Riley was in Five Dogs with a beer when Colt walked in.

Two of the dogs padded over, sniffed his legs.

"Shame about Victor," Riley said. "And your cousin."
"If you want to be sorry, think about Red Horizon," Colt said.
"Feeling sorry for communists. What's the world coming to?"
"They regrouped," she added. "Trying to restart the base."
"No money. A handful of seeds. Some people don't know when to quit."
Riley tilted her head. "That about sums up Mars. And you."

"You wanted to meet?" she said. "What's the big deal? Taking up ice-running?"
"No." Colt reached into his pocket. Pulled out a folded printout. "Just wanted to see your face when I gave you this."

She took it. Looked. Saw her name.
"Earth? Seriously? You could sell this for a fortune."
"You should see it," Colt said. "The sky. The sea. Mountains. Feel the wind—"

He didn't finish. She was on her feet. Hugging him hard.
Then she pulled back, brain kicking in. "This leaves tomorrow."

"I had to comm Noah's mother," Colt said. "Didn't want her waiting at the spaceport. Took a few hours to get a reply."
"Yeah. Well, I'm looking forward to going back with you. Trip of a lifetime." She checked the ticket again. "But tomorrow? You don't mess around."
"Don't worry. Ticket arbitrage. Local swap site. Some ships are still inbound.  Some people are desperate to leave early. You can trade, take a later one. Say your goodbyes."

Colt sent her the link.

"Sublet the flat," Riley said. "My flat mate Zara will have a party."
She opened the site on her phone. "And I can get some money in the bargain." She looked up. "Won't make up for six months in zero-G with you. Sure you don't want to sell this?"

Colt didn't answer.

"On Earth, you can show me the sights," Riley said. "New York. London. Paris. Camelot. Wakanda. And the clouds. Where's the best clouds?"
"The plains," Colt said.
"Then I'm going to the plains." She grinned.
"Careful of the twisters."
"What a way to go," she said. "Swept up in the arms of the sky."

She hugged him again. "Thank you. How can I ever repay you?"
"Just good to see something decent come out of all this."