*8,652 YEARS LATER*

I...I have no excuse that could possibly handle this situation. I dropped off the face of the Earth, and I'm terribly sorry for that. Let's just say that I gave my life's snowglobe one hell of a shake. However, I'm back and have literally nothing else going on, as well as I reliable way to always be connected to my lovely Google Drive so I'm going to try and get this portion of Sonia and Kraglin's journeys written and posted.

Also, to everyone who got the 'false alarm' last night/this morning: more buckets of apologies are on the way! I posted this chapter, but something went wrong with the script and the writing got all mixed in with a bunch of code. My words were still in there, but it was brought to my attention by the wonderful Hiniko, and I took it down. However, I was in the middle of something else on my computer at the time and wasn't able to repost it until now. So... Apologies.

The night ended there for Jackson, who rolled over on the couch, somewhat giddy about Stark's card, still, and fell asleep. Was that stupid piece of paper really all that cool? Huh, maybe I'll let him keep it after this. I stayed fully awake for a few more minutes, staring up at the wooden ceiling and contemplating. I kept replaying Kraglin and I's last encounter, trying to pick up what Jackson could in seconds. After a few more run-throughs, it made sense to me, too. Especially when I thought back a few days before the incident. I gave myself a small smile as I remembered all of good times again.

I tried to sleep, but I was too wired. Every muscle in my body was twitching at the aspect of seeing Kraglin again, my heart fluttered repeatedly when I thought of how he loved me. Was it possible that I loved him back? I think so, it was hard to say. I've only ever heard love discussed in mocking tones as something that wasn't real, or should be ignored. I never put much stock into the word. Whether or not I was capable, this was probably the closest that I'd ever come to experiencing it.

Thinking myself in circles, and eager to get the next day started so we could call Stark, I was very aware of the moment that Ethan, Jasper and Marcus awoke. Well, Ethan mostly. It took him a couple tries to wake up the brothers, finally threatening them with some kind of whistle. I gave myself a slight chuckle at the unmistakable sound of Marcus rolling out of his bed to crash on the floor at that threat. What the hell was it?

As much as it was a comfort to hear the stirrings of life, I didn't want to talk to anyone quite yet. Which is why, when the trio came down, my eyes were closed in an attempt to feign sleep. I deepened my breathing and willed my heart to take on its resting pattern similar to when I was in catnap mode.

When the door closed behind them, Jackson made a couple small movements on the couch. I glanced over at him but it was pretty clear that he was asleep. His mini-pad (cell-phone? Was that it?) made a chime and lit up. I quietly crept over to it, curious.

There was a light at the bottom of the device that kept flashing different colors, however, those paled in comparison to what alit the main screen. It was an old picture of Jackson and I. My throat clenched as I realized it was taken the day that I left Terra. I picked up the small device to get a better look, straining my eyes at the bright light in the darkened room. I stared at it sadly for a few seconds before the light cut out and the screen went black, the button at the bottom still flashing. I looked so happy in that picture. It was so long ago, I could barely recognize myself.

I made my way back to the couch and sat there a few more hours, staring at the ceiling and thinking. When Jackson finally started waking up, I snapped my head in his direction. He slowly sat up, his curly hair a wild mess and gave a huge stretch accompanied by a yawn. He ran his hand through his hair in a poor attempt to tame it before shooting his easy-going grin at me.

"Mornin' Sonny."

I smiled in response, fighting the burning impatience to get the day started. Jackson glanced at his phone on the end table and picked it up. He stifled another yawn as he flicked it on. I held my arms out in front of me and starting a calming series of stretches to loosen my tendons and stop from raging out at Jackson. I wanted to get moving. Jackson made an odd noise and I looked over at him.

"Well, fuck." He said, staring at his phone, "The Fuentes found out about you and are on their way. They'll be here later tonight."

I let out a hiss of annoyance. Not what I wanted to deal with right now. Or ever. Yes, not dealing with it ever and just leaving Terra instead, sounded much better. I crossed my arms.

Jackson took Stark's paper off the table and shot me another grin, "You're being awfully patient." I snorted, he chuckled in return before saying, "Let's give Stark a call and see about getting you in touch with your guy."

