That night Flynn made love to Julie under a glittering canopy of stars.

Earlier, Julie had tended to Samhal's injury –with Saddiq's eager assistance– while Jiddah prepared their evening meal.

Flynn had spent most of his time in the canyon feeding, watering and currying the horses. The supplies The Djinn had ordered loaded into the Humvee included a bag of grain; the old guy had thought of everything. There was also a well-stocked medical kit so Julie was able to clean and dress Samhal's wounds properly.

After supper, Jiddah, Samhal and Saddiq had bedded down under the tarp fitted off the roof of the Humvee. Julie and Flynn had taken their bedrolls and gone into the canyon, with the excuse of keeping watch over the horses.

The care and tenderness of Flynn's lovemaking had been a comfort to Julie. After the day's frightful events it was life-affirming, not to mention an immense pleasure. She had been prepared to die with Flynn out on the flat-lands. Julie had no doubt she was destined to spend an eternity with this man. It was so right. And she knew it.

Now, Julie sub-consciously identified the constellations while she idly thought things through. The reassuring sound of Flynn's breathing helped. It was quiet, even and restful. She knew he was sleeping deeply, a well-earned rest. This had been a day to end all days, but thanks to Flynn there would be a tomorrow.

Many things had become clear to Julie: the fragility of life; the value of loyalty and trust; the beauty of courage; but most of all, the remarkable depth of Flynn Montague's substance and her love for him.

Still, one thing niggled on the edge of her thoughts. And Julie couldn't help herself, she needed to talk about it. She whispered, sotto voce, like the sound of butterfly wings, "Flynn, are you asleep?"

She was astonished when he responded instantly, "Sort of. What's up, ma Cherie?"

"I was wondering. Why did The Djinn stay behind? Why didn't he leave with his men?"

Flynn thought for a minute. He turned on his side to face Julie, rested his head in the crook of his arm. He said, "I think The Djinn's health was failing, Julie. I don't know, maybe he thought it was a glorious way to die."

These were the same words Julie had thought  for herself just minutes before the Cobras had dispatched The Djinn. Flynn was probably correct. And lucky for them The Djinn had stayed behind; his phenomenal sniper-shot that took out Shaffer likely saved both their lives. Julie was overcome with a curious sadness but, at the same time, the whole experience had been somehow liberating. She said, "I saw him briefly. We didn't exchange words. But I felt as though we communicated on some deeper level."

"He was an extraordinary man, Julie." Flynn seemed to be choosing his words with great care. "And, you know, he had been very close to your father at one point."

"Really?" Julie said, but was not overly surprised; she was getting used to surprising news about Jack McNeill.

"Yes, they fought together with the Mujahedeen. It's quite a story. Someday, I must tell you the whole thing." Flynn appeared to be wrestling with some moral issue. "We need to talk about it. It's kind of complicated."

"Hmm, I'll bet. I'm learning more and more that nothing in Afghanistan is simple." Julie was indeed intrigued but she decided to let it go, for now. She hoped she and Flynn would have plenty of occasions for sober reflection. She had gained a sense of closure regarding her parents' deaths. Julie felt both of them could now rest in peace and she wanted to talk to Flynn about that as well. But at the moment something else was puzzling her. She asked, "Why do you think those pilots spared our lives today?"

"You're kidding, right?"

Julie turned to face Flynn. She said, "No, there's nothing funny about it. Funny-strange, maybe, but not funny-haha. They were zeroed-in on our sorry butts. I thought for sure we were gonna be turned into vulture treats."

"Aha, so that's why you decided to blurt out the love thing," Flynn said with feigned indignation.

Julie punched his chest. She said, "No. Those were intended to be my dying words. And everybody knows dying words are irrefutable. Don't make light of my deepest feelings, buster. And tell me why those guys didn't shoot us."

"That's an easy one. They didn't kill me because I was with you. And they didn't kill you because they're normal red-blooded American boys. And normal red-blooded American boys don't waste red-haired bare-assed cowgirls."

