He stops, shocked, as he feels her slip her hand into his.

She was never like this before: didn't want to be touched. He remembers learning that lesson real well, and more than once.

But this time he just answers quietly.

"Okay."

Hand-in-hand, they walk together to the bar.

How much time did you lose, little one, and how much time did you gain?

There's time for questions later. They get a book that looks suspiciously like an old Earth phone directory from the bar; Spike tucks it under his arm.

"Want to sit back over there? I'll tell you about taking Beth with me to Venus."