"And have them avoid you even more?" Brooke asked. "Please. They'd steer clear of you and that's exactly what you want. I wouldn't give you that satisfaction." She stood up, then, and smoothed down her pleated wool skirt. "It's been a pleasant, if trying, afternoon Athos. We really should do this again sometime." She bent down to retrieve her Moleskine notebook and paused, looking directly into Athos' eyes. "And Pete? My door's always open. You know, for whenever you're ready to come out to play, to use your friend's delightful verbage." She smiled at Athos, then, and straightened up. "Good afternoon," she said before she swept out of the library.