"Is it possible?"

Three figures peered at the rusty machine before them.

Mr. Kane rubbed the back of his head with a hand that clutched a wrench. He seemed to debate the question for a moment. Leaning forward, he blew only to cough violently at the dust that attack with a vengeance.

Sahara hovered, eyes darting to him.

The man held up a hand to signal he was ok.

"Possible," he wheezed. "Maybe." He let out another cough, tears in his eyes as he tried to fight it. "Probable? I'd give it a fifty fifty."

Folding his arms, Terrell nodded in understanding.

"But you've done it a total of four times now," Sahara spoke up.

All three ignored the wining from the playful puppy who'd been looked out of the barn. With the amount of inventions lying around, and Mr. Kane's not so perfect track record of making faulty products, they weren't about to risk the dog running around and causing chaos.

"Yes," Mr. Kane agreed as he recovered. "But it was already a miracle it held up for two of you last time. I'm afraid when Sahara came through quite a few wires were fried."

"Then...can't you just make a new one?" Sahara probed.

Her reply was a shaking of two heads.

"The fact that he built a machine that connected to Regona was a miracle in the first place," Terrell explained. "Only this particular machine connects to the city. We don't know the variables, but making a new machine that connects has less than a zero point zero three chance."

Sahara wrinkled her forehead at the numbers being thrown around. "And you know this because?"

"Probability," both men replied at the same time.

Sahara eyed them both. It still amazed her how easily they got along. When Terrell was around the older man, his own geeky side often came to surface.

Shaking her head, Sahara turned her attention back to the situation at hand. She wasn't about to dig for an explanation that included Math, but she wanted an answer to her question.

"So, can you fix it?"

Mr. Kane let out a heavy sigh. "Yes."

At the answer, a smile spread across Sahara's face.

"But..."

Her smile paused.

"Even if I do now," Mr. Kane's eyes turned to her. "It's very possible it'll give out for good on any of the times you travel back and forth."

Terrell leaned an arm on Sahara's shoulder.

"Which brings me back to the question." Mr. Kane pointed to the wrench at Sahara and then at the machine, "Are you sure you want to risk it?"

Sahara chewed her bottom lip.

"Think it over carefully," Terrell told her as his arm snaked around her shoulder. "Each time here or there could be our last in either world," he murmured. "It's a very real possibility." He drew her closer. "Are you willing to give up one for the other?"

Give up one for the other? Sahara considered it. Faces of friends from Regona flashed through her mind. Memories she cherished and ones she would rather forget. The city where she'd met the boy she loved, the place where she'd grown to be the person she was now. She wanted to go back. However, she also had a life here. A school she enjoyed, friends she liked hanging out with. Parents. Her eyes darted to Terrell. And now the love of her life was here too. The thought of having to give up either of the worlds was terrifying.

"We don't have to go back," Terrell mistook her hesitation. "I'll be happy wherever we are, as long as we're together."

Sahara shot him a warm smile. "We're not going to have to choose."

Mr. Kane and Terrell both looked somewhat taken back by the statement.

"Because," Sahara turned her warm brown eyes on her step-father, "I believe you will be able to fix it, no matter what."

Mr. Kane blinked.

A chuckle escaped from Terrell. "I really love that about you," he whispered in her ear. "How you believe in everyone." He pulled her closer, planting a kiss on the side of her face.

As a smile spread across Mr. Kane's face, he drew himself up taller. "Yes," he agreed, adjusting the glasses on his face. "I am quite the tinkerer, aren't I?" He nodded several times as though to confirm. "As long as my daughter asks, I'll find a way!"

He reached for a large welding mask and a torch. "Step back, I'm going to get to work!" He jerked when he mistakenly started the flame of the torch.

"Want help?" Terrell looked somewhat eager to do so.

"I could use an extra pair of hands," Mr. Kane agreed.

"In that case, I'll leave you two and finish my homework," Sahara decided.

She was barely acknowledged by the two who were already discussing the process f fixing the machine.

With a shake of her head, Sahara turned to comfort the whining dog that waited outside.

"Sahara!"

