Author's note: Once again concluding a long, emotional narrative that finally wrapped up an arc my favorite character deserved, but hadn't achieved in the previous series. I'm pretty sure this is it, again, for all of these fine folks going forward, unless my muses decide to run me backwards. Who knows. Hope you enjoyed.

Waking as though he had been asleep for days, Horatio drew in a long, deep breath as he opened his eyes and immediately met Phantom's careful gaze hovering over him. She tilted her head curiously as he roused, her gentle nature and soft purring keeping him calm and focused on her as his senses slowly returned to him.

"Hey, girl."

At his greeting, Phantom tenderly rubbed her head against his cheek with a deeper purr, and he closed his eyes to savor the feeling. He chose to instead feel Deilia's gentle hand on his face as a bittersweet comfort, and even though he knew he was imagining it, her touch was...healing, lovingly soothing the painful scars he'd earned recently. Phantom's furry body was firmly perched atop his arm at his side, preventing him from petting her in return for her affection, but she hopped away once he began to move. He slowly sat up from where he'd been laying, surveying his silent surroundings that had completely changed while he'd been asleep.

Someone had comfortably settled him in bed in a small, dark room, which perplexed him. The last he remembered, he had been sitting beside his former partner in a lounge within the Rys'tihn Retreat, locked in a haze of denial as she had recounted to him how she'd nearly died just days earlier but had instead survived. She must have put him to sleep with the Force, an extremely easy task considering how intense his fatigue had become, but where had he been moved to? The room around him was only simply furnished, nothing immediately identifying, although it began to feel vaguely familiar the more he took in...

As he swung his legs off the side of the bed, he reached over with his right hand to pull his blanket off to the side, but he immediately froze, staring blankly at his hand. His grip was firm, and he felt no loss of strength, no impaired function, and no pain or swelling at all from his hand that had been broken for days. He processed the realization a moment longer before his other hand found his side, pressing just under his rib cage where a gaping, painful hole down to his spleen had once been, but it, too, found nothing. He was finally free of every physical pain that had plagued him since his worst nightmare had begun, and it left him breathless with both profound relief and guilt. He'd been nothing but a blundering, reckless, selfish fool at every turn...and they had still helped him, anyway.

"...they healed me."

Though he hadn't intended to speak his thoughts aloud, Phantom gave a positive mrrow in response as she looked up at him, sitting just at his feet on the floor beside his bed. She held his gaze only briefly before she turned and playfully nipped at his leg, getting a mouthful of the bottom cuff of his light sleep pants. She tugged him forward, bringing him to his feet reluctantly as he tested his stamina and further studied his room.

Nothing noticeable stood out to him until he stepped across the floor and properly looked out its lone window, a flurry of memories returning to him in an instant. The room, his old room he'd lived in for weeks, was just a level above the Rys'tihn Retreat's private courtyard, overlooking its lush greenery, its finely carved stone benches and tables, and a soft, tranquil water fountain at its center. Eight years ago, he had spent countless days in that courtyard with Wil, slowly and carefully forging a relationship with his son to whom he had just been introduced. It had only been the two of them then, but he'd never seen so many people gathered in it before as he looked over its current occupants.

Cordira Natiyr, the first to draw his attention by her fire red hair, stood near the fountain as she casually spoke with his partner Wyliaa, and they both kept a watchful eye on their small girls that gleefully chased each other about the courtyard. Seated on a bench nearby, Mand Natiyr followed the girls' dizzying circles with a weak, yet perfectly content smile, her husband Rech standing behind her with firm hands on her shoulders. His eye was closed, presumably as he concentrated on healing her lingering wounds, but, he, too, appeared...happy. He didn't need his sight to hear the girls' squealing giggles, a sweet sound in which Horatio also easily lost himself for a few moments.

