It's been a long ride guys... Maybe not as long as it was for you but twenty chapters is a big landmark and for me, it marks the end of this story. It has been fun writing it. Just wanted to stay thanks to all the people who stuck with me all the way... Celeron, Stardreamer, PRISFAN, Anyabar and everyone else. Thank you.

On a side note, The first chapter of my new story, Sundried Roses will be up in a few hours or so.

Until then, Peace out.

"Home is not where you live, but where they understand you"

- Christian Morganstern

Ever since that day, nothing has been the same since. I can see it in their eyes, the small glimmer hidden behind their casual expressions... Even an event like that would change anyone's life, even mine…

As of today, it has been one month, five days, thirteen hours and thirty-five seconds since we won and since then, none of us has been the same.

Angel Grove slowly returned to normal, almost as if nothing happened but the day would be forever engraved into the history books. People continued with their daily lives, living each day like the rest and I, for one, do not blame them.

After experiencing the war, they should continue with their lives and not worry about when the next evil is coming. It's not their job to worry and it shouldn't be mine as well…

Every night, I sit out on the balcony, searching the stars for a sign. Waiting and praying that you're all right.

Did you know that they wanted to erect a statue in your honor? How ridiculous is that? You're not dead. I know your not.

They tried cheering me up, telling me that you wouldn't want to see me sad but I just couldn't be happy. I'm afraid that if I'm happy, I'll forget all about you. The memories that we once shared would fade away like scars of battle…

I know you wouldn't want me sad but I just can't help it. I don't want to forget you.

The team really respected you. Did you know that? The guys talk about you all the time, each retelling tales about your heroic deeds and yourself in general.

I envy them so much to be able to talk about you freely.

After the war, everyone went their separate ways but we still keep in contact. Carlos was the first one to leave our little group. His goal of being a professional soccer player finally paid off when a coach from Team USA spotted him in the park one day.

You're probably thinking that Carlos was overjoyed and I couldn't agree with you more. He took us all out for dinner that night, paying for everything. I haven't seen him this happy since he joined up as a Ranger.

Right now, he's probably over in some foreign country showing off his skills and we couldn't be more proud of him. Cassie even clipped out articles about him whenever she sees them in sport magazines. We're all just so proud of him.

After Carlos, Cassie and TJ finally decided to start dating. Can you imagine that? Those two. You probably couldn't but I can. They have been shooting each other flirty glances every other second and if they weren't dating by the end of the war, I would have gone crazy. I must admit, they're a good couple and their personalities match perfectly. The loud and hyperactive Cassie and the silent but strong TJ. It was like a match made in heaven.

They tried to get me to go out with them a couple of times but I only rejected them. Seeing them happy made me a bit jealous but I'm really happy for them. I just wish you were here…

Zhane… Well you remember Zhane right? I could give you a billion guesses on where he went but you would have given up at the first guess. What he did surprised all of us. None of us expected him to go off into space, traveling but that's not the surprise. He's traveling with Astronema, the former Princess of Evil.

It happened a day after the war, Zhane came up to us and smiled before saying that he was going off on a journey, searching for his home with a friend.

Of course, we were excited for him until he brought in his 'friend' in. Imagine the shock on our faces when Astronema came in but you wouldn't have been able to recognize her either way but then again, you soldiers have minds like a steel trap. She wasn't dressed in her war outfit, she was in regular clothes and she apologized for her actions. It took a while for us to get used to her but we did in the end.

Carlos was actually quite taken in by her. He kept calling her the prettiest princess of evil he ever seen. Men, can you believe them? One minute, he was trying to defeat her and the next, trying to ask her out on a date.

The moment she linked her arms with Zhane's squished all romantic hope for Carlos. For a split second, I could have sworn that tears were going to spill from his eyes but knowing Carlos, he was going to rebound really fast.

And me?

You probably heard about everyone but me. Well, I'm still in my apartment and nothing's changed there. I might have added some new furniture to liven the place up. I still remember you calling the place boring but when you finally see what I did with it, I'll make you take back those words!

Life for me has been the same, going out and having dinner with friends. I have also begun taking some classes at a local community college, hoping to get a degree in fashion. It's still pretty tough adjusting to a normal civilian lifestyle. I still sometimes feel the urge to just walk outside my class and wait for an alien attack.

You must think I'm silly but…

The sudden sound of a bell ringing knocked Ashley out of her thoughts. She sighed as she wrapped her blanket around her body as she slowly got up. "I was having a great time too…" She muttered.

Walking over to her door, she peeked into the eyehole and found a strange person standing outside her door.

"Can I help you?" Ashley asked.

"Um… Yeah." A muffled voice answered. "I'm searching for a person and I'm not quite sure if she still lives here or not."

Ashley slowly opened the door, her eyes taking a peek at the stranger. Whoever this man was, he was in a trench coat and a hat, covering his body up. "Is this person important to you?"

The man nodded his head. "She's very important to me… She was my first friend."

As Ashley continued listening to the man talk, she found herself more and more drawn to him. There was just something very familiar about him.

"In fact… I would go to the end of the galaxy and back for her."

'To the end of the galaxy and back for her.' What a strange way to phrase a sentence. Ashley thought.

"I would even fight another war if it meant being with her again…"

Slowly and slowly, Ashley found her eyes drawn to the man's face but it was covered by his hat. Even thought it was covered, she could still see bits and pieces of his face.

"I was hoping if you would know the name of an Ashley Hammond, the girl who showed me that there was more to life than just being a soldier."

At this point, Ashley flung the door open, her heart beating really fast. As her hands slowly went to lift the hat up, her eyes widened when she saw the man's face clearly.

"Andros…"

The soldier stood there with a grin on his face. "I told you that I would come back to you…"

"ANDROS!" Ashley happily shouted as she jumped into his arms, tears falling from her cheeks. "I missed you so much."

Andros laughed as he twirled the girl he loved around. "You can't get rid of me that easily. I'm here to stay if you want me here."

"I wouldn't have it any other way…" Ashley lowered her head and captured his lips in a blissful kiss.

At the end, Ashley found herself staring into the loving eyes that she grew so familiar with. "So are you here on leave or permanently staying here?"

"How does permanently sound to you?"

Ashley squealed with delight as Andros picked her up and carried her into the apartment, "I'm home."

"Yeah… You're finally home."

The End...?