Bo grabbed Adam's hand as they stared at the tall walls of her town. The floodlights spilled over the orange dust, so bright that it turned everything blue and white. Bo and Adam stood just outside their boundary, unseen by the men and women patrolling on the top. From the amount of guns and sentries, Bo was certain news of the militia had not come yet. She'd have to tell Ana sometime later. But for now, she was busy enough fighting down the nausea that boiled in her stomach. And judging from Adam's shaking hand, he was just as nervous as her.

"You don't think they'll still hate me," he said. It wasn't a question, more a statement that he wanted her to confirm for him.

Bo took a breath. "They won't hate you. They're not desperate anymore." As she said it, she realized how true it was. "Before, they were fighting to survive. The past threatened to eat them alive, and they couldn't stand to think of an alien being even on the same planet as them. But now, we're safe. They're well-fed and have sturdy homes. They've learned to be compassionate and give to others."

"I just don't want to cause any trouble for you," he said, looking down at her. He was barely visible in the dark, but she saw the worry in his eyes.

"I would go to all the trouble in the world for you, so don't even think about using that as an excuse," she said. "You're mine and I'm not giving you up again. You're coming with me into that town, and you're coming with me to my house, and we're getting married and living together forever. Got it?"

Adam nodded silently.

Bo smiled, pulling him in a for quick kiss. "Don't look so scared. You're the leader of the Forlorn. This should be nothing to you."

Adam sighed. "It feels worse than facing the entire Terra Preservation army."

"Don't be silly. It'll be over in a minute."

They grabbed their hoppers, parked a few feet away, and rolled them into the light. A moment later, the voice of someone over the loudspeaker broke through the night.

"Stay put! We're sending out someone to identify you!"

Bo waited, glad that Ana had put in place a system to allow in outsiders, until a small group of armed men and women approached them. Bo recognized them immediately, and smiled as they came into view. It took them a few seconds longer to realize that the stranger was their leader, but when they did they burst into laughter and talking. They ambushed her with slaps on the back, handshakes, hugs.

"We thought you'd never get back!" one of the men, Jack, said. He grinned as he slung his gun over his shoulder.

"Ana's been such a task masker," Jill said. "We're so glad you're back. Maybe you can tell her to lay off the constant drills."

Bo laughed. "She can stay in charge for a few more weeks. I'm beat and I'm going to stay in my house and sleep all day."

Jack motioned toward the gate. "Come on, let's get inside. Everyone will want to know you're back," he said.

"Don't wake up everyone in the town," Bo cut in. "I'd like to get some rest before I officially am back."

Jack nodded. "Understood."

"Can we alert Ana and your father?"

Bo nodded. "Of course."

They walked across the length to the wall, and into the town. Jack broke off to fetch Ana over to Bo's house, while Bo walked with the small party that had greeted them.

"By the way, everyone, I want you to meet Adam," she said, grabbing his arm and pulling him to her side. "He's the one I went looking for, and he's going to be my husband. And also he's an alien."

The group's eyes widened at this barrage of information, and she saw the wary glances they sent Adam's way at the mention of his origin.

"Alien?" Jill asked. Her hands tightened on her gun, but she made no move to aim it at him.

Bo nodded. "The one who kidnapped me a few years back."

"Um... forgive me, but why are you marrying an alien?"

Bo smiled. "Because he saved me countless times, and he's spent the last two years protecting camps like the one ours used to be from bandits and militia. He's proved his humanity a million times over, and I love him."

Jill exhaled slowly, and the others still looked uneasy. But they didn't argue, and they didn't yell. They didn't look frightened or angry, or ready to murder. They simply looked like they needed time to get used to the idea, and time to ask more questions. And they could have all that after Bo could get some sleep in her own bed.

By the time they'd reached her house, she saw that a light was in the main room. Her father must be up, and Ana was probably also there. She turned to Jill and the others, and saluted them. "Thank you for letting us in. I'll answer all your questions tomorrow."

"It's good to have you back, Bo," Jill said. "And it's nice to meet you, Adam."

Adam looked startled at the mention of his name, but bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."

The group disbanded into the night, and Bo reached forward to open the door to her house. She felt Adam tense behind her, but she grabbed his hand and held on tight as she walked into the main room awash with a warm glow and the smell of bread and... just home.

