Epilogue
Chapter Nineteen: Perfectly

The conclusion to my longest story yet - nineteen chapters! The poems at the end are very pretty, and when you think about them, they fit the character they're under. Tell me what you think. Next humor fic is a scandal within the set of Cybersix, and the next serious fic will either be Run For It or Forgotten Reality. Help me decide: Do you want to meet Holden and see Marie again (Run For It) OR would you rather a semi-AR fic (Forgotten Reality)? Your vote decides it, so REVIEW and tell me what you want.

Mikae paced up and down the length of the common room. With each passing minute, the citizens grew more and more uneasy, and Mikae grew more and more upset and worried. How long has it been? Shit. I think my watch stopped... Dammit, Cyb, you'd just better not have gotten yourself and Yashi killed. I can't run this place by myself.
Data 7's thoughts were similar, though a bit strained as Julian held the panther tightly around the neck. Wish he'd let go... Damn. Sister, you'd better be okay out there. I can't handle these kids by myself.
The soft tip, tip, tap of high heels became audible, and Mikae stopped her pacing. Julian clutched Data 7's fur closer, and a collective breath was held, and released as the brim of a hat and swirl of red cape came into view. Cybersix was weary, but she was smiling. In a voice that could have taken the world's breath away, she said simply, They are free.
Every renegade added his or her own shout to the jubilee that followed that tiny sentence, but Cybersix did not. Mikae hurried to her friend and ducked slightly under the large brim of the hat. Hey Cyb, she questioned, You sure you're okay?
I'm just tired, Mikae... adrenaline rush and all that...
You're sure.
Yes, I- Look, I'm fine, honest.
Lucas approached the two, hiding the extent of his delight at seeing Cybersix again. What's going on?
Argh, good luck with her, Lucas. Something's wrong with her and she won't tell me what it is. Patting Cybersix on the shoulder, Mikae returned to the rest of the crowd to hug Data 7 and Julian.
He raised an eyebrow at the switch from Mr. Amato to , but the latter part of the statement caught his attention. Wrong? What's wrong with you?
Nothing physically. I told Mikae I was tired, and I am.
He studied her face. But there's something else, isn't there? A brief look of surprise crossed his face and Cybersix let herself lean heavily into his arms. Uhm... Cybersix?
I suppose... I'm just worried about the people in the camps. Do you think we can save them, Lucas?
You're with us. I know we can do anything as long as you're here. Listen, we'll free the whole town one by one if we have to. We can do this. His kiss silenced any protest she might have had. Cybersix nearly threw herself away from him, frightened by the sudden act of love, and her body tensed as though she would. But the moment passed as quickly as it had come, and she was surprised to find her heart wishing for it again.
Julian suddenly hugged her around the knees, and Lucas let her kneel beside him. Ikiko's free? Really free, Cybersix?
She smiled. Yes, Julian, really free, forever and ever.
The warm, wet nose of Data 7 snuffled at her neck, and she turned to give her brother the appropriate hug and nuzzle. Finally, he commented, and one would have been under the impression that a roll of the eyes accompanied the somewhat sarcastic remark.
Mikae stretched her arms. Y'know, you did something really good, Cyb. So no feeling guilty anymore, mmkay?
...you mind reader.

Okay, Mikae, I promise.

That night, as a sleeping Lucas held her gently in his arms - she had asked him if he'd like to share her room from then on, and he had quickly accepted the offer - Cybersix mused upon the events that had shattered Meridiana. Tears came to her eyes as she remembered Lori's death, and the ever present worry and doubt surrounding Enrique's disappearance. But her thoughts soon returned to Lucas' comforting presence, and more specifically, the strong arms that reassured her of his love.
How funny, she thought as she drifted to sleep, that his arms hold me so perfectly... I finally feel like I belong.



Cybersix

Introspection
I weep because I'm lonely.
I cry for peace of mind.
I yearn for the innocence of my youth.
I want to be happy.
I need to be loved unconditionally.
Not feigning thoughts or actions
That fulfills another's expectations.
I strive to be worthy of respect and admiration
By the beauty of goodness and truth.
I long for the end of turmoil.
A turmoil that causes me to cry for what is lost to me
While smiling at what I've gained.
To cry for what might have been
While smiling at what is.
I seek approval.
Am I wrong or right?
Tell me . . .
Harriet B. Lane

Lucas

In Silence
In silence,
He waits for her.
In silence,
He dreams of her.
In silence,
He speaks to her.
In silence,
He thinks about her.
In silence,
He is longing for her.
In silence,
His heart raves for her.
In silence,
He loves her.
Dena Pendergast

Data Seven

Hope
Stood above the world and I watched the
fishes swimming by
Watched the stars and watched the sky
Watched in shadows as you try to find a
reason not to cry
Sat at the bottom of the sea to see the way
you look at me
To see the two and see the three
To see the way I need to be to find a way to
set you free
The moon now with its rays of blue to reunite me and you
Blue on me and blue on you
Only us the only few to be held in rays so true
See the sun it smiles so it waves good-bye as we go
As we go as you now know
Over the hell you see us throw a glance of
happiness in which we grow
Benjamin Weiss

Mikae

Maybe They Exist
Maybe they exist
Why is it,
That when you have given up
Completely
On the human race.
When you believe that
All people are evil.
Why then does one show up
One that brings back your faith
In humanity.
One that makes you think
That maybe a few nice people
Are out there.
Maybe they do exist
Those that are nice
Those that want to help
And not hurt.
Maybe human beings are not all bad.
Maybe some are good...
Julie Lukashevsky