A/N: I originally had Kila going home alone, because XR going with her seemed too... something. Sappy, maybe. But if he doesn't go with her, then... we don't get to see him in Kaua'i. So he's going with her. :P I tell you this because I changed it sorta quickly and I want you to tell me if the scene seems... messy as a result.

3/7/03

1:03 PM

“Ninety-nine dreams I have had, in every one a red balloon… it’s all over and I’m standin’ pretty, in this dust that was a city… if I could find a souvenir, just to prove the world was here and here it is a red balloon… I think of you, and let it go…”

The medal was shiny bronze, and she tilted it, smiling at how it caught the light. It wasn’t shiny enough to catch her reflection, though, which was nice because she’d never really liked how she looked.

There was a knock on the door. She jumped

(the feds!)

But no, she didn’t have to have that knee-jerk reaction anymore, because she’d been granted a pardon. A full pardon. From Madame President AND the Grand Councilwoman. Wow.

Plus, there was only one person who ever came to visit her. She went to open the door.

“Hey, Ki’!”

Sure enough, XR was standing there, giving her a tired smile. He looked tired too often these days… “Tyr!”

“How’s it goin’?” he chirped, going past her into the living room.

“Good! Almost done packing.” She wrapped him in a hug, then pulled away to stick her medal in his face. He pulled away, flinching. “Look a‘ dis, a real medal! First one I ever had!”

“Well, good! You deserve it,” he said, putting his hand on her shoulder and smiling.

She scoffed. “Deserve it? A medal for bravery? Please.” She shoved it into her pocket. “They give these things out like candy. I don’t need a freakin’ medal. Their solar system still exploded.”

XR looked briefly upset, then rolled his eyes. “Well it’s still nice to be appreciated. I notice you didn’t turn it down.”

“Well no, I wouldn’ go that far.” She smiled. “I can’t believe they granted me a pardon… really and truly. Mother of Venus.”

“Well, hey. Sometimes you just get lucky.” He took her hands in his. “I hope you enjoy seeing your family again.”

She grinned, bouncing up and down. “I can’t wait for you to meet my family. You’ll love Lilo. Uh, assuming she’s still there.” Hm… downer possibility…

He put his arm around her. “I’m sure I will.” Not being over-gifted with perception she didn’t notice the wariness on his face. Kila having ‘cousins’ was a daunting prospect.

She could just picture him at the beach, the luau, cowering in fear from any one of her cousins, ogling Lilo’s sister (heck, Lilo herself might be ogling age by now, Kila didn’t remember how old she’d been when she left)- “You like islands, right?”

“Yep!”

“You said good-bye already, right?”

He nodded. “I’m just waiting for you.” And he hesitated. “Kila?”

“Mm?”

He hunched his shoulders. “What exactly did the Grand Councilwoman mean when she said I should go as your… ‘guard’? She was just being overly formal, right?” He chuckled nervously. “I mean, it’s just a vacation.”

She was silent for a moment. Then she flashed him a nervous grin. “Well, I’d better finish packing.”

He frowned. “Okay… you didn’t answer my-“

She left the room.

2/20/03

6:26 PM

The Voot cruiser docked in the space usually reserved for the Evil Emperor's dreadnought. It opened up and a stocky Irken limped out of it. His skin was pale and yellowish.

Brain Pod 01 was waiting at the end of the bay for him. "My Evil Emperor," he saluted.

"There you are, finally," Zurg spat. "Hurry up and get me to the med bay, this leg is worse than direct-to-video sequels!"

01 made a signal and two grubs appeared with a stretcher. One of them stared at Zurg in shock.

"Irken!" it whimpered.

"This Irken is a confidant of the Emperor and requires immediate medical attention," 01 said. Zurg rounded on him, eyes blazing, and 01 gave him a meaningful look. Zurg growled, realizing the stupid pod was right- after spending all his life ensuring the grubs did not know he was an Irken, he couldn't very well convince them otherwise very quickly. He sniffed, limping over to the grubs. "Put that stretcher away, you numbskulls! It's just a broken leg!" He looked over at 01. "Pod, there's something in the back of the Voot Cruiser I want you to handle." Meaningful look. 01 raised his eyebrows. "Understood?"

"Yes, sir," 01 said, and Zurg left.

01 went over to the Voot cruiser and peered inside. There was another Irken in the back, a tiny one in a ranger suit. It was bloody and unconscious.

01 opened the Voot and examined the little creature. It was in poor shape- head injuries, broken ribs, broken wrists, burns, probable internal injuries. Ouch.

01 sighed, knowing that if the thing died (and it probably would) after Zurg had gone to all the trouble of bringing it here 01 would get the blame. He reached out to pick up the Irken-

and pulled back in shock when it feebly snapped at his fingers.

01 watched it keenly for a moment. The Irken moved no more. Hmm...

He called some brain pods down to pick it up. High-level pods, ones that could keep a secret. He had a feeling keeping this secret would be important.

99 years of war
Don't leave any room for victors
There are no more war ministers
And no fighter pilots either
Today I'm making my rounds
See the world lying in ruins
Found a balloon
Think of you, and let it fly
~Nena, '99 Luftballons' (translated from German)

-end

-tooo be continued?!-

Wow.

Hopefully the sequeal will be ready for posting next week, as so not to break with schedule. If not, then... oh well, you guys probably need a break anyway. XD

Note: I'll be moving this to the nifty new crossovers section shortly, and that's where the next fic will be.

Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed. I appreciate the feedback so much, it really keeps me going.