At Ryan's confession, Uriel buzzed with furious offense. He dared to ask that she<span style="font-style: italic">share</span>a partner? She was already going out of her way for him--but she alone wasn't enough? The door slid shut behind the human as he stormed off, and Uriel turned to face her companion in indignation.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Of all the--"</span></span>she stopped.<span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">His demeanor is... wrong,</span></span>she thought hesitantly. He was still hugging one knee, staring intently at the floor, like his mind was light years away.<span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Anak?"</span></span>she asked, bringing the Indigo to attention.<br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Sorry, did you say something?"</span></span>he asked.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Are you alright?"</span></span>she asked.<span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Didn't you hear any of that? ... Aren't you upset?"</span></span><br/><br/>He hesitated.<span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"... Of course. ... But..."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"But what?"</span></span>she demanded.<br/><br/>Suddenly, he looked angry at her, and she took half a step back in surprise.<span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"You <span style="text-decoration: underline">know</span> what!"</span></span>he snapped.<span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"One in seventy-five,"</span></span>he said, releasing his leg and standing up to face her.<span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"That's how many Indigos manage to find a partner."</span></span>He turned his antenna so the scar faced her.<span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"My chances just went down. And in walks this... this... Half-breed--Saying, maybe I <span style="text-decoration: underline">can</span> find someone. No, wait, TWO someone's!"</span></span>He sighed and fell back onto the bench.<br/><br/>Uriel took a few cautious steps toward him.<span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Do you want that, Anak? Do you want to be with two people?"</span></span>She hesitated,<span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Do you want to be with a man?"</span></span><br/><br/>He looked up at her and sighed, putting his head in his hands.<span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"I don't want to be alone for the rest of my life."</span></span><br/><br/>Uriel looked at the young Vortian sadly. Anak had always been so calm and quiet. To think he was dealing with so much inner turmoil... She found her earlier rage had all but dissipated.<span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">... I will reconsider this.... For both their sakes.</span></span><br/><br/>The team leader quietly slid the door back open and said softly,<span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"Ryan, would you come back inside, please?"</span></span><br/><br/>She closed the door when he entered and put her back to it.<span style="color: #BF80FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"I... will consider it,"</span></span>she said.<br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"I will also,"</span></span>Anak almost whispered, hiding his face between his knees shamefully,<span style="color: #8080FF"><span style="font-style: italic">"But please don't say anything about this to the others."</span></span>