The cabin was at the bottom of a small hill, the slope of which constituted the only open ground besides the road. It was too small to afford a view above the trees, but there was nowhere else to go. John followed the dancing ember of Aris cigarette as they walked. At the top of the hill, Ari unceremoniously flopped down and sat cross-legged. John joined her.

Ari sighed and directed her gaze upward. The stars were astonishingly clear that night, and the Milky Way cut an impressive swath across the lower portion of the sky. John knew some of the larger constellations, the rest were a mystery.

Im sorry I was such a bitch this afternoon, Ari said.

Its all right. Ray and I know when to let you work out your anger.

It was so frustrating. To hear you guys talk about it, shooting is the easiest thing in the world. I mean, Bruce Willis jumps around corners, rolls on the ground, and flies through the air and bad guys fall like dominos.

Now you know how much baloney all that Hollywood action really is.

Im so disappointed.

John loved the smell of clove cigarettes, but not so much so that he ever had the inclination to buy a pack. They fit her perfectly, being expensive, hard to find, and hazardous to your health.

John, remember that time I came on to you?

How could I forget?

I think I owe you an apology.

What for?

Because you were right. The reasons you gave me for not getting together were absolutely correct. I dont know why I thought that it was a good idea. We were obviously wrong for each other.

John noticed that Ari said were and not are. He blushed at the implication and then dismissed it.

You did put me in a difficult position. Not the least of which was that you were dating Silas at the time.

You and Silas were never friends, right?

Not really, we liked each other fine, but he could have easily stomped my ass, given enough of a reason.

You could have taken Silas in a fair fight.

I dont think about things like that.

Ari laughed. You just contradicted yourself. How do you know he could have stomped on you if you hadnt thought about fighting him?

John rolled his eyes despite the darkness. I meant that he could have tried. I make no predictions about who would have won. My philosophy is that if you are forced to fight, you have already lost. Stopping the attack while avoiding serious injury is a hollow victory.

Im not sure I understand.

Im coming from the perspective that winning is an inherently positive thing. The idea is that fighting is an inherently negative thing, so to win a fight is a hollow victory. You have still suffered from the antagonism of another man.

So what, you should feel bad about winning a fight? With all due respect, John, thats really stupid.

Feeling bad about harming another human being, and regretting the use of force are different things. I regret not the use of force but the harm done.

If you ask me, thats splitting hairs.

Perhaps.

Anyway, Im sorry I came on to you. It was inappropriate in the least and potentially harmful to our friendship at the most. Im just glad you were so egalitarian about it.

You didnt make it easy for me.

I know. I mean, I... wait, what do you mean?

Come on, Ari, I have eyes. Its not like I wasnt interested. At least in the physical aspect of things.

Really? I always thought that you were the Zen master of impulse control.

Maybe so, but... that star is really bright. I forget which one it is.

John looked up at the starfield. Ari nudged him on the shoulder.

Sometimes I wonder how much weve changed since then. I wonder how that scenario would play out now.

Is that Vega? Is that even Lyra?

John, Im asking you a question.

What?

Ari slipped her arm around Johns. John snapped out of his stargazing and looked at Ari with surprise.

I said, what if I was to ask you now?