*Happier, perhaps, but what makes you think she will be able to remain ignorant, now that she is being hailed and worshipped as Protector? Although it is small as yet in her case, that worship does generate energy, and it is focused on her; she will soon begin to feel and manipulate it, whether she recognizes it or not. I suppose trying to protect her as you are doing is praiseworthy, but I question both its wisdom and its fairness.* *Umm. I don't like it, but you may have a point.* *I do indeed. Will you tell her, or shall I?* *I'll do it, since you don't seem to be leaving me much of a choice.* Odeon looked around at the Family, then concentrated on its head. "Joanie . . . I've just been told I've--we've all--been doing you a disservice, thinking it was a favor." Cortin frowned. "What are you talking about?" "Michael--" Chang said cautioningly. "If I don't tell her, he will." Odeon sighed, rubbed the back of his neck. "And there's no way to break it easy--" "I am the Protector, then," Cortin said flatly. "When that man called me that yesterday, I had the oddest feeling . . . tried to tell myself it was only because he believed it, but . . ." "Acting, but yeah. He says you're going to start feeling the worship directed at you soon." "I already have, I think. The other part of what made me think he was right. Sort of a cross between extra energy and feeling like I've eaten too much." Cortin smiled at him. "Keeping it from me this long was a favor, Mike--and now, telling me that I'm only Acting is a definite relief. I can handle it for awhile, knowing I won't have to do it forever." She turned to the Pope. "How long, and who's the real one?" "Less than six months, and I do not know. If I did, I am certain I would not be allowed to tell you." He gave her a thin smile. "Despite my powers, I do operate under constraints; only the Creator is all-powerful, and I, like you, am one of the created." Cortin chuckled. "Less than six months I can handle, and I'm sure I'll know the real one when He or She appears." "At the proper time, if not immediately. In the meantime, can you answer my question?" "Mike?" "I don't see any harm," Odeon said. "I'll do it, then. Provided Mike and Dave are also concelebrants." "That would be even better," Lucius agreed. "It would also be well if Lieutenant Chang were to offer the Communion of Promise afterward." "I would be pleased to do so," Chang said. "Does your change of heart include reparations for the damage you did to Colonel Cortin?" "I hadn't considered that, but I suppose it should include correcting the damage, though I will not modify the added sensitivity you gave her; that is the best I can do in the way of reparations." He paused for a few seconds. "There, done. I can do nothing about your fertility, Colonel; that, if it is done at all, will be up to the true Protector."