I was ripped from my sleep by Max jumping on the bed and getting right in my face. I was powerless under the slobbery assault, until I managed to use my arm and push Max's face away.

"I'm up! I'm… up!" I grumbled, sitting up in my bed and stretching. I blearily searched for my glasses on the wooden bedside and slipped them on my face, blinking as my vision cleared. There was a warm glow outside, that time just before the sun rose where its light still shined on the world. My room was spartan in appearance, though it was filled with life tucked away in the walls, floor and ceiling.

I swung my legs out of the bed and stood up, walking toward my wardrobe and grabbing my running gear, Max excitedly weaving around my legs as I got ready. Today was a good day because my left arm wasn't aching. Dra- Tess had investigated it with some help from Riley. Turns out that my brain was confused with my left arm being intact even though it had also been blown off by a sniper round back in the simulation, something about neurochemistry that I didn't even begin to try and understand, but that was what was causing phantom pains like amputees had.

They weren't often, but I knew it would be a bad day if the arm ached.

Going downstairs I passed my calendar, pausing as I saw the day and the event circled on it.

'Barbeque'

Ah, yes, that was today. Still time to do my routine.

Dressed in my running gear I opened the door to look upon the world. It was a fresher earth, you could tell in the strange near alien but familiar bird song, insects chirping. A chill in the air but a hint of warmth.

They asked the residents (me and the other farmers currently setting up shop here) to put forward names. Someone put forward Earth Eden and that had seemed to be the leading name for a worrying amount of time. I refused to let it be named that however, it was far too pedantic. It was just the earth we were planning to use for farmland, not anything more special than that.

I put forward Earth Rose.

It won the popular vote.

So, mom, if you're looking down… or up… or from wherever, I know you were the type who'd hate to have a planet named after her, but tough shit, because you have a whole planet named after you.

I owned a large apiary, all flowers and beehives. Every morning I'd either run around the grounds, checking each hive, Max running along beside me happily or I'd take a more leisurely walk to get Max his exercise that way. Then when I was done and had freshened up a bit, I'd take the buggy I'd been given, Max would hop into the passenger seat and I'd go out and check the outer reaches of my honey farm. After that, I would either go back and continue to chronicle books from my memory (it was genuinely quite upsetting to learn that most of our literature and records were destroyed or gone) or I'd take a hive out to one of the locals' farms to pollinate their crops. They were happy for me to do it, happy that I 'wasn't like those other para-watsits'.

The run was good, when I had started out again after first moving here, I had been frustrated at my lack of stamina, now I could do a couple of laps before having to call it quits.

I came back to my house just as the sun started to rise, I went inside, put on the kettle, fed Max and then went to have a shower. I emerged smelling fresh and went back to my room to pull on clothes. Feeling more awake I looked around for my brush. Unable to find it I commanded spiders hiding in the roof to come down and drop into my hair, working to untangle it.

Who'd of thought that spiders were experts at handling small thin threads?

I did.

My humour was just exploding out here.

It wasn't that I was un-grateful, after all this had been both me and Lisa's idea. I didn't want to be around people or in the city, where I could easily end up getting involved in something. But… it could get lonely sometimes.

I walked down the stairs while mentally checking on the spiders in the barn. They were making progress on the latest batch of spider silk spools, able to be cut up and made into costumes for capes and other such uses. It was a great source of income, and a good way to pay back. Pre-Gold Morning capes got the spools for free from me if they could provide proof of being present. It was a good way to apologise for, y'know, the whole Mastering thing.

I entered the kitchen and made myself a cup of tea, taking a sip and letting out a long breathe, I glanced at the photo still stuck to the front of the fridge and smiled. Me and the rest of the Undersiders sans-masks and smiling. There are other photos as well. Me with Colin and Tess, they got honey and silk as well, but they insisted on paying me for it when I was more than happy to provide it for free. Me and Dad were there as well, at one of his union get togethers.

He was… doing okay. He had been released from the asylum and now he had meds he needed to take regularly; he still had his episodes as well. But he was doing better. He lived in The City, helping to run a new dock workers union up there, it was a lot more successful than the old Brockton Bay DWU had been and that definitely seemed to help his mood. He was a lot happier these days, despite his mastering by Teacher.

