An Ocean Finally Crossed

The scene: Oshika, the bungalow of Margaret and Louise Gibson. The kids are off somewhere. Margaret is on the living room couch, a laptop in her lap, modem cable strung to a videophone. Louise is in the kitchen, cleaning up after a nice dinner.

Louise: Ne, Meg, what're you looking at?

Margaret: Ah, just visiting a couple lemon fanfic sites.

Louise: (sticks her tongue out) Hentai!

Margaret: C'mon, some of this stuff ain't bad. Gotta give the writers credit for putting their imagination to good use! 'Sides, why're you complaining?!

Louise: Eh?

Margaret: (looks over her shoulder, winks) Where do you think I get some of my ideas for seducing you from?

Louise blushes, then heads into the living room, hopping over the couch to relax beside Margaret.

Louise: Ne, ne, are there any good BGC lemon fics out there?

Margaret: Yeah, there's some stuff. Not much since there aren't many BGC fanfics PERIOD out there...(mutters)...not like all that "Ranma," "Sailor Moon" or "Tenchi" stuff...(hums)

Louise: Nani?

Margaret: You knows, it's kinda funny...

Louise: Nani?

Margaret: Has ANYONE ever done a Priss-Sylvie lemon?

Silence for a moment.

Louise: I don't think so. Then again, the way some people write BGC fanfics, they like the idea of keeping Sylvie dead and exploring how Priss deals with the pain of Sylvie's loss.

Margaret: Yeah, I know. In some realities...the ones where Sylvie never made it through that night...that would apply. There was that one..."Yearnings," where Priss was getting over loosing Sylvie-chan and tried to do things with Leon McNichol.

Louise: (snorts) Feh! Anyone with half a brain can tell that Priss and Leon are JUST NOT COMPATIBLE at all!

Margaret: Sheesh, ya got a point there! (snorts) Then, there were those fanfics where Priss and Sylia got together. One of them even had a berserk Sylvie in there; I think Sylia was trying to fix her up or something like that. S'funny how people always like making that connection...

Louise: Like in "Bubblegum Pink?"

Margaret: (blanches) PLEASE, Lou...don't go THERE!

Laughter fills the bungalow for a moment.

Louise: (hums) Hey, wait a minute...

Margaret: Nani?

Louise: Fred-kun did a couple lemons sometime ago, didn't he?

Margaret: (blinks, then nods) Yeah, he did. It was related to UY-TSY before he got burned out on the series this year just before starting "Illusions."

Louise: Hai, that's true. Even better, a lot of people liked "A Remarkable Destiny" since Fred-kun DID try to keep a plot going along with the sex.

Margaret: Yeah...say...(her eyes widen)

Louise: Nani?

Margaret: Why don't we ask Fred ta do a Priss-Sylvie lemon based on when they got back together at the epilogue of "Illusions" Part 32?

Louise: (gasps) Meg, that's a great idea!!!

With that, Margaret calls up e-mail, then types...

"Illusions" Special Vignette - "An Ocean Finally Crossed" a fanfic of the Bubblegum Crisis - Megatokyo 2034 by Fred Herriot fherriot@hotmail.com **** **** **** "Only an Ocean Away" (1999), performed by Sarah Brightman, written by Per Andreason **** **** **** C&C by Shawn Hagen hagen@brant.net and Robert Geiger robertgeiger@prodigy.net **** **** **** Based on characters and situations from "Bubblegum Crisis," created by ARTMIC and Youmex, "Urusei Yatsura," created by Rumiko Takahashi and "Tokimeki Memorial," created by Konami. All characters originating from the aforementioned series are copyrighted/trademarked as such by the aforementioned companies/people. **** **** **** This story is also based on my UY fanfic series "The Senior Year" (co-created by Mike Smith) and "The Ishinomaki Years," as well as the BGC fanfic series "No Armour Against Fate" by Shawn Hagen **** **** ****

WARNING: This is a lemon story. You know what to do! ^_-

WRITER'S NOTES:

FM: Margaret M. Gibson af02gm.fsat-g@toratotaka.org TO: Fred Herriot fherriot@hotmail.com RE: Priss-Sylvie Lemon Story for "Illusions" Hey, Fred,

If you get the chance, do a lemon with Priss and Sylvie based on when they got back together at the end of "Illusions." Meg

Hmmm...a Priss-Sylvie lemon, eh? S'funny...to my knowledge, NO ONE'S ever done a Priss-Sylvie lemon (I won't count the scene at the end of Glenn Hough's "Bubblegum Crusade" as a full-fledged Priss-Sylvie lemon story). Oh, well, time to change that, I guess (snicker, snicker, evil laugh). Anyhow, for those of you who do remember my previous lemon fics (the as-yet-to-be-finished "A Remarkable Destiny" for one), I'm not as keen on concentrating on actual sex scenes as I am on events leading up to and from said sex scenes. I'm going to borrow a page from Chris Davies' "Best Of All The Years II" and do this as a dual-first person narrative (Priss and Sylvie). Hopefully, it'll work.

I hope, I hope, I hope...

Oh...for those of you reading this from other archives, the remainder of the "Illusions" series can be found at:

http://www.crosswinds.net/japan/~lennie/fherriotfics/

The fifteenth of May...

For some fuckin' idiot reason, I was dreading this day.

A year ago tonight, Sylvie died in my arms.

Or did she...?

Were my dreams telling me something else?

Dreams. Despite the pain of losing my soul-mate (shit, where did THAT term come from, anyway?), I've had some plain strange ones since that damned night. When I blew out the heart of someone I loved...and blew my own heart apart at the same time...to save a city that I've long felt should be sunk to the lowest pit in Hell. The dreams got even weirder since a night last August when I went to Katsushika and stood under some old oak tree wishing for Sylvie to somehow come back.

Dreams. Could they come true?

Can't this armpit of a city finally GIVE BACK for once instead of taking away from me?

Could...she be alive? Out there somewhere...?

Waiting to come back to me?

S'funny. The time I was with Miako...the time my heart-locket, a present Sylvie meant to give to me, was missing...there were no dreams. No dreams of the smell of ginger, the spice in Sylvie's pheromones. No dreams of us being a normal couple, living out our lives in peace and harmony. No dreams of Anri and Dee, Meg and Lou, Nam, Emi, China and Kotoe, Kaho and...Yuka. No dreams...

Then the dreams came back. My grandpa found my locket buried under my old trailer, got it fixed, then persuaded Mi-eun to give it back to me. At first, I felt he was trying to whitewash the shit he pulled because of what happened between him and Mom. But seeing how much Mi-eun loved him, hearing how much Domino cared for him from Rei...seeing the pain in his eyes, the guilt...I guess I could try to forgive what happened over the last nine years.

Dreams. Sylvie. We together. Her sisters having KIDS! I'd be on stage performing my first concert after the album is cut and there'd Sylvie be, behind the curtains, cheering me on. We visiting a karaoke bar, singing the songs we liked (I still was into "Don't Answer Me" while Sylvie'd do a new one she came to like, Sarah Brightman's "Only An Ocean Away"). Going to Scotland and visiting Killiecrankie, dancing in Castle McTavish with Dee's sister Anita on a violin and Emi on the piano.

Together...

Are you out there, Sylvie?

Are you out there...my soul-mate?

Come back to me. Please come back.

After all, you make me complete...

...and without you, I am nothing.

The fifteenth of May...

The day I'd finally get the answer I've waited a year to hear.

Does she? Doesn't she?

Will my oath be answered, Priss?

Are the dreams, the whispers...is there hope for us, my love?

A year. Actually, if you count the "out of the normal timestream" period my team spent in Sanctuary, it was eighteen months. Sometimes, when I meet a sister who knows of my separation from Priss, I'd get looks of awe, concern (as if I had totally flipped my mind) or disbelief. As if they were asking me, "Why are you torturing yourself like this, Sylvie-chan? Go back to her, for Heaven's sake! Go back before it's too late!"

At first, it was for Priss' safety that I had to stay away. Largo was out there, mucking with Anri's mind and planning to seize the OMS from Genom. Then after I'd the satisfaction of seeing that bastard burned to ashes, we had Largo's agents to deal with. Atop that, training, my university degree, training, working in the palace with Obaa-sama, the problem with Ebola-G...

Ojii-chan's agent making sure Priss lost the heart-locket.

Grrr...creep! Just because I was built in a laboratory doesn't mean my love for Priss isn't as legitimate, as real, as a pure-organic's. Look at Miako Forest! Sheesh, I was right when Mi-eun came and asked me to come meet Ojii-chan and mend fences. Fuck 'em, then throw 'em away; that's ALL she's ever done. I was so glad that Mi-eun was there to chase the bitch from Priss' place last month when she tried to crawl back. Of course, if Forest DID try to get at Priss, I'd go deal with her.

A .44 lobotomy wouldn't be beyond the pale, I guess.

After all, Priss is my soul-mate.

Sexaroids defend their soul-mates to the death.

Especially from poachers.

Or is she...?

Could Mi-eun and Rei be wrong? Could my going back to her backfire in my face, leave me alone? Damn, why am I having these doubts? Why am I so nervous? Our dreams are so nice now. They've got to be real! They've got to be showing me the truth.

I'm here, Priss-chan. I'm right here.

Yes...you make me complete. Without you, I am nothing.

You are the one. You are my soul-mate.

My one and only love.

Tonight...the ocean will be crossed. The silence will end.

Tonight, we will be as one...

It's early morning. A quick shower and breakfast, then I have to get to the Samguk Daikan Towers in Mitaka to sign my contract with Abbey Road. It wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be just two weeks ago, when I bumped in to Nene at Genom University, then met Mei Nagane. Thank the gods that Abbey Road's willing to let me have some leeway with my work.

Thank the gods for Rose Sanokura, Emi's mom...

Emi...?

Oh, jeez, Priss, don't loose it now! Today's your big day.

The videophone. "Yeah!" I stab controls, then smile. Mi-eun.

"Ah, mianhamnida, Priss-a. Do you need a ride into Mitaka?"

