What in the world is going on here? A lot of nonsense, that's for sure. I suppose it's an example of that 'between the stars' malarkey these guys have going on.

Never

The sunlight made him jump. His eyes flew open and he propped himself up in bed, ran his fingers through his hair and along his face. It all felt normal. He watched his breath steadily fill his lungs and belly, slowly exhaled: this feeling was not alien to him, he was his own.

And just then the blankets stirred beside him, and Jeremy turned to her. Not quite awake, he expected to see Linda, just as always, reached out just as she, asleep, tilted her proud head toward him, and then all at once he jerked back, clamped his hands against his mouth.

It was not Linda at all.

'What have I done?' he whispered, afraid, cold beads of sweat collecting on his face and back.

He untangled himself from the blankets, backed away from the bed. His hand reached for the bathroom door, and he staggered onto the cold tiles, ran the tap, and could hardly dare to raise his eyes to the mirror.

'Why aren't you there?' he demanded. He knew that he had lost his mind, that he wanted to see that strange man, wanted him to assume responsibility and to sneer in contempt at Jeremy's little situation. Instead, his reflection paled and trembled.

He splashed water on his face. It didn't help. He swore.

How old was she again? About as old as his own son. How could he do that to her? And Linda! How could he do that to Linda?

'What have I done?' his voice cracked.

He sank to the floor, clutched at his hair and buried his face in his arms.

He had not been himself for some time, but he had never felt so dazed as he had in these past few days.

Through the half-closed door he watched her stretch and sit up. She looked for him. He felt ashamed.

And yet, Jeremy was disgusted to learn, somehow, it did seem to make a perverse sort of sense.

Sarah pulled him up to his feet, and he knew she knew.

'I suppose you're wondering what that was all about,' she said trivially. His hands were still shaking. She poured him a glass of water.

Sarah glanced at the mirror over his shoulder.

'You're looking for him, aren't you?' she asked softly, 'But he's been right here all this time.'

In her arms he shuddered, suddenly weak,

'Have I been telling you about dreams and stars? About forever?'

'Never forever,' she said, her face clear and collected, 'For you have...'

Jeremy froze.

'...no power...'

And he could do nothing, nothing at all, as she whispered into his ear.