Last chapter! Mostly a Matt/Inez centric chapter, and resolves a few loose ends, while leaving a few others open still. Like I said in a few PMs at the start of this story, this will be the last Cyberchase fanfic I will write for awhile, as I'm ready to take a break. But, once that break is done, I will continue it again. :)

26.

Where You Belong

Stationed in a permanent orbit around Control Central, the monument continued on its constant, circling path, sparkling like it always should. Standing on the balcony that surrounded it was currently only two people, although one of them was unaware of the presence of the second. This person was too busy studying the monument, noting its dimensions, its reflectiveness, and most importantly, the plaque that hung on it's base, saying:

Inez Garcia

May She Rest In Peace

Managing a bemused grin, Inez ran a finger along the side of the plaque, genuinely flattered that her friends would go to such lengths to honor her death. A death that turned out to have never happened, but the thought still very, very, much counted. Still grinning, she sat down, curled up her knees, and just stared at the monument.

"So," the second person spoke suddenly, standing a couple feet behind her, "Do you like it?"

Inez turned to look at Matt, unsurprised he was there. "Yes." she said, her grin getting bigger. "Although, I don't know whatever you guys intend to do with it now. I mean, it's kind of pointless to have a monument respecting someone's death when that someone turned out to have never died at all."

"The Grand Cyber Council is thinking the same thing." Matt agreed, stepping over to stand beside her. "Dr. Marbles told me that someone has already inquired about it, and asked if it could be dismantled. Fortunately for you, it was later reasoned that with the war with Tehran beginning, it's not exactly wise to waste time and resources worrying about a monument that isn't really causing any harm at all." he paused, sitting down now. "Besides, Motherboard flatly said no to the idea anyway. She wants it to keep standing."

"Why?" Inez asked. "Seeing that I'm not dead, its kind of pointless to keep something around that salutes to it."

"A minor detail." Matt said. "Motherboard is actually thinking of swapping that plaque out with another, so that it instead salutes the fact that you're still alive." he gave her a grin. "Besides, we'd rather have that anyway."

Inez laughed. "I'll bet you do." she said, shaking her head. "It's so good to be back, too. The neutramatter dimension may be a fascinating place, but it's no home." she gazed out into the depths of Cyberspace. "I really missed this. I really did. So peaceful and calm...even now. You'd hardly think that it's already beginning to be embroiled into a deadly war. Even so, I still missed it." she looked down at Matt. "And I missed all of you."

"We missed having you around." Matt said. "It just...wasn't quite the same without you." he sighed. "You know, just before this all started, I tried looking for someone to replace you on the gang."

"Did you really." Inez said, not looking surprised.

"Uh-huh." Matt said. "I ultimately failed, though. What I needed was you, and no one could ever try and replace you. And, seeing how things turned out in the end, I'm glad I didn't go through with it."

Inez merely shrugged, having nothing to comment on the matter. They were both silent for a moment.

"You know, while we're all more than glad to see you back, Inez, there are a couple of people you would be even more pleased to see you." Matt said.

Inez nodded. "I know, my parents." she said. "Do they know what's happened?"

"Mother B explained the situation in an e-mail while you were still in the neutramatter dimension." Matt said. "She got no response, so she connected with them and spoke with them personally, as well as give them a much needed update. Reportedly, they are ecstatic to see you again, and are waiting very anxiously for you to come home."

"Of course they are." Inez mumbled.

Matt gave her a look. "You don't seem to excited about that." he noted.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I love my parents, and desperately want to see them again as well, but..." she trailed off for a moment. "A part of me is afraid that if I go home, they'll never let me set foot out of it again, given all that has happened. I mean, you know what they're like Matt. Of all the people who know about what we do in Cyberspace, they are the ones who are the most paranoid about the danger. And for a full month, they thought I was dead and gone, only to now find out that by some sheer stroke of luck that it was all false. That you guys were wrong, and that I really was alive. And now with a deadly war about to begin in Cyberspace and that danger about to increase tenfold, there's no way they're ever going to let me come back."

Matt was silent for a long moment as he thought about this.

"Maybe you're right." he admitted. "Maybe they won't let you have any part with Cyberspace anymore. I mean, they have that right, and they do have the power to do it with. But Inez...they are your parents. They deserve to have a chance to have a say in this matter, and you know it, otherwise you wouldn't have anything to fear about this. And besides, I don't know if the rest of us will care." he chuckled. "Right now, we're just happy enough to see you alive and back where you belong."

"Where I belong." Inez repeated. She nodded. "Of course, Matt, you're right." she agreed. "But I don't know if I'd be happy. Visiting Cyberspace and helping protect it has become part of my life now. Without it, it'd feel...empty."

There was another long moment of silence.

"Inez, no matter what happens, I want you to know that we're all your friends." Matt said. "And no matter what, cyborg or otherwise, we will continue being your friends, through thick and thin, no matter what happens." he then shrugged. "Besides, how are you ever going to know what's going to happen if you don't ever do it?"

Inez grinned. "Yeah, how could I?" she asked. She was silent for a moment. "Well," standing up and dusting herself off. "No use prolonging the inevitable."

"You ready to go, then?" Matt asked, also standing.

Inez took a deep breath. "Yeah." she said, nodding.

Matt nodded, and pulled out his SKWAK pad. "Motherboard, one portal for Inez's house in the Real World please." he said into it.

A moment later, the familiar pink portal swirled into existence on the monument's platform. Inez took a step towards it, then hesitated. Matt then walked up to stand beside her, taking her hand.

"Mind if I come with you?" he asked politely.

Inez grinned. "Thanks Matt." she said.

And with that, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Matt blushed, but was grinning like there was no tomorrow now. Grinning brightly at each other, they then stepped into the portal, ready to face whatever the future had in store for them next.

Together.