Earth's Children

Author: Luna Sealeaf

Summary: Harpers' parents tell their tale of life and love in Post-Commonwealth Earth

Rating: PG-13 (Maybe R for a few graphic(violent) images or dark themes)

Disclaimer: No, I do not own the universe of Andromeda, nor do I own characters such as Harper or Brendan (obviously) I made up the characters of Josephine and Evan...blah blah blah..etc, you get it. Please don't copy my story (at least not without letting me know first) and please don't sue.

Epilogue

The First Year

The night breeze was cold. Fallen leaves were swept along the ground. The pale light of the moon fell across a small figure who knelt on the ground, shoulders slumped and head bowed. Behind him stood two other small shadowed forms. One of the forms stood directly behind the kneeling figure, a hand resting on one of the hunched shoulders.

"Come on Shay, we have to bury the bodies," Silence; the words were absorbed into the night and became part of its dark embrace.

Then, a small, broken voice spoke: "They should be cremated -that's what they would have wanted."

The standing figure shook its head, though the person to whom he spoke could not see. "It would attract too much attention Shay, I'm sorry. We'll have to bury them." Again the words were left to the dark night. It was not until the third figure walked forward, fell to her knees behind the kneeling boy, and buried her tearfilled face into his back, that he moved.

"It'll take all night. Let's go." He was quiet once more as he stood to his feet, leaving the girl on her knees, crying, alone.

It did take all night; together Seamus Harper and his cousin, Brendan Lahey, dragged the heavy corpses of Evan and Josephine Harper to a grave behind their home. They were watched by Brendan's little sister, Caitlin, who wrapped her arms around herself and slowly rocked on her feet, saying nothing.

At last they were finished; the three of them stood over the grave. Although the boys had done their best, it was difficult to dig a grave with no light and no shovels. It was not quite wide enough for two bodies, so Josephine had been draped slightly over her husband, Evan. Seamus stared down at his parents with an undreadable expression on his face. Beside him Brendan and Caitlin quietly wept. Never had any of them felt so alone.

"Damn Uber bastards..." Brendan's voice shook as he spoke. He glanced over at Seamus. "At least they won, in the end. The Nietzscheans didn't take them as slaves. They failed, and your parents won."

"They died because they were stupid Brendan." The words were cold and cut the night sharper than the wind could. "They could have escaped, they could still be alive. Instead they threw their lives away."

Brendan wanted to protest, but he sensed his cousin's agony was still too fresh.

"I won't be like them. I won't end up like that. I've had enough. Earth's gone to hell; if I ever get the opportunity, I'm out of here." Brendan still said nothing; he knew of no words that could comfort his cousin and best friend. And he was confident that the words were only said out of anger and grief. Seamus moved suddenly; pulled his arm back as if to throw somehting. Metal glinted in the moonlight; something landed in the grave with a soft thud. Seamus turned abruptly and went to go back inside the house.

Caitlin crept forward to peer into the graves but Brendan held her back. The grave wasn't very deep and he was able to -carefully- lean forward and find what Seamus had thrown, trying to ignore the feel of his dead aunt and uncle. His hands grasped a thin and long metal object. He pulled it out and stepped away from the grave. In his hands he held the tin whistle that his uncle had given his cousin on Seamus' fourteenth birthday.

"Here, keep this for me." Brendan handed the instrument to Caitlin, who held it reverently. Other than a small furry object, it was the only legacy that Seamus' parents had left behind for their only son.

The next morning the three of them packed what few belongings they had and left. There was nothing left for them in the house. Nothing except painful memories. Seamus suggested burning it but Brendan once again refused his suggestion.

"Maybe someday, someone will make a home out of it again." He stared up at the darkened building and hoped that what he said was true. Seamus only shrugged, took Caitlin by the hand, and started walking. After a moment Brendan turned and followed them.

Having nowhere else to go, the three ended up in the tunnels under Boston. There were plenty of places to stay down there. The tunnels went everywhere in the city and there were hundreds of empty rooms. No one really knew when or why the tunnels had been built -but even fewer cared.

The three claimed one of the rooms near the landing dock. At night they could hear the distant rumble of ships taking off and landing. Sometimes they talked about where they would go if they ever went into space. But mostly they slept; huddled together for warmth like newborn pups; when they were awake they searched for food. It was a meaningless existence, and did not suit either Seamus or Brendan.

