Hey, guys. I'm back from the dead, so it might seems. It's just been one of those times where life just happens. But I'm here and there are only a few chapters left to re-edit. So here you go. If you are a newcomer, enjoy and leave your thoughts. This one was one of my favorites from the Disney universe. More explanations are in here, but I've decided to stick with my original plan and leave some of the unanswered questions up to the imagination.

Chapter 20 Still Winds

Randall

His throat was tight as he watched the smaller crablike woman turn away from the window slowly. The first thing he noticed was the sadness in her eyes.

He sighed shakily. "I'm so sorry."

The older monster lowered herself in the chair beside him. "Yeah, I know. Mr. Sullivan told me what happened. You were only trying to save the children. Henry would have….come back."

Randall looked for any sign of vengeful hate in her face, but he found nothing. He found everything but that; sorrow, relief, tiredness. But he didn't see a trace of the need for revenge. Then again, she might have learned what it does from her husband.

The two sat in silence for a moment. Randall flinched when he heard her sniff.

"I just wish I'd never bailed him," she cried, "I wish he'd died on better terms… I wish… I wish… that he'd made things right with our son…"

"The one he fought with?" he asked. He wanted to slap himself when her eyes widened. He'd said the words without thinking.

"How did you know?" she gasped.

"I saw him. In some kind of in-between place when I was unconscious. After I saw Callie and Riley."

"You've seen the In-Between?"

Apparently, like Brian and Mary, she had her theories. Or studied. When he nodded, she leaned back in the chair with tear-filled eyes. "Tell me," she whispered.

"'Kay…" he agreed reluctantly. To him, talking about the in-between place out loud sounded like he needed his own head examined. But he knew what he saw. It had been too real to dismiss. And to someone like Mrs. Waternoose, it could save a lot of heartache.

"Well… When he first appeared, he was angry with me. He looked just like he probably did when…you know. When I apologized and he had said his piece, I asked if he had anyone he wanted to see after death. He told me he was going to see the two kids you lost in some accident. And he told me he still had a son left alive, but he didn't know where. He looked like his old self when I left. Before the energy crisis. I think he was going to try to find your kids, and…watch out for you two with them."

When she just cried, he managed yet another apology. But this time, the apology was warm on both sides. "Mrs. Waternoose, I…I wish I'd thought of a better way. I'm afraid I'll regret this for the rest of my life. I was just caught up in the panic of the moment, angry, trying to get Ace, and I…" He sighed. "I didn't mean to take him away from you. I…know what that's like."

There was a moment of long silence between them. "I didn't get any more answers," he added. "Just more questions. I don't know much about the humans, or…anything like that. All I knew was that he wasn't going to give up on something we'd already failed at."

She sniffled and sat in silence for a moment, once again staring out the window. "Yes, I know you have regrets. I imagine that's part of what drove your actions, Randall."

She smiled when he chuckled. "And…the way I look at it, you might have given him a gift."

"Here," he said. He took out a copy of his favorite picture of Callie and Riley. Brian had apparently dropped it off while he was sleeping.

She took the picture. "Hmm… I was just thinking I was going to miss this. Waternoose had it on him before. Callie reminds me so much of my daughter. Just the way she was. Don't you need this?"

"It's okay. We have more."

When she slipped in into her dress pocket, he popped the question that had been nagging at him since he left the Abyss.

"What will you do?" he asked quietly.

"My son came as soon as he heard. I also have two grandchildren to keep me company. It's nothing new. It's the way it's been for a while. Except now, I suppose… it's official. I just dread his memorial ceremony. I don't think security can keep all of Monstropolis out."

"Waternoose… I'll write the speech myself… I'll do my best to make sure they know your original intentions, alright?"

"If you see me no more, we're even."

The voices spun around in his head. Here was his chance.

"But they can make them behave. Mrs. Waternoose, I made him one last promise. I don't think I'll be able to attend, but… I can help."

She seemed puzzled. "I don't understand. What was the promise?"

"Uhh…" He sighed and tried to lean on his only good elbow.

