Life on the Collection has mostly returned for normal — for everyone except Clarissa Jones, that is. She is still mourning Bernard Moskof, and many on the Collection have not forgiven her for her collaboration with the Fifth Axis. A celebration, the August Ball, is to be held to commemorate the first post-Occupation birth on the Collection. Benny convinces Clarissa to attend, and even makes her change from her sensible clothing into a nice dress. Clarissa confronts Ronan with the truth, kisses him, and thanks him for reminding her how to live again. She sits at the lake, watching the sunset.