A group of three men and a young boy with brassy brown hair at the far periphery of the courtyard then earned Horatio's attention as Amalia and Jewel briefly stopped their chase just beside them. Horatio easily recognized his nephew Max, but he couldn't identify the other two talking to him. The small girls appeared to only be interested in the boy who couldn't be older than nine, but he waved them away, instead remaining engaged in the adults' conversation. Amalia and Jewel shrugged and returned to their mothers, but curious, Horatio kept his gaze on the boy. Like Amalia, his face stirred a distant familiarity in Horatio, and he was the proper age, too - the boy had to be Amalia's brother, Cordira's son Jake who had been born months before Cordira's rescue. So did that mean he was standing beside his father Ethan and uncle Aiyden, and Max was meeting his Redgrave cousins for the first time?

Two new visitors to the courtyard swept inside from one of the side entrances, a pair of Jedi he quickly identified as Kyren and Kaylina Rys'tihn, Koril and Elena's two youngest. It didn't take them long to reach their intended target, and they both embraced their cousin Wil with earnest excitement at the same time while a dark and curly haired woman stood close beside them. Broad smiles spread across everyone present, all appreciating the Rys'tihns' emotional reunion. The two Jedi were often away from Paneau on assignments, Wil had told him some time ago, so it seemed that they had only just arrived home after finding out the troubles their cousin had been through, and they very plainly expressed their relief at his recovery.

In the far corner of his vision, Horatio caught a small movement that once more pulled his gaze to the other side of the courtyard. The only one of the fourteen looking up at his window, Mand waved her hand as she smiled up at him, beckoning him down to join them. His immediate reaction was to shake his head and deny her invitation; every occupant of that courtyard was perfectly happy as they were without him, pleasantly mingling with each other as close friends and family would. He didn't belong, he'd always told himself. He'd done nothing to deserve to share in that happiness...

...but as he glanced about at the others a long moment, he came to the profound realization that he was the one person who had, in one way or another, brought them all together. Mand's grandchildren were Redgraves, indirectly related to him through his late sister's son Max. The Rys'tihns owed their existence to the multiple times that Horatio had saved their parents' lives before they'd been born. He'd rescued Cordira directly, as Deilia Rys'tihn had asked of him so many years ago. And his son Wil was connected to each of them, as well, on the verge of creating his own family and continuing a royal line for the Rys'tihns...

Briefly overwhelmed with emotion, he released a shaky breath as he looked down to his furry companion sitting just beside his feet. It was no coincidence that Phantom had loyally remained at his side as he recovered; she had channeled Deilia's spirit to him when he'd needed it most, after all, and she continued patiently supporting him simply with her presence. Even in death, Deilia still cared for him, just as she had all those weeks she'd tended to his dire wound that should have killed him. She had persisted, he had survived, and through their son, they remained connected, no matter how much he'd tried to deny it.

As he mentally prepared himself to accept Mand's invitation and face all the people down in the courtyard, he still wasn't certain he could do it alone.

"...will you stay with me?"

With a slow, graceful nod, Phantom agreed, curling her fluffy tail around his bare heel. Perhaps the playful tooka appeared to be merely a highly intelligent pet to everyone else, even to her owner Wil, but to Horatio...she was the embodiment of a love he hadn't earned but continued to receive, and he was only just beginning to accept it.

After searching his room and finding a wardrobe full of casual clothing and boots he easily fit into, he dressed and made the familiar trek down to the courtyard, again surprised he'd encountered no guards along his way. The wide door that separated the interior of the Retreat from its peaceful courtyard was closed, allowing him a few more moments to rein in his addled composure. Phantom eagerly bounced at his side, encouraging him to press the door's panel with a few excited trills, and though his hands noticeably shook, he hesitated only a moment more before the door swept open at his command.

Bright midday light flooded his vision and blinded him briefly, but it was the powerful panna flower fragrance billowing into his face from the courtyard that froze him in emotional memories where he stood. His vision recovered enough to see every gaze had turned to him, and it wasn't until he heard his daughter's voice that he finally moved forward, his knees buckling under him.

"Daddy!"

