I was torn when the members of AVALANCHE went their own ways. We had been through so much together, and they had become my family. I really didn't know where to go. I knew I couldn't go back to my old home again, even though I still miss the flowers. They brought me the only shred of joy I had in the worst of times. I felt as if I owed them something. I assured myself the children would tend to them well, as they had before. Since I had no where to go, I began roaming the countryside. Eventually, I wandered into Junon. I faintly remembered it from my adventures with AVALANCHE. The townspeople were very welcoming, and I soon found a permenant place of residence in the village. I spend most of my time in a small cove on the beach. Only the dolphins and I know of its existence.

One evening I was alone in my cove without the company of the dolphins. The sun was setting over the horizon and was using the sky as a canvas for a wonderous combination of dark and light tones. The water was warm from a day soaking in the light of the sun. I pulled off my dress and folded it on some nearby rocks before slipping into the water. My swimming roused my favorite dolphin from her sleep. She swam next to me, and I grabbed her dorsal fin. She pulled me through the water as a salty ocean breeze swept over the cove. The half moon was becoming visible over the horizon. I let go of my dolphin and swam back to shore.

The familiar lonliness that I often feel during moments like this began its course. My heart yearned for something that I didn't think it would ever have--love. I stared out into the moonlit ocean, only my long dark hair providing modesty. I was suddenly reminded of a portrait of the birth of Venus I once saw as a child. Only Venus wasn't alone.

As if my thoughts were being read, a voice from behind me said, "You're a goddess more beautiful and pure than Venus ever was."

I turned my head to see an all too familiar face. Bittersweet memories of the times we spent together surfaced in my mind. The unexpectedness of it all rendered me speechless for a minute or two. "It's been a long time."

"Too long. After you left, I realized how much you really mean to me, Aeris." He stepped closer to me. I could see him more clearly as the clouds moved away from the moon. He had changed drastically. What had appeared to me as a boy before now was a man. The maturity and understanding shined in his blue eyes.

"I...I missed you, too. It's been lonely here without any familiar faces."

"I've been lonely, too. There have been other women, but when I was with them I could only think of you. I couldn't bear to think of what I had been missing anymore. I've spent so long looking for you. But now we're together."

"The past months here...several men have offered themselves to me, but I couldn't bring myself to accept the offers. I couldn't figure out why until now. I left you in physical presence, but you had my heart since you saved me the first time."

He leaned forward and kissed me, taking me in his embrace. The tears flowed down my face in a sweet combination of joy and sadness. I had been missing everything before, but now I had it all back. We spent the night together in that cove, professing our love over and over again. For the first time in my life, I know I will never be alone again.