I rolled my eyes at him. Kraglin wasn't mi- oh wait. I did mark him, he kind of was mine. Odd to think about, now. I heard the sound of a strange buzzing coming from Jackson's phone, followed by a woman, (Pepper? Was that her name?) answering for Stark. Jackson quickly explained the situation, as though he was afraid that if he went on too long they'd stop listening and disconnect him. Maybe she would, who knows? After a few seconds he was placed on 'hold,' whatever the fuck that was.

I couldn't stand it anymore and I stood up. Giving my legs a stretch of their own, I started to pace around the living quarters. I felt so useless and like there should be more that I could do to help the situation. Jackson had a rather short exchange with Stark before he took the pad away from his face and set it back on the table. I stopped my pacing and stared at him expectantly. Jackson shrugged.

"He simply said that he'd 'let them know.'"

"Who?" I asked, blankly. It couldn't be Nova, could it?

Jackson shrugged again, "He chose not to share that with me. Kind of sucks, I was hoping to meet him…"

It was my turn to shrug, "He's not all that great." I paused, "A bit full of himself."

That got a small chuckle out of Jackson, as though this wasn't new to him. He gave another stretch before standing up and heading in the direction of the bathroom. Which now that I thought about, I needed to hit as well before we started whatever we were going to do that day. Did Jackson even stop in and say 'Hi' to our father? Knowing him, he didn't and headed straight towards this building to see me. I felt a slight warmth in my chest as I thought of how my brother missed and loved me and realized how much I loved him in return. I was so glad to have him by my side again. When I was younger I used to wish beyond wishes that he was there then, but once I grew older, I realized that he never would have survived. It was only my age and gender that saved me most of the time from flat-out execution. I must have had more lucky stars than I'd first counted.

Jackson looked much more awake and fresh when he exited the bathroom. Even after the sleepless night (not like I wasn't used to those, anyways) I was sure that I looked like hell in return, but that was never really something that I cared about anyways. Regardless, splashed some water on my face and wiped it with a towel to remove some of the grime I'd picked up since my last shower. I studied my appearance in the mirror above the sink. I looked worn out, but alert. My eyes were a dark gold that almost looked brown, which when I leaned in closer, I could see the flecks of green trying to make themselves seen. Huh, Kraglin was right about my eyes. Weird.

I looked down the length of my braid, debating undoing it to brush it again, but deciding against it. I didn't want to spend this time doing something so menial. I felt like everything I was to do today would have some significant importance. It didn't help that I was nervous. As stupid as it sounds, nervous. I gave myself a small sound of annoyance before exiting the bathroom. I found Jackson standing near the door with his coat and boots on, waiting for me. I grabbed my own jacket as I slipped on my boots and tightened them enough just to hold them on and we started walking towards the main house.

"I really need some coffee and these jokers seem to be out of it," Jackson sighed.

"You'd think that Ethan would be on top of that," I pointed out.

"Right?" Jackson laughed, "They probably used it all up this morning."

"No, Ethan spent all of his time getting Marcus and Jasper out of bed," I replied. They'd all come down the stairs together as a group, and went straight out the door. "Either that, or they didn't want to wake us up."

Jackson shot me a look, "How do you know?"

"I heard them," I responded. At Jackson's look, I cringed a little, "I was awake all night, there was a lot on my mind."

Jackson gave a small grunt and looked away. We were going up the back steps of the main house at this time and Jackson slid open the door and stepped aside to let me through. I thought this really odd behavior as I was more than capable of opening a door myself, but nonetheless, walked through it. I looked over into the dining room and saw my father and Desiré sitting at the table. My father's back was to us, however, she saw us the second we approached and was on us before we'd even taken off our boots.

"What are you doing here?" Desiré asked Jackson, point-blank. I guess they got along as great as her and I did. Which was amusing to me.

"Don't take that tone with me," he sniped back. I grinned at Jackson's antagonizing of her. Desiré's mouth slightly opened in what might have been shock, before letting out a sound of disgust and turning away.

This slight exchange had gotten my father's attention as he turned around and froze. Again. I don't remember this much catching him off-guard when I was younger and I briefly wondered what was going through his head.