If I haven't been so hung over Sylvie...and getting over the shit with Miako...I'd do something with Mi-eun Kataki. Grandpa's goddaughter brought back to life, using memories from her "father" Tsuyoshi...Jinmo's husband...and a 33-S body everyone swears could've been the real Mi-eun's twin. If there're things I'd describe as "perfect" in a potential lover, Mi-eun matched them to a "T." Tough, honest, honourable, kind, loving, friendly as all get out, not to mention so fuckin' sexy to look at...

"Offering me one?" I wonder.

"Ne. Hyoung-jin-imo'll be there. Half-hour?"

"Yeah, I still gotta get dressed. I'll see you soon."

"Ne. Annyoung'i."

The screen goes dark as I head into my bedroom. When things between Abbey Road and me got serious, Grandpa suggested I visit Esmerelda's, a boutique out in Nerima near where Nene lived, to get some decent business suits. Even if I'd loads of costumes for when I'm on the stage, I didn't need to look like some street hooker when I was facing the people who'd help me finally break free of this damn city and get on with my life.

Sure enough, a limousine pulls up at the right time. I head down with a bag carrying all my papers. Mi-eun's driver, a C-55 she called "Kisa"...that's Korean for "knight"...is at the door. "A pleasure to see you again, Asagiri-sama. Doozo," he waves me into the back seat.

"Thanks, Kisa. Hey, Mi-eun, how're ya doing?"

"I'm fine, thanks. Daikan Towers, Kisa-ssi," Mi-eun orders.

"Hai, Kataki-sama, right away."

I sit back as the limo heads off. This is the type of limo most of the senior execs at Genom use. Tough as a fuckin' tank and with loads of surprises available to make sure the dork inside'd make it to work. Can't complain. Yet, it seemed so funny. A Genom limo driven by a Genom boomer...one who liked his Shakespeare to boot!...serving a Genom-built Sexaroid...was taking me, the only grandkid of a Genom shareholder, to Samguk's local headquarters so I could sign a recording contract with a Samguk music subsidiary.

"Nervous?" Mi-eun wonders.

I blink, then sigh. "Yeah, I am. Grandpa's promising to take me and Sho out to dinner this aft' after it's all done."

"That's good," she nods. "It's also good that you're not chasing Devon-keunabouji away. He doesn't deserve to be alone."

I stare at her, then smile. I can tell what happened between Grandpa and me hurt Mi-eun a lot. Honour's a big thing with her. Since her "mother"...Kim Soo-jin, "Jinmo" to me...was my godmother, my fate mattered a lot to her family. But Grandpa, who wanted to honour a promise he made long ago to Mom, lied to Mi-eun and her dad about me getting through the '25 quake. Tsuyoshi accepted it...but when she found out, Mi-eun almost took Grandpa's head off!

"Yeah," I nod.

"Neither do you," she stares at me.

"Are you trying to set me up for a date?"

"I think after your experience with Miako, you need a break."

"Never cared for Miako at all, Mi-eun. Shit, I'd date Libby in an instant...though I definitely wouldn't want her old man to find out."

"Oh, I'm sure Quincy-hoejangnim doesn't want to interfere in Liberte-ya's or Diedre-ya's personal life," that grin of hers, the one that says "It's all cool," comes up. "I personally don't think Emi-ya'd stand for it...not to mention Diedre-ya or Liberte-ya!"

We laugh, then I gaze out the window. We're on the crosstown expressway now. Genom Tower's behind us to the left, the T'n'T Tower ahead to the right. I find myself staring at it. Over a fuckin' klick up, all silver, shaped like one of those obelisks out in Egypt someplace. Not like Genom Tower, looking like a high-tech Fuji-san, at all. But it always seemed to linger in my mind every time I saw it. I'd been there a couple times before, back in '32 when Doc Saotome came to me...

Stephanie...

Oh, Steph...

No, no, damn it all, Priss, don't go THERE! I saved her life...then 'cause I was so desperate to have a family, I drove her away. At least she didn't die, thank the gods...but with her so far away, she might as well be dead to me.

Steph...I'm so sorry, Imouto-chan...

"Priss, what's wrong?"

I look at Mi-eun, then sigh. "Just rememberin' something. I'm okay. Hey, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"When you see that, what do you think?" I point to the T'n'T Tower.

Mi-eun looks, then smiles. "Great power with grace and civility. The ones who do not forget those the rest of the world would forget. The balance of power...and the true future of humanity." A pause, then, "Not to mention the place where I was born. What do you think, Priss?"

"I remember a world history class Nene convinced me to go to when I saw her a couple weeks ago. When the Yanks broke away from England, they made all sorts of flags to mark the rebellion. One had a snake on it. Under it was 'Don't Tread On Me.'" I look at the Tower. "That's what that place tells people about T'n'T. 'Don't fuck with us.'"

"Crudely put, but understandable. Some in Genom would gladly wish them gone...but seeing as how Toratotaka's willing to deal with things that are frankly BEYOND Genom's capacity to understand, much less use to their own ends, it is a good thing they're here."

"Yeah, it is, I guess," I sit back, then sigh...

I wake up, the voice in my head whispering all is well. It's the way I've been since I awoke in the medical unit upstairs almost a year ago. Sitting up, I stretch myself as I slide out of bed, then slip off my nightshirt before going into the bathroom to wash up. Last night, the "itch" came and I spent an hour with a vibrator jammed inside me working off the damned hormones fogging my brain and making me as horny as hell.

Lucky thing I got a washing machine when I moved in.

I HATE sleeping on soaked bedclothes!

Oooh, a nice shower to start the day. It's such a pity that so few boomers outside 33-S's and 33-Ms could really enjoy this. Dee tells me her other-self LOVED hot showers, just standing there letting Nature's natural relaxant work the kinks out of the muscles and joints. All I wish for right now is for Priss to be here with me so we could worship each other and just revel in our love...

Whoops! Down, Sylvie, relax. Just another twelve hours and then all my questions'll be answered...one way or another. Why do I have these doubts? Is it just a fear of Murphy's Law, something 33-S's seem to know too well at times...or have my dreams been false? I don't think so; the heart-locket I had bought a lifetime ago, then got modified by Megumi-sempai, was designed to keep a low telepathic bond between Priss and I. To help her heal from what Largo did...and help me heal, too.

I hope it's done it's job.

Back out, then dress in my usual clothes: dungarees, T-shirt, button shirt and boondockers. Don't need the holster or my pistol; I'll be staying here since the team's been given a week off and they'll be here tonight with the kids. Bless you, Obaa-sama. Even for a company that has to keep watch on all the little children running the megacorps, there still was time given off for life.

And love.

I feel someone come to my door. The doorbell. "Who is it?!"

"It's me, Sylvie-chan! Can I come in?!"

Rei. "Hai, haite!"

The door opens and in walks one of Kaneko's little sisters, full of spunk and life. Thank the gods that Largo and Doug Meren didn't knock it out of her while she was running around the world. "Ohayo, Sylvie-chan!" she smiles. "Today's the big day, huh?"

"Hai," I nod. "What brings you here?"

"Well, seeing as how Nene-chan still doesn't know you're still alive, I wanted you to come to Heartbeat so you can see her. After all, it's Priss-chan's surprise tonight, ne?"

I blink, then sigh. Nene Romanova. Priss', Sylia's and Linna's friend...and one day, hopefully, to be Rei's soul-mate. I only met Nene twice. Once before the DD at Hot Legs, the second time after thanks to the heart-locket and the Tree of Legend. Kaneko speaks highly of her; Rei really couldn't choose much better as a future soul-mate. Now, if only Nene'd get over that Wada creep and see what Rei was offering...!

"Hai, that's true! Okay, give me a moment."

Rei waits while I head into the bedroom, getting out my pistol and holster.

Since my "public" job is a "security specialist" for Toratotaka, seeing me armed won't get many bystanders alarmed. Then again, Nerima's a part of Megatokyo that's always tolerated my company a lot more than Genom. Rei carries her pistol in her purse; local cops won't hassle her that way. Then again, most people here'd know her from what happened in February...

We head out, then down to the ground. Heartbeat was just two hundred metres away, atop the Nerima Mall across the elevated tram line. "So how're things between you and Nene coming along?" I ask.

"Pretty okay," Rei smiles. "We go out to movies whenever we can. She hasn't introduced me to Nagane-san yet."

"Worried about possible competition?"

"Iie!" Rei beams. That smile could light up a sun! "I know it'll happen...but I won't push it. After what Wada did..."

"Hai, that's true," I roll my eyes. What a jerk! Gods, he was no different than Largo if you ask me. Preying on innocent girls like Nene just because his wife's down in Osaka carrying on her career. No doubt, he wanted to make sure the money'd still come in so he could make more conquests! Some men...and yes, some women, too...are so damned typical.

World'd be a better place without them.

We go into the Nerima Mall, then head to the private elevator for Heartbeat, nodding to one of the two boomer guards that made sure we were always left alone. Thank the gods Candy had opened this place for us. Sometimes, as Sensei taught back in Sanctuary, the best disguise was to be out in the open, acting natural. To think that for all of Mason's attempts at trying to stop Otou-sama from helping us be free, he NEVER noticed that Candy was out here in the open all that time.

Up to the top, then out the elevator and up the stairs. One touch of the DNA scanner and we're in. "Ohayo, Candy-neechan!" Rei calls out as we walk inside. "Nene-chan, where are you?!"

"Irrasshaimase!" Candy calls back.

"Over here, Rei-chan!!" Nene calls out.

Yep, still the same as I remembered her. Pink-red hair, green eyes, about Domino's height, though she isn't in her ADP uniform. A bookbag and some books are on the table before her as she nurses her drink. It's good she's got the chance to get her degree; she was wasted in ADP...or at least, that's what Megumi-sempai says.

She looks over...then her jaw hits the table, eyes widening. "S-s-syl-...?" she stammers, then shakes her head, no doubt to try to see if I'm a mirage. "Sylvie?!" she finally squeaks.

"Ohayo, Nene-chan," I smile. "It's good to see you again."

Nene...just looks at me. She then turns to Rei, anger clouding her face. Uh-oh. "REI, YOU NEVER TOLD ME...?!?!?!"

