Kathleen shivered in the dank dungeon cell. She could hear the queen several cells over, snoring- which was a bit surprising. Normally they both had trouble sleeping at all. Morgause liked to walk in at all hours of the night, and 'persuade' them, usually with some form of punishment, whether the threat of another lost meal or a round of torture. Kathleen shuddered. She could practically see Morgause and Morgan through the dim light. One of them reached for her...

"Ahh!" She sat up with a yelp and the queen's- no, Teddy's snores ceased instantly. It was just a dream. But still... Against her will, Kathleen started to tremble.

"Shh, 'tis all right, Kathleen. You are safe." Teddy sat up too and pulled her tightly against his chest. "You are safe. 'Twas only a dream."

She could only nod, her face pressed into his neck. However, her brain was still reminding her it wasn't a nightmare. It had been her life. For five years.

"I'm sorry," she finally whispered, when her heart rate slowly returned to normal. "Sorry."

"Whatever for?" Teddy pulled away for a moment to look her in the eye. "You have nothing to be sorry about."

"But I do. I wasn't there. For you, for our family. Art and Genie will not even know me!" Kathleen had always liked to think she was strong, that she could withstand anything, but all she wanted to do right then, was to sob.

"That is not your fault. At all. You cannot possibly blame yourself. And don't fret- they will remember you. I know it." He smiled and smoothed the wrinkles in the shoulder of her nightdress. "You are back. That is all they will remember one day."

Kathleen nodded again, too tired to ponder the painful idea of being a stranger to her kids. She should be happy. She was free. And she figured she would be back to normal with time- once she rested and readjusted and got back to her home. Everyone was safe again. Hopefully forever. Yet it had been quite the ordeal. It made her more thankful than ever for Teddy and Merlin and her family. And Jack and Annie too. They had grown quite a bit since she'd last seen them twenty-two years ago- her time. It was unfortunate they had to return the following day, but she understood the desire to be back home. As it was, she was disappointed to spend the night in the castle. But it had been late and everyone had been exhausted, herself included, so she really couldn't complain too much. She sighed and laid back down, pulling Teddy with her. He kept an arm tight around her waist as if afraid she was going to disappear from beside him.

"Get some rest. The morrow shall be better, Kathleen. You will see."

She forced a smile and kissed him. "I know it will be."

•••

Jack reached for his glasses as the sunlight streamed through the windows of his chamber. It was morning in Camelot. He was going home to Frog Creek in a few hours! As he dressed though, he realized he was also a little disappointed to leave all his old friends behind. Who knew if he would ever get to see Merlin and Teddy and Kathleen and Arthur and Guinevere and everyone else, ever again?

By the time they all regrouped in the Great Hall for breakfast, Jack was downright gloomy. He glanced at his sister and realized she seemed even worse. Every time he glanced in her direction she ducked her head as if on the verge of tears.

Merlin looked sad and thoughtful, as did Jack Merlin. Teddy and Kathleen even seemed apprehensive. Gwen and Lory appeared to be the only ones in good spirits, Jack noted. Of course, Lory was always in a good mood, but his solemn sister seemed to be happily going about her morning as well. Jack figured they were still over-the-moon about getting their mother back- and surviving a battle.

"Very well, friends, we should be off," said Merlin. The old wizard stood up and nodded to King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. "I will be back within a few days to see how everything is progressing."

"Thank you all," said the king, looking choked with emotion as Guinevere took his hand. "We are forever in your debt." He nodded to Jack and his sister, and Jack nodded back, still feeling glum.

After a few more goodbyes were said, they all headed to the stables and then rode back to Teddy and Kathleen's house. Lory, Gwen, and their father talked the whole way back, happily filling in Kathleen and Merlin about random escapades that had occurred in the past few years. Jack and Annie were both quiet though.

They finally rode into the yard and Jack watched the chickens scatter. A second later, redheaded Annie came barreling out of the house and practically dove at Kathleen, who had quickly dismounted in order to hug her daughter.

Despite Jack's sour mood, he smiled broadly watching them.

Newt came outside a moment later and embraced his mother as well as Merlin. Art and Genie hovered shyly in the doorway for a moment, but then they both ran forward and hugged Kathleen as well. She started to cry happily, and Teddy moved closer and joined in on the family hug.

Jack felt someone by his side and he turned to see Annie. She put an arm around him and smiled through her tears. "Aren't you glad I talked you into coming?"

"Yeah," he murmured still watching his friends. And he realized he was glad. Yes, it might be sad to leave, but it would have been worse without getting to say goodbye at all. Without ever knowing how everyone's lives had worked out.

Eventually, everyone moved inside, where the reunions continued on for quite some time. Jack laughed and listened and occasionally made comments, and then when Merlin nodded toward them, signaling it was time for Jack and Annie to get home, Jack didn't argue.

