Nature is beautiful; beautiful beyond all measure. Something no god could ever create. Something gods were to be envious of. The only architects behind the masterful beauty of nature would be sheer probability and evolution.

Nature was always something to be admired and respected. Whether it be enjoying the ice caves on Ganymede, watching Jupiter paint the sky, or even just walking along a beach in Hawaii, nature was always something to behold. Here was no different.

Surprisingly, this planet had a lot of organisms either incredibly similar to ones on Earth or ones that were genetically compatible. Be it animals or trees, it all worked. Jett had little doubt that if he grabbed a pinecone off the ground here and brought it to Earth, he could grow a tree. Apparently the universe did have a sense of humor.

Jett moved along the trail through the forest. The mountain was steep but it was expected. Below him was the City of Canterlot and all its beauty and architectural wonder.

The forest he walked through was beautiful. The most of the leaves had fallen and the air was dry and cool, not that that bothered him much. That birds that remained in this hemisphere of the planet chirped as they rapidly darted by.

The higher he went, the lower the oxygen level would get. A lot of signs recommended alternative trails but considering oxygen wasn’t a need for the android he continued on.

His cane doubled as a walking stick at these heights as he moved through the forest.

Fall was one of his favorite seasons. He didn’t know why. It was cold, dry, and not much to do and yet… the feeling it offered was nice. Warming up by a fire place, waiting for holidays, enjoying good food, to name a few pleasant things about it. It wasn’t the season; it was the atmosphere it brought with it.

He enjoyed that.

He found a fallen log and sat down on it, resting his cane next to him. He sighed and removed an apple from his bag and took a bite out of it. The view he was currently looking at was breath taking.

Just over a nearby cliff edge the city below him glistened like a gem. Clouds rolled by both above and below him. The docks were visible as well. Various air ships were docked at them serving a variety of purposes. Somewhere down there, were the Wonderbolts.

***

Spitfire watched as the crates carrying the new planes Jett had created were loaded onto the yacht. They were to be placed down in the lower cargo bay with food and other things going above it. Above that were the living quarters and above that was the main deck with a raised stern deck that housed the dining hall and other recreational facilities.

She glanced over towards the walkway that led up onto the Yacht. Dane and Fleetfoot were talking, laughing with each other like a typical happy couple. Spitfire sighed. In many ways she envied their happiness. Things went so smoothly for them.

And yet, all Spitfire had met was tragedy.

She wasn’t angry, she couldn’t be. Just sad.

Soarin’ walked up behind her, “Hey, you ready for this?”

She sighed, “Yeah, I guess.”

“Still thinking about him?”

“He never left my head.”

“Maybe he’ll change his mind and come with us.”

Spitfire scoffed, “At this time he’s probably on the other side of the mountain.”

“Well, maybe this trip of his will do him some good. Maybe he’ll realize what he’s missing.”

She sighed and leaned over one of the railings and stared out over the valley, “Wishful thinking.”

***

A noise got the android’s attention. Footsteps.

And old man was climbing the trail he was following. There was nothing particularly spectacular about the man. He wore a simple sun hat and had a simple pack on his back. He used a walking stick to help him move.

He gave a smile, “Lovely day we’re having, huh son?”

Jett gave a small grin, “Yes, it is. Beautiful.”

He leaned against his staff, “Nature is a better architect and planner than even the most focused and motivated designer.”

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing,” Jett said, “Nature is too beautiful for any one god or gods to design.”

The man laughed and cocked his head, “Say… What’s a kid like you doing up here anyway?”

“What do you mean?” Jett asked.

“Forgive me for being blunt here, but, you’re missing an arm and unless I’m mistaken, that’s not the kind of cane you use for hiking.”

Jett turned and glanced at his crutch, “Yeah, my leg isn’t exactly working too well at the moment.”

“I could tell. So what are you doing up here? You seem lost…”

Jett laughed, “Lost being an understatement. I don’t know what I’m doing up here…”

“Well why don’t you talk about it?”