Rei ducks, then tries to stammer a reply before looking at the floor. Nene stares at her, then sighs. "The First Code, right?"

"Hai..." Rei feebles apologetically.

Nene then stares at me...before grinning. "Oh, Sylvie-chan, how are you?!!" she jumps over to swamp me with an embrace.

Was this a sign...?

The day goes by in a blur. I get to Mitaka, meet Jinmo's sister Hyoung-jin, then we sit down and hammer out the contract, get it printed and signed. A slew of reporters are there, coming to see a local girl finally make it good. Grandpa showed up, which really set the newsies off. After all, this was all about me, one of the most vocal anti-Genom types in the whole of Megatokyo...and I turn out to be the granddaughter of one of the people who FOUNDED Genom in the first place?!

After the contract's signed and I go through the news conference, Grandpa takes me to his limousine for a trip back to my place. He got reservations at this nice restaurant in Shinjuku and we needed to be spiffed up for it. He also wanted the chance to meet Sho. I was wary, to be honest. I remember when the Sabres got hauled into the Tower, how he told me how easy it would've been to extort us into doing what Genom wanted by simply threatening those we loved...then he made the mistake of threatening Sho. I almost killed him for THAT!

I can tell how guilty he feels being with me. Grandpa's afraid. Because he's so high up in Genom, he's a target for some hotshot who'd want to take control of the works. And because he's so high up, assholes like Mason'd look on me and see a legit target to use against Grandpa. That's part of the reason he didn't want me to know of him. A promise to Mom, who never wanted anything to do with Genom...and didn't want me to have anything to do with Genom, either. What was even better, no one in Genom, not even Quincy, knew about me until sometime in January.

I sigh as I head inside my house, going into my bedroom to get my kimono. Grandpa goes to his apartment to get dressed. Shit, this must be some high-class joint we're going to. Twenty minutes later, we're off to Itabashi to pick up Sho. I hadn't seen the little guy as often as I wanted to these last months. Too busy performing and getting my career off the ground...but there was no way I was gonna turn my back on him. We get to the orphanage and there he is. A bundle of pure kawaii, seven years old, dressed up in a nice kimono. Odd, I didn't buy that...and I know his mother wasn't rich enough to afford that! Did Grandpa do that for him? "Onee-chan!!" he hugs me, kissing my cheek, then he stares at Grandpa, all decked out in a white formal hakama. "Hello."

I do the introductions. Sho's eyes widen, then he walks over to take Grandpa's hand. "Pleased to meetcha, Hijii-chan."

One look in Grandpa's face, seeing the delight he feels on being called "Great-grandpa"...and I feel tears in my eyes. Tears. Shit, I haven't cried in so long, not since Sylvie and Anri died. Died...? "I'm pleased to meet you as well, Himagomusuko," he gently pats Sho's hand.

Sho grins. Guess he likes the idea of being someone's great-grandson. "Hey, where'd you get the kimono?" I ask.

Sho stares at me, then looks really shy as we get into the limo. What the...? "Auntie Sylia got it for me," he replies.

I blink. Sylia?! Wait a sec'! Far as I know, Sylia's had nothing to do with Sho; she never asked about him after I got him placed here. "When was this?" I cross my arms.

"A couple days ago," Sho replies. "Auntie Domino was here, too. Didja know Auntie Domino's a Sexaroid, Onee-chan?!"

I jerk. Domino?! Whoa, whoa, hold the fuckin' phone here, what's the meaning of this?! "You met Domino-san?" Grandpa asks.

"Hai," Sho nods. "She's really nice...but kinda sad, too. Like Mommy was before...before she..." he pauses, then sighs.

I want to scream. Sho's still having problems accepting what went down with his mom...and it's been over a year since she died.

Then what he said comes back. Domino? Sad? Odd. Soon as I found out about her, with her being a memory-copy of Mason (a much nicer one, I admit) and all that, I kinda wondered if she was the right one for Sylia. Nene admitted that from what Rei's told her, Domino and Sylia were MEANT TO BE. I hope it'll happen. I know Sylia wouldn't want anything to do with anyone from Genom, even now. But after finding out about what her old man did...

We get to the restaurant. Whooo, what a place! All decked out in Edo fashion, waitresses in traditional geisha clothes ready to serve us. We sit down, get three servers for the meal, then dig in. Kinda weird, having people hang off me pouring drinks and helping with the food...but then again, Grandpa wanted to pamper me tonight, so I was here getting pampered. The servers were nice.

"If you want to know, yes, they are boomers," Grandpa then smiles at me.

"What type?" I ask.

"GS-R Mark 7 units," he muses, nodding as his server pours him a drink. "They were designed by a friend of Saotome-hakase, Yuina Himoo. She's House Matriarch for Toratotaka here in Megatokyo."

Yuina Himoo. Yeah, I knew her. Met her when I first met...!

Stay away, Priss!

"Nice work," I muse, staring at my server.

I get a blush out of her. "Are you enjoying yourself, Asagiri-sama?" she wonders in a really timid voice.

"You bet...but I'm more used to eating under my own power."

"Understandable," she muses. "But you are a guest and we do our best to make our guests comfortable."

I muse over that, then nod. Can't argue with that.

The meal ends, then we head back to the limo. Grandpa takes me to the Kirameki Memorial Park. I stare at him, then follow him up the path, past the Tree of Legend, into the Memorial. One of the monks is there, greeting Grandpa like an old friend. "I know people here," he explains to me. "But you deserve to see them," he notions to one side, to one butsudan marked TATEBAYASHI.

Mom. Dad.

I blink, then start to pray. Sho and Grandpa do the same. After we're done, we walk to the Ijuin family butsudan to pray to Rei Ijuin's parents. Rei Ijuin. Sylvie's mother, the mother to all the Sexaroids. The weirdness index just jumped up a few notches. I knew these things from my dreams about Sylvie. Yet...I know for the fact that I've never been in this part of town, much less inside HERE, save for that one trip in August. First Sylia and Domino acting like doting aunts to Sho, then finding my parents buried in Miharu Tatebayashi's family memorial, now finding out Grandpa knows Sylvie's mom...?

Things fall quiet as we go back to the limo. I don't even see where we're going. I feel so confused. Like I tripped into the Twilight Zone and Rod Sterling ain't here to explain what the fuck'm I doing here! Sho's holding my hand; I'm not comfortable enough yet with Grandpa to be that personal. Then the limo stops.

"Here we are," Grandpa smiles as we get out.

"Eh?! What are you guys doing here?!"

Standing there are Sylia, Nene, Mackie...and LINNA?! What's she doing here? She's supposed to be with Reika on her tour. Beside them are Domino, Rei, a red-haired girl with Mackie and a purple-haired clone of Sylia beside Linna. I recognize the kimonos Domino, the redhead and the Sylia-clone're wearing: the brown ones third gen 33-S's wear. Rei has a first gen's gold kimono. Even weirder, Sylia and Mackie were decked out in kimonos. And...

What the fuck am I doing HERE?!?!

Gotta tell you something about the T'n'T Tower. This place scares the shit outta me even more than Genom Tower does. I useta equate Genom Tower to a fuckin' big pimple needing to be squeezed. From a distance, the T'n'T Tower doesn't look like much. But stand right next to it, looking straight UP for a kilometre...it scares you. It's like I told Mi-eun. Don't FUCK with THESE guys.

"Konban wa, Priss!" Linna smiles, holding the Sylia-clone's hand. "I hope you don't mind our coming down to see you tonight!"

I look at Grandpa. "Why do I smell something funny going on here?!"

"I'm sorry, my dear child, but I can't reveal that yet!" he smiles, then looks behind him. "Are you coming there, young man?!"

"Sorry, Hijii-chan!" Sho gets out, then walks up to take my hand, staring at Sylia. "Auntie Sylia, is tonight the night?!"

"Hai, Sho-chan, tonight's the night the silence ends!" Sylia nods, holding Domino's hand. "Shall we go inside?"

"What silence?!" I ask as we head in...then stop.

"Jeez!"

I blink, finding myself staring at a red vest blocking ALL my vision, then I look up. Oh...fuck...me...it...can't...be...!

"Koala...?!"

Sure enough, it's Miharu's valet.

Don't ask me WHY she made him look like THIS!

"A fair evening to you, Lady Priscilla...and to you all, most honoured guests!" Koala bows, staring at me. "The Lady Miharu requests your presence in her chambers this fine evening! Please allow this humble servant the honour of escorting you there."

I blink. Miharu. Miharu Tatebayashi. Sylvie's "onee-san." But...I've never met her...I...why would she...?

"No...I...wait...I..."

Hands on my back, shoving me to the doors. "C'mon, Priss!" Nene growls. "You don't refuse an SPD in this place!!"

"B-but...!!"

Everything's a fuckin' blur. I find myself in an elevator, with Koala...KOALA...to my left, Grandpa on my right. Sho stands in front of me, keeping my hands on his shoulders. Miharu...Miharu wants to see me? Me?! What for?! I...but...then, that means...!

Does it?

Sylvie.

Are...you here?

Are the dreams true?

Are my dreams...about to come true?

Sylvie...

The doors open. Two girls in green kimonos, ones boomeroid Sexaroids wear; it marks the meadowsweet in their pheromones. I step out. "Shiori..." barely escapes me, then I see..."Miharu!"

Sheesh, Sylvie's right. Miharu's got koalas on the brain.

Koala earrings, her hair, not to mention Koala himself...!

Can we say "Overdoing it, folks?"

"Konban wa, Asagiri-san," Miharu smiles, then waves me to the door to her apartment. "Doozo ohairi kudasai."

I blink. Who was there? Was it...would it be...?

Taking a deep breath, I head in...and stop.

"No..."

It was...it can't me...it was...no way...it IS!!

"Anri...?!"

"Konban wa, Priss-chan," Anri smiles. "How are you?"

The day passed by quickly. Now I understand how pure-organics feel when they busy themselves with something important...and I have an time-clock built into my brain! After spending time with Nene and Rei, I head back to the Tower. Nene couldn't come; she had classes, but promised me to be around tonight. Besides, Linna was coming and she wanted to meet me at Chloe's apartment.

