My head was pounding as I ran, I hoped I was running the right way. With the nebula there was plenty of light, but my mind was gone. A foggy blur that made colors and shapes run together. I had to hurry, to say I was sorry, was I sorry? There was something that was making my feet go in this direction, what was driving me? Something the Doc said, something about focus, or points, or light. Shit I don't know. I don't know anything right now, I just have to run, this way...

Then I seen it, the shuttle taking off. It was too late. She was on it, and she was gone, for good this time.

Forever.

I collapsed to my knees and rolled over onto the ground. I didn't care if I died right in that spot, because I had no desire to go on living.

"Michael,..Michael, are you alright? What's up, friend?" It was the Zahir's, I think they carried me home, I remember going thru the door and falling on the couch and them mumbling something to the effect of how can we help.

"You can help by leaving me the fuck alone!" That drove them away, and it was the start of the slide into deep depression. They did try. People would come over, even Dr. Black Fucking Forest or whatever her name was, I didn't care. I'd just throw something violently at the window; "Go fuck yourselves!" Fucking window didn't even have the decency to break.

Dishes began to pile up, I didn't give a shit about recycling them, or clothes, or anything else. I rarely bathed, I didn't shave, or look in a mirror, I didn't care about me anymore. I ruined it. I was handed the keys to paradise and I flushed them down the toilet. I only ate when I absolutely had to. I was emaciated and looked like death.

Sweet, sweet, death. When will you finally come to rescue me from my pain?

I had no idea how much time had gone by, days, weeks, months maybe? I don't know. And where was fucking Olaf? All that fake concern, the piece of shit. I haven't seen him in forever. Finally, I stopped eating altogether, and the starvation was affecting my eyesight, and I was slowly going blind. The thing that bothered me the most is I didn't have the courage to end it all.

Lead these people. What a joke! I couldn't hang on to a woman who was intentionally designed to love me. I threw it all away, for nothing. The lights finally started to fade out completely, when the door opened.

"OH.. MY...GOD!"

"Did something die in here?!" I was hearing voices, but I don't know who's they were, or if I was even alive.

"Alright, start throwing stuff in the replicator and hit recycle. You, and you,... get him in shower- holy shit!- he wreaks!" Anna? Was that Anna's voice? That sweet song that I missed so much, were we both dead? I felt what seemed like two burly arms carry me up the stairs and throw me in the shower, clothes and all. I don't know if they would've come off without the help of some water. Then I felt a pair of delicate, slender hands take my clothes off and clean me up. I could only make out fuzzy shapes, was it her? Now washed up, it was back to the floor. I felt this very sharp pain in my arm.

"Once we get a couple bags of glucose in we'll be able to transport him."

"Thanks Abzari." Doc, is the doc here? I was starting to come around with the bag of liquid energy.

"Michael, can you hear me? Anna is here to rescue you. We will be taking you to my house for your recovery." Anna. did he say Anna was here?

"Just relax, we're here to help. Alright, gents. Come and get him." I don't remember anything after that.

I awoke to a giant pair of eyes, right in my face. I could feel the breeze from her eyelashes when she blinked. It was her, my Anna had come back to me.

And now for the consequences...

"But I thought you were..."

"A popsicle? Nope, I was staying with a nice Chinese couple, the Duc Li's. Learned some Tai chi while I was there, good people."

"So this was all a game?"

"No Michael, this is not a game. This is life, and it would mean a lot to me if you would join us in it. First off, I AM NOT A THING! I am a sentient being who came into the universe a little differently than you. That doesn't make me any less of a person. I have value, and by the Maker I'm going to do something with the hand I've been dealt. While you were wallowing away in self loathing and pity, I was taking on your role, the role you could've played if you didn't see me as a toaster." She was pacing the floor as she talked, I've never seen her so serious.

