Putting the Pieces Back Together pt.3

“Stupid Kelvania!” He said, kicking the trash barrel across the room. “If she didn’t have problems…” throwing a chair. “I wouldn’t be having problems.” He sat on his bed, and put his head in his hands. “If I wasn’t such a nice guy…” He sobbed, “I wouldn’t be in this situation.” He tossed his head down onto his pillow. He was full of emotions. One of pain, sorrow, fear, disgust, hatred. He hated Kelvania and he hated himself, he didn’t know who he hated more. He could have flipped a coin, and it would land on its side, not revealing its answer. He closed his eyes, and a slideshow began in his head. Of all the happy memories. He saw his old life, being a teacher, and a friend, to all those who needed one. He then saw Emeralda, her smiling face, the good times at the orphanage. He then saw future shots. He saw Emeralda in a long flowing white gown, him in a sharp tux. He saw of all the naughty times they spent together, and all the dates, and all the conversations, and all the eye stares. All of the moments when she was with him. Then he saw the reality. His religion a ploy, and now the girl that he loves, hates him, and is probably on the brink of death, and he couldn’t do a thing about it. He silently cried to himself, not wanting to accept reality as it was, but realizing that he had to. They were on their way to Taura’s house, hoping that he would know something, anything. The entire team was behind him. They weren’t ready to let go of Emeralda so quickly. Billy could care less. As soon and as fast as his life became whole again, here it is in shambles. “There’s no winning in life, is there?” He asked, but to no one. He wanted to talk to someone, but at the same time, didn’t want to. He tossed and turned, acting as if he was having a seizure. The pain was unbearable. He wanted to share it, but he didn’t want to talk about it. There was a ring at his door. “Go away!” He screamed. The door opened. He forgot to lock it. It was Citan.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah!” He replied sarcastically. “My girlfriend is dying, and I want to help her, but wait… she hates me, so if I do help her, and she does come through, she’ll be wishing she was dead.” He rolled his face into his pillow.

Citan gave him a worried look. Billy never snapped like this before. The way he was now really scared him. Citan knew that Billy had to talk, but he knew he didn’t want to. He tried anyway, “You need to help her.” He got no response. “She probably wants you to.” There was a soft mutter, but too quiet to understand. Citan shook his head, knowing he would not make any progress this way.

“She does.” The door opened, and a female voice rang out.

“Who…?” Citan turned to see the intruder. “Kelvania?”

“Yes… I talked to her just now, and Billy…” She waited for a response, but didn’t get one, “She still loves you.” There was a moan of disgust in his voice. “She wants you to help her.”

He looked up but not towards them, “You’re just saying that.” He slammed his head back down on the pillow. What he really wanted to do was jump out of his bed, hug the two in the room, and run up to her, but he thought she was lying. He knew she was lying, again. She had this aura about her, but that was when she was with her teammates. When it was just her, she seemed innocent, not able to cause pain to others. He looked up again, but this time, he actually looked at Kelvania, “You mean it?”

She nodded her head, “She didn’t say it directly, but she did call out for you, and she did say that she loved you.”

Citan secretly made his way out the room. This was out of his jurisdiction. The third opinion was not needed. This needed to be solved by the two major factors. Kelvania picked up the chair that was part of his anger. She moved it next to Billy and sat down. “If there is anyway I can help…”

She was interrupted by his stirring. She expected him to yell and scream at her, but he didn’t. His face was all red. Tears were still visible on his cheeks, and still forming in his eyes. “How can you help?”

“I… I don’t know.” She muttered quietly. She did want to help, but she didn’t know how she could. “I bet I made you feel like crap, huh?”

“No…” He shook his head. “Well… maybe, but it’s not your fault at all. In fact, no… not at all. It’s me that I hate.”

“You?”

“Yeah… If I hadn’t have gotten out of bed, and talked to you, this wouldn’t be an issue. You were just at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“No… I was the cause of all this.” Billy made a motion to continue his case but was stopped, “Don’t give me anymore Billy. This is my fault. I was the one who kissed you. It’s just that…” She thought about what she was going to say, “Well… I loved you.”

“What?” was all the Billy could mutter, sitting up, wanting to hear more.

“Ever since I first saw you, and your sparkling eyes, I liked you, but when you actually talked to me, and I realized how nice you were, I instantly fell in love with you. I know I loved the commander, but… I didn’t. Dominia was the one who really loved him. She would kill herself, protecting that man. I would have to… but just because it was my duty.”

