"So I guess that answers the question of whether or not I can still take freelancing projects when I've got time for it," Karen says, pleased — and maybe a little relieved — to hear that. She hadn't expected otherwise, but she's only got the first idea of what they're doing here, too, and she doesn't want to make too many assumptions. Given the kind of secrecy that's followed John since the day he got here, she wouldn't have been all that surprised if they had wanted her to drop off the radar instead. She thinks she would have done it, too. God knows it wouldn't be the first time she'd disappeared and started over. "It does tend to be pretty helpful, paying rent and bills and all that."

There's still the money from the city, too, which thus far has been more than enough for her to live off. Maybe it's because she'd gotten used to not having much, but the idea of getting paid little to nothing for something she really cares about doing doesn't bother her at all.