"Apparently everyone is into this whole princess thing and now they want me to be their leader. A job I said I'd accept, but only if you were there by my side. I am not complete without you. I said that in the beginning, and I mean it now. But you will treat me with the respect I deserve." She was poking a finger in my chest at this point. Talk about growth, holy shit! She was a tower of strength, with big, giant lady balls.

"So this whole thing was to teach me a lesson?"

"Yep."

"Was everyone in on it?"

"Yep, Ms. Swartzbaum, the Zahir's, even Olaf,... well especially Olaf."

"Was this his idea?"

"Nope, this one was all mine."

"I could've died."

"Not a chance, Silly Pants. We kept an eye on you,... but the smell?, that was a complete surprise."

"Of course,... the spying."

"Remember, I made a mess of that point too, so I'm not completely without fault here. But I did want you to suffer, to feel the pain I felt. I feel pain, Michael, just like you. Physical and emotional, just like you. I want you to respect that as well. If I had to run your balls thru a wringer to get you there, so be it."

"I can't help but love you." I was defeated, they had won once again. There would be no fighting this battle any more.

"I have always loved you." We embraced for the first time in months. This felt good, we were equals, the goal I had been shooting for all along. She was beautiful, loving, and now she was wise, and a pillar of strength.

My Usle.

Things would be different from here on out, and I'm OK with that. Or so I thought. I once again slipped into the unconscious world and slept.

My body had basically been destroyed. My muscles had withered away. My eyes had sunken into my head. Why did they let me go so far down? The whole plan was to teach me a lesson, not turn me into an invalid. There must be some grand design here, and Anna wasn't discussing it with me. There's some plan at work, but I'm just gonna' have to roll with it. I hope it's nothing sinister, for I no longer have the strength to fight it. Just then Anna steps in the door.

"Looks like you're going away for a while."

"What do you mean? Didn't I just get back?"

"Well, in case you haven't looked in a mirror lately, you're a wreck!"

"So what's the plan? Spa trip?"

"You're going back to the Masters for a complete overhaul."

"What? I could just stay here and work out, couldn't I?"

"Michael, these people need leadership, someone who is strong, fearless, and cunning. Currently you are none of those things. I love you, so much, but these people have chosen me to lead them. I want you there with me. Olaf said the Masters want to give you another chance, but they will only go so far. This is your last chance, Michael, and mine as well."

"What does that mean, your last chance?"

"If you can't recover, there is no reason for my existence."

"They would kill you?!" The words left my tongue like I poured gas on it, set it on fire, then finished up with a battery acid cocktail.

"Recycle,... is the phrase they used." My God, the implications of this. If I don't get my act together we'll both be dead.

Looks like the roles have reversed. At the beginning I was the Father, Now she is the Mother. This is an unmitigated disaster.

"OK, what do I have to do?"

"You'll be gone for three months, you'll be in stasis for nearly the whole time. When you get back, you're going back to school. Martial arts training. Leadership courses. Military strategy- and most important- dance and etiquette lessons." Then she leaned in and kissed me, batting her eyes oh so slowly, along with a wink.

"You've gone totally Joan of Arc on me, haven't you?"

"Yea, what'cha think of me now, Silly Buns? But I plan on sticking around a little longer than she did."

"It would be impossible for me to love you more right now."

"I have always loved you." She climbed into bed with me. I did not have the strength to make love with her. But we were together, and being patient is something I always tried to teach her. Now I'll be gone for three months while she puts together the first new monarchy in centuries.

"I guess they want you to be their Queen."

"Yes, Michael, and you will be their King, but first we have to make you into one. You said it before and I still believe it. We must make this work. They need a strong leader. Unfortunately, appearances still mean something, and you have to look like a leader. Besides, I think I'll like what they got in mind."

"I really don't like the sound of that."

"Well suck it up, numb nuts! You got the woman you wished for, now I'm getting the man I wished for. Goodnight, your shuttle leaves first thing in the morning." With that, she kissed me on the cheek and left the room, I would not see her again for a very long time.