlife\tthey\twere\tbuilding.\tShe\thad the\tchild. With\ta\tsoft\tsmile,\tshe\tpressed\ta\thand\tto\ther\tstomach.\tThe\tchild\twho would\tcome\tat\tsummer's\tend\tand\tbind\tthem\teven\tcloser\ttogether. Sunny\twould\thave\tonly\tmemories,\tand\tthere\twas\tnothing\tLibby\tcould\tdo about\tit. She\tturned\ther\thead\tslightly\tand\tsaw\tJacob. He\twas\tonly\ta\tfew\tfeet\taway.\tShe\thadn't\theard\this\tapproach\tin\tthe muffling\tsnow.\tIn\tthe\tshadows\tcast\tby\tthe\ttrees\tshe\tsaw\thow\tmuch\the resembled\tCal.\tThe\tsame\tbuild,\tthe\tsame\tcoloring,\tthe\tsame\tsharp\tfacial bones.\tThere\twas\ta\tmeasuring\tlook\tin\this\teyes\tthat\tmade\ther\twonder how\tlong\the\thad\tbeen\tstanding\tand\twatching\ther\tin\tsilence. She\tdidn't\tapproach\thim.\tThough\the\tposed\tno\tthreat\tto\ther-and\tshe admitted\tthat\tshe\thad\tbeen\tfoolish\tand\toveremotional\tever\tto\tbelieve\the could-he\thad\ttaken\ther\tsister's\theart.\tAnd\tbroken\tit. \\\"Cal's\tinside.\\\"\tHer\tvoice\twas\tcool\tand\tclipped.\tShe\tmade\tno\tattempt\tto be\tfriendly. She\tshowed\ther\tanger\tdifferently\tfrom\tSunny,\the\tmused.\tSunny exploded\twith\thers,\twent\tstraight\ton\tthe\tattack.\tApparently\tLibby\tlet\thers bubble\tand\tbrew\tinside.\tHe\twondered\tif\tshe\trealized\tit\twas\tjust\tas volatile. \\\"I\twanted\tto\ttalk\tto\tyou.\\\"","\\\"I\twanted\tto\ttalk\tto\tyou.\\\" She\thad\tnever\tenjoyed\tconfrontations,\tbut\tshe\tbraced\tfor\tthis\tone. \\\"There's\tnothing\tyou\tcan\tsay\tto\tme\tthat\twould\tmake\tme\tinfluence\tCal\tto leave\twith\tyou.\tThe\tchoice\tis\this,\twhether\tyou\tbelieve\tit\tor\tnot.\tJust\tas\tit was\tbefore.\\\" \\\"I\tknow.\\\"\tHe\tmoved\tslowly\tacross\tthe\tsnow\tuntil\the\tstood\tbeside\ther.\t\\\"It isn't\tsomething\tI\tthought\tI\twould\tunderstand\tor\taccept,\tbut\tI\tdo.\tOur parents\twill-It\twill\tmean\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tto\tthem\twhen\tI\ttell\tthem\tabout\tyou. About\tthe\tchild.\\\" \\\"He\tmisses\tthem.\\\"\tHer\tvoice\twas\tthick\tas\tshe\tbattled\tthe\ttide\tof\temotion. \\\"They\tshould\tknow\tthat.\\\" \\\"They\twill.\\\" \\\"Why\tdidn't\tyou\ttell\ther?\\\"\tshe\tdemanded.\t\\\"How\tcould\tyou\thave\tlet\ther\tfall in\tlove\twith\tyou\twhen\tyou\tknew\tyou\twere\tgoing\tto\tleave?\\\" His\thands\tfisted\tas\the\tplunged\tthem\tinto\tthe\tpockets\tof\this\tpea\tcoat.\t\\\"I spent\ttwo\tyears\tworking,\tinching\tmy\tway\there.\tFor\tone\treason.\tOnly one.\tTo\tfind\tmy\tbrother\tand\ttake\thim\thome.\\\" Her\teyes\tsmoldered\tat\tthat.\t\\\"You\tcan't\thave\thim.\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tHe\tnearly\tsmiled.\tPerhaps\tshe\twas\tmore\tlike\tSunny\tthan\the\thad originally\tthought.\t\\\"And\tI\tcan't\thave\tSunny,\teither.\tI\thave\tto\tlive\twith\tthat. She\tisn't\tthe\tonly\tone\twho\tfell\tin\tlove.\tShe\tisn't\tthe\tonly\tone\tto\tlose.\\\" \\\"But\tyou\tknew\twhat\tyou\twere\tdoing.\\\" Vibrating\twith\tfrustration,\the\tfaced\ther.