She turned to find Mr. Kane waving the torch at her. "You might want to let your mother know you're going to stay with friends."

Sahara raised her eyebrows. "Shouldn't we let her in the loop at some point?"

Mr. Kane suddenly looked very much terrified. "If she knew she'd have my head!"

Sahara didn't agree. However, to give her father some comfort, she nodded.

Satisfied, Mr. Kane turned back to the task at hand.

The two men didn't come out from the barn at all that day. Twice Mrs. Kane sent Sahara there with refreshments. Both times, her presence was barely acknowledged.

"Just what have they started working on this time?" Mrs. Kane asked as she watered the plants hanging from the kitchen windowsill.

Sahara looked up from the book she'd been reading. She didn't answer.

Mrs. Kane put the water can down and plucked several weeds from her prized flowers.

"Mum," Sahara began.

"Hmm?" Both the woman and the girl had grown accustomed to addressing each other as any other family would.

"Terrell and I are planning to go stay with friends for a bit," Sahara began.

"That's nice," came the reply from the woman only half listening. "For how long?"

Sahara hesitated to give a reply to a question she could not answer. "A while," she finally replied.

Mrs. Kane's hand stopped for the briefest of moments. A moment later she calmly resumed what she'd been doing.

"Did you let your father know?"

"Yes." Sahara slowly put the book down. "He said it was ok."

Mrs. Kane turned, weeds in one hand and watering can in the other. "As long as you behave yourselves while there." She waved the hand with the weeds in Sahara's direction.

"We'll try," Sahara replied.

"Good." The woman put the watering can down. "I'm going to take care of these." She motioned to the weeds before bouncing from the room with more energy than most women her age possessed.

Sahara watched her disappear. As always, Mrs. Kane didn't probe. When Sahara had disappeared the first time, she'd been worried beyond words. However, the second time she'd taken it in stride. When Terrell turned up, she had taken the boy in without hesitation, accepting the story Sahara cooked up.

It wasn't that Sahara didn't want to spill the whole truth, but as Mr. Kane had pointed out before, the fewer people knew of Regona, the better. If word somehow got out, they wouldn't know the repercussions. Still, Mrs. Kane being completely in the dark was something Sahara didn't buy. She was sure the woman knew more than she let on. The fact that she didn't ask made her all the more amazing in Sahara's eyes.

Dinner came, and with it, two men covered in oil and grime were dragged to the table. They inhaled their food and disappeared in mere moments.

Ignoring them, Mrs. Kane and Sahara did their own movie night. They watched two and a half oldies before deciding to call it quits and sleeping. The next day, the men spent the whole time in the barn again.

Sahara spent her time between talking with Mrs. Kane, going into town for groceries with her, and playing fetch with Blue. Girl and dog exhausted themselves and were soon lying in the grassy fields.

While the dog panted and rolled onto his back, Sahar scratched his stomach and stared at the blue sky above.

"Unicorn," she said to herself as she picked out a shape. It was an ongoing game between her and Terrell to see who could see the better forms. However, with the boy in the barn, she got no reply.

With a sigh, Sahara let silence rule. She listened to blue pant as she continued to give him love.

"What do you think they've all be up too?" she asked the dog.

Blue's ears perked. The dog rolled onto his stomach. He placed his head between his paws, tail wagging as he gazed at the girl with adoring eyes.

"Have they been well?" Sahara asked the next question, her hand wandering to ruffle the puppy's ears. "It must be different now. Peaceful." She decided.

Blue pressed his head firmer into her hands.

"I guess I'll find out soon, huh?" Sahara turned to look at the dog. "You won't miss me too much for a little while, right?"

The dog licked her hand.

"Take good care of my parents, you hear?"

Another lick.

"Don't let mum get too lonely when dad's in the barn all day." She scowled. "Or drag him out of there if he forgets that a world exists outside."

Blue crawled closer. He placed his head on her stomach, licking his lips.

Chuckling, Sahara ruffled his ears again. "Too bad I can't take you along." She furrowed her forehead. "You think Mo is doing ok?"

Blue closed his eyes.

