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"Hello, Kurt," she greeted him quietly when he was nearly level with her

He nodded briskly without speaking, his expression masked, his shoulders stiff He would have walked on by, but Alanna stopped, partially blocking his path

"Please don't walk away," she begged

He halted, his abrupthe was anxious to be on his way and didn't welcome her interruption

"I can't think of anything we have to say to each other," Kurt responded coldly

"There's a great deal to say if you would only listen," Alanna argued pleadingly, keeping her voice low "You never gave me a chance to explain my side of what happened"

"I don't see what there is to explain It's all fairly obvious" His gaze was as bleak as an arctic sky

"Things aren't the way they appear on the surface"

"Aren't they?" he mocked "You did marry my brother"

"Do you knohy?" Alanna gazed at hiive her the benefit of doubt "The real reason?"

"Alanna," he sighed in irritation, "ould be the point? What would it change?"

"I hope it would change the way you think ofI'm some kind of tramp"

Kurt turned his head away, staring at the blank corridor wall "Okay, so you want to talk, explain whatever it is Go ahead, I'"

"Not here" Alanna glanced around, conscious of the people in the offices along the hall "It's too public Besides, Rolt will be co shortly"

"You want to meetsmile