***

The technician walked up to Spitfire, “Well that’s the last of them. There will be team at your destination to unload the aircraft once you arrive.”

“Alright,” Spitfire said, “That it?”

“Yup, everything’s locked up nice and tight. All that’s left to do is close the hatches and get you on board.”

“Fine.”

She turned to Dane and Fleetfoot, “Wrap it up you two, we’re leaving!”

Some of the team was already on the boat but those that weren’t quickly filed on board.

Dane walked up to her, “Hey, you doing okay?”

“Working on it,” Spitfire sighed, “I kinda hoped he’d change his mind and come with us.”

Dane turned and glanced at the mountain, “Yeah, so was I. I really wanted this to work out for you. You of all people deserve it.”

“I don’t know… maybe I don’t.”

***

“I have no clue who the hell I am or what I’m even supposed to do in this crazy world that I can’t ever seem to fit in to. And I had the pleasure of earning this crutch in a series of bad fights that have effectively crippled me. And on top of all that my best friend in the whole universe just confessed and told me that she loves me.”

The man blinked, “What’s wrong with that?”

“What’s wrong with that?! How the hell am I supposed to react to that?”

“Well you said she was your best friend. Seems like you already got a pretty good thing going. Don’t question a good thing.”

“I’m not… questioning it. I just don’t know how to react to it.”

“Well I would go for it. Relationships are always positive things. It’s the ending, if there is one, which really gets you.”

“The last time I was in a relationship, it ended with my ex trying to kill me with a motor vehicle.”

The man scratched his chin, “Ouch, but still not the worst break up.”

“You’ve heard worse?” Jett asked in disbelief.

“When you’re my age things tend not to surprise you as much. But from my experience, love affairs typically end for the same reason. Let me ask you this, were you friends with your ex beforehand? Did you have any relationship with her before you two got together?”

“No.”

“Well therein lies your problem. Relationships are like buildings. You can’t build a skyscraper on a shaky foundation or no foundation at all in that case.”

“I guess that makes sense. My experience with relationships is next to zero at this point so you’ll have to forgive me if I seem like I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Well let’s move on to this other girl. Your best friend in the whole universe. What’s she like? What does she mean to you?”

Jett frowned, “Well, uh, she’s funny; she’s kind hearted, understanding, caring, generous, smart, beautiful, athletic, stuff like that. As for what she means to me, I almost died twice keeping her safe and I’d do it again so that should say something.”

“I’m impressed, you started with her personality. Most people start with looks and work their way down that way. But let’s move on here. You seem to be a guy in a pretty lucky position.”

“How do you figure that? I had to turn her down.”

“Why?”

“Why? Look at me. I’m a machine who has no clue just who or what he is. Do you honestly think that I should be dating someone as amazing as her when I’m like this? Do you honestly think I’m even worthy of her?”

“The ones who say they don’t deserve a person are the ones that typically do,” the man replied.

“Maybe to you.”

“Then let’s move on to your other problem; your identity. Son, you need to understand this, most if not everyone moves through their life trying to figure out who they are. No one ever really knows because who you are changes day after day. Who you are now is a result of who you were. It’s just part of being human. Your relationship problem and your identity problem don’t exactly appear to be mutually exclusive here.”

“How do you figure that?”

“Well for one, your best friend confessed to you. Not some random person you hardly knew but someone you already have a good relationship with. Most people don’t get that. Everyone has their best friend, their crush, and their true love. Only the lucky ones have them all as the same person.”

“And you think I’m one of those lucky ones?”

“I don’t know what you are. But you seem to be a person running away from their problems and the people they care about. And that is never a healthy thing.”

“So I’m just running away?”

“I could be wrong. But I’ve never seen a person deal with a confession by up and leaving unless they were scared of something.”

Jett laughed, “I’m a robot, what could I possibly have to be scared about?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s something as simple as change.”

“Change. Change?”

“Yes change. If all you’ve known is anger and misery it would be hard to let that go in favor of something better and happier. Or maybe you’re simply scared of going into another relationship with someone even if they might be good for you. You tell me.”

