A/N: This is the last chapter/story of Thieves in Time, following 'The Foundling'. It's been eighteen years since Servalan dropped their grandson Evan at Avilla. Much has changed and much has stayed the same. But an event has occurred that will alter everything for Avilla and those who call it home.
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ENERER, one of the Outer Planets
Evan entered their rather Spartan quarters to find Lerrys frantically tossing things into their holdalls. His face puzzled and more than a little concerned, he demanded, "What the hell…Rys, what's happened?"
"We have to get back to Avilla. Now! ORAC just sent us a message: Uncle Vila died suddenly today. Grandfather Avon needs us!"
Evan caught the anguish in Rys' mind, echoed in his own. He KNEW how losing Uncle Vila would affect his grandfather: the same way it would affect him to lose Rys. There was little time. He feared his grandfather would soon follow his partner in death. Tucking in to help Rys pack, he thought, Isn't that the way it always is? We leave things unsaid until it's too late to tell the one we care for?
Together the two young men headed for the spaceport where their ship was even now being serviced and cleared for launch.
TRADE CITY
Liva and Gabriel jerked up together, eyes horrified, as Serran telepathed the news of Vila's death to them. Even non-telepathic Gabe received her. Glancing across their joined desks, he knew from the distant look on his wife's face that she and her mother Serran were still communicating.
Abruptly, Liva sagged, burying her face in her arms, sobbing over her accounting ledgers and bills of lading. Gabe slipped around the desk to put his arms around her shaking shoulders, though he was as much in need of comfort as she, upon hearing of his grandfather's sudden death.
After some moments, he withdrew, squaring his shoulders. "Liva," he said gently, "we have to get back to Avilla. Grandfather Avon and Mother Serran need us there."
She lifted a tear-stained face to him and nodded. "We'll take the shuttle. Rys and Evan and Grandmother Cally will come directly to Avilla. ORAC contacted them and they should be here within a couple of days." She pinched the bridge of her nose, surreptitiously wiping the moisture from her closed eyes. Looking up into her husband's concerned and equally stricken eyes, she asked, "Shall we take the children, Gabe?"
"Of course," he said emphatically. "This is a family time. Even if they are too young to remember, the others will remember for them." He had to fight down the lump growing in his throat before he could go on. "Call the house so they'll be ready and I'll go get them. You'll tie up the loose ends here?"
Liva nodded again, wiping away the last vestiges of her tears. All business now, her private sorrow was put in abeyance for the time being.
Shutting down his computer link, Gabriel left to gather their family.