I did it! I've reached the big 100! I'm so proud of myself for this series, you have no idea... Anyways, I'm not going to make any replies to reviewers here because after all that, I'm still lazy, but as long as you guys get the story, you're happy...right? But I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who supported me throughout the making of this fic - whether you reviewed once or at every chappie (actually no one did that, heh) - you are the best, you are what made writing this possible, and so much fun too! I love you all! Okay, now I'm getting sappy. Anyways, here is the much-anticipated epilogue, and as for sequel series, well, I am currently working on another fic right now, so it is possible that I might make a sequel another time, later. If you have ideas for a sequel, say so in review, not email. And as a disclaimer, I don't own Gundam Seed. Once again, thanks so so much, and without furthur ado, I present to you Never Had The Chance - The Epilogue!

EPILOGUE: THE STARS OF A PURE WORLD

Ah…so this is what heaven is like, isn't it? Nicol, are you here too? I can hear your piano playing. Oh, Nicol, there you are! It…it really is you! Oh, Nicol, I've missed you so much! Hey, you're glowing! Why are you glowing, brother?

Nicol stood up from his seat on the handsome black piano and took a step downwards, down a white staircase in a background of white, towards her, shining as though he were the light at the end of a tunnel. He smiled gently at her, and her heart melted with joy.

He looked at his glowing hands, smiling still. Then he looked back towards her, stepping down the stairs. "I'm not quite sure why," he said slowly. Rin noted that there were still many steps to go, but she couldn't climb up to speed up the process. Her body wasn't moving. "I think it's because I've made it to heaven."

Oh. She looked around. There was no one else there. The only things that weren't white were her, Nicol (though he was glowing so brightly it nearly blinded her), and the beautiful black piano. She was aware of her own body, still in her ZAFT mobile suit uniform, but it was all in tatters. She couldn't move her mouth to speak, but her thoughts seemed to echo aloud for Nicol to hear. Hey, Nicol, why aren't I glowing?

Nicol laughed lightly, his laugh like a gentle tinkling bell. "That doesn't matter, Rin." Finally at the bottom of the stairs with her, he reached out, and Rin felt his gentle hands upon hers, warming her. As warmth returned to her body, she realized that she was able to move.

As soon as the realization hit her, she flung herself onto her brother, squeezing him tightly and letting the warmth encage her. "Oh, Nicol, I've missed you so much."

Nicol patted her on the head and ruffled her hair with a warm tenderness. "I know," he said softly.

"And I'm sorry…for everything I've ever said to you…"

Nicol nodded, still caressing her head. "Don't worry about that now, Rin. I've forgiven you a long, long time ago. But that's all behind us now. We can stay together forever now."

Rin closed her eyes, and rested her head against Nicol's shoulder, content. "I'd like that," she murmured as Nicol continued to stroke her.

Then, as though she'd been splashed by a cold bucket of water, she jerked upright, her eyes wide. "Nicol!" she cried. "The war – Kira and Athrun – are they all right?"

Nicol nodded, though his face was grave. "They're both perfectly healthy. They won the war. Soon after the fight, a truce was called."

Rin smiled in relief, but noted the look on her brother's face. "And?"

Nicol managed a sad smile. "They miss you," he said simply.

Rin felt it at that moment – a terrible pang of sorrow and longing. "But, Nicol, I'm dead now, aren't I? I'm with you again – I can't go back to them – not that I want to –"

Nicol squeezed her hands, but in a sympathetic way. "No need to hide it from me, Rin," he said calmly and kindly, smiling. "I know you miss them too. You want to stay alive for a while longer. And to tell you the truth –" he broke off and looked away "– they need you more than I do right now."

Rin stared, thoughts racing through her mind. "But – Nicol –" she gasped.

"You're not gone yet," he explained. "There's still time for you to return to the world of the living. I think you should go."

He stepped backwards, back up the stairs, glowing even more brightly than before. Rin tried desperately to reach out for him, but found that she could no longer move or speak.

But – I want to be with you, too –

"You will join me here someday," Nicol assured her with a smile. "Now's not your time. Don't be sad, Rin. I will always be with you, in your thoughts and in your dreams. Keep living a while longer, okay, sis? Live and be happy. And when the time is right, then you'll join me for good, and we'll never part again."

She couldn't do anything anymore, but somehow there were tears coming down her cheeks. Nicol was fading away from her once more, but this time, it was different. She wasn't filled with sorrow. She was filled with hope. And Nicol grew farther and farther away, glowing so brightly that everything around her blanked out, but not before she could make out his gentle smile one last time.

When her vision cleared, she was conscious of the feeling in her body. She could blink and wiggle her toes again. She was alive again.

Someone's hand was upon hers. Rin blinked again, then slowly sat up. Athrun was sitting at her bedside, his head down. Kira was standing in the opposite corner. Athrun's body was shaking, but she couldn't see his expression. Kira gave a start when he heard her move, and stared. His face went from a mixture of sadness to shock to delight.

"Athrun!" he exclaimed. "She's – she's alive!"

Athrun's head jerked up, and Rin saw that it was stained with tears. His eyes didn't widen in shock when he saw her. They simply grew larger as they filled with tears once more. And then he was hugging her, sobbing, and Kira was at her side as well, smiling gratefully, with a hand on her shoulder. The emotion caught in her as well, and soon Rin was crying too, hugging both of them tightly. She was alive again. She was safe, and the world was at peace. Best of all, she was with two of the three most special people in her life. The third was Nicol. But she knew she would be reunited with him again later.

Rin looked out the window of the Eternal, still in the warm embrace of Athrun and Kira, and noted how brightly the stars were shining in space. One of them stood out more than the rest, shining so brightly that it threatened to blind her. She smiled, knowing exactly who that star belonged to, and what it meant.

Kira and Athrun were both with her, Nicol was watching over her, and the world was at peace.

No ending could be more perfect.

And her brother's star continued to shine.

The end! I hope you've all enjoyed this! I know that I never clarified who Rin really likes, but I admit I don't want to chose between one and the other just yet! Once again, thank you, and I hope that one day I'll write a sequel and you will continue to support me once more! Bye!