I probably should've let the last story sink in for a little bit before moving on, but I'm ready for this trilogy (and the NEXT J/C story) to be over with, no offense to myself. :S Anyway, I want to thank all my lovely readers for sticking with me and reviewing and accepting my cookies! This story's going to be a little...different. A little weird, really, but I promise it's gonna be good! You'll see the return of a long-lost rival, a family feud put to rest, a cameo reappearance, a brand new pairing, and best of all, JIMMY AND CINDY'S WEDDING!

Oh, and as you've gathered from the Epilogue in the Odyssey, Alex's family is going to be a sub-plot in this story. Eventually, I'm going to work up a story in which the full extent of her past is brought to light, such as how she started working for that creepy evil doctor in the first place, her motives, etc. Because her whole "social outcast" story in the New Jersey fic wasn't a very good explanation (now that I've developed her better). Oh, listen to me: Blabbering when I should be posting. All right: Let's get it on like diddy kong!

"And who knows? Starting a new journey may not be so hard."-Kairi, Kingdom Hearts 2
I Do, I Do, I Do

Prologue: The Return

At the Vortex home...

"Thanks, Sasha," said Alex as Mrs. Vortex poured some hot water into the mug between the girl's hands.

"No trouble, dear," Sasha smiled as she stuck a lemon onto Alex's mug brim. The older woman sat across from her, put her reading glasses on, and started working on the checkbook. Both women were tired, and it was 10:30. Alex's cat Frankie was sitting on the window sill in the living room swishing her tail back and forth, watching the skies.

"So you're definitely shooting for her release?" Sasha asked casually. Alex nodded.

"You bet I am," she said with conviction, "She's been in that place far too long. She's my mother, and I have to fight for her." Sasha nodded approvingly.

"If you ever want to borrow my lawyer too, you're more than welcome," the mother added, "He's a very good lawyer."

"Thank you," Alex smiled, "Your support is invaluable to me."

"I hope so," Sasha smiled back, "You've lived with me half your life."

"Alex!" Frankie meowed, "Come look at this!" Her master joined her at the window and looked up into the stars. They saw what looked like headlights descending, and fast!

"What is that, Alex?" the gray she-cat mewed.

"It's a class 4 intergalactic military cruiser," the girl genius answered promptly, "Royal, it looks like."

The house started to rumble. Alex's water rippled; dishes rattled in the sink; the outside wind chimes were indiscord. Sasha looked alarmed.

"What in the devil?" she exclaimed as she hurried to the window. As the source of the disturbance hovered closer to the street, Frankie yowled in fright and jumped into Alex's hold as the girl herself backed away in alarm. The ship landed in the street and a foghorn blared down the lane. House lights blinked on and neighbors rushed out. Sasha stood in the open doorway as Alex and her cat went to the sidewalk. Rigid as she was with shock, Alex had a pretty good idea what was going on. Frankie inched toward the quieting ship; but when the ramp started to lower, she squealed and bee-lined back to her owner. Hugh, Judy and others on their side of the street crowded to the ramp, but not so much that Alex couldn't see Sheen jumping off it with triumph.

"HELOOOO, RETROVILLE!" he pointed as a blue child jumped onto his shoulder. Alex could hardly believe it as they trooped out: They did it! They were home! Judy & Sasha were hysterical with relief and rushed to their children, shortly joined by the parents of the others.

Alex tried to walk to them, but she was so overwhelmed, she fell to her knees laughing and crying. Only when she felt a presence in front of her did she look up to see Jimmy smiling down at her with two identical blue children wearing togas by the hand.

"Jimmy," she whispered. He took hold of her shoulders.

"Get up, you silly!" he laughed as he lifted her, "Don't look so surprised." Alex laughed through her tears and hugged him hard.

"Alex!" Cindy ran to them.

"Cindy!" The two girls embraced each other fondly as Alex pushed Cindy's hair out of her own face.

"Thank heaven you're all right!" Alex said, "I was so afraid you'd end up like..."

"Your dad?" Cindy finished as they pulled apart, "Actually, it's funny you should say that." Alex raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"It is?" she asked, "Why?" Libby joined them as they looked knowingly at each other.

"Alex," Cindy gently said as she held Alex's arms firmly, "your father is alive."

Alex didn't say anything; she was too confused.

"What do you mean?" she asked, perplexed.

"Girl, what do you think we mean?" Libby bubbled, "We mean you're daddy's alive! We brought him back with us!"

"You WHAT?" Alex's eyes popped.

"Come see for yourself!" Before she could say another word, Jimmy and Libby grabbed her elbows and hands and herded her to Carl and Sheen, who were with the neighbors and newcomers. The redhaired man turned and looked with sudden emotion at his daughter. Alex was choked. Had her mother been right all along? Had Jacob "Jack" Turner returned?

"Daddy?" she said with a small voice.

"Hi, Button," he fondly called her by her nickname; no one but him had ever called her "Button," not even her mom. It was his special nickname for her.

"DADDY!" Her joyful voice pierced the night like the cry of a phoenix as she melted into her father's kind, strong arms. He stroked her hair and rocked on his heels.

"I'm so sorry, Alex," he croaked, "I missed out on so much."

"No, daddy," she wept, "I'm sorry. I lost my faith in you. I believed you dead, even when Mom didn't!" Then she remembered!

"Mom!" she gasped and looked up at him, "Dad, there's something you should know about Mom! She's"--

"In the psych ward, I know. Your friends told me," he replied darkly as he held her head to him, "But she's not crazy, is she?"

"No," she said, "We have to get her out of there."

"We will, Button, I promise," he told her solemnly, "But it's after hours now. We can't do anything right now. Pain as I am to say it, we'll have to wait until morning." Alex looked distressed, but laid her head on his chest and sighed.

"You're right," she said glumly, then happily added, "You're always right." Jack broke the hug, but kept an arm around her.

"For the time being," he smiled, "I believe some introductions are in order..."

Author's Review:

BACKSTREET'S BACK–ALL RIGHT!!!! Better believe it, baby! After a short hiatus, I'M DISHING OUT MORE LOVE AND DRAMA! Get ready for...all the stuff I already mentioned earlier!!!