"And that's where things stand, Devon," said Michael, who was sitting on the sofa in Devon's office. "Though to be honest, I'm not sure I handled it the right way."

"Oh?" asked Devon, who was seated at his desk.

"Does Melissa think being grounded is a punishment?"

Devon steepled his fingers. "She doesn't go anywhere, so being told she can't leave her room isn't preventing her from doing things she wants to do. Especially since Greg is away at school. However, it is enough to tell her you take this seriously."

"So: a punishment she understands, even if it is more of an inconvenience to her personally. Now, for my second question: Why doesn't Melissa volunteer information unless directly asked?"

"Ah, that's an easy one: Respect."

"Respect?"

Devon smiled in reminiscence. "Wilton was a very busy man, who made time for his daughter. When she needed him, but not necessarily whenever."

"Okay?"

"If Wilton were in the middle of something he could not break away from, he would ask how her day was going. When he had time for her, he would ask her to tell him about her day. A subtle difference, but it let her know whether to give him a short answer or all the details. Melissa is giving you the level of detail she believes you have time for, based on how you phrase your question."

Michael nodded his understanding. "She's respecting my time, just like she did Wilton's. And leaving it to me to decide what I want to know."

"Precisely, dear boy. Although . . ."

After a short pause, Michael prompted, "Although . . ."

Devon sighed. "Michael, you two haven't even known each for a year yet. And you are away more than you are here. Melissa may not be sure how interested you are about her and her life."

It was Michael's turn to sigh. "Yeah, I can see that. I haven't exactly asked Melissa her favorite color or song. I will have to make more of an effort, then."

"You said you had three questions for me," said Devon. "You've only asked me two: whether being grounded is a suitable punishment and why she doesn't open up unless asked. What is your third question?"

"Why hasn't she apologized for what she did?"

"I doubt you want an apology."

"Oh, yes, I do."

"Then let's go." Devon stood up. "We'll go to her room, and I will tell her to apologize to you."

Michael snorted. "That would be –"

"Meaningless? I quite agree. But you said you wanted an apology."

"Fine, you made your point, Devon. Sit back down."

Devon did so, steepling his fingers once more. "What you want, Michael, is for her to express remorse."

Michael thought it over. "Yeah, that's about the size of it. So why hasn't she?"

"Because she doesn't see us as the aggrieved parties."

"Meaning?"

"She doesn't see how her actions impact us."

"Overexerting herself –"

"Hurt her, not us. And to be honest, if KARR hadn't been there to call us, she would have woken in the morning, none the worse for wear. And possibly not even mention it to us."

"She did apologize to Bonnie for taking her tools without permission," said Michael thoughtfully. "Unprompted. And with true remorse, from what I could tell."

"Which leaves retrieving KARR."

"Yeah, and KARR is hers. And she and Wilton apparently discussed what went wrong and how to fix it. So right now –"

"Right now, she views herself as the aggrieved party, Michael, not us."

"So how do we get through to her? Lecturing?"

"Lecturing doesn't work," said Devon firmly. "Not with either of Wilton's children."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Not what, dear boy. Who: Bonnie."

"Bonnie?"

Devon had an amused smile. "How many times has Bonnie complained to you after a Foundation event about people assuming you – as the man – are the technical expert on Kitt?"

Michael wasn't sure why Devon had changed topics but went along with it. "That's easy: all of them."

"Bonnie has been mentoring Melissa. They regularly have lunch together, where Bonnie gives Melissa pointers for being a woman in a male-dominated profession like engineering. How to deal with professors who assume her boyfriend did the homework for her. Or classmates who don't want a girl on their project."

"So Bonnie has a good rapport with Melissa."

"Exactly."

"I'll go talk with her now."