I don't own anyone…I can't bother to thank all the reviewers, but know that I apprieciate all of your small efforts and I can't make it through the day without reading them. You make me smile. Thanks. Anyway, enjoy!

The next morning, Daine wore her old faded jeans and a black tank top. She slung on a denim jacket and laced up her shoes. She rode in the rain and reached the main building. There, she was about to go in when she saw Numair get out of a posh black limo. Behind him, she saw a slender fair hand wave goodbye. Numair smiled politely and kissed that hand. To Daine, this was a gesture of affection. She controlled a sob and the lump in her throat ached.

She rushed in and sat in her swivel chair. She slung down her satchel and took a small locket out of it. She opened it and looked at a picture of her mother. "Ma, what do I do? I am lost!" she whispered and held the locket to her heart.

Numair looked at her over the wall and was distressed to see tears rolling down her cheeks. "What happened?"

"Nothing." She said shortly.

"Come on, you can tell." He wheedled.

"The person whom I liked dumped me. He left like that for another woman." She lied.

"I'm sure that it is his downfall and whose picture is that?"

"It is my mother's."

"Where is she?"

"She's gone."

"Oh. I'm sorry. And your father?"

"I never knew him."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It wasn't your fault."

"Well, how did you get into Harvard?"

"Scholarship."

"Oh. Wow! They rarely give any scholarships! You must be damn good. Come on. I'm sure you'll get over him. Don't worry. I'll take you to your first lessons."

"Okay. Thanks. Now, do you like roller coasters?"

"Yea. I love them! I have been on every single one!" she said, a bit more enthusiastic.

"Good. I hate them. Blasted machines. Now in the next training session, we will be in a small box sort of thing. And, we'll get spun around at half the speed of light. Urguuuuhhh. They make me feel nauseous. Anyway-"

"How old are you?" Daine interrupted.

"Pardon me?" asked Numair, surprised.

"How old are you?" Daine repeated.

"Oh. I am 20. Why?"

"Just asking. So, where were you born?"

"I was born in New York. I stayed there until I was 10."

"Then where did you go?" she asked.

"I-I ran away from home." Looking at her face, he knew her next question. "My father wanted me to become a doctor and I was already considered a prodigy. The IQ tests proved that I would be better off in Science departments, but my father 'didn't believe' in IQ, so he sent me to a Doctors school. There, I ran away and went to Harvard. I went by scholarship, and then I came to NASA. Jon saw my records and took me in. After a year, I was able to buy a small apartment and made a proper living. That was when I was 19." He ended off on a sad note.

Daine felt sad for him. She didn't know if she would have ever left her family. Numair asked, "What about you?"

"I was ten and I had gone to my best friend's house. I slept over and the next morning, I went home and-and I found the house was lighted as if it was night. I went in not suspecting anything. Inside, in the kitchen, I found my mother's body. There were stab wounds all over her and my grandpa's body was in the yard. The vultures were already flocking around him. I called 911 and I told them. They didn't believe me. I called and ambulance. They came, and they police followed them. Then they apologized to me and told me to go and stay at my friends place for a while, but I knew what was going on. I told them that I wanted to see their bodies for the last time. They banned me from their funeral. My father was some rich guy and he never came back because my mother never gave him her name. My mother's side is all gone." She said, choking a sob. Numair slung his arm over her shoulder and held her hand.

"Never mind. If you need help, a place to go, a shoulder to cry on, come to me. I'll give you my number. If its girl stuff, Onua, Thayet and Alanna will always be there. Especially Alanna. She has a similar story to tell. Now, go in there and show off your age. I'm sure at least 3 people will ask you for coffee. Is it a bet?"

Daine grinned and said, "You got it." Numair smiled inwardly. He had won her trust.

Nice? Bad? Tell me!