Like I said, it took us three long months to learn everything we could about the ships systems. Yuki and Yuuki were a great help. Kyonko told me that pretty much the exact same thing happened with her talk with her Nagato, except it was Elizabeth who came. Both Nagatos were still a bit scared, but both Kyonko and I were there with them almost all of the time. We even recruited both Koizumis and the Asahinas to help me. At first, the former interfaces were a bit mistrustful, but they warmed up to the help of the espers and former time travelers.

Of course, for the duration of those months, both Haruhi and Haruki barely left their rooms. Kyonko and I didn't mind at all. We were still angry at them, and seeing as that their powers were gone, we could lash out at them angrily, but after a few months, we began to feel guilt replace our anger. Kyonko and I had several long talks as to why we were chosen to be in the S.O.S. Brigade. We didn't really get an answer.

Finally, our three months of training was ended and I had assigned my "crew," as it were. Yuki became my pilot, Koizumi was my second officer plus weapons man and Ms. Asahina was the doctor. Kyonko's command crew was exactly the same.

Morbius and Elizabeth pronounced us ready to depart. Everyone was there, including the Suzumiya twins. By this time they had become resigned to their fate and no longer looked angry, just very tired.

"Congratulations, Captain Kyon and Commander Kyonko," Morbius said the day before our departure. "You have shown great intelligence and skill in command. You and both your command crews are to be congratulated. I and my wife are going to pray that you're journey will be uneventful. I must warn you, though, that there are factions out there that may try to stop you from achieving your goal. Remember, you must get the Suzumiya twins to remember who they were before they performed the Forbidden Act."

"But…what is this Forbidden Act?" Ms. Asahina asked.

"That's classified," Elizabeth said with a smile. "But don't worry. If you succeed, the Suzumiya twins should be able to explain it to you. Have a safe trip." The king and queen waved goodbye and started to walk away.

"Hey, by the way, you never told us what year it is in this universe," I said.

Morbius turned and said, "2813 A.D., Earth year."

Whoa.

As they left, I glanced back at my command crew and our two guests. Well, I guess it's time for some sort of awesome phrase like, "Let's get this part started," or "Let's roll," or something along those lines. However, I just nodded at the people. Everyone but Haruhi went aboard. She just stared at the planet below us. I walked up to her and stood behind her.

"It's a great view, wouldn't you agree, Haruhi?" I said. She jumped at my voice and turned. When she saw that it was me she turned away with a slightly angry look on her face.

"Yes, I suppose it is."

I leaned on the rail that separated us from the glass. I looked down at the continents and the clouds of Haven.

"I'm surprised at you, you know?" I continued. That got a reaction from her. She turned her head slightly.

"I mean, strange things like this is what you've been looking for all your life, and when you finally find them, you just shut down. I'd have thought you'd be a lot more excited."

"Yea…" she said. She then grabbed me by my shirt and pulled me closer. "Answer me this: why did you quit? You disrespected me!"

At that the anger returned. I grabbed Haruhi's hands and pulled her off me.

"You really want to know?" I asked. She nodded.

"Okay, here it goes," I once again had to reform my thoughts, because this was Haruhi we were talking about here. "I'll admit, I was angry at you. angry because you constantly mistreated everyone in the Brigade, especially me and Ms. Asahina. I put up with it because Koizumi said we had to keep you happy, but after what I saw Ms. Asahina in, I just exploded. I couldn't stand the Brigade. I couldn't stand YOU!" I shouted that last word. "I was also disappointed with you and hurt, because I know, deep down, you have the capacity for good things, but you never even attempted to try to help others. You are so selfish. Even at Tanabata four years ago, when you ordered me, a stranger you just met, to write a message to the stars, you didn't even thank me. Ms. Asahina brought me back three years to help you, and I don't even get a simple thank you? Haruhi, you are a beautiful girl and I really like you, so when you aquander your good gifts, it hurts me. I just couldn't be around you anymore. I thought you'd never learn."

