Billy wasn't hurt---really, as shy as he could be, he couldn't help but feel comforted that his presence triggered that sort of reaction. He made a silly little show of dusting off his new plantsuit, but he happily settled next to her and squeezed her arm for a moment.

"I'm relieved. I feared the worst for so long...and even with so many people gone, it starts to look like we have a chance at succeeding. It's amazing."