Finally they resumed their old trade. Together they scavenged around junkyards, hiding from any Nietzscheans that happened to be nearby, and collected parts and broken items. Seamus and Caitlin would fix them, Brendan would find people to buy them. With the money they earned they could buy food and sometimes clothing at the Market, which was also located underground. Thanks mostly to Caitlin, the room they'd adopted began to feel like a new home as their belongings grew and their lives developed some semblance of order.

But it was not always easy to find buyers. The black market was a tricky thing and many nights none of them had anything to eat. Caitlin grew pale and thin, and soon she stayed in the small room and rested while the boys went out looking for parts. They would also search for food anyway they could get it. Stealing, buying, mugging, it was all the same to them. There was only one rule they lived by: survival.

The Second Year

None of them really kept track of the days. Seamus would scratch a mark on the wall each morning (except for when he forgot to, or was too tired) just so that they had some idea of how much time was passing. On the first year anniversary of his parents' death, Seamus was doing his best not to think about them.

He and Brendan were meeting a contact of theirs who claimed he could help them. It was a person who regularly bought their repaired items from Brendan, and he apparently had many connections with some of the most powerful human gangs in Boston. When the man arrived, the three of them talked for awhile, and a few hours later Brendan and Seamus were accepted as members. Their jobs would be simple ones; mostly running errands and such, but they would be rewarded handsomely for them.

The two walked back jubilantly, Seamus talking faster and smiling more than Brendan had seen him in a long time. They didn't bother trying to explain what had happened to Caitlin; she was simply happy that they were happy. It had been a year since any of them could claim to be glad about anything.

For a short blessed while, one beautiful day succeeded another. Every afternoon Brendan or Seamus, sometimes both, would got to an arranged meeting place where they were given instructions and goods to transport. These missions were often dangerous; neither boy was allowed to leave the delivery place until they had been paid. Should a customer not have the money and not want to give the desired item up, they could easily have Seamus or Brendan killed.

And this left Caitlin alone much of the time as well. While the boys were out at their 'job' she would scour the area for food. Several times she tried to follow her brother and cousin but they were always insistent that she remain back in the small room that they had claimed. Only on easy jobs did the boys let her come. Seamus' favorite errands were when he had to deliver a part or a message to the docking bay. Getting to look at the spaceships was the highlight of his month. He'd always take Caitlin with him, jabbering the whole way about where he wanted to go and what he wanted to see most of all when he left Earth.

"I want to see a real Ocean most of all..you know they say that some places the water is so clear you can actually see through it? Pretty amazing, huh? Oh, and I want to hear the music Spacers listen to. I bet it's really strange. Do you think the lyrics are in different languages?"

Were common one-sided conversations between Seamus and his younger cousin. She would smile at him whenever he looked at her, and never hurry him once the errand had been accomplished. She would stand next to him as he leaned, arms folded, against the gate to stare wistfully at the ships until the sun set.

"Don't worry Caitlin, when I leave, I'll take you and Brendan with me, I promise." Seamus whispered quietly one evening. Caitlin, as usual, didn't appear to understand anything he said. But she did smile at him happily when he turned to look at her.

Together they celebrated holidays and birthdays. Food was easy to share among the three of them. Both Brendan and Seamus would give up as much food as they could to Caitlin, who accepted their generosity complacently. Then Brendan would try and insist that Seamus take the extra food, and Seamus would insist that Brendan should have it.

They did not have many friends outside their family. It was never easy to tell whom one could trust. And it was dangerous to get too attached to someone; it was more than likely that they would be dead the next time you saw them -if you ever saw them again.

And then one day their circle was broken.

On an early afterrnoon, in the beginning of summer, Brendan and Seamus found a note stuck in the usual spot, giving instructions to meet at the residence of the Boss. The only other information given was to explain that an important exchange was to take place, and that as many members as possible were wanted -for appearences mostly, since the exchange was to be done with a rival gang.

Telling Caitlin to wait underground for them, and trying to tell her why they had to leave in the middle of the night, they left her in the circular doorway, looking hurt and confused. Neither looked back as they hurried off to the empty building. Every dark shape they passed seemed like a member of the enemy gang, ready to ambush them and break off the deal. Seamus walked faster and told Brendan to hurry up. They both wanted to go, stay for as little time as possible, and then return to Caitlin and their little home.

The room was large, but dark and crowded. Several candles and torches were lit, giving the place an eerie atmosphere. Seamus and Brendan stood near the back, shoulders hunched and faces lowered.

"Harper! Lahey! Up front." Barked one of the members, once they'd recognized the two boys. Uneasy, they exchanged glances and moved further up into the crowd.

