EPILOGUE

Zack let out a weary sigh as he closed his carryon bag. He thought hard, trying to remember if he had grabbed everything before they had left earlier that morning. He had his cell phone, his watch, his clothes, his wallet, his passport...he couldn't help but think that he was forgetting something. Zack scratched the back of his neck, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling, wondering if it even mattered. Nothing really mattered anymore. Nothing that was too trivial or materialistic, anyway. He learned that pretty quickly over the past couple of years, things could be replaced, but lives couldn't. That was more important to him, it was what kept things in perspective for him.

Zack closed his eyes, thinking about what had happened. The battle…it had been a really messy one, probably one of the worst ones that they had ever fought. The aftermath surely showed that. Things really changed for everyone, some things that he was glad about, others he was shocked and surprised by, and others he wished that he could turn back the clock and find a way to change it. That was the worst thing about having to do what they did, having to wonder if they could have done anything different.

"Zack."

Zack opened his eyes and looked over at his brother. Cody was sitting next to him, calmly looking around the airport, looking like nothing was bothering him at all. But maybe there was. That was something that Zack always admired about Cody, the fact that while he did wear his heart on his sleeve, there were many other times that you didn't know what he was thinking. He was envious of that. Zack always had to say what he was thinking, and Cody could sit there, calm, cool, and collected and say what was needed to be said.

"Our planes were called," Cody said, though he made no move to leave.

"Cool." Zack nodded. He didn't make a move to leave either.

Cody thought about asking Zack what he was feeling. There were so many things that had happened to them that they needed to talk about, but it probably wasn't the right time. He wasn't even sure that he could start speaking about it…without getting too overwhelmed by the feelings that would come back again. Smart enough to know when to say something and when to leave it alone was something that Cody prided himself on, usually when it came to having to figure out whether or not to get Zack out of some jam. But that was juvenile stuff, juvenile compared to everything they've gone through.

I wonder how everyone else is dealing with this. It can't be easy for them, not when it was really hard for me and Zack. Cody finally stood up and grabbed his backpack. He slung it over his shoulders and turned to Zack, who merely stood up, leaving his bag on the ground. Cody looked out the windows, looking over at the planes. He watched as one took off. Too bad I can't just go myself; I'd get there a lot faster. But we don't need the extra attention right now.

Zack's next question shook Cody out of his thoughts.

"Have you called Bailey?" Zack looked at his brother curiously. He was actually scared of asking the question, not sure what the answer was going to be. Especially because Cody had been very tightlipped about what had happened between him and Bailey for a while.

Cody surprised Zack by letting out a low chuckle. Then his smile faded and he slowly shook his head. "I've called her, but…she didn't take my call…other times she answered to hear what I had to say and then hung up." He shrugged before moving his hair out of his face. "It's probably best that we have some time to ourselves."

Zack nodded again.

"And the others?" Cody pressed. "Have you heard from them?" He already knew Zack's answer. Here and there, sometimes for a short conversation, sometimes for a long one that made it seem like nothing had happened. But everyone needed some time to be able to get through their last battle. It wasn't something that they could get over; they were never going to get over it.

"Ah, well, you know, we all need to sort our own stuff out," Zack said mysteriously. "Some more than others, but you get what I mean."

Cody gave a half smile, he did, indeed. Hearing their flights called again, the brothers walked forward and enveloped each other in a hug, slapping each other on the back. They hadn't hugged in years, it was something that Zack had found to be un-cool when they were seven years old. But now he held onto Cody like he was his life saver. "I'll see you when you get home," Cody said. "I love you."

"Yep, see you buddy," Zack replied. "Love you, too."

The two let go, picked up their bags, and walked away from each other, disappearing into the crowd in the terminal.

To be continued…

A/N: Just so you know, I never intended for the story to end this way until I looked back at all of the things that inspired me for this fic. Animorphs (though it was mainly intended for guys) was one of my absolute favorite book series as a kid (still is) and was a major influence for this. The way that that series ended influenced how this story ended. So, yes, it came out of nowhere, but it really, really makes sense. Especially with what I have planned for the sequel entitled Downfall which is coming up soon.

Sorry you didn't get a warning for the end, but I hope it had you interested in the next story, especially to see flashbacks of the battle and how it affected everyone and their relationships with each other. But, just remember, that they are (and have been for the past seven years) fighting a war, so things can't always end happily. Thanks for all of the favorite and alerts and the support for this story, though it did take me a bit to get through (a little over a year), especially with my waning motivation/inspiration at times.

Cheers,

-Riles