\tFor\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tshe\tsaw\tthat\this eyes\twere\thaunted\tand\tmiserable.\t\\\"You\tthought\tCal\twould\tleave.\tDid\tit stop\tyou\tfrom\tloving\thim,\tor\thim\tfrom\tloving\tyou?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tWith\ta\tlittle\tsigh,\tshe\tput\ta\thand\ton\this\tarm.\t\\\"No,\tit\tdidn't.\\\" \\\"She's\tstrong,\\\"\the\tsaid.\tHis\tcontrol\thad\tslipped\ta\tfew\tnotches\twhen\the'd heard\tthe\tunderstanding\tin\ther\tvoice.\t\\\"She\twon't\tallow\therself\tto\thurt\tfor","heard\tthe\tunderstanding\tin\ther\tvoice.\t\\\"She\twon't\tallow\therself\tto\thurt\tfor long.\tIf\tI\tcan't\tcome\tback-\\\"\tThe\tpain\tripped\tthrough\thim,\tforcing\thim\tto take\ta\tslow,\tdeep\tbreath.\t\\\"If\tI\tcan't\tcome\tback,\tshe'll\tgo\ton.\\\" \\\"Do\tyou\treally\tbelieve\tthat?\\\" \\\"I\thave\tto.\\\"\tHe\tdragged\tan\tunsteady\thand\tthrough\this\thair.\tWith\tthe\tache rippling\tthrough\thim,\the\ttold\ther\twhat\the\thadn't\tbeen\table\tto\ttell\tSunny. What\the\thadn't\twanted\tto\tface\thimself.\t\\\"I\thaven't\tperfected\tthe procedure.\tThis\ttime\tI\twas\tmonths\toff.\tThe\tnext\ttime,\tif\tthere\tis\tone,\tI may\tbe\tyears\toff.\tShe\tmay\thave\tstarted\ta\tnew\tlife.\tI\thave\tto\taccept\tthat.\\\" She\tsmiled\tat\thim.\t\\\"I\tstudy\tpeople.\tWhen\tyou\tmake\tit\ta\tprofession,\tyou learn\tmore\tthan\ttradition\tand\tsocial\tmores.\tYou\tlearn\tthat\treal\tlove, lasting\tlove,\tis\tvery\trare.\tIt\tshould\tnever\tbe\tsimply\taccepted,\tJ.T.\tIt should\tbe\tcherished.\\\" He\tgazed\tacross\tthe\twhite\tworld\the\twas\tjust\tbeginning\tto\tunderstand. \\\"I'll\tthink\tof\ther\tevery\tday\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tmy\tlife.\\\" \\\"Have\tyou\tnever\theard\tthe\tword\tcompromise?\\\" \\\"I'm\tnot\tvery\tgood\tat\tit.\tIf\tI\tcould\tfind\tone,\tI'd\tlearn\tto\tbe\tgood\tat\tit.\tI\tcan only\ttell\tyou\tthat\teverything\tI\tdo\tfrom\tthe\tmoment\tI\tget\tback\twill\tbe geared\ttoward\tfinding\ta\tway\tto\treturn\there,\twithin\ta\tday,\twithin\tan\thour, of\tthe\ttime\tI\tleft.\\\" Moved,\tshe\tleaned\tup\tand\tkissed\this\tcheek.\tIt\tsurprised\ther\twhen\this arms\tcame\taround\ther,\theld\ther.\tWithout\thesitating,\tshe\treturned\tthe embrace. \\\"Take\tcare\tof\tthem.\tBoth\tof\tthem.\\\" \\\"I\twill.\\\"\tShe\ttightened\ther\thold\tbriefly,\tthen\tsmiled\twhen\tshe\tsaw\tCal walking\ttoward\tthem.\tKissing\tJacob\tagain,\tshe\treleased\thim\tbefore\tshe held\tout\ta\thand\tfor\tCal's.\t\\\"Why\tdon't\tI\tgo\tmake\tsome\tbreakfast?\\\" \\\"Thanks.\\\"\tCal's\tfingers\tsqueezed\thers.\t\\\"I\tlove\tyou.\\\" With\ta\tquick\tsmile,\tshe\theaded\tback\tto\tthe\tcabin.","\\\"Is\tSunny\tinside?\\\" Cal\tturned\tback\tto\this\tbrother.\t\\\"She\tcame\tback\tearly.\\\"\tHe\tput\ta\thand\ton Jacob's\tarm\tto\trestrain\thim.\t\\\"J.T.,\tshe\tasked\tme\tto\ttell\tyou\tthat\tshe wishes\tyou\ta\tsafe\ttrip\tbut\tshe\tcan't\tsay\tgoodbye\tagain.\\\" \\\"The\thell\twith\tthat.\\\" \\\"Jacob.