Billy pondered this. “Did she really love me? Or is she using this as an excuse.” He looked into her eyes, and noticed they were shaking, tears starting to form in them. He knew she was being serious, but what was he to say? I never loved you? That would be a lie. For at one time, he did.

She got up, shaking her head, “I’ve said too much…”

“No…” he pleaded. She looked at him questionably. “Don’t go.” For some reason, he wanted to talk to her. He didn’t know why, or about what, but just talk to her. “I really want to talk to you.”

“You do?” She asked. He nodded. She wiped a tear from her eye, and sat back down in her chair. “About what?”

Billy looked around. He didn’t know. He just wanted her there. “I’m being such a guy…” He said getting out of his bed, “please… make yourself comfortable.”

She looked up, and accepted his order. She sat on the bed, and Billy took the chair. It wasn’t the most comfortable thing to sit in, but it was more polite. “You’re such a gentleman.” she commented.

“I know…” He smiled. He looked around, still looking for a reason for her to stay. “Were you serious?”

“About what?”

“About what you just said? Emeralda loving me and all.”

“Yes…”

He smiled. She really did love him. He wanted to ask more about it, but he noticed that she was about ready to cry. He got up, and sat next to her on the bed. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s just that…” She sniffed, “I really wanted to be with you.”

He knew it all before. The wanting of someone else’s love. Knowing that friends couldn’t fill the void they were experiencing. He slipped his arm around her neck, “We can still be friends.”

“But I wanted to be more than friends. I… I wanted you to love me, and I wanted to really love you, like I do now.”

Billy didn’t know how to respond to this. He wanted to share his love with the two women, but he knew that love couldn’t be shared. It was meant for only one person. To him, that was Emeralda. They was no doubting it. However, here she was, nearly ready to kill herself. “I…” He started.

“No…“ She smiled weakly. “I’m being selfish.”

“No… not at all, “He replied in a soothing voice. Kelvania looked at him with tearful eyes. He looked to add more, but nothing was coming up. “I know how your feeling.”

“You do?”

“After the defeat of Dues, I used to lay awake at night, wondering what my life on this earth really was for.” She stared at him, “I was lonely. I was furious about my religion, but after a while, I discovered… that I was really lonely, in need of a mate. That’s when I thought of Emeralda. I don’t know why her name popped up, but it did.” Kelvania looked down at the floor. “And that’s when…” He looked to see her looking down in shame. He hit the soft spot in her heart. “I mean…”

“No, no…” She lifted her hand, signaling for him to stop. “That’s your life, and I don’t want to get in the middle of it.”

“If I could…” He started.

“No… You love her. That’s good. You found a way to fill your void.”

“But I want to help you with yours.”

“I know you do, but you can’t!” She replied. “I want you to help, but that requires you to sacrifice what you already have, and I already made you do that, and it made me feel like such… such a bit…”

“Don’t even say that!” Billy interrupted her. She looked up at him, “just because you made a mistake, doesn’t mean that you should feel bad at my expense. Kel…” wanting to try to sound informal, “I love you, but not in the way you want me to.”

“I know…” She replied, looking down once again.

There was a long moment of silence. There was no movement, there was no sound, there was no breathing for a full minute. The whole earth seemed to stop at that very moment. Billy finally broke the silence, “You look tired, sleep here tonight.” He said, getting off the bed and stretching the cot out.

“But won’t you be uncomfortable?” She asked.

“Nah… I’m used to sleeping on a thing like this… anyway…” He said, trying to take the cot apart, not having any luck.

Kelvania got up, and took the cot away from Billy, “Let me show you how it works before you break something.” She hit a button, and the cot sprung to its position. “I’m… used to sleeping on something like this…”

“But it’s not very comfortable…”

“You could be surprised,” she said, jumping into it. She wiggled around a bit, until she found a comfortable spot. Billy grabbed an extra pillow off the bed, and the comforter, and went to Kelvania. He gently lifted her head, and slipped the pillow under it, and then stretched out the blanket, and laid it on top of her. Half of him wishes he still had it, half of him wishes he was it. The way it settled, revealing all of her curves. He smiled, but quickly turned away. He had to concentrate on Emeralda, knowing that he would be some kind of help, but not knowing how yet. He settled into his own bed, and covered himself with the sheets. He curled up into a little ball. He liked the cold, but for some reason, the room was a lot colder than it usually was. He looked at Kelvania again. Her smooth curves, her body, the way the sheets hugged it, making her warm. He was envious, of her and that blanket. He wanted to be either her or that blanket. He turn to look away from her, he needed not to look at her, but to think of Emeralda. She needed his help. He closed his eyes, and the slideshow of her continued in his sleep.

