Adult themes within this chapter. Some swearing, drunken antics and general misbehaving. I'm sure you guys wont mind :-)

After the Fall: Epilogue (Part Two)

The man sat in the lobby of the MGM Grande, sitting comfortably in an oversized armchair within the hotel lobby. He clasped his hands together, watching the steady throng of people passing by with interest; couples, young families, business men in suits walking and chatting excitedly, their briefcases swinging in tandem with their hurried movements.

He crossed his leg over his knee and leaned back, taking in the plush surroundings and comparing them to his own blissfully-quaint existence. A family pushed through the seating area and he lifted his legs to avoid a collision with a blonde toddler who wasn't watching where he was going. The mother quickly ushered the child away with an apologetic smile and the man waved, indicating that there was no problem.

His eyes settled on the large windows, providing a spectacular backdrop of the strip at twilight. The buildings were beginning to light-up and the city took on an almost supernatural glow as the sun set low over the Nevada mountains.

The man winced, blinking as he tried to rid himself of the electronic buzzing noise that had been increasingly pervading his head within the last 24 hours. White noise, he called it. The sounds and sensations that were undetectable to those used to living around technology.

After so many years living back within his primitive village, he hadn't anticipated just how difficult it was going to be to readjust to the outside world. He could hear and sense everything going on around him.

The low hum of the lights shining above.

The whirl of the computers as the receptionists took down details, confirmed bookings and checked reservations with adept finger strokes.

The distant throng of traffic streaking across the Vegas Strip, car-engines and horns sounding at various intervals.

Ma-Ti shook his head, as if to clear the foggy haze of suburbia invading his subconscious. He chuckled to himself, aware of the irony: that Las Vegas couldn't be any further at odds than his quiet life at home with Camilla.

He wasn't sure if the others had arrived yet, but he knew that dinner reservations had been made and he had a few hours to kill. So he'd left his hotel room and retreated to the comfort of the lobby, content to watch the world go by.

A flash of orange passed through his field of vision and he turned, his breath catching in his throat. A familiar figure had exited the lifts and Ma-Ti jumped to his feet, squinting as the figure approached the reception desk. He grinned, his heart leaping as the figure leaned forward against the counter while chatting to the receptionist, an unmistakable air of confidence and cool.

Ma-Ti stood and observed the other man quietly from a distance, a wave of affection settling over him. He was pretty sure it was Wheeler, who was dressed casually in a t-shirt and cargo shorts, with a baseball cap slung over his head which did very little to hide his hair colour, much to Ma-Ti's amusement.

He looked down, suddenly self-conscious of the fact that he knew very little about his friends lives over the past three years. After relinquishing his heart ring, he'd held some residual 'awareness' for a little while, yet that had faded with time.

He'd sensed when the American had left the group, not too long after himself. The knowledge had shocked and grieved him deeply. Ma-Ti had always looked up to Wheeler as an older brother, and he'd been a source of strength and levity during Ma-Ti's time as a Planeteer.

Even though Kwame had always taken charge, Wheeler's optimism had often buoyed the group more so than Kwame's quiet, thoughtful leadership.

Ma-Ti had no idea how the others would have coped with the American's loss. He'd felt snippets, fragments of memories and emotions for a few months… and then nothing.

He sat back down, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he watched Wheeler turn, leaning casually against the reception counter and gazing around the lobby, evidently waiting for something from the staff. Ma-Ti suddenly became overcome with waves of nostalgia bearing down upon him.

Ma-Ti suddenly wondered if the American had eventually met someone and settled down- if he'd recovered from his deep affection for a certain blonde. He'd always known Wheeler had been in love with her. Linka had always been harder to read, her mind as closed off as the emotional walls she built around herself. But Ma-Ti had always known there was a deep connection between them, even if the Russian had refused to admit it.

The Native American briefly wondered if Linka had gone on to marry Grant. He'd only met him once or twice before leaving. Linka had seemed happy enough, but for Wheeler it must have been the harsh turning point needed to finally move on from her.

Ma-Ti glanced towards the reception counter again, noticing the staff emerging from the back room and handing the redhead a pile of towels. Wheeler turned and headed back towards the lifts as Ma-Ti jumped once again to his feet and followed. He closed the distance between them, weaving in and out of the bus-load of Japanese tourists that had just arrived.

