Chapter 22: Farewells

For Milo, it amazed him how far he had come since the day he had been brought to Mr. Whitmore's estate. At that time, Atlantis was an unproven myth. Now, it had been proven a reality.

Among the stone fish vehicles, (which he found out later from translating carvings that they were called Kataks), was a few massive ones that resembled a small plane.

The plan was for the surviving expedition members to use it to fly to the surface. From there, they would have to find a way home on their own in order to keep Atlantis a secret. The Heart of Atlantis, now hovering peacefully above the city, was too great a power for the rest of the world to witness. It had to be protected.

Milo watched, smiling as Kida went around to each person and bestowed a crystal pendant around their necks.

"Atlantis will honor your names forever." She said as Vinny bowed his head so she could give him his. She stepped back with a grateful smile on her face. "I only wish there was more we could do for you."

"Uh, you know, thanks anyway..." Vinny waved a hand dismissively, glancing behind them at the pile of gold and other Atlantean artifacts still waiting to be loaded on the Katak. "... but I think we're good."

Milo pointed behind them. "They'll take you as far as the surface."

Audrey gave him a wistful smile. "We are really going to miss you, Milo."

He had surprised them by announcing the night before that he would be staying in Atlantis with Kida, to teach the Atlantean people how to read and write their own language.

Vinny approached him. "You know, I'm going to reopen the flower shop," he grabbed Milo by the shoulders. "And I'm going to think of you guys every single day. Monday through Friday..." He let go of him, suddenly thoughtful. "Saturday until 2:00." He stroked his mustache. "Sunday... I'm going to take Sunday off probably, and... maybe I'll go in for a couple of hours, you know..." he walked away, still mumbling to himself as Milo grinned after him. "but August... I'm going to take August."

Cookie approached, his hands held behind his back. "I ain't so good at speechifyin'..." he produced a vat of some unknown yellow substance, making Milo lean back in surprise. "... but I wanted you to have this. It's the bacon grease from the whole trip."

Milo tentatively took it from him, grinning graciously while sharing a confused look with Indy across the way. "Cookie, l...

Cookie waved his hands and turned away.

Audrey snuck up behind him, planting a kiss on his cheek before punching him a couple of times in the shoulder. "Aah ah! Two for flinching!" She grinned and gave him a salute. "See you, Milo." She flicked his nose with a finger.

"Hey, Milo!" Mole held out his arms for a hug.

Milo leaned back, giving a nervous laugh, watching in disgust as flies buzzed around his head. "Heh heh! Mole! Mole. Wow." Unsure what to do, he went to give a hug but decided against it. "Hey, well..." he reached over and patted the funny little man on the head. "...good-bye, Mole." He hurried away as Mole blinked in confusion.

Sweet put a hand under his chin. "Now, you sure you want to stay?" He asked. "There's gonna be a hero's welcome waiting for the man who discovered Atlantis."

Milo shrugged and shook his head. "Ah, I don't think the world needs another hero." He brightened. "Besides, I hear there's an opening down here for an expert in gibberish."

Sweet nodded. "You take good care of yourself, Milo Thatch." He held out a large hand.

"Yeah." Milo approached him. "You, too, Sweet." He went to take his hand to shake it but the big man grabbed him and trapped him in a big bear hug.

"Come here!"

He squeezed Milo tightly, so much that the vertebrae in his back snapped. Milo winced, suddenly feeling all the tension and soreness go away instantly. "Sweet, uh, before you go, could you..." he pointed at his neck.

Sweet grinned. "No problem!" He grabbed the sides of Milo's head and turned it back and forth.

"Ah. Oh. Thanks." He rubbed the back of his neck.

Sweet chuckled and shot him a serious frown. "Ha ha ha! Oh, you're getting a bill!"

Milo turned to say goodbye to the last person he had been dreading to say it to, his throat tightening with emotion when he met Indy's eyes.

The archaeologist grinned. "Don't get sentimental, Thatch."

Milo rubbed his watering eyes. "Sorry... it's just..." he looked up at him again.

"Yeah I know." Indy finished for him and held out his hand. "Well, it's been an adventure, Milo. And I'm glad it's over."

Milo looked at Indy's outstretched hand for a few seconds and back up at his face before embracing him, making Indy stiffen in shock.

The others grinned as they watched the two men.

Slowly, Indy wrapped his arms around Milo and patted his back. "I'll admit I've grown kinda fond of you, kid. I'm gonna miss you."

Milo pulled away from him and stepped back, still wiping tears from his eyes. "I know I drove you crazy Indy, but... you put a lot of faith in me. And you've saved my life a few times. I'm very grateful for that."

Indy gave him a small smile as Kida walked up and stood alongside him, grasping his hand. Indy nodded his head at her.

"Take care of him, Your Highness." He met Milo's eyes and winked. "He's got a lot of adjusting to do."

Kida smiled and squeezed Milo's hand tightly.

"Oh, uh... Indy," Milo reached into his pocket. "When you get back to D.C., can you give this to Mr. Whitmore?" He pulled out a small packet tied with a shoelace.

Perplexed, Indy took it from him and stared at it, turning it over in his hand. "What is it?"

Milo grinned knowingly. "A piece of proof."

"Can we go home now?" Mrs. Packard cut in loudly, her tone impatient. She flicked her spent cigarette away.

"Alright, alright!" Sweet replied, gesturing with a hand. "Come on, y'all. Let's get one last shot in front of the fish." He sat down on the pile of gold as the others gathered around him while one of the Atlantean men lifted Packard's camera.

He grinned. "Say "Gochk!"

"Gochk."

SNAP!