EPILOGUE

By the end of the cycle, Gavin was feeling almost like his old self.  So Verdana began to prepare the celebratory feast.  While the preparations were going on, Gavin had many visitors.

Matrix and Enzo were the first.

"So what be the status of me crew lad?"  Gavin asked Matrix.

"All present and accounted for, sir," Matrix grinned, "We have the Skull's men prisoner and Bob is going to have them transported to the Super Computer."

Gavin nodded and sipped the cup of tea Verdana had brought him, "And ye found no sign of Var's body?"

"No, not yet," Matrix's smile faded a little.

"The scans showed no sign of him," Enzo said, "But we're continuing to look."

"Good," Gavin looked towards the door as Maiandra returned, "Anything else?"

"That's just about it." Matrix was grinning again, "We'll leave you to rest now."

The two made their exit and Maiandra sat at his bedside, "Do you feel up to coming downstairs?"

Gavin was feeling much stronger now.  So strong in fact that he –

"I think I'll stay up here for awhile, if ye'll stay with me."

"Of course, are you still feeling tired?"

Gavin's eye narrowed.  He took Maiandra's hand and kissed each finger, "Nay lass, I'm not that tired."

As his meaning became clear to her she smiled softly and leaned in for a kiss.

***

The air was filled with the cacophony of hearty voices and the scents of various foods.  The dining room was overflowing with an eclectic array of people from all over the net, summoned by Enzo's distress signal. The young sprite had been forced to take a lot of good natured teasing, but it was all in fun and no one complained too much since the lodge was comfortable, there was practically enough room for all and their was plenty of food and drink.

Enzo was enjoying himself as he introduced Kai around.  The little sprite girl was totally enamored of Bob, her 'knight in shining armor' and spent a good deal of the evening by his side.  Bob didn't mind.  Like Enzo, he thought she was a bright little girl much like Eve.

When Kai wasn't hanging on Bob's every word she was with Enzo.

"You have lots of friends, Enzo," Kai commented as Enzo filled her plate for her. 

"That I do," Enzo smiled.

"But why don't they call you Enzo?"

"What?"

"Nobody calls you Enzo," Kai said, "Mr. Matrix calls you, 'Kid.'  And that lady – she pointed at Mouse – calls you – 'soogah'."

Enzo couldn't help but chuckle at her attempt to imitate Mouse's accent, "Mouse calls everyone, 'sugah'."

"And Ms. Dot calls you – sweetie.  My mommy calls me that sometimes."

"Um – yeah," Enzo flushed slightly.

"And that man – he calls you um --,"

"Sprout," Enzo shrugged.  "Although I don't know why."

"That man there calls you Buck."  She pointed at the tall blonde man who waved at them.

"Short for 'Young Buck.'"  Enzo smiled.  "I don't mind because they're all my friends.  See how easy it is to make friends, Kai?" 

"Umm hmm," Kai said through a mouthful of cake.  "Can we go talk to Melissa?"

"Yes, we can," Kai had also been fascinated by his girlfriend.  Melissa had immediately taken a shine to Kai.

As they crossed the room, Enzo noticed Raven standing in a far corner.  Hexadecimal had chosen not to make the journey for her own reasons and, had sent Raven in her stead.  Enzo nodded to him, and he returned the nod.

"Why doesn't your friend talk?"

"Well," Enzo said, "Raven is kind of like us.  He's kind of shy."

"Oh," Kai accepted his explanation, although Enzo knew there was more to it than that.

Melissa was sitting across from Matrix in one of the plush chairs by the hearth.  She smiled up at them when they approached.

"You two finished working the room?"  Melissa asked.  "I saved you a seat."

Melissa waved her hand and one of the empty chairs moved closer of its own volition.  Enzo was used to seeing such things but Kai watched with wide-eyed amazement.

"Can you do something else?"  Kai begged his girlfriend, "Please?"

"All right, anything for Enzo's friend," Melissa caused a ball of light to appear much to Kai's delight.

