"What took you so long?"

Rave could only look at Jace. He had been waiting for this day to happen. He didn't necessarily want to have this talk. But he also knew that it needed to happen. He wasn't one to screw around with Fate or Time. He did things like he should. He was pulled from his thoughts when Jace said, "You can stop running, you know. It's going to be different this time."

Rave scoffed at the man. "How do you know? Obviously, you're Father Time. You know everything. But, how do you know? How do you know that things will be different this time around?

It took Jace a moment to answer. "Because, Rave, he's remembering. A lot sooner than usual. He remembers Kevin already. Well, not completely, but he's getting there. Soon, he'll remember Nat. Then he'll remember you. His best friend. There are things happening, Rave. Things that you don't know about."

Rave looked at him. "What do you mean?"

Jace ignored his question and instead chose to say, "Rave. It's time to stop running. Tell Nat who you are. It's time. The two of you deserve to be together, happy. Stop running, stop punishing yourself. Live your life the way you were meant to. Live it with the people you love." He said, looking Rave straight in the eyes.

Rave only looked back and said nothing. He didn't want to admit that he was afraid. He was afraid of watching Dee die again. He was afraid of Kevin's father finding him and telling him to stay far away from Kevin and Nat. He was...he was terrified. he wanted to stay. He wanted to be with Nat. He wanted to see Kevin and Edd actually be together for the first time in over a thousand years. It didn't seem fair that every time they found each other, they only had ten years. They never managed to break the curse. And it tore Rave up inside every time he had to watch Dee die. Or had to watch Kevin break down because he was ever so close to having him back then losing him all over again.

He honestly didn't know if he could do it again.

"Okay," he said, "I'll stay. I'll stay and help to the best of my ability."

"And?"

"And I'll talk to Nat about me. About us."

Jace looked pleased with the outcome. "Okay. That's all I ask for. They're going to need you." Rave could only nod his head as he turned around and started unpacking his suitcase.

Dee was finally home after his three day stay in the hospital. But he couldn't get what Jace had said to him out of his head. He felt his phone buzz and it pulled him from his thoughts. He looked down and saw who the message was from.

BigRed: Hey Dee! How ya feelin'?

BlueEyes: I am feeling okay. May I ask what you are up to?

BigRed: Glad to hear it. I'm not doing anything. Why? What's up?

BlueEyes: I'd like you to come over. I want to ask you something.

BigRed: Yeah. Sure. Give me a few minutes and I'll be over there. Should I knock or walk right on in?

BlueEyes: You may walk in, but remember to take off your shoes and put them on the rack.

BigRed: Okay! Will do! See you soon.

Dee sighed to himself. Maybe if he talked to Kevin about what was on his mind, he'd feel better. He got lost in his thoughts again and didn't notice the front door opening and closing.

Kevin walked in and, as instructed, took off his shoes and put them on the rack. He figured Dee wouldn't be in his room. So instead of going up, he went left and into the living room. He saw Dee wrapped in a green blanket. "Hey, Dee. Everything alright?" He asked as he came into the living room.

Dee turned his head to look at him. He didn't say anything at first. He just stared at Kevin. Stared into his green eyes and didn't say anything. Until...

"I remember you."

Kevin was shocked. So shocked, he didn't say anything.

"I remember you. From a past life, I mean. I've been...having these dreams. Which weren't really dreams I suppose. More like memories. One, in particular, sticks out to me. It was my birthday. You-"

Kevin regained his speech and interrupted him. "Dee, of course it sticks out to you. Your birthday was just a few months ago." He chuckled. Dee gave him a look that said, Shut the fuck up or I will punch you in your pretty mouth. Needless to say, it made Kevin a little nervous. After a moment, he sighed. "Okay. Okay. I'll let you explain."

Dee nodded. "Like I said, it was my birthday. You had given me the same pocket watch you handed me a few months ago. The cover is different. But the inscription on the inside once said To The Love of My Life. May We Always Find Each Other. In this Life and the Next. You knew then that you would always find me. That I would always find you. Why didn't you say anything, Kevin? Why? Why didn't you?!" Dee had said in frustration.

Kevin looked at the blue eyed boy he had fallen in love with so many eons ago. He didn't know how to explain anything without upsetting him further. He knew that if he tried, Double Dee would become angry and frustrated at the same time. He sighed. Rubbed the back of his neck. Took off his cap and ran a hand through his short cropped hair. And looked at Double Dee.

His eyes were clouded, like he was trying to hold back tears. Kevin sighed again. And nodded.

"Okay. Okay. I'll, uh, explain this to the best of my ability."

