Hey minna!

I know. It's been a while since I've written new Outlaw Star fanfic. Heh, I've been trying to get my juices flowing. I've worked on some new Ranma 1/2 stuff and Sailor Moon fanfics as well. I've finally got the inspiration to write a new Outlaw Star fic! ^^ YAY!!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Outlaw Star or its characters. I am merely borrowing them…^^ TAKE THAT YOU LAWYERS! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Rated R for language and violence. ^^

Enjoy!

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Now and Forever, Epilogue:

Holding the Dream

By Batdz Angel (\0/)

Whatever god was trying to be funny was not making her laugh.

What the hell was that man doing in Blue Heaven anyway?

"Melfina! My creation! My pretty! How I have longed to see you."

"Shut up Quinn Con."

"Ah, but you are not the Melfina I created!" A pause. "Have you still the ship Melfina? Have you still the partner I made you?"

"Didn't you hear me the first time damn it? I said shut up!"

Quinn Con stared at her with curious eyes and said, "I must run tests. Many tests on you Melfina. This way I can understand on how to fix you. Yes. Yes." The castor aimed at his head made Melfina smile sweetly. "Touch me and die you freak. I mean it."

"What has made you bitter?

"What has made you a fool?"

"I only wish to understand everything. Is that a crime?"

"Only when you annoy the hell out of me. What're you doing at Blue Heaven anyway?" she asked after taking a swig of her whiskey. "Searching. Searching for the Leyline," he answered eagerly. "Do you know where it is Melfina? Can you take me there?"

She did know where the Leyline was. Having been its Maiden, she knew where it would always go. He didn't know that though.

"No. And I don't care."

"Wouldn't you like to know who you are?" She snorted at him and said, "You're confusing me with a different person. I'm not your puppet anymore Con. I've grown. I've found my own identity." "And is Gene Starwind still helping you find that identity?" Quinn Con asked his eyes gleaming. "Is he still loving you?"

Not unless you counted when she dreamt.

"He's dead."

"My regrets."

"Like hell. You hated him. Detested him. Doesn't matter anyway, considering he hated you just as much for shutting me down like you did."

"Would it still work now I wonder?"

"Probably not. I no longer need to enter that tube to work the Outlaw Star. I just command Gilliam where to go."

"The ship works without you? Interesting."

"Don't get any ideas Con. I wouldn't let you near my ship, much less on it."

"Something tells me you are unhappy to see me Melfina."

"What was your first clue?"

***

She looked at the stars and sighed inwardly as she sat on the floor. She hadn't killed Con, figuring the man was a pity even if he wasn't dead. Besides, she wasn't stupid. Killing Con wouldn't bring back her life. Wouldn't bring back Gene.

It would've made her feel better though.

"Melfina?"

"Gilliam."

"I have found a way to do what you asked."

She kept staring at the stars as she spoke, asking, "And?"

A pause.

"I shall be shut down as well if you proceed."

She inhaled slowly, contemplating. It was true Gilliam was her ship but she wouldn't cheat him of anything. She wouldn't do what Quinn Con had done to her.

"Would you be angry with me if I proceeded?"

Another pause and for a moment, Melfina thought Gilliam was smiling.

"No Melfina. I have lived for as long as I have. I do not regret anything."

She smiled.

"Thank you Gilliam."

"'There is a time and place for everything under heaven…' Melfina."

"That's very poetic."

Another pause. Another smile that she would never see.

"From the greatest book ever written Melfina."

"Hn. Prepare."

"Of course Melfina."

***

Later, she lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling as Gilliam allowed the ship to begin its shutdown. She felt her body relax slowly and smiled to herself as she drifted away, away, away…

Her eyes opened and she looked around the grassy knoll, smiling slightly to herself. Her form was encased in a pale red creation seeming to float around her as she stepped forward.

The sun was shining here, she noted. The sky was clear and blue as she saw birds flit past. She laughed lightly, feeling for the first time freedom. If only…

"Melfina?"

She froze and stood there, her mind racing, heart thumping in her ears. Turning slowly, she gasped as she saw a man standing a few feet behind her, staring at her with wide eyes. He was lean and muscular with scars covering his arms and two scars decorating his left cheek. His sapphire eyes sparkled as he looked at her, a tender smile written on his face. Brushing back a lock of flaming hair, he spoke again, saying, "Is it really you Mel? Are you really here?"

She licked her lips, her throat dry as she took him in, whispering, "Gene…?" hoping this wasn't a dream…

He smiled again, bright and happy. "Yeah."

She threw herself into his arms, tears sliding down her face as she whispered, "I missed you Gene. I love you…" He smiled and kissed her lips gently, whispering, "I've always waited for you. Always."

She held onto the dream.

And this time, she wasn't going to let go.

***

Jim glanced up as Aisha turned on the television. He made a face at the news and said, "Change it baby. I don't-" his words died in his throat as a familiar ship was shown on the screen.

"In other news, the Outlaw Star was found drifting near the planet of Heifong, having come from Blue Heaven as the logs show. The captain, renowned trader and bounty hunter, Melfina Starwind, was nowhere to be found. The only clue being a message flickering on the screen. That message being 'There is a time and place for everything under heaven.' Cheryl?"

Aisha turned the TV off and turned to look at Jim, who was staring blankly at the screen. "Jim?" she asked quietly as her husband sighed. He shook his head and said softly, "I don't know. I don't know Aisha…"

She sighed and slid into his lap, arms wrapping tightly around him as a tear slid down her cheek. "She wasn't happy without him Jim," she whispered softly as he kissed her cheeks gently. "She hasn't been happy for a long time…" "I know," Jim said quietly. "She was always drinking. Always finding someone who almost resembled him…" "But it wasn't him," Aisha confirmed softly as she pulled away from him enough to look into his eyes. "It was never him."

Jim sighed and looked out the window at the dark, black night. The stars sparkled and shone, brighter than he had ever seen them before.

"Be happy Melfina. Be happy."

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Comments at Batdzangel@yahoo.com

Ja ne!

Batdz Angel (\0/)