Father Adriak stumbled to the pulpit. He sighed and fought to control his tears before he spoke. He was choked up and in grief, and his heart hung low. He looked before him and cried for several minutes before he could speak.

One casket was draped in a Space-Girl flag. The other was other had a wreath of red roses placed on it. They both lay before the altar.

“I have done this too often, as a priest, but today, it hurts so much more than I ever thought it would. I always thought it would be best if old men fought wars because we have lived and known life, but the young, they don’t even know.

Therese was a Space-Girl to the end, and she left as a mother protecting her child. Peter was as filled with compassion for his future wife and daughter as he was brave for them. We hope love conquers all, we see it in the movies, we witness it every day, and yet here we are today saying goodbye to true love. I love God, and I know God loved these kids, that’s what they really were, and I know He will receive them into his arms and welcome them home. The only pain left is for us.” said Father Adriak.

“I’ve asked Kara to sing. It isn’t a hymn, but in these circumstances it is appropriate.” said the priest before he sat down to rest his heart.

Kara walked up to the microphone and began singing the Space-Girl Michelle closing credits song.

“Space-Girl, you fight the robots

Space-Girl, you fight the Gopher King

Space-Girl, you never give up and I'll never give up on myself

I can only say that my life is pretty clear

There are no jammers on the stars

I want to walk tall,

I want to walk tall,

Space-Girl you save the day.” sang Kara.

Kara then said “Therese was my best friend, since we were little girls. I met her at the park in our neighborhood. We had both snuck out there, on our own. Our parents, of course, were terrified, but we didn’t know this, so five years old we were playing on the swings. We kept seeing police drive by, but each cop thought he was looking for a single little girl, finally one of the officers realized that we were the little girls. Next thing you know, our parents there crying, the cops are there, we didn’t understand what the fuss was, but what we learned that day was we would be friends forever.” At that point, Kara broke down into tears, and returned to the pews, and sat back by Ben.

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Ben sobbed, holding Ana, he cried and wept. Erin sat next to him, wishing she could hold him, but the arm facing him was in a sling. Therese’s parents sat and wept. Buck cried and could not make eye contact with anyone. Ed Shank soaked his hankerchief in tears. Vivo cried in the hospital wishing he could be there with his friends, but he still was in unbearable pain and using oxygen.

“Your mom was the bravest person I ever met.” Ben told the little girl, “And your father, no one could have done any more, for anyone.” The little girl cried and held Ben. She wondered where her parents were.

“Watch this.” said Ben, rewinding the video, “I’m telling you Kara , you looked great in that little black dress. You can totally see side boob, right there.” Ben rewinded the video of the funeral back several times and replayed it.

Kara hit Ben and told him, “Stop that.”

“I wish I was there, you sang real good.” said Vivo.

“Why did I get roses on my casket?” asked Peter.

“They had to put something there. You don’t even like Space-Girl Michelle, like me.” Therese said, rubbing her shoulder which still hurt and was bandaged from the gunshot.

“Other than being dicks, why did you guys keep us in the dark the funeral wasn’t real?” asked Therese’s dad. No one knew how close the earth had come to destruction until Erin told him secretly and asked Rodger and Mary to play along with Ben’s plans.

“If we are being watched, your reaction had to be the most authentic.” explained Ben.

“I hope I was authentic enough.” said Therese’s mother, Mary. She still had black circles under her eyes from crying for days. The world should be grateful she kept Rodger from destroying it over this. They’d moved here to protect Therese, not to lose her.

“I don’t think anyone will be looking for these guys.” said Ben.

“How long do you think it will take you to hunt everyone down?” asked Erin.

“Two, maybe three months. Lou gave me that much time, then she will meet and make everything cold. I need to take care of this before that, to keep anyone from ever coming for you all again.” Ben said.

“Why doesn’t she call it cold now, if she can stop all this?” Therese’s mother asked.

“Because I want to kill these motherfuckers. It’ll keep anyone else from getting ambitious too.” said Ben.

“That’s a long time to live in the basement of a restaurant.” Erin told Therese and Peter.

“I am sure we can think of things to do.” said Therese with a sly grin. Therese’s mother face palmed, and her father looked away.

“Are you sure you don’t mind us staying?” Peter asked Lou.

“It’s good for Ben to owe me a favor, it is better now that he owes me a lot of favors, I hope you are still a good attorney, Mr. Vivo.” said Lou. “This has to be done, it is our way.” She added.

Vivo shrugged. Ben grabbed his duffel bag filled with weapons and ammo, and walked to the door. He stopped and paused. He stopped at the door and turned around. “Yo, Kara. Let’s go find the father, he found someone.” said Ben.

“I was hoping you would ask me.” said Kara, as she stood up. “I love you, always.” Kara told Therese, hugging her.

“Just come back home. I love you.” Therese told Kara as she hugged her. Both growls had tears streaming down their faces. Kara ran over to Ben and walked out the door with him.

“See you out there.” said Ed Shank, next to Buck who was grinning. Buck was about to get useful again.