*Stationary Earth orbit in twenty minutes,* the sonorous voice announced.

"Thank you, Zen," Tarrant responded. "ORAC, are all the coordinates set in the teleport?"

+They are.+

Vila stood as ORAC's voice died away, then left the flight deck without a word, a grim, determined look on his normally placid face.

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The thief stood before Avon's open cabin and peered in. The tech was making final preparations for the most desperate mission of his career.

"Are you certain of this?" Vila asked from the corridor.

"Yes."

Vila entered then and closed the door behind him. "The homing device is sending all right, then?"

Avon ran a hand up his neck, stopping short of his hairline, and sighed, "Yes, and ORAC is monitoring. When I make contact with Shrinker, you'll all know. The rest of the plan is set." He looked at Vila. "I trust you can take care of your part in this?"

"I know what to do, Avon. I've all the equipment you gave me, ready to teleport to the cavern."

"No complaints of being afraid of the dark?"

He shook his head. "Would it matter?"

A half smile. "Probably not."

"I'll have it all put together by the time you…" Vila faltered, swallowing the rest of the words.

"Before I go down," Avon's voice softened, "I think there are some things that I should tell you." He took Vila's hand in his. "We both know the odds are that I' won't survive…"

"Avon, don't!" Vila protested. His philosophy had always been: If you didn't say a thing, maybe it wouldn't happen. He knew he was being childish and alarmist, but, where Avon was concerned, he just couldn't help himself.

"No, let me finish," Avon said gently. "I just wanted you to know that, all those years ago, I did care for you very much…and still do." He looked down at the deck, unable to face the thief. "Don't forget me, but...don't grieve if I don't come back."

Vila pulled his hand free and grasped Avon's upper arms. He shook him slightly. "None of this is necessary, Avon, none of it!"

"But it is, Vila." Avon fixed his gaze on Vila, willing him to understand. "I must put an end to Shrinker for all time, then Anna's ghost can finally rest. And so can I," he finished softly.

"Revenge isn't your style, Avon."

Tarrant's voice interrupted them from the comm panel. "Avon?"

"Yes?"

"We'll be within teleport range in two minutes. Are you ready?"

"No, but I have no other choice. I'm on my way."

As Avon reached the cabin doorway, Vila called after him, "I love you, Avon."

The tech simply nodded and walked away.

Vila watched him leave as he had done so many times in the past. "You will come back to me, I know it," he whispered to the now empty corridor.

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The basement of Servalan's palace exuded an air of bygone days with its rough brick walls, exposed beams and clutter. Avon faced Anna with a look of despair, hearing her words to him.

"Is there someone else?"

He drew a shaky breath. "No, there's no one else…now."

Unable to look into her face any longer, he turned his back on her.

"Avon!"

He whirled, saw the gun pointed at him, and fired without hesitation. He caught her as she fell, cradling her in his arms.

"…well, at least that was honest…"

"…we were well matched, Avon…"

"…I was only ever Anna Grant with you…"

"…of all the things I've ever known myself to be, I never recognized the fool…"

"…it was all lies, Avon. I let you go…my love…"

Avon held the still-warm body, his eyes closed, denying the sight of his former love, dead by his own hands.

"Oh, no," he whispered. "You never let me go…you never did."

He seemed almost not to hear as Servalan taunted him from her chains. He drew his weapon and fired, releasing her.

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A/N: With both his lady loves behind him, feeling betrayed, how will Avon cope? Is it time for him to try a different path? See what he does in Part 2: Decisions and Promises.