The bellowing sound of the main gates opening caught Andrea's attention, but she decided to ignore it. Tanner hadn't said anything to her all morning, not even hello.

At the prospect of inadvertently getting her wish for solitude, Andrea kept her eyes on her work. She didn't need anyone to talk to; what she needed was a plan to find a spouse. A strong spouse might be able to challenge Marian. Andrea wouldn't have the power then, but at least her mother wouldn't, either.

That's for the best. If I can't do it, then at least get someone who might want to acquire this school. I should be worrying about my title, not getting the attention of a servant—no matter how sweet he is sometimes. Ignoring Tanner would be for the best.

From the office she could hear the various bolts lock in place after the gates closed. Andrea glanced at the E once to find Tanner studying her. She knew what the man was thinking. The sign-up deadline had passed; there was no reason for the gates to open, at least not for new staff. The new teacher, Andrea's replacement, was coming.

Andrea's posture was flawless and perfect, and she was determined to be proper, even if it killed her. She was going to be "'proper'" about this. It wasn't like she would throw herself on the floor and flail around in a fit like a two-year-old. Being replaced had hurt, but her mother had underestimated her.

As of now, Andrea had made peace with it.

Her replacement was a good teacher, and Andrea could be big enough to respect the woman's record. If Marian had intended to get her worked up, she had failed.

Hearing Tanner's voice, Andrea looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Something about Tanner commanded attention. The E's low tone of voice was never harsh, never unsure; it was steady. Whenever he had something to say, Andrea listened. Dud or not, hairless E or not, the man put Andrea at ease and spoke as if he never expected to be ignored.

The way Tanner always turned to face her was one trait that Andrea loved, so she decided to return the favor. Andrea's pace was slow when she saved the information she was typing, and turned to ask Tanner to repeat what he'd said.

"Was?"

As always, when Andrea said the word, Tanner smiled. It was a smile that made the man's entire face glow. He had one dimple in his left cheek which Andrea was quite taken by. Today when Andrea saw it, she could almost forget her own worries.

The bald E didn't bother to talk; instead he gestured to the door, and Andrea nodded. "A new sub...." She only got a blank look and it made her frown. When Tanner handed her a diskette, Andrea typed the word out on the touch screen of the smooth black surface and handed it back to him.

Tanner's wrinkled brow meant that the man was still confused. Andrea guessed maybe the E asked something like, "Substituting who?"

"Substituting me." After lowering her thumbs from indicating herself, Andrea tried to be light about her own self-deprecating words. "Apparently I can't be trusted to teach a kid how to play the recorder."

The E's response was a raised eyebrow. Laughter from outside took up their attention, and the bald E stood to approach it, mesmerized.

Andrea watched as Tanner reached the doorway and rushed out, yelling something. And there was one. Andrea sat in that office, feeling incredibly lonely and incredibly stupid for being there.

She was in no hurry to meet the substitute. They didn't have any bad blood; in fact, Lydia Garran, or "'Gara'" or whatever she was going by now, was one of the nicest people Andrea had ever met. That was Andrea's biggest problem with the little imp-cow. Everyone loved Gara, usually on sight, and, for the love of the Colony, how Andrea wished she could make it through one year of her life without hearing something good about perfect gaw-ro Gara.

That all didn't matter, however, because Andrea had no reason to interact with the woman. Luckily they were not from the same crowd and might never meet up at all. With that in mind, she felt a calm lull over her. She could do this.

Andrea had meant to be steadfast and keep working, but the commotion outside her door started to nip at her curiosity. She stood and made it to the threshold to see Tanner run into the large courtyard with a wave of his hand.

"Bunny!"

The voice to greet him held doubt at first and then excitement. "Tan? Son of a bitch imp! I came as fast as I could."

Bunny? They—do they know one another? Andrea wondered. Tanner and Gara rushed to each other, and when they connected, Andrea felt her world crack and crumble.

"What? They—they know each other?" she asked herself aloud, stunned.

Gara's conquests were numerous and legendary, but Andrea hadn't realized the smaller woman's grasp and interest encompassed E's—and not Tanner.

From the moment Andrea stood, she felt nothing toward Gara, no animosity or anger, but when Tanner embraced the smaller woman, the moment shattered. Andrea's body lit up with anger, and she wished the imp-sow nothing but harm.

Andrea hated Gara for being so small she could be described as delicate. She hated that Gara's ivory-white skin was immune to the harsh artificial lights of the Colony, some meant to mimic the sun and its effects, including tanning. She hated Gara's dark brown hair—it was always perfect. This time it was shaved on the right side, leaving the left with a curtain of hair that fell across her face. And she hated—she hated with all her heart—how the woman got on her tiptoes to hug Tanner, who took a deep breath before opening his arms to catch her.

The petite woman's lean physique fit well in Tanner's arms. Gara was beautiful and sweet; Andrea felt so much hate rush through her that she had to will herself to breathe.