I was interrupted from such sober thoughts by the alert from the sensor system around the farm, alerting me to a vehicle coming up the road. I grabbed the security pad laying on the countertop and looked at the camera feed before smiling and placing it back down again. A few moments later I detected the vehicle entering the edge of my range and approaching up the dirt road towards the house. It was soon followed by a motorbike with two figures on it and a familiar monstrous presence and I smiled, putting on the kettle again after filling it to the max. They were slightly early, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I stepped out onto the front porch and watched as the black car with its tinted windows rolled to a stop on my gravel driveway. Brian climbed out of the driver's seat first and he gave me a smile. Brian visited me fairly often, sometimes it was for a few days, sometimes just a few hours. Sometimes we would talk, he'd accompany me and help out around the apiary. Sometimes we would do… other things.

We didn't have a label for it, but that was fine for the pair of us.

He walked to the back door and opened it up, Lisa stepping out. My smile widened at the grin she shot me before she looked around.

"God, this place is a nice get away," she said. It was a sentiment she usually said whenever she visited. Then she crouched down as Max ran up to her and gave the dog a scratch behind his ears.

The bike skidded to a stop, throwing up gravel before the driver kicked down the stand and took off her helmet, revealing a grinning Aisha. The person behind her took off his own helmet to reveal Alec. The robot body technology was improving every day and had come a long way since I had first seen Cinereal in Tess and Colin's base. There was still something to him that I could tell wasn't correct, but other than that he looked like he was made from flesh and blood.

"Woo! I love it out here, have I ever told you that?" Aisha called as she climbed off her bike, Alec following suit. Rachell was still a little way out, but I could see her steadily approaching with her dogs from here.

"Every time… you… visit," I croaked out.

"And I will continue to do so, you never notice how much a speed limit hampers you until it's not there anymore!"

"There's a reason I refuse to let you drive me anywhere," Brian replied.

"Because you think it's emasculating?" Alec quipped with a teasing grin.

Brian simply rolled his eyes.

Lisa stepped up to the porch and then gave me a hug that I happily returned, watching as Aisha fussed over Max in the background.

Rachel finally reached the house, the dogs slowing from a sprint to a trot to a full stop. Rachel hopped off and removed several bags from her saddle.

"Brought meat," she said, holding the bags up.

"Thanks… I'll… take," I croaked as the girl walked up to me and hugged me as well, "you… know… where…"

Rachel nodded as she pulled away, handing me the bags of meat before walking back to her giant dogs and leading them away, Max eagerly following with an excited wag of his tail. Rachel's dogs shedding their meat mechs was a problem we now had to deal with, rather than having the luxury of leaving it behind for someone else to clean up. That's why I had worms and other earth moving insects prepare a pit prior to her visits where the meat could be shed into, then covered over with a mix of soil and flower seeds. I had many wildflower beds that way as the meat and bones provided excellent fertiliser and vermin couldn't get within three blocks of my house to take advantage of it, it was a win-win.

I walked back inside, knowing the rest followed me as I opened my fridge and secured the bag of meat inside.

"Drinks?" I asked.

"Tea please, with honey," Lisa requested.

"Energy drinks," Aisha and Alec demanded, and I jabbed a thumb at the fridge which they descended upon.

Brian simply requested water, the rest of the group went out to the back porch except Lisa, who moved in closer and asked in a concerned voice.

"No more surprises recently?"

I knew what she was referencing, but it had been months ago at this point.

~§~

The night sky was beautiful out here, I couldn't remember ever having a clearer view of it. It was the exact same skyline as on earth bet, the exact same milky way view. But it still felt alien.

Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to admire it.

I pulled the buggy to a stop and let the taser rest in my grip as I climbed out, Max following and loyally sticking close to my side as I approached the prone figure.

I should have known today would be a bad day from the moment I woke up with an aching arm.

I could hear her muffled cursing as I drew closer and closer. I had been rudely awakened by my perimeter sensors informing me that they had been tripped. Usually as someone moved closer more sensors would trip, letting me get a good idea of their approach angle before they entered my range and I could tag them. However, this sensor warning had kept blaring for ten minutes. It was when I brought up a camera feed that I saw why.