The talks went on for a couple of hours -neither Seamus nor Brendan were really sure what was going on or what was being exchanged. Finally it seemed to be over. Just as the two were turning around shouts were heard, then gunfire. Spinning around to see what was going on; Seamus watched as a number of armed Nietzscheans burst into the sight with a sinking heart. Apparently whatever it was they were doing, the Nietzscheans considered it illegal. Seamus wasn't given any longer to stare as Brendan grabbed his arm and started pulling him towards the door.

Someone reached out and gripped Seamus' other shoulder. He tried to shrug it off but it gripped harder so he glanced behind...and stopped dead in his tracks.

"Caitlin!" he shouted, escaping Brendan's grasp to take Caitlin's hands. She was crying, apparently lost and confused. Behind him Seamus heard Brendan ask,

"Why'd she follow us?"

The gangs were fighting back now; gunfire roared in their ears and hit off the wall. Just as Seamus pushed his way to Caitlin, leaning forward to grip her hand, her dark fearful eyes widened suddenly and she gave a sharp gasp.

"Seamus!" Her voice was hoarse as she fell forward. Seamus was at her side instantly, trying to pull her to her feet. Shots had torn through her entire abdomen, and blood was coming from her mouth. That was all Seamus could see in such little light. It was all he needed to see.

"Caitlin NO! Brendan, come on -help me!" Together the two boys were able to pick up her limp body. Her hair was flecked with blood, either her own or from someone who'd been shot near her. Although they didn't notice it, Brendan and Seamus were covered in sprays of blood too. The large room, once having been a warehouse holding food, had become the site of a massacre.

Caitlin's head leaned against Seamus shoulder, Brendan walking right next to him to hold her legs.

"Hold on Caitlin," Brendan was repeating over and over, frantically. Caitlin was staring up at Seamus; she gave a small smile.

"Seamus..." It was the first -and only- coherent word he had ever heard her say.

Her eyes didn't close. But as he looked down at them, Seamus finally realized that the light of life within her had died. She suddenly became heavier, though this could have been their imaginations, and neither boy had the strength to carry her any farther. An air of defeat fell over them as first Brendan, then Seamus, slowly sank to the wet ground. Both of them were silent; Seamus clutching Caitlin to him, Brendan leaning forward into the street to stare with unseeing eyes. Caitlin had celebrated her fifteenth birthday a few months earlier, but she had always seemed so much older than her physical age.

They were at least able to give her a decent burning; the next moring they recovered their strength and took her down towards the ocean. The land wasn't flat enough to do it right by the water, but they got as close as they could before starting the pyre. Brendan tried to say a few words but Seamus was silent as he stared at the flickering flames. When the fire had finally burned down, and there was nothing left but ashes, Brendan suggested, in a quavering voice, that they try and scatter them.

Seamus didn't answer him. He sank to his knees and leaned forward. Both were too young to clearly remember the deaths of their aunts Lughna and Orla. Neither were sure how to conduct a proper funeral. And Seamus could not remember ever seeing the ashes of a loved one's body. His thoughts were scattered as he bent forward, hands slowly sinking into the pile of ashes and dust. Hands covered in the remains of his beautiful dead cousin, he brought them to his face, not sure what he was doing or why.

"Seamus...?" Brendan asked in a worried face, tentatively laying a hand on his cousin's shoulder. Seamus didn't feel the hand. He was in a world of his own, far from where the two of them were standing. Bringing his hands down from his face to look at the gray smear, and leaving ashes in the form of hands on his face, he wondered, for the first time, what it was like to die.

"Shay..." Brendan's grip tightened until at last Seamus nodded.

"I'm ok Brendan." It wasn't a complete lie. Together they scattered the rest of the ashes, the breeze blowing them around in swirls, up to the sky. Then Seamus went down to the ocean, alone, to clean off the ashes that had covered him. And silently, the two returned to the small home where they had known happiness for a very brief time.

The Third Year

From then on Seamus and Brendan spent their days wandering. The gang had not been totally destroyed that night, so they still had jobs and errands they could run, but usually they only did so when they had no money and no food. Occasionally they met up with other people, either fellow gangmembers, or just acquaintances for a night. The latter often taking the form of attractive young women.

But slowly, as the months went by, they began to recover. Seamus began joking again, Brendan started making other friends (something he was much better at than Seamus) and they also started going back to junkyards and selling parts on the black market. Both preferred to stay above ground; it was usually less crowded nowadays. Only during Magog attacks did they take cover in the tunnels under the city.

