Simon held Nia close. He missed her so much… hell he missed human contact so much. He missed just having another person close to him. Nia leaned into him; her soft weight against him was sensational.

Why would you go like this, Simon?

Simon looked up at Nia. "There's nothing here for me anymore, Nia. The battle is over. All Spiral beings are enjoying their peace. My role in the fate of mankind is finished. This planet no longer needs me to watch over them. Matter of fact, my presence here is dangerous now. The Spiral Nemesis… I am the perfect catalyst for it. Everyone who fought for Earth in that last battle, all of them can control a certain degree of Spiral power. But me? I can control it to degrees that would bring the Spiral Nemesis flying at us faster than anyone can ever imagine."

Do you think that you'll bring the destruction of all Spiral beings with your power?

"I don't want to cause their destruction… but their desire for advancement will bring it about themselves. The world was a witness to what I am truly capable of. Were they to find me, they would want to see what my powers can do. Cure disease, raise the dead, grant wishes… who knows what they'd want me to do? Harnessing my abilities in that way is what will bring the Spiral Nemesis."

You don't have to do what they say. You can always refuse to use your powers for them. You can always tell them that your Spiral Power has limits. It works off of your determination and courage. Back when you were fighting, you had a purpose. You fought for mankind. You fought for me. You can tell them that you can't summon such a massive amount of power because you'd have no reason to.

"While that would be a good idea in theory, Nia, there are those that wouldn't understand. There would also be those who would worship my power, and those who would fear my power. It's too unpredictable for me to deem it safe. I promised the Anti-Spiral king that I would keep the universe safe. I don't want to bet that mankind will understand the concept of destruction by evolution."

E-even so, Simon… why are you so eager to just die? You haven't seen everything yet, or done everything. There's still a lot that you haven't seen. You have to live on… for both of us.

"Nia… I grow weary of this existence. I wander the earth without a purpose. I know we agreed that I'd live on and experience the world for both of us… but I'm so alone. Every time I see something new, I'd wish you were by my side. I'd wonder what you'd say about it. I'd wonder how you'd look at it. I loved your curiosity. Ever since you joined us, you'd ask what something was as soon as you approached something you'd never seen before. Then you'd listen patiently and you'd light up as understanding came."

Nia smiled at Simon. She remembered those days. Everything was so new to her, and every time she learned something new from her friends in the Dai-Gurren Brigade, she'd feel really happy that they were teaching her something.

Simon… you don't have to be alone. And you don't have to wonder what I'd say or do, I'm not forever gone. I may not be there in the flesh, but you know I'm always with you.

"It's not enough, Nia. I keep telling myself that you live on. Like Aniki and everyone else who we have lost… I tell myself that you're within me and I'll never forget you. But every time I remember, it hurts. It hurts not to see your smiling face again. It hurts not to feel your soft, warm body close to mine. It hurts remembering the feel of your lips against mine and knowing I'll never feel it again."

Nia kissed him then, the feeling absolutely amazing…There was no expressing how much he'd wanted this again. Having Nia close to him, kissing him just like this. Simon licked her lips, his tongue slowly slipping into her mouth and dancing with hers. Simon hugged her close, afraid that in a moment, she'd be gone, and again, he'd be stuck with nothing but his loneliness.

You're needed, Simon.

Those words stopped Simon and made him pull away, no matter how much he didn't want to. "No, I'm not, Nia. There's not one person on this planet that could possibly need me around. There's no more fighting to be done. I'm a simple warrior with no war to wage."

Warriors aren't destined to fight forever. When there is no war to be fought, a warrior can return home, and be with one that he loves, and enjoy the peace that he fought so hard to gain.

"I can't be with the one I love while I remain on this Earth, Nia."

You already are with her. I'm right here. Nia placed a hand against his chest. I live on with you. No matter what, I'll always be within you and I'll never truly leave you. And surely I'm not the only one you care about.

Those last words confused Simon. What could Nia possibly mean?