Billy woke up sweating. He lifted himself out of bed, and noticed that the comforter had made its way back to him. He also noticed that the cot was put away, and Kelvania gone. He missed her already. He shook his head and ripped the blanket off of him. It was way too hot for him. He checked his heat, and noticed it on. “Huh…” He thought, “To think, she’s the element of water…” He shook his head, and turned off the heat. He also turned his AC on for a little while. He put on some clothes and walked to the elevator. He pressed the button for the second floor. He listened to the music for a while, until the door opened for his floor. He stepped out and made his way to the gun room. He walked closer to Margie’s room, just to get a chuckle for himself. Sure enough, it opened, and scared the living daylights of Margie. He smiled to himself, and looked into her room. He noticed her fumbling to cover herself. “AH!” He gasped, and quickly ran into the gun room.

“I will get you for this Billy Black! I will!” He could hear, even with the two doors closed. He ignored that remark, and continued to the bar. “Maison…” He called.

Maison came from the back room. He stumbled a bit, seeing Billy back at the table, “Master Billy?”

“Yep…”

“Are you ok? You seemed pretty down…”

“I’m ok now Maison… I actually came to try out some breakfast. Can you make me a plate to go?”

“Going to visit mistress Emeralda?”

He smiled, just at the sound of her name, “Yeah…”

“Wait just a sec…” He walked into the back room. In it, you could hear frying going on. Billy sat in silence for a whole minute. The thoughts of a whole bunch of things were filling his mind at once. Emeralda, Kelvania, the strange smoke coming out of the back room. The door burst opened, and the black smoke cleared to show Maison, holding a covered plate in his hand. “Master Billy.”

“Uh… Thanks?” was Billy’s reply.

“Please enjoy, and say hi and good luck to her for me.” He walked with an extra step into the back room again, and a fire extinguisher could be heard from the room.

“Her.” It was a while since that was Emeralda’s name. Back when he couldn’t even think of her name without getting weak in his knees. God, he loved her. He took his plate which smelled of syrup and smoke, and walked to the sickbay. The light shown on Emeralda, making her look like a fallen angel in bed. “She is a fallen angel…” Billy thought to himself. He pulled up a chair, and sat next to her. He took the cover off of his food. A dark cloud of smoke came out of it. “Yummy…” He said sarcastically. “Maybe the smell will wake you?” She didn’t move. “Surprising…” He took out a fork, and dipped it into the pancake. It had a golden crust, but the inside was still all batter. He made a face at the sight of this. He dropped the fork in, and threw it all away. “Wasn’t hungry anyway…” He sat next to her again, and grabbed her hand in his. He felt a strange, slow, pulse in her wrist. “I love you…” He whispered hopping it would trigger something, but to no effect. He noticed her breathing, almost gasping for air, as if she had never done it before. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know how to breathe.” As he said this, he realized he never seen her breathe before. “I wonder what’s going on in your head, what your seeing, dreaming. Are you dreaming… dreaming of me?” She shifted in her spot, but made no movement for a response. He dropped her hand. It fell slowly, something holding it against its final destination. It fell next to her though, despite whatever it was. He looked at her. Something was different. Her clothes? Yes, but not to the extent that he was thinking. Haircut? No. That wasn’t it either. Something.

He got up, and walked out of the room. He heard something, a voice. He turned around, “Emeralda?” It wasn’t anything. She hadn’t moved from her spot. He was just hearing things. He sighed. He walked out of the room and down the hallway. He stopped in front of the elevator door, and reached for the down button. He stopped short, and turned around. Walking towards the Gear hanger, he opened the door, and stood in front of the now lifeless Renmazuo. “We’ve been through a lot, huh?” He asked it. He expected an answer, and waited for a solid minute for it. “Not talking, huh?” He almost said as a joke, and an explanation for its not speaking. “No… I understand. Yeah we have been through a lot. Wels, angels, even God himself. However, this is one battle I need to fight by myself. I really could use you. Your strength could really help at a time like this.” Again it didn’t move. He looked up at it almost wanting it to make a move to say something, but nothing happened. He took another long hard stare at it. They have been through a lot. The one time, however, he needed him most, he couldn’t help.

