Epilogue

[maderr]

Hope the story has met expectations ^_^ I had fun writing it, and am proud I actually finished it with two days to spare. My heartfealt thanks to all for keepign me going - I would never have done it without you.

NanoNovel final word count: 58556*

*this is minus the original Dragonmatch, since it didn't seem fair to include it in the wordcount. Including it, the total is 65,005



Epilogue

One Half term later

planet 1311819 (Mars), Settlement 2

"So you're really not going back?" Sean asked.

Cyan shook his head, "It's just too difficult; I've lost all taste for Rehab. Well…not all taste. But I can't do my job knowing Gory is there, and that someday my brother might be as well." He smiled softly, "I'll miss it, but I've got plenty else to occupy me. But how's it going with you?" He motioned toward Alice, who was slowly approaching the table where they sat, followed by a tolerant Mendel holding a tray of drinks and snacks.

"Well enough. It's hard - she has good days and bad days. We all know she won't last more than another Term or so…but mostly we deal with it. She's happy enough that I'm here and not holed up on a Kreska moon." Sean grinned, "And she loves hearing the story of how you reached me."

"Oh, shut up. The next time she needs someone to go find you, she can get someone else. This sucker is done."

"Yeah, and Einn might have something to say about it anyway."

"That reminds me - what time is it?"

"He should be arriving shortly."

"Mmm…" Cyan murmured. "He'd better be. I've got enough to do without him running late."

"You could just take a shuttle."

"Forget it. I've got too much stuff going with me to trust it to public transportation - even if I can afford to shell out the money for secure transport."

Sean laughed for a moment before turning serious again. "Are you going to be okay? We'll miss having you here."

"I will miss Mars and having you home again," Cyan agreed. "But I need to figure out what to do with my family's estate and all kinds of other stuff I've been putting off - and Pyotr keeps asking for my help. I've got to figure out how to tell him that Jade will be caught when and if he wants to be caught."

"Still trying to find him? Six months into the search, they may as well give it up for a lost cause."

Cyan shrugged, "I think Pyotr's made it his personal mission to find Jade, though I couldn't tell you why. I think he just hates being stuck at a desk all the time. But he also wants me to help Einn and the others. He seems to think I'd have a knack for the business - and I would get to see Einn more. But we'll see; I'm in no hurry to decide anything. Though I would like to see everything finally settled, so you and Mendel wouldn't have to stay under house arrest your whole life."

"It's better than having Mendel put in Rehab," Sean said as the Draconis and his mother finally reached him.

"At the rate things are going, he'll probably just walk away with a slap on the wrist. You two and your mother," Cyan looked at Mendel, "Are making headway in your fight. Another Term and maybe the IG will be ready to vote seriously on it. Though the Conis are a completely different story."

Mendel looked more relaxed than he had in a long time, as he sat down next to Sean at the small bench on the right side of the table, "One battle at a time." He smiled ruefully, "There are many that don't want to listen to what a murder has to say - but there are just as many who, if they don't care much for me, highly respect my mother and are at least willing to give me a chance."

"Can't ask for more than that."

"Hey!"

Cyan looked up and smiled as Einn came striding toward them across the lawn. "Am I late?"

"Almost," Cyan leaned up to kiss him as Einn dropped down beside him. "Where are the other two?"

"Kel and Lark? I left them bickering over the best way to load your stuff. I'm sure Vicky will sort it out after they beat each other senseless."

Sean laughed, "I don't think it's physically possible for Karmikel to stop picking fights. I would swear he needs them like a Temp needs magic."

Throwing back his head, Einn laughed loudly in delight. "I need to use that one. I bet it would actually shut him up for an hour or two. Until Lark riled him up again." He stole Cyan's glass and downed the contents, then stood. "Come on - space is limited at port and we've only got clearance for an hour."

"It'll take longer than that to loud my stuff," Cyan said even as he accepted Einn's hand."

"Not once Vicky lays into them and gets everything sorted out. I guarantee they'll be done by the time we get there." He smiled apologetically at the other three, "Sorry to just grab him and run."

"Just make sure Pyotr lets him come and visit occasionally." Sean said with a laugh.

Alice rose slowly to her feet to embrace Cyan and kiss his cheek, "Take care, Cy." She hugged Einn next, "Stay out of trouble."

"I'll try, Alice - but no promises."

"Men," she shook her head. "You're not happy unless you're in trouble."

"Keeps life interesting - and these days troubles pays the bills." Einn winked, waved and dragged Cyan away. He was silent until the house was out of sight, "Was that a quick enough goodbye for you?"

"Thanks. I really wasn't looking forward to dragging it out."

Einn frowned, "You could just stay, you know. It's not like it's hard to come see you." He grinned and winked, "Especially as most of it goes on the expense report."

"Yeah, Pyotr bitched to me about that." Cyan looked up at him, "So you're not as clever as you think."

"Whatever. He's just mad because I'm having all the fun and he gets to listen to that old grouch bitch at him all the time." He paused as they reached the ship, "See? All loaded." They climbed up the ramp, which slid up behind them as the door slid shut. "Thanks, Vicky! Guys!"

"No problem," Vicky said pleasantly. "Hello, Cyan. Are you well?"

"I'm well. Keeping the miscreants in line?"

"More or less," Victoria said with warm amusement.

Einn looked up, "Where are Trial and Tribulation?"

Cyan choked. "Do they know you call them that?"

"Are you insane? I like breathing."

Victoria was laughing softly as she replied, "They're on the bridge."

"Arguing no doubt." Einn sighed and led the way to the bridge."

"Something like that," Victoria murmured softly.

Einn pushed the button to open the door just as Karmikel came barreling out, red faced and obviously upset about something. "Where's the fire, battery?"

"Shut up," Karmikel snarled before shoving his way past Einn to head for his room, nodding in passing to Cyan.

"What the hell did you do to him this time, Lark?" Einn asked with quirked brow as he stared at Faller.

"Nothing," Faller said resentfully. "It was his damn fault."

"Right. Vicky, are we ready to go?"

"Receiving clearance now. Do you want to light jump?"

"Nah, let's take the long way. There's no need to hurry back to Zero."

Faller was all but growling as he stalked out of the room, "So says you. I want off this damn ship."

"Did I miss something, Vicky?"

"Something."

"You're not going to tell me are you?"

"I'm not one to kiss and tell - so to speak."

"Kiss and…." Einn blinked, and then started laughing. "That's going to make things interesting."

Cyan just shook his head, and moved to the window to watch as they left Mars.