He caught the lift door just as it was closing, shouldering his way in sideways and standing away from Wheeler, next to an elderly couple. The lift doors shuddered and re-opened as the American readjusted the towels and pressed the button to close them again.

"What floor, man?" Wheeler asked, his eyes still focused on the numerical touch-pad.

Ma-Ti grinned, watching his friend struggling to hold the towels and reach for his now buzzing phone within his pocket.

"Surprise me, my friend!"

The American whipped his head around in shock, immediately recognising the voice. His mouth dropped open as he stared at Ma-Ti, who was leaning casually against the banister with a gleeful expression. The towels were suddenly launched into the air as Wheeler lurched forward.

"No way!" Wheeler gasped, ignoring the outstretched hand and enveloping him in a fierce bear-hug. "Ma-Ti! No way!"

"How are you! It is so good to see you my…"

"No way! Seriously? Jesus man, you're taller than me now! What's with the beard?"

Ma-Ti chuckled, running his fingers through his facial hair. "Razors are a luxury these days, I am afraid."

Wheeler thumped him on the shoulder and stood back, rubbing his palms against his forehead, delighted to see him.

"Jesus little buddy, didn't even recognise you!"

Ma-Ti laughed, glancing at the elderly couple who quickly exited the lift, glancing back with disapproval at the men chattering excitedly within. The doors shut again and Wheeler crouched, still staring at Ma-Ti with wonder. Together they picked up the towels lying strewn across the floor.

Wheeler glanced at the LED panel above the door and shook his head, chuckling quietly. "Missed my floor after all that. Jesus, Ma-Ti."

"Where is your room?"

"12th floor. I think Gi made all our reservations on the same floor though."

"Oh great, I'm in 1204. Where are you?"

"We're in 1207, must be just across from you," Wheeler said. Ma-Ti raised his eyebrows at the plural use of the word, curious now regarding his relationship status.

"So?"

Wheeler smiled, leaning against the bannister as the lift continued upwards. "Yeah?" Wheeler glanced towards the doors, distracted as a large family entered, chatting excitedly. He moved aside to give them more room.

"You have obviously met someone then?"

"Oh, yeah man! Got myself a gorgeous girl."

Ma-Ti beamed, the news obviously pleasing him. "That is wonderful news! I'm looking forward to meeting her. What is she like?"

Wheeler chuckled, not quite meeting his eyes. "Uh… yeah, she's perfect. We're really happy. I reckon you'll like her."

"Has everyone arrived then?"

Wheeler shook his head. "Nah, Gi's flight's delayed. She's gonna meet us at dinner."

"So Kwame and Linka are here?"

"Yep, sure are."

Ma-Ti sighed, folding his hands into the pockets of his jeans, or his civilian clothes, as he liked to call them. "Living in such remote places certainly has its disadvantages. It must seem like I dropped off the face of the Earth."

"Not at all, little bud," the American assured him. They reached their floor and filed out, heading towards Wheeler's room. "Geez, can't believe it's been three years since we were all together."

"I know," Ma-Ti said, watching with amusement as Wheeler tried several times to scan his key card and muttering under his breath when it wouldn't work. Ma-Ti took the card and swiped it into the slot. The door opened immediately.

"Show-off," he laughed, holding the door open and beckoning him inside. Ma-Ti entered, immediately noticing the TV playing quietly in the background and various suitcases lying open on the bed.

He watched Wheeler dump the towels on the bed as he opened up his phone "Gimme a sec," he said winking at the Indian and moving onto the balcony to make a phone call.

Ma-Ti's eyes settled on a small crib in the corner of the room. He stared, his brain working in overdrive for several moments as various other unexpected details became apparent: baby wipes, bottles lying neatly across the small table and a stroller lying folded against the windows.

He moved forwards towards the bed, touching a pile of singlets and tiny dresses in combinations of pink, white and yellow. He heard the door slide and Wheeler re-entered the room.

"Uh, Wheeler? Is there something you are not telling me?" Ma-Ti's voice took on an excited tone as he sat on the nearest armchair, watching as the American grinned back.

Wheeler slumped heavily onto the bed, lying back against the headboard. He raised his arms and folded them behind his head as he took in Ma-Ti's stunned expression.

Wheeler didn't get the chance to answer though. The door opened and Linka swept in, the familiar scent of vanilla and jasmine assailing Ma-Ti's senses.

