Alright, last chapter. And I have to admit that at this point, I'm only posting it in the interest of completion. I flat cannot believe that I've taken the time and effort to post 8 chapters and not one person has seen fit to reveiw. Well, enjoy the free ride, I guess. But do the next author the small curtesy of throwing out at least a single review. It's not too much to ask.

Darkness. Detachment. Once again, Jillian was no one floating through nothingness. And this time, there weren't even the faint wisps of thought that had accompanied her initial activation. Instead, she seemed almost to float in a vast, dead sea of gray formlessness. There were no thoughts, no memories, only peace and a sense of timelessness. And, just maybe, at the limits of her non-perception, the faintest hint of other presences like hers. Silent. Calm. At peace with themselves.

And then there was light. Sudden. Bright. Jarring. And, yes, sound as well. Deafening. Discordant. Incomprehensible.

As she was assaulted by sight and sound, sensation returned as well, and brought pain with it. She drew in a deep, gasping breath, and it seemed to her that she drew in raw flame as well. From all over her newly awakened body, hot spikes and dull throbs of agony forced their way into her reeling awareness.

Finally, some of her body and brain's automatic mitigating systems came online, and began to sort, prioritize and suppress the flood of sensation threatening to overwhelm her.

First, the body-wide pain faded from raw agony to something more manageable. And then both her sight and hearing began to sort themselves out. Slowly, as she blinked repeatedly, things began to come into focus and she became aware of her surroundings.

It appeared to be a cross between an infirmary and a garage or workshop of some kind. She lay on a hospital bed, surrounded by various diagnostic equipment and medical instruments, but beyond this she saw dingy concrete walls and mechanic's tools scattered haphazardly around. And, interspersed with these were all sorts of high-tech bric-a-brac, miscellaneous automotive, computer and cyberdroid parts, and unidentifiable piles of techno-junk. And, arrayed around her bed, three figures stood.

Two of them were familiar, the two Knight Saber along side whom she'd fought and ultimately died. But the third, a short, odd looking old man in well-worn coveralls whose intense gaze never left her, was a stranger to Jillian.

Still regarding her closely, the old man cocked his head and said, "Huh! That seems to have done it. Pretty close call you had there, too. Another few minutes, and those vat-grown neurons inside your skull would've started to fall apart. They're a lot hardier than the natural variety, but they're still organic. And after that, there wouldn't have been much point to putting the rest of you back together."

Jillian sat, staring straight ahead, as she absorbed the sense of this. She sat like that for so long, in fact, that the others around her began to become concerned, unsure suddenly if they'd been in time after all. But finally, Jillian focused on the old man and said, "You brought me back. You repaired me."

The old man snorted humorously and said, "Yeah, you could say that. Of course, it was more like trauma surgery than nuts and bolts repair work with an android like you. Way too much fleshy stuff in there for me! Give me a '72 T-Bird any day."

"Pops!" Priss exclaimed. "For Christ's sake!"

The old man frowned and said, "Well, it's true. And don't call me Pops! I thought we'd already been through that one."

Jillian, confused and disoriented, looked to the old man and said, "Where am I?"

The old man turned back to her and said, "Why, Raven's garage, of course. Where else would I be able to put you back together?"

Seeing that this only confused Jillian further, Linna interjected, "Dr. Raven is a friend of ours. He's very, very good at work like this."

Jillian nodded slowly, and said, "So you brought me here. After the fight. After I- said goodbye to Aiko. I understand now."

In a careful tone, Linna said, "You don't sound exactly thrilled, Jillian. Don't tell me you'd rather be dead."

Jillian shook her head, and said, "No, I suppose not. It's just that- I hadn't planned for anything like this. When I spoke to Aiko there at the end, I thought that was it. I felt that I'd accomplished and said everything that I needed to. And now- now I'm not sure what to do." Fixing Linna with an odd look, she said, "What does a supposedly destroyed personal security android do after being resurrected?"

Inside her helmet, Linna bit her lip, searching for a reply, but Priss replied for her. "Live. That's what." And then, sighing, she said, "Let me tell you a little story. It's a story about a boomer I knew, not so long ago. All she and her sister wanted was to live and to be free. But there were a couple of problems with that. For starts, they were sexaroids. Technically, they couldn't even exist legally. And, just to get away from the bastard who'd owned them, they had to steal something really valuable and really dangerous, so naturally they were being hunted. On top of all that, her sister was hurt, damaged, whatever you want to call it, when they escaped, and needed human blood just to keep running." Priss paused, swallowing to control the emotion that suddenly choked her voice, and then continued. "Needless to say, shit didn't work out for either of them. My… friend, she was determined not to let her sister die, no matter what. So she ended up killing a lot of innocent people to keep her alive. That put the cops on their trail, along with the corporate shit-heads who were looking for their stolen equipment. In the end, it was all too much. Everybody caught up to her at once, and there was an unholy fight. The rest is complicated, but it all boiled down to me having to decide whether to kill her or let the thing she'd stolen blow up a big chunk of Mega Tokyo. Since Mega Tokyo's still here, I guess you can figure out what happened." Priss paused again, collecting herself, and continued.