She punched him harder. "Flynn! That's not why I tossed my robes."

"Yeah, I know, you're a chronic exhibitionist, what can I say?" He chuckled. "And hey, thank God you are, it saved my butt. I'd kissed it and the future, 'goodnight sweet prince'." He laughed.

Julie let him have his fun and then she took advantage of the segue, saying, "Um, Flynn. Speaking of exhibitionists and bare butts and everything. Do we need to talk about that stuff we did in the shower?"

"The shower? What stuff?"

"You know: the stuff. The... weird stuff."

"Ohh, the weird stuff. Is that what you call it? Listen, Julie, as far as I'm concerned the only weird sex between two loving consenting adults is no sex. And hey, we're all a little weird in our own way. But if you need to talk about it, I'm into that too, now, and in the future, feel free."

"Thank you, Flynn."

Julie averted her eyes, took a breath, thankful those awkward cards had been turned face-up on the table and then deposited into the slush-pile. And since she'd confronted that embarrassment she figured what the heck, might as well go all-in, as Flynn would say. She said, "Um, about the future... Do you remember what you said at the oasis? About us... being together?"

Flynn raised his head, took hold of one of her hands, instantly serious. He spoke eagerly but earnestly, "Yes I do. And I know it can work, Julie. I'll make it work. I'll help you restore Little Eden. I'll... I'll pick poppies, sweep land mines at a nickel a pop, anything, as long as we can be together."

"No, Flynn. I want you to take me to the Oasis."

"What?" He looked at her like she was an alien. "I thought you were talking about a future together, Julie." He let go her hand, made a gesture of annoyance. "But, yeah, whatever, we can go to the oasis again. Only, shoot, I had more in mind than another round of sex-on-the-beach."

"Huh? Oh. Not the oasis; Oasis, your boat, goofy. We've played soldiers. Why not pirates? I want to sail the seas with you. If I'm invited."

Flynn sat up, took both her hands, thrilled. "You mean it? Yes! Sammy and Jiddah, you and me. I promise, it'll be outstanding." He stopped, searched her eyes. "But, can you leave Afghanistan? Your work?"

Julie shook her head slowly. She said, "Flynn, you don't belong here... and neither do I. We're interlopers. Maybe someday I can help in some way, when things become more stable... if I'm invited. But for now, I believe the best we can do for Afghanistan, and us, is leave."

Flynn took her in his arms, kissed her freckled lip longingly. He breathed into her ear, "Oh, Julie, I'll live for nothing but to keep on loving you, and become worthy of your love. I don't give a dead owl's hoot about anything else."

"Jiddah, aren't you excited about Flynn's plan?" Julie bubbled while they prepared breakfast the next morning.

Flynn and Saddiq –bosom buddies now, despite the language barrier and previous wrangles– were trekking up the pass to see if they could find The Djinn's remains; maybe say a few words. It was highly unlikely they'd find anything but it was the proper thing to do –in the end they found only his white robes, folded neatly and placed under a ledge opposite the cave site.

Samhal had fashioned himself a crutch and, against doctor's orders, was organizing the supplies: stuff to pack on the horses; stuff to stow in the Humvee; stuff to leave behind.

"Yes, Juliet," Jiddah answered, "I could not have planned it better myself. It pleases me so that you have found your man. You and Flynn will be good together. I knew it from the beginning. You will be happy."

"And you too, Jiddah. You and Samhal, Flynn and me, we'll all be brilliantly happy."

First thing when they woke up, Flynn had told Julie he had figured out a plan whereby they all could get out of Afghanistan, undetected. Over wake-up coffee he had proudly laid it out for everybody:

Get the Humvee operational; Drop off Saddiq and the Humvee in Veerona and e-mail Ethan on Oasis; Allow a few days for Sammy to mend; Ride horseback to the coast; Sail away and live happily ever after... at least till the creditors caught up.

