Plain of Sorrows

Author: Milady Dragon

Disclaimers: I don't own Earth 2 in any way, but I do claim my ghosts. I love them…

Author's Note: Well, folks, this is it. I certainly hope you've enjoyed this as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Thanks for all the nice reviews! You've all been the greatest! And, who knows...there might very well be a sequel...


Epilogue

John Danziger sat on the ground, his legs crossed under him, staring at the wall of grass before his eyes.

He was waiting.

"Hello, John Danziger."

And his waiting was over.

Danziger stood up, glad that Uly and Adair had talked him into this. He just couldn't have left without saying goodbye…

He smiled at N'Merra, very glad to see her. The cat-girl was smiling, her green eyes glittering. The wind stirred her dress, and moved the fur of her face gently.

They were on the dreamplane.

When Uly had come to him, telling him that it might be possible to contact the cat-people on the dreamplane, he'd been a little skeptical. After all, hadn't destroying the link between the physical plane and dreamplane – the destruction of the ship – had snapped all connections between the two? But Uly had persisted…and then Adair had gotten into the act, convincing him to at least try…

And here he was, looking at his cat-girl for what might be the last time.

"Hello, N'Merra." He grinned. Then he pulled her into his arms, and hugged her tightly.

He'd been wanting to do that for what felt like ages!

She hugged him back, just as fiercely. They stood like that for a long time. Her fur was just as soft as John thought it would be.

Then they parted. N'Merra was smiling even wider…wait a second…

"You're smiling like you mean it!" he exclaimed.

"I do mean it, John Danziger. It appears that, when our connection to the physical world was severed, it also weakened us in ways we could not have foreseen. Including our bond to the last emotions we experienced before our deaths."

"That's wonderful!" And it was. He'd hated seeing her so sad all the time.

"Indeed, it is. But that is not all."

"What else is there?"

"The Dreamers are coming back."

Danziger didn't know how to react to that news. "I thought they'd abandoned this place."

"They had. However, they sensed the destruction of our ship, and came to investigate. When they found us still here…they have consented to teach us how to exist on the dreamplane, since we had to sever our link to the physical plane."

He was suddenly grinning again, as he realized what that meant. "Then maybe I can see you again, someday?"

"Perhaps. It depends on how good a student I am. I have been a leader for so long… it feels a little odd."

"I don't doubt that you can do whatever you set your mind to."

N'Merra ducked her head, but not before Danziger caught a faint hint of blush under her facial fur. "I appreciate your faith in me, John Danziger."

It was his turn to be embarrassed. He didn't want to admit that he'd once doubted her.

"The others would like to see you, as well."

And then they were surrounded by the last of N'Merra's people.

D'Lorrak stepped forward, pulling John into a hug that was just as fierce as the one he'd shared with N'Merra. "It is good to see you again, my friend," the cat said, pounding John on the back.

"You, too."

They parted, both men grinning. It was really good to see Lorr looking so…balanced. Not so angry anymore. "How is your daughter? And Morgan Martin?"

"Both are fine. In fact, they don't remember much of anything that happened."

"Perhaps that is to be expected. Their very minds and bodies suffered a trauma that most people would never have done. And, perhaps it is for the best."

"Yeah." Danziger agreed with the engineer's assessment. While that meant they'd never know what had caused both True and Morgan to welcome the Changed into their minds, it also meant that they didn't have to relive anything they might have done. "Everyone else in the group seem a little less jumpy, too, and that's a good thing." Well, everyone except Walman; for some reason the man acted like someone was about to kick his ass, or something.

"And you will be moving on."

"Yeah. We have a lot of ground to cover, and not a lot of time to cover it."

"I shall miss you, my friend. It was good to have someone to talk to, who understood what I was actually saying."

Danziger laughed. "Oh yeah. I know the feeling, Lorr." He clapped the tall cat-man on the shoulder. "Maybe I'll see you again someday."

"I look forward to that day, John. Be safe, brother."

"You, too…brother."

D'Lorrak stepped back.

John greeted each and every one of the cat-people. When he came to C'rrownan, the woman who'd led him out of the ship, he purposely made out that he couldn't hear her greeting; she snorted, smacking him in the arm. He also thanked the matron-like cat-woman who'd looked after Uly; the woman introduced herself as Rr'sarrah, adding that the boy had been a treat to look after, and that it had been her pleasure.

Then he was standing before N'Merra again, and the other cats had left them to their own goodbye. The girl was trying to smile, but her sadness was back. "I shall miss you, John Danziger."

"Don't you think it's about time you were a little less formal with my name?"

N'Merra looked shocked. "I could not! It would not be proper; you are my elder!"

John snorted. He wished he'd been able to teach True such good manners… "It's just that, well, we've been through a lot together. I think it's just unnecessary that you use my entire name. No one else does. Besides, you have called me 'friend' before."

"I know…it was wrong of me. I apologize."

"No need to, N'Merra. I don't mind."

"Perhaps…" she mused, "there is something I can call you. That is, if you do not object…"

"Try me."

"There is a title – more of an honorific, really – that is used among my people, to denote a close relationship between an older male and a child not directly related to him." She looked at him hesitantly.

"That sounds perfect! What is it?"

"It is gawr'sorreth. The closest I can translate would be…adopted brother of my father. I would understand if you chose to decline, knowing what my father was – "

"Not at all. I would be honored." John was touched by the gesture.

N'Merra smiled widely at his acceptance. "No, I am the one honored. It means that I can be truthful with you, completely."

"Of course you can. You don't need any sort of title for that."

"I know, it simply makes it easier for me to admit this…but, I truly wish you had been my father." She looked up at him, uncertain. "Is that wrong of me?"

He gathered her up in another hug. "I don't think so. But, surely you have some good memories of him?"

"I do. I shall remember those. Thank you, gawr'sorreth John."

"You're welcome, kiddo."

She pulled back, looking at him closely. "Is that a good thing to call me?"

"Hey, I only call certain people that. In fact, you're only the third."

"Then it is indeed a good thing." She sighed. "I must go now, my time here is almost done. Perhaps, once I learn to navigate the dreamplane, I might come and visit you."

"I'll count on it." Danziger hadn't thought it possible to cry on the dreamplane, but he was. But he was also glad he'd gotten to see N'Merra – and her people – again before moving on.

And he'd look forward to the day when he'd see her again.

At that thought, the dreamplane faded around him, and he suddenly found himself in the seat of the Dune Rail, staring at the line of trees that cut across the plain just as sharply as the cliff had.

He'd chosen this time to say goodbye, since it was symbolic as well as physical. They were leaving the area, and he doubted he'd be back any time in the near future.

"How did it go?"

He swiveled in the seat, looking at Adair. She'd chosen to stay with him; she still held the sedative that Julia had provided for his visit to the dreamplane. "Good. The kid knew what he was talking about."

"Of course he did," she answered, with motherly pride.

Then she reached up, and touched his cheek. Her fingers came away wet. "I don't think I've ever seen you cry."

He snorted. "There's always a first time for everything. But, Adair, I swear if you tell anyone…"

She laughed. "I know…you have your tough-guy reputation to uphold."

"Damn right." He started the Dune Rail, and together they went to catch up with the others.