\\\"\tCal\tshifted\tto\tblock\this\tbrother's\tpath.\t\\\"She\tneeds\tto\tdo\tit\tthis way.\tBelieve\tme,\tit\twon't\thelp\ther\tif\tyou\ttry\tto\tsee\ther\tagain.\\\" \\\"Just\tcut\tit\toff\tclean?\\\"\tJacob\tpulled\tout\tof\tCal's\thold.\t\\\"As\tsimple\tas\tthat?\\\" \\\"I\tdidn't\tsay\tit\twas\tsimple.\tThere's\tno\tone\twho\tknows\tbetter\thow\tyou\tfeel than\tI\tdo.\tIf\tyou\tlove\ther,\\\"\the\tcontinued,\t\\\"let\ther\thave\ther\tway\tin\tthis.\\\" Holding\tup\this\thands,\tJacob\twhirled\tand\tstrode\ta\tfew\tpaces\toff.\tPain roiled\tinside\thim,\tpain\tedged\twith\tresentment.\tShe\twouldn't\teven\tsee him\tone\tlast\ttime.\tAlready\tshe\twas\tjust\ta\tmemory.\tPerhaps\tit\twas\tbest, he\ttold\thimself,\tbest\tthat\the\tcould\tbelieve\tshe\twas\talready\tgetting\ton with\ther\tlife. If\the\tcould\tdo\tnothing\telse\tfor\ther,\the\tcould\thonor\tthis\tlast\trequest. \\\"All\tright.\tTell\ther-\\\"\tHe\ttrailed\toff,\tswearing.\tHe\twould\tnever\tbe\table\tto find\tthe\twords\tfor\twhat\the\twas\tfeeling.\tEven\tif\the'd\thad\tCal's\tknack\tfor poetry,\tthe\tphrases\twould\thave\tfallen\tshort. \\\"She\tknows,\\\"\tCal\ttold\thim.\t\\\"Come\ton\tinside.\\\" In\tthe\tafternoon\tthey\tdrove\thim\tto\tthe\tship.\tHe\twondered\tif\tSunny\twas watching\tfrom\ta\twindow\tas\tthey\tdisappeared\tinto\tthe\tforest.\tBut\twhen\the looked\tback,\tsearching,\tthe\tsun\twas\tglaring\ton\tthe\tglass\tand\the\tcould see\tnothing. Cal\ttalked\tconstantly,\ttrying\tto\tfill\tthe\tvoid\twith\tchatter.\tJacob\tsaw\tthat\the reached\tfor\tLibby's\thand,\theld\tit\ttight. And\the\twas\tdenied\teven\tthat,\the\tthought.\tEven\tone\tlast\ttouch.","Cursing\tSunny,\the\tclimbed\tout\tof\tthe\tcar.\t\\\"I'll\ttell\tMom\tand\tDad everything.\\\" Cal\tnodded.\t\\\"Get\tback\tto\tthe\tlab.\tI\twant\tto\tknow\tthat\tyou'll\tcome\tback and\tbring\tthem\tfor\ta\tvisit.\\\" \\\"I'll\tbe\tback.\\\"\tHe\tembraced\this\tbrother. \\\"I\tlove\tyou,\tJ.T.\\\" Letting\tout\ta\tlong\tbreath,\the\tbroke\taway\tto\tturn\tto\tLibby.\t\\\"Tell\tyour\tsister I'm\tgoing\tto\tfind\ta\tway.\\\" \\\"I'm\tcounting\ton\tit.\\\"\tLibby\tblinked\tback\ttears\tas\tshe\thanded\thim\tan envelope.\t\\\"She\tasked\tme\tto\tgive\tthis\tto\tyou,\tbut\tto\tmake\tyou\tpromise you\twon't\topen\tit\tuntil\tyou\tget\tback\tto\tyour\town\ttime.\\\" He\treached\tout,\tbut\tshe\tpulled\tit\tback.\t\\\"Your\tword.\tCal\ttells\tme\tyou\ttake promises\tseriously.\\\" \\\"I\twon't\topen\tit\tuntil\tI'm\tgone.\\\"\tHe\tfolded\tit\tcarefully\tbefore\tslipping\tit\tin his\tpocket.\tHe\tkissed\ther,\tone\tcheek,\tthe\tother,\tthen\ther\tmouth.\t\\\"Keep well,\tsister.\\\" The\tfirst\ttear\toverflowed.\t\\\"And\tyou.\\\"\tShe\tturned\ther\tface\tinto\tCal's shoulder\tas\tJacob\tstepped\tthrough\tthe\thatch. \\\"He'll\tbe\tback,\tLibby.\\\"\tHe\tlifted\ta\thand\tin\tfarewell,\tthen\tlet\tit\tfall.\tSmiling, he\tpressed\ta\tkiss\tto\ther\thair\tas\tshe\twept.\t\\\"It's\tonly\ta\tmatter\tof\ttime.\\\" Inside,\tJacob\tcleared\this\tmind\tand\twent\tto\twork.