It all came back to that dreadful year. Logan hated that he was pertained in it even more than its effect over him. The shoemaker could keep blaming John Constantine all he wanted, which he had done so without rest. It didn't otherwise excuse his own role on the worst night of his life. He wanted his wife back, so he willingly sought the warlock's help. John let his pride get in his way, yes, but Alex did the same with his grief. No matter how he tried forgetting or rewriting the story, he was indirectly responsible. He pushed his hands into his pockets. "I don't...," he began.

"You don't know if you could," Astra prodded.

"I knew I couldn't. You and your mother were so close. She'd been there for you more than I was. I didn't want to replace her in your life. Moreover, I wasn't ready to let her go."

"That's what led you to call John."

"Yes, I don't remember if he warned me before he..." He sighed, "It doesn't matter. We should get back to town. The sun's going to set soon." The train ride was pleasantly uneventful. Logan's conversation with Gideon had alleviated most of his stress. He was mystified by how high-spirited his quasi-granddaughter was when sober. She told him the most basic information about herself. However, she omitted her role in uniting the two surviving Logues.

Sitting a row ahead of him, Astra saw the weariness on his face. She grasped how unbearable that night really was for him. She felt she pushed him far enough and thus resisted further questioning. She rested her head on Behrad's shoulder and fell asleep. At nine years old, she accompanied her father to a large house in Northumberland County. He was somber as he knocked on the door. A chain-smoking Englishman in a trenchcoat greets them. He shared the truck driver's mournful gaze. Long time no see, Alexander.

Hello John. I thought you would've stayed away longer.

I tried; I'm sorry about Nat. He invited them inside. Alex sent the younger Astra to play. The two men sat in the kitchen to talk. The heartbroken parent was offered a bottle of beer. What brings you & Astra around here?

I... I need a favor from you. He filled himself with Dutch courage. Save Natalie.

The warlock was unsure if he was joking. He anticipated it was beer and grief talking. However, Alex's desperation proved him wrong. Do you have any bloody idea what you just asked?

The widower clenched his fists, refusing to take no for an answer. My daughter needs her mother back. I need her back. I don't have anyone else to turn to. John didn't consider every risk. He had gained newfound powers in the recent past. What better time to show them off? And perhaps, he wasn't ready to say goodbye to her as well. The warlock contacted his and Natalie's old friends, the remaining members of the Newcastle Crew. Following a bittersweet reunion, the six grown-ups concocted a plan. Astra eavesdropped on them out of mere boredom. What were you talking about?

The two men were startled by her abrupt emergence. Your father and I are just commiserating, love. Why don't you explore the house for a bit?

Astra, go on now. She sensed that they were putting on a front for her. If only she had obeyed and went exploring.

"Can I talk to you for a minute," Logan asked Astra when they reached his duplex. He handed his house key to Behrad, Spooner, and Gideon. The sorceress thought that another dispute was bound to happen. He wasn't scowling, but his face looked numb. They sat in the car in pensive silence. She wished that he had the radio on. "You... were mumbling in your sleep when we took the train."

"I don't mumble." A minute later, she asked, "What was I saying?"

"Something about exploring. Anyway, that's not what I wanted to talk about." He cleared his dry throat.

"Are you kicking us out early or something?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "I open the shop at 7 o'clock; by the time I come home, I know you and your friends will be gone."

"Right. Thanks for your help." She unbuckled her seat belt and was about to get out when he stopped her. She glanced over her shoulder and could've sworn he had shed a tear.

"I... As much as I wanted Natalie back, losing you was one of my greatest regrets. The other is not being there for you as I could before that night. The last two days have rocked my week. While we had a rough start, getting to know you and your friends was rather enjoyable."

Her lips quirked in amusement. "For what it's worth, it's great seeing you turned out all right."

"Likewise. I don't know if you're coming back or not; I wouldn't mind if you did." Astra didn't think a second visit was necessary, but she might reconsider it someday. "Just try not to burn any more shoes." They laughed at the disastrous meeting. Father and daughter, though now acquaintances, both felt relieved for the first time. They entered the duplex together for the last time.

At 6:30 in the morning, the time-travelers bid farewell to their host before he went to work. They followed Gideon to where she had hidden the jumpship. Behrad sat in the pilot's seat and directed its course to the Waverider. In the back seat, Astra couldn't wait to browse through the books she inherited. She indiscriminately opened one of them. The words were written in the Old English language; she was about to transcribe them when something caught her eye. "We need to go back."

Spooner gave her best friend a confused look. "We just left."

She shook her head, clarifying, "Not to Derbyshire. We need to go to John's manor."

"What is at John's manor," Behrad, who had overheard their discussion, questioned.

"Hopefully, my mother's ghost."

A/N: Happy New Year! This and the latest chapter of AvaLance According to Gideon are the last two chapters posted in 2023.