“Did you ever have an ex try to kill you with an SUV?”

“No, but silverware is equally terrifying,” the man laughed, “Either way, you can’t just run away from this and hope it will go away.”

“Well then what should I do, oh wise one?” Jett laughed.

“You tell me. What do you feel for this girl?”

“I feel… sad that I had to turn her down and break her heart like that. I feel happy that she came into my life when she did. I… I feel guilty for some reason.”

“Guilty?”

“Yeah, guilty that I turned her down and hurt her.”

The man smiled, “I don’t think that’s what you’re feeling guilty about.”

“What else could I be feeling guilty about?”

He turned, “I think you’re feeling guilty because you may have actually felt something for this girl and yet you turned her down anyway.”

Jett’s eyes widened in surprised and his face turned red, “What?!”

“Tell me, do you feel anything for this girl?”

Jett sighed and looked at the ground, “I… I… I don’t know.”

“Come on man, it’s a simple yes or no answer. Do you love her or not?”

“I don’t know what I feel for her! I’m confused. She’s done nothing but bring good into my life, yes I admit that but… I don’t know.”

“Ha, perfect. It’s good that you’re confused.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Because that’s what people in love always feel like,” the man teased, “Confused and scared.”

Jett frowned, “Gee, you’re a real help.”

“Look, you have to try something,” the man said, “After all; it’s only through others that we ever truly know ourselves. There’s your identity problem wrapped up all nicely for yo-”

“Wait, what did you just say?”

“About your identity problem?”

“No, the other thing you said. It’s only through others that we ever truly know ourselves. What do you mean by that?”

The man smiled, “Eyes may be windows to the soul but people are the mirrors. Look, I’m not going to tell you what you should do; I’ve done enough of that with my kids as it is, but… I think if you let this girl go you may end up regretting it. You can’t rewind life son. But sometimes… you do get second chances. And it would be a sin to waste one.”

“A second chance? To do what?”

“To tell her the truth.”

Jett grabbed his cane and stood up, “Yeah… Maybe…”

“What’re you thinking?”

“I don’t know… maybe I’ll go talk to her or something…”

The man gave a grin as his eyes flashed, “Better hurry. Her boat just left. You’re gonna have to move quickly if you want to catch her.”

Jett spun around, “I never told you who…”

The man just smiled and gave a wink, “Rule seventy five: Don’t question a good thing. Rule one hundred and twelve: Don’t let them go.”

“Don’t let them go?”

“Don’t let her go.”

Jett smiled, “Thanks.”

“So what are you gonna do now sport?”

“Something stupid,” he grinned, “Something so damnably, fantastically, and amazingly stupid.”

“Good.”

“I think I’m gonna head back down the mountain now. I think I just figured out where I belong and who I am, or at least, who I want to be.”

“Rule one hundred and eleven where you belong is where you can be yourself.”

“Where are you getting these rules from?” Jett said standing up and gripping his cane.

“You don’t think I don’t write down whatever wisdom comes to me? Try it and see what you come up with. You may just be surprised.”

“I will; thanks. And… thanks for the advice.”

The man gave a two fingered salute, “Go get her tiger.”

Jett opened up his duffel and slipped on a sleek metal pack and strapped it on tight before slipping his duffel back over it. He made sure both were secured.

He gripped his cane, “I’m not going to be very aerodynamic will I?”

“You said you were going to try something stupid.”

“I did and I will.”

Jett grunted and dove over the edge of the cliff just as his pack opened.

“Oh I don’t think this was such a good idea!”

***

Spitfire watched as the city slowly began to shrink away as the airship moved away from the city, heading south. She sighed. Sure this tour was going to be fun but… her heart wasn’t with the rest of her. It was headed north out of the country to places unknown only to it and the person who carried it.

“You’ve been there for the last half hour now Captain,” Dane said, “Come on, come join us down stairs.”

“I… I’d rather stay here.”

