More epilogue! Twenty years later...

April 20th, 2036; Taito Ward; Tokyo, Japan; 10:35p.m.

Sitting diagonally from a middle aged woman, with flowing brunette hair and distantly familiar facial structure beneath distinct amber eyes, a middle aged Rintarou Okabe sat back on his armchair, passively observing the unexpected guest beneath the dim lighting of his living room.

"Obviously you know who I am, to let me in like this."

"Of course I do... You're Amane Suzuha. Even with your graceful aging, you're recognizable anywhere."

Sitting back in her own chair, fingers curled around a warm mug of tea, she smiled, mildly humored by his compliment.

Yeah, the funny thing is... Now you look exactly like I remember from Valkyrie... But with less grey hair. Raising Kamiko here must not be as stressful as being in charge of Valkyrie... Heh.

"If I may be so bold to ask... Have you been watching over me, and my family?"

"I have."

"Thought so. Any particular reason?"

"Just been curious about what the girls have been up to... Kamiko, and myself."

"I see."

"Been making sure they stay out of trouble too. I don't think either of them have realized it yet."

Okabe's mouth opened, processing her statement.

"Neither have I. Have they been doing things we've been unaware of?"

"Not really. A little bit of parkour and urban exploration... Nothing shady."

"And yet you feel the need to protect them?"

"Like I said, just keeping tabs on them. In case anything does happen, I'll be nearby to assist."

Blinking with genuine surprise, his shoulders slumped.

"I suppose its just odd... Keeping an eye on your own self, and my daughter. But I thank you nonetheless."

"No problem. I survived a pretty miserable future, and so did Kamiko. They can take care of themselves in this world line."

Increasingly smiling as Okabe eyed her carefully, she leaned forward.

"Curious about what I just said?"

"Very. Do explain."

"You understand world lines, I assume."

"Certainly do."

"Yeah, so did your past self. You explained world lines to me in Valkyrie, and how you discovered them with your time traveling in the past... With the Phone-Wave, or whatever you called it."

"Wait, when... Hold on. I explained this to you? But you..."

Grinning from his expected confusion, she took a sip from the slightly cooler mug of tea, waiting as he got his thoughts into order.

"Suzuha."

"Yes?"

"Firstly... In this alternate future you're alluding to... I explained time travel to you?"

"Yes, you did. You and Ruka were both aware of it through your past experiences."

"Why would I do this? Were you not already aware?"

"I wasn't, and both of you were planning to send me back in time to change the future. So you explained why I had to achieve one percent divergence."

Speechless, Okabe stared at her.

"When in god's name did all this happen?"

"On an alternate world line, on the evening of this exact day."

"So... In this time and place... We were planning on sending you back in time?"

"Yes. You knew the whereabouts of my dad's time machine, FG204. You even gave me his will, and the blueprints and technical documentation."

Laughing lightly as his mouth dropped open, she took another sip, and set the mug aside with a swallow.

"...Anyway, you guys wanted to send me back to twenty-twelve, to stop the formation of a communist federation. Remember that conference hall bombing in Beijing?"

"Yes. I certainly do. You enlisted the help of my wife."

"Sure did. She helped me stop the meeting and blow up the utility room. Attracted the city police, and the attention of the world. Totally derailed the end of the world that I came from. Point is, before that, Kamiko and I found my dad's time machine near the coast, and I went back in time. You're the one that organized the mission, and your daughter led the team that got me there."

"I... did? And Kamiko... Continue."

Feeding his endless curiosity, she exhaled, digging through her own memories.

"Valkyrie, was the place where a lot of this stuff happened. It was a secret self-sustaining underground city project that was mostly completed by our government, before the invasion of Tokyo and the dissolving of the government and military structure. You and Ruka somehow assumed control of the entire facility in the aftermath, and the operation sustained thousands of people. Stashed inside like an anthill. SERN had no idea where it was, and yet the place kept the ongoing revolution going full speed."

Grinning as his eyes grew wide, she spun the mug around on the table.

"SERN? As in... The organization that comes to rule the world with time travel?"

"Almost. Their headquarters were destroyed in world war three by NATO, so they weren't big enough to rule everybody... Hence why the Japanese revolution was steadily pushing them out of the mainland."

Hands coming together, suspended over his lap, Okabe exhaled with great interest.

"Fascinating. You describe a glimmer of hope. Good to know SERN wasn't fully successful with their regime... And this place you speak of, Valkyrie..."

"Yeah. Big concrete bunker complex. Somewhere under southwestern Tokyo. The place was enormous and went way deep into the earth. No bombs could touch it from above."

"That's good to know. You said Ruka and I... And Kamiko, all lived in this place?"

"In your own quarters. You two ran the show, and Kamiko acted as an operational commander, leading missions on the surface."