They couldn't make contact for long; that much Andrea knew, but she was surprised that Tanner held on until he lifted Gara off the ground and swung her around. The way he shuddered after letting the woman go made it clear that the action had caused him considerable pain. And that was the moment, the real defining moment when Andrea felt she couldn't hate the little ROT anymore. She hated, hated that Tanner thought Gara was worth the pain.

Gara started chatting away, and when Tanner interrupted her to convey his desire to use German, Gara paused, and Andrea smiled. Finally, perfect Gara wasn't all that perfect.

Gara opened her mouth, and there it was, Tanner's language, flawless and easy to pronounce. Andrea stared at her with such intensity that she was afraid the small-framed woman would drop dead right there.

Andrea had never considered herself petty. She had low expectations for everything, and she never fought for much. But something about seeing Tanner take interest in someone else made her stomach tie in knots. The strong reaction shocked Andrea, but she was even more stunned to see that her savior came in the form of Queen, something she'd never expected.

"Bun-Bun." Queen's voice was bitter, and Gara tensed at the sound of it. "Who are you doing here? I mean, what are you doing here?"

Gara turned from Tanner to face Queen, who was making his way across the courtyard. Gara watched him, frozen at first, and began to shake.

Queen pointed to himself with a small smile. "Queen. I assure you."

Gara took a shaky breath as she pulled herself together, her brown eyes scanning her surroundings. "Is...is your brother here?"

"Sorry," Queen said, extending his arms, "You'll have to settle for the evil twin. He's not coming. He's actually productive."

"Oh. H-he said he might come...."

"Is that what you're here for?"

"No. It's business. Besides, I wanted to see Tan." Gara's smile fell, but a gentle nudge from Tanner made her perk up again. She turned her attention to the green-haired E once more, and said, "What are you doing here anyway, lowlife?"

Queen grinned. "Oh, and so the sweet-talking begins early, huh?" He didn't wait for a response. "Call it community service. You? Business? Your pimp taking you out and about, then?"

Andrea was stunned; she'd never known Gara to be easily baited.

Gara's usual pleasant smile faltered; it now held an edge to it. "Husband. And until you talk to me with the proper amount of respect, I won't take you seriously."

With an over-dramatic bow, Queen smiled. "How was that?"

Tanner put his hand on Gara's shoulder and muttered something. The words caused the petite woman to calm. Once Queen stood to his full height again, he looked over Gara's head to Tanner and gestured for the bald E to follow. Taking Gara by the shoulders, Tanner smiled.

When Tanner turned and walked after Queen, he even received a pat on the ass from Gara, who then waved him good-bye. The very boldness and cheek of that move made Andrea shiver with anger.

Oh, how Andrea hated Gara.

Andrea couldn't say that she and Tanner had waxed philosophical, or that they had anything in common, or that they'd even held an actual conversation. But they had...something.

The dud E—she felt queasy at the fact that that was what she'd called Tanner sometimes. Her smart, talented dud E had taken interest in her. She hadn't appreciated it, and now those prospects seemed shaky.

Tanner was the only one who looked at her with a genuine smile and not a leer. The only one who laughed, even though he didn't understand, and who always, always listened. She wasn't sure when she'd come to think of Tanner as being her...she wouldn't say friend, or servant, or E, just...hers. It was her guilty pleasure to get attention from someone who seemed so focused and determined when he worked.

Now Andrea's replacement had come and taken that away, too. They know each other. How the hell do they know each other? It was hard at first, not being able to communicate, but often she was thankful for it. Maybe if Tanner could understand Andrea then he'd just stay clear of her like everyone else. Maybe he'd hear or even believe the awful rumors. Regardless, there was no sense in getting worked up about the help, and certainly not this dud E.

"I don't care what he does, what they do," Andrea muttered to herself. "I don't care, anyway."

As she watched Tanner's broad frame moving down the large hall, Andrea willed herself to stop aching. Her stomach hurt; her chest felt like it had been stepped on. And why should she feel that way? Kobal was going to have dinner with her, and Tanner was damaged goods anyway.

I'm just lonely. There's no one else to talk to.

***

Having to meet with Gara and her husband in Marian's office—and offer a hand to them as a welcome—was humiliating. Andrea wasn't sure she would make it through giving them the full rundown of what she had done with the class last year.

Gara's husband, a tall man with a broad body, looked rather bored, while Gara was perfect, simply perfect.

"Ya! I saw that," Gara exclaimed. "That was brilliant, by the way, like to the impth level brilliant. Wasn't it, ma'am?"

Her lean frame leaning back against Marian's desk, Gara twisted her body to look at the expressionless matriarch.

Andrea willed herself to not think of Tanner—Gara having had her hands on Tanner. Ridicule from her mother would only make the day complete.

To her shock Marian nodded in agreement, sort of. "To a point."

"And the way you had them make their own costumes like that was a nice touch."

Andrea died inside with each word those full red lips uttered. Why couldn't she be like that? All pep and vigor. Why couldn't she be cute and sweet and enthusiastic? And why the hell didn't Tanner ever try to hug her?

