Author's note: I'm sooo sorry! You wouldn't believe the week I've had! Well, you might. But don't bother.

Since I haven't got to look at my reviews yet, here's some general shout-outs:

True_Blue: Thanks.

Dominic: Likewise.

Anne: Hope you're still with me.

eXtreme: Hope you're still enjoying the story.

Anyone I missed: Thanks for reviewing. Andrea, that includes you.

To show how sorry I am for not posting sooner, I'm also posting the first chapter of my next story, More History Lessons. Lessons takes place after the finale of the show.

Enjoy!

Aftermath 8: Kite and Tara

Three and a half thousand miles from Turtle Cove, Tara stood and watched as Shayla and Merrick finally got their act together.

"Eavesdropping is considered rude in most places, I believe."

Tara didn't turn. "I'm not eavesdropping. I haven't listened to anything they've said."

"Semantics." There was a brief pause before the speaker added, "You look nice in that skirt."

Bemused, Tara glanced down at her ankle-length skirt. "Taylor won't be happy if she realizes you're starting to notice girls."

Kite shrugged faintly. "I don't really care what Taylor thinks."

"Ooh, rebelling against a parent figure. You're really learning about being human, Animus."

"The Rangers are miserable, you know."

Tara glanced sideways at him. "Where've you been? The rangers are getting over it."

"It would have been better for them if you were there."

"No, it wouldn't." Tara contradicted him. "It would have been different for them if I were there, but not easier. All of them did what I would have advised them anyway." She turned away, heading back into the house. "They don't need me like you seem to think."

Kite stepped into her path, and when he spoke it was with Animus' voice. "You are family. They need you."

She brushed impatiently past him. "People live without family all the time, Kite. Look at me, I've been doing it for years."

"And look where that's left you." He followed her into the house, speaking in his own voice once again. "Running from the first people to show you kindness."

"I'm not…" She caught herself, smiling faintly at him. "Pots and kettles, Kite. I don't see you hanging out on the Animarium anymore."

"We're not talking about me."

"We're not talking about me, either. I have to get to work."

He was still there, of course, when she came back. Tara sighed inwardly and set another place at the table.

"They miss you." he said later, breaking several hours of silence.

"They miss you, too. I don't see why you don't go back."

"Because they don't see Kite anymore. They only see Animus. This body has outlived its' usefulness."

"What I said before about you being human? I take it back."

"I thought you might." Kite murmured softly. "Of course, you are not really qualified to advise me on being human."

"No." Tara agreed easily. "I'm not. If you think you can hurt me that way, Kite…."

"I'm not trying to hurt you." Kite said frustratedly.

"Good, 'cos you're doing a lousy job."

"Connor has left America, you know. You're safer from him in Turtle Cove than anywhere else." He frowned slightly. "Why do you react like that?"

"Like what?" Tara asked uneasily.

"To his name."

"It's just not a name I like much, Kite. That's all."

"And yet you chose it for him."

"Well, I didn't like him much either. It seemed to fit."

"And you insist on calling me Kite." He switched tracks on her.

"It's your name."

"No, it's not. Kite is what this body called itself. I am Animus."

"You're wrong." Tara said flatly. "Kite was a person for months before you decided to wake up. Ask the Rangers, they lived with him." Smiling faintly, she added, "Kite is part of you as Tara is part of me."

"Tara is who you are." Kite protested, but she shook her head.

"Thariin is who I am. Thariin is always who I am. Tara and Deirbhile and the other names I use…they're parts of me. Not the whole part, just part. I am always Thariin underneath."

"So…" Kite said hesitantly. "Am I always Animus…or always Kite?"

Tara shrugged. "That's up to you, Kite. Which would you rather be?"

"Animus is lonely," he murmured, "but Animus is needed."

"So is Kite." Tara reminded him softly, before rising to her feet and leaving the room.

She talked to Cole that night; it was something she was gradually stopping, in the vague hope that the Rangers would simply let her drift away from them. Cole was—the only word she could think of was 'bubbly'. Apparently he and Alyssa had talked for a long time that afternoon, working out a lot of their problems.

It's not the way it was, still. he 'told' her solemnly. But it's better than it has been since before you left. And Taylor came back this evening, and she even smiled!

She must have been happy. Tara mused softly. And the others? Danny and Max, and Merrick and the Princess?

Danny and Max are back to normal. Cole reported. I don't know what Danny did, but it worked. And the Princess…seems kind of like when Merrick came back the first time. Sort of dreamy.

I know why that is, Tara teased him gently.

So do I, he 'said', surprising her. Because she finally got Merrick to admit he loves her.

You're getting better, Cole.

She sensed him shrug. It's not difficult to see. Especially since he's up there sitting right beside her.

Tara laughed out loud. You are a sneaky minx, Cole Evans! You're as bad as… She cut herself off hastily, hoping he hadn't caught the name.

Who?

Someone else I knew. Of course, now that she didn't want to, all she could think of were those people… Cole, I have to go.

Are you coming home soon? Cole asked earnestly.

I…I hope so. I don't know. I haven't…haven't done everything yet.

Hurry back. he told her sincerely, and she nodded though he couldn't see her, crying softly. Her mental voice showed no trace of tears, though.

I will, Cole. My love to everyone there, OK? I'll…I'll talk to you soon.

Soon. There was a faint warning tone in his voice, which Tara ignored, turning to look at Kite.

"I'm going back." he said immediately. "The Heart is beating."

Tara nodded. "I've sensed it. Can you stop it?"

"I can try. Animus will stand one last time…and then he will go, and I will be Kite."

Tara shrugged faintly. "Or if not Kite, then another."

"What do you mean?" Kite asked, alarmed; Tara's voice was going sing-song, and anyone who knew her knew what that meant.

"Just that I see no Kite in the future. Don't ask me what that means," she added quickly, "I've never been good at fortune telling." She smiled wistfully. "My love to my friends?"

"I will give your love to your family." Kite said quietly. "And I will see you in Turtle Cove."

"You will." Tara agreed. "One way or the other, we will meet there again.

"Goodbye, Kite."