You still have friends, no? Maybe you don't trust mankind to not fall against the Spiral Nemesis with your presence… but surely you can still be in the company of friends. Viral, Rossiu, Leeron, Gimi, Dari… Yoko…

Yoko… Poor, poor Yoko. Simon had heard from Gimi and Dari that Kittan had kissed and confessed to Yoko before he sacrificed himself in battle. That was the second time someone who had loved her had died right before her eyes. Simon felt so bad for her… and he felt unworthy to keep her company. Kamina and Kittan were such great men and both died not long after she had been with them. Who was Simon to try and comfort her?

Believe in yourself, Simon. Yoko does need you.

"I can't do it, Nia. Yoko doesn't need someone like me trying to comfort her or lecture her about forgetting the past. I can't even let go of the past… let alone comfort myself because of your absence."

Maybe it doesn't matter who it is. Yoko just needs someone close to her… much like you need someone close to you. If not you, then who? Who else could go to Yoko and help her when she's feeling lonely? You know the pain more than anybody else. You understand, and you're the fearless leader of the Dai-Gurren Brigade. There's no man stronger or better to help her get back on her feet.

Simon looked at Nia painfully. "I can't even get back on my own two feet."

Nia sighed and got off of Simon. She walked away from the edge of the cliff and lay on the grass. You can let me go, you know. I'll be okay.

"Nia… how could you say such a thing?"

Simon… if it wasn't for you, I'd never have been able to get a chance to live. You opened my box and brought me into a new world, you gave me a new lease on life and helped me see new things and meet new people. Everything that I've learned and come to love is because of you. For that I am eternally grateful. It's for that reason that I can't let you stay the way you are, nor can I let you end your life. It makes me so happy that you're willing to go to those lengths just to be with me, but I can't be so selfish as to let you do that. I want nothing more than to be with you once again, but I can't let you lose your life over it. How could I ever expect or want that much from you? It's unfair of me to even think of such a thing. You gave me my life and you're willing to take your own away just to be with me.

"It doesn't matter how fair it is. It's something that I want to do, Nia. It's my own decision, and it's one that I know I won't regret."

I love you too much to let you do this to yourself.

Simon clenched his fist as tears filled his eyes. "Nia…"

Please Simon… just… don't do this. I can't let you… it'd break my heart.

Nia looked at Simon with sorrowful eyes. He didn't understand. Why did his death mean so much to her? It would mean that they could be closer together again. He could rest in peace with her, in love and happy with each other's company.

"Simon… make love to me." Nia said softly. Her lips moved this time, her voice was her own, instead of an ethereal, celestial sound that echoed around Simon's head. Her dress dissolved and Nia lay there, naked.

What was with that shift in attitude? Simon didn't understand. He'd never understand Nia and the way she thought of things. None-the-less, Simon stripped down and lay next to her, placing a palm against her cheek.

"If you want to be with me, then be with me. Just right now, for this moment, I want you to be with me." Nia said softly. Simon pulled her close and began kissing her.

Nia moaned at the feel of Simon against her. She didn't want to let him go. Despite everything she had just told him, she loved Simon so much because he had saved her and gave her the will to live. As her father disowned her, she was willing to accept the fact that she was going to die cold and alone in some box locked away. But Simon found her, and as he helped her out of her prison, she was introduced to a beautiful world with beautiful people.

Because of Simon… she had found meaning in life, and had come to love the world around her. She also made a lot of friends in the Dai-Gurren Brigade. She owed him so much and she was so happy that he had saved her. She had come to love life and she loved that she got the chance to live it to the fullest. Guame and her father had made her feel like a useless puppet, a mere doll for them to toy with… But because of the Dai-Gurren Brigade… because of Simon…

"Nia…"

Simon's gentle voice cut into Nia's thoughts. "Look at me. Stop thinking so much. I can see it in your eyes. Right now, let's not make this about our circumstances. Let's not make this about our feelings, our obligations, or our fates… the only thing that matters right now is that we're here… together."