By this time she was staring at me with a shocked expression. "Y…you mean…you're John Smith…?"

Had I said that? Oh well, I guess since her powers are gone, I was in the clear.

"Yes, Haruhi. I am John Smith. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but it was my trump card I was going to use if you ever were about to destroy the world."

I saw her eyes mist over. Oh, crap, was she going to cry. She turned away and wiped her eyes. Typical Haruhi. Always wanting to look tough. Finally she turned around and faced me again

"You hurt me too, you know that Kyon?" I was surprised by that confession. "You were supposed to be there with me, to stay by my side. And when you quit, well, I was so depressed that I did this." She pulled up her sleeve and showed me scars from where she had cut her wrists. I was even more shocked, saddened and even guiltier by the sight.

"Haruhi, how could you?" I felt tears come to my eyes as well. "Just because someone doesn't do what you want, you try and commit suicide? Why, Haruhi? Why! Tell me why!"

"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!" She shouted at me. She ran away from me into the ship. I saw a drop of liquid fall from her face. A tear. I just stood there, looking towards the door that Haruhi had just run through. Damn, now I felt like a complete jerk. I looked away and down at the planet again.

"Kyon?"

It was Koizumi. I turned. He noticed my face and walked over with a concerned look.

"Are you okay?"

"No, no I'm not."

"What's wrong?"

"It's Haruhi. Did you know she tried to kill herself after I quit?"

He nodded and stared at the planet below us. "I was the one that found her. She was in the Brigade room. When she found out that you had transferred out of her class, she tried to find out which one so she could transfer into it as well. But when she did, she was told that she couldn't join because the class was already full. I got a call from someone telling me to go to the clubroom. I found her collapsed in a pool of her own blood, so I called 911. She was saved just in time. You have no idea the amount of Closed Spaces the Organization had to deal with. We even had to bring in espers from the future to deal with them. She eventually settled down, but not by much."

Damn it to hell! Now I felt really terrible.

"How was I supposed to know she loved me?"

Koizumi just smiled. "No offense, Kyon, but you can be a bit dense when it comes to girls."

Yeah. Tell me something I don't know.

"You seriously haven't wondered why she chose you to start her new world a year ago?"

That wasn't what was foremost on my mind at the time, you idiot! "No."

"She wanted you to be with her forever."

I couldn't take it anymore. I collapsed, clenching my fists in anger and shame. At that, I heard Koizumi gasp slightly.

"I'm sorry, Kyon. I know it's hard for you. I'll leave you alone. Somehow, a Closed Space has opened around here. I need to take care of it." I heard him running off.

I stood and stumbled into the ship. In a matter of minutes I was in my room, lying on my bed. I stared at the ceiling until I fell asleep.

I suddenly found myself standing outside the ship where I had just talked to Haruhi, but it was gray everywhere. A Closed Space? I thought Haruhi didn't have her powers anymore.

Speaking of Haruhi, I spotted her lying on the ground a few feet away from where I was standing. I walked up to her and proceeded to try and wake her up.

"Haruhi, wake up. Please wake up!"

She groaned and opened her eyes. When she saw me she sat up and looked around.

"Great, another dream. Damn you, Kyon, why are you doing this to me? Why can't I actually believe what I say about love?"

"Well, I didn't expect to see you two in here."

I turned. Koizumi was standing there with his smile.

"When did you get here, Koizumi?" I asked.

"A few minutes ago. It's strange, but no shinjin have showed up yet. They usually show up by now."

"What's going on?" Haruhi asked.

I ignored Haruhi and said, "I thought Haruhi's powers were gone. What's happened?"

"This Closed Space wasn't created by Ms. Suzumiya. Someone else is causing this."

I heard a screech come from behind me. I turned and saw a shinjin, but this one was different. It wasn't destroying anything. In fact, it was hitting itself. The scream was one of pain. It reminded me of my guilt.

I couldn't help it anymore. I clenched my fists and screamed. The shinjin screamed at the exact same time, and another one appeared.

