NOTES: Takes place after the end of a movie. I went a little easy on the relationships. Neither mentioned is canon. (The het one is, though.)

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You're too much like your father, that's what it is.

You're far too young for me, even if you weren't already attached. But still, seeing you makes me hurt. It makes me remember him. I can't help but hate you for that, just a little.

Your father would be quite proud of you, if he could see you now. The hero, that's what you are. The wonderful bloody hero. You get the girl in the end. And what am I? Just an unhappy sidekick?

Nevermind. I got what I wanted in the end. Well, not you, but then I never really wanted you, did I? I thought I might have, for a little bit. Especially after we parted. For a while I missed you like a limb. But gradually I came to realize that it wasn't you I missed.

I missed him all over again.

If only you knew how like your father you are. He had the same damn principles, the same upstanding righteous indignation, even when he was at fault, which he often was. I really loved that about him.

He was the only one who really cared about me in the end. All the men who I thought were loyal to me betrayed me. That's what makes me so cynical. Betrayal can do that to anyone. But he didn't. He remained loyal, even when no one else did. And for that, if nothing else, I love him.

And now I continue my life without either of you. I'm not complaining. It could be a good deal worse, I know. One thing I've learned in my travels is that you've got to enjoy the life you're given while you have it. Some things slip away all too easily.

I'm beginning anew. I have no more obligations to pursue, so now I am free to be my own man once more. I guess freedom has really been all that I ever wanted. It's often underestimated, really, freedom. A man will go to incredible lengths just to have the choice whether or not to do things that he would end up doing anyway. It's the choice that matters.

I've made mine, and you've made yours. Who knows, perhaps someday our paths will cross again.

I look forward to that day.