\tThe\tprocedure\tfor\tlift-off was\tbasic,\tbut\the\twent\tthrough\tthe\troutine\tas\tmeticulously\tas\ta\tfirst-year pilot.\tHe\tdidn't\twant\tto\tthink.\tCouldn't\tafford\tto. He\thad\tknown\tit\twould\thurt,\tbut\the\thad\tnever\timagined\tthis\tkind\tof\tdull, gnawing\tpain.\tIt\tmade\this\tfingers\tstiff\ton\tthe\tswitches. The\tlights\thummed\tas\the\tset\tthe\tcontrols\tfor\tignition.\tThrough\tthe viewscreen\the\tsaw\tthat\tCal\thad\tmoved\tLibby\tback\tout\tof\tharm's\tway. For\tthe\tlast\ttime\the\tsearched\tthe\tforest\tfor\tsigns\tof\tSunny.\tThere\twas","For\tthe\tlast\ttime\the\tsearched\tthe\tforest\tfor\tsigns\tof\tSunny.\tThere\twas nothing.\tHe\tthrew\tthe\tlast\tswitch. The\tship\trose\tgently,\talmost\tsilently.\tHe\tknew\the\tcouldn't\tafford\tto\tlinger, but\the\tkept\tthe\tspeed\tdown\tuntil\this\tbrother\twas\tonly\ta\tspeck\tin\tthe\tsea of\twhite\tand\tgreen.\tWith\tan\toath,\the\tjammed\tthe\tthrottle\tand\tshot through\tthe\tatmosphere. Space\twas\tsoothing,\tthe\tdark\tsilence\tof\tit.\tHe\tdidn't\twant\tto\tbe\tsoothed. It\twould\tbe\tbest\tif\the\theld\ton\tto\this\tanger,\this\tfrustration.\tHis\tjaw\tset,\the engaged\this\tcomputer. \\\"Implement\tcoordinates\tto\tsun.\\\"\tCoordinates\timplemented. Seen\tthrough\tthe\tviewscreen,\tthe\tworld\twas\tonly\ta\tpretty\tcolored\tball. Mechanically\the\tnavigated,\tcompensating\tfor\ta\tsmall\tshower\tof\tmeteors. It\twas\tvery\tsimple,\treally,\the\tthought.\tNow\tthere\twas\tno\ttraffic, commercial\tor\tprivate.\tNo\troute\tpatrol\tships\tto\tcommunicate\twith.\tNo checkpoints. He\thit\tthe\tswitch\tand\tbulleted\tinto\thyperspace.\tAs\tbefore,\this\teyes narrowed,\this\tmuscles\ttensed,\tas\the\thurtled\ttoward\tthe\tsun.\tHe\twatched dispassionately\tas\tthe\tgauges\tregistered\tthe\tincrease\tin\toutside temperature.\tWith\tthe\tviewscreen\tlowered,\the\tflew\tblind,\texpertly\tbut without\tthe\tpassion\tthat\thad\tfueled\thim\ton\this\tlast\tvoyage. Working\twith\tthe\tcomputer,\the\tincreased\tthe\tspeed,\tadjusted\tthe\tangle. Meticulous\tand\tmechanical,\this\tfingers\tmoved\tover\tthe\tcommand console.\tThough\the\twas\tprepared,\tthe\tg's\tslammed\thim\tback\tin\this chair.\tHolding\tcourse,\the\tswore,\tfilling\tthe\tcockpit\twith\this\tanger\tand\this hopelessness. Now,\tthough\this\theart\twas\tthousands\tof\tmiles\tbelow,\tthere\twas\tno turning\tback. Like\ta\tbullet\tfrom\ta\tgun,\the\tshot\tthrough\tspace\tand\ttime\tand\taway\tfrom his\theart. He\twas\tbreathless\twhen\tthe\tprocedure\twas\tcomplete.\tA\tline\tof\tsweat","He\twas\tbreathless\twhen\tthe\tprocedure\twas\tcomplete.\tA\tline\tof\tsweat rolled\tdown\this\tback.\tA\tglance\tat\this\tgauges\ttold\thim\the\thad\tbeen successful. Successful,\the\tthought\tmiserably,\trubbing\this\thands\tover\this\teyes. Raising\tthe\tviewscreen,\the\tlooked\tout\ton\this\town\ttime. It\tlooked\tso\tsimilar,\tthe\tstars,\tthe\tplanets,\tthe\tinky\tdarkness.\tThere\twere more\tsatellites,\tand\tin\tthe\tdistance\the\tsaw\ta\tblip\tof\tlight\the\tknew\twas\ta research\tlab.