ORCA, a silent noon.

Jason was staring at the computer screen, pensive, when a soft knock made him turn around. A little surprise.

"Neri? I thought today we would meet at the island?"

"I remember. But there's something I can't wait to tell you about."

Jason smiled. Neri was standing by the door and beautiful in the ORCA uniform. Her hair was still slightly damp. Her face looked restless, but at least not too wistful... so Jason assumed this wasn't something too bad.

Affectionately, he pulled her in, offering her his chair next to the table. Neri looked around the small room. Recently, this private space of Jason has become more familiar to her. Although they both preferred spending the time with each other on her island, she still loved this place - where every little thing was just... very Jason. It was strange that his world was filled with the most modern things, her world was wild to the end, but they felt comfortable that much in the world of each other.

Neri then paid attention to the computer screen which was filled with a lot of words which she couldn't read:

"You're working?"

"Not really. Just reading some information from the mainland... which I'll tell you later." He stood next to her chair, leaning slightly against the edge of the table. "So what is that?"

Neri simply nodded with his summary, returning to her purpose.

"Jason, my mother called me. She wanted me to go to Ocean Planet."

Jason knitted deeply his brows and Neri hurried to explain further:

"No, not that something unexpected happens. Mother just thought it's time for me to visit my people."

"Are you sure it's just a "visit"?"

It was the first question that came to his mind. The Queen once talked about Neri having to return to her home planet and do her mission - which he has never forgotten. He often tried to put it out of his head as much as possible. But he also knew that day may come up at any time.

"Yes, just for a while." Neri said surely, looking at him with a grimace. "But I feel like... I'm missing you already!"

Seeing her expression, Jason couldn't help laughing. Sometimes she was like a normal girl, in a very girly way... Peace returned on Earth and nothing happier than him these days, seeing Neri was carefree and unconcerned like every girl her age. He pulled her closer and put a kiss on her silky hair, enjoying her scent for a quick moment. But things didn't end that easily. When he loosened his embrace, Neri pulled his neck down for another kiss on his lips. Then she released him with a mischievous smile.

"That's so sweet."

It was hard to tell which he commented on, her answer or their kiss.

"Well, how do you feel?" Jason managed to return to the object.

"I don't know. Many feelings. I'm about to return to my homeland, putting my footsteps on our ground again. I'll meet my people, my relatives... Mera said, we had a cousin-sister named Serena, she was really like me..."

"That's fantastic, right?"

"Yes." Neri agreed. "But I also feel worried."

"About what?"

"About everything!"

Neri got up, walked over to the bookshelf which was full with the books, headphones and some stuff. Jason waited patiently and after a while, Neri turned to him:

"What if something bad happens?"

"What makes you think that?" Jason walked to her side. "Malakat is gone. Everything will be prepared better than ever by your mother's trustworthy persons."

"I know. But why am I still so nervous, Jason. I don't understand."

Jason considered the answer:

"Nervousness is a common feeling, Neri, before big events. It helps prepare you to handle the threat or sudden changes, instinctively. Even mom has trouble sleeping the night before every business trip." He paused for a moment before going on. "I know it is harder for you when your first space trip ended horribly, as a nightmare... You're still thinking about it, aren't you?"

She nodded in acknowledgement. How can she forget that faint but dark memory after all. Jason was right, that memory might be the reason for all of her nervousness.
Her eyes suddenly lit up with a smile.

"Maybe not too horrible. At least the spaceship fell in the right place."

"What do you mean?" Jason inquired.

"If it had fallen in the other half on Earth, how could I meet you, family and Charley?"

Jason got the point. He smiled meaningfully.

"You would still have met another version of us, I mean, someone else who would also have found you, protected you, and loved you..."

"No!" She shook her head. "I met you, it's destiny. I know it."

Honestly, a part of him thought so too. He couldn't imagine what his life would be like if he hadn't met her. Over the years, she had been such an integral part that he sometimes even thought that his life had always revolved around her, unconsciously.

"Ok, no objection here." He cheerfully surrendered.

"Your next trip may be long and not easy, but don't worry too much, Neri. Forget about the bad things in the past. You'll land on your planet safely. I promise!"

Well, his "I promise" must be the magic words. Her mood lifted right away as she smiled at him. Trustingly. Lovingly. He was fascinated by her radiant face. How grateful he was that she always trusted him no matter what. It gave him power throughout the years...

"Detailed discussion about the trip will take place tonight." Neri seems start getting excited about the trip. "My mother wanted you to attend. You will come?"

"Sure!" he said firmly.

Suddenly, remembering something, Neri tilted her head, curious:

"Do you lose sleep before trips like mother?"

"Yes, but in my case," Jason shrugged. "mostly because I was too excited about the trip. You know, there are a lot of nice places to visit, cool things to see..."

"Yes, Earth is so beautiful..."

Looking at her wide dreamy eyes, Jason pulled her into a tight hug, buried his face in her hair.

"Not as beautiful as you!" He whispered. "Come back to me soon, OK?"

He hadn't known how many days her trip takes yet, but Neri was never been away from him for too long. That really made him worry. But most of all, he was happy for her. He wouldn't let his worries ruin her eagerness.

Neri nodded, gently putting her arm around his waist. They stayed still in the pleasant silence for a while. Then Neri said softly:

"Jason, on your next trip, can I come with you?"

Many years later, every time Jason started a journey, going to the Mainland, visiting his grandparents, traveling with friends... the memories of her strongly came to life.

When he watched the clouds flying outside the window, when he sat on a train going through the vast sugarcane fields, even when he grilled lamb with his friends on a prairie..., her words "Can I come with you, on your next trip?" was like a knife that cut deep into his heart.

"Where are you now, Neri? I would pay anything to have you on my trips!"