He sighed, “I know you’re missing him, frankly so am I but… he’s gone. And likely won’t be back for some time now.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“Look, he said he didn’t want you to get depressed over this; that he didn’t want you to get caught up on him. Can’t you just honor that one request and try to be positive?”

“No promises,” she grumbled turning and following him back inside the air ship.

***

“Sorry!” Jett yelled as he streaked over the streets of the city, “It’s the bag! Not used to the-whoa!”

He twisted in the air and slipped in between two large trucks driving through an intersection.

“Weight…” he sighed, “Why do I bother talking to these people?”

Either due to a complication from the head trauma he received a few weeks ago or just due to sheer luck, the android miscalculated when he took his dive off the cliff and failed to compensate for the weight of the heavy bag on his back. Now he was streaking over the city streets, having to dodge everything from people to vehicles to buildings as he went.

A few times he had to pull his cane up to avoid hitting someone in the head with it. Many people cried out in surprise when they say the android zoom overhead without the use of any wings. Some cried out magic but Jett simply laughed. Sufficiently advanced technology will always seem like magic to a sufficiently primitive civilization.

Still, he found this endeavor… fun.

He laughed and pulled himself up over the streets and accelerated over the roof tops.

“Oh yeah!”

He weaved through power lines and antenna on the buildings, even waving to people on balconies as he went by with a grin.

“Hi!” he waved at one surprised lady as she enjoyed a cup of tea.

“Hello!” he said to another man sitting with his family.

Then he saw something else that made him grin manically.

“Go fuck yourself Blueblood!” he laughed as he zoomed by the Prince’s balcony, giving him the finger before accelerating off into the streets.

He streamlined his body as he zoomed through the air. Soon he was approaching the docks. He decelerated and found the one where Spitfire’s ship was docked. He landed.

Empty.

“Guess the old man was right,” he said with a perplexed look on his face, “Still… how did he know that?”

He tapped his foot, “Okay, so they were heading south, south west. Only a few ships were heading that way today… most of them left earlier today so… if I just head that way, I should find them.”

He clapped his hands together, “Cool. Okay, now to do something… really stupid.”

He activated his pack again and jumped into the air, heading in a south westerly direction. He grinned. Almost there. This whole thing would be worth it just to see the looks on everyone’s faces when he arrived, let alone… everything else.

***

Spitfire twirled her glass around, watching the blue liquid swirl around her glass. She still would rather be out on the deck than in here. Some of the team was playing cards or pool or something like that, others were just watching a game on TV, and others were just talking with each other.

Spitfire sat alone.

Suddenly one of the officers ran down from the bridge, “We have a bit of a problem. We ask that you all stay inside and prepare for a bit of turbulence.”

Spitfire looked up, “What?”

“Uh, we picked up a small unidentified object accelerating towards the yacht at a rather ridiculous speed. We ask that you stay here and-”

Soarin’ stood up, “Yeah like hell buddy.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing and filed outside onto the main deck. Clouds were around them obstructing a good part of their view. Spitfire emerged last as everyone looked around the deck, searching for the incoming object.

Suddenly, a faint noise got everyone’s attention. It was a loud ripping like sound. It grew louder slowly but surely until it was right on top of them as it streaked by the yacht.

Soarin’ looked around the deck, “What the fuck was that?”

Dane frowned and listened again as the noise returned, this time streaking back towards the stern of the craft. He quickly analyzed the sound and smiled.

He walked up to Spitfire and nudged her.

“What?” she turned.

Dane simply grinned.

Suddenly the noise returned, this time a lot louder than before as it approached from the port side of the yacht. Everyone moved away towards the starboard side and focused on the cloud bank on that side of the ship.

The noise got louder…

Suddenly a figure burst out of the cloud bank, covered in water and dove onto the deck of the ship. It rolled unceremoniously to a stop and groaned. A cane bounced across the deck. Everyone jumped.

“Damn, that’s not gonna do my leg any favors,” it said pulling itself onto its knees and shaking its head

It pulled a heavy duffel bag off of its back and looked at it.

“Thank the gods this thing is water proof.”

