Disclaimer: I don't own "Walking In The Air," and if you've never heard it, oh my god click on this link immediately and come back when you've finished: uk./watch?vfl-iM8kpiuE

Rebirth

"Annie…Annie…"

Annie's eyes opened slowly as a soft voice called to her in a whisper. Michael stood over her, smiling. He was dressed all in white, stark contrast with his dark hair and eyes. It only made him look more ethereal, and that made Annie smile. He held out his hand to her and she took it, letting him draw her up from her bed. Around her Sean, Zeke, and Katie were sleeping, Skipper curled up at the foot of the bed. Careful not to disturb them, Annie slid to the floor and let Michael lead her out. Silently he steered her outside into the backyard. The sky was a blanket of black velvet, fraught with diamond stars. Annie gave a small sigh of contentment, smiling at the sight. Stargazing was one of her favorite pastimes, but the city sky is so choked by smog and towering skyscrapers that the stars are nearly impossible to see. At home in the country, the sky was clear and broad.

"It's so beautiful," she murmured, squeezing Michael's hand affectionately.

"Yes, it is," he agreed. "But that's not why I brought you out here." Annie looked at him curiously. With a sparkle in his eyes, Michael gently pulled Annie to him. "Hold on tight." Annie just had time to put her arms around Michael's neck before they lifted off the ground. She gasped, eyes wide in shock as she clung close to Michael. He chuckled gently, giving her a loving squeeze. "You know I'd never let you fall," he whispered in her ear. Annie nodded, unable to speak as they climbed higher. Slowly she began to relax, enjoying the feeling of flight.

"This is amazing," she breathed, gazing around the sky before laying her head on Michael's shoulder. "How…how are you doing this?"

"Magic," answered Michael simply, readjusting his hold on Annie. She laughed deep in her throat, the sound vibrating against Michael's shoulder. He smiled, leaning his cheek against Annie's head. "You were right, what you said to the kids. When you said I was your lucky star."

Annie raised her head and looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

Michael didn't answer right away, just landed gently on a mass of clouds, releasing his hold on Annie and stepping back slightly. Annie looked around in wonder. "This is…impossible."

"Oh, I know," Michael replied with a laugh. "But, here we are." He smiled at his longtime friend for a while before speaking: "Annie, everything that's happened, everything we've been through…it's all been a sort of test. I was sent to watch over you and keep you safe, show you the things I can do, teach you how to do them. Annie, you were born to be a star like me."

Annie gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Me? I'm…I'm a star? But how-"

"-is that possible?" Michael finished gently, smiling still. "Lucky stars, like me and you, are born when a shooting star lands on Earth. That's why I can do the things I do when a shooting star goes by. These stars land in the hearts of newborn children, the most innocent and pure of all life. These children grow up living a normal life and learning about the world and its people. Another star is sent to watch over them and make sure they stay safe, their hearts glowed. I was sent to you. When I saw you the other night, I was afraid it was too late. But you overcame it all. You still glowed." Annie smiled a little shyly. "What you did for your father? That was your final test. And you passed with flying colors. Only a true star could have found it in her heart to forgive her father for what had happened, to still love him. That act of pure love woke the star power in your heart. Now I can share everything with you, show you what it means to be a star."

Annie's eyes shone, her smile broad and bright. "A star…" she whispered. "Is that why you were with the kids?"

"Yeah," Michael said, nodding. "Stars also guard those who have no one else in the world. That's one of our responsibilities. Sean, Katie, and Zeke needed me. They still do, for a while. Until we can bring them back to their true home, we'll watch over them together." He smiled again. "But that's not what this night is about. This is your Awakening. Tonight is all for you." As soon as he said it, a multitude of shooting stars dancing around them, trailing rainbow colors. The stars sparkled and danced brighter than Annie had ever seen before. She could hear laughter, like the tinkling of crystal bells. Music emanated from the sky around them, sounding in the very clouds. The stars were singing. Annie started to laugh for no reason, filled with the wonderful feeling she'd ever known. She shook her long hair out behind her, feeling lighter than air and bursting with light. The moon smiled at her as she started dancing on the clouds. Michael joined in with her, both laughing for joy. Michael caught Annie's hands in his and they started spinning like little children, faster and faster until they fell apart, still laughing. Annie looked at herself and saw that her pajama T-shirt and shorts had turned into a long, elegant gown of silvery-white silk. It looked like it was made of moonlight. Michael could see the stardust in her eyes. Sparkling, shimmering stardust fell softly all around them like snow, warm and light. Annie began spinning around until she fell into Michael's arms, breathless and flushed.

"Show me how to fly," she breathed, eyes shining. Michael grinned and wrapped his arms around her, lifting them off the cloud and through the air. With a smile brighter than the moon, Annie began to sing:

"We're walking in the air
We're floating in the moonlit sky
The people far below are sleeping as we fly

We're holding very tight
I'm riding in the midnight blue
And finding I can fly so high above with you

All across the world
The villages go by like dreams
The rivers and the hills, the forests and the streams

Children gaze open-mouthed
Taken by surprise
Nobody down below believes their eyes

We're surfing in the air
We're swimming in the frozen sky
We're drifting over icy mountains floating by

Suddenly swooping low
On an ocean deep
Rising up a mighty monster from his sleep

We're walking in the air
We're dancing in the midnight sky
And everyone who sees us greets us as we fly!"
Michael laughed freely, overjoyed at seeing Annie's rapture. It was she who guided their flight now, not him. She had already known, had always known, how to fly. He had just helped her unlock that knowledge. All night they danced among the stars, swam in the moonlight, played on the clouds, until Michael swept Annie up in his arms and spun her around and around until everything was just a blur around them. When the world stopped spinning and the two caught their breath, they were back in Annie's backyard, the dawning sun just peeking over the horizon. Glancing at herself, Annie saw that her moonlight gown had become her pajamas again. Smiling, exhausted but elated, her head fell on Michael's shoulder.

"Michael, I love you," she said softly. "I've always loved you."

"I know," Michael said with a benign smile. "And you've always known I love you too." Kissing her forehead in a brotherly way, he carried her back in the house and up to her room. Katie, Zeke, and Sean had all moved to one side in their sleep, leaving enough space for Michael to lay Annie down before stretching out next to her. Smiling, first at the children and then at each other, the two stars fell asleep.

A/N: Sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but I felt that moving into the next part would detract from the significance of what happened between Michael and Annie.