Leaving her friend's side, Jewel sprinted towards him, her short blue- and pink-speckled lekku nearly stretched straight out behind her with her speed. Her arms earnestly reached out for him as she ran, and he knelt down to scoop her up, no longer able to maintain his composure after feeling her tiny body trembling against him. Her intense hold around his neck only tightened as he stood up with her, and he wrapped his arms around her just as tightly.

"Daddy," she cried in his ear, "Daddy, I missed you so much!"

His strength had all but left him, rendering his voice nearly inaudible as he struggled to contain his own sobs. "I missed you more, my Precious Gem..."

Lifting her head from his shoulder, she gently cupped his face with her little hands, carefully searching his features. "Mommy said you were gone for so many days because you were hurt..."

Her quivering golden eyes were so full of concern and worry. For such a young, small girl, she was so genuinely emotive, and the thought nearly made him laugh through his tears; she certainly hadn't gotten that from him. "I was," he comforted her, gently rubbing her back. "But I'm all better now, I promise. My friends helped me. They took care of you, too, right? You and your mom?"

Though Jewel nodded, her lower lip still trembled. She may not have been conscious through her own kidnapping, but she was clearly struggling to process her anxiety in its aftermath.

"So...now that you're better," she continued, her voice so small and timid, "...do we have to leave again?"

He wanted nothing more than to tell her no and immediately quell her fears of being traumatically uprooted a second time...but he realized he couldn't without lying, and his heart fell to his feet. He couldn't even take in a breath to give her an answer or a response of any kind, too stunned to force his mind to work.

"No, we don't 'ave to leave, Jewel," Liaa answered her firmly, stepping up to Horatio's side. She gripped his hand at Jewel's back, sharing with him a meaningful gaze and a warm smile. "We're staying right 'ere."

Studying Liaa's face as he hadn't for some time, he was immensely relieved to see that her cuts and bruises from the blast in their home had completely healed in his absence. She seemed to follow his gaze and his train of thought, and it broadened her smile even more. She reached a hand up to caress his cheek, a soft, tender touch he hadn't expected from her after his rash, impulsive behavior had left her behind, not just once, but twice. He struggled to form words, desperate to manage some semblance of an apology, but she merely shook her head, still smiling with understanding.

"I know."

With Jewel gathered on his other hip, Liaa embraced them both tightly, lifting herself up onto her toes to kiss him sweetly. It was a moment he feared he'd never experience again after his many missteps and failings, so he reveled in it, pulling Liaa even more closely against him. As she leaned back from him briefly breathless, her smile returned though her voice had softened. "I love you."

His breath left him in a sudden rush as her words reached his ears, and for a short, fleeting second, he believed he had imagined it. She brought her hand up from his side and tugged on his neck, gingerly meeting her forehead to his to share another intimate moment. As her eyes closed, so did his, her touch renewing his strength to speak once more.

"I love you."

Another genuine smile brightened her entire face as she looked up at him and ran her fingers through his hair, admiring his gaze. He still had so much to apologize for and make up to her, but she was already moving to take Jewel from his hold, sending him to another task first.

"Go talk to 'im," she whispered, lifting Jewel onto her hip instead. He stroked one of Jewel's lekku as Liaa stepped away with her, leaving no one between him and his son on the opposite side of the now nearly emptied courtyard.

The cautious, pained expression on Wil's face was difficult to decipher, though not entirely the fault of distance. The dark skinned woman still stood closely beside Wil, and she, too, shared an equally wary look. He owed Wil yet another apology for leaving him again, but he feared his son may not forgive him again for the same transgression. Still, he took slow, careful steps towards the two, maintaining his gaze on Wil as Phantom stayed close on his heels. Wil's expression remained the same, much to Horatio's dismay, forcing him to choose his words with extreme care as he stood a few paces from him.

"...I know what you must think of me," he began weakly, his voice hardly loud enough to hear, "and you're right. I hurt you...a second time...after I'd just gotten you back. I've been selfish, and thoughtless, only focused on my own pain. You were trying to help me...and I ignored you. I have no excuse. You have every right to be furious with me, and I...I understand if you...if you want me to leave... You can - "

Before he could finish his thoughts, Wil suddenly lunged forward and threw his arms around Horatio, embracing his father in an earnest hug. In his shock, Horatio remained motionless, having expected an entirely different reaction altogether. Wil's hold even tightened as the tense silence continued, broken only by a soft sniffle and an even softer voice.

