Chapter 10

After several hours, Matt and Simon returned to Simon and Jeff's place to grab a bite to eat. "Too bad they don't have Watson's here, huh Uncle Matt," Simon laughed as he unlocked the door. He had barely stepped into the entryway when he was attacked by not one but two very excited teenagers, both talking at once... at the speed of light. With a child pulling each hand he was on the couch in seconds being hugged and babbled at.

Matt finally put two fingers to his lips and gave an ear-splitting whistle. "Enough! I'm sure we'd all like to share in your joy, but it would be nice if we could actually hear what the good news is!"

"I'm sorry Matt! We were just saying... wait, Matt?" Megan looked from him to Simon and back as understanding dawned on her.

Jeff looked at Simon, "You and he... the two of you...?"

Simon smiled. "Yeah Jeff. Him and me... the two of us. It's all good. Now, can just one of you share this exciting news so that we can share ours?"

They looked at each other then both started talking and they laughed. Megan finally spoke for both of them. "It was amazing, Simon! We were both so sure that we'd never ever get to Voyage again after breaking the rules like we did. And they asked us some really tough questions, and we kept answering and digging our graves deeper and deeper..."

"Just how many rules did you kids break," Matt interjected.

Jeff counted them off on his fingers, "Disobeying a direct order to not voyage from any Senior Voyager or member of the Council, not once but twice; looking into a Voyagers Classified files without permission; revealing ourselves to a non-Voyager.."

"They shoulda thrown the book at you two. Given you both 15 to life!"

"Matt!" They chorused, looking horrified. He laughed, "Oh come on kids! So, what happened?"

Jeff took up the story, "Susan told them in her opening statement to consider the special circumstances of this case; mainly that we did what we did because we wanted to help and if we had followed orders, we might not be having this conversation right now."

"So, what happened?" Simon asked impatiently.

Megan lowered her eyes and Jeff sighed. "Well, for breaking the rules, even with the best of intentions-"

"Just like Harry Potter..."

"Shut up Megan."

"Well, it's true! He.. oh never-mind."

Jeff rolled his eyes, "As I was saying, for breaking the rules, we had to turn in our Omni's. We have 30 hours of additional in-academy training in regards to the rules and regulations surrounding Voyages, and we each have to write a report for Prof. Stephens, subject and length to be determined."

The men looked at them in shock. "So, this has you so incredibly excited because why?" Simon looked at Matt, "If I'd been punished like this, I would be moping in my room for weeks!"

Jeff's eyes lit up, "After we turned in our Omni's, the Tribunal-"

"Which was Prof. Stephens, and Councilmen Garth and Walters-"

"Had us approach the bench and commended us for being brave in the face of adversity-"

"And for taking a risk we deemed necessary, knowing full well what the consequences might be-"

"They said that we showed the true Voyager Spirit by our actions because we were thinking of others and not ourselves-"

"And because we were ultimately trying to do the right thing-"

"In an unconventional way-"

"They decided that when we turn 17-"

"Which is like at least two full years ahead of the accepted age of 19-"

They finally paused and then said together, "They're going to let us become Voyagers!"

Matt and Simon stared at the two of them, heads swimming with the ping-pong commentary they had been subjected to. Simon recovered first, "You mean, you're going to be made real Voyagers, two years early?"

"Yes!" They both shouted and flung their arms around him. Jeff then untangled himself and went to Matt, who picked him up in a bear hug. "Congratulations Jeff! Wow, trouble never looked so good, did it?"

"Nope! But I don't want to go through that ever again!"

Megan suddenly gasped, "Ohmygosh Jeff! We've got to go! Dinner!"

He smacked his forehead, "You're right! Megan's Mom and Viv are cooking a celebration dinner! C'mon, let's go!"

-O-

After a wonderful meal, everyone sat in the back yard and enjoyed the mild evening. Tracy, Phineas and Jeff sat with Susan and Megan while Jon and Ashleigh talked with Viv, Matt and Simon. They were just chatting when Megan suddenly piped up, "Hey, Simon! Didn't you say something about sharing your good news with us after we told you ours?"

Simon grinned, "Well, you all know about it now... it was just that somebody forced my hand about seeing Uncle Matt, and I'm glad she did." He glanced over at Viv and nodded his thanks.