He nodded, and walked away, slowly. Wanting to go other places, but not knowing where that other place was. He decided that is was time to relax, and go back to his room. He trudged back to the elevator, and pushed the down button. He stepped in, and listened to the song as he waited for his floor. The door opened its doors, no sooner than he sang the first note to that song. He tore himself away from the music, and followed the hall to his door. The door opened for him, and he glided to his bed. Still in shambles, not being made, he lay himself down onto it. “Lights…” he commanded, and the lights turn off. He liked the dark. Solitude. He loved being alone. At times, he needed someone with him. Others, he didn’t want a person living on the same planet with him. These were one of those times. Although Emeralda would be nice to be with right now. He closed his eyes, and let the stillness, and quiet soak in. A knock came from his door. “Huh? Who is it?”

“Billy?” A soft voice came from the other side of the door.

“Who?” He responded.

The door slid open, and light from the hallway flooded his room. The figure took shape. A woman, very slender, with long flowing hair. She almost had an angelic feel about her. “Lights” She said, and light from his room rushed in. The shape took color. It was Elly.

“Elly? What are you doing here?”

“I came to check on you.” She smiled.

“Why?”

“A friend can’t come to check on another?”

“Well… yeah…”

“Then accept my company.”

“I was never denying it.”

“Good.”

“Ok?” He questioned. “You lost me.”

“Hi, I’m Elly. You are my friend, Billy… Shall I continue?” She questioned.

“Trap it.” He smiled. “Thanks for stopping by.”

“Anything I can get you?”

“How about a miracle?” He asked sarcastically.

“Why would you want a silly thing like that?” She asked.

“Why?” Billy asked, “It’s simple. The girl that I would do anything for is about to die soon, and I can’t do anything.”

“But you can Billy. But you can.” She closed her eyes, and lifted her head up a bit. A second passed, and she looked back down at him, “Done, I have to go. You’re sure you don’t need anything worthwhile?” Billy nodded. “Lights.” the lights died, “I’ll talk to you later Billy.”

“Uh… ok?” Billy asked himself. He relaxed his head on his pillow once again, and closed his eyes.

“Billy!” The intercom came on.

“Bart?”

“C’mon… Grandpa’s house we are at!”

“Oh… Thanks! How long have I been out?”

“How should I know… you have a clock. Don’t you?”

“I think. Last time I checked.” He checked to see he was asleep for a good a good hour. “Hey… have you seen Elly around. I need to talk to her again.”

“Elly? Talk to her again? She was dropped off two hours ago, she didn’t want to think of Emeralda.”

“Impossible… she was just here, talking to me.”

“No, that’s impossible. I waved good-bye to her and her husband (heh, heh sucker), Fei.”

“You sure?”

“Ask Margie… she blessed them before they left.”

Billy was confused. Elly came in and talked to him. He knew it. “I’ll be up in a second.”

“You sure you’re not seeing things?”

“I’ll be up in a sec.” He got out of bed, and threw on his cloak. He ran towards the elevator, and punched in the bridge button. He tapped his foot, ignoring the music, and waited for his floor. Its doors peeled opened, and released Billy. He rushed out, and into the bridge.

“That was fast,” Bart said turning around.

“So?” Billy asked.

“It was as if you were in two places at once, like Elly.” He joked.

“I swear I talked to her!”

“Right.” Before Billy could protest any further, he stopped him, “Get out and save your girl… again…”

Billy nodded, and rushed out of the door.

The place was peaceful and serene, however the inside was not. Citan and Taura arguing to each other, trying to determine the reason for her shut-down, as they called it. Billy looked into the tube. It was half covered to hide her completely, but her face was still showing. It wasn’t a shutdown, she was dying. He didn’t care if she was made from human hands, weren’t they all made that way? Not machines, but still almost in the same affect. He stared into her closed eyes. She looked like she was in pain, but she couldn’t do a thing about it, neither could Billy. The love of his life, just floating in a test tube, and nothing he could do…

“Then explain to me why she has a pulse!” Taura explained.

“I’m not sure! You’re the expert!” Citan snapped back.

“Are you sure? You’ve been acting like one for a while!”

“All right then, I don’t know why!

“That’s right… Now leave the nanomachines thinking to me.”

“I’ve done my studies on this subject…”

“Ha! Studies! I practically invented these things!”

“If I can remember correctly… It was Kim who invented her…”

“SHUT UP!” Billy cried out. The two stopped their arguing, and looked at Billy. “Invented?” Citan looked around. “She was invented?”

“Well… ah… no…” Citan stumbled.

“Now you’re going back on your word?”

“Well… I didn’t say…”

“Say what? You think you’re so smart?”

“Well said, boy!” Taura agreed, thinking he joined his side.

“You! You call yourself the inventor of these things?”

