It's weird, maybe, how happy seeing Maine makes her, after she's been in such despair earlier on the week. But maybe she just needed the reminder that life still kept going, or that there was one person she could still protect in her own, inadequate way. Maine believes in her when she can't manage to believe in herself--in his own very particular way--and that's been a solid reminder to keep going. She's still sad, while she's working, but if he believes it's important and might accomplish something, she can at least feel better that he thinks so.

She lumps slowly forward to meet him, Jellybean balancing on her shoulder. "What?" Oh, the cat harness. "Well yeah. So she can't just wander off and get in trouble or get hurt. Cities are dangerous for kittens. Some of the books Delta sent me said so."