Sitting on the deck, covered in water, with a heavy metal pack still attached to his back was one Jett Halsey. His wet, tousled hair fell of his forehead.

He grinned, “Overshot it a bit those first two times.”

Everyone stared at him in shock. Looks ranged from surprised to ‘How the fuck did you get here?’ to ‘We’ll ignore the how, why are you here?’

He laughed, “Oh, you’re probably all wondering what I’m doing here and how I got here. Well you see, I built a JETT pack, and flew here. Get it? Yeah I know bad joke.”

Everyone still stared him. Some people even rubbed their eyes just to be sure. However one face stood out in particular. Spitfire’s face was one of shock and awe as she stared at him.

He came back? She thought to herself. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.

He grabbed his cane and pulled himself to his feet, “As for why I’m here…”

He slowly limped over to where Spitfire was standing. The crowd of people moved to form a circle around the two. Spitfire said nothing and simply stared at him, gaping.

Suddenly, when he was standing right before her, Jett cradled her face in his hands, leaned in and kissed her directly on her lips. Her eyes flew open at the suddenness of the gesture as a wonderful tingling sensation flew down her back as she felt his lips dance across hers.

Oh my gosh! He came back!

It was like electricity was flowing between them! Her heart beat sped up as it thumped loudly in her chest, threatening to jump straight out of her body as her breathing accelerated. Her face blushed crimson with his. Soon she realized what was happening and closed her eyes with a happy moan as she let herself fall into the perfection of the moment. Her wings fluttered lightly on her back. This was Heaven! Oh, everything they had been through together; all those nights spent in hotels, at home together, in dorm rooms snuggling together simply enjoying each other’s company, all the fun times they’d spent on cruises, at home, at school, and even everything that had happened here, all led to this! And it was sooo worth all the turbulent feelings, all the emotional grief, all the dangerous situations, and it was most certainly worth the wait!

Sadly however, the kiss had to end at some point as Jett pulled away from her. Spitfire let out a sad peep as it ended.

Jett had a massive grin on his face, “Oh my gosh! So it was all true! Everything he said was true! Oh my gosh! I’ve never been so happy to have been wrong!”

Their friends surrounding them gaped at them.

Jett smiled and turned to Spitfire who was tentatively touching her lips with a still massive blush on her face. Her eyes sparkled…

“That, was literally the most intense thing I have ever done in my entire life!” he shouted, “Oh my gosh I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like that that’s ever felt this good!”

Spitfire still stared at him with a look of awe on her face as he picked up his cane. He smiled at her.

“Well? Are you going to say something?” he asked.

“I, uh, wh-no, um, I-”

Jett laughed, “Ha, déjà vu huh? You know, I remember when you did something like that to me and I couldn’t say shit either. But guess what? Looks like I won that game.”

Finally someone in the crowd spoke as Dane stepped forward, “Okay… wait a minute… Who the hell are you and what have you done with Jett?”

Jett turned and walked over to him and jabbed him with his crutch, “Don’t worry about that… I killed him.”

“Okay, dude, you’re acting really different here.”

“Different how?”

“You know what I mean wise ass! Different. Like you seem like your high on Mist or something like that. You seem happy for some reason. And that’s weird because you’re never happy. What happened?”

“I tried something stupid and it paid off.”

Spitfire finally found her voice, “You-you came back…”

Jett turned, “Yes, yes I did.”

“Why? Not that I’m complaining! Because I’m not! Complaining. You know what I mean.”

“I came back… for you. For all of you. You know, I thought I needed to get away to find out who I truly was. But… I was wrong.”

Dane grinned, “Oh my god. He just admitted he was wrong! Does anyone have a tape recorder or something?!”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up you goof ball. Anyway, I was wrong. And I have never been happier to have been wrong!”

Spitfire slowly walked up to him, “Why? Why did you come back?”

“I still don’t know who I am or what I’m supposed to do with myself but… while I was on my way up the mountain I figured something out and took some advice. I’m still confused about whom I am but… the best way to start is with all of you. As a wise man once said, it’s only through others that we ever truly know ourselves.”