I collapsed and felt tears come to my eyes. The monsters stopped hitting themselves and clenched their fists. Koizumi and Haruhi looked at me with a surprised look on their faces.

"Well, this is surprising," Koizumi said. "It would seem that you are the source of the Closed Space, Kyon."

"Just…shut up and deal with those monsters Koizumi."

"Sorry. Of course I will." He flew off and went to deal with the monsters. By this time I was on my face, crying my eyes out. I screamed again, letting out my rage at myself. I just couldn't stand it anymore. I stood and began hitting the railing with all my might.

"Kyon! What are you doing? STOP!"

I felt hands grab me and try to pull me away. I had hit myself enough to draw blood.

"Kyon… are you okay?" Haruhi and I were sitting on the ground. She had grabbed a handkerchief and was pressing on the wounds, trying to get the blood to stop. I sat up and looked at her.

"No, no I'm not!" I shouted, angry at myself. The shinjins screamed and began hitting themselves again. "I feel like a total bastard! I just wanted to teach you a lesson the hard way since you wouldn't listen to me, but I never intended for anyone to get hurt, especially you. I'm so sorry I acted the way I did, and if you never forgive me for this, I understand. I just want you to know something, though. I want you to know my main reason."

She looked at me expectantly. I inhaled and wiped the tears from my eyes. Then I said five words I'd never thought I'd ever say to Haruhi

"I love you too, Haruhi." It was then that the world started to spin and I blacked out.

The next moment I found myself on the floor of my quarters. The self inflicted wounds were still there, but I barely noticed them. I stood and wordlessly walked down the corridor to the medical bay.

"Kyon! What happened?" I saw Ms. Asahina rush over to me and lead me over to a chair.

"Long story," I replied tiredly. I just sat there and let Ms. Asahina patch me up.

"We thought we'd find you here, Kyon." It was Koizumi. He was smiling as usual. You can rop the smile now!

"Wait…we?"

Koizumi stepped aside. There, standing in the middle of the hallway was Haruhi. Her head was lowered.

"Oh, uh. I think I should go now," Ms. Asahina stammered. She left quickly, followed by Koizumi. He closed the door behind him. It was just me and Haruhi.

"It wasn't a dream, was it?" she began. I didn't know whether she was referring to the Closed Space incident a year ago or just now, but the answer to both was the same.

"Yes."

"Oh." She looked up at me, and I could see tears in her eyes again.

"Kyon…?" Her lower lip was trembling. Finally she burst out crying. "I am so sorry!" She ran over and hugged me. My eyes widened.

"For what?"

"For the way I've treated you, Mikuru, everyone!" She continued to cry into my shoulder. This was a side to Haruhi that I'd never seen.

"Please forgive me!" she cried out. Her voice was so dejected and sad it made me want to start crying again.

"Haruhi, it's okay. I forgave you as soon as you told me what you put yourself through. If anything, it's me who needs forgiveness from you. But, like I said, I really don't deserve it."

She looked up at me, tears in her eyes. "I forgive you, Kyon."

I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. Tears began to fall from my eyes again as I pulled her into another hug. Man, how many hugs have I given to girls lately?

Suddenly I felt her arms move upward. She wrapped her arms around my neck. Our faces moved closer to each other slowly. Finally I felt her lips touch mine. I closed my eyes and pulled her closer, solidifying the kiss. It may have only lasted a few seconds, but to me it felt like an eternity of bliss. After we broke the kiss, we looked at each other. Haruhi had a smile on her face that made her look so cute, cuter than Ms. Asahina, even. She leaned her head on my shoulder. We just sat there, enjoying each other's company. Finally she spoke.

"Kyon?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Well, now it's official for those who were wondering who Kyon was going to get together with. Haruhi! Big surprise there, right? I also saw in the comments that last chapter's scene with Kyon and Yuki inspired someone to draw something. This is a message to that person: When you're done, if it's possible I totally want to see it! If not, that's totally cool. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it!

morbiusgreen