It took Bo a moment for her eyes to adjust to the light, but when they did she saw everything just how she had left it. All her furniture in its place, and the dishes still stacked on the counter where she'd placed them before leaving. And on an embroidered chair by the empty fireplace, her dad sat in his pajamas and a pair of slippers, already swimming in tears and holding a shaking hand to his mouth.

"Dad," Bo said, hearing her voice crack as she felt her own tears fall. She rushed forward, wrapping her father in her arms and burying her face in his shoulder. His hands pressed into her back, shaking and cool, and he whispered her name over and over.

"I missed you so much," she said, pulling back and giving a watery smile.

"I can't believe it's really you," he said, stroking her hair. "It felt like an eternity of waiting. We had no idea if you were dead or alive, or what happened."

"It was an adventure, Dad," Bo said. "I'll tell you all about it later. You won't believe all that happened to me."

He laughed and stared fondly at her face. "I am sure it will be riveting." He gripped her hands. "But did you find what you went looking for?"

She smiled again and turned to beckon Adam forward. "I almost thought I wouldn't, but in the end we were drawn together like the stars and moon."

Adam kneeled down beside Bo. "I am sorry for any hurt I might have caused you or your people during my time as the Beast of Lyx," he said, his voice strained. "I cannot excuse those actions or ask you to forgive them. I only wish you to know that I am Adam now, and I will do all in my power to protect Bo and all she loves."

Her father exhaled slowly. "I am not sure how fast my forgiveness can come, but I do not hate you. My daughter has spent two years as half of herself. I had her by my side, but it was not the Bo I knew. But when she walked in that door right now, I could tell she was back. She was whole. And if you are the person who brought back that spark, then I cannot harden my heart to you."

Adam nodded. "I cannot ask for more, sir."

Bo smiled, holding their hands in each of hers.

By then, she realized that Ana was also in the room, standing back by the kitchen and watching them with an unreadable expression.

"Ana, thank you for keeping the town safe." She stood up, going to give the teenager a hug. Her cold demeanor melted away and she grinned at Bo.

"I knew you'd find him," she said.

"And I'm sure your confidence helped me," Bo replied.

"He's cute," Ana whispered.

Bo rolled her eyes. "Go get your own guy," she whispered back. Ana stuck out her tongue.

Changing to a more serious tone, Bo took a step back. "Did you have any trouble while I was gone?"

Ana grimaced. "Of course. But I didn't let them walk over me. I did what I thought was right, and if they didn't like then they could just go appeal to your dad."

Bo laughed. "I knew I'd put the best person in charge." She thumped Ana's back, but then bit her lip as she looked at the young girl in front of her. She was a teenager, but yet she'd had to run an entire town and go up against hardened generals. "Ana. Really, you did so much. Much more than I should have asked of you."

Ana merely smiled. "I did what I wanted to do, Bo. Don't feel sorry for that." She grinned. "But you can always give me a new hopper, if you feel like it."

"Ugh, get out of here!" Bo said, grabbing Ana by the shoulders and steering her toward the door.

"No, I'm serious, I need a new one!" Ana protested, laughing as Bo opened the door and pushed her onto the stoop.

"Goodnight, Ana!" Bo said. "I'll talk to you tomorrow afternoon."

"Bo," Ana whined, but Bo shut the door on her. Muffled from the other side, she heard Ana's goodnight. And then it was quite in the house once again.

"I'm going to bed now, Dad," Bo said. "We've traveled all day."

Her dad nodded. "I should go too," he said, standing and heading toward his bedroom door. "I love you, Bo."

"I love you too, Dad."

His door clicked shut, and Adam and Bo made their way to Bo's bedroom. She didn't even bother changing into her pajamas, or combing her hair or washing up. She just kicked off her boots, folded her crimson jacket over a chair, and unbuckled her belt. Crawling into bed, she realize just how soft and hers it felt. It was home.

Adam lay down next to her, and she found the spot against his side that was just for her. His arm rested heavy and comforting over the curve of her side, and she felt his heartbeat in the arm that rested under her head. He was home.

In the quiet, it was peace. No fighting. No death. It was just her and him and the sound of their breath.

"Adam," she whispered. "I love you so much."

He kissed her forehead. "I know. I know because you found me. You found me."

"I won't ever lose you again," she replied, and knew that it was true. No one in the world would take him from her now. Her camp was a town. They could handle themselves, and she didn't have to sacrifice for them any longer. From now on, she was going to do what was best for her. And Adam was the best thing that ever happened to her.

"Goodnight, Bo. I love you."

"Goodnight, Adam. Welcome home."

THE END