\tIn\tless\tthan\tthirty\tminutes\the\twould\tjoin\tthe\ttraffic\tpatterns. He\twould\tno\tlonger\tbe\talone.\tLeaning\tback,\the\tclosed\this\teyes\tin\tquiet desperation. She\twas\tgone. Fate\thad\tbrought\thim\tto\ther,\tthen\thad\ttorn\thim\taway.\tFate,\the\tthought, and\this\town\tintellect.\tHe\twould\tuse\tthat\tintellect.\tIf\tit\ttook\ta\tlifetime,\the would\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tbring\ttheir\tlives\ttogether\tagain. Perhaps\the\twould\tsuffer\tover\tthe\tmonths\tor\tyears\tit\ttook\thim\tto\tcomplete the\tnecessary\ttests\tthat\twould\ttake\thim\tback,\tsafely,\tclose\tto\tthe\ttime\tof his\tlift-off.\tBut\the\twould\tget\tback,\tand\the\twould\tcalculate\tso\tminutely\tthat she\twould\tbarely\trealize\the'd\tever\tbeen\tgone. Slowly\the\ttook\tthe\tletter\tout\tof\this\tpocket.\tIt\twas\tall\the\thad\tleft\tof\ther. Some\tmessage,\the\tthought.\tA\tfew\twords\tof\tlove\tand\tremembrance.\tIt wouldn't\tbe\tenough,\the\tthought\tfuriously,\tand\tripped\tit\topen. There\twas\tonly\tone\tword. Surprise. Baffled,\the\tstared\tat\tit. Surprise?\the\tthought.\tJust\tsurprise.\tWhat\tkind\tof\tlast\tmessage\twas\tthat? So\tdamn\ttypical\tof\ther,\the\tdecided,\tballing\tthe\tpaper\tup\tin\this\tfist.\tThen, relenting,\twilling\tto\tsettle\tfor\teven\tas\tlittle\tas\tthis,\the\tsmoothed\tit\tout again. At\ta\tfaint\tsound,\the\twhirled\tin\tthe\tchair.","She\twas\tstanding\tat\tthe\tdoorway\tto\tthe\tflight\tdeck.\tShe\twas\tdeathly pale,\tand\ther\teyes\twere\tglassy.\tBut\tas\the\twatched,\tdumbfounded,\ther lips\tmoved\tinto\ta\tsmile. \\\"So,\tyou\tgot\tmy\tmessage.\\\" \\\"Sunny?\\\"\tHe\twhispered\ther\tname\tat\tfirst,\twondering\tif\the\twas hallucinating.\tIt\twas\tonly\tone\tof\tthe\tpotential\tside\teffects\tof\ttime\ttravel. He\twould\thave\tto\tremember\tto\tmake\ta\tnote\tof\tit. But\the\tcould\tnot\tonly\tsee\ther,\thear\ther,\the\tcould\tsmell\ther.\tHe catapulted\tout\tof\tthe\tchair\tto\tgrab\ther\tclose,\tto\tdevour\ther\tmouth\tlike\ta starving\tman. Then\tit\tstruck\thim.\tTerrified\thim. \\\"What\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\\\"\the\tdemanded,\tshaking\ther.\t\\\"What\tthe\thell have\tyou\tdone?\\\" \\\"What\thad\tto\tbe\tdone.\\\"\tWhen\tshe\tswayed,\the\tcursed\ther\tagain. \\\"Yell\tat\tme\tlater,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tcalmly.\t\\\"I\tthink\tI'm\tgoing\tto\tpass\tout.\\\" \\\"No,\tyou're\tnot.\\\"\tThough\the\twas\tinfuriated,\the\tlifted\ther\tas\tthough\tshe were\tfragile\tglass\tand\tcarried\ther\tto\ta\tchair.\tThen\the\twas\tall\tbusiness. \\\"You're\tlight-headed?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\"\tShe\tput\ther\thand\ton\ther\ttemple.\t\\\"It\twas\ta\thell\tof\ta\ttrip.\\\" \\\"Nauseous?\\\" \\\"Some.\\\" He\tpressed\ta\tround\tblack\tbutton,\tand\ta\tsmall\tcompartment\topened.\tHe pulled\tout\ta\tsquare\tbox.\tFrom\tit\the\ttook\ta\ttiny,\tpaper-thin\tpill.