A/N: IMPORTANT! We're finally here, the final chapter, but before you began I want to address one particular question. In regards to a sequel, while I have put much thought doing one, and did intend to create one, I cannot, at least not now. I had many plans for this story, but I thought an ending was more important than achieving all of them. If I do find time, or gain the motivation news I will try and write a sequel.

She was almost home.

She never imagined she would return. Not after the first time she left and certainly not after the second, but she learned life could change in a blink of an eye. She could change. She wasn't weighed down by the anger, or the hatred. She wasn't overflowing with regret. She felt at peace, and happy–all while in the presence of her mother.

Every step was one closer to their future. She was prepared to change, to come back home–this time on her own free will–and act like a proper daughter. She would never change her beliefs, and she would still sneak OTG–there was no point in lying to themselves and saying she wouldn't, she would, but she would come home. Because it took losing her to realize just how important Alicia was to her.

The colony came into view, and Natalie cast a nervous glance over to Wash. They were doing this together, they would fix the damage they did. The gate was raised, shouts were heard off in the distance, and figures appearing around the fence. A mixture of soldiers and civilians gathered, all prior tasks forgotten, their eyes widening and they started at Wash in awe.

Jim pulled her into a hug, whispering thank you and shooting her a series of questions about her miraculous survival. She answered what she could, then was taken away to the infirmary. Elisabeth gasped, her eyes flickering back from her husband to the lieutenant then she wrapped her arms around the women. She didn't ask how–not at first–she ushered her onto a nervy bio-bed, then she asked. Alicia just motioned to her daughter, who Elisabeth had overlooked in her stunned state. Natalie waved, then began listing the treatments and herbal remedies administered, and her overall status.

They swapped places once the doctor confirmed she was alright. She had a concussion, but that would heal in time. Elisabeth began to check Natalie's injuries while Shannon filled Wash in on the latest events of the colony per her request.

"And the portal?"

"We're cut off from 2149, I blew it up Hope Plaza myself."

Alicia nodded, she'd done it. They were cut off. It was up to them to survive, and to do that they had to depend on each other. Her eyes drifted down to her daughter. The scan was complete, everything had healed, and she hadn't injured anything again. The door flew open, and the Commander entered. Four heads twisted around, and Alicia held her breath for the upcoming conversation.

"Wash?" His voice was full of disbelief, and couldn't of sounded much louder than a whisper.

"Sir." Professional– it was her default mode.

"How?" He took a few steps to meet her, and she stepped away from Shannon, willing herself to come near him.

"Natalie." The girl sat up on the exam table, watching them with curious eyes, while she tried to avoid Taylor's burning gaze. She was hoping for something that didn't happen. They parted ways, and they were shown to their house. It was still hers, no one had gone through any of their stuff–they would've eventually, but her body hadn't been found yet. She hadn't been given a funeral, and they waited. It was a good thing, it saved them from going through the family's item. It would've gone to Natalie, but with her not there, it would've been distributed.

Alicia took the first shower, not that Natalie minded, she wanted a minute to take a stroll through the house and adjust–again. She'd been in the house just weeks ago and it already felt foreign. In those short weeks she'd been away the colony had been destroyed, twenty-six colonists had been killed, her mother had been shot, she found her body, and chased down a sixer to nurse her mother back to health. Now, she was back home. With her pet dinosaur.

She still hadn't worked out how that was going to work. A dinosaur living inside–her mother wasn't exactly fond of the idea, but it was better than the ulterior. Besides, Mike was small, he was hardly noticeable.

The water shut off, and Wash exited, walking over to her room and sliding the door shut. Less than a minute later a knock sounded on the door. Her fingers grazed the table's surface, her mind slowly fading into a state of solitude, only being interrupted by a voice reminding her to get the door. Her instincts began to kick in, she pushed herself off the stool as she started to remember the mannerisms she was taught and then threw open the door.

She was faced with the Commander, who didn't look like the hardened military leader, just Nathaniel. She stood awkwardly in the doorway, one hand on the door, another holding Mike.

"Hi."

"Natalie." His eyes drifted to the dinosaur in her arms. She knew what he was thinking–it was the same thing Alicia was thinking when the idea came up.

Natalie shrugged. "Mom allowed him–he's harmless, he won't bite you."

"Good. Is Wash here?"

Natalie opened the door wider, an offering if he accepted. "She's changing, she'll be out in a moment."

Taylor took the order and stepped inside, the door closing behind her with a click. He roamed the area with a sense of perception that could only be received from spending much time here. Natalie already knew he had. When she was supposed to be in bed sleeping they would stay up at the kitchen table doing paperwork sipping a glass of whiskey. But she was hardly nine then, and she wasn't suppose to be left alone. What happened after she disappeared was a mystery. She watched as he leaned up against the counter, waiting for Wash.

Whatever it was, they spent a lot of time here together, because he clearly felt more at home here than she ever had.

Wash exited her bedroom, in sweatpants and her hair dripping down her back. Her eyes switched from Natalie to Taylor. "Sir? What can I do for you?" There was surprise in her voice mixed in with something Natalie couldn't quite identify.

Natalie started backing up. "I'll leave you two." Her eyes darted between the two. "Mike and I have...important matters to discuss." She pulled the dinosaur closer to her and slipped inside her room. Her back pressed up against the door catching the last bits of the conversation.

"A dinosaur?"

"My daughter has a very peculiar taste in friends."

She collapsed on the bed, her hand running down the back of the snoring dinosaur. Two seconds into petting and he was out like a light. He was going to be alright here, he was already rather domestic. It was the only thought that took precedence over the other one currently berating her mind. She was growing impatient, and was even worried– she hadn't heard so much as a mumble from outside in three minutes. Something could've happened. Her mother could've been hurt, or fainted, she was suffering from a concussion. Natalie didn't even think she was suppose to take a shower by herself, but who was she to argue. She was lucky to be in the colony, and even luckier to get to keep her dinosaur.

Everyone was just happy their lieutenant was alive.

She sighed, and got up. She pressed her ear to the door, there had to be something, but nothing. What on earth could they be doing that was so quiet? Even when they did paperwork there was a little bit of noise. But they weren't doing paperwork, she reminded herself, Taylor came over to talk. Or at least she assumed so. If they were talking, why wasn't there any noise?

Without a second thought, she picked up Mike and headed out the door. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for the pair, and when she found them her eyes widened. They were on the couch, sitting closer than she had ever seen them before. They weren't talking, just enjoying each other's company, and probably the fact she was alive. They were just touching, and Wash started to say something, so soft Natalie couldn't hear, but her words died on her lips as Taylor turned and pulled her into a kiss.

Natalie tore her eyes from the scene and look down at Mike, her fingers brushing the top of his head. "I think we're going to like it here, buddy. Come on, Mom will ground me and cook you for breakfast if she spots us watching." She spun around and shut the door behind her.

A/N: And that's a wrap! Let me know what you think. Reviews are appreciated!