Alrighty then.  Finally the epilogue.  Hope you readers have enjoyed this, and if you haven't…sorry.  I have to say that I've had fun writing it, and am looking forward to whatever work I decide to take on next…hopefully without the huge time gap in the middle next time though.  Ja!

Insert standard disclaimer here

Melvin slowly looked around the carnage that surrounded him.  In his thirty years on the force, he had never, ever seen anything like this.  It was difficult to tell which was more shocking.  The state of the two-story house, which now resembled something akin to a pile of splinters.  The state of the yard, which was now nothing more than a huge crater akin to some kind of giant asteroid landing.  Or the state of the only two living beings, who were huddled together in the middle of said crater.  The woman was physically fine, but all she did was lay on the ground, shuddering and whimpering.  Occasionally would burst into a sudden fit of screaming, as if the hounds of hell where snapping at her heels.  Then she would lapse back into silence, her constant trembling the only sign that she was alive.

The man wasn't much better.  Unlike the woman however, he displayed evidence of physical damage.  He was suffering from multiple punctures, slashes, contusions, broken bones…simply put, he looked like he came out of the wrong side of an argument with a meat grinder.  He simply sat in the middle of the yard, and whispered insanely to himself, "Nice kitty, good kitty, nice kitty, good kitty," over and over.

Melvin simply shook his head.  He had no idea what had gone on here.  And quite frankly…he was much happier that way.

Starwind and Hawking

Jim opened his eyes and squinted at the suddenly harsh sunlight.  Trying to roll away from the window, he felt every inch of pain in his body course through him at once.  Groaning out loud, he slowly turned his head away from the light.

"Jimmy?  Are you awake?"  Slowly, Jim opened his eyes to peer at Aisha's concerned visage.

"That you Aisha?  Where am I?  What happened?"  Jim was taken by surprise when Aisha let out a loud wail and then smothered Jim with a huge hug. 

"Thank goodness," she whispered, blue eyes brimming over with tears.  "I didn't think you were ever going to wake up."

Aisha's shout had startled everyone in the house, and moments later they all came rushing into the room.

"Jim!  Oh, I'm so glad you're finally awake."  Exclaimed Melfina, as she also enclosed the boy with a hug.

"It's about time you got up you lazy slug-a-bed."  Gene carefully reached out and affectionately tousled Jim's unruly hair.  "We've been worried sick about you."

"It is good to have you back Jim.  Life has not been the same without you."  Jim looked up in shock at Suzuka.  Did she really just say that?  Suzuka's only response was a wide smile…well, wide for Suzuka that is.

"Ughh…what happened to me?  Wait…I remember…something about, the Galactic Leyline…and…" suddenly the boy sat upright.  "I remember!  Stephen, Anna!"

"Shush Jimmy, we took care of them.  They won't ever harm anyone ever again."  Aisha gave the boy an affectionate squeeze.  "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

Jim looked up at them, tears beginning to brim in his eyes.  "They…" his throat almost closed up too much for him to continue, but he fought to get the words out.  "They said you didn't want me anymore.  They…they told that I was worthless…that I was just in your way.  They said you didn't even try and get me back."  Here the boy hung his head, not wanting them to see the tears that welled up in his eyes at the confession.  The others could merely stare at him, not knowing at all how to respond to the sudden frailty.  To everyone's surprise, it was Suzuka who moved first.

Gently reaching down, she lifted the boy's chin up so that he could see into her eyes.  "Jim," she said firmly.  "You are one of the most competent people I have ever met in my life.  You constantly amaze me with your intelligence, your abilities, and your heart.  You are one of the few people in this galaxy who I have met that I would be glad to call my friend.  I would never willingly allow someone to harm you, I will promise to bring disaster upon any that do." 

Jim could only stare at her speechlessly.  Suddenly, Gene began to chuckle.  "I couldn't have said it better.  Like it or not squirt your our companion, come hell or high-water.  I don't care what anyone says, Starwind and Hawking is here to stay as long we're both around.  Besides," Gene grinned mischievously, "you're the only one who can run the place."

"I wouldn't even be here today if it wasn't for you and Gene."  Melfina quietly said.  "I owe everything to you, including the person that I have become.  I can't think of any two people who I would more want to have in my life.  Quite simply…you're my family."

"Damn straight."  Aisha concurred.  "I don't know what this crap is about being useless, but if I hear any more of it you might just make me mad Jim."  Here Aisha pulled back and blue eyes focused on blue.  "Simply put, I'm going to be by your side for as long as I'm around.  For no other reason than the fact that I can't think of anywhere else I'd like to be."

"And for the fact that the Ctarl Ctarl Empire probably won't ever let you in again."  Jim teased Aisha.

"Why you!  Take that back," she replied bopping him on the head with a pillow.  Seconds later a giant pillow fight ensued, with even the stoic Suzuka joining in.

And in the middle of the bed, a blond haired boy sat laughing, his blue eyes sparkling with happiness.  Sure things had been tough, but at last everything was done…he had his family back

And that was all that mattered.