Nia's very soul tingled at his words. This was the man she loved. He always knew exactly what to say to inspire her. The way that he looked at her in this moment made her believe that nothing else mattered except this moment they shared together. She closed her eyes, and breathed him in. He was strong, masculine… She missed him so much, and she wouldn't give this one moment up for anything.

Simon and Nia made love for the first time. They'd never had a chance before due to her passing, and although Simon had dreamed of being with Nia like this many nights before, this night felt different. He could feel Nia's essence with everything inside of him. This wasn't merely a dream like all those other times. Nia was here, with him. In his dreams, she was beautiful and gentle, just like she was in life… but now, he could see more of her than just her easily distinguishable personality.

Simon could see the love in her eyes. He could see the joy of having him near. He could see the confusion within her as well. Although he couldn't understand her way of thinking when she was alive, now he could read her like an open book. She was scared to let him go. She loved him and cared for him so much and although she wanted him to move on and keep her in his heart, she didn't want to be forgotten.

Nia wished Simon happiness, but she was scared of what that happiness might cost. Was she going to hold some part of Simon's heart, and well after he had moved on, she'd be sitting, alone within his heart with the one fragment of his love that he has set aside for her? Will he only acknowledge her when he speaks of the battles he's fought alongside her? Would he make her part of a story that he'd tell children and nothing more?

Simon pulled Nia on top of him and positioned himself at her wet core. "Nia… stop thinking. Look at me." Her eyes met his and he smiled at her, he wrapped his arms around her and slowly pushed into her.

As Simon filled Nia, all of her concerns and worries had fled from her mind. The only thing she could think of was the intense pleasure that she was feeling. She bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes, moaning in pleasure as Simon slowly entered her.

Nia felt so good wrapped around him. Simon could barely contain himself, but this was Nia's first time… so he tried his best to go slow. She was so soft and wet, and the feel of her squeezing down on him made his breath hitch.

Nia moaned softly and slowly pushed against him. Simon gritted his teeth. "Nia… I'm trying to go slow… I don't want to hurt you." He told her breathlessly. She placed a palm against his cheek and smiled at him. "I feel no pain, Simon. It feels so good with you inside me. How could there be any pain… this is a dream after all."

Nia pushed against Simon harder and moaned loudly. "Nngh… shit… Simon, it's so good. More Simon… give me more!" That lustful invitation was all he needed. Instantly, Simon began thrusting up into Nia. The sudden quick movement surprised her, and she gasped as sparks of pleasure skittered across her skin.

Simon screwed Nia with complete abandon, loving the feel of her wrapped around him. In this moment, right here and right now, this was all he needed. The same went for Nia. This, this intimacy… this closeness… becoming one was the last thing that they both needed.

"Nia… I'm close… I'm gonna…"

"Me too Simon! Harder… come with me Simon!"

The two of them were intoxicated with pleasure. Simon filled Nia up, causing her to orgasm as the thick, wet heat that filled her. Breathing heavily and sweating, they held each other close. Simon and Nia both knew. This was the closure they needed. This moment of complete intimacy and rapture was what they needed to move on.

When Nia spoke, her voice was once again celestial… almost angelic.

We'll always be together, right Simon?

He nodded at her with a smile. "You'll always be close in my heart. You'll always be a part of me. I would never dare forget about you or leave you behind. Just who the hell do you think I am?"

Nia smiled at the Dai-Gurren Brigade catch-phrase. I like your smile Simon… I want you to have that smile, all the time. No matter who you're thinking of when you smile, I just want to see you happy. I promise you… so long as you're living happily and living the best you can, I will always be satisfied with having a small portion of your heart.

Simon kissed Nia on the cheek. Even to the end, she was always understanding, caring, and wanted the best for everyone else before herself. He felt such pride in being the man that she had chosen.

Now, Simon… there's someone else who hasn't smiled earnestly in a long time. She needs you. Go to her… send her my regards.

Simon awoke laying on his back, his feet still peeking over the edge of the cliff. For the first time in a long time, he awoke with a smile and began to travel. Filled with determination, he travelled to speak to a schoolteacher with an aching heart.