The house was silent as I came to say my last goodbye. Henry sat at his desk, back facing the door, as he etched a photo of the three of us into his memory. The courageous team we had become was to be disassembled and replaced as separate entities; one in Mongolia, two left behind. I didn't want to think about how this could affect our relationship. Henry had grown on me, and his personality intrigued me more than anyone else's I had ever met. I imagined dull, adventure-less days to come for the rest of my years, that is, until I become an astronaut. But even with that hope, I had been finding myself slipping away from the extraterrestrial dream, finding so much more interest in what's here on earth. Henry has changed me so much, socially, emotionally…

He turned around and smiled as I walked through his bedroom doorway. Jasper was still at school, discussing mathematical theorems with his calculus teacher for extra credit. Thoughts flooded my mind as I tried to decide what to say. Events of the past year flickered by like old-fashioned slides and I heard myself saying what I thought Henry would understand best; farewell, in Mongolian. Hearing my attempt to sound happy for him and his ambitions, he stood up and gave me a hug. I felt a jolt in my chest as I experienced the warmth of love from this gesture and the ache of sadness from knowing this would be the last for a long time. When the time finally came to let go, I tried to move away as quickly as possible, not looking him in the eye, but I felt his grip tighten on my arm. I turned around to see what was wrong when he said, gently and earnestly,

"There's something I'd like to ask of you. It would mean a great deal to me."

I waited expectantly, unsure of what this favor could be.

"Will you dance with me?"

I thought back to the night of the farewell dance. I remembered the disappointed look on his face when I told him that I didn't dance and how charming he looked in his attempt to dress nicely. I knew that he knew I couldn't dance and that this could not possibly end well, but it was my last and only chance. Besides, who's better to try something new with than Henry Griffin?

Looking like an expert, he placed my left hand on his shoulder and took my right hand in his.

"There's no music." I stated rather obviously.

"But there is music," he replied, giving me a smirk, "can't you hear it?"

"No," I said uncertainly, thinking that it was one of his jokes, "I don't have bat ears like you do. Any hint as to what it sounds like?"

He took a moment to laugh to himself at my remark and stated through his grin, "It's whatever you want to hear, Maggie. Be it opera, tribal music, U2…"

I instantly thought of my favorite U2 song and began humming it. Henry joined in when he recognized it and before I knew it, we were dancing as if we'd done it many times before. Inevitably, a few minutes later, I managed to trip on a rug and bring both of us down to the ground, laughing. I suddenly felt a sinking feeling; I had added a new, fond memory to my mental library and already found myself wanting to relive it again.

The room became silent and I felt Henry watching me as I longed to look back at him.

"Come with me," he whispered.

I slowly turned to face him. "What did you say?" I inquired equally softly.

"Come with me," he said more audibly and swiftly, "to Mongolia. I'll take care of you! We can travel the world together, do anything we want to do—"

I heard him exhale sharply as he realized how crazy he must have sounded to me. It was absolutely insane! The thought of him and me, running around the wilderness with no job, no degree…but then I took a deep breath and looked into his honest and hopeful eyes; no logic in the world could compel me to say no.