Wanderlust ✧ (Milo Thatch)

eighteen

"Milo..." Sweet placed his hand on the linguist's shoulder. "Come with me."

Milo was clearly shaken when the doctor hoisted him to his feet and pointed the way to the castle. Inside, a gathering of Atlanteans was clustered around a bed. "Sweet," Milo's voice followed "I don't think I can see her body," he leaned against the wall for support. Dr Sweet essentially grinned and responded, "C'mon now, I think she'd really like to see you."

The linguist made his way slowly through the crowd to where Challis Whitmore, who was alive but had suffered severe injuries, lay. Her knife wound was covered with a bloodied bandage and her head was supported by her jacket which had been rolled up. Milo felt sick seeing all the damage that she had sustained from the fall.

"Challis?" kneeling next to the sleepy journalist, her eyes began to flutter open after he gently shook her arm. "Milo?" she looked at him with a murmur, then did a twofold take. Milo suddenly hugged her, overthinking all of the past events and not wanting to let her go. Challis recoiled in slight agony yet embraced him back regardless. "I thought I had lost you," he shakily exhaled, meeting her gaze.

"I landed in a pile of ash. I suppose it broke my fall but even so, I have never experienced pain like this before," she laughed however just a bit, because it hurt to snicker. Milo regarded Sweet. "How is she doing?" he asked sharply. "Fine right now however she had already lost a lot of blood and was bruised and battered from the fall, but I was able to stop the bleeding. It's fortunate I tracked her down when I did," Sweet replied.

Milo held Challis' hand tightly. "Would you mind if we had some privacy?" he glimpsed around the room. "Not at all," Sweet answered prior to hastily guiding everyone, including himself out.

"I'm sorry, Milo. I never intended to hurt you. Rourke threatened me," Challis sighed heavily. "Hey, you don't need to apologize. I'm the one who apologizes. I ought to have believed that you would never break my trust. Instead, I idiotically let my emotions get the better of me," he said, "I care a lot about Atlantis, but you mean more to me than anything."

Challis smiled warmly. At that point, he then showed her the adornment. "My ring! Where did you find it?" she was amazed. "Back in the volcano, I was unable to find you so the ring was all I had left," Milo rubbed his neck. With a yawn, Challis slipped it on her finger. She said quietly, "Milo, I must ask you something," as Milo settled comfortably next to her. "What is it?"

"What is going to happen to us now? After everything we've been through, do we simply pack up and leave?"

"I'm not sure about that, but I've really become used to this city."

"Me too," replied Challis thoughtfully. "And how is Kida doing?"

"She's okay, don't worry. She's outside with the crew, back to normal. I'm almost certain that Mole is bugging her," he chuckled. She rolled her eyes in a playful manner, "I'm sure the Atlanteans will be glad when he's gone. Still, I can't help but wonder where you and I will go."

Milo was silent, considering all of his options. Eventually, he came to one conclusion. "As long as we're together, anywhere is home."

"Do you really mean it?"

"I have always loved you, darling. I shouldn't have waited so long to admit that. I almost lost you but now I won't ever let you go again," Milo leaned in close to capture her lips and they revelled in the long-awaited kiss. She wrapped her arms around his muscular back while he cautiously fisted his hands in her tousled hair. It was everything they imagined, and better. Nothing else mattered, no fears or regrets. Just this moment that would stay with them forever after.

With passion, Milo's eyes dilated. He still needed to feel her touch as he gently pressed their foreheads together. The linguist said softly, "It is a privilege to be with you, and I want to dedicate my life to you. To us. I want to marry you and give you the wedding of your dreams."

"Milo and Challis Thatch," she smiled, "I have always loved you too."

They were in the middle of kissing again when Kida entered the room without knocking. They broke apart, staring at the princess with a chuckle. "I'm glad to see you are alive," Kida addressed the woman. "I'm glad to see you're safe too, Kida," Challis bowed her head out of respect, so did Milo.

Kida took a seat next to the journalist. Challis stated, "I just want you to know that I would never work with someone like Rourke. He threatened me," she looked regretful. "I know. You're not to blame, my friend," Kida squeezed Challis' hand before removing her crystal necklace and placing it over the knife wound. "Now, I wish to focus on healing you properly," Kida said. The crystal's energy healed the wound without leaving any marks or scars behind.

"Thank you," Challis' eyes glinted in gratitude.

She felt much better and at least there wasn't a hospital bill. Kida and Milo helped her to her feet and wrapped their arms over her body. The three went outside to show her the city had been restored to its magnificence. "Your home Kida, it's beautiful," Challis exclaimed, glancing around admiringly.

Kida broke into a smile. "Our home. On behalf of the Atlanteans, we would be honoured to have you stay with us, that is if you accept our invitation."

"May we be able to return to the surface if we stay?" Challis inquired. "I'm afraid not. We don't need history repeating itself," the two knew that the princess was alluding to Rourke and Helga. Milo responded, "We understand. Would we be able to have time to think about it before making a decision?"

"Take all the time you need."

Kida walked away, leaving Milo and Challis to consider the rest of their lives as they stood by the waterfall holding hands.