[b][i]Ashton Andrews and Flame Brooks[/i][/b]

Ashton looked at Sandra, then Flame, then said, "I want to go back - I'm tired of Lugnica. So many crimes I can't atone for, so much blood on my hands... I'm broken. I'm sorry if this is cowardly, but I am broken."

Seeing Flame die, however temporarily this time, was the second-to-last straw. The last straw was hearing that there can be nothing done for Hiro. "Hiro's death will forever haunt me. If there is no way to make up for that... Just send me back."

Flame walked over and enfolded his boyfriend in a light hug. "Ashton. You did what you thought would save the group - All of us. And quite frankly, things would be worse if not for you. Sometimes, Bittersweet endiings and half-victories are all we can hope for." A smile, "Perhaps the next generation here would have a better future than what came before."

He then looked at the others, expecting their disapproval, "So I and Ashton are going home. Sorry for being burdens and taking the 'cowardly' choice, but we just want to go back to our family."