When my eyes opened, I was in a small, but familiar, apartment. I recognized the gray-green walls and the wood-paneled floor. The apartment, however, was cleaner than the last time I had looked in.
A thump caught my attention and I watched as Roy swung in from the open window in the living room, dressed in his Red Arrow gear. He paused long enough to take a look around.
"Good," he mumbled, "Jade's not here."
When I looked closer at Roy, I had to suppress a laugh. Though he looked better groomed and well fed, his hair was starting to get long again.
Roy sat down on the couch and put his face in his hands, sighing. I couldn't waste any more time.
I took a deep breath and said, "You're getting a little shaggy again, Red."
Roy jumped at the sound of my voice and quickly surveyed the room.
"Erin?" he called. After no answer, Roy slumped back down on the couch. Shaking his head, he groaned. "I must be hearing things."
I crossed the room and knelt down in front of Roy. I let go of the need to be invisible and willed myself to be seen as I whispered, "You're not hearing things, Red. I'm really here."
Roy's eyes widened. With a shaky hand, he reached out to me. I grabbed it– hiding my own amazement that I was solid– and placed it against my cheek. For so long I had felt like Tantalus, sentenced to a lifetime of thirst, but Roy's touch was my cool drink of water.
With my other hand, I plucked off Roy's mask and threw it to the floor, revealing his blue eyes that could always make me melt.
"How-how is this possible?" he stammered.
"It's complicated," I answered. "Raziel just sent me for a visit, but I don't know why. Apparently, it's some kind of reward we get every five years. Raziel was very vague about the whole thing, just saying that it would 'change a great many things.' Vague is kind of the definition of Raziel."
Roy looked taken back. "Who's Raziel?"
I laughed softly to myself. Only Roy, who was married, could be jealous when his dead girlfriend mentioned another guy. "It's kind of a long story, but the simplest explanation is that he's the angel assigned to watch over me while I'm… on the other side."
Roy relaxed again. "Oh."
I bit my lip. I was given this chance to visit Roy, but maybe I could do a bit more.
Taking his face with my hands, I made eye contact with Roy.
"Roy, listen. I'm not gonna tell you how to live your life. It's yours. But I am going to ask something of you. I've been watching you– the whole team really, but mostly you – and I know life's been hard. But I think you should rejoin the team." I paused. "Actually, I want you to rejoin the team. It would get you back on track. I've noticed you've started to fall again since you found Roy and I think rejoining the team is what's best." I held my breath, waiting for his answer.
He just nodded and said, "I understand."
I didn't know if he would listen to me, but I tried my best. I guess another motive was it would get him away from Jade. She obviously hadn't been doing him any good anyway.
A tug at my body pulled me out of my thoughts. It was time. I sighed.
"I'm sorry, Roy. It's time for me to go."
"No!" Roy grabbed me and pulled me close. He put our foreheads together as he moaned, "I can't let you go. Not again."
I felt my eyes watering. It was a strange feeling. I pulled my face away. "You have before."
Roy sat back and tugged at a chain, removing it from around his neck and hiding the necklace in his hand.
"I've never let you go, Erin," he said softly, "Never." Roy opened his hand to reveal the pocket watch I had given him. He clicked the button so the watch popped open. My picture was still in perfect condition. "I carry this with me wherever I go. Jade doesn't know I have it." Roy closed the watch, replaced it around his neck and touched his fingertips to my cheek. "I've never gotten over you, Erin, and I never will. I love you still."
The tears spilled over and ran down my cheeks.
"I love you, too, Roy." I leaned forward and met Roy's lips with mine. I drank it up as I knew I would never have it again. The pulling became stronger. I looked at Roy one last time and whispered, "Goodbye."