"Can you take her, Jake?" the blonde asked, not immediately noticing the visitor as she dropped her handbag onto the bed and passed the flailing infant over to Wheeler's waiting arms. "Your mother asked me to go with…"

Her gaze finally settled upon Ma-Ti and she squealed, momentarily losing her balance and landing on Wheeler's outstretched leg. Ma-Ti stood quickly, his eyes darting back and forth between them as if expecting confirmation of his mounting suspicions. His eyes briefly took in the baby, the tell-tale red highlights in her hair and Wheeler's bashful grin.

Linka's hand shot to her mouth, her eyes wide as she launched herself into Ma-Ti's arms. Ma-Ti stumbled back several steps, readjusting their weight as his calves hit the seat of the arm-chair.

"Well, hello there," he said, laughing as he returned her tight embrace.

"Bozhe moi," she whispered, touching his face fondly and leaning back to scrutinise him further. "Look at you!"

"Look at me?" Ma-Ti shook his head, pointing an accusing finger towards the American. "You could have warned me! You guys are together?"

"What can I say? She couldn't live without me," Wheeler said, batting his eyelids as Linka giggled in response against Ma-Ti's shirt. She slowly disentangling herself and sniffled quietly, clearly overwhelmed at seeing her ex-teammate again after so many years. She squeezed Ma-Ti's hand and settled on the bed beside Wheeler, her green eyes sparkling.

Ma-Ti stood, running his hand through his hair and still gazing at his friends with unabashed shock. "I admit, I did not see that coming," he whispered, feeling on the verge of tears. "I had given up on the thought of you two together. I am so, so very happy for you both!"

Linka felt her face flushing as the American wrapped an arm around the Russian's shoulders, drawing her in for a cuddle. "Got myself two pretty girls now to keep me on my toes."

"What is her name?" Ma-Ti asked, still buzzing at the unexpected turn of events. He leaned forward, reaching out to squeeze the baby's hands. "She is gorgeous."

"Her name's Emma," he said, passing her over to Ma-Ti's waiting arms. "… and yeah, she's real gorgeous when she's screaming at twelve and four in the morning."

Linka snorted beside him. "Hang-on, Yankee, who is it that gets up to feed her?"

"Hey, I'm a new-age man! I change diapers and bath her and stuff."

"Da, because I would throw you to the curb if you didn't!"

"Kick. You'd kick me to the curb, babe." Wheeler slapped her thigh affectionately, watching Ma-Ti bounce around the room with Emma. "She would, ya know."

"Da, that too."

Linka rolled her eyes and smiled, glancing up as she heard three solid thumps on the door.

"That'll be the K-Man." Wheeler swung his legs off the bed to stand but Ma-Ti held his hand up, motioning for him to stop. He headed towards the entry and swung the door open, steadying himself against the surprised shout and warm embrace offered from Kwame.

They all sat comfortably, catching up on the past three years as if no time had passed between them at all.

Gi checked her watch as she pushed through the lobby, aware that she was now an hour past the reservation time she'd made. The Vegas trip had been her idea, even though logistically she was the one who had to travel the furthest to get there.

She loved the United States and missed it immensely. She was living in Japan now, in a tiny kyosho jutaku (microapartment) on the outskirts of Tokyo. There wasn't enough room to swing a cat; it literally consisted of one room with a bed, kitchen and an enclave that housed the bath and toilet. In fact, accessing the bath meant stepping over the toilet. Her washing line was in her kitchen and the bed also served as her lounge. But it was warm, cozy and it was hers.

She stopped near the reception counter, tucking her shoulder-length hair behind her ears. Gi briefly wondering if she should check in first and dump her belongings in her room, or simply leave her luggage with the reception staff. In the end, she chose the latter.

She caught sight of her reflection on the mirrored walls and grimaced, taking note of her lank hair and glossy complexion. Her floral maxi-dress was slightly rumpled around the mid-section from the flight, but she ducked into a bathroom to reapply her make-up and freshen herself up.

Her flight had been delayed by two hours leaving Tokyo, then upon her arrival in Vegas her plane had circled the airport for another hour due to the fact that another plane had used their runway to make an emergency landing.

Gi had hoped there would be time for a quick shower and change of clothes, but it just wasn't to be. So here she was, an hour late for dinner and feeling a little on edge.

I need a drink.

She asked a porter for directions to the restaurant and he happily obliged, pointing her in the right direction.

