It'd been over six months since Tera had last seen Omega fly. Even the last year or so of knowing him, he hadn't been in the sky much at all. She didn't know what to think of it other than that there was something wrong. She was right about that much, at least. She already knew that it wasn't going to get better… Omega wasn't even stable enough to move to a hospital.

It was raining that day. Tera rolled out of Dusty's hangar, immediately starting to shiver a little; it didn't matter that she'd already survived a couple Minnesota winters. It was still cold out. The crop duster had already gone out to do his morning training, likely an hour or so before she'd even woken up. The living arrangement was only temporary; while the two planes were officially in a relationship, Tera tried to stay with Omega as much as she could… or she could handle, anyways. Anything to do with mechanics still terrified her to no end, and most days it was all she could do just to be around them, even if it was just Dottie or Sparky. However, some nights were too much, either from emotion, lack of sleep, or some combination of the two.

Looking around the seemingly-empty town, she headed straight down the road to see if there was anything going on at Omega's hangar… it was obvious that there was, but the real question was what. And she'd taken the opportunity to sleep last night instead of staying up-to-date with the situation. She was beginning to hate herself for it, especially as she realized that anything could've happened in just a night. Dusty was coming down the street towards her, a worried look in his eyes.

"I was just about to come wake you up," he said quickly, "You gotta get down to Omega's… it's not good."

"What do you mean 'not good'?"

"...you might want to talk to Dottie about it. Tera…" he tried to say something, but the crop duster couldn't find the words.

No… nononono, was all the mix-breed could think, turning on her engine in panic and almost crashing herself when she made the short distance to the building and stopped, eyes wide with fear but also with a hint of anger. She was always at least a little annoyed. The air around the hangar hung thick, almost suffocatingly so. "I didn't mean to sleep in! What's wrong?!"

Dottie came out of the hangar quickly, pulling Tera aside and out of earshot of anyone else. "Look… no one can expect you to be calm about this," she started, obviously trying to choose her words wisely, but eventually giving up. The exhaustion in her disposition was all too clear. "...we all knew he wasn't going to make it. I've done everything I can and-" she paused for a second, trying to gather herself. "Right after you left last night everything went downhill… I don't know if he's going to have just hours or a day left. He was asking to see you."

Tera closed her eyes, not believing what she was hearing. She couldn't accept it, but at the same time tears were forming. "But… he can't die… not yet!"

"He's hurting. A lot. And I know for a fact that he's only still fighting because of you. Tera… I don't know what else to say. The kindest thing anyone can do is let him let go."

"I can't! Why do I have to... no…" She couldn't even argue with Dottie beyond outright denial. Tera already knew of Omega's condition… and she also already knew there was no saving him. "...Why does he have to...?" If anything, she was fighting with herself. Part of her understood that what Dottie had said was true, but she didn't want it to be… and sheer willpower wasn't going to help her this time.

"Tera, it's now or never. He's not going to last much longer whether you like it or not," Dottie told her, "You're going to regret it if-"

"I get it!" Tera snapped, forcing herself not to cry anymore. She could hardly put her thoughts into words. "I just didn't think-"

"Come on," Dottie said, deciding that Tera'd had enough time for the time being… no one had much time, and it was vital that Tera get over it for now. She had to say goodbye before the Warhawk gave out. "Let's go. It'll be okay."

"No it won't," the mixbreed responded, though taking a breath and following Dottie anyways, trying-for once-to compose herself before she knew she'd end up losing it.

When she entered the room, it was immediately apparent that the Warhawk was only just holding on, ready to slip away any moment. Despite the dull look Omega had obtained, he managed a soft chuckle. "Dottie's right," he muttered, "It'll be just fine."

"Omega!" she said on instinct, just glad she wasn't too late… she tried not to think about it. She couldn't. It hadn't happened yet. "I'm sorry I had to leave yesterday, I just-" she cut herself off, trying to think of anything she could say, but she couldn't. Not without trusting herself not to cry, anyways.

"You needed your sleep," Omega agreed, "I don't take offense." He looked up at her, "You alright, Tera?" He knew the answer already, but he wanted to comfort her only if she allowed him to.

"No," she said before she could catch herself, tears stinging her eyes again. "Why do you have to go?" she asked, trying to keep herself from actually crying. She knew she shouldn't ask… but at the same time, she truly didn't understand why vehicles ended up dying in the first place… and why it was always anyone she got close to.

Omega sighed, "I can't answer that, but I believe these times help us learn and grow." He gave the smallest hint of an encouraging smile, "Whether or not they're hard. And, Tera, you'll get over this, I promise you. I'm just one more friend you have to say goodbye to, and perhaps in some way we'll meet again. Heh… and you may just see your father then, too." Then his expression grew serious, "But that's not the only reason I needed to talk to you. I also needed to talk to you about Teeva. She's going to need someone to take care of her when I'm gone, and I don't think there's anyone more suited for that than you."

The plane tried to shift her focus to the dog Omega was talking about. Teeva had been there since just after Tera'd met the Warhawk to begin with, and now Omega wanted her to have her. She still couldn't stop herself from thinking about having to live without him… but at the same time she couldn't bring herself to admit it. "I'll do my best," she said finally, glancing around to try and keep herself composed… though it wasn't working. Everything in the hangar only made her think more about what was happening.

"That's all I ask," he nodded, wanting desperately to be able to comfort her, but finding no words to do so. "Come over here," he said, noticing that Tera was finding it more and more difficult to keep herself from crying.

She did as he asked, not able to keep a lid on her emotions anymore. She took a small breath, tears filling her eyes. "I wish I knew what to say, but…" she said, choking on a sob before she could finish.

"Shh," he said, making what effort he could to nuzzle her. "Death is a hard thing, I know, missy. You don't have to say anything… I just want to say I love you, Tera. You're… you're the daughter I never had. Just remember that. You're family."

Tera couldn't even speak… and she knew if she tried, it wouldn't be anything intelligible. She nuzzled him back, careful not to accidentally hurt him, but also not caring that she was crying anymore. It hurt too much. She didn't want to lose Omega… he was probably the only reason why she was even still alive after her father died. After a minute of two, she was finally able to say something. "...I don't want you to go…"

"I don't suppose I have much of a choice if I want to stay or not," he responded with a whisper. It was obvious he was growing weary with the exertion of the conversation, but he didn't move from his protective position, nor did he allow himself to sink into slumber.

Tera silently wished that there was an option… that Omega wasn't going to leave her… that the moments when she felt like she had someone to look up to weren't going to slip away again, but she couldn't help it. She also wished that she could stay there forever, but Dottie's quiet gestures told her otherwise. She didn't want to leave yet, but she reversed a little, looking Omega straight in the eye and trying not to cry much more. Something needed to be said. "Thank you… for everything," she couldn't finish what she had wanted to tell him without more tears. She couldn't keep herself from it. But even then, she didn't think there was anything more left to be said. "...I really hope I see you again."

"You're welcome," Omega nodded sincerely, "and I know we will."