She smiled in return as Matt put his arm around her, "I'm glad it worked out for both of you as well as it did. I was afraid I'd overstepped my bounds, but I guess it all worked out, right sweetie?"

"Absolutely right, darlin'," Matt replied as he kissed her forehead. More than a few eyebrows rose at that. "What's the matter? Can't I kiss my lady if I want to?"

"It's about time," said Susan, Tracy and Ashleigh together, and they all laughed at Matt's shocked expression.

"I have a question, but I'm hesitant to ask it as it might put a damper on things." All eyes turned to Phineas and he paused, trying to find the right way to phrase it. "How much longer... I mean, when do you think... oh bats breath! Trace, help me out?"

"I would if I knew the question, sweetheart."

Simon sighed, "I think I'm going back tomorrow." He looked around at the friends, both old and new, that had become so dear to him during the past week and he smiled sadly. "I really wish I could stay here, but y'all will be going back to your jobs, and I need to get back to mine. Curt told me that they'll send me back to the day and time I left, so no one would miss me. Nobody knew the kids were there, well, except for Bo and Katie, but who are they gonna tell, right?"

"How did the Council finally decide to deal with you knowing about us, Simon? What are your rules?"

"Jon! Show a little sensitivity honey, please!"

"It's alright, Ashleigh. It's an honest question." He ran his hand through his hair and stood up, glancing at his uncle before speaking. "Prof. Stephens said that while I won't forget any of this, it will kind of... well, not fade exactly, but it won't be prominent in my thoughts all the time." He looked around the group hoping they understood, but was met with some confused looks.

Susan stood, "We aren't putting him through the MMD, but will use the hand-held scanner, (that none of you know anything about), to more specifically dampen his memory of VHQ, but not erase or remove it. But you didn't hear that from me. You actually didn't hear that at all."

They all nodded, understanding full well her implication. Megan looked at Susan, "I know you don't know anything about this, but if you did, does that mean his memories would be more like dreams then? Wouldn't he begin to doubt if all this ever really happened?"

"You've been listening to Prof. Daniels lectures too much," Jeff muttered. She stuck her tongue out at him.

"That's actually a very good question, Meg. If I did know anything about memory dampening, I would have to say the answer is No. To have a memory dampened simply means it is 'filed away' and not thought of too often. He may very well dream about us, but he will never doubt that this really happened or if we are real."

"So, he won't think about telling Kirk about Matt," Jeff stated, "because he knows he can't but he knows Matt is safe, so... so there's no issue with staying quiet. Right?"

Susan nodded, "You get the general idea. We'll run the scan right before we send him back. No more questions. Case closed."

Simon smiled his thanks and Susan nodded, then Phineas looked at his partner, "Hey Jeff, I want to hear about the assignment in San Diego that I missed out on. What were we supposed to be doing, and did you fix it?"

"You bet I did, Bogg! It's a good thing you weren't there, too or I don't think we'd have ever gotten our assignment finished!" He told them about meeting young Phil Edwards and how he convinced him to keep surfing until he finally caught a wave. "It turns out he's one of the 'Godfather's of Surfing'... he was one of the first to start Performance Surfing, and was the first person to ever ride the Pipeline in Hawaii in 1961. It was thought to be un-surfable until he did it."

They continued talking for a while longer before everyone decided to head for their own beds. Goodbye's were said and they all promised to see Simon off the next day, then they all went their separate ways.

Once settled in bed, Jeff turned to face his friend. "Simon?"

"Yeah Jeff?"

"You're a pretty cool adult. Thanks for believing me."

Simon smiled, his heart touched. "Thanks, Jeff. That's probably the best compliment I've ever gotten... from a kid, anyway."

Jeff chuckled, then became serious once more, "I'm glad we're friends."

"Me too, Jeff. Me too."

-O-

"Well, this is it. The Big Goodbye." Simon looked at those gathered for his 'farewell party' and smiled. "Thank you for, well, for everything: meeting all of you, helping figure out what was wrong and how to fix it, and for allowing me to know that my Uncle's life was not wasted when he fell in the river that day. I know I was a pain in the backside to many of you," he glanced at Prof. Stephens, Curt and Prof. Daniels, "and I probably came across as a whiny wimp of a man to others, and I apologize for that. But because you all helped me work things out, I know now that I'm a better person, and a stronger one, because by helping you, I helped myself as well. Jeeze, I sound like some sappy made-for-TV movie, don't I?"