Gi repositioned her handbag over her shoulder and hurried along, her dress making a gentle swishing sound as her thighs moved together. The restaurant came into view and she increased her speed, nervous excitement beginning to bubble away in the pit of her stomach.

The restaurant manager greeted her and she turned, about to ask for the whereabouts of her table.

"Gi!"

She looked over the manager's shoulder to see Linka streaking towards her, a delighted smile on her face. Gi waved back as the manager stepped aside, attending to the next customer in line.

Gi gasped. Linka looked amazing, sporting a white floaty mini-dress with teal and pink accents around the waistline. Her tanned legs were on show, further showcased by a tall pair of silver heels. The Russian's loose blonde curls bounced, framing her face.

"Oh, you look gorgeous," Gi breathed, wrapping her arms around her best friend's shoulders. "Did you seriously just have a baby? You look amazing!"

Linka scoffed, tightening her arms around Gi's neck as she kissed her friend's cheek. "You look wonderful too. You have grown your hair?"

They chatted briefly, before Linka grabbed her hand and led her towards the private room at back of the restaurant.

"Everyone here?"

"Da. You haven't missed much. The boys have already started drinking. I've been waiting to share some cocktails with you," she said warmly, squeezing Gi's hand gently and hurrying back to her seat.

Gi glanced around the table and felt a wave of nostalgia hit her like a tonne of bricks. It was as if they were frozen in time, their mannerisms and habits unchanged since their teenage years.

She watched Ma-Ti (oh dear lord, is that really Ma-Ti?) perusing the menu, chatting eagerly to the American beside him about .

She saw Wheeler sitting back in his chair, one arm dangling idly by his side and the other wrapping around Linka's waist, pulling her into his lap.

Gi watched, amused as Linka gave a small huff of surprise as the American's arms wrapped around her, pulling her back against his chest. She sat still as he whispered something in her ear and she blushed deep red, pushing him away and muttering something under her breath, albeit with a smile.

And Kwame, who was observing the goings-on with amusement. Kwame was also the first to notice the late arrival and stood quickly, striding around the table to greet her.

"You're late," he chastised, smiling down at her.

"Sorry boss," she laughed, as the boys all stood to welcome her eagerly.

She took a seat between Linka and Ma-Ti, unable to wipe the grin off her face. The conversation flowed easily as they chatted excitedly about the hotel and facilities located within, and their plans over the next few days.

"Where is Camilla?" Gi asked, turning to Ma-Ti. He smiled, subconsciously touching the beads hanging around his throat.

"She opted not to come. She has never seen a car, let alone been on a plane or been to a big city. I thought Las Vegas may be a little overwhelming for her."

"Yeah, good choice, Gi." Wheeler remarked, taking a sip of his beer and placing it beside the three empty bottles in front of him. He winked at her and she stuck her tongue out, accustomed to the American's teasing.

"Do you have a photo of her?"

Ma-Ti laughed. "My friend, I do not own a camera!"

The comment elicited light laughter from the group. Kwame sat back, holding onto his beer and gazing at Ma-Ti thoughtfully. "How you survive without technology, I'll never know"

"You used to survive without it, Kwame," Ma-Ti replied. "It is surprisingly easy!

"I do not know how you do it either," Linka remarked, looking up from the cocktail menu. "I am literally attached to my phone or my computer."

"I think western society is overly reliant on it."

Linka nodded. "Da, well the majority of my university studies are online. Plus I do the banking, make bookings, social media and assignments are to be written. I am practically online 24 hours a day."

Wheeler raised an eyebrow suggestively, running a finger up her bare leg and under the hem of her dress. "24 hours? I reckon at least an hour of that would be spent doing… you know, other stuff."

Linka shot him a cheeky look. "Oh da Yankee, make that 23 hours and 57 minutes online," she teased, delighting in the shocked expression on her fiancé's face. Kwame snorted and Gi inhaled her water, resulting in a coughing/laughing fit that set the rest of the group off into hysterics.

Ma-Ti heaved, wiping his eyes with the napkin. "Oh, you two haven't changed a bit," he said. "Still giving each other a hard time, I see."

"Yeah," the American muttered, tickling Linka under the ribs. "Best three minutes of your life, babe."

"Where's Emma?" Gi asked. "I've been looking forward to my cuddles!"

"She's here with Ma for the night." Wheeler stretched, shifting his long legs under the table. "Probably introducing my kid to the craps table by now."

