Where he was is exactly the question Kanaya was trying to answer. She'd heard rumors he was back, and she wasn't about to let him get captured, so she had to leave the City for a couple weeks to get away. Away from the jammers, away from the noise and bustle, just to find herself somewhere she could stretch out her senses and just feel the world around her. She'd lost too many connections over the years, and even the hint of reestablishing one is a chance she won't lose.

She'd spent most of the last two weeks in a motel upstate, studying the space and waiting for a sign. His thread was so irregular, erratic. She might think she saw it only to find him gone once she had the portal open. Six times this has happened in twice as many days, and six had always been her number. Sixth astrological sign, sixth caste from the bottom, six letters in her name, six spines in the emblem of Space, six legs before she cocooned. An ill omen, an unlucky position, story of her life. She's tried of fortune frowning on her, and she isn't about to surrender to failure. Eventually she'd make it, she knew she would.

Seventh time's the charm.

It was almost odd to see him now, formerly so tall, now almost shorter than her. The years change so much. She wasn't even sure he noticed her when she touched his arm, a little nervous. She has to dig deep to find her voice. "Soldier."