The muffled cursing grew quiet as I finally stopped several feet away.

"Hebert."

"Hess."

We stared at each other and I took in how the girl had changed. Disappointingly, she hadn't changed a bit. She was wearing the same as she had in the Wards, same crossbow, same dark clothing, same dark digital camo pattern cloak.

"I see you're paranoid, trouble sleeping at night?" She taunted, but the barb was weak.

"Only… paranoia… if unfounded…" I pointed out and she laughed, a cruel one.

"Oh wow, so you did get really fucked up, you're fully retarded, aren't you?"

"What… want?" I asked.

"I came to settle a score," she admitted easily, never taking her eyes off me even as her hands slowly reached for her crossbow. It wouldn't matter anyway, my bugs had already chewed through the string, making the weapon effectively useless.

"Why?"

She snarled, "everyone is so scared of you, so awed. Well, I'm not! You hear me? I'm not intimidated by you, because I know that without me, you wouldn't even be here!"

"Yes… very big… very brave… covered this… already," I drawled, "you came to… attack me…?"

"No, just chat."

The chloroform one of my bugs found in her pouches told me otherwise, and I said as such.

"And… chloroform?"

She paused before then chuckling, "god, you really are fucking weird, you know that? I always carry that on me anyway."

Did I believe that? This was Sophia…

"Sure," I finally settled on, putting as much disbelief into my voice as possible.

"Heard your dad got fucked over by Teacher, I'd say sorry, but we both know that would be a lie."

She was trying to hurt me, well, I had been spending a lot of time talking to Lisa recently, and I had some barbs of my own.

"Heard… family is dead… I would… say sorry… but I think… they're relieved… to not… have to deal… with you."

"Bitch, where was that backbone back in Winslow huh? Spend some time with a Thinker seven-"

"We're… not in… Winslow!" I barked, hating how rough my voice sounded as I took a moment to breathe. "We… haven't been… there… for years..."

Sophia just glared at me.

"Why… can't you just… move on?" I asked.

"No one tell you? I hold a mean fucking grudge!"

Sophia grabbed her crossbow and raised it. She pressed the trigger and no bolt came flying out as the strings flopped, cut with no tension. She had no time to contemplate that though as Max pounced forward, grabbing her hand in his jaw and clamping down. She screamed, dropping the bow and tried to use her power to get away from the pain instinctively if I were to guess, because if she had paused to think about it, she would have remembered why she was here in the first place.

Indeed, she instantly turned back to a human form and flopped, unmoving to the ground with smoke rising off her.

"Max! heel!" I barked again and Max released the girls' hand, growing as he backed away. I walked forward and crouched down, checking the girls pulse.

Still alive.

"Max, guard!" I ordered and the dog sat, keeping vigil over the girl as I walked back to the buggy and grabbed the Tinker phone, dialling up the emergency contact number the Wardens had issued me with.

~§~

I hadn't heard what had happened to Sophia, and at one point that may have bothered me. But I didn't care, I knew she had been taken care of, and that was enough for me.

"No surprises," I confirmed back.

She nodded with a relieved smile and helped me bring drinks out back where the Undersiders were wating, watching the dogs run around and play together.

"Rachel… drink?" I asked the woman.

She shook her head, "I'm fine."

With that we settled into the seats circling a table, the shade provided a cool refuge from the sun shining down on the cloudless day. The sound of insects chirping and a gentle breeze making the flowers sway and the leaves on the trees rustle.

"How… going?" I asked, breaking the easy silence we had settled into.

"Alec was able to attend a party with me where some heartbroken were!" Aisha proudly stated, shaking Alec by the shoulder a bit.

Alec rolled his eyes even as a smile lifted his lips.

Alec had taken some time to get used to being alive again. Unlike Cinereal, who was connected to her shard (even if in a weird Titan-afied state), Alec didn't have his powers anymore, instead just being a normal boy. Well, as normal as can be for just being a robot.