Linka tutted softly. "Nyet, I think they were planning on taking a walk to a few other casinos."

"So you mentioned university, Linka? What are you studying?" Ma-Ti enquired as Wheeler and Kwame engaged in a deep and meaningful conversation about lawn mowers.

Linka looked up as her cocktail arrived, a pink, fruity concoction blended with ice and served with an edible swizzle stick. She popped a grape into her mouth before meeting Ma-Ti's eyes.

"Um, yes I have started a bachelor of Veternary Science," she said, pleased at the delighted look on Ma-Ti's face.

"That is wonderful," he said warmly, leaning towards her. "Our fields are not so different, being in medicine Are you enjoying it?"

"Da, I am." Linka took a sip of her cocktail, enjoying the sweetness and icy texture. "I have completed three units already and I have five more to go. Then my practical placements will start."

"Will you work in a practice, or go into business for yourself?"

Linka shrugged, still contemplating the answer for herself. "I am not sure. I wish to specialise in Avian medicine, as it is where my interest have always been. My best chance would be working for government research and preservation centres, I think."

"Well, you seem to have it all figured out. I'm so proud of you, Linka! When do you expect to be finished with your studies?"

"Well, my plan was to be finished in four years, but…"

"But some idiot got her pregnant," Wheeler interjected, reaching across to kiss her gently. "My bad."

Linka chuckled, grasping Wheeler's hand and holding it tightly within her own. "Everything is just how it should be, moya lyubov."

"Ew, stop." Gi groaned, downing half her cocktail in a few gulps. "You two were more interesting when you were fighting regularly."

"What about you Gi?" Ma-Ti pushed his menu aside, having decided on his meal. "What have you been up to?"

"Three guesses," she grinned, reaching down to her handbag to grab her purse. Ma-Ti waited patiently as she fished out an ID card and handed it to him. He frowned, his eyes glancing over the Japanese symbols and settling on the English translations listed below.

"Sugashima Marine Biological Laboratory…" he mused. "Marine Biology?"

"Yep. Research project on whale migratory patterns. I live and work in Tokyo, now."

"What is Tokyo like?"

"Crazy! And expensive."

They chatted comfortably, catching up and interrupted only by the waiter arriving to take their order. Gi and Wheeler hadn't even opened their menus and there was a mad dash to choose their entrée and main.

They ordered another round of beers, plus another cocktail each for the girls as they caught up, the atmosphere buzzing pleasantly with steady conversation and mutual affection.

Their appetisers arrived, a tapas platter loaded with various breads and dips. They bogged in heartily as the drinks arrived.

"Is that chilli paste?" Gi asked, leaning forward and sniffing the jar. "Do you remember the first year, in India that time? We couldn't read the menu and Kwame ordered that spicy curry?"

Kwame groaned at the memory. "My stomach has still not recovered," he said, chuckling. "It nearly burnt a hole through my gut."

"Was that when we were chasing Greedly? Slave labor? He was paying kids from the slums a dollar per week to work in his factory?" Linka shuddered, remembering the haunted, desperate eyes of the children working there.

Kwame nodded. "Yes. What happened to Greedly? We didn't see much of him towards the end."

"Dead," Wheeler answered, as all eyes turned suddenly to him. "Found a funeral notice when I was digging around at work about one of his old business transactions."

"He died?" Gi gaped, "I mean, the guy was a jerk but he couldn't have been older that 50."

Wheeler shrugged, adding his empty beer bottle to the collection on their table. "Yeah, dropped dead of a heart attack last year. Let's face it though, the guy was a coronary waiting to happen."

"Wow," Gi said, taking another sip of her cocktail. "There you go, then."

They sat in silence for a while, engaging in an almost reflective moment for the recently departed eco-villain.

"Anyone game to try the chilli paste?" Ma-Ti asked finally, noticing it was the only thing left intact on the platter. Kwame raised his hands in defeat, clearly not willing to give himself a repeat case of indigestion.

"You game, little mermaid?" Wheeler grabbed a piece of naan bread and scooped a moderate amount onto the end, ignoring Linka's mutterings beside him.

Gi shrugged, dipping her own bread and accepting the American's offer to link arms.

"Bottom's up, Bubbles," he said, grinning at her. They both shoved the food into their mouth and chewed.

"Yeah, it's not that bad," Wheeler said, still munching on his bread as Gi's eyes widened. She swallowed, reaching for her cocktail and downing the rest of the drink as her face turned a darker shade of red with each passing second.