"I made a promise to her as she died in my arms. I told her that I'd help her sister, and I did. I took her the data that my friend had stolen for her, the data that'd allow her to fix herself. And then I walked away." Priss shook her head and said, "I shouldn't have done that. She didn't understand. All she knew was that I'd killed her sister, and so it was easy for one of our enemies to recruit her and use her against us later. Eventually, she found out what'd really happened, but it was too late by then." In a harsh whisper, Priss continued. "She died in my arms too, after sucking up a shot from the bastard who'd recruited her. A shot that would've killed me if she hadn't."

Priss was silent for a long moment after finishing her story, and then said, "The point of all that is just- well, hell, life is precious! Sylvie and Anri would've given anything to have the chance you have right now. The chance to start over and do whatever the hell you want. Chances like that are rare."

Jillian nodded slowly as she contemplated what Priss had said. Looking up finally, with new determination in her voice she said, "You're right, of course. And I'm very sorry about your friends. I wish things could have turned out differently for them. But perhaps, in some small way, I can help to honor their memory by making the most of my situation."

Priss nodded slowly, grateful for the opaque visor that hid the tears slowly rolling down her cheeks, and said, "Yeah. I'm counting on that."

After two weeks, Aiko was just starting to get a handle on the grief and the black morass of depression that had followed it, both of which had threatened to engulf and smother her. Her grandfather was a kind enough man, in his own way, but they'd never been close. He'd never had the time before. And now, though he tried to reach out to her, Aiko just wasn't ready for that. He wasn't her father, and he never could be. And there was another gaping hole in her heart that had no one to fill it.

For the first few days after it'd all happened, her grief had let her think of little else. The pain had been just too raw. But later, when she had the quiet time to herself to contemplate, darker thoughts and emotions had begun to consume her. She had, at one point, even thought that maybe everything would be better if she were to simply join the ones she loved, where ever they were now.

She'd had that particular thought while looking out one of the high third story windows of her grandfather's mansion and contemplating the hard pavement of the driveway below. But in the end, she'd rejected those thoughts. After all, Jillian and her father had given up their lives so that she could live, and as hard as that might be for her, she couldn't let their sacrifice be in vain. From that time on, she'd done her best to simply live one day at a time, in the hopes that eventually her pain would fade.

Today, she'd decided that she was strong enough to try to go back to some of the things that were familiar to her. And so, she'd asked her grandfather if she could continue her dance lessons.

The old man had been surprised, but elated that she finally seemed to be coming back to life. After some consultation with Jim Tanaka, whom he'd immediately hired and put in charge of Aiko's security, he agreed. And after a hasty phone call to Phoebe's Fitness Bee, the arrangements were made.

Linna had been nervous when she'd heard that Aiko would be returning to her class. Nervous for the little girl, but relieved as well, and happy at the prospect of seeing her again. That, and more than a little curious as to what the results of a phone call she'd made would be.

The class went as it usually did, with the exception of the deference and the few quiet words of sympathy given to Aiko by the other girls. For her part, Aiko seemed to drive herself harder than Linna did. She seemed to Linna to be using the physical exercise to batter at the demons that still haunted her. Linna could only sigh and hope to herself that the little girl found her way through it all.

After the class ended, Linna asked Aiko to remain for a moment. Taking her off to the side, away from the gym's other patrons, but not out of Jim Tanaka's wary sight, she said, "So how are you doing, Aiko?"

The little girl had looked down and said, "OK, I guess Miss Yamazaki."

Linna frowned, and prompted, "But?"

Voice tight with controlled emotion, Aiko replied, "But it still hurts so much! Miss Yamazaki, will it ever get better?"

Linna sighed deeply and said, "Yes and no, Aiko. Time has a way of dulling pain like this, but it never completely goes away. I've lost enough people I care about to know." And then, smiling slightly, she said, "But you'll cope with it, Aiko. I'm sure of that. You're a strong little girl, and smart too. Eventually you'll figure out how to live with what happened. Just don't shut out the people who still care about you. Like your grandpa."

The little girl sighed, and said, "I know he's trying, and I know he loves me, but it's hard. We just don't really know each other very well, I guess."

Linna nodded, and said, "Give him a chance. And don't forget about Mr. Tanaka over there either. From what I understand, he cares about you quite a bit too."

Aiko looked down and said, "I know. And I like him too. But- I don't know. I guess I just don't want to get too close to him." And in a small voice, she finished, "In case something happens to him, too."

In a sympathetic tone, Linna said, "I understand, Aiko. But you can't distance yourself from everybody forever. Eventually, you'll have to let people back in."

"I know," Aiko replied and, looking up with a wistful smile said, "And we're friends, aren't we?"

Smiling warmly, Linna said, "Of course we are, Aiko." And then, looking over the little girl's shoulder, she said, in a quizzical tone, "Aiko, I think I see someone else here who'd like to talk to you."

Pointing toward the gym's front entrance in response to the girl's questioning look, she said, "Maybe you'd better go check it out."