He would simply be grateful for his time in Camelot.

•••

As Merlin and Jack stood up to head outside, Annie had a brief moment of panic. This was it. Her final moment in Camelot. Should she say something else to Jack Merlin, or just wave goodbye and pretend their talk the previous evening had never happened?

Everyone else followed them into the yard and Annie noticed Newt was holding the wand of Dianthus and grinning ecstatically. Merlin asked for the wand for a moment though; he whispered a spell using it and suddenly Annie felt like she was standing on a movie set: the air rushed together and then split, creating a portal of sorts. She could see straight into their backyard at home.

"Why can't we just take the Magic Tree House?" Annie heard herself asking.

Merlin sighed. "The tree house was ultimately Morgan's, and frankly, I believe its magic will die with her. Now, she probably will live in prison a good deal longer- I doubt King Arthur will have her executed. However, it is better if we refrain from using it. If her magic were to give out in the middle of a trip..." Merlin shook his head and frowned. "Somehow it also affects the years which pass between our time tracks. In order for our worlds to return to their original times, the Magic Tree House will have to..." Merlin glanced at the sky as if looking for words. "It will have to go into retirement. I am deeply sorry, Jack and Annie. But you are adults now, onto new adventures. Your time with the tree house has come to a close."

Annie had been expecting such news, but it didn't prevent her eyes from becoming misty as she stared through the portal.

"So we cannot ever see them again?" Redheaded Annie looked just as sad as Annie felt.

"Not by way of the Magic Tree House," said Merlin. "Through the portal...?" He scratched his chin. "I am not entirely sure how visits would work, but it might be possible..."

"It will be." Jack Merlin spoke up in a confident voice. Annie glanced his direction and blushed as she met his gaze.

"The wand of Dianthus definitely helps when opening the portal, so I suppose someone on this side could open it," Merlin continued, not noticing the exchange between his godson and Annie. He stroked his beard and then grew more solemn. "If it does not work though...I earnestly pray you both have fantastic lives. You are brilliant and courageous and we will miss you so very much." He moved toward Jack and Annie, and hugged them both, looking emotional.

Annie swiped another few tears away and then turned to Teddy, Kathleen, and all seven of their kids. Art and Genie hugged her first, then Newt gave her a shy side-hug, but he whispered 'thank you,' as he pulled away. Annie hugged Annie tightly and then it was a three-way embrace with Lory and Gwen.

When she said goodbye to Teddy and Kathleen, Annie nearly broke down as she gave each of them a tight hug. And then when she turned to their eldest son...

Jack Merlin didn't hesitate. He reached for Annie, kissed her quickly and whispered "Watch for me. The portal will work." Then he released his grip on her hands and smiled pleasantly, as if he'd only wished her a happy life.

She was too taken aback by his impulsiveness to argue anything against their relationship working out, so she settled for a smile even as her cheeks reddened again. She quickly glanced around to see if anyone had been watching. Her brother obviously hadn't seen the kiss. He was still talking to Merlin, unperturbed. However, she realized Teddy and Kathleen were both witnesses. They were grinning and glancing between their eldest son and Annie, looking very interested.

She waved at them, grinning self-consciously, and then finally made her way back to her brother.

"You ready?" Jack took her hand and they both turned toward the portal. Annie caught one last glimpse of all her friends, waving, but instead of feeling as torn as she had been earlier, she was practically giddy.

"I'm ready."

They both stepped into the portal.

•••

Summer weather was in full swing. Annie fanned herself with her graduation announcements as she sat on the porch in their backyard. She still wasn't entirely sure what she wanted to do next fall, career-wise, but she figured she still had another few years to decide. It was enough that she was finishing high school in a week.

It had been over a month since they had returned from Camelot. Jack had gone back to D.C. and was apparently hard at work- and spending all his free time with Delphine. Annie wasn't nearly as busy. She had dumped Paul, so she didn't have to worry about making time to hang out with him. Most of her free time still revolved around sitting in her backyard reading- just in case.

"Honey, dinner won't be ready for about another hour," Annie's mom called through the screen door. "You're not starving, are you?"

"No, it's fine, mom," said Annie as she put another announcement into an envelope for her grandparents. "I'm-"

Her words caught in her throat as she saw a strange swirling light on the other side of their property. "I'm going to take a walk...you know, a stretch break."

"Just be back before dinner!"

Annie was already running through the yard, toward the patch of trees by which the Magic Tree House had always appeared. Was it really the portal? After a month of waiting?

Her question was soon answered as she nearly plowed into a young man with black hair and deep eyes. He blinked rapidly and grinned.

"Annie! I finally found you! Newt reopens the portal in one hour -your time- so most times I cannot track you down, but here you are!" He quit his stammering and smiled again. "Hello."

A slow grin spread across Annie's face and she knew the month of waiting and hoping had paid off.

"Hi."