Epilogue (Part five)

Rachel

All of us Animorphs had just kicked back and taken it easy by the pool until night fell. It was kind of funny when I actually stopped to think about it – it was the first time I could remember when I could relax. Since Tobias, Marco, Jake, Ax, Cassie and I had become a team of superheroes, it was the first time where we could sit back without having to worry about alien parasites gunning for us or some other threat to our collective health.

As the darkness descended on the pool area, caterers had started bringing tables and tables of food out and arranging them around the patio. Marco explained that he had a reputation to uphold as a generous host. Shortly thereafter, people began to populate the area we were hanging out in.

Let me correct myself – not just people. Famous people. Sports stars, movie stars, politicians, filthy rich businessmen…anyone who was anyone was showing up at Marco's party. I thought having all these people here would annoy me, because I figured they'd fawn all over us and stuff. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's fawning. Surprisingly, the assembled guests were civil, not at all annoying or overbearing. It was like they just acknowledged us as one of them and took it in stride.

I heard Cassie gasp, and I looked over to see what she was carrying on about. Justin Timberlake and Ashton Kutcher entered the scene, and I laughed out loud. "Cassie, seriously…" I started to chastise her, but then Ashton's gaze fell on me and I felt my heart skip a beat. Tobias bristled, and I resisted the urge to laugh. He had nothing to worry about. Just because Ashton was probably the cutest guy on Earth, he could never compare to what I thought of Tobias. I gave him a little hand squeeze to reassure him, and he relaxed.

Marco mingled with all of the guests. Jake was paying painstaking attention to Kobe Bryant as he described some basketball move. Tobias and Cassie went over to talk to National Forestry Commissioner, and I was by myself. Ax was the only one not currently engaged in conversation – he was stuffing shrimp into his human mouth by the handful, not bothering to take off the heads or the shells. I went over to tell him how they were supposed to be eaten when I was accosted by none other than Tom Cruise.

That's right, I said it. Tom Cruise. The guy handpicked to be the subject of all crushes. The guy I'd personally had a crush on since I was ten. I felt a strange emotion – nervousness. I almost laughed. I'd faced down full grown Hork-Bajir warriors. I'd slugged a Howler in the mouth – something that I was very proud of, by the way. In no battle had I ever felt the nervousness and uncertainty that I felt now, though.

"Hey, Rachel, right?" he said. I nodded dumbly and he shook my hand. "I want to personally thank you – and your friends. I was a controller for the better part of three years. If it weren't for you…well, let's just say I'm really grateful." He gave me a smile I knew to be rehearsed to indicate interest, pleasure, and camaraderie, but even knowing it was an act, I still felt faint. "If you ever need anything, call me. Even if you want to hang out or something. I owe you big time." He handed me a card that said, 'Tom – 555-3229' in his sloppy handwriting, and walked away to say hi to some other movie stars.

I was shaken out of my Cruise-induced coma a few minutes later by Tobias. He was looking at me oddly, like there was something between my teeth or something. He turned to Cassie, who was right behind him, and said, "I knew it. I was right." Cassie handed him five bucks with her eyes glued to the cement. Tobias grinned and stuck the bill in his pocket.

"What the hell?" I demanded. "Spill it, Tobias." I had the feeling I wasn't going to like the explaination. I didn't.

Tobias blushed a little. "Just a stupid bet Cassie and I had. Cassie saw…him…walking up to you and I laughed. I said, 'Oh, if there was every a time for Rachel to swoon, this would be it.' Cassie bet me five bucks that you wouldn't even care. Obviously I won, because ever since he left you look like you've inhaled formaldahyde."

I growled. "First of all, I don't swoon. I never have and I never will. Secondly, you're supposed to be my boyfriend. Instead of taking bets on who it'll take to impress me, maybe you should be the one trying to make me swoon."

Cassie laughed and made that, 'Ooooooh!' noise you always hear from people after a cut-down. Ax walked over with a humongous bowl full of Jell-o. I mean humongous, as in five gallons or more. He set it down long enough to say, "Humans create such delicious foods. Jell-o is like a great piece of art. It is solely for taste – I read the ingredients, and none of them are sufficient to sustain life. I am impressed." He began to demorph, and all the little side discussions from the people at the party stopped. I became acutely aware that everyone was staring in our direction. All the hot little starlets in our vicinity were slowly backing into the shadows of their assorted boyfriends and male entourage.

I grinned. "Take it easy, everyone. This is Ax. He's an Andalite. You know, our outer space neighbors? They come in peace," I mocked all the 'important' people.

Ax, fully Andalite, looked a little uncomfortable. I guess in human morph, he'd been way too preoccupied by the prospect of food to notice all of the people that had arrived. I patted his arm and said, "It's cool. These people probably think I'm stranger than you. Don't let them see that you're uncomfortable – they can smell fear."

Tobias laughed. "You make them sound like a pack of animals."

"More true than you know," Cassie muttered. She hated stuck-up people too. I guess the only reason she was putting up with it was to make Marco happy.

