Note: This is the last chapter for this story. Big time thanks to both Stormrd and Knightsky for their help with this chapter.

What do you guys think of the upcoming summaries? Please let me know! I know reviewers have dropped a bit, and I'd hate to think it's because they didn't like the story anymore.

Chapter 17: Morning Miracle

As good as his word, Dr. Alpert kept Devon in the hospital for two more days, checking on him every hour to make sure he did not relapse. At the same time, the Englishman and Michael would talk, sometimes watch some news and some movies that each liked (sometimes both would like one)…as well as check on the third occupant of the hospital room: Marissa.

Ever since the morning that had restored her from a state worse than death, the little girl had fallen asleep…and as of yet, she had not awakened. It caused a lot of concern for Michael, Devon and Kitt.

In the afternoon of the second day, Devon let Michael in on something that the younger man found very surprising.

"You're what?"

"You heard me. I'm going to talk to Laura and Rissie, when she wakes up, about the Foundation's Youth. I have a feeling that this won't be the first situation that something like that group will be needed. Most likely, they'll be called in when a case involves children or if the expertise of someone in the group is needed…or in the case that that…society strikes again."

Michael raised an eyebrow and asked quietly, "Devon…I know that time was very brutal, but there's something I need to know. I wouldn't ask this if I had a choice."

"What is it?"

"After they…tagged you as a 'Gypsy', did they say anything about themselves…when they beat you?"

Devon looked haunted as he sighed. "There wasn't all that much they would say…other than how much of a fake human I was. They did mention something…I think it was their purpose."

"Which is?"

"Mystic and Gypsy Eradication. Mind you, I have no idea if it's their name or their mission. They weren't very forthcoming."

He nodded, feeling a bit disgusted. Those jackals won't get their way. Now I'm starting to see what Medina meant about the third oath I took…to safeguard the future for Mystics and humanity, at the cost of my life and soul.

Just as he did the night of Marissa's birthday, he said, very certain of his wording this time, "Like hell they will. Over my dead body."

Just as the last time, Devon winced, still hating that slang term. Michael would not take the words back or say it was bad wording this time.

"Michael…you could use some sleep, in a real bed. Don't worry about me and get back to the Foundation."

The younger man shook his head and replied vehemently, partly without thought, "That's one order I won't obey. I'm not going anywhere until you're released from the hospital. No way am I going to leave here without the one I love as my father and my 'little sister'!"

There was pure silence and only when Michael saw the mixture of shock, realization and affection on Devon's face did he realize just what he had said.

"Michael? What did you just say?"

Michael looked at Devon with deep affection and smiled. "You heard!"

"I don't know what to say." Devon looked stunned at the comment. "I never realized you thought that way..."

"You didn't?"

"No, you surprise me..."

"Really?"

"Yes, really, I'm touched."

Michael blushed. "Um...Er, I... boy, did I ever put both feet in---"

Devon continued to look at him, then he managed to speak. "Michael." Once the man had stopped speaking, the Englishman smiled, took the younger man's hand in his own and squeezed it. "It's mutual."

As the older man fell asleep, Michael stood and walked to the window, facing the stars. He had already done this before others, but now he was completely aware of what his duty was and what the cost could very well be.

Very quietly, he said, "By the stars and the ancestors, I swear I will protect those of Line Medina, including Marissa and Devon Miles, from those that would seek to kill them, even at the cost of my life. I swear to protect those of Line Maris, including Laura and Rodrigo Mariz, from their enemies, even at the cost of my life. I swear to safeguard the past, present and future for the Mystics and humanity, even at the cost of my life and my immortal soul."

Somehow, he had the feeling that Medina had heard him.

With that, he returned to his seat, not to sleep, but to guard the other two, precious lives in the room.

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The next morning, Dr. Alpert gave Devon a clean bill of health and released him from the hospital. However, they had barely managed to keep him from suspecting that something was wrong with Marissa, who still had not awakened.

The three returned to the Foundation headquarters in Kitt, who was very glad to be returning home for the first time in just under a week.

"Kitt…? Go to autopilot," the operative managed to say as he blinked.

"Michael…? Are you all right?"

"Michael was awake all night again, watching over the two of you. That makes 3 full days now that he hasn't slept, almost 4."

"Traitor," he muttered, then he saw Devon's open shock.

"My God, Michael…! I don't know what happened while I was in the coma, but I also don't want you to wind up in the same state Rissie was in. As soon as we get home, you are going straight to bed!"

"Devon, I'm not going to be pulling someone out of the Bardo anytime soon. Besides, don't we have a case or two—"

"I mean it, Michael. Those cases won't be solved any faster if you keel over from exhaustion. Straight to bed!"

"All right, all right," he replied, then muttered, "Mother hen."

"Cluck-cluck yourself."

As soon as they arrived, Kitt opened the passenger-side door and lowered the seat as soon as the Englishman had exited. He then picked up the sleeping child carefully and carried her inside.

Rodrigo looked surprised as he saw the three of them.

"Senores, is something wrong with the senorita?" he asked.

"I dunno," Michael replied, "After what we did that morning two days ago, she went to sleep and hasn't woken up yet."

He made a humming sound and checked her carefully. Once he was done, he said, "If she were Kitt, I'd say that she was recharging depleted power cells. Don't worry about it." He then looked in Devon's arms and chuckled as he said, "You see…?"

The Englishman looked down and saw that Marissa was, in fact, waking up.

"Mmm…is it morning already?" she asked as she yawned, then looked about her, realizing that she was being carried.