"Sylvie-chan!!" Linna beams as I walk into Chloe's place, then we embrace. Gods, it was so good to see her again. I had a chance to meet her after my team got back from Sanctuary in November, just before she quit the Sabres and went to work for Reika Chang...not to mention started something deep with Chloe. According to Emi, Linna had been there when Rose-bachan convinced Reika to let go of Priss' demo tapes, then got them to Abbey Road in London.

We spend lunch together in the cafeteria, Linna discussing how tonight'd run. Chloe contacted Domino a couple days ago to get a kimono for Sho; Sylia paid for it. Once Priss was done with Abbey Road here in town, she'd spend some time with Ojii-chan and Sho, then come here. The other Sabres' be here tonight, then Koala'd walk them up to Onee-san's apartment, where we'd get together.

I'm glad Linna's here. Hell, I'm glad all the Sabres would be here tonight. They're as much Priss' family as Ojii-chan and Sho; they'd as much right to celebrate Priss's contract...and reuniting with me...as I did. Linna had been tempted to invite Reika to join in, but stopped at the last minute. Lou'd be there...and I know Lou still hadn't forgiven Reika for what happened to Scott Kaufman.

Once lunch is done, I head to my apartment, then dress in my kimono. Gold like other first gens wore. Sometimes, I wonder why gold was chosen to represent the ginger in our pheromones; I know as a spice, ginger was a reddish-brown colour. Probably to ensure I didn't get mixed up with a third gen (cinnamon had the same colour). Once I was ready, I head to the express elevator.

The next part was something I had to do.

Since Otou-sama accepted his "demotion" to SPD for Science and Technology, he spent most time in his lab on Floor 212. According to Chloe, Bree and Anita, work on Morning Glory was accelerating. The majority of it would be done by July, though fine-tuning and testing would take six to nine months before it could be released and the OMS shut down forever. Thanks to Largo, the urgency of Otou-sama's work had kept him pinned to his lab.

I knock on the door, then look inside. "Otou-sama?"

He's in front of his personal computer, holoscreens flashing data on all sides. He taps controls, then looks at me. "Oh, hi, Sylvie! C'mon in; I'll be a couple seconds."

"Hai," I walk in as he turns to tap some controls, blanking out holoscreens. Sitting down by an empty desk close by, I gaze at him. My father. The first person I saw right after I was born. The one who told me at that moment, smiling, "Hello, musume-chan. Welcome to the world." The one I'd trust with my very life, even more so than with the other prototype Sexaroids.

He sighs, then closes down his machine before turning to gaze at me. I feel a warmth in my heart on feeling his gaze. No wonder so many call him the "Buma Puroguramaa no Kami-sama." He isn't like Ojii-sama (or at least, what I've heard of Sylia's father) at all...much less the other "experts" working for Genom and elsewhere. Otou-sama didn't just create us. He CARED for us, as a parent would his children, from the day we were born. Cared enough to help us no matter what happened. Cared enough to make war on Mason and his ilk to see us live past the recall. Cared enough to ensure that we'd be fully free to take control of our lives when we were ready to face the world on our own two feet.

And we loved him all the more for it.

"What brings you here, musume-chan?" he smiles.

My cheeks flame, then I take a breath. "Otou-sama," I begin. Why am I whispering? "I...I've come to make an announcement."

"Being?"

"Tonight, Otou-sama, I will...reunite with the woman I've chosen as my soul-mate," I announce. He'd already know that, but I had to adhere to form. Every other Sexaroid, either before or after taking the oath, came to Otou-sama to tell him the news.

"Are you sure she's the one for you?" he wonders.

"I'm sure," I nod.

He closes his eyes, then smiles. "And?"

I blink, then smile. "May I have your blessings, Otou-sama?"

Silence. He's really thinking about it. Oh, no, have I done something wrong?! Will...it happen?

Then he looks at me. "I'm a little concerned about you and Priss coming together," he sighs. "You know what happened between Allia and her first soul-mate when she broke away from USSD."

"Hai." Oh, no, why was Otou-sama bringing up the DD?! "But...at that moment, Priss had no choice, Otou-sama..."

"I wasn't worried about that, Sylvie," he holds up his hand, then smiles. "When you think about it, Sylvie, Priss' troubles have only started. She's Devon Okami's only heir, Sylvie. Like it or not, her life's going to be locked with Genom until the day she dies or the day Genom disintegrates. You're going to have to watch out for her from now on, Sylvie. Really watch out for her."

"Hai, I know," I nod. Where was he going with this?

He stares at me, then lightly smiles. "I know...things might become peaceful with Diedre and Liberte taking control of Genom from Quincy in the next couple years. But the chances are still there that their plans will backfire in everyone's faces. Watch out for Priss, Sylvie. She's not used to playing corporation level-games and I don't know if Devon'll have enough time to teach her to protect herself before he dies."

I blink, then sigh. Truthfully, I haven't really considered what Priss' future'd be like now that she and Ojii-chan were together. Yes, Priss could become a shareholder, but she didn't have to lock her life into helping run the company. Does this mean I'd have to quit working for Toratotaka? Maybe start working for Genom itself? Could I do that?

Did I want to do that?

He pats my knee. "Right now, you can't worry about that, Sylvie," he calls my attention back to him. "Right now, you've got a long night of reuniting with Priss ahead of you. Go get her."

I smile. "Arigatou, Otou-sama," I hug him, then head off.

"Ganbatte, musume-chan," I hear him whisper.

I head back downstairs to make some of my own arrangements. Since Sho'd be here, plus the girls bringing their daughters with them to meet the Sabres, I had to make sure some 33-Ms're available to watch the kids. Next call was to Candy Sakura to have Heartbeat aired out; after the part at Onee-san's place, I'd take Priss there to introduce her to everyone else. I was tempted to call Kaneko to have her come, but she was on duty tonight. Okay, it'd just be the Sabres, their significant others and my team at Heartbeat.

Significant others. Rei. Domino. Chloe. Chiaki. Rei was making progress with Nene; the "curse of Wada" fast disappearing. Domino wasn't afraid of herself anymore; thanks to what we did to that bastard Andrews, she and Sylia aren't shy now about pursuing a relationship. Linna and Chloe weren't interested in solidifying things; they'll probably wait until Otou-sama's done with Morning Glory so Chloe could be let go. And Chiaki was keeping Mackie on a leash atop her working for Sylia.

I guess things'll be okay between them.

By the time my teammates arrive with their daughters, it was already seven o'clock. Geez, time sure flew. "So we finally get to meet this lady, huh?" Meg smirks, thumping my shoulder. She always did that to me. "Way to go, Syl! It's all over now."

"Not...just yet, Meg," I smile at her.

"Nervous?" Lou asks.

"Very," I admit.

"Understandable," Dee walks up, squeezing my shoulders, then we all nearly get knocked over as Kiyomi and Sachie run past us, chased by Kelli and Gwendolyn! Thank the gods we all have adrenal pumps inside us; we NEED them to keep up with those kids.

"Girls!" Anri scolds, putting on her "concerned big sister" voice I first heard at the party after she was adopted by Tatsuko Fujinami. "Relax and settle down! You don't want to get hurt!!"

"Sorry," the girls chime back, sitting on a couch.

Knock at the door. Yuka answers it, revealing Linna, in a kimono. "There you all are..." her voice stops on seeing the eight bundles of kawaii joy beside their mothers. "Gods..."

"Hai, Linna-chan, it's true," Emi leans down to pick up Ayu, then carries her over. "Ayu-chan, this is your Auntie Linna, Auntie Chloe's girlfriend. Say 'hi.'"

"Hi, Auntie Linna," Ayu smiles. "You're very pretty."

Linna blinks, then beams. "Hello there, Ayu-chan!" she takes her from Emi.

"Okay, according to Mikihara-juuyaku, Priss is at the Memorial. Let's get you upstairs. Iko."

We all head out, going to the private executive elevator to head to Onee-san's apartment. Anri falls back to stay with me, holding my hand. We share a knowing look. Life had been so much better for me with this woman, my beloved blood-sister, there to share it. To believe that just a year ago, our lives hung on such a razor's edge. Now the bastard who started it was dead, almost all his victims were taken care of...and we were finally going to heal, open the door to our future.

We get to Onee-san's apartment, then are ushered in by Koala. Gods, the look on Linna's face seeing Koala was priceless; I guess Chloe didn't warn her. The little ones don't mind; they look on Koala as a big teddy bear. Onee-san is there, embracing me. "Konban wa, Imouto-chan," she kisses my cheek. "Nervous?"

"Very," I admit, then find a box in my hand. "Eh?"

I open it. Promise rings, all gold with a nest of diamonds over the intertwined hearts. I pull the box up to me, then sniff. Ginger. No one'd mistake who Priss was engaged to after tonight. "Arigatou, Onee-san," I embrace her again.

Linna directs us to the upper floor. The kids fidget; they want to play. Standing still does NOT sit well with them. Linna then shushes them. "Girls, please!" she pleads. "This is for my friend and your Auntie Sylvie, okay? Can you just relax for a bit? Please?" she claps her hands before her face. "Pretty please?"

The girls clam up. At that moment, I wondered if a betting pool had been set up to see how many children Linna and Chloe'd have when Chloe became fully organic and could bear her own offspring. The Tower intercom chimes. "Linna-san, this is Megumi. Priss is on her way down with Devon and Sho-chan. ETA ten minutes. The others are in the lobby right now."

Linna blinks, then nods. "Tell her I'm going down," she looks at me, then heads downstairs.

I call Megumi-sempai to pass the word. Silence falls over us before Yuka stares at me. I can see the flash of pain and betrayal in her eyes. Oh, Yuka, please. Please don't do something to ruin this. Please...

She then leans over to kiss my cheek. "Ganbatte."

I blink, then feel my heart beat again. Was she...giving me her blessings?

Was she willing to let me go, do what had to be done now thanks to Greg, solidify things with Kaho to give Miyako and Mizuho a real family to call their own? I then hear Dee's voice from the east side windows. "I see the limo. They're here."