“Good advice,” Dane laughed.

“And… more importantly, I came back for you,” he said turning to Spitfire.

“Me?”

“Well, yeah! That whole scene a minute ago was kinda meant to show that. Do I need to spell it out for you?”

“Why? Not that I’m complaining because that kiss was AMAZING… but why?” she asked.

Jett sighed, “The night of the Gala, after I turned you down… I spent my time trying to rationalize to myself why I did it. I… I felt I had to. I thought that I would never be worthy of you because I was broken and unsure of myself. I had to try really hard to come up with rationalizations and reasons for me… rejecting you. And they all led back to me. Me being lost, broken, confused, all of the imperfections I saw in myself when I was around you…”

“When you were around me? Why would you being around me make you… feel that badly about yourself?”

Jett laughed, “Spitfire, you’re fucking amazing. You’re funny, you’re smart, you’re kind, you’re generous, you’re understanding, you’re caring, you’re confident, you’re happy with yourself, sure of yourself. Those were all things that I strived to be. And that’s for your personality. I look at you and I see perfection. You’re perfect in so many different ways that I felt like… I could never match you or be worthy of being with you… even if I wanted to.”

“What?”

“After I… turned you down… I kept feeling angry and shameful about myself. Angry at myself for losing control and… shame for hurting you. I never wanted to hurt you ever… I… It was never my intention to break your heart like that, and for that I’m terribly sorry. But… I kept feeling guilty for some reason. At first I thought it was because I had hurt you but… with some help I think I’ve figured out why I was really feeling guilty. Guilt is defined as a belief that someone has compromised his or her own standards of conduct or has violated a moral standard, and bears significant responsibility for that violation. I… I felt guilty because I turned you down… when I actually felt something for you…”

He frowned, “Gosh I feel so fucking stupid!”

“W-what?” Spitfire asked.

Jett turned, “Spitfire, you were the only consistent thing in my life that could make me happy literally every single day. You knew how I was, happy was something very difficult to for me to feel. But somehow you made it work… Call it magic, I honestly don’t care, but I feel HAPPY when I’m around you Spitfire.”

Dane sighed, “Get on with it- Ow! Fleet? The hell was that for?”

“Shut up idiot!”

Jett limped up her again and clasped her hand, “I’m going to be frank here: Spitfire, I LOVE you. Wow that’s the first time I think I’ve ever said that to anyone… Anyway, you all heard me say it. I’m in love with Spitfire! Jett Halsey loves Spitfire! I don’t care who hears me!”

A collective, ‘Awww,’ came over the crowd.

“Spitfire I love you in more ways than there are stars in cosmos. I have never, ever met anyone who could even come within a fraction of a percent of being like you. You’re funny, you’re smart, you’re kind, you’re generous, you’re understanding, you’re caring, you’re confident, and I love that. The fact that you’re fucking hotter than the core of the sun is just an added bonus to an already incredible person.”

Spitfire’s eyes shined as tears started falling down her face.

“Oh no, did I do something wrong?”

Dane smacked him in the head, “No, idiot. You just did everything right.”

“Oh, continuing then,” he said, “Spitfire I may never ever be worthy of being with you even if I tried but… If I’m the thing that you want, if I make you happy, then so be it. I’ll put aside my inferiority complex if it makes you happy. I WANT you to be happy, especially if it’s with me. If you’ll still have me, then I’m yours, now and for eternity.”

Spitfire sniffed as she continued to cry tears of happiness.

Jett smiled at her, “I love you, Spitfire. And I’m sorry it took this long to realize it.”

Their crowd of friends burst out in cheers and congratulations as they applauded their friends. Jett gripped his cane nervously as he stood waiting for a response as he stared into Spitfire’s crimson face.

“Kiss me, idiot,” came a whisper.

He blinked, “What?”

“Do I have to make it an order?” Spitfire looked at him with a wide grin on her face.

He grinned, “No ma’am.”

