....never

After a short drive to the airport, a quick flight, many hugs, a few tears and a great many smiles, the whole group from the Hive were reunited.

Ethan's dad was the first to ask. "Now, what? Do you have any plans?"

"Well, I've always dreamed of living in Paris." Ethan piped up.

"Me too," Anne agreed with a surprisingly shy smile. "You can teach me French."

Ethan's father waved his hand as if by magic he would make it happen. "I can arrange that."

Rufus looked at Lucy. "l go wherever she goes. " Lucy nodded. "Oh, and of course Griffen will go with us, too." The other boy blinked in and out, excited, but sad. Anne leaned toward him. "You can visit me anytime. " Griffen gave her a thumbs up.

Rufus surprised everyone when he threw his arm around Georgie. "You can come with us, my friend. "

"Australia!" Georgie blurted. "Far enough away, but they speak English for those of us that aren't Ethan."

"New Zealand!" Lucy squealed.

"Done. I have a good friend in Christchurch. I will arrange everything outside of the government. You should be ready to leave in the morning. Who needs passports?" Hands flew up. Ethan's dad left to arrange everything.

Too excited to sleep, the friends talked through the night. They reminisced about their time in the Hive. Each reliving their unexpected arrival and their fears and concerns. Everyone had mixed emotions when they remembered their time with Rudy and Kate. They all laughed when they recalled Mr. Christie. Lucy shivered over her close call with the twins. One at a time they told their version of their time in the jungle. Georgie loudly regaled them with his heroics when he took on the soldiers single handedly to save Ethan and Kate. Anne and Griffen told the others of their life in Tampa. Everyone laughed when Anne told the taser story.

They spoke over each other to tell Ethan about their escape, first from the military base, then the motel. No one mentioned Georgie's lapse.

Anne rested her head on Ethan's shoulder. Rudy held Lucy's right hand while the left stroked a sleeping Twiskers.

And they agreed they would never allow someone control over their lives and their special gifts again.

Morning came too soon and not soon enough.

They were all excited to embark on this new adventure.