That night, after a day spent stunned by grief, Donald remains in his room dwelling on death. Thurman brings him meals that Donald barely notices, and Anna sets up a computer and lays out folders of notes, continuing the investigation around him while Donald stays emotionally numb.

When darkness comes, Anna approaches Donald. Donald protests and tries to push Anna away, but Anna sits on the edge of the cot, holds Donald's wrists, and stays with him as Donald breaks down sobbing. Donald's physical weakness and emotional collapse make him feel diminished after his long years in cryosleep.

As Anna holds him, Donald thinks about Erskine's explanation of doing the right thing rather than merely the correct thing. Donald also thinks about Helen and the life Helen built with Mick. That thought turns Donald's grief into anger, because Donald realizes part of him wanted Helen to have remained alone so that his own love and loss would feel preserved.

Anna kisses Donald's cheek and tells Donald that everything will be okay. Donald then recognizes how selfish and miserable that desire was. Anna's comfort exposes the contradiction in Donald's feelings: Donald resented Helen for seeking solace, even as Anna's touch brings Donald relief.

Donald repeatedly whispers that he cannot do this, but Anna quiets him and brushes back Donald's hair. The chapter ends with Donald and Anna together in the dark room where wars are planned and weapons are stored, linking their fragile intimacy to the dangerous political and technological forces surrounding them.