Sometimes at night, when they were lying under the stars, either in the overcrowded downtown area of the ghetto or at the edges, Seamus would take out the rabbit foot his father had given him and stare at it. He would try not let memories of his parents haunt him, often distracting himself from memories by asking his cousin,

"Brendan, do you believe in God?" and waiting for a reply. On the other side of him, Brendan rolled over on to his stomach to look at his cousin.

"I don't know. I guess it's nice to think someone exists out there."

"Well it seems pointless to me." Seamus said firmly. He stuffed the rabbit's foot away and pretended to go back to sleep.

They spent the rest of that year dodging Nietzschean patrols, stealing once in awhile and avoiding other thieves, several times they were attacked while walking through the streets at night. But they survived. They made friends; some who stayed, others who quickly faded back out of their lives.

The two of them were growing into men, and it was not an easy transition. They started fighting and arguing more. Neither could take the other's authority, and working as a team was becoming difficult. It seemed inevitable that the day would finally come when they would part -for a time, at least.

Later, they wouldn't be able to remember what the fight had started over. It soon escalated however, until both were shouting loudly.

"It makes more sense to do this my way! Besides I'm older than you Seamus" Brendan was yelling.

"Yeah? Well I'm smarter!" Seamus retorted. Their faces were red and they might even have come to blows if Brendan had not suddenly gone cold.

"Fine. If you're so smart, you obviously don't need me. Hope your brains are good company cuzo." And he turned, fists clentched as he stalked off down the street.

"I don't need you! And I'm ten times better company than you ever were!" Seamus yelled after him.

And the two cousins parted; each disappearing into the crowd. Each wandering the streets until, when their tempers finally cooled and they wished to go to the other in order to take back the heated words, they could not find one another. Both Brendan and Seamus searched the city all night. Both finally gave up as exhaustion took over. Neither had realized the Human Ghetto was so big, and although they asked other people if they knew or had heard of their cousin, the two almost-brothers remained seperated for many more months.

The Fourth Year

Seamus was almost twenty years old when she came. It had become his lonely custom to visit the docking bay each morning and each night. The entire port was huge of course, so he visited a different spot each time. On the rare occassion that a Spacer looked at him curiously, he ignored them. Unless they asked for directions, in case they paid him for help, but that almost never happened.

He knew she was different the moment he saw her. He was in the southeast part of the port that day, right next to one of the gates, and was just about to go find somewhere to sleep when a small dingy ship slowly entered. The door opened and a Drago-Kazov approached to talk with the pilot. Seamus supposed the pilot paid the required money for docking, since the Nietzschean quickly walked away. But the Uber turned around to sneer, which alone caught Seamus' attention. Nietzscheans never gave Spacers a second glance.

And then Seamus realized why the Nietzschean had reacted as he did. The pilot came around to the other side of the ship, just yards away from where Seamus was standing. His jaw dropped open at the sight of her.

For one thing, she was a woman. But she was no normal Spacer woman. No strange colored or strangely styled hair; no metal objects on her face -and her clothes! Most visitors to earth were covered in almost as much dirt as the natives, and their clothes varied from bland and boring to wild and colorful. He was not sure which hers were.

They were not normal clothing; she wore a long white robe, the hood pulled up, and an orange vest-like garment that was as long as her dress and clasped in the middle. Slung over one arm was a satchel, and she carried a suitcase in the other hand. Staring at her Seamus could make out brown hair, despite the hood, and light colored eyes, as well as a fairly pale complexion.

Then she spied Seamus and smiled. He couldn't move; even as she walked over to him, he couldn't move. He didn't know what to make of her -he wasn't even entirely sure she was human.

"Hello Brother," She was talking to him! Seamus stepped away from the fence with a jolt, eyes wide with shock. The woman gave a gentle laugh; it was like bells, or rather, since Seamus had never head a bell before, similar to the tin whistle his father had given him. And she spoke funny; a strange accent, which again brought his father to his mind.

"I'm not your brother," were the first stupid words out of his mouth. He cursed his clumsy words as she laughed again; but it was not a mean laugh, she seemed genuinely happy about something.

"No no, of course you are not my blood brother. But you're a fellow Child of the Divine, and therefore my brother in spirit."

Now Seamus was more confused than ever.

"Who are you?" He asked in disbelief. The woman smiled and extended her hand; she suddenly looked younger than Seamus had first thought. There was an agelessness about her though; he would have believed it if someone told him she was a hundred years old.