\t\\\"Let\tthis dissolve\ton\tyour\ttongue.\tIdiot,\\\"\the\tsaid,\teven\tas\tshe\tobeyed.\t\\\"You\taren't prepped\tfor\ttraveling\tat\twarp\tspeed.\\\"","The\trelief\twas\tinstant.\tShe\ttook\ta\tlong\tbreath,\tpleased\tthat\tshe\twasn't going\tto\tdisgrace\therself.\tIgnoring\thim\tfor\tthe\tmoment,\tshe\tturned\tto\tthe viewscreen.\tThe\tgalaxy\twas\tspread\tout\tbefore\ther. \\\"Oh,\tmy\tGod.\\\"\tThe\tcolor\tthat\thad\tcome\tback\tinto\ther\tcheeks\tfled\tagain. \\\"It's\tincredible.\tIs\tthat-is\tthat\tEarth?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\"\tHis\tpalms\twere\tdamp.\tIf\this\tstomach\tdidn't\tsettle,\the'd\thave\tto resort\tto\ta\tpill\thimself.\t\\\"Sunny,\tdo\tyou\thave\tany\tidea\twhat\tyou've\tdone?\\\" \\\"How\tfast\tare\twe\tgoing?\\\" \\\"Damn\tit,\tSunny.\\\" \\\"Yes,\tI\tknow\twhat\tI've\tdone.\\\"\tShe\tswiveled\tin\tthe\tchair\tto\trest\ther\thands on\this\tknees.\tHer\teyes,\twhen\tthey\tmet\this,\twere\tdark\tand\tclear.\t\\\"I've passed\tthrough\ttime\twith\tyou,\tJacob.\\\" \\\"You\thave\tto\tbe\tout\tof\tyour\tmind.\\\"\tHe\twanted\tto\tshake\ther\tuntil\ther bones\trattled.\tHe\twanted\tto\thold\ther\tagainst\thim\tuntil\tthey\tmelted.\t\\\"How could\tyou\thave\tpulled\toff\ta\tridiculous\tstunt\tlike\tthis?\\\" \\\"Cal\tand\tLibby\thelped\tme.\\\" \\\"They\thelped\tyou?\tThey\tknew\tyou'd\tplanned\tthis?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\"\tWhen\tshe\tfelt\ther\thands\tbegin\tto\ttremble,\tshe\tsat\tback\tand\tfolded them\tin\ther\tlap.\tShe\tdidn't\twant\thim\tto\tknow\thow\tfrightened\tshe\twas.\t\\\"I decided\tlast\tnight.\\\" \\\"You\tdecided,\\\"\the\trepeated. \\\"That's\tright.\\\"\tHer\tchin\tlifted,\tand\tshe\tgave\thim\ta\tlong,\tlevel\tlook.\t\\\"I talked\tto\tCal\tthis\tmorning,\ttold\thim\twhat\tI\twanted\tto\tdo.\\\"\tCalmer\tnow, she\tturned\tto\tthe\tviewscreen\tagain.\tThere\twere\tlights\tin\tthe\tsky.\tStars. Instead\tof\tlooking\tup\tat\tthem,\tshe\tlooked\tout.\tAs\tincredible\tas\tit\twas,\tshe was\thurtling\tthrough\tspace\twith\tthe\tonly\tman\tshe\thad\tever\tloved.\tWould ever\tlove. Someone\thad\tto\tbe\tsensible.\tSomeone\thad\tto\tbe\tcalm.\tBut\the\twasn't","Someone\thad\tto\tbe\tsensible.\tSomeone\thad\tto\tbe\tcalm.\tBut\the\twasn't sure\tit\tcould\tbe\thim.\t\\\"Sunny,\tI\tdon't\tthink\tyou\tunderstand\twhat\tyou've done.\\\" \\\"I\tunderstand\tperfectly.\\\"\tShe\tlooked\tback\tat\thim.\tYes,\tshe\twas\tcalm again,\tshe\trealized.\tCalm,\twith\ther\tmind\tclear\tand\ther\theart\tcontent.\t\\\"Cal made\ta\ttoken\tprotest-more\tfor\tLibby's\tsake\tthan\tmine,\treally.\tBut\twhen\tI spoke\twith\ther\tshe\tunderstood.\tShe\tbrought\tme\tto\tthe\tship\therself\tthis afternoon,\twhen\tyou\twere\tbusy\twith\tCal.\\\" \\\"Your\tparents-\\\" \\\"Would\twant\tme\tto\tbe\thappy.\\\"\tThere\twas\ta\tpang,\ta\tdeep\tone,\twhen\tshe thought\tof\tthem.\t\\\"Libby\tand\tCal\twill\texplain\teverything\tto\tthem.\\\"\tBecause she\twas\tsure\ther\tlegs\twere\tsteady\tagain,\tshe\trose\tto\twalk\taround\tthe flight\tdeck.