Randall winced. When the pain had subsided, he gestured to her bag. "You got a spare paper and pen by any chance?"

….

He wasn't sure how long it had been since Mrs. Waternoose left. But when he woke up, the afternoon light bathed the room in pink. He stared out the window with his oxygen mask still in place, running the few words he'd managed to scribble through his mind again and again.

Waternoose was an honorable monster who would have done anything for the company and it was this reasoning that lead to the recent events…..

He was only trying to do what was best for the city….

Loved Monstopolis, his workers, and his family…..

Wish the end had been different….

Randall blew air out the side of his mouth. So the speech was stretching it a little bit, but it was the gist. Thank Monstropolis he didn't have to give it, but Mrs. Waternoose protested that words from her wouldn't mean anything to the city. And he knew she was right; they needed someone else if they hoped the speech would at least get the city to turn a sympathetic, understanding head to Waternoose's situation. No matter what, his last few years would be known as an overall failure. The goal was to get Monstropolis to downplay his end and focus on his early accomplishments.

He took a deep breath and turned his head when he heard the door click. Sullivan gradually poked his head in. "Randall? You awake?"

"Yeah," Randall answered quietly, moving the oxygen mask.

"I heard you actually wanted to see me this time?"

When Randall just stared, the big blue monster hovered in the doorway uncertainly. "So… Can we try this again?"

Randall recoiled in disgust at their last meeting, his pride shot by the very memory. "Yeah, I'm done," he said roughly.

Sullivan lowered himself down on the edge of the bed and whipped out a folded piece of paper. "So Mrs. Waternoose is under the impression I'm giving a speech at Waternoose's memorial?"

Randall smirked at the annoyance in Sullivan's narrowed eyes. "Yeah, I heard it's supposed to be the social event of the season. Too bad I'm stuck here, huh?"

So far they'd just been teasing, but Sullivan was ready to get down to business. He carelessly tossed the paper on the bed and made serious eye contact.

"Randall, what are you doing? I wasn't even planning on going, and now you're wanting me to give his memorial speech? You know none of this stuff is true. Waternoose tried to-"

"I know," Randall interjected quietly, "I'm asking a favor, alright?"

"And why should I do another favor for you?"

"You shouldn't."

There was a brief hesitation, then both monsters began to chuckle. Sullivan scratched the back of his neck. "Well, I would hate to let Mrs. Waternoose down. But are you sure Waternoose would want me to give it?"

Randall turned his head to stare out the window. "You were still his favorite worker, Sullivan. Anyway, it wouldn't mean a lot coming from me."

Sullivan shrugged. "I don't know. Monstropolis is almost wondering if you're some kind of redeemed hero…"

"Oh, well let me just get out of bed, Sullivan," Randall spat.

Sullivan snatched the piece of paper up with a smirk. "Hey, the local newspaper called it, 'Possible Winds of Change.'"

Randall snarled when he caught the meaning behind Sullivan's dramatic wave as he said the tacky name. "Thanks Sullivan," he said icily.

They both startled when Wazowski burst through the door.

"Good mor-or-or-ning, Lizard Boy! So how are the winds today? Blowing, howling, anything?"

"Still," Randall answered with a hint of sarcastic amusement.

"Great! Well, I'm coming in!" Mike howled.

Sullivan covered his ears. "Not so loud, Mike! Geez…"

The little green nuisance put a hand to his ear with a grin that made Randall narrow his eyes. "Huuuuhhh…?"

Randall managed a smile of relief when he spotted Fungus standing in the doorway. He was beginning to think this whole thing had been the last straw and Fungus had given up on him entirely.

"Hearing loss, much?" he asked.

Fungus stepped inside. "Selective hearing, we think."

"Got that right. All he can hear is Celia's fussing over him," Sullivan mumbled.

Wazowski threw his arms in the air. "So what? Am I telling funny memories at the service, or something? I can whip those up later. I'm hungry. I want dinner!"

Randall's eyes popped open when he realized what Wazowski had just yelled. "Wait, what?"

He looked from one monster to the other. "So you'll do it?"

