She's not hurt, no. She sounded tired. Guarded. I think she was trying to figure out some ulterior reason for me being there.

I told her I knew you.

These days I think a lot of us are short on trust. She did ask about you. I told her you were doing well.

There are communal televisions in gen pop, yes. Besides that, I'm sure word has spread through other means, too.

She asked how I knew you. I kept it vague. She also wanted to know if I'd heard anything about the company.

I'm sorry. Should I not have gone?

[He gets why she's making scathing remarks, he's just trying to figure out from her words whether his visit caused more harm than good.]

You don't have to explain why you don't want to see her. I just didn't want to make things harder for you.

You're fine. There's nothing to apologize for. I was just checking in with you.

You don't. You're fine.

The truth, as far as I know it. What you've told me about how it's doing.

I think she was relieved that you are okay, and then that the company is okay. She did ask about you first.

Of course I'd come. As your lawyer, but also your friend.

Maybe it's a good thing when people are spoiled on the amount of friends they have. Even if I have a bad habit of running away from mine when times are tough.

No, I know. And I know I'm lucky for that. More than I deserve. I know I might have pushed some people away for good, but I'm glad that wasn't everyone.

It goes both ways, too.

Well, I never wanted to be a judge, anyway. I prefer arguing the cases.

I was sort of on a team once. For like a week. Danny keeps saying it counts. The media dubbed us the Defenders. Jessica still hasn't stopped rolling her eyes over it. I don't even need vision to know.

We get gussied up and go to a gala. We stop each other from doing anything too stupid. You owe me a dance.