\t\\\"I'm\tnot\tsaying\tthey\twon't\tbe\tsad,\tor\tthat\tthey\twon't\tmiss\tme\tif it\tisn't\tpossible\tto\tgo\tback.\tBut\tI\tthink\tmy\tfather-particularly\tmy\tfather-will get\ta\ttremendous\tcharge\twhen\the\tthinks\tof\twhere\tI\tam.\\\"\tShe\tlaughed. \\\"When\tI\tam.\\\" She\tturned\tback,\tstill\tsmiling.\t\\\"Neither\tof\tus\tis\tgood\tat\tcompromising, J.T.\tWith\tus,\tit's\tall\tor\tnothing.\tThat's\twhy\twe'll\tget\talong\tso\twell.\\\" \\\"I\twould\thave\tcome\tback.\\\"\tHe\tcovered\this\tface\twith\this\thands,\tthen dragged\tthem\tback\tthrough\this\thair.\t\\\"Damn\tit,\tSunny,\tI\ttold\tyou\tI'd\tcome back.\tA\tyear,\tmaybe\ttwo\tor\tthree.\\\" \\\"I\tdidn't\twant\tto\twait\tthat\tlong.\\\" \\\"You\tidiot,\tif\tI\thad\tmanaged\tto\tperfect\tit\tI'd\thave\tbeen\tback\tfive\tminutes after\tI'd\tleft,\tin\tyour\ttime.\\\" Her\ttime.\tIt\tstruck\thim\tso\thard,\tso\tdeep,\tthat\the\twasn't\tsure\the\tcould speak.\t\\\"You\thad\tno\tright\tto\tmake\ta\tdecision\tlike\tthis\twithout\tdiscussing\tit with\tme.\\\" \\\"It's\tmy\tdecision.\\\"\tRiled,\tshe\tstalked\tback\tto\thim.\t\\\"If\tyou\tdon't\twant\tme, then\tI'll\tjust\tfind\tsome\tnice,\tappreciative\tcompanions.\tMaybe\ton\tMars.\tI can\ttake\tcare\tof\tmyself,\tpal.\tJust\tconsider\tthat\tI've\thitched\ta\tride.\\\"","\\\"It\thas\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\twhat\tI\twant.\tIt's\twhat's\tbest\tfor\tyou.\\\" \\\"I\tknow\twhat's\tbest\tfor\tme.\\\"\tShe\trapped\ta\tfist\ton\this\tchest.\t\\\"I\tthought\tit was\tyou,\tbut\tI've\tmade\tone\tor\ttwo\tmistakes\tbefore.\\\"\tShe\tspun\taway\tand took\ttwo\tsteps\tbefore\the\tgrabbed\ther. \\\"Where\tare\tyou\tgoing\tto\tgo?\\\"\the\tdemanded.\t\\\"There's\tstill\ta\tfew\tthousand kilometers\tbefore\twe\thit\tbreathable\tatmosphere.\\\" \\\"It's\ta\tbig\tship.\\\" \\\"Sit\tdown.\\\" \\\"I\tdon't-\\\" \\\"I\tsaid\tsit\tdown.\\\"\tHe\tgave\ther\ta\tnone-too-gentle\tshove\tthat\tsent\ther sprawling\tinto\tthe\tchair.\t\\\"And\tshut\tup.\tI\thave\tsomething\tto\tsay\tto\tyou.\\\" When\tshe\tbraced\ther\thands\ton\tthe\tarms\tof\tthe\tchair,\the\tlifted\ta\tfist.\t\\\"If you\tget\tup,\tI\tswear\tI'm\tgoing\tto\tbelt\tyou.\\\" Seething,\tshe\tsat\tback.\t\\\"That's\tone\tterm\tthat\tappears\tto\thave\tsurvived the\tcenturies.\\\" \\\"If\tI'd\tknown\twhat\tyou\twere\tplanning\tI'd\thave\tused\tthat\tterm\tbefore. There\twere\trisks\tinvolved\there\tthat\tyou\thave\tno\tconception\tof.\tIf\tI'd made\ta\tmistake,\ta\tmiscalculation,\teven\tthe\tslightest-\\\" \\\"But\tyou\tdidn't.\\\" \\\"That's\tnot\tthe\tpoint.\\\" \\\"What\tis\tthe\tpoint,\tHornblower?\\\" \\\"You\tshouldn't\thave\tdone\tthis.\\\" She\tlet\tout\tan\timpatient\tbreath.\t\\\"Well,\tit's\tno\tuse\tbelaboring\tthat\tpoint, because\tI\thave\tdone\tit.\tWhy\tdon't\twe\tmove\ton\tto\tthe\tnext\tstep?\\\" He\tfound\the\thad\tto\tsit\thimself.\t\\\"You\tmay\tnever\tbe\table\tto\tget\tback.\\\"","\\\"I\tknow.\tI've\taccepted\tthat.