So the whole thing's to be done over again, minus the part where anything actually gets removed, and Anders does everything he saw Martin do, administration of local anesthesia mercifully included. Except, again, for the removal, which is definitely not an option, Anders can see for himself all too clearly, and confirms for Nathaniel in what might pass for running commentary were it not so terse. In the end he heals the small cut right back over, not bothering with the pointless suturing, relying on the fine spirit healing that Karl taught him and Justice amplified.

Martin hasn't followed — later, Anders will understand why, as it's clear Martin already knew what Anders would find — so Anders is alone with Nathaniel here, and once he's cleared the medical paraphernalia away, he climbs onto the bed where Nathaniel's still lying on his side. "I'm sorry, love," he says. The apology is completely inadequate, he knows, and he needs to say it all the same. "You're right. We can't afford to tamper with it, not the way it is now." He's angry with himself for a number of reasons. He's angry that he doesn't know how to make it better, for all the training he's had and all the work he's done in the past. He's angry at the Initiative for bringing them here. Anger at the Masked is almost an afterthought, a given. Anders is fairly shaking with anger as he wraps his body around Nathaniel's, his front to Nathaniel's back, like a blanket, like a shell.