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Epilogue

Voices. She heard them and yet didn't hear them. They were around her and she didn't know why. Open your eyes.

Why was she so cold? Open them.

Why couldn't she hear them? Open!

Hoshi's eyes snapped open and she bolted upright, gasping for air.

Where am I?

Scanning her surroundings, she realized she was in some kind of laboratory, sitting on a table wearing only a long white shirt on. Looking at her body she found wires connected to her face, arms, legs.

She pulled them off one at a time and with each disconnection, bit her lower lip, suppressing a scream at the pain.

"Hoshi!"

She whipped her head up. Travis, she thought, narrowing her eyes on him.

He had a concerned expression on his face which turned into surprise when she suddenly wrapped one of the wires around his neck.

"Hos--" he tried to say, pulling at the wire only to have it tighten as she pulled at the ends.

He's going to pay, she thought as her eyes bored through his. Feel every second of her pain, hurt just like--

"No!" someone shouted. She felt strong hands snatch the wire from her grasp, leaving Travis choking and sputtering on the ground.

Another man had entered the room, helping Travis stand. "Tell Malcolm we've found her, and get Doctor Phlox."

Travis coughed and lightly pounded his chest with his fist before answering, "Yes, sir." He scurried away.

The man turned around and her heart skipped a beat.

It was him, the nameless face from her first dream. Slowly, he moved towards her, holding up his hand to show that he meant her no harm. Finally standing in front of her, he gently ran his fingers through her hair and she closed her eyes, relishing the touch.

"Hoshi," he whispered, "look at me."

She didn't want to because she believed that if she did, she would wake up and this would be another dream, another illusion.

He stopped stroking her hair and she felt her chin being lifted.

Opening her eyes, she blinked. They were eye-to-eye. Dark brown against light blue.

He was still here. He's real!

She made an anguished groan before giving way to tears. He held her and she leaned against him, her body shaking as she cherished his warmth.

"It's okay, darlin'," he said, stroking her back.

Her doubts and fears dissipated and she knew in her heart, mind, and soul that where she was now was as real as things could get.

This is reality.

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The End.

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