"Hot, Gi? Kwame asked with amusement, rubbing her back as she placed her palms flat on the table, her eyes watering.

Linka started giggling, barely able to contain herself as her fiancé started thumping his chest, the tips of his ears turning the same shade as his hair.

"Oh holy hell, now it's hittin' me," he gasped, reaching for his beer and taking a swig. "Shit, that's awful."

The rest of the group collapsed into peals of laughter as Kwame ordered another round of drinks, leaning past Ma-Ti and resting his hand reassuringly on Gi's back as she struggled to get herself under control.

The mains arrived within the hour and they had all tucked in, the steady stream of conversation never faltering. It was close to midnight and the majority of the restaurant had filed out to take in the sights and sounds of Las Vegas.

The boys were by now feeling pleasantly light-headed, with the girls a little on the tipsy side.

Linka was onto her sixth cocktail and was slurring her words, her cheeks flushed and her Russian accent becoming more pronounced. Her slightly inebriated state also meant that she tended to jab her finger in the direction of whomever she was talking to at the time.

Gi wasn't much better, talking at a rapid-fire pace that was sometimes difficult to comprehend. She was also a little on the touchy-feely side, sliding her arms around Linka and Ma-Ti' shoulders at regular interval.

Kwame beamed at them all, realising just how much he had missed them. "Do you think Gaia knows we're here… I mean, all together?"

"Yeah man, Gaia sees everything," Wheeler said, toying with the neck of his beer bottle. "Where do you think you'd all be if Hope Island never called?"

"I would be exactly where I am now, I think," Ma-Ti volunteered, blinking at his beer bottle with unfocused eyes.

"What about you, Yankee?" Linka asked, leaning towards Wheeler and pressing her finger once again into his shoulder. "Where you would… where do you… where would you be?"

"You're drunk," he laughed, amused at his fiancé's current state of relaxation. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders to steady her as her head lolled onto his shoulder. "I'd probably still be stealing car stereo's off the street, babe. What about you?"

She smiled into his neck, her breath tickling the skin beneath his chin. "Nyet, I would still be in Russia, in the same village, with the same limited… um, opp…operatives? Opposition?"

"Opportunities?" Kwame suggested, resting his face in his hands, quite entertained by Linka's antics.

"Da," she said, sitting upright and pointing at Kwame. "The same limited opportunities and I would be stuck as a bored housewife married to a grumpy mine-worker and…" Her words trailed off as she noticed a pair of crème brulees passing their table. "Ooh, can I have one of those, dorogoy?"

"God," Wheeler groaned, catching Kwame's eye. "I'm gonna' be rolling her out of here."

"I don't know where I'd be," Gi said, pushing her hair away from her face with a loud sigh. "I know I wouldn't have the opportunities I have now."

"Opportunities," Linka said, nodding solemnly. The girls collapsed into fits of laughter as Gi leaned back on her chair, tilting to the side and slipping completely off.

Kwame turned and grabbed her by the arm in an attempt to heave her up but she was a dead weight. She lay sideways on the floor, sandwiched between the chair and the wall, her shoulders shaking and heaving with uncontrolled giggles.

Linka jumped out of her chair before Wheeler could stop her, dropping to her knees and trying to tug her friend into an upright position. Kwame stared at them in disbelief as Gi pulled Linka down on top of her, their cackles drawing the attention of the waiters.

"Cheque please," Kwame called, giving the universal hand signal as he watched Wheeler and Ma-Ti struggling to pull the girls to their feet.

Kwame and Wheeler had split the cheque between them, refusing Ma-Ti's offer to chip in.

The girls had walked ahead, their arms around each other as they zig-zagged their way towards the reception. They dropped into a pair of seats close to where Ma-Ti had sat earlier in the day, still giggling and talking in hushed voices.

The boys held back, sitting a few tables away and discussing their plans for tomorrow.

"I'm up for just sittin' by the pool. Got a feeling we'll have one hell of a hangover." The American sat back and raised his hands to his head, the room starting to spin.

Kwame leaned forward, clasping his hands together in agreement. "Sounds great. Ma-Ti?"

Ma-Ti groaned, his hand covering his eyes. "Yes. I think I'll be needing it."

"That's the first time I've ever seen you drink alcohol, Ma-Ti. You were never the legal age while in the Planeteers." Kwame's brown eyes twinkled, watching his friend's clear discomfort.