“Well yeah…”

“Then why don’t you know how to cure her!”

“This is a very rare case…”

“Very rare? This is one of a kind to me!”

“Billy, calm down…” Citan started.

“About time you would say that. Notice that Emeralda isn’t getting any better! This arguing isn’t helping at all!” He took a deep breath before continuing on. “This is getting us nowhere. Who cares who is smarter? I care that my love is saved…”

“He is right.” Taura came in, “We need to work together, to have any chance of saving her.”

“Ok…” Citan started. ”Emeralda is, for some reason, shutting down.” Billy gave him a glare. “A uh… dying.” Billy looked away, deep in thought. “We need to find out why.”

“First of all,” Taura continued, “Why does she have a pulse? She shouldn’t even have a heart, or lungs, or any other vital organs for that matter.”

“She knew this was going to happen?” Billy asked. The two looked at him. “Her nanomachines adapted. One by one they start to shut down, realizing this, they start constructing these organs.”

“If that’s true…” Citan started, “Then why is she dying?”

“She has a pulse, so she has a heart, but she is still living off her nanomachines. So why is she still resorting to that?”

“No blood?” Taura shrugged.

“No blood?” Billy asked himself. “No blood.” He looked at Taura, “take a blood sample.”

“Why?” He asked.

“To see if she has blood.”

“Wouldn’t it be common sense to produce red blood cells?” Citan asked.

“Uh…” Billy looked for an answer. “They shut down before they could start production?”

“Well…”

“Got it!” Taura came down from the ladder from the tube. “It’s just as you said. Low red blood cell count, lower living Nanomachines, but a high number of dead ones.”

Citan snapped his fingers, “That’s it! They were producing red blood cells, but there were too many dead nanomachines, so there wasn’t any room to produce, or the ones that died were supposed to make them.”

“So how do you suggest we save her?” Taura asked.

“Give her blood.” Citan answered.

“From who?” Taura shot back.

“Me…” Billy said. The two looked at him. “I should give her my blood. We have such a bond…” Citan moved to protest, “I want to… need to do it. For her.” Citan took a step back. “I love her.”

“We need to take a full body’s supply from you…” Citan explained.

“It’s ok… I’ll be fine.” Billy nodded.

“No! It’s too risky. The blood might destroy the living nanomachines inside of her now.” Taura explained.

“They’re going to shut down anyway, this is the only chance and idea we have.” Billy said.

“Not to mentioned, Billy’s young blood is the perfect solution to this situation.”

“We need studies.” Taura pleaded.

“No… This is the only chance we have!” Billy cried out. A tear was forming at the side of his eye. “If it’s going to save her, I’ll risk it.”

“Not to mention, it’s not like you’re totally unfamiliar with her cells. Remember, you still have a little bit of her nanomachines left in you.” Citan sided with Billy.

“I’m the best and only chance we have.” Billy cried. “Please, for her and my sake.”

Taura didn’t say a word. Instead he walked out of the room, still uncomfortable with this whole situation. “I’d do it myself, but I don’t know how… I mean… if she was totally human. I mean…” Citan quickly tried to correct himself.

“I understand, and it’s true. There’s no chance…” Billy dropped his head.

“I walked away… I didn’t say no.” Taura came back with a white robe. You should wear this, and lie next door in bed. I’m not too sure how to take blood…”

“That I can do…” Citan explained.

“OK… the plan.” Taura started, “Billy, take this, and get yourself ready, it will be long and tiring for you, so in bed you will stay.” Billy toke the robe, and went into the bedroom. “Citan you will get him ready…” He continued, “I have things in the back to do this kind of work. I’ll get prepared with Emeralda. I sure hope this works…”

Citan walked into the back room. He found what he was looking for. Bags and needles for drawing blood. He looked at it nervously. He has taken blood before, but to take one’s entire life source away, is boarding the edge of murder. He grabbed all the things he needed, and walked into where Billy was lying. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Billy took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He nodded softly. He hated needles. The sight of them made him sick. He also knew of the risk. Giving away close to all his blood. It’s was a long shot idea in the first place, so they were risking two lives on one ridiculous plan. It was too late to turn back now. “Just lie back, and relax, I’ll have you done in no time.” Billy smiled. He felt safe with Citan. There was something about him that made him trust him. He felt a sharp pain in his arm and almost a sucking feeling after it. He could feel the blood rushing out of this little hole, poked by Citan. The world started to spin. He opened his eyes to make sure they still worked, and noticed they did, but they were blurry and fogged. The room was literally spinning. He could feel the earth move. He went faster and faster. He knew his eyes were still open; however, the place went black. He muttered his final words before blacking out.

