"You really aren't pulling our leg are you. But, it's so hard to wrap my head around that it almost doesn't sound real," Jordan mumbled after a moment of whispering amongst everyone in the room.

"Actually, you might not know this since it was way before you joined us, but we had a crew member that could talk to them once before. He was experienced by the time he joined us, but I do remember him saying that when it first started to happen it wasn't consistent. As he talked to them more and more it grew stronger.

So if this was your first time, I can see how it would be hard to talk about or understand. However, next time just tell us this crap right off the bat. You worried the hell out of all of us. We actually thought you might have a death wish or something," Valis said.I apologized and bowed politely towards all of them.

"I'm sorry again, I just - I didn't want to leave without telling you what happened. Now that I know this I'll definitely be more careful from now on," I said.

"Oh right, I forgot you're leaving us tomorrow. That sucks, I just got used to having you on board," Jordan surprised me by saying. The others agreed and I felt my heart swell up with emotions. I really have become part of the crew haven't I, but I'll actually be sad to leave them all. They've really helped me grow a lot and accepted me as I am.

"I promise, I promise I'll be back someday. And when I see you again I'll be stronger," I said feeling tears start to well up, I did my best to hold them back. I can't cry, not now in front of all my crew mates and friends.

"Idiot, Of course you'll be back. We'll track you down if we gotta. We'll also help you find your father and send you letters if we find anything. You just stay safe," Lana said and I saw tears streaming down her face.

Everyone else looked at her surprised, but I just nodded and thanked her. I wasn't just thanking her for her help or her kindness, but also for being my friend and taking me under her wing. I didn't say that of course, but I'm sure she knows.

Later, after we all had dinner and everyone got back to work I headed to my room. We should be arriving to town by morning so I'd better pack my things. Once done I laid on my cot and sighed. I will miss them, but there is something I must do.

Could I travel with them and ask around whenever we land? Sure, but I doubt I'd find him that way. Dad hates Dragoniers so he probably would avoid Dragonier towns as much as possible. So my best bet would be to travel on land and search the towns that don't let Dragoniers stop in them.

A knock came at my sliding door and as I sat up to open it, it slid open from the outside. Lana stood there her eyes and face red. She's really been crying I guess.

"Lana? What's wrong, I didn't make you cry like that did I? I'm so sorry," I mumbled as I tried to figure out what to say to cheer her up.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong. I'm just - I'm going to miss you is all and well I knew you were leaving soon, but I -. This is dumb, I should go," she rambled and cut her self off.

"Wait, don't go. You're my closet friend and if something is bothering you I will listen," I said stopping her from running off. She gave in and sat down on my bed next to me after closing my door.

"I guess, I knew you were going to leave soon, but you're the only person I've talked to so comfortably in a long time and I guess a part of me didn't want to accept it," she mumbled.

"I see. I'm sorry you're hurting, but like I said earlier I will be back. It's not good bye forever, It's just a good bye for now. Besides, you promised to write me remember?" I said trying to tease her a little to cheer her up. She nodded and, surprising me, turned and leaned into my chest. I felt her tears and sighed gently hugging her. Man is she really a couple years older than me? She seems kind of like a child right now.

Eventually she fell asleep and not wanting to wake her I leaned up against the wall and just let her sleep. She probably could use the rest after all that crying. I don't even feel like crying anymore, seeing her like this it almost doesn't feel like I have the right. Besides, she has definitely done enough crying for the both of us.

I will find out what happened to my father and I will return to them as soon as I possibly can. I just hope they don't forget about me and that they all stay alive so I can see them again.

In the morning I vaguely heard mumbling and it sounded like Jordan and Mitch, but it didn't really register until I felt the whole ship shake. I slowly managed to wake myself up and saw the two of them standing in the hallway.

"Oh, good morning. Does that shaking mean we've landed?" I ask and rubbed my stiff shoulder. Did I really fall asleep sitting up against the wall?

"Well, uh, yeah. We came to wake you to let you know we'd be landing in a few minutes, but we were actually going to just let you two sleep," Jordan mumbled looking awkward and it even looked like he was blushing a little. Wait, the two of us? Crap! I looked down at my lap and sure enough Lana was still asleep.

"Ah, crap. This really isn't what it looks like," I mumbled and felt my face heat up as well. Mitch just chuckled and Jordan just kind of looked away. Yeah neither of them are really buying that at all. It's not like anything weird went on so it's definitely not what it might seem like to them. I sighed and decided not to argue, they won't believe me anyways. "I'll wake her and meet you guys outside," I mumbled and Jordan gladly walked away from the awkward situation. Wish I could.

"Well, you'd better not make her wait too long. Hurry back to us as soon as you can," Mitch said. I said it wasn't like that as he walked away and I heard him chuckle again. Great, now they think we're some kind of couple.

Sighing I turned my attention back to Lana. She seemed so peaceful in her sleep and I almost didn't want to wake her, but she'd be furious if I left without saying goodbye. I gently shook her to try to wake her.

"Lana, you need to wake up now. It's morning and we landed," I whispered gently. She  groaned her protest and I gently shook her again.

"Mmm, Zion?" she mumbled as she started to wake up a little. I sighed and brushed her hair from her face.

"I'm here. Good morning sleepyhead. We just landed a few minutes ago. I - I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye one more time," I mumbled and she slowly sat up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep," she mumbled and leaned back against me slightly. "Do you really have to go right away?" she mumbled and I sighed.

"If I'm going to get to the next town before night fall, then unfortunately I do. Besides, you're only here to refuel and you'll be heading off too soon. Thank you again for everything," I mumbled and gently hugged her. "Now we'd better get going before they get even more of the wrong idea about us. Mitch and Jordan came to get me," I added as I gently let her go.

"Wait, they what?!" she said surprised and turned beet red as she got up. "Oh, god. You should have told me sooner, that's embarrassing," she added. I let out a chuckle and also got up grabbing my bag.

"I'll see you and everyone else as soon as I can, I promise," I said and started heading outside. As I exited the ship I shielded my eyes from the sun and winced. It's a bright and sunny day today.

"There you are, you love birds sure took your time," Jordan teased and I rolled my eyes at him. Well at least he got over his embarrassment and went back to his annoying self.

"I told you already you got the wrong idea," I mumbled and everyone laughed. Why isn't anyone believing that? I will admit she looked really cute in her sleep and I do like her, but is it a romantic kind of like? Even if it was I doubt she'd feel the same way.

"Well, I better be heading out soon if I'm going to make it to the next town before nightfall. I will keep in touch and I'll see you again soon," I said to everyone as I looked at my watch. Everyone got serious and either wished me luck or told me to stay safe. Mitch stopped me and gently handed me a sword.

"You might need it so please take it. You can give it back to me once you've returned to our crew," he said. I nodded and didn't bother arguing with him. I headed towards the East and once at the edge of the air field I turned and waved one last time to everyone.

After I turned to continue on I felt the tears in my eyes well up again. Saying goodbye was a whole lot harder than I thought it would be. I felt a small hand grab my wrist and as I spun around in surprise soft lips met mine. What -. My eyes closed as soon as I realized what was happening and I slid my arms gently around her.

"You, idiot," I whispered against her lips. Her tears and mine were flowing freely. I heard a whistle from the group a ways away and I sighed.

"You're the, Idiot," She whispered and I smiled gently at her. Yeah I suppose I am. "Make sure you come back home, okay. I'll be waiting," she added and I nodded. After that, how could I not return to her?