"I am called Renella Truth-Keeper. You may call me simply Renella. And who are you, Brother?" Renella...he tried saying the name in his mind. It was pretty; he liked it.

"Seamus Zelazny Harper." He replied without thinking as he stared at her hand curiously. Renella stepped closer to the fence and reached through it, taking Seamus' right hand before he could think to move away. She clasped his hand in hers and shook it slowly before releasing it.

"I am glad to meet you Seamus Zelazny Harper." She said the words solemnly, eyes holding his in a steady gaze. From that moment on Seamus was entranced by her. She asked for his help carrying bags and he agreed. On her ship were many more crates and boxes filled with many different supplies. Lots of different supplies.

"What are these for?" Seamus asked curiously.

"They are for you." Seeing his disbelieving look, Renella smiled and added, "for you and many others, I hope. They are for whomever needs them. I am setting up a missionary."

"A what?" Seamus followed her with the last box as they set her supplies outside the gate.

"A missionary. I am a Wayist you see, and I have come to help the people here and to offer them the comfort of our Faith."

"What the hell is a Wayist?" Seamus blurted out after a moment when she showed no signs of explaining further. Renella nearly dropped the bag she was carrying as she looked at him.

"Have you not heard of the Way? But it was founded upon this very Earth, you know! The Anointed was shown The Way on one of the continents here."

As she spoke Seamus shook his head.

"Sorry, I've never heard of it. Maybe others have though." Renella only nodded absently, looking a little sad. Seamus didn't like her looking like that.

"I'd like to learn about it, and other people probably will too." Perhaps sensing that he was trying to cheer her up, Renella gave him bright smile.

"Of course. I am here to teach after all. Now then, where shall I live?" She turned to Seamus. "May I ask for your help Seamus Zelazny Harper?"

"Most people call me Harper...but you can call me Seamus. And sure, I'll help you."

"You have my thanks." She inclined her head toward him. Seamus helped her search the nearby area (She didn't want a place too far from her ship) they at last found a small, one story building that was mostly intact and had several small rooms inside.

"This will do nicely. Thank you so much for your help Seamus." Not wanting to leave for some reason, he offered to help her set her things up inside, an offer she gladly accepted. They spent the rest of the night unpacking, and Renella even prepared a small meal. It was better food than Seamus had eaten in months but he did his best to eat slowly, like she was doing.

"How long do you plan on staying?" Seamus asked curiously before taking another sip of the hot stew.

"I'm not sure. For awhile; a few months at the least. Every few weeks I imagine I shall have to leave to gather fresh supplies, but I shall come back." They fell silent as they concentrated on the food. At last Seamus stood up and told her he had to go home.

"Where do you live Bro -Seamus?" She smiled lightly at her near slip of his name. He grinned back at her, then realized she had asked a question.

"Oh, um, nearby..."

"Well, you have my thanks Seamus. You have made me feel welcome on this strange planet. I hope you will visit me sometime."

"Sure! Can I come by tomorrow?" He asked as he stepped out the door.

"Of course, and bring any friends or family you have." She closed the door as he waved, her laughter lingering in the air. And her scent. It made Seamus realize how badly he smelled. Suddenly he very much wanted a bath. Renella was all he thought about for the next few hours as he searched for a place to call home.

For the next ten days Seamus spent every moment with Renella. He, having no friends and no idea where Brendan was, did not bring anyone to meet her. In fact, he was almost afraid to introduce her to anyone...he felt a strange possessiveness about her. She was so foreign and strange and nice. And he didn't want to share her with anyone else.

But Renella didn't need him to meet other people. Every day, Seamus trailing along beside her, she would go among the houses, introducing herself to people and offering them any help she could give. When Seamus told her about the tunnels she even began going underground to talk with other people.

At first most people ignored her, thinking she was insane. But slowly, as a month and then two went by, people began to know her. Mothers sent their children to spend the day with her while they searched for food or attended a job. Renella loved the children; she'd spend hours telling them stories and teaching them about the Way. And they loved her because she never scolded, always played, and gave them food, and sometimes even new clothes.

And slowly Seamus began to love her too. He had never known anyone like her, and he was sure that he'd never meet another person like her. She saw beauty in the strangest things. Once, while on a walk, she had picked up a dead leaf and said in a reverant breath,

"Seamus look at it! Aren't the colors lovely?" He had stared at her, wondering if she was joking.

"It's just a leaf Renella. And it's dead."

"So? There is beauty in death Seamus." He had laughed bitterly, shaking his head.