"Hear, hear!" Jon called, earning a swat from his wife and the rest of the group laughed.

"But seriously, I'm going to miss all of you, and even though I probably won't see any of you again, I'm very glad to have known you for this brief time." He gazed at Susan, then looked away. "I just hope that whatever I do in my future," he paused to control his emotions, "I hope I make you all proud."

Matt came over and put his arm around his nephew. "Kiddo, if you go and make me any prouder than I am right now, I think I just might bust! And you'd better tow the line young man, because I've been promised I'll get to check up on you from time to time, whether you know it or not." They hugged and Curt stepped forward.

"I hate to break up this family reunion, but it's time for us to move things along."

Simon nodded and hugged everyone goodbye, and then came at last to Megan, who had been crying for 5 minutes, and Jeff, who was trying not to cry. Simon started to speak then stopped as he got choked up, then just grabbed them both in a hug. He kissed the top of each of their heads, then went over to Curt.

"Let's do this." He glanced behind him one more time and waved, then followed Curt up the steps into the Control Center. Susan and Danica followed close behind.

As Curt set the coordinates for the ranch Danica prepared to administer the dampening scan. "Okay Simon, are you ready? Once I scan you, there will be a minute or so of disorientation at which time we will have Susan Voyage with you back to your ranch. By the time you shake off the effects of the scan, she'll be gone."

He took a deep breath, "Gimmie a sec, okay?" He walked over to Susan and took her hand, "You are an amazing woman. I wish you were in my timeline... thank you for everything." They embraced tightly, then she kissed his cheek and stood beside him. "Okay, Danica, I'm ready."

He felt slightly dizzy and rubbed his hand over his eyes, trying to focus on the clock on the mantle. Bo and Katie were on either side of him with their heads on his legs. He sighed and stood up, "Four-thirty, huh? C'mon dogs, lets go feed the horses."

He waved to his dad and Nick as they drove past him and out to the pasture to check on the herd and whistled for the horses. His pride and joy was the first into the corral as the mares and ponies followed after him. Simon filled the feed bins and talked to each animal as he did so. When he came to the charcoal stallion, he rubbed his flank and ran his hand along the horse's body up to his powerful neck. He remembered the night he watched Crystal give birth to her first foal and smiled. Jeff helped them name the two ponies born a day apart and his head suddenly snapped up. He looked at the horse before him in wonder. Suddenly, everything fell into place.

He rubbed the horse on the nose and smiled, "He named you Voyager. Sneaky Jeff, very sneaky. Smart kids give me a pain." He shook his head and smiled, then called the dogs, "C'mon kids. We've got more work to do."

THE END.

Author's Notes:

This story is so very aptly named. If it wasn't for the friendships I have found within the past year here on I don't know how this story would have EVER come to fruition. I can not possibly thank the following people enough for their love, encouragement, friendship and support while I wrote this:

My husband Don, who is the world's greatest 'listening beta' there is, as well as a phenominal idea man. I love you.

My daughter Megan, who was thrilled to be in another story and keeps trying to plant new plot bunnies in my brain.

VoyagersFan (Dennis), who's techincal expertise is the reason my techno-babble sounds remotely plausible. Thank you for your reality check on my idea, and I hope I combined our ideas well enough. I just couldn't let go of the DNA on the lens:)

Leanne and Mahk, who both helped me navigate the murky waters of the MMD and illness... yes we needed Dennis' input to clear the water, but you two helped me talk things out and were great sounding boards. And no, I'm never calling him Mark ever again Leanne. If I do, he'll think it sounds funny. :p LOL And extra kudos to my BOF (best online friend) Leanne who beta read the first 4 or so chapters and kept encouraging me to make it better, then stopped reading so she could be surprised by the whole thing as it changed. Love you girl!

Mrs. Phineas Bogg (Ginger), my other BOF, who helped rev up my love of Voyagers! once more with her fabulous website and for all the Amazing walls she makes for various stories (mine ROCK!). Between you and Leanne, I feel like I'm reliving my childhood... going ga-ga over Jon and giggling over our couples pictures. LOL!! You two are the greatest. Thank you for becoming such good friends and just being the special people you both are.

And last, but certainly not least, to God above who gave me the gift of storytelling and writing. With Him all things are Possible. :)

Dayna Budde

January, 2008