"Tobi, could you pass me the eggs please?"

Back in my own kitchen, we were making cheese and ham omelettes for lunch. It had been about a week since our ordeal, and since Tobi was still unable to tell me what he wanted to eat, I'd made the decision based on the numerous times he seemed to have enjoyed them previously.

"Tobi?" I asked, turning to face him when it was clear the eggs weren't coming my way.

His familiar vacant stare had been replaced by one of recognition, before he turned his head slightly to take in his surroundings.

Excited, I let go of the knife I'd been holding to slice the ham, placing it on the worktop behind me.

"Please tell me you're back this time!" I enthused, pulling him into an embrace.

There had been a few moments like this over the last day or so – fleeting glimpses of lucidity that always faded within a few seconds of presenting themselves. Each time it had happened, I'd hoped that he wouldn't slip back under the influence of the drug again, and this time was no different.

"Matty," he whispered against the top of my chest before drawing in a shaky breath. "Your father ... the plan ... it worked?"

I let him go so that I could place my hands on his shoulders and examine the new cognisance in his azure eyes, smiling in relief that it didn't seem to be waning this time.

"It worked," I assured him. "It seems our transmission impacted more civilians than I realised. Although you did have me worried when I saw they'd arrested you and Elizabeth."

"I decided to put my trust in your father," he declared confidently.

"And with hindsight, maybe I should have done that too," I conceded. "If I'd gone to him earlier, we might have been able to avoid the disaster we ended up in. I've missed you so much," I added, pulling him back into a hug.

Tobi's arms wrapped round my back, reciprocating my grip, and resting his head back on my chest, just as Tiger trotted up to us and wound herself between our legs, meowing loudly.

"Looks like I'm not the only one that missed you," I noted, peering downwards and releasing my hold on him as he knelt down to greet the feline.

"Tiger!" he cooed as she nuzzled his arm. "It seems you got along all right without us then?"

Tiger purred gently, lapping up the attention.

"Apparently she decided she was the neighbours' cat in our absence," I sighed, rolling my eyes. "All that worrying, and she was absolutely fine, living in luxury next door. My mother made an iced carrot cake to thank them for adopting her temporarily. Talking of food," I continued, gesturing towards the food we were preparing. "Are you hungry? We were in the middle of making omelettes when you woke up."

"Definitely," he nodded, standing.

As we continued cooking, I recounted the highlights of the remainder of the eventful day that he was unable to remember.

"So where are Thomas and Rachel now?" he asked as we sat down to eat.

"In a prison cell until the dust settles and a decision can be made on what to do with them," I replied as I speared myself a forkful of omelette. "Dominic and my father have stepped in to keep a degree of order until a government can be established. It makes sense for Dominic to be involved because the public are used to the Andekas family being in command, and he was the most rational choice for that continuity given the circumstances. Even the civilians who have been traditionally loyal to the Andekas have been broadly agreeable to his authority because of his heritage. There's no doubt that people will need time to adapt to a new system, but so far, other than a few minor protests and skirmishes, they've been pretty accepting of the transition already."

Tobi nodded his understanding as he ate.

"What about the Katki?" he asked. "Is there any kind of plan to integrate them back into society?"

"We've been working on it," I confirmed. "For most of them, the life they have is the only life they've ever known, and they're understandably anxious about what the future holds for them. Those living at the fort will stay there for now, but they'll make regular trips into the surrounding villages to help them get used to new people and situations. The idea is that over an extended period, they may feel comfortable enough to move out of the sanctuary, but in the meantime, we need to support them until they feel ready to make their own decisions.

"At least most of them are with a parent," Tobi pointed out. "That should make the transition easier because they'll be with someone who's already familiar with village life. But what about those living at the Kinnisvara? They're not with their families, so it might be harder for them."

"You're absolutely right," I agreed. "Which is why we're tracing their families using the historical logs stored in the computer database at the lab. As you told me before, every Katki baby was tracked with a numbered wristband through to adulthood when they received their tattoo. It will take some time, but in theory it means we can reunite all the Katki with their families."

Tobi had paused any physical movement, with a forkful of omelette stuck between his plate and his mouth as his icy blue eyes shone with hope.

"And so far," he whispered with a tremble in his voice. "Have you managed to find the families for anyone you know?"

"We have," I smiled, teasing him just a little as I continued eating. "Amanda is now back with Seren and Peter. She's so adorable! You'll have to meet her. She accepted them almost immediately as her parents and they're both so happy to have her back in their lives."

"That's great news," Tobi acknowledged with a small smile, allowing the fork to continue its journey to his lips.

While I could tell that he was genuinely pleased for the couple, I also knew it wasn't the information he was hoping for, and I couldn't withhold it from him any longer.

"We found your parents too," I admitted quietly.

Tobi's fork fell from his hand, clattering loudly as it landed on the plate below. Choking out an indeterminate noise, the man opposite me started welling up, understandably shocked to hear the news.

