Breakfast the next morning was dismal. Even the "Just Married" glow that surrounded both Rob and Casey as they fed each other strawberries, Tabasco, and cream, did little to break the mood. A sense of doom filled Jill- each step brought her closer to a destiny that she did not want to face.

"Leaving Las Vegas" Alex muttered, as they exited city limits in the rental car.

"What was that?" Jill said, lifting her head off his chest.

"Oh nothing." Alex said, running his fingers through her mane of hair. "I'm just remembering the way Liz, Maria, and I rushed home last time."

"Oh?"

"Your grandfather found out that we skipped school and headed here. Man, was he livid." Alex's voice changed to mimic Jim's. "It's okay to skip school to fight evil aliens and save the universe, but it isn't okay to skip for underage gambling."

"How did you get back?"

Alex chuckled. "We didn't want to wait for the later plane flight, so your we rented a car, and your mom drove like a bat out of Hell. Liz was certain she'd get pulled over, but we were lucky." A smile crossed his face, revealing that he hadn't left the past as far behind him as he let on.

"And if we succeed, you'll be able to be back there, with Liz and Maria. And you'll be safe."

"Safe." Alex muttered, staring off into the sky. "Is there such a thing?"


***

After a "Last Meal" at the Valenti house, and an impromptu aromatherapy session designed by Amy to "clear their minds" the four headed off towards the pod chamber. All had tears in their eyes, realizing that the disappearance of the Valenti house from the horizon marked the point of no return. They were actually going to do this. The plan which had seemed so abstract was now reality.

They parked the car and headed for the last few feet on foot. Holding hands, a strong group of four, they approached the chamber.

Alex broke the silence, trying to lighten the ominous mood. "Do you realize…" he said with a great amount of drama, "that I am the only one here who is NOT named Valenti?"

Rob rolled his eyes, and Casey let out a little giggle. Jill remained silent, the specter of the rock formation in front of them filling her eyes.

With a deep breath, she pulled away from her friends and stepped inside.

"I thought you weren't coming." Liz said with a great amount of drama. "I thought you might have run."

"I thought about it." Jill remarked, looking Liz directly in the face. "But I'm made of stronger stuff than that. I am my parents daughter."

"I know." Liz replied.

"You ready?" Tess said, pointing up at the large Antarian symbol. "It's almost time to go."

They nodded.

"It's time for last goodbyes." Liz said. "Alex, it's the end of the road."

Casey impulsively hugged Alex. "I'll miss you, you know that?"

"I'll miss you too." He said, his voice breaking.

Rob and Alex patted each other on the back, until Casey gave her new husband a look. Then they exchanged a quick, manly hug.

Jill was crying, her beautiful eyes clouded.

"It's gonna be ok." He said, running his hand up and down his back. "Jill, you're gonna save the day."

"But at what cost? What kind of stupid plan is this? Isn't it too much to ask someone? If I'm successful, If, I'll never exist. Rob will never exist. Casey's the only one that might exist. Alex, I haven't even lived yet. I can't leave and end my only chance to exist…"

"Jill" he said, his voice soft. "I don't know what's going to happen. I know how scary it is to leave, to leave this world. But it's really not so bad. Otherwise I never would have met you. Wherever you go, what ever happens, you'll always have your soul, and your heart. Your soul is your soul and your heart is your heart."

She looked up at him. "Will you remember me?"

He nodded. "No force of nature, time, or destiny could cause me to forget you."

Alex pulled Jill close, kissing her, a kiss of goodbye.

"I love you." He said as they broke apart.

"I love you, too. Always and forever." Jill said, grabbing Casey's hand and walking over to the granolith.

The three put their hands on it, and suddenly they appeared in the upper chamber. Alex broke apart from the alcove where he had been standing along with Tess and Liz. He stretched his hand towards the granolith, putting his hand to Jill's through the transparent layers that separated them.

Then there was white, as the granolith spurred to action.

***

They were coughing, their lungs full of dust.

"Everyone ok?" Rob called out, still rubbing the irritating desert grit out of his eyes.

"I'm fine." Jill said, sitting up and holding her head. "Even though I hit my head on something."

"I'm here." Casey called, a cough interrupting the rest of her sentence.

"I'm here?" A fourth voice questioned.

"Alex?" Jill said, her bright blue eyes snapping open. "What are you doing here?"