"Hey Pops!" Jackson grinned, as though never leaving. I shrugged a greeting at my father and proceeded to pad around to the other side of the counter where there was a pitcher of coffee waiting.

I should have hesitated before pouring myself a full mug, giving my last experience with the stuff, but it gave me something to do as an excuse to ignore the awkward tension between my father and my brother. Jackson clearly wanted to pretend like his absence meant nothing, which come to think of it, would be great if they could just do the same for me and I could leave without a fuss.

"How have you been?" The strain in my father's voice was really starting to show. We'd put him through too much in the last couple of days and a small wave of guilt swept over me. If I hadn't acted like an idiot when Kraglin and I got arrested, none of this would have happened and he would still think I were dead. Which might be better for them all. Instead, I had to show up, cause a scene, summon some other clan- Wait. The other clan.

"What does this other clan want?" I blurted out. My father turned his face back to me, a look of confusion on his face. I crossed my arms and leaned back against the counter, locking eyes with my Alpha.

At my expression, my father hardened his gaze. "They've come to see that their demands are met."

He paused, an expectant look on his face. I recalled an earlier mention of The Fuentes.

"They want me for their son." I said bluntly.

My father nodded and Jackson gave a scoff of disgust.

"Can't they just leave her be for a bit? Good God, she's been out in space for twenty-two years!" He snarled angrily, his face clouded with emotion.

My father shot a look at Jackson from over his shoulder. Jackson didn't even flinch as our father's eyes threatened to tear him a new one. I was getting a little tired of this display. I just wanted to contact someone from the Galactic community, reunite with Kraglin and go back to stupidly blowing holes in the wrong target as I struggled with a plasma gun.

"Can't you just send them a message to head them off?" I snapped.

My father shook his head, "No, they will be here by the evening and they don't intend to leave until a Mating ceremony has been performed."

I felt my blood boil at the thought of being mated to a complete stranger for life. The anger surged and twisted, bubbling up to the surface as I let out a hiss, feeling my ears erupt from my scalp and flatten against my skull in anger. I instinctively gripped the counter tighter and heard a crunch as the granite cracked. I stood straighter, let out a huffed growl and whirled around to walk to the front part of the house, the urge to move ruling my actions.

I stalked into the front room, my eyes sweeping across the lightly colored couches and the curved-back cushioned chairs. I felt my anger surge again, thinking of how they expected me to just accept this life and was overwhelmed with disgust. Before getting more riled up, I stormed to the front door, ripped it open and stepped outside. I turned instantly to the right and rested my hand upon the laid stone, stacked so perfectly. I ran my hand over the rough edge, a memory trying to surface.

Without thinking, I kicked my boots off and shifted my paws, climbing the stone front of the house as I went. Reaching the rooftop, I scanned across it, yearning my memories to tell me what I was doing here. I wandered around for a few seconds, until I found my nook. A part in the roof where the uneven surfaces came together to form a small little cubby, just big enough for a small kit to curl up in. Suddenly, I was awash with memories of the day I was kidnapped.

I'd fled here on that day too. Although, in those days, I had to take a more indirect route to get here as I hadn't learned that I could partial-shift then. Gunnar had just verbally torn into me, his pain and grief at the loss of our mother directed at me in a frenzy of hurtful words and misplaced blame. Tears threatened to start blurring my vision so I gave my head a violent shake and took a deep breath to clear my head for a minute. I had to focus on what I could do now.

My flickered in a direction off to my left as I heard scrabbling from a different part of the roof. My eyes narrowed and I crept closer as a ringed hand popped up over the gutter and tried to find purchase on the shingles. I took the hand and pulled Jackson onto the roof with me.

"Thought you'd be here," Jackson smiled as he sat down, legs dangling over the edge. I sat next to him, nervously fiddling with my thumbs; a new habit for me, I realized.

"Just, trying to figure out what I can do right now," I confessed.

Jackson leaned back on his elbows and shot me a lazy smile.

"Want to go get incredibly trashed later?"

"Now that," I smiled, "is something I can do."

A bit short, I think. I honestly don't remember. I might need to reread some chapter inorder to refind Sonia's voice. So I'm sorry if it seems a bit... off. Thank you for your never ending patience.

~F2tM