Disclaimer: insert standard disclaimer here.
A/N: Last chapter!! Frances and Icheb are reunited, and Q2 finally gets his Icheb- that will be explained, if you're wondering.... Maybe I should do an epilogue.... Hmm.... Or a sequel. Actually, my sister's doing that: If any of my faithful readers- who have put up with writer's block, computer crashes, and rapid, raging plot bunnies- have read the Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey, you'll want to check it out. Coming soon, by Icheblover!!! A story centered around what Frances and Kathleen wish for, and the Last Herald-Mage's nephew..... I'm updating 2 chapters, so make sure you read Chapter 14 first!!
Q2 searched for a fraction of a nano-second, before locating the mark he had put on Frances' younger sister.
"... abducted by a Trekkie cult who convinced her she was in the twenty-fourth century." Kathleen was saying, as Q2 arrived. Neither she, nor, the girl beside her looked up, or acknowledged Q2's arrival. "That's what I think it really was anyway."
"Well, it's plausible. Sorta." The friend said, and Q2 took the pause in their conversation to clear his throat. They looked back, and Kathleen let out an 'eep' in surprise.
"Where's Frances?" Q2 asked, tapping his foot slightly.
"Downstairs..." Kathleen replied suspiciously.
Q2 asked to see her, and Kathleen called down. Footfalls on the stair announced the older girl's arrival. Frances paused in the doorway, mouthing 'Q2?'. "Kathleen, Krystle, I want to speak to this guy in private, please." Kathleen still looked suspicious- as if she believed Q2 was going to kidnap Frances at any moment- which the Q fully intended to do.
"Icheb misses you." Q2 said, when he and the former cadet were alone. "He's miserable. He just doesn't know it. So I'm taking you back."
"What about the Temporal Prime Directive?" Frances asked. "Icheb wouldn't let me stay, and, as much as I hate it, he's completely right."
"We've worked that out. Now come on!" Q2 grabbed Frances hand, but she pulled back.
"Wait a minute, Q2." A look Q2 had never seen before came over Frances' face. "What if there was a way that we could both have Icheb?"
"That's ridiculous, he's never liked me as more than a friend."
"Maybe. But if there was, would you do something for me?"
"Yes." Q2 felt his heartbeat- even if it wasn't really his- rising.
"I want you to grant one wish to both Kathleen and Krystle. One wish each. They put me up here, so I'd better give them a parting gift."
"One wish each? You're only telling me one thing!" Q2 protested. One piece of information should mean one wish, right?
"Do you want to know or not?" The look of sadistic humor on her face was unmistakable.
"Fine, but I'll only grant them the wishes if it works." Q2 pouted.
"Oh it will. You simply find an alternate universe Icheb who's perfect for you. There's thousands of Ichebs out there, one of them has to be just right!" Frances smiled triumphantly, and Q2 felt like a moron. Of course!! The solution had been right there, in his face, the entire time!!
"You're right, that's guaranteed to work. Alright, I'll bring you back, then find my Icheb, then grant those wishes, agreed?" Q2 extended his hand gallantly.
"Agreed." Frances took Q2's hand, and they disappeared with a flash.
Kathleen frowned. "The voices have stopped." She whispered to Krystle, who was hovering beside her. "I don't know what that means, but it's not good."
Krystle frowned too. "You're right. We'd better check on her." Who knew what that Trekkie freak was doing to Frances- Krystle had seen Frances mouth the Trekkie's supposed name (as if it was really Q2!).
Kathleen stood, and opened the door. Krystle gasped. The room was empty. "She's gone again. That freak took her, again!" Kathleen sunk to the floor, tears forming in lately stony eyes.
Icheb was there to greet Frances. He smiled tentatively, and managed to mask an overwhelmed expression as Frances embraced him. Q2 didn't even scowl. He was far too happy.
"I'm back." Frances stated, as Q2 snapped off to find his perfect man.
"You're back." Icheb said. The awkward greeting was thankfully cut short as Q2 arrived, hanging off a second Icheb's arm.
"I'm back!!" Q2 proclaimed joyfully. The second Icheb, wearing deep blue civvies, nodded to Frances and... Icheb. Icheb nodded back, and Frances shook his hand. Q2 looked overjoyed, so Frances smiled.
It was uncomfortable, to say the least, so when Q2 flitted off with Ichi2, to complete his side of the bargain, Frances felt far more comfortable immediately.
"So I'm staying?" Frances asked. No words passed Icheb's gorgeous lips, but he smiled and nodded, and that was enough.