"Poppet, thank God," he breathed quietly with a sigh of relief and set her down in a chair, "I—we were worried sick."

"Huh…? How long have I been asleep?"

"Three days," Michael replied.

That surprised her.

"How do you feel, little one?" Devon asked.

"Like I got a real good night's sleep," she answered and stood up.

"Rissie--! Don't push yourself!"

"I-I'm okay, really. See?" she asked as she walked over to Rodrigo, then whispered something, to which he nodded and replied something in an equal tone before saying in normal volume, "Better do as your father says and take it slow for today."

She nodded as Devon said, "Besides, there's something I want to talk to you about tomorrow, when I'm sure you're feeling better."

"That sounds interesting."

Michael chuckled then said, "If you'll excuse me… I believe I've got parental orders to go straight to bed."

"Quite right," Devon agreed and Marissa laughed. He said to her, "It's not funny…! He hasn't been sleeping for three days now…!"

Rodrigo looked puzzled, which caused Michael to say, "You had to be there to understand."

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That night, Devon was starting to shut down his office for the night when there was a knock on his door.

Having remembered caution from the ordeal, Devon asked warily, "Who is it?"

"Rodrigo, senor."

He breathed a sigh of relief then said, "Come in."

The Mexican man carefully turned the knob and used his foot to push the door open. In his hands was a cup of some type of liquid that smelled delicious.

He had checked up on Michael and found that the young man had indeed gone straight to bed after the conversation with Rodrigo. At the last check, he was still asleep.

"Buenas noches, Devon. I figured you might be up at this hour…and tense."

"Well…yes. I haven't been here in a little under a week, not since…that incident happened."

"Thought so…so I made you something."

Devon raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is it?"

"Just a special tea, made with some of my stock herbs. Made to relax the mind and body before bed."

The British man looked at him almost a bit skeptically as he said, "Last time someone made me tea…that whole sordid affair began."

"Senor Miles! I would never do something like that to you. You should know that by now, after a little over 10 years!" he replied, truly hurt.

Devon winced and replied, "I'm sorry, Rodrigo…you're right. Cautious is one thing, but I shouldn't doubt old friends. Besides, your teas have never done wrong by me." He walked to the Mexican and took the cup and saucer, then started drinking the tea.

He winced slightly as he said, "It's…odd. Bitter, but a cool mint-like taste at the same time."

"Si. Regularly, this mixture is very bitter, but I flavored it a little, just for you. Now, drink it up before it gets cold."

Devon nodded and quickly drained the cup before he handed it back to Rodrigo.

"A bit odd…but I can feel it working somewhat already," he noted, "I think I will go straight to bed. It will be…a busy day tomorrow."

"That's for sure. Buenas noches, Devon."

After the British man walked down the corridor and turned the corner, a young woman appeared behind Rodrigo.

"Papa…were you telling Devon the truth about that drink?"

"Partly," he answered, "It is designed to relax body and mind, as a sedative…but at the same time, it will also try to re-tap into a particular dormant ability of his. We'll only know if it succeeded in the morning. Now…we better go to bed, too."

"You mean…the one thing he truly wants?" she asked as they walked.

"Si. His birthday is tomorrow."

She nodded and was silent the rest of the way.

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The next morning, as usual, Devon followed Marissa outside, just before dawn, into the courtyards, just before dawn.

This time, as he watched her face the east, he decided to face the same direction…even though he knew that the time that he could hear what she did was long past, he had a feeling that today, he should try, at least.

He watched as the first rays of the morning sun appeared, touching them both.

She cocked her head to the right, hearing the music.

It was very strange, but Devon could hear something distantly…music. It was as if someone was playing a radio some distance away. It gradually became louder, until it was as though that radio was in the same area as they were…and the sound itself was crystal clear.

Marissa began to move to the music as the drums began, and her father could tell just when the right timing was that she used.

Another thing that was so strange about what he was hearing was that he remembered hearing this music before.

Am I dreaming again…? he thought and found his own feet beginning to match movement to beat as well.

In the middle of a turn, Marissa's eyes widened as she saw Devon moving to the exact same beat.

Oh my gosh, she thought, It's working, it's really working!

Devon's eyes were closed as he hummed slightly, moving in counter beat behind Marissa. It had been many decades since the last time he had been able to hear this. He didn't know if it would last or if it was just for today, but he was taking advantage of it while he could.

Another thing that he felt as they moved was that more energy was coming into his body than there was being spent, and the aches from his beating were becoming less.

The two of them continued to dance to the very music that only they could hear, until it slowly faded away, as though a song on the radio was fading out.

When he opened his eyes again, he heard Marissa laughing a little bit.

"It worked," she said, "Rodrigo's tea really worked!"

He turned towards her and asked quietly, "His tea?"

"Yeah. The tea works as a sedative, and while sleeping, it reawakens a specific ability," she replied, "I knew you wanted to hear what I do, at least once more."

"It's…exactly as I remember it," he admitted, "Including the energy gained when you do this. I've…I've missed this."

She smiled and said quietly, "Happy birthday, father."

He raised an eyebrow then said, "I won't ask how you know…but thank you, my dear. It's…the best present that I could have."

Marissa chuckled and answered, "You're welcome!"

Devon hugged her and then whispered, "Let's go inside and start the day, shall we…? I have a feeling that the others have a surprise of their own later."

"Sure! And as to if they do…I won't tell!"

He shook his head and laughed at that as he followed his daughter inside the mansion.

THE END