Marco walked over with Lok and Amni'bel in tow. Amni'bel's eyes glowed when they spotted us, and Lok grunted loudly. He looked like he was about to burst, and I smiled. I liked the big guy because of his straightforward, always-happy-to-see-a-friend attitude. Just when I thought he was going to contain himself to shaking my hand, he picked me up and spun me around. "Sun-hair! My sun-hair! It does my hearts well to see you again!"

If I thought everyone was staring before, there was no doubt to be had about it now. I heard Kobe's low voice say to Jake, "If he starts playing ball, I'm going to have to start selling cars or something." Jake snickered.

"Greetings, friends," Amni'bel said to us. "We are not staying long, but Lok insisted that we make an appearance." Her glowing orange eyes fell on me. "I am coming to understand that not all humans are as accepting of 'aliens' as you, my friends."

I smiled, and Cassie said with a laugh, "Yeah, we're working on that. I'm sure it's mostly because they're insecure. A few years ago, they thought we were alone in the galaxy. Now they've been introduced to all these different people, they probably are wondering if there's some secret agenda behind every starship that leaves or lands."

Lok snort-snuffled. "You, sun-hair, and the rest of your friends are not like that."

I laughed. "We've had many years to get used to the fact that there's a bunch of aliens zipping through space. It's just like anything else – some you meet are really good, some are really bad, and most just want to be left alone. We're lucky we fell in with you guys and the Andalites. It'll make it harder for something like the Yeerk invasion to happen again."

"Speaking of invasions…" Tobias trailed off as the unmistakable, high-pitched whine of a starship reached us. The ship, obviously Andalite in design, picked an empty spot in Marco's ridiculously huge back yard and landed slowly. It didn't even power down as an Andalite gracefully leapt from the halfway-lowered ramp and trotted in our direction.

It was an older Andalite – not as old as Alloran, but definitely older than Ax. A puckered scar marred the beautiful, steel blue coat of fur on his chest. His fists were not clenched and his tail was lowered – a sure sign that he wasn't looking for or expecting trouble. His stalk eyes were vigilantly scanning the crowd for threats as he skid to a stop in front of us.

He saluted in the weird Andalite fashion. Ax looked stunned, then remembered to salute back. I gave him a questioning look, and he said to me privately, (Captain Breeyar. He was my brother's old fighter pilot trainer, years ago on the StarSword. He was promoted and commands the 191st fighter wing attatched to our main battle fleet. He's a legend.)

(Prince Aximili,) Breeyar said slowly. (I regret that we've not had the chance to meet until now. I've always wanted to tell you how highly I think of your brother. When I heard you were responsible for stopping the Yeerks on Earth single-handedly, I was not surprised at all.)

Ax stiffened. (Of course, I didn't stop the Yeerks by myself. My human friends have saved my life many times. To what do I owe the pleasure? This is obviously not a social call.)

Breeyar laughed. (Unfortunately, you are right.) He sobered. (The Kelbrids, who've left us alone before now, have taken it upon themselves to expand their space. They've been leap-frogging into Andalite space, taking over planets and setting up armed settlements. We weren't especially threatened by this, so we tried negotiating as opposed to force.)

(And it failed,) Ax said grimly. (The Kelbrids do not negotiate.)

Breeyar gave Ax a slight bow. (You have distilled three months of Council talks into one sentence. The Kelbrids took over a planet called M5571 in the Antion system. They encountered a race called the Orgona there and promptly enslaved them. The Council has declared war, and I have come to see if you will answer the Council's call.)

(Of course,) Ax said without hesitation. (What is my command to be?)

Breeyar smiled an Andalite smile. (The Chubar task force is to be yours. It includes six dome ships, four Maurader cruisers, and three fighter wings, mine included. I, for one, would be more than happy to serve you, as I never got the chance to serve your brother.)

It was Ax's turn to bow. (Let us make haste. The Antion system is almost forty days away. We must strike before the Kelbrids solidify their hold on that system.) Ax turned his eyes to us. (Duty calls,) he said, almost regretfully. (I must serve my people. It is what I was born to do.)

Jake patted him on the arm. "Of course. I'd volunteer to go with you, but I'd just get in the way. If Admiral Silas talks our government into throwing in with you guys, which I'm sure he will eventually, I'll see you on the front lines."

"We all will," I said forcefully. "I didn't put up with all that fighter training from Marco for nothing."

"I will not wait for an invitation," Amni'bel said to Ax. "Give me the coordinates of where you need the most help. I will send every kertian and pilot I can muster. The Taruffs do not turn away when friends need aid."

Breeyar stared impassively. (Your warriors are impressive, Princess, but the Kelbrid are fierce. I'm afraid blade fighters cannot do much to help.)

Amni'bel raised her veil and began to speak, but Lok cut her off. "We will go anyway. To assume we will not, to even imply you do not want help, is stupid. Aximili has given me a favorable impression of the Andalites – do not ruin it by being ignorant."

I couldn't help it – I started laughing. Breeyar, who's tail was flexed so hard I could see the air vibrating, shot me a poisonous look and I shut up. Surely he'd been called stupid before. Hadn't everybody? I waved in a manner of disdain. "Don't tell me you can't use the help. The Taruffs have just said they'll throw in with you lock, stock, and barrel. You're lucky – they're better fighters than humans and don't have the disadvantage of disparaging opinions. They'll fight well."