"Not that I've seen there isn't." Renella had sighed and let the leaf fall slowly to the ground, folding her hands into the long sleeves of her robe.

"You may not believe it yet Seamus, but the Divine loves all of us. No matter what you do, no matter what you've seen or thought or felt, the Divine loves you. And when the Divine's love is greatest, It takes us into Its embrace to give us peace and rest..."

Seamus hadn't wanted to say anything, afraid that he'd offend her and make her angry, but he found her words laughable. She wouldn't speak so if she had ever lost someone the way he had. But the more time he spent around her, the less time he could spend away from her. She made him forget his past; she was so different from everything he'd ever known. Until he had met her, his life had been utterly boring. He had once asked her about her past -about her family. It was night time and she had been busy helping people with sickness all day. The lines under her eyes had not been there three months ago.

"I suppose you mean the family to which I was born." He nodded wordlessly. "I never met them. They died when I was a baby. I'm told I was the youngest of three children; I had two older brothers. A plague struck the village where my family lived and Wayists had come to give aid. They found me in the small house and took me back to the Monastery, which is where I grew up. But I have many family members, both at the Monastery, and everywhere I go. Wayists are never alone."

"My family's all dead -well, except for my cousin Brendan, I'm not sure where he is. We got separated awhile ago." Seamus said quietly, thinking over her words. To never be alone...that was a big promise to make someone. Renella was looking at Seamus with a strange expression on her face.

"How old are you Seamus?" He was taken aback and had to think for a moment before he could answer.

"Twenty, or around there I guess." Now she looked surprised.

"I thought you were younger...I mean, your eyes are old, but at first you seem young." She seemed to be talking more to herself than to him. Seamus felt more than a little offended, and slowly got to his feet.

"I see...I guess I must seem like a little child to you..." the words were said quietly and Renella looked concerned as she stood up as well.

"Not at all Seamus! I myself am only nineteen. Please, I did not mean to anger you!" She took his hand into her own, a pleading look on her face. And Seamus could stand it no longer. He leaned forward and kissed her. Renella almost jerked back but didn't. To his amazement she returned the kiss, gripping his hand gently.

"I'm so sorry Seamus," She said after breaking the kiss to stare into his eyes. And he got the feeling that she was apologizing for much more than the simple miscalculation of his age. Her arms went around him to fold him into an embrace and Seamus felt tears fill his eyes.

They spent the night together, as well as the next, but Seamus did not start living with her. It felt wrong somehow. He would leave for a few hours and then return in the afternoon to spend the rest of the day with her. Renella did not change her schedule in order to be with him, but she was always happy when he arrived to visit, and allowed him to stay with her wherever she went. Seamus liked it best when they were alone; which was the case most of the time when she went on her random walks to help people. She'd pick an alleyway off the top of her head, gather a basket of food and medicine, and start walking. Whenever she saw someone in need she would stop and give them gifts of what charity she could offer, as well as a Blessing.

And, Seamus found out, she did not discriminate among those she helped. A poor boy who looked to be half human and half Nietzschean, whom most would spit at or look on with pity, she stopped to speak a few words and give comfort. A disfigured woman huddled against a shadowed wall, it did not seem to matter to her. When Seamus advised her to stay away from a person, a raving young man, because people like him could be dangerous, she ignored his words and marched right up to the man.

"Don't be ignorant Seamus. They can't help who they are; you shouldn't hold it against them." and she handed the man food and a blanket; he thanked her many times, his strange slurred speech repelling Seamus, but sounding like music to Renella for all that she noticed it.

"How do you do it?" He asked her once, during one of their nights together. She lay in his arms and smiled as she looked up at him.

"Do what?"

"How are you so -so accepting? So kind and forgiving?" He was leaning on his elbow to look down at her, eyes wide with admiration. She reached up a hand to stroke his cheek.

"It's not so hard as that Seamus. I simply do for others what I hope others will do for me. It's simply my duty to spread the love of the Divine. Anyone can be like that." Seamus shook his head in contradiction.

"I don't think I could ever be that good." Her eyes were filled with amusement as she studied him.

"You could be, you are more gentle than you know, I think. You have a good soul." Embarrassed by such talk, he'd shrugged and changed the subject.

More months passed by, and the day came when Renella told him she had to go away for awhile, to gather more supplies, and perhaps bring more missionaries over to help. He saw her off, watching her ship until it finally disappeared out of the atmosphere, and went to live a dejected existence until she returned.