"I knew she'd bring you back here..."

Deeply moved by the sincere relief in Wil's tone, Horatio returned his son's embrace as he broke down once more, dangerously close to relying on his hold as he felt his legs weakening underneath him. Wil had proven before that he could bear his father's weight, having dragged him halfway across a defunct refueling station as they made their escape from Azira, but Horatio couldn't put him through that again. He took a few shuffling steps to balance himself, but Wil refused to let go, and it only made Horatio weaker.

"...she wouldn't let me give up," he choked into Wil's shoulder. "I tried."

With a familiar, sweet mrrow, Phantom wrapped herself between both of their legs, carefully weaving back and forth before finally sitting beside Horatio's heel. Wil leaned back from him slightly, still gripping his father's shoulders as he looked down at his faithful pet with a tearful, knowing grin. "Yeah, she's stubborn like that."

Horatio looked on his son properly, meeting his gaze with patent remorse for the turmoil he'd caused him a second time. "Wil, I am sorry..."

Wil only nodded with compassion. "You needed time. I know you were in so much pain... I just wish we could have spared you all those days alone." He paused with a slow breath to calm himself, vainly drying his face with the back of his hand. "I'm glad she was with you... She brought you home when you were ready."

Glancing down at the tooka proudly seated at his feet, Horatio struggled to find his voice again. "...you want me to stay?"

"Of course I do, Dad," Wil answered, becoming emotional once more. "I already told you, I want you here, and nothing's changed that. I want Jewel and Liaa here, too. Please," he begged weakly, "...stay."

Though tears still freely fell from his eyes, he managed to nod as he pulled his son close for another earnest hug. Wil reciprocated for a long, tender moment, finding so much comfort in their heartfelt embrace. He stepped back from him after a few minutes, collected and composed with a small smile as he reached his hand behind himself. The young woman who had patiently waited out their conversation stepped forward at Wil's insistence, folding her hand with his as she stood closely beside him.

"Dad," Wil began with bated excitement, so eager to introduce the two, "...this is Embrey, my girlfriend."

But the gaze Horatio met from her was far less amiable than Wil's. She remained silent, holding an angry, calculating stare, and Horatio already understood the dynamic he'd have to overcome with her. He'd expect nothing less from his son's future wife.

He kept his tone so sincere. "...I have a lot of work to do to earn your trust, I know. I'll do whatever it takes."

Embrey maintained her stoic glare, showing no signs of accepting his promise, until... "Don't hurt Wil again."

Horatio shook his head. "I don't intend to."

"I will protect my girls, too," she continued curtly, "even if, especially if, it means protecting them from you."

Beside her, Wil protested her harshness. "Em..."

But Horatio waved his hand. "She's right, Wil. She'll keep me in check." Returning his gaze to Embrey, he shook his head again to accept her warning, glancing briefly at her swollen belly. "I won't interfere with them."

Embrey's eyes only softened the slightest bit with his assurances; at least it was a start. She seemed somewhat sensitive to Wil's wishes, but her stubbornness appeared to match her deep love for him, requiring a delicate balance. It was a stance he had seen once before in a relationship long gone, bringing a faint, peaceful swell to his heart...

Intent on keeping an ongoing dialogue, he looked between the two, desperate to know. "...what have you named them?"

Surprising him, Embrey was the first to answer, her voice far softer. "Rixia. Rix, or Rixie for short."

"And the other," Wil continued for her, watching Horatio's reaction closely, "...Deilia. Or Dee. They'll be Rys'tihns."

As Phantom affectionately brushed her body against his leg, reminding him of her presence, Horatio couldn't think of a more perfect pair of names for his granddaughters. He nodded, a small, genuine smile spreading across his face for the first time in years.

"...your mother would have loved that."