© Becca, Dana Simmons and Starbright 2001, well Dana is not liking this end very much so there might be another ending later :) The Young Riders is an Ogiens/Kane Production, created by Ed Spielman.
We only borrow his characters for fun. No infringement of copyright intended. There is absolutely no financial gain for the authors. We survive on the feedback, and we need plenty of it.

2393

Epilogue

It was still dark when she opened her eyes to the last day of her life. She knew it, and she was totally prepared for this. She was ready to go. The darkness was not in the room, her eyes had long ago lost the capability of seeing. It was like she sensed the twilight, like it was settling around her. And now she longed to leave the aching body.

"Mom, you awake?"

She didn't have the strength to nod so she just smiled.

"It's okay Mom, I'm here, I'll just give you your medicines and you'll feel better."

"No son, I'm ready now. No medicines any longer." The few words spoken took all her force and she had to breathe deep to try and regain the energy to keep awake and ask him for one last favor.

"Mom?"

Her finger pointed at the old memoslot on the cover, hoping he would plug it in. Hoping he'd understand.

"All right, Mom."

His voice was thick and if she would have had the energy she would have risen from the bed and taken him into her arms and soothed him. Just like she always did when he was a little tyke. Dying was a blessing, not a punishment, she hoped he's live his life so he'd understand this. When it was time to go you were ready. There was nothing else holding her here, it was time to let go of everything and finally meet eternity.

"Remember?" Her voice was just a whisper now.

"Yes."

"Tell me."

"I will give the ICC the two memo's and ask for them to be cloned in different families, a year apart. I know, and I'll do it Mom, I promise."

She smiled in gratitude.

"But there's no guarantee you'll - I mean the two, the clones - will ever meet, Mom. There's no guarantee..."

"Hush son, this is my wish." She wanted to add, "we always did before" but she lacked the strength. But she knew, without any doubt that if there was a Kid and Louise in the world they would find each other, they would find each other and love each other. Something she had been denied this time around, and she wanted them to live happily forever after. Like in a fairytale, and she would do her utmost to have it happen.

"I know Mom, I love you, I'll do what you ask, I'll see to it it happens."

He would, she knew he would. He was a good son, her joy and pride. She squeezed the hand that held hers tenderly and knew he'd understand she wanted to be alone, alone with the memories of the man she lost so long ago. The man she never quite forgot, her silent companion in life. Her shadow of sorts. She had lived a full life, she didn't regret anything, except losing him so soon. But still, he had been with her every step of the way, she had learned so much. Most of all she had learned to wait. Patience, she had learned patience and how to live in the moment. Kid had taught her all that. He had shown her so much in such a short time, and she was forever grateful for ever meeting him. If there was a heaven she wished she'd meet him again, to make up for all she lost that cold day.

Without a word her son rose and coupled the antique memoslot into her EA - into function.

She closed her eyes and let the memories take over her alpha-wave algorithms, transporting her back, taking over her senses. To that time so long ago, that time when she learned how to love and be loved. The year that changed her forever, the one she wanted to go back to and relive in eternity; the one that would constitute her personal paradise, if there was one. And now she was ready to find out.

Flickers
Heat and dampness, thighs sticking to the fabric. Irritation. Concentration.
Squeak
Eyes moving to the sound, ears picking up the vibrating, transforming it, loss of focus. Anticipation.
Breeze
Closer. Heartbeat rising, skin sensitized. Palms getting sweaty. Quiver.
Movement
Touch. Breath catching, senses at a fever pitch, longing. Wanting.
Warmth
Scent. Maelstrom, heat and tingling, sight and touch. Need.
Tension
Taking. Explosion of sensations. Breathlessness. Frenzy
White Light
Ice burn and heat frost.
Peace.

Special thanks to Aimee, Connie, DCJen, Hanny and Nesciri who read this piece long before it was released and actually liked the whacky idea. We owe you big time!

And I, Starbright, take full responsibility for this horrid end, blame it on my European upbringing and the aversion for happy endings to romantic tales :)

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