He did not waste the time though. Resuming the search for his cousin, which he'd somewhat neglected over Renella's arrival, he was overjoyed when at last someone was able to give him directions to the last place he'd seen Brendan Lahey.

For once in his life, luck was with Seamus. The two cousins were quickly reunited and were more than joyous at seeing each other. Brendan explained that he'd been looking for his cousin, but in the meantime had gone up several ranks in the gang. Seamus had almost completely forgotten about his former job and told Brendan all about Renella, his new love.

Brendan was more than happy for Seamus. Both their parents had always told them the importance of getting married, and as young as possible. Brendan returned with Seamus to their new neighborhood, and the time until Renella could be expected to return passed by much faster.

Finally the day came when Seamus could welcome her back, and introduce her to his only surviving family member. Brendan took to Renella immediately, and later told Seamus that he thought they'd make a wonderful couple. It was the happiest time in Seamus' life since the death of his parents.

Never had his life been filled with such a feeling of purpose. Although still doing odd jobs for the black markets and the gangs, Seamus spent much more of his time helping Renella with her Missionary work, though he still didn't quite believe in the whole Wayism deal. He helped Renella administer medicine and food when plague and famine ran rampant. After Magog attacks they searched for survivors. Helping others -it was something that most people on Earth, and especially in Boston, had given up on.

The day came when Seamus could not contain the feelings his heart contained. After spending the day with Renella and helping watch after a group of children, and after their usual meal, he asked her quietly,

"Renella, will you marry me?" He was frozen as he watched her, holding his breath until she gave an answer. Renella had suddenly stopped moving as well, and her eyes would not meet Seamus'.

"Oh dear..." and he knew what her answer would be.

"Oh Seamus, I'm so sorry, I never meant to mislead you..." Her voice was quiet and filled with compassion. Seamus didn't want to hear it; he stood up.

"It's ok, I'm sorry, I was just kidding around-" Renella must not have believed him, for she leaned across the table to grasp his arm and keep him from going.

"Please Seamus, let me explain!" She held him until at last he looked up at her, eyes shining with unshed tears, as were her own.

"I have too much love to give simply to one person. Although I am not a celibate priestess, I vowed long ago never to marry. My heart belongs to so many...I don't know if I can make you understand. I do love you Seamus..." her voice grew soft and her grip on him loosened.

"It's alright Renella, I understand." But he didn't, not really. If she loved him, he wondered, why couldn't she marry him? She hardly had to stop loving other people. He was hurt by her rejection -a decision that, years later, Renella would sometimes come to regret.

He still visited her, but not as often. Most of his days he spent with Brendan, trying to occupy his mind with building things. Many years ago, humans who got depressed often would eat to feel better, or form other such unhealthy habits to take their mind off their true problems. In Seamus' day and age, food was too scarce to eat constantly. And he couldn't pay for drugs; alcohol was one option, but it took awhile for him to get drunk enough to leave his memories -and Renella- behind.

So he turned to talking. Brendan was a good listener, and the two would often have long conversations. But even when he was alone Seamus would talk to himself. If he was talking he wasn't thinking, and if he wasn't thinking, then memories of lost people could not haunt him. It was a good escape -most of the time. Throughout his life, the habit would get him into trouble more than once, sometimes more seriously than others.

But Seamus didn't have long to get over Renella. A month and a half after his rejected proposal, just after his twentieth birthday, he and Brendan would be wandering around the dock waiting for a black market contact of theirs when they were approached by a tall and thickset man.

Both were immediately on their guard, looking the man up and down. The man sneered at the two of them and the look he gave them was similar to the look most humans would have given to a diseased cockroach.

"You two mudfoots know anything about the Nietzschean facilities around here?" The man was a spacer, obviously, but most of them weren't so blunt when they wanted information. Seamus and Brendan exchanged glances. Brendan shook his head slightly but his cousin ignored it.

"Yeah maybe, depends on what you'll give us for it." No sooner had he said that then the man grabbed the front of his shirt and practically lifted him off the ground.

"Look mudfoot, I don't have time for your little games! If you can help me, do so or else I'll pound you and your little buddy into the dirt you sprang from." He dropped Seamus and glared at both of them. Seamus and Brendan glared right back.

"What're you looking for?" Brendan asked in an icy tone. The man gave a thin smile.

"That's more like it. I need to know where they keep their weapons." Seamus stared at him incredulously.

"Well, they have more than one you know." The man reached to his side where a gun was holstered and Seamus quickly continued, "I mean, I know they have a storage bunker right near the dock here, I bet they've got tons of weapons."