“I love you…”

Time passed. The blood was taken and donated right away. Taura took what blood she had, and disposed of it, draining out all the living machines, and implanting them back into her, so they could finish what they started. Taura wished he could have told Emeralda of what was going to happen, shall the operation work. He found himself talking to her anyway, even though she was not really there to listen. “You’ll feel sicknesses, and you’ll age like the rest of us. You won’t be able to morph into things to fight with. I’m sure Fei can teach you a thing or two to defend yourself. Also…” He stopped because of the sensitive subject, “You’ll need to talk to Elly for more details. Make sure you check in with Citan every six weeks, and me every two or three months, so we can monitor your situation. We need to make sure you’re still alive, and you’re not rejecting Billy.” He laughed a little at what he just said. “You understand?” He looked away from his work at her, remembering that she was still unconscious. “Well… I’m sure far off you heard that.”

Citan came from the back room with another bag. “This will make 2 quarts. You sure you want to go this far? How come we just can’t let these cells reproduce in her body…?”

“For fear of rejection.” He finished him. “The more cells in there, the better chance that at least one will start, producing more and more.”

“One? How will one start anything?”

“How did life on this earth begin you think? You think we just kind of appeared out of nowhere.”

“Well no…” Citan started.

“Then quiet up and more blood! Hurry!”

“But Billy is running low…”

“Hush! He is young, and will live through the strain.”

“He’s nearly half depleted as it is! He’s barley getting any oxygen to his brain, not to mention every other vital organ in his body.”

“He knew the risks…”

“I’m not going to kill him!”

“You’re not going to!”

“At this rate…”

“At this rate,” Taura interrupted, “Both will die!”

Citan opened his mouth to say more, but nothing came out. He remembered what Billy had said, arguing wasn’t getting you anywhere, and no one was getting better. He sighed and turned around. He took another bag, but waited. He stalled for as long as he could, wishing that the cells would divide quick enough for another transfusion. “Citan…” Taura called out.

“I’m getting more blood,” Citan snapped.

“No! Come quick!”

Citan dropped the stuff next to Billy. He rushed into the room where Taura was standing over a screen. Using special equipment designed by his nanomachines, he was able to see into her body. Taura just pointed to the screen. Citan took a look to see what was going on. The nanomachines inside were tearing apart the red blood cells, and fusing them back into two cells. They were speeding up their cell division. One became two, two became four, four became eight, and they kept doubling until Citan couldn’t count the numbers anymore, in a matter of seconds. Citan rushed in to check on Billy’s condition. He too was gaining his color. The same process must be going on in his body as well, he hypothesized. Emeralda was quickly gaining what she needed. Her life source was being converted from machine to blood. All thanks to Billy’s absurd plan. “It worked…” Citan whispered.

“It worked…” He could hear Taura whisper.

They both ran into the doorway, and looked at each other exclaiming, “It worked!” They jumped around laughing like they saved the earth… again. Billy opened one of his eyes, and saw the two bouncing around with glee. He smiled because he knew the process was a success, or the two had gone crazy. He guessed success, when he saw the two shake hands. He closed his eyes, and quickly fell back into slumber.

“Billy…?” A voice called out to him. He heard the voice before.

“What?”

“It worked…” It replied.

“I know…”

“How?” The voice asked.

“I saw them dancing.”

“Who?” It asked.

“Citan and Taura.” He replied.

“Oh…” Citan replied embarrassed. “You saw that.”

“Citan?” Billy opened his eyes. The world wasn’t spinning anymore, he felt as if he was implanted into the bed, but that was just fine. Better not to move at all, then to just float helplessly.

“Can you move?”

“No…” Billy answered. “I don’t want to.”

“Why not?”

“I’m comfortable…”

“She’s missing.”

Billy shot up from his bed, his back launching off the mattress. “What!?”

“Yeah… she disappeared a while ago.”

“Oh no… I have to find her!”

“You should go home first.”

“Not without my Emeralda!” He shot out of bed. He reached for his clothes and threw them on. “Call Bart!”

“He’s on his way.”

“Where would she go…?” Billy asked himself.

“Who knows…?” Citan shrugged. “You never know with females nowadays.”

“Funny Citan,” Billy replied, but with no laughter in his voice, “but I need to find her.”

“Go home and rest… and we can help look for her together.”