Picturing his teenage daughter, slender and innocent like her mother, his eyebrow rose.

"A commander?"

"Yep. Carried her own rifle, and led tanks and soldiers. Pretty inspiring, actually. She was a total badass. I met her on the streets of Yokohama, and we became friends right away. I think once I told her my name, she figured out I was related to a friend of yours... Being my dad, Itaru. How is he, by the way?"

"Daru is well, as is your mother Yuki."

"That's good... Anyway, Kamiko brought me back to Valkyrie, and I met you and Ruka. You guys figured out who I was because of my parents, and housed me in your quarters. A week later, you assigned me the time travel mission, and twenty years from that point... Here I am."

"Here you are indeed. And here we all are... In the future you and Ruka brought us into."

"Speaking of that... Do you happen to know the percentage?"

"Of divergence?"

"Yes."

"Of course. You're the one that gave Ruka the meter... Its been sitting somewhere close to one-point two percent for years now."

Sitting back into the couch, Suzuha slowly nodded.

"Huh. Close, as in, slightly less?"

"One point one-eight, last I checked."

"That's a little different from what I remember... I'm sure things have pushed the number a little bit in the meantime."

"Perhaps. Things seem to have progressed fairly well in these past two decades."

"Yeah. Shame I had to wait so long to be sure... But I know the whole Beijing incident was worth the effort now."

"Couldn't you have just traveled forward in time?"

"I could have. But it was way better to enjoy these years, honestly."

"Do you still have FG204 in your possession?"

"Its hidden, but, yes I do."

"Right. Keep it hidden."

"I plan to. We all fought hard to get where we are... I'm not about to mess it up again."

Hand separating, Okabe sat back in his armchair again, studying Suzuha and processing everything she said.

"This... Alternate future. Its truly riveting. Is it the world line you originated from?"

"Sure is. I grew up in a time after Japan withdrew from NATO, and barely escaped annihilation when everyone else went to war. Dad went into hiding, I enlisted into the JSDF, lost contact with mom, ended up deserting the JSDF after the Tokyo invasion, and spent two years in the Yokohama ghetto. After that nightmare, I wound up in Valkyrie under the protection of your family, all thanks to encountering your daughter."

"You speak fondly of Kamiko."

"I do. She was my only friend there in Valkyrie. She was a tough young lady, and took her position seriously. At home, in your quarters though, she was still a teenage girl like you'd expect."

"Sounds like you both found commonality in your friendship."

Blushing for a discreet moment, Suzuha closed her eyes.

"In a manner of speaking... Yes. She meant a lot to me, and after going back in time... I wanted to make sure my best friend had a better future. Obviously one for myself too, but hers was a bit more important."

"Well you've obviously been observing her... But she's doing quite well. Starting college studies just like her mother and I did... The two of you are best of friends as well. We made sure you both attend the same college."

Smiling fondly, Suzuha shrugged.

"I noticed. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Sitting silently, Okabe's hand rose to his chin, brushing the bristles of his goatee.

"On the subject of the Beijing incident, as you called it..."

"Yep."

"Before traveling to China, you found Ruka."

"I did. Was on day three of being in Akihabara."

"How did you persuade her to come along?"

"To tell the truth... I told her that she reminded me of my friend from the future. Not by name, but I was hinting at Kamiko."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I also told her about my crap future, and that I was looking for help to prevent it from going bad. Told her world war three was on the horizon too."

"So worry inspired her bravery?"

"Part of it. Something else made her agree to it, but she didn't mention it."

Smiling himself, Okabe leaned forward.

"She believed you, because of my experiments with the Phone-Wave beforehand."

Watching as Suzuha blinked with surprise this time, his mouth curled into a smile.

"So all that time travel stuff was real?"

"I told you it was. You said it yourself, and I certainly wasn't lying. Ruka knew about the experiments... And that may have helped persuade her to go along with you on your adventure."

Mouth opening from the connection, Suzuha's head tilted slightly.

"Holy hell. That answers that mystery."

"And one of my own. Please continue, Miss Amane. This visit of yours is proving to be quite informing."

"Alright... Anything else about Beijing? You're the one that inquired."

"Yes. After the incident, Ruka ended up explaining her perspective of the incident, and presented the divergence meter."

"Figured she would. She was a little shaken up with blowing up the bomb and all, but I knew she would end up telling you eventually. Also, you're the one that instructed me to give you the meter, by the way. That's why you have it now."

Eyes closing with a chuckle, Okabe touched his hand to his face.

"That's brilliant. I assisted my past self?"

"You're the one that gave me the plastic explosive too. Told me that causing a little bit of mayhem and ruckus is always useful."

Blinking with ongoing amusement, he slowly shook his head.

"Good lord, that sounds like me alright. I'm indirectly responsible for that explosion... Lovely."