"That's all I ask, Kevin."

"If I'm being honest though, there's not much to explain. Lydia, when she made the spell, she put in a clause. One where you'd come back as you and regain your memories. And you do, every time. But something always happens. Just before you regain all of your memories, you die. You're murdered and taken from me every time. And I've never been able to figure out how that happens. You were always so close. So close." Kevin said, putting his head in his hands. Trying hard not to cry. Why were they having this conversation now? They've never had this conversation. So why?

Double Dee looked at him. He honestly didn't think this would happen. All he wanted were answers. He still wants answers.

Kevin looked up and stared at Double Dee. "Why are you asking? Did something happen? Did you remember something other than the pocket watch? Do you..." He stopped. He couldn't bring himself to ask if Double Dee remembered him. He wanted to know so badly. But, he couldn't risk throwing everything out of whack for a silly answer to a silly question. He'll let everything flow and come together like it should.

Double Dee looked at Kevin like he had grown a second head. Or maybe a third eye. Kevin waited anxiously for an answer. "I...I don't remember much of anything else. Only the watch and Lydia..."

Kevin visibly deflated. "Oh. Well, that's okay."

Double Dee and Kevin sat in silence for a moment. Dee felt horrible for the way he was acting. But he couldn't exactly help it. He's just found out that he's had this whole other life. Lives he didn't think were possible. And the dream...the dream he had at the hospital felt real. Felt extraordinary. It was amazing and terrifying. It was beautiful. He so wanted to tell Kevin. But he didn't feel like it was the right time to mention it. So, instead, he said, "What I was like? Before, in my other lives? You seem to know me so well but I hardly know you at all. The real you, I mean. Have I always known Nathan? What about Rave? Was I cruel? Was I the same person I am now? Did I perform criminal acts? Did I..."

"Whoa, Dee," Kevin chuckled, "how many questions do you have? Let's start with the first one. What you were like...you were the same then as you are now. Soft hearted, kind, loving, smart as a whip. You knew Nathan before Rave. And before you ask, yes, Nat has always been this way. Living a thousand years hasn't seemed to change him at all. Not even a little bit. Rave came a few hundred years. He wasn't with us, up there. (A/N: I don't have a name for the place they grew up. So yeah.) He came right around the time you were shot the first time. I don't even remember how it happened, the very first time. You and Rave became close. Two peas in a pod. When you died, those first few times, he was there. But after a while, he couldn't deal with it anymore. So he faked his death and ran away." Kevin ended his long winded speech and looked at Double Dee.

As for Double Dee, all he could do was look at the boy he befriended. "What about us?" He asked tentatively. He looked away as he asked. He didn't want to see the look on Kevin's face. All Kevin did was smile and sit back into the cushions.

"This is probably going to wreck a lot of people's plans. 'Specially Mama Fate's. But, the 'us' portion of this sordid love story, we're lovers. In some lifetimes we got married. In others, we lived together. And in others still, we had to keep us a secret. Our last lifetime together, I had just asked you to marry me. In the privacy of our own home. But it had somehow gotten out that we were more than just friends. So, they shot you. That was a hundred years ago. It still hurts that I wasn't there in time to save you." Kevin's voice trailed off. The memories coming back to him. He didn't hear Double Dee get up and make his way over to where he was sitting until Double Dee was directly in front of him. Kevin looked up and before he could say anything, Double Dee sat down in his lap. He felt his arms snake around his neck and Double Dee lay his head down on his shoulder.

"I may not remember you completely, but I know that we're meant to be together. And in time, I'll get my memories back. You just have to give me a little time. I know that you love me. Give me the chance to love you again. We'll make it through this, together. Like we always do." He said. Kevin sniffled and wrapped his arms around Double Dee's waist.

"I'd wait another lifetime for you, Dee. I always have, I always will."

And they sat there for a few hours. Enjoying each other's company silently.

Outside, there stood three people. The youngest of them looked at the couple inside with fondness. "You know, they're moving ahead of schedule." She said.

"Yes they are. I wonder why." Mama Fate said.

"It may have been because I talked to Double Dee. It was a good talk. It needed to happen." Father Time said nonchalantly.

"Well. It's good to see that you're trying to help this time around, Jace." Angela observed.

"I thought it was time for me to intervene and help change the course of their desitinies."

"Well, no matter what happens. We know someone isn't going to be happy with this turn of events. So expect to get a summons." Mama Fate said.

"I know, I dutifully ignore it. And when asked, I say I never got any summons." Father Time and Angela chuckled. Mama Fate smirked to herself and walked away. The other two following close behind her.