"I am still not understanding the appeal, in all honesty. My head is throbbing."

Wheeler rubbed his face, noticing Linka who had jumped to her feet and was standing in front of a potted fern and had begun gesturing wildly at it. Her blonde curls swayed around her shoulders as the reception staff looked on in amusement.

"Is Linka talking to a pot plant?" Kwame said, stifling a laugh. He glanced towards Ma-Ti who had drifted off to sleep in his chair. He nudged the him with his foot, and Ma-Ti's eyes flew open. "Go to bed, my friend. We'll see you tomorrow."

Ma-Ti nodded, giving them an apologetic grin. "See you tomorrow, great night!" He yawned and trudged off towards the lift, waving goodbye to the girls who stumbled over to bid him goodnight.

Wheeler watched his fiancé disentangle herself from Ma-Ti, leading Gi away from the seating area. His eyes glanced appreciatively over her tanned legs and soft curves hidden within the dress.

"Right. Kid-free evening. I'm hittin' that tonight."

Kwame raised his eyebrows. "She'll be asleep before you reach the lifts, Wheeler."

"We'll see. I like a challenge." Wheeler stood, slapping his friend on the back. He glanced back towards the reception, looking for the Russian and finding her on the other side. His eyes widened as his mouth dropped open upon realising where she was.

"Babe, get outta' the damn fountain!"

He hurried over to the fibre-glass structure as Linka splashed through the calf-length water, shrieking with delight as Gi looked on.

"It is a little chilly, Yankee," she giggled as he reached for her hand, pulling her towards him. He lifted her over the ledge and she fell against him, her arms falling loosely around his shoulders.

"You're plastered," he muttered. "C'mon, time for bed."

"Dobroy noch," Linka said, smiling sweetly at Gi's unsteady form as Wheeler half carried/half dragged her away. Kwame approached, placing his arms on Gi's shoulders in an effort to steady her as they watched the couple enter the lifts and disappear behind the doors.

"Those two never cease to amaze me." Kwame wrapped an arm around Gi's shoulders and guided her to a chair. She sat, gazing up at him with her hands folded neatly within her lap.

"They are too cute," she said as Kwame took as seat beside her. "I'm so glad we did this. I've missed everyone."

"Me too," Kwame admitted with a sigh, glancing at Gi as she sank back into the chair, turning her head to face him. "We should do this regularly. Perhaps every one to two years?"

Gi nodded. "Yeah…" she said, seeming lost in thought. "Kwame?"

"Yes?"

"Is it harder than you thought?"

Kwame frowned, trying to understand Gi's question. "What do you mean?"

She shrugged, gazing at her hands. "I don't know." She looked away, feeling self-conscious.

Kwame sighed, taking her hand and clasping it within his own. "It was hard for me to start again, if that is what you mean. Ma-Ti had Camilla to help support him when he left, Linka had Wheeler. Wheeler had half of Brooklyn waiting for him, social butterfly that he is."

Gi smiled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. He squeezed her hand gently, understanding where she was coming from. "We had to start again, in new countries with new opportunities."

"Yeah," she gasped, hot tears falling now. "I'm sorry. I'm drunk, just feeling a little emotional."

"Is that all it is?" Kwame pressed, turning her to face him. She shook her head, miserably.

No," she whispered, meeting his eyes. "I'm lonely. It's not the same. I miss it. I miss not having you guys around."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her in close. "We are only a phone call away, Gi. Well… most of us anyway."

She smiled again, closing her eyes as Kwame kissed the top of her head. "Yeah, I know. I'm drunk and jet-lagged. I'll be back to normal in the morning."

Kwame chuckled, running his fingers briefly through her hair. "We should get you to bed. What room are you in?"

"1208."

Kwame laughed at her misfortune. He reached for Gi's hand and pulled her to her feet. "You're next to the lovebirds. I hope the walls are soundproof, Wheeler had some pretty specific plans for tonight."

Gi groaned as Kwame wrapped his arm around her, pulling her towards the lift. "Great, just great."

"Want to come and hang with me for a while?"

Gi raised her eyes, wrapping her arm around his waist and snuggling into him.

"Yeah," she breathed, allowing him to lead her into the lift. They stood, gazing at one another for a moment before the doors shuttered closed and moving them upwards towards their destination.

Fin.