Actually, he knew they had tons of weapons, because he and Brendan had made several deliveries there.

"Do you know anybody who can get me inside?" The man continued, a slight frown on his face. Again Seamus and Brendan exchanged glances.

"I can get you in." Seamus said at last. "And I can show you where the weapons are." The man grinned, but there was no trace of friendliness in it.

"How nice of you to volunteer."

"I'm not volunteering." Seamus said through gritted teeth.

"I'll help you in exchange for a favor. I want off of Earth. You gotta take me away from here, and I'll do whatever I can to help you." Beside him Seamus heard Brendan inhale sharply, but said nothing. The man seemed to study Seamus, and finally he grinned once more, holding out a hand.

"Sure, whatever ya want. My name's Bobby Jensen kid." Seamus, thanks to Renella, recognized the gesture, and went to shake his hand.

"Seamus Zelazny Harper-" The last syllable was said in a yelp as Bobby gripped his hand hard enough to break his bones.

"Just remember mudfoot, you betray me or lie to me and I'll kill you. Slowly."

"Let him go." Brendan said in a low voice, taking a small step forward. Bobby released Seamus, who was shaking his hand in pain, and pushed away Brendan as easily as though he were a fly. Brendan fell heavily to the ground.

"Like I said rats, you agree to help me, you better not go back on your word."

"You too." Seamus said, eyes narrowed in anger. Bobby only laughed; the sound sent chills down Seamus' back.

"You help me get what I want and I'll make sure you get off this godforsaken place, you can be sure about that kid." and he walked back the way he had come.

Brendan had little to say about Seamus' intent to leave, other than to admit that he hadn't thought his cousin had been serious those four years ago after his parents had died. There wasn't much to say; Brendan claimed that Earth was the only home he knew, and t hat he hadn't given up on it yet. Seamus had shrugged.

"Ever change your mind, tell me, and I'll do whatever I can."

"I know." Brendan had said with a smile. Seamus had visited Renella then, the day before he was supposed to help Bobby Jensen and his partner, whom Seamus hadn't met yet.

He told her he was leaving Earth, and probably would never come back. Renella watched him calmly as he spoke.

"I'll miss you Seamus." She finally said. Her hands were clasped in front of her.

"I'll miss you too Renella...and I still love you." He added in a rush. Then the words poured from him before he could stop them. "Please come with me! Brendan won't come and I'm scared Renella! I don't want to go by myself! Come with me, you don't even have to marry me if you don't want to! You can still spread Wayism and help people!-"

"Hush." Renella placed a finger on Seamus' moving lips. Then she leaned forward to kiss him softly.

"You are an amazing person Seamus. One of the greatest people I have ever met in my life. And one of the bravest." Seamus laughed at that, but Renella looked serious. "Don't ever doubt yourself Seamus. I believe in you. You are never alone, remember? The Divine is always with you, as is Its love. -And," She added in a whisper, "I shall always be with you; my love, for what it's worth, shall also always be with you."

They shared one last embrace and then parted.

Seamus had only one last goodbye. Or rather; two. First he visited the beach where he and Brendan had scattered Caitlin's ashes. He spent an hour remembering his cousin as well as the promise he had once made to take her with him when he left Earth. Finally, he went back to a place he had not been to in four years.

His parent's grave.

There was no marker, but he knew where they had been buried. He would never, for as long as he lived, forget. He was quiet for a long time. He tried to pray, but didn't know how. Finally, hands in his pockets, he glanced up at the sky.

"Maybe Renella's right...maybe this isn't really a goodbye." Not sure how to put what he meant into words, Seamus turned away and took his first steps towards his new life.

But he never forgot.

"He said I left my home where the dead

never rose

For the streets of gold I've yet to find

And at the end of the day all you can do is pray

Without hope, well you might as well be blind..."

-Ancient Earth Lyrics (Flogging Molly)

A/N:

Sorry it's so long! But I hope it wasn't too boring. And that's the COMPLETE end to Earth's Children. I hope I didn't break any Wayist laws with Renella...I don't remember ever seeing a female convert. And it's likely that Seamus was never exposed to the religion until he met Rev Bem, but since I was going to have him fall in love with a girl, I figured I might as well try something different. (At least, I think it was a little different.)

Ok, thanks for reading folks, I'd appreciate it if you let me know what you thought of the epilogue (cause I'm really curious!) but I understand if you don't....

-Luna Sealeaf