First, you think the worst is a broken heart – what's gonna kill you is the second part, and the third, is when your world splits down the middle.  And fourth, you're gonna think that you fixed yourself, fifth, you see them out with someone else, and the sixth, is when you admit that you may have fucked up a little

Six Degrees of Separation – The Script

                He's nervous.  He's never been so nervous.  Not when he's been on the stage in front of hundreds.  Not when he'd come out to his parents.  His palms are sweating and he struggles to keep his heart rate and breathing normal.  He runs a finger over the lip of the small box he holds behind his back, feeling the texture of it, feeling the meaning behind it.  He swallows – his mouth has gone dry.  Surely everyone must be able to hear his heartbeat right now?  He risks a glance at the man standing by his side and he knows.  He knows that what he is doing is right and wrong and too soon and perfect.  He knows.  He's too warm and there is not enough air and his mind is busily trying to keep the nagging doubt at bay – to keep Sam's doubt and Burt's doubt and Tina's doubt and his own doubt away.  He needs to do this.  He remembers to breathe and holds the box tighter as if it would also keep him together. 

                Now.

He steps forwards.

                It's a normal day when she gets called into work – the program she's designed is due to run.  It's a first for the company –

…If it works…

That familiar voice nags at her.  Mocking. 

                ...What if you mess it up again? …

                Then we'd be no worse off than before.

                …But we would be…

                How?

                …You've introduced hope…

She shakes off the dark thoughts and swipes into the site and makes for the office.  She's handed a folder – it is ordinary looking, no different from any other she had seen.  But this one, this one is special. 

                This time it will work.  This time it has to.

There's too much riding on this.  The company has invested too much money in this –

                …too much faith in you…

For it to go wrong.  She takes a breath and opens her laptop.  She notices her hands are shaking.

                It will work.  You've checked it hundreds of times.

                …what about the hundred and first?  Or two hundredth?...

She logs in and hovers her mouse over the .exe file which will determine her fate.  She closes her eyes and double clicks.