Along with that, he didn't want to be around or anywhere near his siblings. Apparently, it was a common thing for people brought back form the dead to focus on the negative parts of their memories, more vividly recall them. It wasn't hard to guess why he was uncomfortable around his siblings, with the whole Cherish fiasco and Heartbreaker. Needless to say, his siblings made him feel uncomfortable.

"Yeah yeah, not a big deal," he muttered, taking a sip from his can (yeah, I had been surprised as well when I learned his body could still process foods, I imaged there was some Tinker explanation somewhere, but I didn't want a headache).

He nodded toward Aisha, "she'd got a 'hilarious' new prank where she uses her power while we're driving, leaving me shitting myself on the back in the middle of traffic."

We all laughed, Aisha cackling with an evil look.

"You should have seen the look on your face!" She crowed.

He maturely responded by sticking his tongue out.

Lisa leaned back and sipped her tea.

"Wardens wanted my help to find anything out on this new group that's cropped up, call themselves the Ringmasters, they do parahuman pit fights, usually to the death," Lisa shuddered, "so, nasty stuff, but their operational security leaves something to be desired. We've got a raid planned on their next venue."

"Oh! That's that Arena Queen girl isnt it? I've been hearing some stuff about her," Aisha said.

"Mm, not for much longer hopefully. Nasty Brute power though, wouldn't want to fight her even with a full team behind me," Lisa smiled, "which is why I don't do field work anymore."

Brian made an amused noise in his throat.

Another comfortable silence settled, watching as the dogs played in the spacious out door space. The sound of bees buzzing drew Lisa's attention to the stream of bees entering the kitchen.

"What ya doing there?" She asked me, gesturing toward the insects.

"Toast… two new… honeys… want opinion," I explained.

"Ah yeah, there is a reason I like visiting this place," Alec smirked, "free shit."

I rolled my eyes and reached down and picked up the honey jars that a local variant of beetles was carrying on their backs. These beetles were fascinating to me with their large size and hard carapace shells. They lived in a colony similar to ants and seemed to be a predator species that even made some larger mammals avoid them. They had no flight capabilities, but pincers that could crack bone.

I was getting side-tracked, what can I say? I like bugs.

I placed the jars in the table. "Roses… and… lavender," I said, pushing the red coloured honey forward. Then I tapped the other honey jars lid, "Dandelions… and thyme."

I had a swarm of bees with spider silk strings attached to a plate fly out of the house and deposit the dozen slices of toast I had cooked up. What followed was half an hour of arguing over which of the honeys was better and it was just like we were back in the loft arguing over pizza toppings. Of course, I was so used to living out in the peace that I could here when it was broken by a slowly growing thrum.

I had some more bees fly me my security pad, bringing up the camera feed detecting motion. I smiled at the sight of a Dragon craft flying toward the house. I had insects gather at an empty spot. An interesting thing about honeybees, they could gather into large swarms and do something called 'shimmering'. On which they rapidly flipped to reveal their bellies, creating waves. I had my bee swarm perform something similar in the flat empty spot.

The bees dispersed as the craft descended on the spot and I smiled to the Undersiders.

"Tess… and Colin," I said as I stood up.

"Go say hi then, we'll get started on food prep.," Lisa said, Brian and Rachel standing as well.

"And we'll continue working on being the eye candy of the entire gathering," Alec said, shaking Aisha shoulder.

"Oh, absolutely," Aisha agreed.

I rolled my eyes as I walked away, walking around the house and to the side where the crafts' jets were powering down. The ramp lowered and Colin stepped down, followed a moment later by my dad and Tess.

My dad was a surprise, I thought he'd be driving up later. It was a welcome surprise though as I walked up and hugged him.

"Hey dad."

"Taylor, sweetie, how have you been?" He asked, pulling away.

He'd grown out his facial hair, having the beginnings of a beard to rival Colin's, I secretly suspected they were beard buddies in some way but didn't comment. Despite the beard growing, he was beginning to go both bald and grey, his skin was still pale and he was now rather deathly thin. But the smile that lifted his face told me he was feeling better then he had in a while.

"Later… say hi… to Tess and Colin," I said, smiling back at him. It felt good to mean it when I say we could talk later and that we would actually talk. It was a work in progress of course, but we were getting better.

