A/N: Sorry I've taken awhile to get this part up, but I REALLY appreciate all of the reviews. Oh, someone mentioned that John Faa was the leader of the Gyptians, not Sean Lee, but since John Faa was really old in Pullman's books, I figure fifteen years later he may have passed away or something by then. Just wanted to clear that up… Enough rambling, hope you enjoy this chapter!!
Lyra and Will sat there a long time, in silence, just enjoying each other's company, something they wouldn't experience again for a long time. The house was silent for at least an hour, but was interrupted by the phone ringing. Smiling apologetically, Lyra slowly stood up and picked up he phone.
"Hello?" Will watched Lyra's face sinking in a frown.
"Can't this wait?" She asked, glancing at Will. Will shook his head slightly; he didn't want to put Lyra's life on hold.
"Give me ten minutes," Lyra said to the phone, and hung up. Immediately she began to grab her purse. "Listen, Will, the theologians at work are in a mess. The dust communications are down, I'm needed in there right away." She said hurriedly.
"It's okay," Will said, glancing down. Suddenly Lyra got an idea.
"Wanna see where I work?" And there, for a moment, Will saw that familiar glint in her eye once again.
"Wouldn't I be a nuisance? I mean, what about the kids?" Will asked.
"You'd never be a nuisance. Besides, you know more about dust than more of our employees. I'll get the neighbors to watch the kids, we have a system worked out for stuff like this." Will smiled, and stood up, grabbing his coat.
As Lyra and Will hurried down the hall, Lyra stopped at the next door and did a complicated sort of knock. "That's how I ask the neighbors to watch the kids," Lyra explained, and yelling "Thanks" to the door, the two ran out of the building.
"So, does this happen a lot?" Will asked, running beside her through the dark streets. He figured it was past midnight.
"Studying Dust is demanding work," Lyra replied, and after a few blocks, stopped at a majestic building of brick. "In here," She said, leading Will inside, and was immediately bombarded by people. This gave Will some time to glance around. It looked a lot like an office in his world, but everything seemed to have a welcoming air to it.
"This is Will," Lyra said, causing Will to break out of his thoughts. He saw a tall woman standing in front of him, with wispy red hair. "Will, this is Dr. Handray, my assistant, and a very close friend of mine," Will shook hands with Dr. Handray, who said smiling, "So Lyra, nice boyfriend." Lyra grinned and corrected her. "That was a long time ago. Now he's just a very, very close friend." Will knew this was true, but he wished they were a couple. Deep down, he knew they had changed too much to get back together.
"Whatever you say, Lyra," Dr. Handrey said, smiling. "Anyway, the problem is over here…"
The next day went by faster than Will could have ever imagined. Lyra took the day off from work and they spent the whole day talking, exploring Lyra's Oxford. All too soon they had come and gone to the feast with the Gyptains. It was then that Will had to say goodbye, for the Gyptains would be leaving in a matter of hours. Lyra and will stood alone in an abandoned room of the Gyptians boat, just gazing into each other's eyes. It was Lyra who found the words to say first.
"I guess I should be going," she said, forcing a smile onto her face.
"Yeah."
"I wish it could be different… I wish we could stay together forever and ever and-
Will softly put his finger over her lips. "We will be. Just remember that. We will be together." He felt a single tear sweep down his face, and noticed that Lyra was crying silently too. They fell into a hug, longer and more flooding with emotions than ever before. Will felt as though another part of his heart was gone.
When they finally drew apart, Lyra smiled and, kissing Will lightly, whispered in his ear, "We will be together." Then she turned and left, with Pan laced around her neck. Will never forgot the way she walked of that room, slowly, deliberately, sadly, and the way her soft lips had lightly pressed against his, and the way she whispered delicately in his ear,
"We will be together."
The End
A/N: How was it? Okay, so there was going to be another chapter, but it really doesn't fit. I also wanted a happy ending, but in a sense, it DOES have a happy ending, with the thought in their minds that they would be together for eternity when they died. So, tell me what you think, I'd love to hear from you!!! (No, I will not write another chapter, I decided to end it this way.) I luv u guys!!!
-StarFig