Abandoning my own cutlery on the side of my plate next to my half-eaten lunch, I went to him, and taking his hands in mine, knelt in front of him.

"You have a younger sister," I continued as my vision started to blur with the pools of liquid forming in my eyes. I stroked his finger with my thumb as he inhaled sharply at the news. "She looks just like you – the hair and eyes, I mean. You both take after your mother in that way. And your parents ... well, they couldn't be happier about being reunited with you again."

"Wait, you've met them?" he realised, releasing a tear.

"Well, technically we met them together," I clarified, as one of my own tears slithered down my cheek and landed on my knee. "They were very keen to see you again. Was that all right?"

Smiling, he nodded vigorously, letting me know I'd made the right decision.

"I have a sister," he murmured with a shaky breath, apparently absorbing the information.

"Her name is Catherine," I enthused, squeezing his hands, and hoping that some additional details might help it feel more real for him.

"Catherine," he repeated, blinking, and releasing the tears that continued to form.

"And your parents called you James," I added.

With an emotional giggle, the platinum blond raised his hand to wipe away a tear before replacing it back in mine.

"Then they're going to have to get used to calling me Tobi," he grinned as the saltwater kept falling from his eyes.

"But that name came from your tattoo," I pointed out, a little confused. "Won't it always remind you of how badly you were treated?"

Still grinning, he shook he head, his piercing blue eyes conveying more than his words ever could.

"It's part of who I am," he stated. "The ride may not have always been pleasant, but it's shaped who I've become. So, it will remind me of the journey I've been on. The experiences I've had. The people I've met along the way, like Seren and Peter and your father. Catherine wouldn't exist if my parents had been able to keep me, so I may not have been blessed with a sister if I hadn't been Katki and given this number. And I wouldn't have met you, Matty."

I looked up at him in awe.

"That's such an admirable way to view everything that's happened," I replied affectionately. "You really feel that way?"

"No," he chuckled sarcastically, shrugging through his tears. "I just don't like the name James."

Laughing, I slapped his arm lightly.

"You're such an idiot," I teased him.

"James doesn't suit me, though, does it?" he giggled back, wiping his eyes again.

"It really doesn't," I conceded, as both of us continued chuckling and crying simultaneously. "How about we go and visit them after lunch?" I suggested, standing, sliding behind him and bending over to hug him from the back.

"You mean I can meet them this afternoon?" he gasped, turning his head to face me.

"Unless you had other plans?" I jested, with a quick peck to his lips.

"No other plans," he chortled, shaking his head and picking up his fork.

"Good," I said, kissing him on the cheek before resuming my seat opposite him.

"I still can't believe I have a sister!" he grinned as he tucked into his food again.

"It's a lot to take in," I concurred. "You have a whole family that want to get to know you."

"And I want to get to know them."

"Life is going to be very different," I speculated. "You and the other Katki are free to make your own choices now. Find your own ways to contribute to society, make friends, explore the world and what it has to offer. It must be quite exciting?"

"Yes, although some of it is a little daunting," he admitted as he continued to eat. "Especially since I don't really know what my options are. I don't know the first thing about finding a job or accommodation, for example."

"Accommodation?" I repeated, a little bewildered.

"Well, there's no need for me to pretend to be your Katki anymore," he explained. "I don't really know what that means in terms of living arrangements, so I might need some help with working out what to do."

"I was hoping you'd stay here with me," I clarified, reminding myself he hadn't had a typical civilian upbringing and really didn't have much experience to base any decisions on. "It's considered normal for couples to live together, like Seren and Peter do. I thought maybe we could do that too? If you want to, that is?"

"Of course I do," he replied, grinning enthusiastically as he finished off his omelette. "I didn't want to assume anything because the world seems to have changed since I last remember it, and I'm not sure what's expected of me anymore."

Along with a mouthful of water, I swallowed the remainder of my lunch, and reached for his hands across the table.

"Tobi, this is your home for as long as you want it," I assured him. "Which I'm hoping will be a very long time."

"Me too," he smiled back contentedly. "I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be."

"Except meeting your family, I suspect?" I assumed as I raised an eyebrow, noting that both of our plates were now empty.

"Yes!" he squealed, excitement shining brightly in his vivid blue eyes.

I recalled the first day I saw Tobi at the Mart, and how dull and lifeless those eyes had been, and I felt overjoyed that they were now brimming with wonder and anticipation.

My own excitement grew as I was reminded that the Katki hadn't needed a cure. They just needed to be free. And despite all of the subterfuge, the intimidation, the terrifyingly cruel threats and the months of investigations we'd endured to oust their oppressors, I was still glad I'd been part of that journey. It was worth every moment to see the warm glow emanating from within Tobi that was unmistakably present in his smile.

Standing, I held my hand out to him to take.

"Then let's go and meet your family."