He nodded before smiling, "I still have my grill skills, remember the DWU barbeque parties?"

How could I forget? They had been fun when they had been held, but as things got worse…

Bad memories. I smiled at my dad and nodded, then stepped aside and accepted a hug from Tess.

"Taylor, you're looking well," she said, smiling down at me as she pulled away.

"You… too," I said back.

"We have brought a selection of foods, as well as a Tinkertech grill," Tess smiled and nodded her head to Colin who was pulling a very normal grill out of the craft, "his idea."

"Tinker… grill?" I asked.

"Yes, I'll spared the details, but safe to say it will be the best barbeque you will have ever attended," Colin reported.

My dad smiled, "oh really? Is that a challenge?"

"Well, guess they can both settle that at the grill," Tess said to me, "free labour!"

We both laughed before I asked, "how… Warren?"

Warren was their latest project. When they'd been saving Alec, they had also recovered the Warden's data. It had taken the name Warren and ran a lot of the automation in their facility. Currently they were trying to give it a body as an experiment.

"Warren's good, still wants to keep sleeping sat upright in the corners, but we've made some real progress recently."

I smiled and nodded, even as a sensor alert went off again. I brought the pad out again and saw it was two cars similar to the one Lisa and Brian had arrived in.

I turned and walked back up to the house, knocking on the kitchen window. Lisa opened it and I showed her the feed. She squinted at it before giving a thumbs up.

"That's mine," she confirmed, "that's all of mine, even."

"Chicago… wards… I invited," I said back.

Lisa nodded and went back to work in the kitchen. I saw that Colin, Tess and my dad were all setting up the grilling area. I went around to the front as the cars approached, watching them pull to a stop.

From the driver's seat of the first car stepped out Sierra and a man in a black suit, looking like a cliché bodyguard. I knew he was Sierra's. Sierra waved at me with a smile and I waved back. Meanwhile the back door opened, and a kid stepped out, wearing a white hoodie and shorts. Aiden Tate. Last time I had seen him in person was probably just before Gold Morning… maybe? I was a little foggy on the details. Finally, a girl with dark skin stepped out, looking around wide eyed.

The other car was still pulling to a stop, so I approached Sierra, extending a hand that she shook.

"Taylor, you're looking good," she smiled before gesturing around, "nice place you have."

"Thanks… worked hard… on it."

I turned to look down at the boy as he approached me, he seemed a mix of nervous and awe inspired. I smiled down at him and held my hand out.

"Aiden… Lisa talks… about you… lots," I said with a smile. Lisa really did as well, I don't think she even realised how much she did.

"She talks about you a lot as well," he said in return, shaking my hand.

"She… likes to… talk a lot… doesn't she?" I asked with a smile, one the boy returned with an amused snort.

I straightened up, then the black girl stepped up to me and held a hand out with a large manic grin.

"Hi! My names Cassie! I don't know if you remember me, but I am Rachel's amazing and only hard-working assistant!" she said, her hand shake as vigorous and rapid as her voice.

"I remember… thanks… for coming… Rachel… in kitchen," I said before looking to the group as a whole.

"Grill… being set… up… food… prepared in… kitchen."

Sierra nodded just as the second car engine died and Charlotte and Forrest climbed out of the front seats.

"Taylor!" Charlotte cheered with a wave.

"Hey Charlotte," I waved back, watching as Forrest opened the back door and kids were unleased.

They ran around in excitement, probably having been cooped up for a while in the car. I smiled as I watched them before receiving a hug from Charlotte which I returned, before being released and shaking Forrest's hand.

"Gosh you're looking good," Charlotte then turned and hugged Sierra, "and you've been far too busy!"

"Yes well, running a city does that to you," Sierra dryly responded.

"Nice place out here," Forrest said, looking around.

"Thank you… worked hard," I glanced at the kids excitedly looking around and running about, "I… make sure… they're safe… here…"

"We'll keep 'em behaved," Forrest grinned, wrapping an arm around Charlotte's shoulder.

I smiled back even as I had a swarm of butterflies fly out of the surrounding flowers, much to the kids delight.

"I've learnt… a few tricks," I smiled back before then gesturing as the kids began chasing after the butterfly swarm, "come, still… setting up."