Enzo moved next to Matrix's chair.

"So Kid, you think next birthday you'll want to spend at home?"

"Most definitely, big brother."

"Well, at least we had some fun," Matrix smiled slightly.

"Melissa liked the tattoo."

Matrix raised an eyebrow, "Did she?"

Enzo flushed, scarlet, "We went swimming."

"Umm hmm."

"We did!"

"Yeah, right."

"Byte me, Matrix."

"Sorry, Kid, you're not my type."

"I'll make sure AndrAIa knows when we get home."  Enzo said, "Was she ticked that she missed all the action?"

"She was," Matrix said.  "I promised to make it up to her."

"Oh really?" Now it was Enzo's turn to raise an eyebrow.

"Don't go there, Kid."

Enzo chuckled, then his eyes lowered, looking at his brother and again, relief that Matrix was alive and well.  They'd continue to work on their relationship.  Enzo saw good things for it in the future.

"You okay, Enzo?"  Matrix didn't look at him.

"Yeah," Enzo got the distinct impression that his brother could sense his thoughts.  Enzo would have never believed anything that defied logic and science, if he hadn't seen the mystical himself.  Enzo rested a hand on his brother's shoulder.

They watched Melissa continue to entertain Kai for a time.  The she-virus instructed Kai to hold out her hands and Melissa laid the ball of light within her cupped palms.

Kai turned to Enzo, smiling brightly she said, "Look Enzo, isn't it --,"

Suddenly her smile faded.  The wide-eyed enjoyment was suddenly terror as Kai opened her mouth and screamed shrilly.

Enzo saw her line of sight and turned and a cry of denial sprang to his own lips.

Across the room, his ugly frame filling the immense doorway stood a bloody and wounded Evan Var.  His face twisted in a hate-filled sneer and the laser pistol he held was pointed at Enzo's chest.

***

Gavin smiled as he looked at his wife's peacefully sleeping face.  He reached out and gently stroked her jaw line.

Well Skull, ye were wrong about one thing, Gavin mused silently.  There were some things even an old binome was capable of.

Finally, relaxed and somewhat back to normal, Gavin settled down for a good night's downtime.

And was suddenly and abruptly awake again as the feeling – the feeling of something being terribly wrong, invaded his system.

Gavin lay there, frozen with indecision.  His ears attuned to each minute sound around him but all he could hear was the muted sounds of the celebration going on downstairs.

Finally Gavin could stand it no longer. He thought to wake Maiandra, but then decided if there was any danger, he didn't want her in the midst of it.  As carefully as he was able, Gavin climbed from the bed.

Immediately, dizziness claimed him.  The room spun crazily and Gavin had to fight to steady himself.  His injured limbs cried out in protest and Gavin gritted his teeth and ignored the pain as best as he could.  Gavin moved silently across the room, carefully opened the door and slipped out.

The sounds of laughter and music came from downstairs.  All seemed well, but –

A shadow moved by the main entrance.  Gavin froze where he was.  Whoever was in the foyer, they hadn't seen him on the landing.  They moved with a purpose down the hall towards the rear of the lodge.

It took all of Gavin's energy to move from the landing and down the stairs.  He was about to follow the intruder's progress, when he realized he didn't have a weapon.  He certainly was in no condition to fight hand to hand.

Gavin moved back down the hall and slipped into his study.

*

He would have his vengeance now.  For himself and for the captain.

The intruder entered the lodge with surprising ease.  The fools, he thought.  Lowering their guard the way they did.  He could hear the sounds of revelry coming from the dining room.  He knew he could never kill them all, which suited him fine.  There was only one he wanted.  But first he would need a weapon.

He knew for a fact that there were weapons in the lodge, locked away in a basement storeroom.  He doubted they would have changed the password to the file lock yet and if he could get there without being seen –

He thought he heard something in the landing above him, but a quick glance revealed nothing.  Carefully he moved down the hall.

