Wow! Big thanks to everyone who reviewed! I had no idea that my story would be received so well. Okay, Tortall fans are officially my favorites now. It's really true what I've always heard fanfic writers say that reviews really do make the updates happen :) (that was not a subtle request for reviews, I promise).

Sorry, she won't quite make it home in this chapter. And I did the cheesy thing and named their kids after people who died in Trickster's Queen, but hey, it's my fic :) And be warned, this chapter is rife with ship clichés in the middle section.

It's Duani that Aly's people called her, right? Please correct me if I get any facts wrong, I'm away at school and don't have the books with me.

Disclaimer: Do I really need to go through this every time? It's not mine!

Home Again: Chapter 2

The two and a half year old twins stood in awe at the edge of the pier, each gripping one of their father's hands, staring at the large ship on which they would soon be sailing. Ulasim had a serious look on his face, while Junai's eyes were as wide as saucers, and her mouth was open in a small "o".

"We're really gonna be riding on that, Papa?" asked Ulasim, sounding slightly intimidated. "Are you sure it's safe?"

Nawat chuckled. "Yes, Ulasim, I'm sure it's safe," he told his son. "Your mama and I have been on these many times." He squeezed his son's hand slightly, and received a small, nervous smile in return.

"I'm not scared," announced Junai, and stooped to pick up the small bag that was filled with her favorite toys, as if to demonstrate her willingness to embark on the ship.

"I'm not scared either!" objected Ulasim, also leaning down to pick up his bag, and casting a sideways glance at his sister.

Aly was standing a bit farther back from her family, holding the baby, Alyani asleep in her arms, and having a last-minute conversation with her second in command. Dove had wanted to come to see them off, but had agreed it was best for them to leave drawing as little attention as possible.

"Make sure you always keep someone on the situation on the outer isles, that could blow up soon and the last thing I want is for it to catch us off guard. Taklin should be back from Scanra before Midwinter and make sure that you get his report ready; I'll want to see it as soon as I get back. And you know that I'm getting all our spies out of Corus while I'm there, so you'll be getting a lot of information from places you aren't expecting it, make sure that you keep track of what is important and what isn't."

The large Raka man had been nodding along, smiling slightly, and looking slightly indulgent. Aly adjusted Alyani in her arms, and continued, "and make sure that the guards for the Midwinter celebrations are," but at this he cut her off.

"Don't worry, Duani," he said in a deep, reassuring voice. "We are all well trained. The country will not fall to pieces because you are gone for a few months. Your ducklings can handle themselves."

Aly grinned at him. "I've gotten so used to mothering you all over the last few years I don't know what I'd do if I realized that you didn't need it anymore," she told him.

He smiled down at her. "Spend some time mothering that one," he said, indicating the baby in her arms. "And enjoy your vacation."

"Thank you," she said, and turned to join her husband and twins. "You guys ready to be off?" she asked the two toddlers, smiling at them. Junai nodded eagerly, and Ulasim copied her, with slightly less enthusiasm. Aly glanced back to where she had been standing, but the man had vanished into the crowd.

"They're ready for us to board," Nawat told them all, hoisting a pack onto his shoulder. Most of their belongings had already been stored on the ship, but Aly had insisted that a few things travel with them. Nawat again grasped the twins' small hands and slowly led them up the gangplank. Aly looked around, took a deep breath, and followed them.

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Aly lay on her back in the small bed in her cabin on the ship, staring up into the darkness. She could hear the twins' quiet breathing on their small, makeshift bed on the floor, and Alyani's even quieter breathing from her crib, which had been bolted to the floor at the foot of her parent's bed. Beside Aly, Nawat shifted slightly in his sleep.

The past two nights, though, Aly had been unable to emulate the example of her family and sleep. She could only lie awake, listening to the creak of the ship and the calls of the night watchman, and think about where she was going.

Home. She was going home. Only it wasn't really her home anymore. The Copper Isles were now her home, their people her people. Her children were being raised in the ways and traditions of the islanders, taught their beliefs and history. She loved her Uncle Jon dearly, but was loyal to the queen of another country. Her life was in the Copper Isles. She hadn't been to Tortall in almost five years. She was scared.

And she was scared to see her family. Well, not scared so much as…nervous? Why should she be nervous to see her own family? She knew that she and Alan would be able to act as though they had never been apart, she and her father would have endless things to talk about, and her grandparents would be delighted to see her, Grandda Miles insisting on knowing everything that she had learned as head of a Country's spy network. Who knew if Thom would even had pulled himself away from the University long enough to realize she was there.

It was her mother. She was nervous to see her mother. For her mother to meet her grandchildren, and maybe get a chance to get to know her son-in-law, and see what her daughter had been up to for the last three years. She wanted her mother to be proud.

"Aly?" she heard Nawat say softly, and turned her head on the pillow to see that he had woken up and turned to face her. "Why are you awake?" he asked, reaching out a finger to gently brush her cheek.

"Couldn't sleep," she whispered, raising her hand to catch his, and wove her fingers through his. He looked at her with understanding.

"They are your family," he told her gently. "Your nest. They will welcome you unconditionally." He smiled at her. "And hopefully we will leave before Junai and Ulasim turn the Tortallan court inside out," he said.

Aly grinned at him. "I think that our hellions will more than meet their match in my parents. And Uncle Gary and Uncle Raoul." Suddenly her grin turned into a blinding smile. "I can't wait to see them," she whispered, in order not to wake the baby.

Nawat smiled back at her, once again running his fingers over her cheek. Aly looked back at him, her eyes tracing the familiar curves of his face, so happy now that she was. She leaned forward and softly kissed him, then with a contended sigh, settled her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his long arms around her, and finally she slipped into sleep.

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Three days later, Aly stood with her husband and children at the railing of the ship, staring intently at the strip of green in the distance, every second becoming clearer and clearer. Alyani was now in a sling on Nawat's back, Junai holding his hand, while Ulasim clung to Aly's hand, pressing his body into her side.

Aly's eyes shone as the familiar picture of Port Cayne hove into view; the bustling docks, teeming streets, and thronged stores. She had arranged to acquire two horses, which she and Nawat would ride to Corus, staying at inns along the way, She had not told anyone of their visit, not wanting to raise suspicion, and also, although she didn't really want to admit it, unable to resist the temptation to surprise everybody.

As the ship pulled up to the wharf, and the sailors started shouting commands and throwing lines to men waiting on the pier. Nawat looked over at Aly.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"I'm ready," she replied grinning.

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Author's Note: Sorry that not too much happened in this chapter, but I wanted something between leaving the Isles and meeting her family. Also, don't expect updates to always be this prompt. I want to devote plenty of time to Aly meeting her family, and the next couple of days are going to be insane for me (hooray for midterms!), so I apologize in advance for the delay. I've already spent time I should be writing a paper writing this instead (this is much more fun).

Hope the next chapter in worth it!