Epilogue: I Want To Go Back…

The elevator door opened, and I stepped out onto the roof of the facility. Dark clouds filled the sky in the foreground. Thunder rumbled in the distance. I could smell the rain that was coming. But everything had gone back to the way it was before. The cities were alive again. And yet, those who had died throughout the quest we'd all just gone on, were still dead.

I walked over to the edge of the building, and sat down next to Misha, throwing my legs over the edge, as she had. She wiped her face clean of tears, but she couldn't erase the redness in her eyes.

"Rain's coming."

I looked over at her, and nodded slowly. "Misha."

"Look, Matthew. You knew AJ well. But I'm her sister…" She closed her eyes. "Was, her sister. I don't need a pep-talk about how I should move on with my life…" suddenly she started to sob. I pulled her into a hug and she buried her face in my dirty shirt, as she sobbed heavily.

I made my way around back to the room. Everyone else was off securing transport back to the city, or sitting, and reflecting on what had occurred. I stepped in the doorway, and noted the four bodies that were still on the ground. I felt my hand shake as I entered the room. I moved over and sat on the ground, and leaned up against the wall, and looked over at my best friends. The ones whom I could always count on.

I had let them down.

I sighed. "I just want to go back…" I whispered.

"Patients. You can go back. Give it a moment."

I looked up and saw the girl in the red dress. She let out a giggle, and vanish into thin air.

"Matt…?"

I looked up, a tingle rolling down my back. "Kirsty…?"

"Everything alright?"

"I should… ask you the same thing!"

She smiled at me. Suddenly I jumped up and pulled her into a massive hug. "You're alive!"

"Great… wasn't sure there for a moment." She murmured. "What the hell?" We turned and saw AJ giving us a look. "You two, getting it on or something?"

"AJ!" I yanked her into a hug. She patted me on the back. "No, Matt. We wouldn't work out." I let out a laugh. "Well, can I get a hug too?" I turned and put my arms around Carrie, and gave her a bear hug.

"Oh. My God." We all turned and saw Doris standing there.

I stood off to the side, watching everyone greet the fallen friends whom had returned from the afterlife. It was a miracle. No. More then that. No words could describe it. I looked out the window. The storm was approaching. But it was calming to nothing more then a simple rain shower.

I took the elevator back up to the roof. Tony would be back with my Dad and a ride shortly. I stepped out, into the sunshine. It was the calm before the storm. I looked down at the city in the foreground.

The sound of the elevator door opening made me catch my breath. Ouida stepped up along side me, and looked out at the city. She took a breath of the fresh, rain-scented air and looked over at me. "I don't know who to thank more."

"Misha." I said softly, "She's the one who dragged you out of the tank."

"And what about you? Why shouldn't I be thanking you?"

"Because…" I looked over at her. "I let you die."

She was quiet for a moment, as she looked out at the city. "Maybe. But you were also busy with other problems. Not to mention you brought me back. Hell you brought us all back. Seems to me, you both deserve credit."

I shrugged. "What-ever." I murmured. A moment went by in silence. I turned to her, leaning my left arm against the railing. "Do you remember when we first met? When we first became friends?"

She paused. "Of course."

"When you become my friend, I automatically make a vow. To protect you at all costs." I twisted my mouth, thinking. "Well, at most costs." I said, honestly. "I failed that vow when you died."

"No. You didn't. You made good on it. I'm here. And I don't plan on going anywhere."

I looked over at her, and saw her smile. I couldn't help but smile back.

She leaned forward, and our lips met; softly at first, but we pushed in on each other, deepening the kiss. "Trust in yourself, like you trusted in the force." I smiled, and pulled her into another kiss as rain began to fall on our heads. "Whoa!" We turned to find everyone watching. We looked at each other, and started to laugh, as they came out to celebrate the new life we all had.

Out in the rain.


The End.