*

It was there where he had left it.  A quick check told him that it was still in excellent condition.

Gavin held his great-grandfather's pistol in a trembling hand.  He knew he was in no condition to be facing the intruder alone.  He should hurry to the dining room, alert everyone.

The sound of footsteps moving up the hall changed his mind.

Gavin peeked out from behind the study door and saw the hulking figure move towards the dining room.  It was now or never.  Gavin raised the pistol and moved with a painful slowness.

*

Evan Var smiled ferally.  No one had even noticed him yet as he stood just outside the doorway.  They were so busy at their merry-making.  His eyes scanned the room, before he stepped across the threshold.  Damn it, the captain wasn't here!  He'd deal with the man later.

The little girl saw him first.  Her eyes went wide and her pink bow-shaped mouth opened and she screamed.

It was the boy who was in his line of sight.  He turned and Var could see the fear and denial in his eyes.  Var knew in an instant it was this boy's betrayal that had lost him the battle.  So now, a traitor would be executed and there was no one to stop him.

*

Evan Var!

Gavin gripped the pistol as he moved forward, praying to the User and every deity that cared that Var wouldn't hear him.  He was standing at the door of the dining room.  Gavin heard Kai's shrill scream.

Gavin stepped behind and to the right of Var and could see the horror on Kai's face and the shock on Enzo's and how everyone in the room seemed to move at once and not fast enough.  Screams and warnings were inconsequential.  Gavin knew no one would stop Var in time.

Holding his great-grandfather's pistol with both hands, hoping, praying that his aim was true, Gavin fired.

***

"No!"  Enzo yelled out in denial at what he was seeing, what he knew was about to happen.  If Var wanted to delete him fine but he had to protect Kai.  He stepped in front of the girl-child sprite just as Var pulled the trigger.

And at what seemed to be the same instance something exploded out of Var's chest.  The man's back arched and he screamed.  His hands clenched in a deletion grip around the pistol. 

Something slammed into Enzo's shoulder and he hit the floor hard, knocking the wind out of him.

"Enzo!  No, please, Enzo!"  Melissa was screaming.

"No!  Kid!"  It was Matrix.

More people called his name.  The ceiling was spinning above him and Enzo frowned up at it, willing it to stop.  It was making the pain in his head worse.

"Back off!"  Matrix was screaming, "Get the hell away from him!"

"Matrix," Enzo said, "I'm fine."

Several hands took hold of him and helped him up.  Enzo felt his arm where the shot had hit.  It had glanced off his shoulder but it had felt like it had gone right through.

"What happened?"  Melissa asked.

Enzo didn't reply.  He was looking towards the door.  Var was gone and standing in his place, holding a smoking pistol was Gavin Capacitor.

"Gavin?"  Enzo stepped forward.

There was the sound of running footsteps and Maiandra burst across the threshold, sword in one hand and drawn pistol in the other.  She quickly scanned the room and then her eyes fell on Gavin, "Husband?  What has happened?"

Gavin shook his head, although no one knew why, "Are ye all right, Enzo lad?"

"I am, captain."

"Good," the pistol slipped from Gavin's hand and the Crimson Binome fell forward in a faint.

Maiandra was to him first and cradled his head in her lap, "We have to get him into bed."

"He saved my life," Enzo whispered.

"Enzo?"

For a moment, Enzo had forgotten Kai was there.  Luna was at her side immediately, gathering her daughter to her.

"Are the bad men all gone now?"

Enzo sighed.  He was sorry Kai had had to see Var's deletion.

"Yes Kai," he whispered, "The bad men are all gone."

***

Gavin stepped into the room as he watched with grim satisfaction as Evan Var fragmented.  Then he almost immediately turned his attention to where the crowd had gathered around Enzo.

No, Gavin thought, unable to move as much as he wanted to.  Not the lad.  By gar, was I too late?

But he heard Enzo's voice and the boy stood and relief flooded Gavin's senses.

"Gavin?"  Enzo stepped forward.

