“The bathroom’s down the hall if you want to take off your tights. I can throw ‘em in the dryer for you if you want. Or, you can hang them on the shower curtain rod.” He turned. “It’sbeen a long time since I’ve had a woman’s tights draped over my rod.” A quick wink and he was gone before she could do anything more than gape.”

“Last time you called me late at night you were naked and chained to your shower curtain rod. I hope this isn't going to be disappointing.”

“Get your butt over there and start reading before I beat you with my Rod of Time. (Sin)I can think of much better things to do with your rod than beat me, baby. (Kat)Aww, gawd, we’ve degenerated into really bad punage. I yield. Save me before my IQ points are damaged. (Sin)”

“We’re looking for anything to do with the Rod of Time. (Sin)Rod of Time, Forsaken Moon, Tablet of Destiny…you Sumerians really liked your hokey terms, huh? (Kat)They didn’t exactly ask my opinion before they named them. (Sin)Good, ‘cause my estimation of your intellect would be seriously scarred if they had. (Kat)”

“Cigarettes' cost far outweigh any resulting trimness, just as asphyxiation outweighs the benefits of stretching out the spine when you hang yourself from a shower curtain rod.”

“I clutch to William’s hand. “I can do this.” He nods and pulls me tight into his arms. “I know you can. I believe in you.” I hug him tightly. I don’t want to lose this … I don’t want this to change anything; I still want to love this man when this is over. “Take care of the others.” He whispers in my ear. “I will.” He picks me up and kisses me, deeply and desperately, for a long time. When we finally release our lip lock, we’re both in tears. His voice is barely a whisper. “I love you, Alanna.” I stroke his cheek. “I love you.” It’s the first time we’ve both said it out loud at the same time. Something about that makes me feel very hopeful, despite the circumstances.”