"We're all in on the mission in different ways. That's what makes it so wild. Every one of us had some kind of hand in getting us to where we are now."

Mulling over the infinite combination of universal factors, Okabe rested his chin onto his arm, propping his head upward.

"Suzuha... I'm sure you may have had your reasons... But its a shame we didn't end up meeting, back in twenty-twelve."

"I know. I've realized this too. Honestly I didn't know what would happen if we did meet. Part of me was scared about changing the divergence percentage again, so I felt it might be safer to keep my distance... Since we met each other in the other twenty-thirty-six, in Valkyrie. I didn't know if you would know things from that time, or if any other weird stuff would start happening."

"Understood... I've found through my own time traveling that there's a lot of strange things that take place. Its not for the faint of heart... And not something to carelessly play around with."

"You're telling me. We had the power to alter our own future, and I've used that power, through technology you and dad developed. That's the kind of stuff that needs to stay out of the wrong hands."

"I agree, one hundred and one percent."

"But, yeah. Sorry about skipping out on meeting you. I was already pretty overwhelmed by everything."

"Its alright. Better late than never."

"By the way... How did you already know about the divergence meter?"

Eyebrow rising, he slowly began smiling.

"Because I've seen it... Before Ruka presented it to me."

"Right... But you told me you built it."

"I did."

"So you already knew about it?"

Carefully steering the conversation, Okabe nodded.

"Yes. I created it to keep track of the divergence percentage amidst the time travel experiments. My cohort, Makise Kirisu, helped define the theorem of technical aspects of our experimentation."

"Huh. Kamiko said you guys worked on crazy stuff back in the day... In that gadget lab you guys had. I guess she wasn't kidding."

"She certainly wasn't. The Future Gadget Lab was the birthplace of many oddball technological innovations."

"Must've been an interesting time, being part of that."

"Absolutely. Many significant events and discoveries took place within those four walls."

"So how did you lose track of the meter?"

"Part of time travel's many variables are the local placement of objects and timing of events. Over the course of travel, the meter disappeared into the fold, only to reappear in the future you departed from."

"Well I haven't traveled enough to see details like that."

"Don't. Its far too easy to derail the progression of things."

"Butterfly effect, gotcha."

"That's the one."

Sitting silently, his heart beat from successfully avoiding diving into a far deeper part of her existential past.

Just like John Titor around Y2K... She doesn't even know about her past iterations. I'll keep that mess to myself.

"...So, FG204. What's it like?"

"Well, its a big cylinder, with three legs. There's two sets of solar panels mounted on to it, they power accumulator batteries that run the thing. There's a sliding door, and stairs that unfold from the hatch to the ground. Inside, there's a couple screens, a keyboard and a bunch of control knobs and buttons, and a swiveling chair."

"You're very familiar with it."

"I mean, my dad built most of it. I've spent a lot of time in it, browsing through the mainframe... He left a whole series of notes and journal entries for me to find."

"That's Daru alright... He'd want his daughter to know about his accomplishments."

"Do I know them now? I mean, does my younger self?"

"Absolutely. Hashida is a well respected computational guru. You're set to rise in his footsteps... Just like Kamiko is with myself."

"She said the same thing about Valkyrie. I'm pretty sure you and Ruka intended for her to eventually take control of the operation."

"Grooming her into my successor... I see."

"Yeah. Guess that part hasn't changed."

"In any case, to answer your question... You know very much about your father's work and accomplishments. And he is very proud of you... From what you've told me, I feel he'd be proud of you in your prior dimension as well."

"You said the same thing in Valkyrie."

"Then I meant it then, as much as I do know. Take pride, dearest Suzuha. Your parents love you very much, and are very proud of who you've become."

Breath growing shaky as her heart beat hard, she nodded, restraining a wave of emotion rising inside.

"Thank you. That really means a lot, after going through all this."

"I can only imagine. You've described an epic retelling of your past experiences. I was mostly unaware of it, but you've had encounters with Rukako and Kamiko, and even myself."

"I did. All three of you have done so much for my sake... If Kamiko hadn't encountered me back in Yokohama, we'd be nowhere near this time and place of peace."

"It seems your friendship with her, however fleeting, was a fortunate circumstance."

"It was. For a variety of reasons... Leaving her behind was quite difficult. Beyond being my friend... She was an inspiration."

"Do tell."

"I already have... Sort of. Being the commander I mentioned... She was very brave. Stoic, almost. Very smart cookie too. She got the best of both of you."

"I can attest to that... Even in this world line of ours."

"I'm sure you can. She's nothing short of amazing. I'm sure you and Ruka are very proud of her, and you should be."

Sitting back and smiling fondly, Okabe calmly sighed, buzzing with family pride.

"Thank you. And not just for your glowing words for Kamiko... But for all you have done. In every instance of time and place and world line."