And just as Julie was about to inquire on the status of Cleo, Iris, Caesar and Tony once they'd reached the coast, Flynn had raised an index finger and said, "And I have not forgotten our trusty four-legged friends. I'll do whatever it takes: hijack an opium caravan, rob a bank, cheat at high-stakes poker, whatever. Trust me, those ponies are getting first-class tickets all the way to the family ranch in Alberta. Now that I have everything I want," he smiled lovingly at Julie, "getting what we need will be easy as naan and jam."

Immediately following breakfast, Flynn and Julie set out across the plain to see whether they could salvage Julie's discarded clothing, and the battery from Kurtz's wrecked Humvee.

Saddiq went to feed and water the horses and then he led them to the Humvee so he, Jiddah and Samhal could pack up.

They knew there was no time to waste. They had to depart before the coalition brass dispatched a detail to recover the bodies of the: 'BlackSky heroes who had sacrificed their lives wiping out a Taliban stronghold'.

"You know, Julie," Flynn said as he scooped up her niqab and handed it to her, "it's a damn shame you'll hafta' get back into your robes again before we take off."

"Oh really? Why do you say that?"

"Because you look friggin' hot in that outfit."

Flynn appraised her, yet again, whistling softly. She had borrowed his spare BlackSky uniform, cinched the camo pants tight round her waist and tied up the bottom of the T-shirt. He said with a wince, "I knew it would be a religious experience."

"Hmm, in that case I'll find some sassy sailor suits when we reach the coast; help keep the faith while we're at sea." She cupped his bristly chin, gave it a wiggle.

"I can't wait," Flynn said. "We'll sail Homer's blue Aegean, anchor off Chios and make love for a month."

"I wish I were a Genie," Julie offered wistfully. "I'd fold my arms, bob my head and transport us there instantly."

Flynn nodded, thinking about that for a moment but then frowned and said, "But you know, there is one thing that does worry me in all of this."

"What is it, Flynn?"

"I'm wondering how you'll survive aboard Oasis without your Jacuzzi jets." He had a look of genuine concern on his face.

Julie was puzzled for a second, but then she stopped dead and her chin dropped open, a sound ejected from her throat, half choke, half laugh. She turned on Flynn. He back-pedaled, fast. She gave chase, cried out, "Flynn Montague! I thought you were a gentleman?"

"I was. I am. I'm only thinking of your well-being," he pleaded with mock innocence.

She caught him but he grabbed her before she could inflict any damage, spun her tightly into his chest. She feigned a struggle.

Julie said, "Yeah, well I expect you to be up to that particular task, sailor."

"I'll do my best." Flynn squeezed her yet closer and kissed her ear. He issued a contented sigh, then said, "Look, there's your abaya over there. You get that, I'll fetch the battery, then we can get outta here."

"Flynn," Julie stopped him, pointed her chin at the wrecked Humvee. Wisps of blowing sand had already begun to blur the edges of the vehicle where it met the ground. "Um, are you sure they're all... you know..."

"Yeah, they're dead, Julie. But don't worry, they'll get used to it."

When they returned to camp, Flynn, stricken, dropped the battery onto the sand. He said, "Sammy, what the f... heck are you doing?"

Samhal had donned The Djinn's white robes. He appeared taller. Saddiq stood proudly at his side. The four horses were prepared for departure. Samhal was silent.

Flynn said, "Jeezus, for a second there I thought The Djinn had risen from the dead. And you've saddled Caesar, not Tony? Have you got sunstroke or something, mon frère?"

Julie eyed Jiddah. She could tell something was up. Jiddah's eyes welled with sadness but the depths held a beautiful serenity and joy. She moved sedately to where Julie stood and took her in her arms. She whispered in Julie's ear, "My dear, dear friend... my sister, I will miss you so. We have never parted. And we must never part for long."

Flynn watched them and then turned to Samhal again, made a 'WTF' gesture with his palms.

Samhal said, "There is a new plan, Captain Monty. You and Dahab are riding to the coast, alone. I will e-mail your brother, Ethan, tell him you will arrive in four or five days. You will not return to Veerona, my friend, there will be spies. The coalition will not countenance witnesses to the atrocity they have perpetrated here."