“But…”

“No…”

Billy could hear a ship lowering outside. He knew he was going to be forced into bed by doctor’s orders. He didn’t want to lay in bed. Not without Emeralda next to him. Where he knows she will stay safe. A door opened and a familiar voice rang out. “Billy!”

“Bart? I’m in here.” Billy called out.

“C’mon, flight’s here, and she’s not staying for too long.”

“She?” Billy asked excitedly.

“Yeah… my ship… you know, the giant hunk of metal outside?”

“Oh, all right.” Billy replied.

“Billy,” Citan called out. “Doctor’s orders. In bed when you get home.”

“All right…” He replied sorrowfully. He didn’t want to go to bed, not yet.

“C’mon, Ship’s-a-waitin’.” Bart said.

He walked off to go into the ship. Billy trudged behind him. Citan needed to stay, to help clean up, and because he was going to work with Taura. They also planned to start a practice together. “Man made Medicine” they were going to call themselves. Billy shook his head when her heard this. He wished them luck, and went on his way.

It was quiet. His mind and his room. It was so quiet; he heard the engines roar as they approached their destination. Billy’s orphanage. That place had a whole new meaning to him now. He felt like he was an orphan. Emeralda left him. This was her second time. He sighed. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe their two paths weren’t supposed to cross at that point. He wanted to believe they did. He felt he made a special deal with her. He gave her life, and she wasn’t even there to thank him. Maybe he didn’t want her anymore. He gave her the gift of life, and she wasn’t there to give him any thanks. No, he thought. She just needed some time to think. Did she really though, or was he trying to make up an excuse for her actions. He just wanted to make sure she was safe. And happy. He didn’t care how, or with what, or who. Just that she was. He prepared to die for that. He wanted so much to kiss her right now. Just to hold her in his arms. Each other’s heart close to each other. The way it was supposed to be. The way in Billy’s dream. But it was just a dream. Maybe his entire life was just a dream, as he thought it once was. Maybe he was that puppet, putting on a big production for some other being. He didn’t know what to do with his life right now. He just wanted to settle down, and relax. Everything was over. The adventures, Emeralda, even the world started for forget Fei and Elly. Everything was falling back into place in the world. The way it was supposed to be. There was a knock on his door. He didn’t say anything, made no objection when the door slid open.

“You okay?” Elly asked him.

“Yeah… I suppose.” Billy shrugged.

“I heard what you did for my daughter. I wanted to thank you.”

“It was nothing.”

“But it was something. You gave her the gift of life. You gave her another chance to live.

“I’m sure Taura and Citan would have created something up.”

“But you thought of it, before she died.”

“I guess I did.”

“Well… thanks.”

“No, thank you…”

“For what?” Elly looked puzzled.

“For when you came in, and gave me those words of wisdom.”

“When did I do that?”

“A couple of days ago. Don’t tell me you don’t remember either. You were talking to me.”

“You sure? I was in Lahan, helping rebuild.”

“No… no you…” It hit him. Elly did come to see him. It just wasn’t Elly. It was Elly. “Wow… my head hurts.” Sophia. There, he knew what he was talking about once again. “No… You weren’t here. You were not here, but she was.”

“Billy? You’re scaring me…”

“No… never mind.” He shook his head.

“Right. I just came to check on you. You seem ok… I think.”

“I am… I just figured it out.”

“Well good for you…” And she rushed out the door.

“I’m not crazy!” He called out to her. He now knew that she was real. Sophia. A goddess he could believe in. He prayed for a miracle, and she gave him one. He nearly leapt out of bed to race into Margie’s room. Through the hallway, into the elevator, and into her room. He looked at her saying, “I want to join the Nisan religion!”

She lowered the book once again. “Dear Sophia! Why must you constantly bother me?” She cried out.

“I really want to join.”

“I’m in no condition to let you in now, you need a partner to join.”

“How great. First I needed to make sure I wanted in, now I need someone else to let me in. Where do you come up with these rules?”

“I don’t…” She smiled and continued calmly, “I don’t make the rules up, our foremothers did that.”

“I’m sure.”

“Not to mention, it can only take place in Nisan, and you need to be voted in by all the sisters in the covenant.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Would I make these things up?”

“Yes…” Billy replied flatly.

“Well I’m not! Now find your mate, or you don’t get in. Now… please leave and LEAVE ME ALONE!”

