Sure, I helped to save a planet, but I had no choice. I helped save the lives of four people, but I had selfish reasons. I haven’t done a single, worthwhile, un-provoked thing in my life.

Even Sarah was provoked, even Tess was provoked, for god sake. Not that I regret either of them. But if there was one thing in my life that I want to do for them, for the group, it is to bring us all home.

No one talks about it. It’s total taboo around here. But I’ve been watching them for most of my life in envy, and now that I watch them in love, I find the picture hasn’t changed much. They are still searching. Before, they were searching for a way to go. Now they are searching for a way back.

I love them, you know. More than life itself, and all that bull crap, as I used to think of it. They are my life. My Tess. My wife. I don’t know why she loves me, but I know she does, and I can’t help but be thankful for that. She blew off her destiny for me. She gave up her chance for acceptance here for me. She held me when I cried with homesickness, and laughed giddily with me when I kissed her. All I did was make her pregnant. She gave me Sarah, our beautiful Sarah. I want to give her something in return.

She’s been away for so long, fighting in a war that had nothing to do with her, and everything to do with the birthright she gave up when she chose me. Now that she’s back, I’m going to be here for her. I’m going to be her shoulder to cry on, her arm to hang onto, her smiling face when she needs to be cheered. I’m also going to do something I would never have dared to do, if it wasn’t for her.