Her discomfort must have shown because Gara eased up and stood to her full five-foot-four height. "You all right, love? How about you give us a rundown of what you think might work this year?"

When Andrea started to softly do just that, Gara's husband, London, barely cast Andrea a glance as he shook his head, bored.

Gara was perfect—absolutely perfect. The smaller woman smiled just enough, nodded as if she cared, and was bubbly and overenthusiastic.

Andrea wanted to punch her.

And the fact that she didn't know why she felt so hostile to the woman only made her feel worse. Till now she'd never felt anything toward Gara other than slight envy and mild indifference. They weren't part of the same crowd, and Andrea had always been careful to steer clear. So why did she now feel the urge to strangle the woman?

"All right, give us a tour," Gara said.

A tour? Gara looped an arm in hers. Andrea couldn't believe the stupidity of that request; Gara had been there a million times.

"Gara..." Marian called after them, and the sound of her voice made that nickname seem out of place. It had a pleading edge to it, and Gara leaned her slender frame backward to look.

Marian nearly stood from her desk, but she calmed in time. "Dominic?"

Gara's smile wavered. "Oh. Yes, of course, but I'm not sure what I can do for him."

Blue eyes dimmed, Marian begged, "Do whatever you can. Help him cope, like you did. I don't...I don't want him to turn out like that."

Like that? Like what?

The idea that Gara was privy to family secrets Andrea wasn't only served to dull Andrea's spirits. It was typical of her mother to find a way to show her she had no love for her, and she decided to not give the woman the satisfaction.

It did sting, however, when Gara smiled wide and said, "You can count on me, ma'am. I've never had a little brother of my own, but I'll surely take him under my wing."

Marian nodded, her face more radiant; she was relieved. "I know you will. You are just the person to give him the guidance he needs." She cast a glance at Andrea and said, "Better than the original so-called big sister, in fact."

Gara had the grace to blush, and she didn't respond as she tightened her grip on Andrea's arm and sauntered to the door. When they were outside the office and Gara let go, what she said next made Andrea feel even worse about herself.

"Sorry, love." The smooth tone and well-controlled upper-crust accent made Gara all the more unreal. "I wish I could have gotten you outta there sooner. You all right? It's a shame the way she just disregards the effort you put out into your classes. I, for one, loved last year's main presentation."

Gara had done it on purpose. She'd rescued Andrea from the monotony and criticism. Although Andrea should have felt grateful, she took one look at that sleek body below the black clothes and looked down at herself to see that she was gaining weight again. Damn you, Andrea. That's what you get for those damn midnight candy bars.

Rather than admit to the situation or offer any thanks, Andrea unhooked their hands and made her way to the courtyard.

"Sorry. I gotta go. I've got to get ready for dinner tonight."

"Oh yeah?" Gara ran to catch up. "You and Reed are back on then? I was surprised to hear you two weren't getting paired."

Andrea found herself walking at such a brisk pace that she nearly broke into a run. "No. I'm...." She felt a bit more confident. "With...with an E."

"An E?" Gara asked, doubtful. "No way it'd be that rod-up-his-ass Queenie, and Tan doesn't...." She paused and grinned. "Are you diggin' on Tan? Because he's a cutie and all, but he's too sweet. I might have to wrestle you to the ground for him."

Feeling cold, Andrea hugged herself and muttered, face burning hot, "I'm...I'm having dinner with Kobal."

"No way!" There was no mistaking Gara's interest; the woman was impressed. "How'd you land that specimen of human perfection? He's unshakable."

Andrea allowed Gara to catch up. She didn't get many chances to feel good, so whenever she did, she'd savor the moment.

"He likes me."

"Must be," Gara replied. "He's one of the most popular E's at the Assembly, and he's also one of the most frigid."

"He's not frigid. He's rather sweet."

"I can't imagine it. And sorry about your coming-of-age party. It's a real shame, really."

Shame? My grandfather just died, and you say "'my condolences about your party'"? You imp-sow.

"Um, thank you. Excuse me." Andrea overtook the smaller woman and returned to the office.

She told herself that Tanner was usually gone in the afternoon, and it therefore meant nothing, but the sight of the empty desk filled her with dread.

Some hours later she arrived at the kitchen early to find her meal awaiting her, but Tanner was nowhere in sight.

"So what?" Andrea grumbled as she sat. "So what? I'm not going to wait for him or anything." But she did just that. She waited till eleven o'clock before she started on the meal.

Tanner hadn't come, and Andrea had a feeling that wasn't about to change anytime soon.

Leaving the meager food half-eaten, Andrea made her way to the pantry door. She was stunned to see the freshly installed keypad on the wall. The door was locked.

Mother has some nerve. It's just food; it's not like it's treasure or monetary credits.

She crouched down and leaned in close till her nose almost touched the wall. On principle alone, she was going to open this thing.

Consequences be damned. I need sugar. I've earned it.