A/N: Sorry it took such a long time to update. I usually don't take that much time and I have no clue why it happened that way this time. Anyway hope you enjoy the last chapter.

Cries of joy echoed through the island as the crew ran up to Dim-Dim and Maeve. Hugs were exchanged and happiness was definetely in the air.

Sinbad couldn't believe it. He couldn't quite believe that this was real and he was pretty sure he would wake up in a few minutes, in his cabin, and realize that this was all a dream. But when Sinbad wrapped his arms tightly around his love, he knew that this was real. Just like the trip to his heart had been. He wasn't going to wake up and that made him happy. After all these years...

They hugged for a long time, silently, simply enjoying each other's company. Maeve was surprised at herself. She had never been so open. Right now, she couldn't care less. And she knew that her friends wouldn't care either. It had been so long.

"I missed you so much." Sinbad finally said, forgetting that he was circled by his friends. "Don't ever and I mean ever leave me again."

Maeve pulled back.

"Only if you promise me one thing." She replied, a mischiveous grin on her face.

"What's that?"

"Change your clothes for God's sake! What on earth are they anyway?"

Sinbad heard everybody around him laugh. He merely smiled at his friend.

"Kiss her already!" Doubar said behind him.

Sinbad turned to look at his brother. He could tell by his brother's large grin that he was happy. Sinbad chuckled lightly. It was really nice to see his brother like that. He turned his attention back to Maeve.

"Seems like we have no options." He said in a teasing tone.

Maeve giggled.

"I guess not."

They both leaned in simultaneously for their first kiss in two and a half years. The second their lips met, Maeve's arms immediately snaked around Sinbad's neck and Sinbad pulled her even closer. They kissed for what seemed to their friends as a long time during which Rowan and a very tired Malika walked up to them.

"Eeeeeewwwww." Rowan said, disgusted.

Breaking their kiss, Maeve and Sinbad looked down at the children. Sinbad pulled Malika closer to him.

"Let's all go back to the ship." Doubar said.

Letting go of Maeve, Sinbad crouched down in front of Malika.

"Thank you." He whispered to her.

Malika simply smiled.

The reunion party lasted until very late in the night. Malika tried her best to stay awake but a few hours after the sun had set, Maeve was tucking the little girl in her bed.

"Thank you so much for your help." Maeve told her, bending down to kiss the child on the forehead.

"You're welcome." Malika replied, stifling a yawn.

Maeve smiled lovingly.

"One day, you'll make a fine sorceress."

"Maybe you could teach me. I want to be just like when I grow up so we can both go destroy Rumina."

Maeve's smile turned sad and she sighed softly. She could tell that Malika, even if she had never met her, missed her mother dearly. Unlike Dermott, Sarah hadn't been turned into a hawk. She had been killed.

"I'm sorry she had to kill your mother, Honey."

"And I'm sorry she had to turn Dermott into a hawk. But one day, we will defeat her... or die trying."

Maeve chuckled. She wondered where children took their optimism. They always thought that everything would turn out okay. They didn't know when or know how, but they simply knew.

"You sound just like Sinbad."

Malika smiled before yawning.

"Get some sleep." Maeve told her. "The spell drained the energy out of you."

Malika nodded.

"Good night, Maeve."

"Good night, Malika." Maeve replied before getting up and walking back to the door. And just as Maeve closed the door behind her, Malika fell into a deep slumber.

On deck, Sinbad stood staring at the stars. He still couldn't believe that Maeve was back. He was still afraid that he would wake up in a few moments, in his cabin, and realize that everything that had occured in the last hours had been simply a figment of his imagination.

He heard the footsteps in the stairs and knew instantly who it was. But he didn't turn around. He didn't need to. Seconds later, he felt someone kiss the back of his neck. He shivered.

"What were you thinking about?" the newcomer asked him.

He turned to face the redhead.

"I was considering retiring from the sea."

Maeve's eyes grew wide in surprise.

"What? No! You'll never be able to do that. You love the sea."

Sinbad shrugged.

"It's worth the try. It's just that with everything that has happened in the last few years and today, I just feel like it's time for me to settle down."

They locked eyes and Maeve noticed that, for the first time since she had met him, Sinbad looked scared and vulnerable.

"But only if you want the same thing too."

Maeve smiled, shyly.

"Well it would be a lot less complicated considering I will soon have a sorceress' apprentice."

"Malika?"

"Yes. She wants me to teach her some magic."

"Well she has the mind for it, no doubt. That child is very smart."

Maeve nodded.

"So what do you say? We could settle down back in Baghdad and maybe, I don't know... get married and start a family of our own?"

Maeve felt her face grow warm and she hoped that she wasn't blushing. Marry Sinbad? Yes, she could picture herself with him. She always had but she never truly admit it to herself.

"Are you proposing?" she asked, stalling for time.

She wasn't quite sure how to reply yet. She needed a few seconds.

"Yeah, I guess I am. So? What do you say?"

Maeve smiled.

"Of course I'll marry you."

Sinbad smiled and kissed her.

"Then it's settled."

"Yes but let's not go to Baghdad."

"Well, where else do you wanna go?"

"It's perfect."

"It is, isn't it?" Maeve said as she looked around. "I've always loved this place. Remember? This is the same place where you found Dim-Dim after I brought you to him."

Sinbad slid his hand in hers.

"I remember. And I didn't want to have to do anything with you."

Maeve turned to her captain.

"You despised me, didn't you?"

"Just like I despised all women. But I grew really fond of you." Sinbad replied, giving her hand a small squeeze.

"You know, I think I understand why Dim-Dim said we were so much alike. We are."

And, at the risk of sounding dumb, Sinbad replied:

"We are more than alike, Maeve. We're soul mates."

Sinbad looked at Maeve and smiled. They looked at each other in the eyes. Yes, they were soul mates.

THE END

Well there it is. The last chapter. Coming soon: the sequel.