The two embraced as their lips connected as they began their dance. Jett’s cane fell to the deck as Spitfire’s wings fluttered lightly as Jett’s body pulsed blue as his energy circuits lit up. Their eyes closed as they lost themselves in the perfect bliss of the moment. For a brief few seconds, things seemed to slow down, as if Time itself halted its activities out of respect for the new lovers.

Fleetfoot laughed, “Look, her wings are doing that cute thing again.”

“Aw, look, he’s doing that weird robot thing he does,” Dane said.

“Way to ruin it asshole,” Fleetfoot said.

“What? What’d I do?”

“You know what you did.”

“Forgive me baby.”

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” she said bringing him into a hug.

Finally, with a cute moan from Spitfire, they separated.

Jett grinned, “That’s really fun. We should do that more often.”

Spitfire smiled as she put a wing around him, “Yes we should.”

Everyone smiled at them, happy for the new couple. Jett looked around like a bird curious about its surroundings.

“So… does this mean we’re dating now?” he asked.

Dane smiled, “I think it means a lot more than that, buddy.”

“Like?”

“Well for starters you won’t be getting much sleep at night,” Fleetfoot laughed.

Spitfire turned red and stared at the ground. Everyone, minus Jett, laughed.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.

“Oh if you haven’t figured it out then there’s little we can do to help,” Soarin’ laughed as everyone began to disperse and head back inside the yacht.

“Wait! What’s the mean?” he asked.

Dane just shook his head as he followed Fleetfoot inside, “It means your fucked six ways to Sunday.”

“You’re an asshole,” Jett grumbled.

He turned, “The best! You however are now tied by the red thread of fate to this wonderful woman. Be good to her!”

Jett shook his head, “I hate that man sometimes.”

Spitfire giggled and gripped his hand in hers, “Come on my little robot boy. Let’s go join the others.”

He laughed, “Whatever you say my little angel girl.”

She rubbed her eyes as they followed their friends back inside.

“Oh, no, are you crying? Are you sad? Did I do something?” Jett asked nervously.

She giggled again and decided to just let herself cry, “No, you didn’t do anything. In fact… I’ve never been happier.”

***

Dane frowned as he sipped his drink. Fleetfoot walked up to him.

“What’s wrong babe?”

He nodded in the direction of Spitfire and Jett, who were sitting on the couch cuddling together, simply talking.

“What’s wrong with that?” Fleetfoot asked.

“Two hundred and ninety four thousand six hundred and seventy five words later and they’re just… talking.”

“What are you talking about? It’s a young couple in love. Let them be.”

“One’s a robot and the other has wings. I don’t think we’d ever see that again.”

Fleetfoot thwacked him on the head, “What about us?”

“Us?”

“Yes, us. All of us. Diversity. I think it’s good that he’s finally figured it out.”

“Figured what out?” Dane asked.

“The same thing you figured out. It doesn’t matter what you’re made of, be it metal or bone, it doesn’t matter what color your skin is, or how you were born. The circumstances of creation don’t matter. All that matters is that you have a pure heart.”

“Is that what you believe?” Dane smiled.

“Belief is too light a word. That’s what I know.”

“You and your feelings,” Dane said sipping his drink, “I was just hoping to see a little more fireworks.”

“Oh let them be. Finally after all of this they’re together. Let them be happy. Besides, you just got a heartfelt confession out of your iron hearted brother. That’s something to celebrate.”

She grabbed a drink and held it up.

Dane smiled, “I suppose it is. Cheers pretty lady.”

***

“So who exactly is your friend here?” One of the crewmen asked.

Spitfire giggled, “He was late but he caught up with us.”

The crewman frowned, “Uh, huh, there’s just one problem here. There aren’t enough cabins for your friend here so you’re gonna have to work something out.”

Spitfire grinned, “I think I have the perfect thing.”

She turned to the android, “You’re sleeping with me tonight big guy.”

He turned, “What?”

Across the room, Soarin’ scribbled something down on a piece of paper and held it up.

Good luck!

“You’re bunking with me tonight,” Spitfire smiled.

Jett sighed, “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”