I take a deep breath, recalling a special meditation exercise Sensei taught us in Sanctuary. Soul of ice, soul of ice, soul of ice...! Keep calm, keep cool, let it happen at it's own pace. Soul of ice, ice...!

Hell, soul of liquid nitrogen would do me okay about now!

Anri then heads downstairs. Onee-san and Shiori-sempai would greet Priss outside the door, then Priss'd see Anri. Dee then comes up to me, patting my shoulders. "Ganbatte, Sylvie-chan. We're all with you."

"Thanks, Dee-chan," I manage a smile.

The minutes pass. I concentrate. My ears then pick up a soft bell. The express elevator arriving outside the apartment door downstairs. A mutter of a voice. I think I hear Onee-san welcoming someone, then ushering them inside. Then...then...

"Anri...?!"

She's HERE!

"Konban wa, Priss-chan. How are you?"

"You're alive!!!" SHE calls out. I can hear the sob in her voice. "It wasn't a dream after all...!"

"In a strange way, Priss-chan...it was," Anri replies. She's on the verge of tears herself. "After all...we believe that dreams can become reality. If they can't, the world can never know hope."

"I kept my promise."

Promise? What promise?!

"I know."

Footsteps. I notice the others heading down. It's then that I notice the upstairs floor lights shut down. With the position of the stairs, I'd be in total shadow. Still, even with the low light, I can see the others flashing me hopeful smiles. Even Yuka.

"Dee?" SHE calls out. "I'll be damned!"

"Hello, Priss-chan. It's a pleasure to meet you at last," Dee replies as I move to the top of the stairs...

This was crazy! All my dreams were true after all...or were they?! Something tells me Anri hasn't revealed the whole story about what'd been going on between HER and me this last year and more. Still...it was so nice they were here. HER sisters, HER friends...and with all their daughters, too! Shit, that was real, too?! How the fuck did this all happen, anyway? I bet I wouldn't believe the answer.

I then focus on Dee Mason. That meant the Sylia-clone with Linna was Chloe, Dee's sister. Seeing her hands on Anri's, not to mention the engagement rings on their fingers, told me everything.

"You have got really great taste, Anri-chan," I wink at her.

"I hope so," Anri smirks.

Then the others. Meg and Lou Gibson with their daughters Kelli and Gwen. China and Kotoe Nishimura with Kiyomi and Sachie. Nam Nishihara with Komugi. Then...Emi Sanokura. Rose's daughter...with her daughter Ayu. Holy shit, did that mean...? Did SHE do something about the whole thing with Abbey Road...?

"Are you writing new songs, Emi-chan?" I ask, surprised that I was using "-chan" with a total stranger. "I'd love to hear a sequel to 'The Question' one of these days."

Yeah, I knew all about "The Question." SHE told me about it. A song for all sentient boomers...and the song that saved Rose Sanokura's life when Mason decided that all the supervisors of 33-S's would be silenced to ensure they couldn't make the government get their charges back. The Kuromoroboshi...the KM series Sexaroids...saw to that, including Emi's old girlfriend Izumi Shinohara and Nam's girlfriend Yui Narusawa.

"I'm working on some," Emi nods.

"Tell your mom 'thanks.'"

"Let your songs say that."

I nod, then stare at...Yuka. Yuka Okano. A cold grip seizes my heart. Yuka. The one who had more claim on HER heart than me. Oh, shit, oh, shit, please don't make this girl hate me, gods...

"Yuka...I'm...sorry...I..."

"Don't apologize," Yuka shakes her head. Looking at her, I can tell she was still in pain. But...was there...forgiveness?

Yuka loved HER more that I did.

Yuka loved HER enough...to let her go.

"But be warned. My love for her will not die no matter what. Break her heart...and God Himself will not save you from me, Priss."

"He won't save me from me," I assert, then stare at Kaho Shimizu. Mizuho, Kaho's daughter with Yuka, is in her arms, as Miyako Okano is in Yuka's. Well, there was hope for them both, I guess. "I hope you don't break Kaho's heart, either."

Yuka blinks, then sighs, gazing at Kaho. "Neither do I."

Kaho blushes. I guess they were doing pretty fine.

I then see the stairs Anri and the others came down on. Taking a breath, I head over, then look up...

Sylvie...

MY Sylvie!

It...it's...oh, gods, it's all over!

No, Priss. It's just begun.

Who the fuck was THAT?!!

I clear my throat, then...

"Are you finally free, Sylvie?"

I stand there, listening to HER talk to Anri and Dee, then Emi, then Yuka. Indignation thunders through me hearing Yuka vow to hurt HER in case we broke up. Yuka no baka! I don't need YOUR protection!! I can take care of myself, thank you very much...

Sylvie?

Onee-sama!

She's there. Go to her.

I focus on the landing below.

Priss...

MY Priss!

It...it's...oh, gods, it's all over!

No, Sylvie. It's just begun.

Arigatou, Onee-sama.

"Are you finally free, Sylvie?"

I feel myself float down, then I stop before Priss. I can't look at her. Am I free? Do...I want to be free? Yes, I am free, but not...no...not totally free...I certainly don't mind that part.

I stare into her eyes. She has the prettiest chestnut eyes, with a little shot of crimson in them. I remember seeing them for the first time, a lifetime ago. Hot fire, that's how I thought of her eyes. Fire that would burn...and cleanse me, free me of my demons, the chains that still held me down then. That was what attracted me to her first, I guess. The rest...is history, now.

Now is no time for history.

Now...is my future before me.

"I can never be free from you, Priss."

I watch her come down. Gods, she is BEAUTIFUL. Kimonos do Sylvie justice, hiding enough but giving me all sorts of sexy ideas as to what lay under it.

I wonder if Sylvie still has her old blue and silver racing leathers...or did she throw them out?

Hell, I don't care anymore!

She's HERE! With ME! Ain't that enough?!

I stare into her eyes. Fourteen-carat gold with a touch of light maple. I remember seeing them for the first time. Shit, how long ago was that? Pure innocence, that's how I thought of her eyes. Innocence that reminded me of what I once had, before the quake and all the shit crashed down on me. That's what brought me to her, I suppose. And the rest, as they say...is history. Well, enough of history. Time to get on with my life!

With Sylvie...

"I can never be free from you, Priss."

I gaze at her, then reach out. Oooh, her hands are so WARM. She's HERE! She's REAL! I...I can't run away now. Oh, babe, welcome back...

"I can never be free from you, either."

We look at each other for a moment, then I look at everyone. Sylia and Domino. Nene and Rei. Linna and Chloe. Mackie and Chiaki. Grandpa and Sho. Anri and Dee. Miharu. Shiori. Sylvie's teammates and their kids. They came for me. For us.

Well, might as well give them what they want to hear.

Strange that I know these words. Kaneko never taught them to me. Neither did Libby or Mi-eun. But to ANY Sexaroid who has the Code pack in their brains, these are the most special words of all.

The promise oath.

The promise...never to be broken.

"I give my heart, my soul, my body, all of me, of my free will, to you and only you, Sylvie Yoshiko Asagiri, now and for the rest of our lives. This I swear by all I believe in the name of all my ancestors. You are the one who made me feel truly human and alive, before and especially after the DD. I don't want this to be a dream anymore, Sylvie-chan. I want this...to be real."

Her hands are so WARM. Gods, to be THIS close to her. To be with her finally. If someone asked me "Was it all worth it?", I'd run to the top of the Tower and shout "YES!!!!" to the whole city.

"I can never be free from you, either."

We gaze on each other, then Priss looks around, staring at everyone there. I smile, then gaze on Ojii-chan. I hope he understands the look I'm giving him. I have Otou-sama's blessings, but Ojii-chan is Priss' grandfather. He seems confused for a moment...then he smiles, nodding.

Arigatou, Ojii-chan.

Now my heart is clear.

Priss then looks at me, smiling...

"I give my heart, my soul, my body..."

Hot fire surges through me...

"All of me, of my free will..."

Oh, gods, this is so WONDERFUL...

"To you and only you, Sylvie Yoshiko Asagiri..."

To know true love, to know that I am no longer alone...

"Now and for the rest of our lives."

Priss. My Sabre Blue. My soul-mate...

"This I swear by all I believe in the name of all my ancestors."

Deep in my mind, I feel the nerve clusters in my nose scent Priss' pheromones. This is how the protocols behind the promise oath work. A person's pheromones had the same DNA signature as all other parts of her body. My olfactory nerves are sensitive enough to detect the differences in the proteins and hydro-carbons, even minute ones. Once I smell her pheromones, my nose'd tell my brain "THIS IS MY SOUL-MATE!" And, for my protection, this would engage other programs to screen various parts of my mind in case I encountered someone else I might find attractive.

I feel my mind come back to reality as she finishes. "You are the one who made me feel truly human and alive, before and especially after the DD," Priss is misty-eyed. I felt like crying, too. "I don't want this to be a dream anymore, Sylvie-chan. I want this...to be real."

No...never again, my love...

Now the dream is real.

"I accept your gift of your heart, your soul, your body...all of you, of your free will, to me and only me, Priscilla Stephanie Asagiri, now and for the rest of our lives. In return, I present to you my heart, my soul, my body, all of me, of my free will, to you and only you, now and for the rest of our lives. As I said so long ago, my beloved Sabre Blue...you are the only one in this world who makes me complete...and without you...I am nothing."

As I say the promise oath, I watch Sylvie's eyes glaze over for a second. I had an idea how the oath affected her, made sure she could never be drawn away from me. I gotta hand it to Doc Saotome. The guy was a firm believer in old-fashioned romance. The stuff that harped on the "happily ever after" and "until death do you part" in marriage vows.

'Sides, there was a reason for what's in Sylvie's mind.

Given what Sylvie can do, it was logical that somehow, someone might try to build a counter. A boomer that could, in a sense, seduce other boomers. In one of our dreams, Sylvie told me about the Bu-34S male Sexaroids. They had once been envisioned by some dorks in Genom to be "controllers" for female Sexaroids who might go rogue. Of course, the designers of the 34-S's never took into account how well-built a 33-S's mind is...or that Doc Saotome would make sure that, once 33-S's were fourth-generation upgraded, a 34-S could never affect them.