"Naomi won't be pulling his tail too much, right?" Sahara somehow didn't feel convinced. She smiled at the thought. "It's about time," she murmured. "It's nice to be here but..." she trailed off.

Terrell's hoverboard not working was only one of the things that bothered her. Lately, he'd been having trouble breathing. A doctor's visit had suggested her could be developing asthma. The air in Sahara's world wasn't exactly as clean as the filtered one in Regona.

"It'll do him good to head back," Sahara told herself.

Thus, the weekend passed by.

The school week began. The days were spent with classes followed by Terrell disappearing into the barn as soon as they got back. At school, Sahara kept a close eye on her boyfriend. He seemed to somehow have amassed a small army of jocks who ran to his every beck and call. Though it didn't surprise Sahara, she couldn't help but wonder just what her Omega boyfriend had done to gain such a loyal following. Terrell, on the other hand, didn't even seem to notice his new-found position of authority. He turned down the invite to multiple sports teams, brushing them off as nothing more than bothersome requests.

"It's done." The announcement came from Mr. Kane half way through the week.

Terrell nodded in confirmation.

Sahara looked up from the piece of toast she'd been working on.

Mrs. Kane had slipped out to check in with the squawking chickens.

"That was fast." Sahara lowered the toast.

"We work quickly," Terrell replied as he leaned forward and brushed his thumb at the corner of Sahara's cheek. He lifted his hand to reveal the smudge of strawberry jam.

"When do you want to leave?" Mr. Kane asked as he held out something to Sahara.

She took the familiar small box with the light on the end. She already knew the drill. When it turned on, the machine would be fixed and the path back to the Kane's would open.

The girl shot Terrell a glance, question in her gaze.

Her boyfriend shrugged. "It's up to you."

We can return to Regona. Sahara's heart raced at the thought. She remained calm on the outside. "How about the weekend?"

With the date set, Sahara found herself barely able to sit still in class. She made it through her history presentation and an English test. Somehow, the weekend still couldn't come fast enough.

The day finally came.

Mrs. Kane hovered, insisting Sahara and Terrell packed large suitcases for their stay with friends. Though they couldn't take any of it, Sahara and Terrell humored her. Mr. Kane came to the rescue when he said he'd bring the suitcases at a 'later date'.

"Have fun!" Mrs. Kane called as Sahara skipped out the front door.

"Thanks, mum!" the girl called back before skidding to a halt. "Terrell!" she called, wondering where the boy had disappeared too.

"Coming!"

A moment later, the boy wobbled out. In his arms was one two very large boxes filled with strawberry milk cartons. On his hand was a silver bracelet identical to the one now around Sahara's wrist.

Terrell nodded to his board. "Some help."

As Sahara picked up the hoverboard, she eyed the box. Terrell's eyes barely peered out from above them as he clung on to the contents as though they were a lifeline.

The teenaged girl narrowed her eyes. "There's no way those are going to make it with us."

"I'll find a way," Terrel replied.

Tucking the board under an arm, Sahara simply shook her head.

"Those won't make it," Mr. Kane confirmed when they met him by the machine.

Terrell dropped the boxes on the floor, face crestfallen. "How am I supposed to live?" he whined, pleading eyes darting to Sahara.

The girl shrugged, the familiar musky smell of the barn tickling her nose. "They probably have strawberry milk again," she tried to console.

"Probably?" Terrell asked in disbelief. "You want me to risk my life on a probably?"

Mr. Kane scratched his chin, seeming ton consider this dilemma.

"Look at it as fate," Sahara tried. "If they have strawberry milk then it's meant to be. If not," she shrugged. "I guess you'll be going into cold turkey." Her lips twitched. "Who knows? Perhaps you'll reach enlightenment or something as a result of it."

"Enlightenment?" Terrell considered this. He wrapped his arms around the boxes. "But they'll be lonely without me," he tried to keep up his argument.

Sahara shrugged. "Fine. I'll go alone." She stepped to the machine.

"Wait!" Terrel straightened. "Give me one minute!"

In the next moment, he tore open the first box.

