So, this isn't actually from Skybreaker, but the end of Airborn.

To be more specific, it's when Kate and Matt say goodbye. Matt talks about it a bit at the last chapter.

I could hear the busy noises of the Aurora, my ship, being put back together behind me.

After being ravaged by the unexpected landing on a mysterious island, the island with cloud cats, she needed some big-time fixing up. I wasn't worried, though. It wouldn't be long until she was back in the air, carting rich men and women around through the sky.

Looking ahead, I saw Kate and Miss Simpkins waiting near the ship. While Kate looked calm and relaxed amidst the dozens of people bustling about, her chaperone jumped at every sound, and her eyes wouldn't stay still.

Just before we landed, at dinner while I'd been serving Kate a dish of arctic char, she had asked me, "Will I see you again? I mean, once we've landed?"

This had surprised me, her talking so openly in the middle of a fancy dining hall, surrounded by fancy people in awfully fancy clothing. I didn't bother to glance at Miss Simpkins. I already knew there would be a disapproving frown, plastered on her face.

"I'm not sure. I'm expected to be helping with repairs and loading our next haul. I suppose I could meet you near the ship, after we've landed. If you don't mind waiting a few minutes."

Much to my dislike, Kate's chaperone cut into our conversation, and her voice was chiding.

"Kate, that's not a good idea. Your parents will want you home as soon as possible."

All Kate did was smile at me and ignored Miss Simpkins. "That's a fabulous idea; we can say goodbye."

I nodded, and with a foul look from the chaperone, I left to wait the other hungry guests.

Now, I approached them, and Kate looked up at me and smiled. Miss Simpkins glanced in my direction and looked away again.

"Hello," Kate said cheerily, but with a note of sadness.

"Hello."

She looked over at her chaperone and rolled her eyes at me. "Since Marjorie here is about to jump out of her shoes, I suppose that we should be going."

She stepped forward and hugged me tight. Surprised, but pleased, I hugged back.

"I'm going to miss you. Though you'll come to see the cloud cat exhibit, won't you?" Her voice was a bit thick.

"Of course, I'll be there," I said, "And I'll miss you too."

I felt her give me one last squeeze, and then stepped back. I turned to Kate's chaperon.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Simpkins," I said very politely.

I saw a flash of surprise dart across her face before she covered it up and all I got was a vaugue,

"Hmm, yes…"

I glanced at Kate again, who looked a little bit embarrassed. But she saw I was trying to hide a smile, so she laughed.

"Marjorie means, 'yes it was lovely to meet you too'," she told me. "Good bye, then."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Sorry," she muttered, wiping it away. "I guess it hasn't really hit me that we're actually safe and back home. That was the most excitement I've had in my whole life!"

"Well, the same goes for me," I said. "Goodbye."

Kate smiled, then glanced at her chaperon and turned to leave.

I stared after Kate with a heavy feeling of disappointment in my chest. Next time, I thought, things would be different. By society standards, she may have been turned a proper lady by then.

She would not associate with a mere cabin boy, even if he was considered a hero, back on a deserted island.

Thanks for the reviews!