* Herman sighs and turns to Sarah. "Look, I talked with the old man, and... I 
agreed to marry you."
<Brett> "Are you certain? I know it's not what you desire."
* Herman rubs at her eyes again, looking as tired and miserable as ever. "Yeah, 
'cause... he'd never change us back otherwise. And no, it's not what I really 
want. But if it has to-" She winces. "If it has to happen anyway, it'd better be 
on my - our - terms."
<Herman> I'd never agree to it if I didn't think like you, Sarah.  As a friend, 
I mean.  We've already been through a lot together.  But I'm not attracted to 
you.  But I wouldn't mind having a kid eventually, so I asked...
* Herman licks her lips, then says, "Artificial insemination and an open 
marriage, if you're up for that, too. I'm not going to deny you... anything, 
really. I don't want to. If you don't wanna do this, then that's fine, too."
<Brett> [Sarah nods, though she sounds a little disappointed. "I understand.  
But if you'll accept me as your wife, I'll gladly-- wait, what?!"]
* Herman shrugs and doesn't say anything, letting it sink in.
<Brett> ["I don't know... It's...  I..." She takes a deep breath. "I need to 
talk to my parents."]
* Herman nods. "What do you want?" she asks.
<Brett> ["I can't answer that right now.  I just don't know."]
* Herman sighs.
<Brett> ["I'm sorry. I need some time."]
<Herman> Yeah.  I'm sorry, too, I guess.
* Herman hesitates, then says, as though she almost can't believe it, "Friends?"
<Brett> "Hey, I didn't say no yet."
<Herman> ... I'm gonna regret this, aren't I?
* Herman looks vaguely amused, though.
<Brett> "Maybe."
* Herman holds her hand out to Sarah. "Yeah, well. I think being friends would 
work, even if you do say yes. We already know each other inside out."
<Brett> [Sarah nods. "In that case... Friends." She smiles.]
* Herman shakes Sarah's hand with a grin. "Okay, gotta get our bodies back. And 
find out what the Hell everyone else is talking about."
<Herman> Your family gonna give you trouble?  If they're anything like mine...
<Brett> "I don't think so... They're eager for the marriage to happen."
<Herman> Yeah.  But you figure out what you want, okay?  Not just them.
<Brett> "I will."
<Herman> Good.
* Herman drops Sarah's - her own? - hand and waves. The sand explodes in tiny 
pops.