S'funny, how I know all these things, eh...?

Sylvie's eyes clear up as I finish, then she smiles.

"I accept your gift of your heart, your soul, your body..."

If only...I could feel what Sylvie felt now...

"All of you, of your free will, to me and only me, Priscilla Stephanie Asagiri..."

That would make me feel really safe, wouldn't it...?

"Now and for the rest of our lives."

To know I would never turn away from you, Sylvie...

"In return, I present to you my heart, my soul, my body, all of me, of my free will..."

No, I WON'T turn away from you, Sylvie!

"To you and only you, now and for the rest of our lives."

Never...never again, will you be alone...

"As I said so long ago, my beloved Sabre Blue..."

Never alone...we'll be together, my love...

"You are the only one in this world who makes me complete..."

Never parted...for all Eternity...

"And without you...I am nothing."

Suddenly, I feel a warmth swamp my lips. Oh, GODS, I never thought kissing her was this GOOD. Arms wrap around me as we draw ourselves together. I feel a dampness on my cheeks. Tears. I was crying...yet I never felt so happy! I open my eyes, gazing at Sylvie. She was crying, too. Oh, finally...finally...

We are One.

I hear everyone else chattering now. Some laughing, some cheering, even some crying at how beautiful we look together. I see a touch of envy in Sylia's and Domino's eyes. Mackie and Chiaki were whispering something, sneaking glances our way. Rei was behind Nene, hugging her. Linna and Chloe wink at us. The others touch us, whispering their love, best wishes, prayers and hopes. Sho scrambles up to hug both our legs. We look down, then reach down to pull him up so he could hug us. I kiss his cheek, then smile at him. He looks at me. "Does this mean I don't hafta keep secrets from Onee-chan now, Sylvie-neechan?"

"No, never again," I promise, then stare at Priss.

"Hey, Dee!" Priss looks over.

"Yes?" Dee hums.

"How'd that old saying from Shakespeare go again?"

"Which one?"

I hum. Strange. For my eidetic memory, I can't recall what Priss might be thinking of, but I had a good idea what she wanted. "I'll simplify it for you," I draw her close. "Care for seconds?"

Priss blinks, then laughs. "Thanks. Don't mind if I do!"

We kiss again. Anri scoots up to pull Sho away from us so we can use both arms to keep the other close. Oooh, I can drown in Priss' lips right about now. Finally, we pull apart, gazing into the other's eyes. "Let me catch my breath for a sec'," she smiles.

"Thirds?"

"Not here."

"Where?"

"Heartbeat."

"Hai."

Oh, yes...we were at last One.

Sylvie had made some arrangements before we got together to take care of the kids so we could spend some time on our own. Sho wanted the chance to get to know Grandpa and everyone's daughters, so out comes a pair of daycare nurses...MK series 33-Ms; before the Sexaroids, Cyber-Nurses were the only boomers I could bring myself to like...and the kids were off to the Tower's recreational area.

I wanted everyone to come to Heartbeat so we can celebrate, but Linna waves us off. "Priss, when it comes to them, you were the first to walk across the bridge both times. It's only right that you walk across the third bridge ahead of us. Don't worry."

I stare at her. First time for me was Stephanie; for Linna, it was Isoe. Our adopted sisters, thousands of kilometres away.

Second time for me was Sylvie; for Linna, Chloe. Our soul-mates, with us now...and for the rest of our lives.

"You sure...?"

"Go on," Linna smiles. "This is your night, the night for you both. Don't worry about us. It's alright. Candy knows."

I blink, then reach over to embrace her. "Thanks, Linna. Don't be too far behind me, huh?"

"I won't," she kisses my cheek.

With that, Sylvie and I head out of Miharu's apartment. Koala is by the door, nodding to us. "A fair evening to you both, Lady Priscilla, Lady Sylvie. May you have many more," he seems to smile. Hard to tell with someone who has a koala's head.

"Thanks, Koala!" Sylvie smiles, gripping my hand as we board an elevator, then she presses for the ground floor. Once we're finally alone, we just stand there, gazing into the other's eyes.

"It's been so long," I sigh.

"Longer for me than you."

"Sanctuary, right? When my heart-locket was missing?"

"Hai."

"Was that how you kept in touch?"

"Hai," she nods. "The night after I woke up here, I...never felt so low in all my life, Priss. I swore the oath to you...and yet I hurt you so much by not confiding in you. Forcing you...to kill me to stop that damned thing from going off. At first, staying away made sense to me. I could watch over you, but at the same time, give you breathing space. Then...Emi came up with the idea of using the locket to keep in touch. We could both heal that way. I'm glad we had the chance."

"When we weren't in contact, did Yuka...?"

"Hai...especially after Miyako-chan came. But...it wasn't the same compared to when we were on Genaros," Sylvie sighs. "Here, we could make a choice on our own, no one getting in the way. Then, we had pushy supervisors, we were treated like brainless idiots by most of the organic staff..." She sighs. "Stupid people. It almost made me loose faith in pure-organics, you know that."

"There were some good folks there?" I ask.

"Hai. The new director on Genaros; he's okay. Some of the people who passed through from time to time..." She shrugs. "Now, it doesn't matter, I guess. Now...I know it'll get better."

"You're damn right it will," I smirk.

The elevator stops, then we head out. Passing back through the gates, we head down the street. Strange. Everything was so familiar to me, having seen it all through Sylvie's eyes. There was the Megatokyo Pizza Emporium, a real popular place for the local T'n'T staff. What was left of the Mendou Foundation tower, wrecked in February by those morons in Prometheus Bound when Genom and ADP went after them. Strange that the Tarouzakura had weathered the rest of the winter so easily. And there was the Nerima Mall. A block of concrete topped with a dome of glass darkened to keep what was inside hidden.

Talk about staying out in the open!

We get into an elevator. Fifteen floors later, we get off, then walk up the stairs to the door leading into Heartbeat. A bouncer is there. "Konban wa, Sylvie-san. Is this your fiancee?"

Fiancee?

Hey, that doesn't sound bad.

"Not...just yet," Sylvie winks.

No, not bad at all...

Sylvie slides her club card into the slot over the DNA scanner, then guides me into getting registered. Since I'm now the soul-mate of a club patron, I've every right to come here. Definitely nice. With that, the door opens and...oh, my GOD...!

Glass everywhere. I swear, it's the best view of the whole city from Nerima you could get outside the T'n'T Tower! The glass is opaque, most likely from whatever Candy uses to keep eavesdroppers from spying inside here. Speaking of which, there's the master herself, staring at us. "Irrasshaimase!" she waves us over. "Congratulations, Sylvie-chan."

"Thanks, Candy-chan," Sylvie walks me over.

Sure enough, glasses appear before us. Huh?!! How the hell does Candy know what I normally have when I perform at Hot Legs?! "Um...th-thanks," I get out, drowning the shot glass in one gulp.

"Another?" Candy wonders.

I stare at her, then shake my head. "Nyaah! Don't want to get too tipsy. Tonight's a really special night."

"I can certainly agree with you on that," Candy winks, then stares at Sylvie. "I have Room Two all ready for you newlyweds."

"Thanks, Candy," Sylvie gives Candy a peck on the cheek, then takes my hand, walking me to the enclosed karaoke rooms that're set up on the east side of the pub.

We walk in...oh, my fuckin' GOD, I don't BELIEVE this!! One fold-out bed, turned so we can stare out at the city, a small table beside it with a bottle of champagne, a bowl of cherries and whip cream to dip them in, plus a pair of flannel yukatas decorated with hearts, the obis done in the tartan of Nicole McTavish's family. A karaoke machine sits on the other side of the bed. There are no lights in this place, but candles are everywhere, all lit up.

"This is too much," I whisper.

"I don't mind it," Sylvie leans against me. "C'mon..."

I watch as she moves beside the bed. She...oh, gods, she was going to do it! She WANTED to do it with ME! I...oh, shit, don't get cold feet now, Priss! This is your ENGAGEMENT night!! Don't ruin the mood. Sylvie's waited over a year to get to this point...

I sense hesitancy in Priss. Stopping, I stare at her. She closes her eyes, then smiles at me, an apology flashing in those burning orbs. Humming, I then walk over to gently force her onto the bed, keeping a firm grip on her hands. We stare into the other's eyes for a moment, then I lean down to kiss her forehead.

"You can stop me."

She blinks, jerking as if I splashed cold water on her...then a content smile crosses her face. "Don't stop, Sylvie."

"Are you sure...?"

"Don't...stop."

I relax. Even with my dates on Genaros, even when I was "dating" Greg Kaufman, even with Eric Terreblanche, I always asked before starting anything. One thing a Sexaroid would NEVER condone is rape. It's not that (if we really had a choice on the matter) we hunger for sex. Our desire for intimacy is a natural by-product of the way we were born, the balanced (and unnatural) mix of organic and biomechanical tissue that forces us to ask every day if we are human or boomer. The "itch" that is the result of that balance hits us with marked frequency, depending on the physical age our organic tissue is frozen at.

Physically, I'm twenty years old, so my hormonal cycle runs about 19-22 days. Anri, who's frozen at seventeen, has it more frequently, at about 16-19 days. The CCs and the MKs have it the worst off of all of us; because they're locked at the onset of puberty, the average among them is 12-15 days. But just because we NEED physical intimacy doesn't give us any right to FORCE it on others, even a sister. That...the very idea of forcing sex, even to Priss, is so repugnant to me, I would gladly applaud the government if they made any form of rape a capital crime.

"Okay."

"Syl?"

"Yeah?"

"Let me feel your pheromones."

I stare at her, then smile. She needed help to get into the mood. No problem; that's what my pheromones are for. With that, I kneel at her feet, then take her hand, my chi forcing out those tiny particles to wrap around my fiancee as if I was shielding her from all the darkness this world has. Priss closes her eyes as she allows me to enthral her, then slowly spreads her legs. A new scent, meaty and musky, then touches my nose. Gently, I reach over to pull one flap of her kimono away. Then, delicately, I pull the other flap away, Priss' legs moving out.

"Priss..." I gasp. "You forgot your panties!"

"Yeah, I did," Priss stares knowingly at me.