Before Gavin could speak, Maiandra rushed into the room, armed to the teeth.  Gavin's heart swelled with pride and love.  She is a true warrioress.

"Husband?  What has happened?"

There was so much Gavin wanted to say to her, but it wasn't for this room crowded with people.  So he just shook his head, as though to signify that now, nothing was wrong.  Even as he stood there the last of his strength ebbed and he felt unconsciousness stealing up on him.  Before he slept there was one thing he had to know.

"Are ye all right, Enzo lad?"

"I am, captain."

"Good," The last of his energy left him and suddenly he could hold his great-grandfather's pistol no longer.  It slipped from his grasp as the scene around him faded.

***

Gavin awakened back in his bed some time later and was now facing his wife's wrath

"I don't know if I should kiss you or delete you!"  Maiandra said.

"I'd prefer if ye kissed me, lass."

"And you don't even deserve that!"  Maiandra said, "Why didn't you wake me you crusty old binome!"

 "I – didn't want ye hurt --,"

"You didn't want me --," Maiandra flushed with anger, "So now am I some weak-willed woman who cannot defend herself?  Would you insult me that way, husband?"

"Nay!"  Gavin said, "I meant no disrespect me lovely bride, what can I do ta make it up ta ye?"

For the first time, Maiandra smiled slightly, "I'll think of something."

Gavin gladly spent the next cycle in bed, receiving visitors when he was well enough to.  By the end of the second cycle, his guests announced they needed to go their separate ways.

The Enzo's visited him and Gavin bade them sit down.

"Ye two sure ye want ta leave now?"  Gavin smiled, "Yer welcome to stay and continue yer birthday celebration."

"Thank you, Gavin," Enzo said, "But I've had enough celebrating to last me for the next minute."

"Agreed," Matrix said.  "Gavin?"

"Yes, lad?"

"I'm – we're glad you're all right."

Gavin nodded, "Thank ye, lads.  Ye two have made great progress in yer brotherly relationship.  Keep on as ye are."

"We will, Gavin," Enzo smiled, "We'll see you back in Mainframe."

"Aye lad," He smiled up as his wife walked in carrying a dinner tray, "Lass, do ye think I'm well enough ta see the ships off?"

"Well – as long as you promise to go right back to bed," Maiandra said.

"I promise lass."

Maiandra helped him up and draped his robe around his shoulders.  With the help of a cane supplied by Verdana, Maiandra helped Gavin down the stairs.

"Captain!"  Mr. Christopher was just coming from the dining room and he rushed to Gavin's side, "What are you doing up, sir?"

"I need me some fresh air, lad," Gavin said. "I'm going to see the ships off."

"Well --," Mr. Christopher looked at Maiandra.

"Would you like to accompany us, Mr. Christopher?"

"Well – yes, thank you ma'am."

Mr. Christopher took his other arm.

"Now what is all this to-do?"  Gavin said with mock indignation, "I'm not a total invalid you know."

"Now husband --,"

"Hmph," Gavin grunted.  All this fuss and for what?  He was perfectly fine.

When Gavin stepped out into the sunshine, he lifted his face skyward and enjoyed the feel of the sun on his face and the scent of the salt air.  He watched as Bob converted tears into portals.

"Gavin, what are you doing up?"  Dot approached him, and smiled at him. 

Gavin took her hands, "Come ta say see ye later."

"Remember what I told you," Dot said, "Rest and Relaxation.  Command.com's orders."

"Aye sir, ma'am!"  Gavin smiled.

"Don't worry, Dot, he's not going to be doing anything more than sleeping and eating."

"Hmph," Gavin said again, although for the first time the idea appealed to him.

Now that he was up and about, his Mainframe friends made their goodbyes, all telling Gavin to rest and they would see him when they returned.

Yes, he would definitely need some serious downtime after this, no arguments.  As the ships and transports carried his friends back to their home, Gavin thought, aye, definitely due for a rest.  Bar gar, I sure as hell earned it.