Billy walked out of Margie’s room with extra pace in his step. He was going to drive her crazy. It felt fun. Bart was right; it is fun to have a little girl relative. “Great,” he thought, “Once more on the quest for happiness.” Billy began to run down the list. The lighthouse, Lahan, Citan’s house, that secret place she brought him on their first ‘date.’ It would be a while however; he needed to stay in bed, against his wishes. He noticed why though. Even the little run nearly killed him. He was out of breath. Nearly gasping for air. He trudged back to his room, and dropped to his bed, just glad that the day, and the whole procedure was done and over with.. He closed his eyes, letting the slide show begin in his mind.

“Billy to bridge! Billy to bridge!”

“No… I comfortable…” He mumbled.

“Billy, please get up…”

“Kiss my…”

“No! Your home awaits you… It will be more comfortable there.” Bart’s voice rang through his intercom.

“Fine… I’ll be up in a minute.” He crawled out of his bed, lying on the floor. He pushed himself off the floor using his arms, slid his legs beneath him, and stood up. His clothes were still on, so he just trudged his way out the door, and into the elevator. Up 2. The bridge. He listened to the music playing in the back round. It was nothing new. He might suggest that. A new song for the elevator. Three notes and the elevator stopped exposing the room with the ladder, and the door. Bart was standing in front of the ladder.

“Bout’ time!” He exclaimed.

Billy was too tired to give a response. He just gave him a slight nod. The nod a drunk would give you when he just wanted to spend the night, or take some Advil for the headache. He even added a little moan to complete the set.

“Well good morning to you too, sunshine.”

“Send me home…”

“Done and done…”

“I bet you will be happy to get rid of me, huh?”

“Why would you say a thing like that?” Bart shrugged.

“So you are not denying the fact?” Billy stood upright.

“Well… I didn’t say that…”

“Don’t worry… I’m glad I’m leaving.” Billy smiled.

“I’m sure you are.” Bart sighed.

“I’ll talk to you later?”

“Most likely.”

Billy climbed the ladder, opening the hatch, to the outside world. The light was the first thing to hit him. The brightness was going directly into his eyes. He looked away from the moon.. That helped. He took in his surroundings. He noticed everything in tact. The house was still in one piece, the flowers were withering away a little. Emeralda wasn’t around to water and feed them like she said she would. “Just like her… promising me she would do something…”

“I forgot…”

Billy looked around. The voice… so familiar. He wanted to seek it, he wanted to hug it, and kiss it, just looked into it. It was the sweet voice of ‘her.’ Emeralda. “Where are you?”

“You have to find me, remember?”

“Why?”

“You have to rescue me!”

“Again?”

“Yep…”

“Aw… c’mon…” I don’t want to play hide-and-seek tonight.”

“We’re not playing that… now… First you save me then we’ll play that.”

Billy smiled at the thought of this. But could this voice just be in his head, or was she actually there? He started to look, to ‘save’ her. “Where are you?”

“I can’t do that! You know that’s cheating!”

“No it’s not… not for this one time…”

“For any time… c’mon… you’re not making this any fun!”

Billy walked closer to the chicken coop. He looked around, but couldn’t find her. “Hello?”

The voice was muffled, “Over here!”

Billy had a clue as to where she was. He went to the other side of the house. “Over here?”

“You're getting warmer.” Her voice, clear as a bell. “He walked closer to the tree. “You’re getting hot…” Closer to the tree. “You are hot…” Billy smiled and looked up. He saw his prize. She was sitting on the tree branch, swaying her legs back and forth, her shoulders hiding most of her face. Her hair was what was covering the rest of her face.

“I can’t see you…”

She pushed the hair out of her face, but still pushed her shoulders up, “How about now?”

“There you are…”

She smiled. He refrained from jumping up on the tree, and crushing her right there. He slowly climbed the tree, and sat next to her. “Billy and Emmy sitting in a tree…” she started to sing.

“K-I-S-S… I… N…” but before he could finish, the two were lip locked together. Billy didn’t want to let go. He put his right hand behind her head. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Before he knew it, there were voices ringing behind them. He let go for air for just a second to see the crew almost taunting him, like a couple of teenagers. “At least I got the girl!” He cried back. “At least I have a girl…” The crew stopped their taunts, and crawled back into the ship slowly.

“That hurt Billy!!” Bart cried out.

“You will find you’re girl… very soon I hope…” Emeralda said.

“What’s that supposed to mean!?” He cried back.

“You’ll find out!”

Bart shrugged, “Ok.” He ducked into the ship, and it roared off.

“So… you want to play now?” Emeralda asked.

“I thought we just did.” Billy said.

“Not that…” She whispered something in his ear.

“Oh! That…” He smiled. The two quickly climbed down the tree, and ran into the house.