I smile, leaning in to exhale on her damp crotch. She gasps in response, Priss nearly shooting up to the roof. I guess she wasn't used to someone teasing her before taking a taste. Okay, time to have some real fun. I want her good and aroused before I dove in. Somehow, it never tasted as good when you rushed things...

"S-s-sylvie..."

Oh, fuck, the minxy sex doll was gonna tease me! Breathing on my clit; NO ONE ever did that before, not even Mamoru or Miako. Gods, gods, Sylvie, please, I'm on fuckin' FIRE here! Don't...!

"Not hot enough," I barely make out of the roar now thundering in my ears. "Not hot enough..."

More breaths. Every time, I want to scream, cum all over her face. I reach over to ram her into my pussy, but her hands keep mine still. Fuck, I forgot how STRONG a Sexaroid is, even smaller ones like Rei and Domino...and Sylvie's MY size! "S-sylvie..."

"Almost..."

"Don't tease me..."

"Are you hurt?"

"No...oh, gods...!" Another breath, causing me to spasm bad. I'm feeling my hips lock up. "S-syl..."

Suddenly, pure ecstacy dances over my clit as I feel a tongue gently tap at it. Oh, gods...oh, gods...oh, GODS...here I...I...oh, shit...!!

"SYLVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!!"

Sylvie's hands let go as everything in my mind goes haywire. My hands grab her and ram her into my twat as her tongue goes to work on my clit and cunt.

Yeah, yeah, YEAH, babe, do it! Do it!! Lick it up. Lick it dry. Take it all...all...all, oh GOD...!!

I grab Priss by the hips as I feel that divine wetness flood my mouth. Yep, tasting a woman when she hits the big "O" really is a treat none should miss. I ignore Priss' hands pushing me in; I didn't want to hurt her while I was giving her a tongue-washing. One thing one should always keep in mind about sex is what happens after you're done. You don't want your lover to be sore, not to mention walking bow-legged.

Still...there seemed to be something missing...

I pull away, staring at her. Priss has this slap-happy grin on her face. "G-...get this off me..." she points to her obi.

"Just a second..." I coo, leaning over to peck her nose.

"Grrr...evil woman..."

"Impatient girl, relax!" I scold, then reach over to flip on the karaoke machine. It's one of the new models that has a built in standard DVD/LD/CD player...and if Candy went out of her way to make this a really special night for us, I knew what was loaded inside. With that, I slide back on the bed, then shift my arms under Priss' back to undo her obi. With that out of the way, I lean up to kiss the nape of her neck, my hand shifting the kimono off. Yep, thought as much. "No bra, Priss...?"

"Musta slipped my mind," she smiles.

I gently slide the fabric off her shoulders, then draw her up to free her arms...

Oh...my...

She is a GODDESS. There are times that Nature's gift for making such perfect people takes my breath away. Eric was like this, strong and stout in all the right places. Greg was...err, skip it. But Priss...oh, Priss, you are divine...! I don't think Otou-sama could replicate this.

Scratch that. I don't WANT Otou-sama to replicate this!!

I lean down, my lips and tongue touching the nape of her neck, then climb onto her breastbone. A gasp escapes her; she must be intoxicated on my pheromones. I feel her arms moving to get at my obi, but my hands stop her.

A glance at her eyes.

The look says "I'll wait."

I smile as I move to kiss and nibble at her skin. I do my best to not look at the scars years on the street left her. She isn't as badly marked up as I'd thought she be. Blame Ojii-chan's behind the scenes work on that. Then I see one scar, just below her rib cage. I pause, then move to touch it, turning back to Priss. "Anri...?" She nods. I shudder.

Oh, Anri, how could you let that monster do that to you...?

I go back to her breastbone, using my cheeks to brush those lovely mounds to both sides of me. Priss sighs, reaching up with one hand to stroke my hair. I can hear her heartbeat racing faster and faster; with just light touches, I was driving her mad. Good. I had something I wanted to try out, but I wanted her to be good and lubricated for this.

Suddenly, I feel Priss tugging slightly at my hair, pulling me to her left nipple. She had small, demure nipples, really kawaii when you get down to it. My mouth could swallow that whole. But that would be too rough, too fast. No, didn't want to do that. I wanted her to enjoy this; that was the name of the game.

With that, I shift off her, laying on my side, then I draw her onto her side before leaning down. One of her arms acts as my pillow as I draw her nipple into my mouth, lightly clamping it with my teeth. I use my hand to keep her up so she doesn't fall back, then I reach down to massage her rump as my lips and tongue go to work on her topside...

Oh, gods, Sylvie, don't stop!

This wasn't just good sex.

It sure as hell ain't JUST making love.

I was being WORSHIPPED here.

Her touch, whether it was hands, lips or tongue, was the softest feather. She knew how to put the right pressure on where she wanted to go to drive me nuts but not hurt me. I feel my hips move to her hands as she keeps me on my side so she could suckle without tearing my boob off. I use my hands to keep her head in place...and me balanced. I was close enough to lean down and let the perfume of her shampoo flood my nose. Herbal shampoo...and yet...there...THERE!

Ginger.

I moan as Sylvie begins to tug and play with my tit. Jeez, what was she doing?! I...oh, GODS, it can't be...just...WHOA...!

She pulls up for air, a touch of white on her tongue. She...

Fuck, I almost cum right then and there.

"Baby wants more," she winks, then dives down again.

"Oh, Syl..." I groan as she goes back to work. I could swear her hands were vibrating on my breast. Yep, she was using her martial arts training to push this along. Then...uh-oh! "Syl..."

"Relax," she whispers, then pulls up, licking her lips like some very happy cat after lunch as a finger tracing over my nose and lips. "I know where they are."

Down she goes for thirds. Thank the gods. I know she killed her old boss Kaufman by using one of the Saikoo Jinseijitsu attacks to make his heart blow up. Reminds me of that old Richard Pryor joke, modified for me. "She came and went at the same time!"

No, thank you. Not for this girl.

Up Sylvie comes, then she gives me a kiss. A...taste is in my mouth. Oh, gods, that's MY milk. Mine...oh, Sylvie...

"Have to get you into practice," she purrs, tracing a tongue across my cheek to my ear, then starts dancing across my earlobe.

I shudder, my legs quivering as my hand does down to massage my clit. How did Sylvie know THIS?! What, did she get her pal Mikihara to spy on me doin' Miako to get all my secrets? Geez...

Her hand then catches mine, then she moves me on my back as she draws my hand up to suckle on my fingertips. Real slow, eyes locked on mine all the time. Oh, babe, don't stop, don't stop...

Down she goes to my breastbone, this time heading way south. Oh, yeah, this was going to be really good. Goosebumps are dancing all over me as her hands slide up and down my sides.

Slide...?

I watch her hands as they come up to my tits, then slide up and over the nipples, shaking all the way. Shaking...no, VIBRATING! Oh, shit, here she goes again, using that Heart Blast Touch thing to vibrate my skin, enough to drive me crazy! Sylvie, yeah, do it again, again...oh, no, was she...she was...SHE WAS...!

"Ready?" she leans up, kneeling between my legs.

I look at her, then nod.

She glances down at my cunt, then smiles. "Target acquired. Moving to intercept," she winks, her hands moving down...

Oh...my...GOD...!

She is so wet. I guess using a variation of the Shinzou Bakuhatsu Shoku to light up her nerves worked well. Now it's time push her right to the ultimate plateau, see how far she'll go.

With that, I spread her legs just a bit more, then start to work on the inside of her left thigh. I kiss and nibble on her skin, lapping up the sweat and other juices she had started to produce. My hands are now on her tummy, one arm wrapped around her leg as I zero in on the promised land. I can feel her muscles twitch and convulse as I push her, push her.

Her musk is flooding my nose with that meaty smell. At times like this, I wish I was a normal girl, able to be drowned in the fire of ecstacy, loose myself in another's lust. However, the fact that I am a cybernetic bioroid keeps my head clear. I can still enjoy it as easily as Priss now is, but I so wish to have the chance to be fully IN it. Not feel detached at all as I am now.

Closer, closer, I move in on her loins. Off the leg, then up to her navel.

Good, no dust bunnies, I muse as my tongue gives that a thorough washing. Priss' hands are on my head, trying to push me back down to her love canal. I stare at her.

"Please, Syl...don't tease...do it..."

I smile, then start my final run. Down I go, reaching the top of her dark bush, then move onto her right leg. More kisses, more nibbles as I work closer, closer. Priss moans as she feels my breath on her clit, her hips starting to sway.

"Relax," I urge.

"Damn you...evil woman..." she moans, covering her eyes.

I smirk, then breath on her clit as if I was blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Priss cries, her back arching, then relaxes as my tongue starts to lap her up. "Sylvie..." she moans, reaching over to tug and stroke my hair as I use my lips to play with that pale bulb. Like with her nipple, I hold her clit with my lips while my tongue tapped at it. Priss writhes under my contact, her hips moving more frantically.

Yes...almost there...

I pull up, then lean on her leg as I take one of my hands and wet down the fingers. Now, let's see how much she can take.

"This little piggy goes to market..."

I tap her clit with my index finger, then sliding it into her love canal. Priss gasps, her back arching again as her hips push on my clenched hand. Whoa, this is just with ONE finger. Okay, my little sweetie wants more? No problem at all.

"This little piggy stayed home..."

I extend my middle finger as I pull out, then pinch Priss' clit. She screams out, then moans as I twist my paired fingers and thrust in. Her hips join in the action as I keep thrusting. In and out, in and out, in and out. Every once in a while, I'd duck in to get a couple licks with my tongue just to make sure Priss doesn't mess up her kimono.

"This little piggy had roast beef..."

Out goes my ring finger. It's uncomfortable for my hand; I'm not as dexterous with my fingers as I am with the rest of my body. But seeing the look of sheer ecstacy on Priss' face makes it worth it. Besides, she's almost there. Okay, time to pop the cork.

"And this little piggy..."

My little finger joins in, filling Priss to overload. Now to make it really good.

"Tsumatte Taifun Kaze-te!!!"

Priss screams as my arm begins to vibrate fast...

