What a strange looking group they were, walking briskly towards the docks. The mysterious loner, the moderately humbled despot, the computer nerd, the self-obsessed Skipper doll and the sulky sheriff. Lex walked slightly ahead of the others, his short legs pounding the pavements he had trod so many times before in the carrying out of his duties, official and not..

He barely had time to react to the exclamations from those behind him before he too felt the impact of a body striking his own. Not a full-bodied impact, but rather the solid pass of someone clearing a path with their body.

"Hey!" He called out, giving chase.

Slade's word halted his charge. "Let it go, Lex. It's just another kid making sure that he doesn't get left behind."

Lex stutter-stepped to a stop, staring after the departing back of the kid then back at his companions. "You know, he's got the right idea. What say we step it up a bit?"

Murmuring assent, the others picked up the pace and soon they were all boarding the unlikely vessel to their future.

The midday sun beat down on them, blazing brightly, making a mockery of the soft breeze blowing off the water. Even the spray shooting up from the sides of the boat succumbed to the blistering temperatures, casting a lukewarm bath onto those on deck, rather than the refreshing splash they were expecting.

"God! I'm so sick of this never-ending ride and the heat and just…ugh!" Lex scowled at everyone and no one.

"You know Lex, far be it from me to cast aspersions upon your bad-boy image, but don't you think it might help just a little if you took off your jacket…and possibly the shoes? Even Slade abandoned his jacket long ago, and his isn't full-length…and black to boot." Trudy smiled in the face of his glare in response to her words.

She bit her lip to keep from laughing as she watched him mentally battling with himself, finally grunting and removing his shoes and socks and then his jacket. He sighed appreciatively as he wriggled his toes andhis leaned back, bracing himself on his hands. After about a minute, he turned to putting away his clothing with more care. He couldn't after all, have water hitting the leather; it would ruin it for sure. He held his shoes in one hand and reached for the jacket with the other, noticing for the first time and envelope sticking out of an inner pocket.

Frowning, he dropped his shoes absently, removing the envelope. Even with his lack of skill in the art of reading, he recognized the three letters written on the face of it. He turned it over and over in his hands, wondering when and who…then he recalled the when. That kid, the one who bumped into him at the docks; it had to have been him. But who would have written him a letter? Surely, some random girl would have been more direct? And the girls at the Mall would have known better…maybe Ruby or Gel? He glanced over to each girl and had to shoot down his theories. Ruby was occupied shooting daggers at the intimately ensconced pair of Slade and Ebony who talked softly to each other on the other side of the boat. Gel, meanwhile, held a slack-jawed Sammy in thrall as she chattered on, barely taking enough time to breathe.

He looked at the envelope again, then surveyed the horizon, tapping it lazily against his chin. His nostrils flared and he froze. That scent, wafting up from the envelope, it stirred things inside him, triggering memories, good and bad and a yearning so strong his body shuddered with it. He dropped the envelope like it had suddenly become too hot, eyeing itlike one does a venomous snake poised to strike.

"Lex, you have a letter! Who would write you a letter? Everyone knows about your—" Trudy's mouth hung open, but no words came out as Lex faced her. She stood stock still, glued to the spot by the almost startled eyes boring into her from his face. He glared at her, but there was something else there. Could it be…yes, yes it was. Fear. She looked closer and realized he was trembling slightly.

She swallowed with a painfully dry throat. "Do-do you want me to…?" She left the question hanging.

He broke eye contact, dropping his head, shielding himself with the dark veil of his hair. She had to strain to hear the huskily whispered word.

"Please."

Hand shaking, she retrieved the envelope, turning it over in her hands before opening it. She unfolded the pages, uncertain what she expected to see. Skimming the words, she gasped as she realized who wrote the letter. She looked at Lex, seeing his tension-strained form and haltingly began to read.

Lex,

As I write this, so many thoughts run through my mind. The harder I try to gather them together, the harder they race away from me. That's not entirely true. One thought stays with me; it is a burden that I can't avoid or put aside, no matter how I try. You have to let me go, Lex, for both our sakes.

First of all, let me say that I'm sorry…for everything. For betraying you for abandoning you—that's what it amounts to abandonment. I know about Siva; I don't hold it against you. I wasn't there and I would be the first to tell you to follow where your heart leads. As I have done. I know you have searched for me. Mega told me of your seeking and of his diversions. I could have had him end it but I didn't.

I did not because I didn't want to be found.

Trudy stopped talking at the hissed breath from Lex. His head rested on his up-drawn knees, his hair flowing down, concealing his expression, though his fisted hands revealed his anguish. She reached out to him, but sensing her action, he jerked away, giving her a flash on wet cheeks and haunted eyes.

"Finish."

She gave him a long searching look, and began reading again.

I wanted to stay lost. I love you. I will probably always love you, but I had to get away. When the Technos came, I was concerned. I didn't know what they wanted of me, of any of us. And I missed you so. Your arms around me at night, the way you would sing to me whenever I asked. I cried myself to sleep most times. But then things changed. The Technos weren't the monsters I thought they were. Mega—well I won't go into that, but I came to see that they had a vision of the world. A return to what was before.

I came to embrace this vision. And it was a freeing experience. No longer the struggle for basic necessities. Water, electricity, medicine, all readily available. Knowledge at the fingertips, transportation on command. It was everything I didn't even know I had been yearning for. So I stayed and joined them and you wouldn't believe the places I've seen, the people I've met.

You're probably wondering. No I didn't forget you. It's just that I couldn't come back to the Mall, to the struggle and the in-fighting. I needed to be free. The Technos gave me that. And now I want to free you. You've already lost one relationship searching for something that isn't there any more. Don't lose love again. The best thing you could do now to make both of us happy. Let me go, Lex. Forget about me.

Be free.

Tears streamed down Trudy's cheeks and she sniffed as she lowered her hand. She went over to him, resting her hand on his shoulder, expecting him to shrug it off. He surprised her, leaning into her touch, his body a quivering mass.

"How?"

She stopped the gentle stroking she had been doing to his back.

"How what?"

"How am I supposed to—?"

She began stroking again, needing to do something to lessen his pain, particularly when her words could not.

"We'll figure it out, Lex. I promise you that.".