Weve landed, Esther told him, smiling sweetly.

Landed? he asked. His voice came out as a croak. Where?

Home.

Home? You mean...

Esther nodded kindly. The School for Seers.

Oliver fell back, stunned. Hed thought he would never be allowed back in this place, that hed never set foot inside the school again. He was so relieved. Dazed with happiness.

Esthers musical voice was still sounding. He focused all his attention on her.

You slept the whole way, she told him. Professor Amethyst said youd burned yourself out using so much of your powers to break the bomb. He cant believe you were even able to, after the small amount of training youve had. But I can. I always knew you were special, Oliver.

Oliver blushed deeply. What happened? With the gap in the wall? With the timetables?

I held it for as long as I could, Esther explained. But when the timetables came on I knew that I had to do something. Edmund of course immediately went to Professor Amethyst about what wed done to him. I think he was expecting him to condemn you forever or something, but instead he immediately rallied the school.

Edmund accidentally saved the day? Oliver mused. How ironic.

Esther chuckled. I suppose so. Professor Amethyst already knew you were in Germany, at Hitlers IQ. At least he said that thats where you ended up in most timelines. So we flew there, parachuted in, and, well, you remember the rest.

How did you convince him to let you come? Oliver asked.

Actually, we didnt, Esther confessed. He chose us to come. He knew our powers would work the best of everyones because of our bond with you, because of the emotion.

At the mention of his friends, Olivers gaze immediately roved around the empty cabin. Where are they? Ralph, Hazel, Simon, Walter? He noticed the cabin door was open, letting in bright light.

They went on ahead to spread the good news, Esther explained. Are you ready for your heros welcome?

My… what? Oliver asked timidly.

Esthers smile widened, showing off all her pearly white teeth. Youre a hero, Oliver! Come on.

It was all happening too quickly for Oliver to get his head around. But as Esther reached forward and grabbed his hand all his thoughts faded to nothing. All he could focus on now was the feeling of their interlinked fingers, of her warm, soft skin.

She tugged him toward the open doors of the aircraft. Oliver staggered, disoriented by the noise of applause that seemed to get louder the closer he got to the door.

He stepped out to a cacophony of cheers. Bright synthesized sunlight made him blink.