Tim slowly sits down on the crate as he watches the helicopter until it was out of sight. He was in complete shock from hearing the words, 'Going home'.

"Did he just say what I thought he said?" Austin asks as he comes running out from hiding.

Tim numbly nods.

"You can go home??!!" Austin asks with a huge smile growing on his face. "That's awesome." He adds as he sits down on the crate next to the stunned man.

"Is it?" Tim asks quietly.

"Of course it is. You get to see your mom and sister. You can even get you that Big Mac that you've been craving." Austin laughs as he rubs his lover on the back of the head.

"Why does the thought of going home scare the hell out of me though?" The brunette asks as he stares out at the horizon.

Austin sighs as he gently brushes Tim's hair behind his ear. He couldn't imagine how Tim was feeling right now. He had been gone from civilization for so long.

"And what about you? How are you gonna get home? You're not supposed to be here with me." Tim says, looking around at his lover.

"The guy is dead. What's he going to do?" Austin asks with a smile but still sees the concern in Tim's eyes. "If you're that worried about it, Chance said that he would see us in a couple of days. I can just fly back with him."

"That would make me feel better." Tim says with a nod.

"That would probably be the best anyway now that I think about it. I need to let your mom know that you're coming home." Austin says. "Cause if you just show up on her doorstep it would give the poor lady a heart attack."

Tim nods and turns his attention back to the beautiful horizon that he had grown so used to seeing every day.

"Are you okay?" Austin asks, rubbing him on the back.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know how I feel. I dreamed of the day that I would get to go home." Tim says as he bats back the tears that threatened his eyes. "But now that it's almost here, it scares me."

"I'm sure it will be rough at the start but you'll get used to it." Austin says. "Guess we need to get this crate to the cave."

"Yeah." Tim nods as they stand up. He picks up the crate and they make their way back to his home of almost six years.

After eating something, the couple relaxes on the blanket to try and make plans. It was decided that Austin would go back to Tipton to be with his family. When Tim arrives, he would go straight to Netherland to see his mom and sister. He would be staying with his mom for the time being.

Austin was worried about Tim. He knew how rough it was when he was rescued. The media drove him crazy. Reporters waiting outside his home and the phone calls requesting interviews from newspapers. It would probably be worse for Tim since he had been gone for so long. Would he be able to handle it?

~~ 

(Three days later)

The couple slowly makes their way to the beach. They knew their time together was growing short. Tim knew once he got back to the states things were going to get chaotic. He didn't want Austin to have to go through it so they decided to keep in touch by phone or by something called Facetime. He would have to get Emily to show him how.

As they were nearing the beach, they hear a helicopter in the distance.

"Surely that's not them coming back already." Tim says as they hide behind some thick brush.

They watch the sky for the chopper as the sound gets louder. 

"That's Chance." Austin says with a heavy sigh as the helicopter appears from over the tree line. He knew he would have to go back with his cousin. Once again, leaving his lover behind.

"Hey, guys. How's it hanging?" Chance laughs as he sees the couple emerge from the bushes wearing only their birthday suits. "I got some of the stuff you ordered."

"Looks like we won't be needing it after all." Austin says sadly.

"What? Why? What's going on?" Chance asks, removing his sunglasses.

"Looks like I'll be going home." Tim says, putting on a forced smile.

"Going home? But I thought...." Chance says, totally confused.

"Chance, the guy that put Tim here has passed away. He left orders for Tim to be set free after his death." Austin answers.

"Okay? To me, that sounds like great news. Why are you two looking like your best friend just died?" Chance asks.

"I'll be flying back with you to Tipton. They are supposed to be picking Tim up in a few days." Austin replies.

"Okay? But it's still great news, right? So you'll have to be apart for a few days. What's the problem?" Chance asks. "You're free."

"Believe it or not, Chance, I've grown to love this place." Tim says as he looks out across the horizon. "What will I be going back to? There are only a few things that I've actually missed. Of course, my mom and sister being at the top of my list. I'll have to find a job cause I sure as hell don't have any money to survive on. So saying that I'm a little scared would be an understatement."

"I can understand that I guess." Chance nods.

"I, uh, I guess I need to go pack. I brought most of my clothes back with me." Austin says.

"I really wish that I could stay long enough for you guys to spend more time together. But I really need to get back." Chance says with an apologetic look in his eyes.

"I understand." Tim nods as they head toward the cave.

"Cuz? You are gonna put on some clothes aren't you?" Chance chuckles lightly, trying to lift the mood.

"I was planning on it." Austin smirks as he begins to gather up his clothes.

Out of respect for their guest, Tim slips on a pair of shorts then sits down on a rock as he sadly watches his lover pack up to leave.

"I guess that's about it." Austin says after slipping a tee shirt over his head.

"I'll take these to the chopper." Chance says as he picks up the luggage. He figured the couple needed some time alone.

"Hey." Austin says softly as he walks up to Tim. He places a finger under his chin and lifts his head.

Tim sniffs and swallows hard as a tear escapes and runs down his cheek.

"Sweetheart, this ain't goodbye." Austin whispers softly as he wipes the tear away from his lover's cheek.

"I know." Tim whispers and nods, wiping his eyes.

"Just don't do anything crazy like you did last time. Like trying to kill yourself." Austin says with a look of warning. "Cause we WILL be together soon. I'll take you out for that Big Mac that you've been craving."

"It's a date." Tim smiles as he wipes his eyes again.

The brunette stands and pulls his lover into his arms. Holding him tightly.

"I love you so much." He whispers as he kisses Austin tenderly on the neck.

"I love you too. I have from the minute I laid eyes on you." Austin says as he holds his lover close. "I guess I need to go. Chance is waiting." He adds in a whisper.

"Don't forget to call mom." Tim says as they head out of the cave.

"I will." Austin says as he stops and looks at the cave for the last time.

"Mom has your number, right?" Tim asks as they carefully make their way down the sandy slope.

"Yeah, she has it." Austin says with a giggle as his foot slips on the loose sand but Tim catches him.

"I'll call you when I get to mom's house." Tim says.

"You better." Austin smiles as he squeezes the brunette's hand.

As he sees the couple walking onto the beach, Chance climbs into the pilot seat and begins to get things ready for taking off.

"Thanks for all your help, Chance." Tim says as he gives the bearded pilot a hug. "Have a safe flight. You have some precious cargo on board."

"No problem. I will and I'll see you soon." Chance smiles.

"I'll miss you." Austin says, wrapping his arms around Tim's neck and pulling him into a heated kiss. "That will have to last you until we see each other again." He adds with a chuckle as he watches his lover trying to catch his breath.

Tim was left speechless after the kiss and only managed a nod.

"Remember. This ain't goodbye but I'll see you later." Austin says as he climbs into the co-pilot seat.

"I'll see you later then." Tim manages a forced smile as Austin waves and closes the door.

As the helicopter begins to lift from the beach, Austin blows Tim a kiss. Tim pretends to catch the kiss and holds it to his chest over his breaking heart.

He watches until the vessel was gone from view. Falling to his knees on the white sandy beach, he begins to weep.

*********

Thanks for reading!!!

PLEASE, smash the VOTE button and don't forget to leave a COMMENT.