Homecoming

***

"JIMMY!"

He let himself follow through with the arc of his axe, splitting the recalcitrant log down the center and burying the head deep into the stump. The thunk of it coming to rest felt good and powerful and real, just as standing outside in the air and sunlight felt so much better than all those months in that tiny tin can.

His father would have been thrilled that he'd been able to see the stars. And while it's something he never wants to repeat, he is a little glad too.

"JAMES PROUDSTAR, WHERE IN ALL THE HELLS HAVE YE BEEN!?"

Especially if it means he's got a trully pissed off Teresa Cassidy stalking him in flannel and hiking boots. Grinning, he leans on the axe handle and lets himself watch as she stomps up the low hill he's been working on. She looks better than the last time he saw her. There's pink in her cheeks and she looks like she's had a few good meals. Admittedly, the pink might be blinding anger, but it still looks good.

"Hey, Terry. How are you, I'm fine, thanks for asking..."

He tries not to smirk as the vein over her eyebrow twitches, and she goes from nicely pink to magenta. "JAMES."

"I just got back from a six month jaunt into outer space to bring down the newest and most deadly, so far, Summers sibling. Yourself?"

She comes to a vibrating stop not a foot away. She's taking deep breaths like she just ran a marathon - she probably had to fly up the last few foothills to get to his cabin - and has her game face on. He smiles at her, genuine and happy at the sight. She's either going to beat the hell out of him or give him a hug.

He waits.

When the first tear falls, he knows.

"I've missed you so much, you idiot."

And then she's clinging to him like a limpet, arms wrapped tightly around his waist, and for the first time since that initial pull out of Earth's atmosphere, he feels like he's actually where he belongs.

He smiles down at her, feeling the tears soak his light t-shirt. "It's good to be home."

-fin-

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