9.7
The twins had helped; 3 and 4's constant, needful presence had given her focus, and wonder and something worth fighting for. Their curiosity had given her an open mind; their fears, courage. When 9 appeared in her world, then, temporarily, her mind had closed, and her world had become a spider web of insecurity. But the twins helped, and she fought and won in spite of herself. And at the end of the fight- the dark journey and the pain- there was 9. 9 who was more bright and more wonderful than she could ever have imagined, who had somehow shown her it was fine to need someone to lean upon, and to regret nothing.
When he took her hand, she understood everything 3 and 4 had been teaching her to know.