Looking where Linna had pointed, the little girl saw a tall, raven-haired woman with long tresses that fell freely half-way down her back and sparkling green eyes just visible over a set of octagonally cut violet-shaded glasses. She wore a tight, white, one-piece blouse, a tight-fitting black skirt, black stilleto-heel shoes and a comfortable looking black leather bomber jacket.

As Aiko watched, the woman strolled casually over to Mr. Tanaka and tapped him on the shoulder. The body guard turned warily toward the woman, who leaned a bit closer and said something in a low voice. Mr. Tanaka's eyes widened, and the woman smiled, put a hand on his arm in a friendly gesture, and said something else. Tanaka returned her smile, putting a hand on her shoulder, and nodded at whatever she said. Finally, the two parted, and, glancing at Aiko, Mr. Tanaka faded to the back of the room.

Aiko looked questioningly at Linna and said, "Miss Yamazaki?"

Still smiling, Linna said, "I told you before you could trust me, Aiko. Now why don't you go over and say hello?"

Aiko's eyes widened, and she spun to face the dark-haired woman who now approached.

"Jillian?" She said in a hopeful whisper.

The woman smiled, and as she neared, Aiko saw through the cosmetic changes Dr. Raven had wrought.

"Jillian!" She exclaimed and threw herself at her friend.

"Shh!" Jillian said, catching the little girl in her arms. "Not so loud, Aiko honey. We need to keep this between ourselves."

The little girl sobbed tears of happiness onto Jillian's shoulder, and said, "Jillian! I thought you were dead!"

Jillian rubbed the little girl's back soothingly, and said, "For a little while I was. But I was lucky. There were friends around who cared enough to see that I was taken care of."

"And you came back to me." Aiko said tearfully.

"Yes," Jillian replied. "For a little while."

Aiko froze then and said, "For a little while? Jillian, what do you mean?"

Jillian sighed, and said, "What I mean, honey, is that I can't stay for very long. Officially, I don't even exist anymore. I've established a new identity for myself, of course, but things are still a bit hot here in Mega Tokyo just now. It would be better if I left for a while. Traveled a little, perhaps."

"You're leaving me." Aiko said flatly, in a tone of betrayal.

Jillian closed her eyes and, holding the little girl close said, "Aiko, I'll never leave you. Not really. Not in my heart. And I will be back eventually. I really can't imagine settling anywhere besides Mega Tokyo. But I need to travel, to see things, and to think. And you need time to adjust to your new life. Time without me in the way."

"You're never in the way, Jillian," the little girl whispered fiercely. "Never. But I guess I understand. Right now, you just wouldn't fit in with everything that's going on. Especially not with Grandpa."

Jillian nodded, and said fondly, "Perceptive as always, my Little Mistress."

Biting her lip, Aiko suddenly said, "But can't you take me with you?"

Jillian sighed, and said, "I wish I could, Aiko, but I think you know that wouldn't work out. Your grandfather most certainly wouldn't understand, and I'm sure he'd spare no pain or expense to have you brought back to him."

Crestfallen, Aiko said, "Yeah, I guess you're right. But you will keep in touch, at least, right?"

Jillian smiled, and said, "Of course. You can expect letters, post cards, and maybe even an occasional drawing. Does that work for you?"

The little girl smiled and said, "I guess it'll have to, won't it? But, Jillian, do you have to go right away?"

Jillian considered for a moment, and then said, "No, not right away. Did you have something in mind?"

Aiko's smile brightened, and she said, "Well, there is an ice cream place nearby, you know, and I'm sure that Mr. Tanaka wouldn't mind, since you and him are still friends and all, so…?"

Jillian laughed lightly, and said, "That sounds wonderful, Aiko. Why don't we pick up Mr. Tanaka and go?"

Taking Jillian's hand, the little girl looked up at her warmly and said, "Sure, Jillian. I'd like that a lot."

As the two walked out, hand in hand, Mr. Tanaka joining them at the door, Linna thought to herself, 'It's hard to believe, with all I've seen before. But I guess all boomers aren't the same. Jillian is definitely nothing like the boomer who killed Irene. And if even one of them can end up like her, maybe there's hope for all of them."

EPILOGUE

Outside Phoebe's Fitness Bee, a tall, gangly man stood, leaning against the wall and watching impassively as the man, woman and little girl walked out the door and entered the waiting armored limousine. He wore faded blue jeans, a black t-shirt and a black leather long coat that hung on his thin frame. As the three drove away, he pushed the small wire-frame glasses on his nose upward and took the time to light a cigarette. He then strolled casually towards a beat-up Chevy panel van parked nearby.

Opening the unlocked driver's door, he climbed into the seat and fired up the engine. Looking casually over his shoulder, he addressed the darkness behind him.

"Oh, yeah. It's her. Definitely."

From the rear of the van, twin sets of bright red lights flared to life, illuminating a complex medical apparatus of some sort with what appeared to be free-form metallic sculptures of a human and a canine head mounted on top. The light issued from the eyes of the sculptures, and as they flared, the humaniform head began to speak.

In a low, pleasant, feminine voice, it said, "Doc, that's the best news I've heard all week."

END