Sahara and Mr. Kane watched in fascination as the boy stuffed milk cartons in every pocket possible. He didn't seem to realize just how ridiculous he looked when he was done. Beaming at Sahara, he walked over.

"Now I'm ready."

Sahara resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She knew her boyfriend had a problem, but this was a good reminder at to just how big of one it was.

Reaching out her hand, Sahara took Terrell's in hers. "Shall we?' she extended the invite.

"Ready?" Mr. Kane questioned from where he stood at a safe distance.

Sahara's fingers tightened around Terrell's, a shiver of excitement flittering through her.

"See you soon," Mr. Kane spoke.

Terrell nodded. His hand squeezed Sahara's.

The next moment, his hand descended on a familiar button.

A familiar whirl filled Sahara's ears. Electrical arms shot out, running up and down the boy and girl standing by the machine. As the world began to spin, Sahara lost all sense of direction. She tightened her grip on both the board and Terrell, hoping she wouldn't lose either in the process.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to fight the dizziness. When the feeling of falling took over, Sahara's eyes flew open.

The sight that greeted her eyes made an array of emotions sweep through her all at once.

Stretched out below was none other than her second home – Regona City.

Familiar buildings towered into the sky. The sun bounced off the modern buildings, causing them to glitter like jewels. A few hover crafts zipped in and out, but not more than that. Manmade clouds lazily drifted, giving a sense of open sky to the enclosed bubble.

As the two fell, Sahara didn't even notice the smile that made it to her face.

"You ready?" she heard the yell.

Looking up, she was aware of Terrell falling beside her. His twinkling eyes were on her. He pointed to the board in Sahara's hand.

Sahara maneuvered it over to her boyfriend. He grabbed it without difficulty. With a wink, he let go of her hand. Turning onto her back, Sahara watched the handsome boy turn the board on. He smoothly whipped it under his feet.

As she continued to fall, he hovered above. In a split moment, he dived in her direction. He caught up in seconds, snatching her from the air and picking her up princess style. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Sahara giggled as Terrell cut through the air.

Her eyes were on Terrell's, watching as he skillfully cut through the air, face bright. The Phantom was back where he belonged, up in the skies.

They flew without direction for a while, the city below, before Terrell gently put Sahara down on the board before him.

It took Sahara a moment to adjust. Terrell wrapped his arms around her, hovering in mid air as he and Sahara stared at the city below. It had been a few months, but other than there being a few new buildings and not so much traffic, it looked like nothing had changed from up here. There was also no city looming next to this one. Once again, Regona was by itself in the vast wasteland.

"Well, think we should greet the Falcons?" Terrell murmured in Sahara's ear.

"And the Phantoms?" Sahara asked.

"Hah. They don't need to know we're back," Terrell replied as he nuzzled into Sahara's neck.

She giggled, trying to escape the ticklishness. "I'm sure they missed you," she tried.

"But I didn't miss them," Terrell replied, the fondness in his voice making evident the lie.

"Maybe we should drop by Rayne first?" Sahara suggested.

Terrell pulled back. "No thank you."

Craning her neck, Sahara shot her boyfriend a glance. "You owe him," she reminded. "We both do."

Terrell didn't reply, face unreadable.

Sahara sighed. Isn't it about time he buried the hatchet? She couldn't help but think.

"Let's go home first," Terrell suggested as the board swayed back and forth at dangerous heights, something which seemed to both neither of the two on top.

"Didn't we crush home?" Sahara asked.

"Let's see if the crew was loving enough to rebuild it," Terrell replied. He pulled Sahara closer. "Also, if there's no strawberry milk, I'm counting on you to help me reach that enlightenment."

Sahara opened her mouth for a witty comeback. She didn't have time to form the words when the board tipped and shot forward, wind stealing the words from her mouth.

Closing her lips, Sahara didn't fight it. She let the most skilled racer in Regona guide the board toward the city below, heading for the warehouse they called home.

The closer they drew the less Sahara could do to contain the excitement bubbling over within her. She was back. Terrell was back. They were home.

She could only hope that this time, their days would be filled with a little less excitement than the previous. She wished for nothing more than peaceful days ahead. Perhaps, this time, her wish would come true.