(Forgive Lok's lack of diplomacy, Prince Breeyar,) Ax chimed in. (But as the leader of the Chubar task force, I agree with him, and I will be happy to accept any help they're willing to give,) Ax said the last part more to Lok and Amni'bel. Amni'bel lowered her veil and gave a grave nod.

"I am honored that you find our warriors worthy. They will serve you well," she told him, and Lok pounded his chest in agreement. "After all, if we are not united, it would make being conquered that much easier." Without hesitation, Amni'bel turned her back on us and walked over to the small knot of Taruff honor guard who were staying out of the way. She gestured fiercely and they fanned out, protecting her, and led her around the house to where her transport awaited.

After some more discussion and some sad farewells, Ax, Lok, and Breeyar entered the Andalite transport ship, which hastily burned away from the planet. Tobias put his arm around my waist and I let him lead me away from the stunned crowd. I guess it wasn't every day you witnessed an alien council of war. When we were out of sight of Marco's guests, Tobias spun me around to face him. He had a haunted look in his eyes. "Rachel, we can't let Ax go out there to fight by himself. He's one of us."

I laughed grimly, because I'd been thinking the same thing. I blurted something I was slowly coming to realize. "Yeah, he is. He's one of us. You've got to realize that it's Ax's duty to go fight for his space. He enlisted in the Andalite military. He chose this life." I gently rubbed Tobias' cheek. "We got duped into fighting a war when we were young. Not that I regret it – I don't. We fought to protect our families and our friends. We won. I know you think that Ax helped us when we needed it, so now we should take off to help him. Is that right?"

Tobias managed to glare at me. "Yeah, maybe. I can see things from your point of view. I know you'd never back down from a fight. But Ax is my shorm…I can't just let him go off and die alone."

I barked a laugh. "Alone? He's not fighting like we used to. He's got millions of Andalites fighting with him, and at least that many Taruffs. I'm sure, like Jake said, Admiral Silas will be heading out to reinforce them soon. We're not soldiers, Tobias. I've already died twice for this cause. I'd like to enjoy life with you before I let it happen again."

He sighed slowly, and he looked so torn that before I knew what I was doing, I was kissing him. His eyes widened in surprise, and then he relaxed into the kiss. It seemed like hours before we broke for air, and for the first time in a while he let a smile grace his features. "I love you too, Rachel."

I opened my mouth to protest…and shut it just as quickly. I hadn't said I loved him…but I did. He knew it. I loved Tobias, and he loved me. "If you do, then give us a chance. Spend time with me. Don't take off to fight a war again."

His smile faded. "Okay," he said slowly. "I will. You deserve it. But if things start looking bad, or if Ax ever asks for help -"

"I'll be the first one out there with you," I finished for him.

Marco's head popped around the corner of the house. "I hate to interrupt this…whatever you're doing…but I do have spare bedrooms in my house. Either go take one of them over or get your asses over here and help me tell J. Lo how I singlehandedly won the battle of…well, I'm sure you can help me make one up," he winked.

I slapped his head and threw an arm around his shoulder. The other arm went around Tobias. "Marco, I hope you know what you've just done. Yeah, we'll help you lie to girls to get them in bed with you. But you also just extended your hospitality to Tobias and I, and I plan on taking full advantage of it until our own house is built."

Marco's smile didn't leave his face as we approached J. Lo and her entourage, but his eyes changed. The expression went from amused to cornered in a single second. "I meant you can use a bedroom for the night," he said.

"Well, then, you should have said that," Tobias said, in mock surprise. "Are you telling us, two fellow animorphs, that you're going back on your word and are going to leave us homeless out on the streets? Oh, I can't wait to hear what Oprah has to say about this."

"I liked you better as a bird," Marco grated under his breath, and cheerfully greeted the pop singer. "Jennifer, I'd like you to meet Tobias and Rachel, two of my fellow animorphs who've just done me the honor of saying they'll stay with me. Until their own house is done, at least. Maybe they can relate to you how I picked up ninety-seven starfighter kills in the brutal Taruff wars."

Tobias obediantly launched into a ridiculous tall tale about Marco's bravery and skill. I managed to keep a straight face for most of it, but when Tobias got to the part where Marco seduced two young Taruff princesses at once, I let an involuntary snort escape me. I grabbed Tobias by the arm and tugged him away. "Come on, let's go find which bedroom we're going to live in for the next couple of months. I'm sure Marco's bedroom will be fine if we can't find one to our liking." The last thing I saw before Tobias and I burst into the house was Marco's resigned, sorrowful head shake. I laughed and said, "Oh, Tobias, this is going to be so much fun."

A/N – I know this isn't the grand slam ending you were hoping for. I'm not happy with it either, but I can't write this any more. I'm too excited about my sequel to The New Dawn, called The Kelbrid Wars, which you'll be seeing on ffn within the next few days. Anyway, I hope you had fun with this, and be on the lookout for some more non-stop action/adventure fun!