"But... but, Sammy, what about you? You're BlackSky; they'll be after you too. And what about our dream of sailing the oceans?"

"I am no longer BlackSky, Captain. I am The Djinn. The Djinn does not acknowledge fear nor death."

Samhal strode regally to Flynn, no crutch, no longer favoring his injured leg. He leaned in close, pulled aside his face covering, said, "Flynn, a strange occurrence has come to pass. I am me, but I am also something more. I have no explanation other than: it is Afghanistan. But, I know I have found my woman and I have found my home." He winked and smiled broadly, showing off his splendid white teeth. "And I have found a fight worth fighting, kemo sahbee. Inshallah, we both shall live our dreams."

Flynn grinned wryly, shook his head and then snatched Samhal roughly into his arms, thumped his back. He said, "Okay, whatever, you crazy bastard. But listen, mon ami, if you find you're having too much fun to handle alone you can always call on me."

"Rest assured, I will call on you, and Dahab as well, Captain. But only when Afghanistan is ready, ready for peace, and ready for development. Then you will have your opportunity to help make a real difference... and to build on your Karmic credit. I will teach a new dog some old tricks, my brother."

They all engaged in long tearful farewells, including Saddiq –Flynn wrestled him into a headlock and gave him a noogie.

Finally, Julie and Flynn got all the horses organized, mounted up and headed out of camp. They turned in their saddles and waved. Julie made a show of vigorously rubbing the tip of her nose.

She began waving again, and called out, "Invite us back soon, Jiddah, I miss you already." Julie was certain this would come to pass. Because, while her and Flynn's destinies had merged immutably, she already felt the pull of the other invisible red fiber that connected her to Jiddah and Veerona forever.

As Jiddah returned the wave, she commented to Samhal, "Oh, Samhal, I hope they will be okay. They are starting out with nothing but love. It will be difficult."

"Jiddah, old grandmother, I believe Flynn and Dahab would thrive well indeed on love alone, they make a most formidable couple. But that will not be necessary."

Jiddah frowned, in question.

Samhal Abdali, The Djinn, smiled smugly. He said, "You see the saddlebags on Iris, tucked under the ground sheet?"

"Yes," Jiddah said guardedly.

"They contain four ingots of gold, my chula. I found them stowed in our Humvee. It is double the promised reward; a wedding gift from The Djinn. Easier than naan and jam."

As they loped south along the foot of the hills, Julie cast a lazy gaze into the endless east. The sunrise was in full bloom. She looked the opposite way and observed reflectively how the shadows of their party-of-six leapt and shrank and expanded and contorted themselves to fit the infinite irregularities of the rocky backdrop.

Julie was relishing each passing moment, grasping on to them greedily. For the first time she could remember, probably the first time ever, her entire being was coddled in a blanket of joy, contentment and expectation. Whether or not there was a Heaven, surely it couldn't hold a candle to what she imagined life had in store for her and Flynn Montague on Oasis.

Whatever the future did hold, Julie knew as long as Flynn was by her side, it would be all nine yards of risk, reward, and love; better than Heaven.

She turned in Cleo's saddle and regarded Flynn squarely. They traded smiles.

He said, "I know that look. What's on your mind, now, Mademoiselle?"

"Hmm, everything, I suppose. But in particular, I was just wondering if you could make me a promise?"

"Uh-oh. Trouble. But fire away, ma Cherie. We'll see."

"If I ever suggest that we open up a Bed-and-Breakfast in New Hampshire, can you promise to give my butt a swift kick?"

"A B-and-B? New Hampshire? What the...?" Flynn paused briefly and then continued, "I'll tell you what: Instead of a swift kick to your butt, how 'bout I bend you over my knee and smack your tush?"

"Now you're teasing, cowboy. But you never know, I may hold you to that."

                                    END.... Or, maybe not. Check out 14.1 & 15.1.

 "The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends and the other begins?"

E.A. Poe