\\\" \\\"If\tyou\tchange\tyour\tmind-\\\" \\\"Jacob.\\\"\tSighing,\tshe\trose,\tonly\tto\tkneel\tbeside\thim.\t\\\"I\tcan't\tchange\tmy mind\tunless\tI\tchange\tmy\theart.\tAnd\tthat's\tjust\tnot\tpossible.\\\" He\treached\tout\tto\ttouch\ther\thair.\t\\\"I\twouldn't\thave\tasked\tthis\tof\tyou.\\\" \\\"I\tknow.\tAnd\tif\tI\thad\tasked\tto\tcome\twith\tyou\tyou\twould\thave\tgiven\tme half\ta\tdozen\tvery\tlogical\treasons\twhy\tI\tcouldn't.\\\"\tShe\tturned\ther\tface\tinto his\tpalm.\t\\\"And\tyou'd\thave\tbeen\twrong.\tWhat\tI\tcouldn't\tdo\tis\tlive\twithout you.\\\" \\\"Sunny.\\\" \\\"Look\tat\tit\tthis\tway.\tI've\talways\tfelt\tthat\tI\twas\tahead\tof\tmy\ttime,\tkind\tof placed\tin\tthe\twrong\tera.\tMaybe\tI'll\tdo\tbetter\tin\tyours.\\\" \\\"This\twas\ta\tstupid\tthing\tto\tdo.\\\"\tThen\the\tpulled\ther\tup\tinto\this\tlap.\t\\\"Thank God\tyou\tdid\tit.\\\" \\\"Then\tyou're\tnot\tmad?\\\" He\tshowed\ther\tjust\thow\tmad\the\twas\twhen\this\tmouth\ttook\thers.\t\\\"When you\twouldn't\tsee\tme\ttoday,\tit\twas\tas\tif\tyou'd\tcut\tout\tmy\theart.\tIt\tdidn't matter,\tbecause\tI'd\twanted\tto\tleave\tit\twith\tyou.\\\" Tears\trushed\tto\ther\teyes,\tbut\tshe\tforced\tthem\tback.\tShe\twanted\tonly\tto smile\tat\thim.\t\\\"That's\talmost\tpoetic.\\\" \\\"Don't\tget\tused\tto\tit.\\\"\tStill\tholding\ther,\the\tleaned\tforward\tto\tmake\tsome adjustments\ton\tthe\tcontrol\tpanel. \\\"Can\tyou\tteach\tme\thow\tto\tdrive\tthis?\\\" He\tslanted\ther\ta\tlook.\tShe\twas\there,\treally\there.\tAnd\this.\tForever.\t\\\"I'm already\tterrified\tof\tthe\tidea\tof\tyou\tat\tthe\tcontrols\tof\ta\tcruise\trider.\\\" \\\"I'm\ta\tquick\tstudy.\\\"","\\\"I'm\ta\tquick\tstudy.\\\" \\\"That's\twhat\tI'm\tafraid\tof.\\\"\tHe\tdrew\ther\tback\tuntil\tshe\twas\tsettled\tin\tthe curve\tof\this\tarm.\t\\\"I'm\tnot\tsure\teven\tmy\tworld's\tready\tfor\tyou.\\\" \\\"But\tyou\tare.\\\" He\tkissed\ther\tagain,\tgently.\t\\\"I've\tbeen\tready\tall\tmy\tlife.\\\" With\ta\tsigh,\tshe\tteased\this\tmouth\tuntil\tthe\tpassion\tsimmered.\t\\\"I\tdon't suppose\twe\tcould\tput\tthis\tthing\ton\tautomatic\tpilot\tor\twhatever.\\\" \\\"Not\tat\tthis\tpoint.\\\" \\\"We\tdid\tmake\tit\tback,\tdidn't\twe?\\\" He\tinclined\this\thead\ttoward\tthe\tscreen.\t\\\"We've\tgot\ta\tlittle\tway\tto\tgo\tyet.\\\" \\\"No,\tI\tmean\tback.\tWhat\tyear\tis\tit?\\\" He\tgestured\ttoward\tthe\tdials.\t\\\"2254.\\\" The\tenormity\tof\tit\tmade\ther\tgiddy.\tHis\tarms\tmade\ther\ttrust.\t\\\"So\tthat makes\tme-287\tyears\told.\\\"\tShe\tcocked\ta\tbrow.\t\\\"How\tdo\tyou\tfeel\tabout older\twomen?\\\" \\\"I'm\tcrazy\tabout\tthem.\\\" \\\"Remember\tthat\twhen\tI\tbit\tthree\thundred\tand\tthings\tstart\tto\tsag.\\\"\tShe kissed\thim\tlightly.\t\\\"I\tplan\tto\tfrustrate\tyou,\tannoy\tyou\tand\tgenerally\tmake your\tlife\tchaos\tfor\ta\tlong\ttime.\\\" \\\"I'm\tcounting\ton\tit.\\\" Together\tthey\twatched\tthe\tblue-green\tsphere\tthat\twas\thome\tdraw closer."]
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