~§~

An hour went by as food was prepared, the sun reaching its full height in the sky as the first of the meat was placed onto the grill. Colin had an apron that was a hairy guys chest that made me do a double take when I saw it and got a good laugh out of everyone, the kids either ran after the butterflies, or played tag and hide and seek in the large open space.

That's when my sensor alarm tripped again. I glanced down at the camera feed and watched a car drive by, I didn't want to alarm anyone, and it didn't look like a mercenary car, but it had gone by too quickly for me to see the occupants. I stood up and started making my way around to the front of the house, though Lisa caught my eye halfway there.

She used a subtle hand signal.

'All good?'

'Be alert' I signalled back and she gave a nod.

I got around to the front of the house and watched the car approach, subtly building a swarm. It was a minute later when I could get a good look into the interior and my swarm started chittering and buzzing for a different reason.

Chicago wards. I recognised Theo and Ava in the front seats. Were they the only ones who came?

The car pulled to a stop next to the other ones and then the doors opened. Theo and Ava climbed out, Grace climbing out of the back a moment later and fixing me with a look.

"Hi," I said as they approached, giving a little wave.

"Taylor… we were… surprised to get an invite," Theo said, looking at the other cars before back to me. He had grown another few inches and was finally taller then me, though he had finally lost that residual baby fat he'd always been gaining and losing in the Wards.

"Are you… did you need us for something?" Ava asked, tilting her head. She had black hair now, I guess she dyed it for some unknown reason, her face was in resigned acceptance.

It stung a bit, to acknowledge that Ava had good reason to believe that if I invited them here I needed them for something, or had some plan they were to be involved in. But I wasn't about that life anymore.

Grace barged passed the other two and marched up to me, a scowl on her features as she pointed. She had grown a few inches, her hair in a pixie cut and she was wearing a crop top that showed off defined musculature. No longer that scrawny girl back in Chicago.

"Taylor! We haven't heard from you in years and then suddenly you're on trial, and you've been in like, a coma? And then we don't hear anything about you again for a year? The fuck is up!?" Grace said as she came closer.

That was Grace.

I looked between each of them, taking in their expressions and seeing they were likely all thinking the same thing Grace had just said.

"No Tecton?" I asked.

Theo shrugged, "he would have come, but work-related responsibilities."

I nodded before sucking in a deep breath.

"I… was still… adjusting to… everything," I admitted, "it was all… a lot… to deal with… but… I'm ready now… which is why I… invited you," I smiled, though it wasn't a very happy one, "you guys… were good to me… even if… I wasn't very good… to you… I wanted… to make… amends… and hoped… this could… be… a good… start," I coughed, still not used to trying to say that many words at once.

"Someone call Master/Stranger, this clearly isn't Taylor," Grace said, crossing her arms.

I frowned, trying to think.

"I know… I didn't… make things easy… for you… and I worked… too hard… I never got… to know you… as well… as I would… have liked…" I swallowed and forced myself to continue, "I was… scared to… make contact… because… I didn't… want to admit… that… but after… everything… I've done… I want to… start again… so… could we… start again?"

They were silent for a moment, before then Ava stepped forward and wrapped me in a hug. I was surprised but hugged her back.

"I accept your apology," she said before pulling away.

Theo nodded, "yeah, all water under the bridge, we were all under a lot of pressure."

"Some… more than others…" I said, looking at him.

Theo shrugged.

Grace jabbed my chest, "those two may forgive you, but you will have to work a bit harder with me," she held the stern glare for a moment before then smiling, "such as letting me have as much grilled food as I want."

I smiled back and shrugged, bobbing my head from side to side. "Think… I can… manage… that."

~§~

The day had been a successful event, the children had been thoroughly entertained with the group of capes occasionally doing a display for them (Brian making little shadow shapes for them was forever kept safe in my head), everyone had enjoyed the opportunity to relax and eat, conversations about hobbies and old memories. They'd trickled away, bit by bit, taken away by responsibilities and other things until it was just me, the Undersiders, Tess, Colin and my dad.

