Author's Note: Ah, the final chapter. I know I've been updating this very quickly, but hey, the idea's been nagging me for a while, and I was on a roll. Thanks for the reviews, guys, they were encouraging.

Epilogue: Reunion

After a stormy conclusion, the war had ended. Orange Star's territory and name had, for the most part, been restored.

There was only one thing left to do: patch things up with Blue Moon.

Speaking to Olaf had gone a bit more smoothly than Nell had anticipated, despite his still obvious stubbornness. Veon, however, had informed Nell that Grit wanted to speak with her… in person.

Right after which the woman had turned in a resignation. She refused to tell Nell why, but had looked oddly relaxed as she had left. Mystified, Nell was left to file Veon's papers and wait.

So here Nell was in her office, trying to keep her usual calm. Even in briefings towards the end, she hadn't spoken to Grit much since the battle she'd visited. Additionally, Veon had started getting rather vague when Nell had asked about him. To be quite honest, she didn't know what to expect.

"Commander-in-chief, huh? Looks like you've been movin' right along, darlin'."

Nell started when Grit entered her office. She hadn't even heard him open the door.

"Yeah," she mused. "I'm glad you came, Grit."

"Uh huh… I ran into Maxie on the way up here. Fixed up a few things with him."

"So, does that mean…?"

"Ah, darn, Nell," Grit sighed. "I made a promise to the ol' bearded one to help him rebuild Blue Moon. It was almost worth it just to hear him apologize, ya know? So you just keep tryin' with him, too, hear? I'd hate for us to be enemies again."

"I'm impressed, then, Grit," Nell remarked.

Grit put his hands on Nell's desk and leaned forward slightly. Nell must have looked more surprised than she wanted to; Grit chuckled.

"Don't get too busy for me, darlin', all right? Keep in touch."

He touched her face for a brief moment as if to accentuate the point before he stood up. As he turned away from her desk, Nell called, "Grit?"

"Yeah?"

"I will. Just don't ever make me worry like that again. All right?"

Grit smirked lightly. "I hear ya, darlin'."

With that, he left, and Nell smiled. Things would be a lot more interesting between Orange Star and Blue Moon from now on…