Watching her chin rise, humbled, her mouth curled into another smile.

"Hey... You're welcome, Okabe. I guess I'm just doing what I've apparently been destined to do. Dad wanted me to do all this with his machine, and you guys made sure I did. Honestly we all should thank each other... In a way."

"Perhaps. But bear in mind, part of our success was through your own actions. If we did indeed steer clear of a third world war, and SERN's global subjugation... A lot of lives are indebted to you. And perhaps our families as well."

"Yeah. Maybe. I don't deserve all of the credit."

"But you certainly have a large portion of it."

"So do you. And Ruka. And Kamiko."

"As well as Itaru, and Yuki. Point is, dearest Suzuha, you helped save the world, and brought us to this better future. Be proud of your achievements."

"If you insist."

"I do. You've pulled off what I couldn't do in my own time."

"You said something like that back in Valkyrie."

"I'm sure I did. The Hououin Kyouma in Valkyrie was probably a lot like me."

"Sure was. With some obvious differences."

"Well obviously I'm not in charge of a secret revolution... As legendary and incredible as it sounds..."

"Your hair was greyer too."

Pausing, he rolled his eyes as she giggled.

"Well that's not a surprise. You try governing a secret facility after the end of the world."

"No thanks. I'll leave that to the other version of you. And Ruka."

Smiling as she crossed her legs, taking a sip from the now cold tea, Okabe sat back again, delving into thought.

As for you, dearest Suzuha, it seems your life is permanently bound by universal destiny... You seem to consistently reappear from the future, to fix the progression of the past. First with John Titor, then with the IBN and the Phone-Wave, and now with the interference of a national federation's formation, doomed to bring humanity into a third world war. Curiously, you aren't even aware of your own timeline. Unaware of your prior objectives and achievements, and failures. Even your own death nearly forty years ago on a different world line, seems to have been overwritten.

Slowly exhaling through his nose, their eyes met for a moment.

Now you sit before me, alive and well, interjected into a world line and future you helped create... One free of war and other evils, prospering into a stable future for the nation of Japan.

A fond smile then lifted his unshaven face, watching as Suzuha's eyebrow rose in response.

"You know, regardless of time and place, if your father knew the extent of your accomplishments... He'd be unable to find the words to describe how proud of you he'd be."

Her head lowered slightly, heart heavy, but she nodded in agreement.

"I wish I could figure out how to tell him. But I already exist as his daughter... How would he even react to meeting his own daughter from an alternate world, in her forties?"

"Probably the same way I've reacted. Endlessly amazed, and thoroughly relieved to know you're alive and well at your age."

"But wouldn't that spoil a part of his life? Knowing that I'm a middle aged woman?"

"To tell you the truth, it may free him of any worries he has for you, knowing you'll be around for the rest of his life. Same with your mother Yuki. Meeting them like you've met with me today, may bring them an otherwise unattainable sense of peace."

Watching her wipe her eyes from unexpected emotion, she nodded again.

"Maybe it will. Thank you, Okabe. I've honestly never considered that."

"Of course, it is up to you if you wish to meet them. But let me assure you, Suzuha, it brings me great happiness to know you're here with us. You're an enigma, and your life story is utterly fascinating. There's truly nobody else in this world that's gone through the fantastic trials and troubles you've endured, and still come out of it all alive and successful. It makes me greatly anticipate the future of your younger self, as well as your own."

A gentle, delighted laugh left her lungs.

"Tell me about it. Why else do you think I've checked in on you guys now and then? This better future was something we all earned, and like I said, I'm curious to see what the younger me will make of it."

"Indeed. I can safely say that after all we've been through, in our differing pasts, I think everything has been worth it."

Picturing Kamiko running and laughing alongside her younger self, and then envisioning a rifle slung across her back, sitting on the turret of a tank, her heart thumped from the medley of memories.

"Yeah."

Watching then as her face rose, hazel eyes meeting hers with a blush, and then the whirl of dark curly hair, camouflaged clothing, and the press of soft, tender lips against her own, Suzuha's eyes slowly closed.

Almost everything.

END. (Of the main true timeline, at least. Hungry for more and/or want an alternate ending? Continue to the next chapter!)

Thanks for reading! Hope you all enjoyed the conclusion to my Okabe/Ruka/Suzuha/Kamiko sequel of time-traveling mayhem! Writing this story in all of its iterations has been a long-term labor of love, thoroughly planned out and coming to pretty awesome fruition, and I've really enjoyed writing fanfiction for Steins;Gate and bolstering the story count. Writing about Okabe and femme Ruka together is very satisfying as an alternate shipping, and I highly recommend others to try it out for themselves. Loads of potential adventure and adorables await!

El Psy Kongroo,

~ C. Betchimov