Disclaimer's: The story is winding down. It was my longest fanfiction. I know a few people who will be sad that it's over, myself included. There are only 2 chapters left... AND I STILL HAVE TO WRITE A DISCLAIMER'S!!!!!!!!! I also don't own any movies, books, or songs mentioned in this fic. On with the fic!

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I had only 1 week left in my summer stay at the Quest Compound. To make it special, I got to choose everything. Where we went, what was for dinner, and so forth.

We went to see The Mummy Returns. We had all of my favorite foods. I FINALLY GOT TO USE THE VR ROOM!!! We all went swimming, we had a blast... And it was almost time to say good bye. I didn't want to go. But...

"Maybe you don't have to go," Jonny said. We were sitting out on the porch, just the 2 of us. Everyone was actually giving us a little privacy.

"You know I have to," I said, "I have to go back to school. Even if I went to school up here, my parents wouldn't be too crazy about the idea."

"Why not?" Jonny asked, "Your Mom and my Dad are good friends. She trusts us to take care of you."

"That's because she doesn't know we spent half of the vacation running from Serd," I said, "It could happen again."

"You don't want to stay because you're afraid of the stuff that happens?" Jonny asked me.

"It's not just that-"

"It's OK," Jonny said, "I don't blame you. You aren't used to split second decisions or being in danger. It's OK."

We were quiet for awhile.

"This doesn't mean we can't visit each other," I said.

"Yeah," Jonny said, "You can stay here next summer, too and..." His voice trailed off.

"It won't work with us will it?" I asked.

"I... don't know," Jonny said, "It's so long until next summer. I wish you wouldn't have to be gone so long."

"If we did stay together," I said, "We'd be constantly worrying about each other and we'd end up breaking up and probably hating each other."

"Yeah," Jonny said, "It's not worth the friendship."

I looked at him and asked, "Are we breaking up now?"

"I guess," Jonny said, "I don't know if we can officially break up, though."

"Yeah," I said, "We were never officially going out if you think about it."

"Then, I guess we just part as friends," Jonny said.

"Is it OK if I'm not happy about it?" I asked.

"Yeah," Jonny said, "I'm not happy about it, either."

We sat on the porch and watched the sunset over the water...

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When we went inside, I think the others knew we had "broken up" because they didn't say anything. I went up to take a shower and then just crawled into bed with the book of Fairy Tales Madame President had given me. Great for giving you nightmares...

Race came in to see me at about 10:30, "Hey munchkin. How are you doing?"

To my horror, I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, "I don't want to leave you guys in a couple of days."

Race gave me a hug, "You can always come back for visits and-" He stopped, "But it can't be that way, can it? You need something for keeps or not at all."

I nodded and felt the tears fall down my face, "We can write and send email and stuff, but if I come back, I don't know if I can leave again."

"Then, we'll write and send email and stuff," Race said, "Long distance rarely works with couples, but with families, we can make it work."

I looked at him, "Families?"

"That's what you are now munchkin," he said, "You're 1 of us now, even if you and Jonny don't get married."

I smiled and nodded. Race kissed my forehead and took my book from my hands and put it on my bedside table, "Go to sleep. We can talk more in the morning." He walked out the my door, closing it behind him.

I rolled over and went to sleep...

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The next 3 days passed by quickly for us. There was nothing to do except pack and make promises that it might be too hard to keep. I hated how everyone tried to be cheerful, when you could tell they were just as upset as I was.

Jonny especially. I almost asked him if we could try to have a long distance relationship a couple if times, but I didn't. Neither of us wanted to deal with the pain of me leaving, so we cut it off early and that was good. Or was it...

We were floating around the swimming pool when it hit me. I mean really hit me. I was leaving tomorrow. This was the last time I would swim in this pool. This was the last night I'd sleep in my bed. This was the last dinner and lunch I'd eat with them. I'd have breakfast tomorrow but...

I climbed out of the pool and raced for my room. I dropped onto my bed (regardless of how wet I was) and started to cry. Jonny and Hadji came racing into the room after me. They took 1 look at me and put their arms around me (they were wet, too, but what the heck?). We all started crying...

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Race and Dr. Quest left Jonny, Hadji, and I go out to the greenhouse with our sleeping bags and spend the night by ourselves to say good bye. I'd never seen the greenhouse before. It was pretty big and the plants were pretty. This was Dr. Quest's hobby. I guess I won't be spending 1 last night in my bed after all...

We were equipped with a stereo, food, drinks, flashlights for when we didn't want the big lights on, and bug repellant. There was an area in the middle of the greenhouse that was clear of tables, so that's where we set up for the night.

We arrived out there around 10 and set everything up. We agreed to try to go to bed by 1 so we wouldn't be too tired the next day and I wouldn't be cranky when I saw my parents again. We were going to spend the time talking.

"I can't believe I leave tomorrow," I said, "The summer went by too fast."

Jonny and Hadji nodded.

"We have to write and email," I said, "If I can't see you guys, I want to talk to you. At least, it's kinda talking."

The boys nodded again. I suddenly flung myself at them, "I'm going to miss you all so much!"

I turned to Hadji, "Who else will understand the fact that I talk to tigers? My parents might not be too thrilled about this."

He smiled, "I can always send you more meditating secrets."

"Yeah," I said, "But it's easier to do when you have a visual aide. I'll probably get horribly confused and end up poking out my psychic seat or something." Hadji and I grinned.

Jonny was being so quiet, "You not talking right now?" I asked him.

"I can't think of anything to say," he said "You're leaving tomorrow and I'll miss you. I can't say anything else. No matter what I do, you're still leaving, so I'm not going to try to convince you to stay." He met my eyes, "If I say anything more, it will be meaningless. I love you and I'll miss you too much." He rolled over and turned his back to us. He didn't speak the rest of the night.

Hadji and I made small talk until midnight, then we called it quits. We said good night to Jonny and went to sleep...

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Well guys, this is it. Only 1 more chapter in A Summer Quest. It's been great and I'm actually thinking of am idea for a sequel. If any of you want me to try to come up with a sequel, let me know. I'd be happy to try. What do you think about the Quests spending Thanksgiving at my place?

Robbie: I had fun watching The Matrix with you. We need to do it again, this time at my house with the cemetery, K?

Katie: Until next time in Australia...

Fay: I'm sorry to end the fic, but I think you'll be happy if I write a sequel, huh?

Thanx, ja ne! The Management