Sullivan scratched his head. "Yeah… The only thing that bothers me is that… we're kinda lying."

Randall coughed, suddenly feeling tired again. "That's not what I'm asking. I think the best thing to do is focus on his original intentions. I'm sure you guys already know it started out in the city's best interest. Maybe try to justify…the end….so everyone doesn't always focus on the bad, you know?"

Sullivan's eyes rolled up to the ceiling as he thought. "Well, I guess he was a little desperate…"

Fungus pattered his feet around. "And… he did care about the company and his workers before…"

"And…I do have to give him credit for keeping the city afloat on what little energy screams provided," Wazowski said casually.

"I thought you couldn't hear," Randall scoffed.

"Goes in and out," Wazowski said in a benign tone.

Sullivan took the paper. "Alright, Randall. We'll do it. Could be a good thing, you know?"

Randall couldn't believe they were actually willing to. "Thanks."

"Anything special you want to say?"

"It's in what I wrote. You can add anything you want."

Sullivan crossed his arms. "Well, I guess that just leaves the manager position…."

"I told you, Sulley! I don't want it!" Mike burst, "I want to be on the floor. With my dreams and my audience…"

"I was gonna ask Randall," Sullivan said flatly.

Wazowski was caught off guard. "Ooohhh… Well, I hope he takes it so we won't have to deal with it anymore. Sheesh!"

Randall shook his head. "Wait, what? Manager? Me?"

Sullivan shrugged. "Well… Yeah. I mean, I'm the only CEO right now and with all the paperwork and interviews, and everything else…. It's getting to be a little overbearing. I've done a lot of thinking, and well… looks like you'd be good at it."

Randall exhaled a sharp breath of disbelief. When he didn't speak, Sullivan continued. "I'm CEO, so you'd be like a Co-CEO. Manager. Helping with paperwork and meetings and press…. Of course, you'd still have time on your hands, so you'd be free to go back to the Laugh Floor or help with the Engineering Department."

Randall took a few more shallow breaths. "Thanks, Sullivan. I…I don't know. I mean, I'd have to think about it…" he panted.

"Well, the job's there if you want it. We'll get out of here and let you get some rest. Take it easy."

Fungus lingered around a moment after Sullivan and Wazowski left. The little guy switched off the lamp and was just about to close the door when Randall found the energy to turn his head.

"Thanks, Fungus. For all you've done…"

Fungus froze in a way that made Randall wonder if that had gotten through his head. At last, he turned his head and nodded silently before closing the door behind him.

…

He awoke sometime later in the middle of the night. The only light in the room was the dim lamplight in the corner and the streetlights streaming in through the window. When he turned his head, he found Brett sitting in the chair beside the bed, holding a snoozing Ace in his arms. Beth was sitting on the floor leaning against Brett's knees with her eyes closed. Brian had his arm wrapped around Mary as they stared out the window. Emma had finally decided to show, and was holding a sleeping Rex in her arms while she stared out the window. At last, his family was here.

Brett was the first to see his eyes open. He smiled and raised Ace slightly as a gesture. "Can you talk some sense into this kid? He says he wants to work at Monster's Inc."

Randall smirked. Of course he did. "It's a decent job," he croaked.

Mary chuckled. "Don't let Beth hear that."

"Randall." Brian gathered him in his arms as best as he could. Randall ignored the pain in his abdomen (he still hadn't bothered to learn what all his injuries were) and held onto the older monster.

"I'm so sorry about Ace," Randall whispered.

"He's alright. Just drowsy and sore." Brett searched his son's face with pride.

"I'm so proud of you," Brian whispered.

Randall felt his face crumple when he realized what that meant. Apparently, he had fulfilled his promise to Brian.

"I saw Callie and Riley," he said.

He smiled when Brian gasp. Mary covered her mouth with her hand and sniffed. He decided to keep quiet when they just hugged him again. Emma stepped in and, for the first time since they'd seen each other, gave him a real hug. They stayed awake, but were quiet for most of the night.

After all, only so much could be discussed in one day.