When they finally meet Andromache and Quynh, Yusuf fits right in with them. They talk and laugh like old friends, and he is eager to learn from them. Nicolo feels like he is on the outside looking in and has a hard time connecting to the women.

The relationship between Yusuf and Nicolo is still somewhat new, and they have not talked about their feelings, what it means or how the future will be for them.

Nicolo feels insecure and left behind but does not know how to change it and all his attempts fail. After a long time (maybe a year or more) he starts thinking about going off on his own, at least for a little while to get some time to think about what he will do in the future and to stop being a dark cloud over the other three who to Nicky all seem happier when he is not there.

Meanwhile, Andromache and Quynh think Nicolo is just a very quiet person who just prefers not to be in the spotlight and needs time to be comfortable with them, so they don't want to push him too much.

Yusuf is happy for the new company and is very much in love with Nicolo. But he does not want to push his romantic feelings onto the other man and make him uncomfortable. So he concentrates on learning all he can from Andromache and Quynh while pining for more with Nicolo than a few stolen kisses and some rushed sex when the women are away hunting.