A/N: Hi :DD

Thank you to Angelmail and SapphireOceans for your reviews :) You guys made my day XD *gives virtual cookie and hug* I'd like the overviews, thanks-sorry to bother you two! :P I'd especially like a thorough description of what happened to Kullervo in the end and all about Omar. (I feel really guilty now-I'm going to try and see if I can get the book :D Oh yeah, what I just said might be a bit of a clue as to what's gonna happen in the later chapters ;))

Okay, anyway, I have finally come up with the plot from start to end! Not everything has been thought of yet but I'll leave that to when I actually reach that point in the story (hint: a long way ahead).

And in case it isn't clear in the later chapters, I am ConniexCol ALL THE WAY. Okay? So don't kill me if you think my loyalties lie unclear (LOL XD).

Okay, that was a long author's note. Better end it now and let you start reading! :) (Anything else I wanna say will be at the end of the story)

Oh wait- and yeah, Companions Quartet belong to the awesome Julia Golding. I just own this fanfic :P (Sorry if any parts seem similar to your own fanfics, tell me and maybe I might make some amendments or something)

EDIT: I made some seriously small amendments on this chapter after reading the last book. And I also corrected an error in the A/N at the end of the chapter. Enjoy!

Connie followed Col to behind the bushes where Skylark was hidden. It was still late afternoon, so they had to be careful not to be seen.

"Hey, Skylark," Col grinned as soon as they had reached him.

The Pegasus whinnied in reply as Col started to help Connie up onto Skylark, though Connie didn't actually need the help. As soon as Connie was settled on and comfortable, Col swung himself up and Skylark started to take off.

You know where to take her, Col told Skylark in his mind.

Where? Connie curiously asked.

"It's a surprise," Col grinned. "What kind of surprise would it be if I told you now?"

Skylark gave a whinnying laugh as Connie sighed, but looking amused.

Connie clung to Col's waist as Skylark decided to make things a little more exciting for the two. Exhilarated, the two of them watched as the land below zoomed past, laughing in delight as Skylark attempted loop-de-loops and other tricks that made Connie scream in fear and excitement.

When Skylark finally started to slow down, Connie started to look at the scenery below them. It was beautiful. They were landing on a beach, in an area where there was nobody at all.

"Where are we?" she whispered, fascinated. The waves rolled lazily and splashed the edge of the beach, the sea a calm bluish green.

"It's a beach, silly," he grinned. "So we're not Sea Snakes, but I love the beach anyway. I found this secluded area sometime ago while exploring and thought that you'd like it."

Connie smiled and dismounted Skylark, who gave a neigh and trotted off as soon as Col was off. Col waded slightly into the ocean until the water level reached his knees. As soon as Connie came close enough, he started to splash her.

"Hey!" she protested, laughing as the water sprayed over her. She reached down and splashed Col back in revenge.

The water war went on, and by the end of it, where both of them had come to a truce, they were soaking wet.

"This is all your fault," she teased Col, gently pushing him once they were out of the water and trying to squeeze out the water from their clothes.

They sat on the sandy beach for a while and looked at the waves in comfortable silence, Col's arm around her shoulder.

"Hey, it's almost dinnertime," Col suddenly piped up after a while. Connie looked at his watch and sighed.

"Yeah, we'd better get back now," Connie said wistfully.

Col called for Skylark and the two of them flew off.

When they were finally back at Shaker Row Number Five, Connie hopped off.

"I'm still only half-dry," Connie laughed. "But that's slightly better than being soaking wet, anyway."

"Yeah," Col smiled. "You'd better get in soon for dinner, or Evelyn will have you for dinner."

Connie laughed, then gave Col a peck on the lips.

"Thanks a lot for today, Col-it was unforgettable," she smiled, then ran into the house, leaving Col and his reddening cheeks.

"Hello, Col, Connie," Dr Brock smiled warmly at the pair.

They were at the local Society Meeting, and had bumped into Dr Brock just before entering. He stood next to a girl.

She had the same mismatched eyes like Col and Connie, with brown hair pulled into a ponytail. She had a mischievous grin on, smiling at the two.

"This is Crystal," Dr Brock introduced. "She's new in the Society, and will be attending your school soon, too. I trust that you'll make her feel welcome?" His warm eyes twinkled.

"Hi!" she grinned cheerfully.

A/N: Okay, this chapter is finally done! *does happy dance* I hope you like it!

I'm not good with romance, so I don't know if you liked that date or not, tell me what you think!

Oh, and by the way, I don't really plan on this story having the name 'Afterwards', but I don't know what to call it. Any suggestions? ;)

Lastly-can you guess what mythical creature Connie's [EDIT: I meant Crystal… :P Oops! Thanks to Angelmail for pointing that out XD] a companion to? I've already got it planned out, so I'm not gonna change it, but what do you think? Tell me your guesses! Anyone who gets it right will get a virtual prize! *TADA!* XD Okay, if you want I might send you a preview or something like that, since you can't do anything with a virtual prize.

Buh-bye and review!~