Whoa...whoa...WHOA...OH, MY FUCKIN' GOD...!!

"SYLVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!!!!"

My mind becomes Hiroshima and Nagasaki COMBINED as I cum all over her, my body goin' haywire as I grab her head and force her down on my cunt. Oh, ye gods, that was FAN-...FUCKIN'-...TASTIC!! I sway from side to side as the orgasm slowly fades out, allowing me to relax as I feel Sylvie lick up my pussy juices. Jeez, the girl sure likes to keep me clean, does she?

After a wonderful eternity, I feel hands work around me to get my kimono out from under me. Forgot it was there; I hope I didn't wreck it when I was cumming all over Sylvie's face. Once that's gone, I feel Sylvie shift me around so I can prop my head on a pillow and stare out at the city. She then shifts the bed parts around so we'd have a backboard to prop our pillows. I take several deep breaths. Fuck, I was WASTED...and she did everything! Now that was definitely not fair.

But...oh, jeez, how do I match up with what she did to me?!

"Priss, daijobu?"

I blink, then stare at her before smiling. At least, I hope I'm smiling. "That...was magnificent, babe..."

"Good," she leans down to kiss my nose. "I aim to please."

"You do it so good. Gomen nasai, Sylvie..."

"Nani?"

"I called you 'evil.'"

Sylvie smirks. "I've been called worse," she lays beside me. "Strong enough to do the honours?" she gives me an inviting stare.

I look at her. Fuck, she's still dressed! Can't have that, can we? Taking a deep breath, I roll over, then get to work on her obi. Once it's gone, I pull open her kimono, making sure it don't get messed up when I go to town on her. I then blink. "Fuck, at least you remembered your undies."

She had a sports bra and cotton panties on. I look down at her crotch, then blink. Whoa, hold the phone here, I don't fuckin' believe it! "I didn't touch you."

"You didn't have to," she winks.

Oh, babe...do I turn you on THIS much?!

"Priss, you stopped," she adds.

Whoops! Silly me.

I lean over her as I gently...at least, I hope I'm being gentle here after what she did!...shove the bra away from her boobs. Oh, gods, they're HUGE! I'm scrawny compared to Sylvie. D-cup for sure (I'm a C-cup, by the way). I pause, leaning over to kiss her nipples...geez, they're fuckin' hard already!...then push the bra all the way. Tossing that off to the side, I then slide my hands down her flanks to her panties. With that, I fleck her lips, then draw out my tongue.

Over the chin, down the neck, lick the nape, then over her breastbone as I plunge south. My hands slide down her panties as I shift down. I stop at her navel, then orbit my tongue around it. To believe she is so REAL. Of course she's real, but...well, you know what I mean, don'tcha? After all, someone born in a laboratory shouldn't have a navel...should she? With that, I sit up to slip the panties off her legs, then toss them on the floor before looking at her crotch.

"Natural brunette," I muse.

"Amongst us, blondes DON'T have all the fun," she winks.

I shift her legs apart. "Wish I had a vibrator," I sigh.

Sylvie looks at me, then smiles...

Oh, no, not now! I don't want you to feel inadequate around me, Priss. Don't you understand, I DON'T CARE! I LOVE YOU!! It's you and only you, my lovely soul-mate! You and only you...

"It's alright," I reach up to pull her down on me, our lips gently flecking as we gaze into the other's eyes. "You don't have the advantage of my training," I wink.

"Hey, I want you to enjoy it, too," she smiles.

"I AM enjoying this, Priss," I smile. "Don't you understand? I don't care about what you can and can't do! I...LOVE...YOU, Priscilla Stephanie Asagiri. It's YOU and ONLY YOU, okay?! It's YOU I swore the oath to, not anyone else! YOU!!"

She stares at me, then smiles, her eyes damp...but I can sense how happy she is. "Oh, babe..." she leans down.

I purr as she frenches me, forcing my mouth open as our tongues play. She then sucks my tongue into her mouth as she does a plausible imitation of my work on her nipples and clit. I feel my own body plunge into its own rush as her hands slide up and down my sides. Yes, my mind was still somewhat detached from it all, but after four years of all sorts of sex, I was long used to this.

Besides, there was...another way to really get at me.

We pull apart, then gaze into the other's eyes. "Priss?"

"Nani?" she smiles.

"I...don't want to bring this up..."

I see regret in her eyes. Oh, no, what's bothering her...?

"Do you...remember a year ago?" she smiles at me.

I blink, then shudder. A dark night in the Fault. The DD off to one side.

Sylvie strapped to that damned thing, her suit soaked in her blood after I sent a railgun round into her gut. I reaching in, yanking off the straps and pulling her clear of that fuckin' monster, then laying her down. Why, oh why, Sylvie...?

Because you wanted to be free...like me.

I...had to kill you to help you be free.

But for you and your sisters...death isn't permanent.

I hope...

"Yeah," I nod, closing my eyes, then I smile.

She nods, her eyes misting over. "I'm so sorry..."

"Doshite?"

"I made you cry..."

"How do you do it, anyway?" I laugh, wiping my cheek, then I lean down to kiss her. "Geez, I am so much in love with you..."

"Am I worthy of you?"

Wha...? Oh, no, Sylvie, don't go down this path...!

"You are."

We stare into the other's eyes, then smile as we get back to lip-locking. This time, Sylvie pulls my tongue in as she suckles on in. I draw my arms around her, then roll so we can be side-to-side. I hate being on fuckin' top or bottom when I'm with a guy...or Miako for that matter. So damned uncomfortable. You'd think whoever created the human race would be smart enough to let us relax when we're having sex!

We pull apart, then smile. "You are," I repeat. "You are the only one to be truly worthy, Sylvie Yoshiko Asagiri. It's only you, babe. Only you..." I reach up to gently stroke her face.

"Tired?" she wonders.

"Yeah..."

She smiles. "I guess I pleased you," she looks over.

I glance over, then smile. A wall clock now said 12:14 AM. I blink. When the fuck did we leave the Tower anyway? She winks at me. I blink, then laugh. "You are SOMETHING, Sylvie..."

"You enjoyed it?"

"What do you think?"

"Good," she nods. "Here, let me at that karaoke machine. I want to sing something for you."

I blink, then smile as she hops over me, then lays down by the machine, pressing controls. Taking a breath, I get up. Fuck, what a mess we made. I kneel down to pick the kimonos up, then fold them neatly on the floor. Sitting down, I stare at the champagne Candy left behind, then pull out the bottle. Chateau Saint-Pierre 2020. Sylvie's favourite burgundy. She made a promise years ago to her old supervisor Eric Terreblanche that she'd bring a bottle of this stuff to him when she was free. I guess she handled it when her team went down to South Africa to deal with Kaufman.

"I'd like to meet him one of these days."

"Eh?" she looks at me.

"Eric."

I stare at her, then smile wistfully. "Not now."

"What is it?" Priss asks.

I tap controls on the karaoke machine, then press PAUSE before staring at her. "He's...not gotten over me, Priss. If he meets you, I don't think he'd understand...even though in all sense of the term, it ended for us when I was recalled. I owe him so much, Priss. It'd be like Meg taking Lou to see Lance Gibson, Meg's old supervisor. There's no need to reopen old wounds, is there?"

She nods. "Nah!" she pushes her thumb on the cork, then pops the bottle before grabbing two snifters, then pouring a small shot into each. Setting the bottle aside, she hands one of the snifters to me. We stare into the other's eyes, smiling. "To us."

"Together forever," I smile as we drink.

Setting the glasses aside, I reach to the karaoke machine, then take up the microphone, my hand on PLAY. "Ready?" I muse.

"Do it," she urges.

I tap the button, then allow her arm to slide around me...

I see a shadow every day and night, I walk a hundred streets of neon light, Only when I'm crying, Oh, can you hear me crying?

So many times, you always wanted more, Chasing illusions that you're longing for, Wish I wasn't crying, Oh, can you hear me crying?

There's an ocean between us,

You know where to find me,

You reach out and touch me,

I feel you in my own heart.

More than a lifetime,

Still goes on forever,

But it helps to remember

You're only an ocean away.

Was there a moment when I felt no pain? I want to feel it in my life again. Let it be over now, Oh, oh, over now...

'Cause I remember all the days and nights We used to walk the streets of neon lights. Oh, I want you here with me, Oh, be here with me.

There's an ocean between us,

You know where to find me,

You reach out and touch me,

I feel you in my own heart.

More than a lifetime,

Still goes on forever,

But it helps to remember

You're only an ocean away.

So many times, you always wanted more, Chasing illusions that you're longing for, Wish I wasn't crying, Oh, can you hear me crying?

There's an ocean between us,

You know where to find me,

Just reach out and touch me,

I feel you in my own heart.

More than a lifetime,

It seems like forever,

But I'll always remember

You're only an ocean away.

Only an ocean away...

I stop, then we gaze on each other before sharing another kiss. "I've crossed," Priss smiles.

"I know," I smile back, then setting the microphone aside, I reach over for a small box I slipped out of my kimono before getting to work on my soul-mate. I turn to her. Priss' eyes widen in shock, then she smiles at me as I open the box, revealing the promise rings. With that, I pull up her hand, then setting the box down, draw out a ring to slip over her finger. Gods, I'm sending a thank you card to the staff at the Tower's jewellery store for this one. It's a perfect fit!

"Priscilla Stephanie Asagiri...will you so do me the honour of giving me the right...to ask for your hand in marriage?"

We gaze on each other, her eyes burning with joy.

"Hai, I will," she takes up the other ring and slips it on my finger. "Will you, Sylvie Yoshiko Asagiri, do me the honour...of giving me the right...to ask for your hand in marriage?"

"I will," I smile as we embrace, kissing.

"I've crossed, babe."

"I know."

We slowly slide under the covers, drawing ourselves close. "I'm glad it's after midnight," I muse.

"Why?" she asks.

"Because...today, a year ago...was the first day of the rest of my life. Now...it's the first day of the rest of OUR lives."

"Can't argue with that," she smiles as we gaze on Megatokyo to await the coming dawn...and the future that awaited us.

*** The Beginning ***