Sorry for the long wait guys. I had tryouts and such and no, I didn't make it. Though, I really wasn't expecting to. It was a great experience though and now I feel prepared to go through with it again next year! My boyfriend made it though so wish him luck this year =)

So I've also been watching a bunch of Hayao Miyazaki movies lately and I really want to write a Nausicaä fanfiction (a shorter story, not as long as this one) Anyone interested in reading something like that?

Anyway, on to the long-awaited epilogue you've all been waiting for! Sorry it's kind of short, but epilogues tend to be that way…

Disclaimer: I do not own Jimmy Neutron. If I did, there would be a fourth season!

Chapter 33 – Epilogue

James tiredly rolled over in his bed, aimlessly trying to swipe at the god-forsaken thing that was making that terrible noise. "Just ten… more… minutes…" However, being tired and having one's eyes practically glued shut did not give one very good aim. Instead, the lamp that sat on James's nightstand was knocked off the table and fell to the ground in a terrible crash.

Now he was awake.

"Damn…" James angrily muttered to himself. "What time is it, anyway?" He tiredly glanced down at his clock, displaying an ever-depressing "8:05." James rubbed his eyes as he slowly made his way out of bed.

Today was the first day of classes and his first class was at 9:20. He still had plenty of time, but the apartment he unfortunately lived in was about 10 minutes from campus if there was no traffic. "That's what I get for starting teaching on such late notice last year…"

As James made his way to the large campus, a mixture of emotions ran through him. Sure, starting a new school year was always interesting and fun. He got to meet a lot of new people and had the chance to do the one thing he loved most: teach. But in the midst of all his excitement, deep down, he was alone.

"Why can't you try to get a teaching job at the University of Texas again?" Cindy protested for the tenth time.

"I already told you. I've tried to explain things to them, but they simply won't take me back. Let's face it, I'm not going to be able to teach there." As much as James didn't want to admit it, he knew he had to leave.

"But why do you have to teach in Ohio? There are so many good universities in Texas you could teach at!" Tears that had formed so often behind Cindy's emerald green eyes were once again on the verge of spilling out.

"Cindy, I've already told you. I have such a good position at Ohio State. There are so many opportunities for research that I simply haven't been able to find at any other university around here. I know it's far away, but this is my job, my career, my life. I can't let this opportunity pass me by."

"So… I mean nothing to you?" Cindy didn't want to say it, but she was so hurt at the moment she couldn't help but have it slip out.

James was shocked at what she had just said. "Cindy, don't say that! You know I love you! I promise I'll be able to see you during holidays and in the summer when I don't have classes. It'll work out!" He tried so hard to convince himself that everything would be okay, but he had a hard time doing that. It seemed so much easier to SAY things would be okay rather than to actually believe they would be.

Whenever he thought about that moment, James always felt a slight headache coming on. It was hard enough that he had to leave her… it was worse that she had to bring it up again as he stood in the security line at the airport, waiting to board his plane to go back to Ohio. He could still see her running away from him, the long line of passengers staring at him and the hysterical girl.

Why did things have to end that way?

No… they didn't "end." It just wasn't the parting he had expected…

James made his way to his first class of the day, Introduction to Astrophysics. He searched through his leather briefcase, trying to find his stack of syllabuses he needed to hand out to his class. As the students began filing in the room, he scanned the room, seeing if he recognized any faces, hoping that some former students were inspired to further their knowledge of Astronomy because of his wonderful teaching.

Oh, the wishful thinking of a professor.

James glanced at the clock hanging above the doorway. "9:21… I better get started."

"Well, good morning class, before we begin I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Professor James Neu—" The classroom door squeaked open loudly, interrupting James's introduction. A thin, middle-aged woman with dark hair and thick rimmed glasses peeked in.

"I'm sorry, Professor Neutron. I was hoping to make it here before your class began." James smiled and waved it off, suggesting there was no problem and that she could continue. "I just had a young lady schedule for some classes this morning and she decided to take your Astrophysics class. She's a transfer student and had some last-minute schedule changes."

"Oh, that's perfectly fine. Just have her find a seat. I haven't even started yet, so you came at the perfect time." James smiled at the lady, assuring her that there was no problem. He turned back to his class, ready to continue his introduction.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the girl walking in the back of the classroom, taking a seat in one of the desks in the last row. He noticed she had blonde hair but couldn't get a good look at her face.

"Now, my name is Professor James Neutron. I will be your professor for this introductory course to Astrophysics. I have a syllabus here for you that I would like you all to read. Now, since this is the first day of class, we can play some of those games so I can get to know what peaks your interest about Astronomy and Physics. I do see some familiar faces, but there are still many I do not know."

Some of the students groaned, but introduced themselves nonetheless. When it came to be the new girl's turn he didn't even look at her. He grabbed his grade book so he could jot this new girl's name down. "Now, I don't know have your name so please speak up so I can get it spelled right."

The blonde girl looked up from the desk she had been staring at the entire time. As the two made eye contact, James's heart skipped several beats and his legs went limp. He grabbed the desk he was standing next to in order to support himself.

"My name is Cynthia Vortex."

Sometimes there are things we all have to do, even if it means being away from the ones we love. If those we love understand that, perhaps they will accept that. Maybe even follow us through whatever we do and wherever we go.

I hope you enjoyed the story. It's been so fun to write. There may not have been as much romance/fluff as some of you may have wanted, but love isn't always about the fluff and cuteness. It's about the strength and determination of two people who will believe that no matter what happens, love will survive and get them through even the toughest of times.

I believe that even a lost memory cannot keep two people who are destined to be together apart forever.

Thank you for reading and reviewing. These two years have been wonderful!

-brigette (aka: Kaze-no-Tenshi89)