Aidan Tierney is the owner of Geo-Solar Dynamics, the first geothermal plant in America. His head engineer and lover, Elizabeth Hastings, is a tireless worker for the environmental cause. With their live date rapidly approaching, Aidan entices her into a private spa grotto for stress-relieving sex. Even while he's buried inside her, Aidan realizes there's something wrong. She's holding back from him and he doesn't know why.

With the bliss of climax still heavy around them, he confronts her. Elizabeth, having dreaded this moment, tells him she's leaving and heading to China and the geothermal plants Geo-Solar Dynamics is setting up there. Aidan isn't willing to let her go, and reveals his love for her. Arguing that she needs to do this, and is the only one who can, Elizabeth confesses her love for him as well. It changes nothing. She's still going. Panicked at the thought of losing her, Aidan proposes a compromise. As long as she always returns to him, he'll let her save whatever part of the world she wants.