Thinking back on all the great things that happened today, it made me wonder why I did all the things I did that left a bitter taste in my mouth when this memory was so sweet. Though, without all of that, I wouldn't be here to have this, it was a terrible circular though going on loop in my brain.

It was interrupted by Lisa bumping my shoulder with hers.

"Hey, you good?" She asked, leaning next to me on the railing as the sun began to set on the distant horizon.

"Yeah… just thinking," I said. My voice was rougher, and it hurt to talk after an entire day of conversation and laughter, but I didn't mind.

"Dangerous thing when Taylor does that," Alec commented as he walked past and off the front porch, going toward the parked bike.

"Better to think then not at all buddy," Aisha retorted, giving Alec's shoulder a playful shove.

Brian leaned on the railing on the opposite side of me, a soft smile on his face.

"It okay if I stay a few days?" he asked me.

"More than," I responded back with a smile.

His smile grew wider.

"Hm, I seem to be missing transportation," Lisa commented.

"You can come back with us, Lisa," Tess said as she, Colin and my dad rounded the corner.

"Taylor, do you need anything out here? I can pick it up when I'm back in the city and bring it out here," my dad offered.

I shook my head, "nothing… I need… but if… you want… visit, then feel… free… I can… make time."

He nodded, rubbing his wrists absently. It was a tic he'd picked up, and not one he liked elaborating on, so I didn't push.

"Give a call if the sensors start to report they need repairs," Colin said, "I don't have any of my tools to do a touch up right now, but-"

"It's fine… thank you… for everything," I smiled back at him and he nodded.

"Max looks healthy, you're doing great with him," Rachel complimented as she walked around the opposite side of the house, her monster dogs in toe and Max at her heel, tail wagging and tongue panting.

"Thanks, have… safe ride… home," I said.

Rachel just grunted as she climbed on, Cassie gave a wave that I returned and then they were off. Max tried to follow after them, but quickly gave up and sat on his haunches with a sad whine, watching them go.

"Max, here boy!"

Max turned to look at me before then getting back to his feet and trotting over, happily nuzzling into my hand.

"We best be off too," Tess said.

"Right, I'll be there in a moment," Lisa said.

Tess nodded and the three adults left (after my dad came up and hugged me goodbye, it was a nice hug). With them gone if left just me and the remaining Undersiders.

Lisa pushed off of the railing and hugged me, murmuring a "stay safe," into my ear.

"What… trouble can… I get… into?" I asked, raising a brow back at her.

Lisa just raised an eyebrow at me as she walked away, "I know you Tay. Brian, I'll see you in a few days. Aisha, Alec, hit me up if you need something."

With a final wave she disappeared around the corner.

"You ride home safe now," Brian said to his sister, pointing at her.

"Uh, just for that? I'm going to ride unsafe," Aisha replied rebelliously. Then she smirked and put her hands on her hips, "now you two, I know your not teenagers anymore, but remember to be safe, condoms are only effective if you use the-"

She was drowned out by the thrum of jets, and a moment later the Dragon craft that had landed this morning was flying up into the sky.

"That's probably our cue as well, bye TayTay!" Aisha called as she hopped onto her bike, Alec following a moment later.

"Try not to disturb the neighbours!" Alec called before they were both drowned out by the thrum of the motorcycle. A moment later it was pelting off down the road after the small retreating form of the Rachel and her dogs.

It was just me and Brian now, in a blissful peace.

Brian let out a long sigh.

"That's better, all the noise and people, feel like I could sleep for a week."

I smiled, letting my hand slide along the railing to entwine with his, "yeah."

"Wanna head inside?"

"In a minute," I said, before gesturing with my free hand at the setting sun, "it's… last… sunset… of summer."

He squeezed my hand, and we watched the sun set.

After Gold Morning, they had decided to give everyone a second chance, no matter what.

I wasn't wasting mine.

~§~

There we have it, it's over.

I may come back to do some editing over the chapters at some point to clear up grammar and such, but I don't know how likely that will be.

I will likely be returning with a new Worm-story in either the near or the much more likely far future, I have a lot on my plate right now and plan on taking a break from writing for a bit. I've had a few ideas since I started writing Limbo.

It's been a fun ride!