A/N: Just 1 more chapter left of Search, then hiatus until I have internet at the new house. I may fill in with some oneshots, but just depends on time. So much packing to do!

Saberin: Read it and get back to me so I'll know if it's worth it.

Raider: Try Paper Towns. That one doesn't have a sad ending. Or the Abundance of Katherines...which I swear he wrote just to annoy his younger brother. The entire time I read it I kept thinking "Yep. This is clearly one brother making fun of the other." Looking for Alaska is good but is sad, so...yeah...

Aubrey: Kineta didn't want to get pregnant because she's had so many miscarriages. That combined with the fact she starved herself for several weeks and isn't exactly young anymore...you're right to be worried.

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan. And still not Australian.

Scout went to meet Sean for breakfast the day after William and Anamaria married. Her mother and Caitlyn had gotten up even earlier and left to return to Redmont. Scout had said good bye and was now on her own. It felt odd. She'd said most of her farewells at the wedding the night before so there was no need to track down her friends.

"Morning," her cousin greeted her as she sat at the table with him.

"Good morning," Scout echoed.

"Have you prepared to leave?"

Scout nodded. "Mama and Caitlyn already left."

Sean took a long drink of the coffee set out. He nodded to Scout's cup of milk. "I guess nobody ever got you hooked on coffee?"

"Papa always said Caitlyn and I could start drinking it when we turned fifteen but I never really liked it. It's strong."

The door opened and Warden slipped in. Scout caught a glimpse of Daniel on the far side of the courtyard past the window behind her guard. She felt her cheeks turn pink as the door closed. "The horses are ready, Your Grace," Warden said formally.

Sean nodded. "Thank you, Warden." He turned to Scout. "Are you sure you've said all your good byes?"

"I've just remembered I missed one," Scout told him. "I'll meet you both at the stables."

Scout got up and gave Warden an apologetic look as she slipped past him. Once she was sure nobody was watching she ran down the hall, through a courtyard, and to where she'd seen Daniel. Sure enough he leaned against a shadowed corner. She slowed her steps, feeling foolish. "You about to leave?" he asked. She nodded.

"I have to."

Daniel took a step towards her. "I was hoping to catch you before you were gone."

"Did you?" Scout felt something stir in her. She tried desperately to place when Daniel became more than the protective boy next door.

"I'm not in a fief anymore. Gilan put me on the Special Task Force."

Scout's heart fell. The Special Task Force was secret but prestigious. Both Daniel's parents were on it…as were Scout's. Horace had been on it before becoming king. She wondered if William or Kane had climbed their way into their ranks yet. Kane would be the first Royal Scout admitted but everyone said he was practically a Ranger wearing the wrong uniform. Still…being close to so many Special Task Force members allowed Scout to know exactly what danger Daniel would be in as he carried out assignments. "Be careful," she managed to whispered.

"Don't worry, I will be. Who knows? Maybe a mission will take me by Hibernia every so often."

Scout smiled. "The guards would never allow a Ranger to see the crown princess without cause."

"I guess you'll just have to tell me where your quarters are."

She bit her lip. Did he know about her feelings? He couldn't. It was impossible. He just wanted to see the girl he'd watched grow up when he came. No doubt he'd be under a strict schedule. No time to hassle with the guards…especially since he was on less than friendly terms with one of those guards. "I'm on the eastern side facing the ocean," she told him. "I'll put three candles in the window so you'll know which is mine."

Daniel nodded with his familiar grin. "I'll come find you if I ever find myself there."

She smiled. "See you then."

Scout rejoined her cousin and guard at the stables as promised. Warden seemed frustrated about something but she kept quiet. She mounted Swift. It'd been so long since she rode her Hibernian horse. Scout couldn't believe how much she'd come to miss the animal. They rode to the docks and boarded a Hibernian trade vessel. It'd be slower than a wolfship but Sean had used quite a bit of Hibernian finances to repay Svein for use of the Wolfwill. Technically it was Araluen's debt but Sean didn't feel right about letting them pay it. He made Horace take a reimbursement and then sent extra back to Svein with instruction to stick close to Nihon-Ja and be ready when Kineta, Elizabet, Talia, and Kane were ready to come home.

Scout rubbed Swift down and then went to the room she'd been given. She could tell it was probably usually the first mate's. Sean, no doubt, was in the bunkroom with the sailors. He always made it a point to be among his people rather than separated. It was what made him popular. Warden, as a guard, would be in the bunkroom no matter what. Scout however was a woman and women had no business that far below deck…at least that's what the captain said. She liked having a room to herself, though. She could think more clearly.

Kane deposited Elizabet for her nap and went to Talia's room. Russ, now three weeks old, still entranced him. When Elizabet, who was still being distracted away from Kineta, napped Kane went to play with Russ. Of course, at three weeks old there wasn't much he could do but still. The baby was always awake and eager to see him.

"Right on time," Talia joked as she handed the baby over.

"How are you feeling?" Kane asked. He cradled his half-brother gently.

"I'm getting stronger each day."

Talia had been recovering steadily but slowly. The healers said the delayed recovery came from her age. Kane was always more than happy to take Russ so she could rest a few hours. Elizabet grew bored of him but was content playing in the koi pond near Shigeru's stone garden or looking at the pictures painted onto cloth scrolls the emperor kept on display in a private room while he held Russ.

"We'll probably be able to leave in a couple of weeks," Talia went on. "You can get back to that Gabby of yours soon."

Kane couldn't help smiling when Gabby's name was mentioned. "Are you going to spend any time in Araluen?"

"Do you want me to?" Talia asked.

"I…I wouldn't mind Gabby meeting Russ."

Talia smiled. "Alright then. I'll stay long enough for her to meet Russ. We may have to stop to rest for Kineta anyway…and perhaps Elizabet."

Kane looked down at Russ. The baby had fallen asleep in his arms. Talia reached up and stroked the wispy tufts of blond hair.

"You're good with him."

"I guess since I'm the oldest of the cousins I've had a lot of experience."