two bodies, drifting their trajectories intersect close enough for an inverse-square relationship to develop. they pass, forever altered by their brief contact. ages come and go, their orbits, bent towards each other, intersect again. now they are closer, the cycle repeats itself; closer, closer, closer. they approach a singularity. an equilibrium is reached, a stable orbit. (or) they are flung apart, never to meet again, except by the most infinitesimal of probabilities. (or) they collide, and are destroyed.