Almost as soon as Ivy had started driving, and had gotten her purse, she picked up her phone to call Maggie.The phone rang for several seconds before it was picked up, and to Ivy's relief, Maggie's voice came over the line, "Hello?"

"Maggie!" Ivy couldn't help letting relief flood into her voice as she looked straight ahead at traffic.

"Ivy? You okay?" Maggie sounded a little confused, and Ivy realized that her sister hadn't really known anything was wrong. The days Ivy had been on Stellas were unknown, as she was supposed to be gone that long-- at the conference.

"Yah," Ivy pushed her foot to the gas pedal as the light in front of her turned green, "I've got a lot to tell you, but it would probably be best to wait until we're in person."

"Okay... if you say so."

"How's it going at home?" Ivy asked, remembering that she had been home alone this whole time.

"Pretty good. Nothing much to report. Got to school on time, and the house isn't burned down." Maggie joked.

Ivy smiled, "That's good to hear. Listen, I'll get home sometime late tonight," she continued, "I'll see you then."

"See ya." The phone line went off, and Ivy took the iPhone down from her ear, setting it in the drink holder. She took a few deep breaths and readjusted her grip on the steering wheel. The next few minutes passed awkwardly, until Ivy broke the silence. "You can get some rest if you want," she said uncertainly.

Lenan shook his head, "I'm fine. Technically, you're the one who should be resting." his tone had grown solemn, and he stared straight ahead.

"Lenan," Ivy hesitated a moment, feeling like she needed to say something, "It's okay now." Out of the corner of her eye, Ivy saw his brown eyes glance over at her. She kept her gaze and continued, "I'm heading home, and you helped me to be able to do that."

He didn't respond, but unknown to Ivy, he was thankful for her words, even as the quietness intervened in the car.

It was early afternoon on earth, and Ivy wondered if the days were different on Stellis, depending on how close it was, or its location to the sun. Shrugging mentally, she decided not to consider it, and instead decided to try to think of a conversation starter to break the awkwardness. After several minutes of thinking, she asked, "How long have you been coming down to earth?"

"A couple of years now." he answered, seeming glad to break the silence as well. "Morocco started training me for the job a couple of years before that. They've been watching earth for awhile now, and trying to decide if the starbeam would be enough on it to try going after it."

"What exactly is starbeam anyway?" Ivy asked, curious to know more about the item she had been interrogated on.

"It's a type of substance that seems neither liquid nor solid. I've only touched it once, but it feels like pure energy, which is what it does; creates energy," Lenan explained, "which is why Morocco wants it so badly."

Ivy nodded thoughtfully, "That would make sense." A pause, then, "I read in your notebook that the government knows about it?"

Lenan nodded in response, "Every government knows about it. But, they decided to keep it unknown to the general masses, for some reason. I'm not really sure why."

"So it just... creates energy as it sits there?" Ivy asked, her green eyes taking in the world around her in a new light.

"I believe so. When you arrived at Stellis, you probably felt that the air was different?" he prompted her for a response.

Ivy thought back to when she had first arrived, confused and amazed at the world she hadn't known had existed. "Maybe," she said eventually. "It felt a little odd."

"That is because there isn't as much starbeam on the planet. The more the amount of energy fluctuates, the different it feels around you, as well as when you breathe it in." ~MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR: I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS IS CORRECT OR NOT BUT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS STORY, IT WILL BE.~

"Interesting..." Ivy fell silent considering the implications of everything. "So, where would the government keep it? Or do you know?"

Lenan showed a hint of uncomfortableness at this question, "I do know, as I actually was harvesting it when I was here the previous time."

"Right." the car fell silent, though from time to time conversation would be struck up for awhile before it faded again. They went through a drive-through for lunch, eating on the road as they continued to Ivy's home.

Ivy felt like releasing a cheer when they went under the road sign that announced they were in California. Nighttime was approaching fast, and Ivy was grateful the trip was almost over. The rest of the trip flew by when Ivy thought back on it, and non too early, Ivy pulled up into the garage of her home.

Grabbing her purse and phone, she opened the car door eagerly, and opening the garage door that led into the house.

"Maggie!" She called out, and in response heard footsteps hurrying towards her.

"Ivy!" Maggie wrapped her arms around her older sister, squeezing tightly and then releasing quickly in alarm when Ivy gasped in pain as her lash wounds flared up.

"It's okay now," Ivy murmured, moving to the couch and sitting down. Time for the whole story to be explained.

Ivy is home at last! Betcha didn't expect that! Totally kidding, everyone knew that eventually she would make it back. But.....theclimaxhasn'tbeenreachedyetsotheyaren'toutofthewoodsyet..... *coughs violently*

I'm sorry updates have been so random and far spaced in between D: I've been a horrible author.... :( As I stated the previous chapter, thank you to everyone who is reading this. I appreciate you sticking with me on this.

Also, after I finish this book (which I eventually will, I promise you that!) I will most likely go back over the chapters and edit them so that they are improved and revised and better. And also, I have a vaguely forming idea for a sequel, but we will see. :)

<>Evara<>