Pause. Please don't kill me. Alek Meets the Sharps will be finished. The next chapter's started, but won't be uploaded for another week or so. I just needed to take a break from it and actually formulate some ideas. Because you'd rather have a good fic that takes a little bit than a rushed one that is absolute rubbish, right?

Anyway, this is probably some really bad writing. I wouldn't know, since I don't let anyone read it before I upload it. (That needs to change: anyone want to beta?) I am obviously not Scott Westerfeld, either, or this would be much better.

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed
That it would go
And if you're reading this
I'm already home

Dear Ma,

I suppose, if you've gotten this letter, you've heard by now. The Leviathan didn't make it out of the war. Most likely, I didn't either, or you wouldn't have gotten this barking note in the first place.

I just wanted to tell you…I love you. And tell Jaspert and Auntie Clarence and Auntie Margaret I love them too, even though it sometimes didn't seem like it. And please don't be too ashamed of me, or yourself, and how I turned out. You couldn't possibly have known how barking mad I would grow up to be.

I wasn't a complete failure, at least. I met a boy. His name is Alek, and I think, I think, I love him. And he loves me back. He's kind, and sweet, even though he's barking terrible with the beasties. He can read Latin, and speak Greek, and he may be a little short, and sometimes a complete Dummkopf, but to me, he's perfect.

Kind of funny, how things turned out. I run off to escape being a girl, and end up falling in love here. Guess that's the providence Alek was always blethering about.

I also wanted to tell you, I don't think Da wants you to be so sad all the time. He wouldn't want you to live the rest of your life moping that he couldn't be with you for the rest of it. I miss him too. But, even though we can't see him, I bet he's there with you right now, reading this. He'll always be there.

Look at me. All of this has turned me into a barking poet. But don't worry about me. I'm in a better place, and I love you all.

Love and Barking Spiders,

Your daughter Deryn

Tears fell on the paper, smudging the ink, but Mrs. Sharp couldn't help it. She had lost a husband and both of her children because of their love of flying. Not for the first time, she wished for Artemis back, for Jaspert and Deryn alive, just so she could tell them one more time how much she really did love them.

Mrs. Sharp ran a thumb over the paper, trying to wipe away the tears, but only succeeding in marring the letter even more. Finally, she gave up. And read the letter again.

Despite her tears, she smiled to herself. Deryn still couldn't write a letter to save her life. She was glad that her daughter had found love, even if he was a Clanker. And if she was really, truly happy in the air, Virginia Sharp was glad Deryn had followed her dreams, fearless and not bothering with the consequences.

"Just like her father," Virginia said softly.

Yes, Deryn and Jaspert Sharp were just like their father. Always longing to fly, and never giving up until they had what they wanted. Never, ever taking no for an answer.

That was what she loved about them, after all.

So sorry about this. Wanted to upload something before I go to overnight camp for school for a week, and I only had one night, so this was the result. If by any chance, there was something about it you did like, review. (Also, yes, I killed both Alek and Deryn, and Jaspert, too. They're all dead. But they're in heaven, if it makes you feel better…)